381: Master (two in one)

“You… what did you call me?”

The White Fatty Old Man stood frozen, his chubby round face filled with endless surprise and excitement.

What did he hear?

Lin Yang actually called him Master?!

The White Fatty Old Man was very excited.

Although he had already started calling himself “this Master” and acting as a venerable Master from the moment he proposed taking Lin Yang as his disciple!

But Lin Yang had not directly agreed to acknowledge him as Master.

So he had never proactively mentioned wanting to hear Lin Yang call him by a title like Master.

In fact, deep down, the White Fatty Old Man was quite apprehensive.

He wasn't entirely sure if Lin Yang would ultimately choose to become his disciple.

The reason he had shamelessly called himself “this Master” before was more to satisfy his craving for having a precious disciple.

Because he wasn't certain if Lin Yang would ultimately choose him; if Lin Yang didn't choose him as Master, then calling himself Master at that point would be a great offense.

To put it plainly, he wanted to indulge himself before Lin Yang officially became his disciple.

If Lin Yang ultimately chose him, then it would naturally be a happy outcome for all; if he didn't choose him, then it would still be considered taking advantage in advance, satisfying his craving to be a master.

Although Lin Yang had not shown any resistance to him acting as a venerable Master, and later Lin Yang had also said that once the Silver-haired woman agreed, he could become his disciple.

But the moment he truly heard Lin Yang utter the words “Master,” the White Fatty Old Man was still unable to contain his excitement!

Because Lin Yang didn't call him “Master” ( Master), but “Master” ( Master)!

Though “Master” ( Master) and “Master” ( Master) differ by only one character, the meaning they represent is still different.

While “Master” ( Master) also means Master, it primarily conveys respect for the senior's status.

“Master” ( Master), on the other hand, focuses more on expressing the existence of the master-disciple relationship itself!

The title “Master” ( Master) not only includes the respect for a senior that “Master” ( Master) implies, but also carries a closer meaning brought by the master-disciple relationship itself!

It is the disciple's heartfelt respect, reverence, and gratitude towards his Master!

It is a more intimate address than “Master” ( Master).

Typically, for instance, when important figures from major powers take on disciples, they might take many disciples at once, eventually sifting out the few with the strongest talent.

In such cases, those whose relationships are not as close naturally address him as “Master” ( Master), primarily to express reverence for an elder.

But calling him “Master” ( Master) is different; it represents a relationship of utmost intimacy!

It can be placed on the same level as the relationship with parents and blood relatives!

The White Fatty Old Man hadn't expected to hold such a position in Lin Yang's heart, making Lin Yang willing to call him “Master” ( Master)!

He couldn't even believe what he heard.

Lin Yang, however, honestly replied again, “Master, I'm calling you Master. Didn't you want to take me as your disciple? Just now, I already received Senior Yue's consent to become your disciple, so naturally, I should call you Master.”

Master!

It was Master again!

Hearing this confirmed answer, the White Fatty Old Man's heart instantly bloomed with excitement!

He looked at Lin Yang, a little too excited to know what to do, with many things he wanted to say, but after holding it in for a long time, he finally uttered a sentence:

“Precious disciple, you… call me Master again for this Master to hear…”

“Master.” Lin Yang called.

“Again… call again!” The White Fatty Old Man said again.

“Master.”

Lin Yang called again.

“Call again…”

“…Master.”

“One more time!!”

Lin Yang: “…”

He looked at the White Fatty Old Man with a strange expression.

What was wrong with this old man?

“Ahem, precious disciple, just call again…”

The White Fatty Old Man's old face flushed. Although he knew his request seemed a bit perverted and strange, he just had an itch in his heart and wanted to hear it.

“…Master!”

Although Lin Yang was puzzled as to why the White Fatty Old Man kept asking him to call, he still honestly called out again.

“Ay! Good disciple!” The White Fatty Old Man squinted his eyes, showing an expression of enjoyment, and responded heartily.

“…” Lin Yang was silent.

The White Fatty Old Man, however, was in a state of emotional turmoil.

If Lin Yang had called him “Master” ( Master), he would certainly have been happy, but he would never have been so emotionally agitated.

But, Lin Yang didn't call him “Master” ( Master); instead, he called him “Master” ( Master), a title greater than the heavens!

Just for the words “Master” ( Master), the White Fatty Old Man now felt that even if Lin Yang wanted the stars and moon from the sky, he would bring them down for Lin Yang to play with!

Suddenly, the White Fatty Old Man, who was originally full of excitement and enjoyment, his expression changed abruptly, becoming very nervous and apprehensive, mixed with some embarrassment.

This caught Lin Yang's attention, and he immediately asked with concern, “Master, what's wrong? Were you injured just now?”

Hearing this, the White Fatty Old Man's embarrassment deepened. He couldn't help but rub his hands, fell silent for a moment, and then awkwardly cleared his throat, saying:

“No, those old things can't hurt this Master. This Master isn't injured, it's just that this Master… forgot to bring you a welcoming gift…”

After speaking, the White Fatty Old Man felt his face burning.

To think that he had shamelessly acted as a venerable Master and taken advantage for so long when Lin Yang hadn't even agreed to become his disciple, and now that Lin Yang was about to become his disciple, he only just remembered that he hadn't prepared a welcoming gift for the apprenticeship.

This made the White Fatty Old Man feel very embarrassed.

Even though Lin Yang's apprenticeship was rather sudden, he should have prepared the apprenticeship gift long ago!

“Uh…”

Lin Yang immediately felt a bit speechless; he had thought the White Fatty Old Man had some other major issue.

At that moment, Lin Yang said, “Master, even before I became your disciple, you prepared so many things for me, Gene Potions and extraordinary characteristic materials. You don't need to prepare any other gifts for me!”

“That won't do!”

The White Fatty Old Man, however, instantly waved his hand vigorously: “How can that be? How can those things be considered a formal apprenticeship gift?”

Saying that, the White Fatty Old Man frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and said, “This Master will owe you today's apprenticeship gift for now; I’ll prepare it properly later!”

“No need to go to such trouble, Master!” Lin Yang emphasized.

“No! The welcoming gift for apprenticeship must be formal! You are this Master's first precious disciple; how can I casually brush it off?”

The White Fatty Old Man, however, was very insistent, determined to formally prepare a welcoming gift for Lin Yang's apprenticeship!

“This… Well, alright then, I’ll listen to you, Master.” Seeing this, Lin Yang could only sigh helplessly.

In his heart, he truly didn't care about any apprenticeship gift or not.

Because the White Fatty Old Man had already been good enough to him, so good that he was genuinely willing to call the White Fatty Old Man Master.

But since the White Fatty Old Man insisted, he naturally couldn't refuse outright, otherwise, he would dampen the White Fatty Old Man's spirits.

What the White Fatty Old Man said was also true; after all, it was his first time taking a disciple, so if he wanted to be formal, then let it be formal.

Lin Yang's answer made the White Fatty Old Man very satisfied: “Good, good, good, as expected of this Master's good disciple. This Master will go back and prepare thoroughly!”

With that, the White Fatty Old Man glanced at Yu Meng, who was in a deep sleep, and then said:

“This Master has been following your competition status. Don't blame this Master for not responding to you in time, for not rushing back in time.”

“This Master originally intended to prepare a suitable resource for you to celebrate your victory in the grand competition, but encountered some unexpected trouble halfway, which delayed some time, causing me to miss that resource, and almost didn't make it back in time.”

The White Fatty Old Man explained with some self-reproach why he hadn't been able to respond to Lin Yang's message and rush back immediately.

Mainly, he had never expected those guy from the top universes to be so audacious.

Audacious enough to openly engage in combat on this street.

Thinking about it now, the White Fatty Old Man still felt a lingering fear.

Had he not turned back in time, a great disaster might have occurred!

Lin Yang quickly said, “Master, you don't have to be like this. This can only be blamed on those guy being too audacious. But now, isn't your disciple fine? This is already the best outcome, you shouldn't blame yourself!!”

“It's a good thing no irreversible consequences occurred, otherwise this Master would definitely wipe out all nine generations of their families one by one!”

While letting out a sigh of relief, the White Fatty Old Man also secretly made a fierce vow.

Although he had just fought with those Old Monster in the deep sky, he now felt that the lesson was not enough.

Lin Yang hadn't called him Master yet.

Now, stimulated by the repeated calls of “Master,” the White Fatty Old Man, just thinking that he almost didn't make it in time to save his precious disciple, wished he could go back and slaughter those Old Monster again!

Lin Yang noticed that the White Fatty Old Man seemed to have some emotional changes, and the aura around him suddenly became somewhat sharp.

With a slight guess, he knew that the White Fatty Old Man had most likely developed killing intent towards those few people again, so he immediately changed the subject:

“Master, your disciple hasn't chosen the other two rewards for the championship yet. I'd like to ask for your input!”

The reason he changed the subject was, firstly, that the deadline for submitting the reward choices was almost up.

Secondly, he didn't want the White Fatty Old Man to go and fight those Old Monster again for his sake.

The risk was too great!

Although the White Fatty Old Man was very strong, the Silver-haired woman had just said that her true body had encountered some trouble, and her projection could no longer descend at any time.

If the White Fatty Old Man went to vent his anger for him and something unexpected happened while facing so many Old Monster alone, there would be no one to call for help!

Therefore, he wanted to try to change the topic to help the White Fatty Old Man relax his emotions.

There were many more important things to do now than seeking revenge on those Old Monster.

Indeed, hearing this, the White Fatty Old Man immediately reined in his emotions and said, “What are the optional rewards for this year's championship? Show them to this Master.”

“Okay, it's not very convenient here, Master. Please come back to the rest area with me first.”

Lin Yang glanced around; the street nearby had already re-gathered quite a few people.

The commotion just now was so huge, so many powerful individuals and Old Monster from top universes had died, and even an Ancestor-level powerhouse had fallen.

This place had become the center of attention.

If it weren't for those people being wary of the White Fatty Old Man's strength and not daring to approach, he would probably have been surrounded again by now.

Of course, this time the encirclement would certainly not dare to attack him, but rather to curry favor and make connections.

But no matter what, Lin Yang didn't want to stay here any longer now.

Because he had already seen some powerhouses from super-first-rate top universes who were almost unable to contain their impulse and wanted to come over to talk to him.

He was too lazy to deal with these people anymore.

Yu Meng also needed a quieter environment to sleep and recover.

The White Fatty Old Man understood Lin Yang's meaning and immediately said with a chuckle, “Good, good, I’ll listen to whatever you say, my precious disciple.”

With that, he reached out his hand through the air, and Yu Meng was lifted by an invisible force, remaining in a sleeping state, and brought back to the lounge.

Lin Yang placed Yu Meng on the luxurious sofa, gave him a pillow, and covered his stomach with a blanket he had gotten from the Universe Alliance staff on the way back. Then, he brought up the five hundred optional championship rewards for the White Fatty Old Man to see.

“Tsk tsk, there are quite a few optional items, but most of them are useless.”

The White Fatty Old Man casually scanned them, circled more than twenty reward items, and said:

“These might be somewhat helpful to you, but honestly, this Master can get all these things for you. The Universe Alliance is really stingy; they’re not willing to be a bit more generous.”

“…” Lin Yang's expression became strange again upon hearing this.

Although he was quite displeased with the Universe Alliance's actions just now, he had to admit that in terms of rewards, the Universe Alliance was no longer considered stingy.

Those items could be called valuable to any top universe; it was only because the White Fatty Old Man was too mysterious and powerful that he felt those things were nothing.

“Sigh, never mind, precious disciple, why don't we just casually pick two items that are relatively high in value?” The White Fatty Old Man looked at Lin Yang.

In his opinion, none of these things were particularly useful.

Any cultivation resources, as long as he wanted to get them, he would definitely find a way to get them for Lin Yang.

Lin Yang, hearing this, could only shrug helplessly and sigh, “Then I’ll listen to you, Master. Let's choose two high-quality time extraordinary characteristic materials.”

“Hmm? Why choose that thing? It's not useful.” The White Fatty Old Man subconsciously said, “Even if you want to sell it for money, there are things more valuable than time extraordinary characteristic materials in here.”

Lin Yang immediately said, “No, Master, your disciple can use them himself. Time extraordinary characteristic materials are relatively rare, aren't they? Especially high-quality ones are even harder to get. Since there are no other better options, then let's just choose two high-quality time extraordinary characteristic materials for your disciple to use in the future. It can also save a lot of time and material costs in acquiring them.”

“Good, ah… no, wait, precious disciple, what did you say? You… can use them yourself??”

The White Fatty Old Man instinctively nodded at first, but then immediately reacted, instantly turning his head to stare at Lin Yang in disbelief!

What did he hear?

What did his precious disciple say??

He could use time extraordinary characteristic materials???

???

The White Fatty Old Man was stunned.

Lin Yang, however, said somewhat shyly, “Yes, Master, your disciple can actually merge with time extraordinary characteristic materials.”

“…”

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