338: I just want to ask if you still accept apprentices?

"Ouch!"

Shi Jingxian stumbled from the blow, clutching his head in confusion.

"Dream your head!"

Shi Wanshan was so angry that his beard bristled and his eyes widened. He pointed at Shi Jingxian's nose and cursed:

“Boy, what's the strength of your Physical Body now? Don't you have any idea? The effeminate strength you just used wouldn't even tickle me!"

"It doesn't hurt, and you're still dreaming? I'll make you sober up!"

With that, without waiting for Shi Jingxian to react, Shi Wanshan gave two more solid slaps to his arm, this time using a bit of real strength.

"Hiss—! It hurts, it hurts, it hurts! Master, stop hitting me! It really hurts!"

Shi Jingxian truly felt the burning pain this time, but he also instantly snapped back to his senses. It wasn't a dream! This was real!

"Now you know it hurts? Now you know it's not a dream?"

Shi Wanshan glared at him, "Hurry up and kowtow to Martial Uncle Gu to thank him! A heaven-sent stroke of luck has fallen on you, and you still dare to think it's a dream? Watch me not slap you awake!"

Saying that, Shi Wanshan raised his foot, pretending to kick Shi Jingxian's knee, wanting him to kneel and kowtow.

Li Xuanfeng, Lin Mochen, and Mu Chenyu were also completely startled awake from their daze. Seeing Shi Jingxian's predicament, they found it both funny and frightening, and quickly prepared to perform the grand 禮 with him.

"Senior Brother Shi, there's no need for this."

Gu Changge lightly flicked his sleeve, and a gentle yet irresistible force supported the four who were about to kneel.

"Your sincerity is enough. My Zizhu Peak does not adhere to such formalities."

His gaze swept over the four. "Remember that this Foundation today was hard-won. Cultivate diligently, and do not let it be in vain."

The four were supported by that force, unable to kneel, but the gratitude and awe in their hearts reached their peak.

They all bowed deeply, their voices incredibly solemn:

"Thank you, Junior Martial Uncle, for this rebirth!"

Gu Changge looked at the four whose Foundations were completely stable and auras profound, and nodded slightly, rather satisfied with the effect of the Myriad Tribulation Profound Water.

"The Foundation is established; now, Dao-protecting techniques are needed."

His gaze swept over the four, and with a slight movement of his Divine Sense, he had already discerned the characteristics of their respective Cultivation Techniques and the most suitable directions for strengthening them at this moment.

In an instant, four Jade Slips, each exuding different attributes yet all containing a sharp, murderous aura, condensed out of thin air.

One Jade Slip, entirely purplish-green, faintly echoed with the roar of wind and thunder, flying directly towards Li Xuanfeng.

"The Nine Heavens Wind and Thunder Slash. It draws wind and thunder into the sword, swift and fierce, perfectly suited to your spiritual power."

One Jade Slip, earthy yellow and heavy, with the faint illusion of mountains floating on its surface, landed in Shi Jingxian's hand.

"The Earth-Shaking Heaven-Shattering Art. Its power pierces through a thousand mountains, capable of collapsing the heavens, complementing your Physical Body perfectly."

One Jade Slip, dripping emerald green, with the Concept of Reincarnation of flourishing and decay hidden within its vitality, floated towards Lin Mochen.

"The Finger of Life and Death Reincarnation. One thought brings life, one thought brings death. Comprehend it well."

The last Jade Slip, as black as ink, with Sword Qi restrained yet bone-chillingly cold, hovered before Mu Chenyu.

"The Profound Nether Myriad Law Sword. Its Sword Qi is like the cold tide of the Nine Nethers, piercing through all things, and can help you perfect your Sword Intent."

These four Cultivation Techniques were all exquisite items from Gu Changge's accumulated treasures obtained through checking in. Though not his most top-tier Emperor Scriptures, they were all Saint-Grade peak combat techniques directly pointing to the essence of killing, and perfectly suited the current Dao paths of the four.

The four accepted the Jade Slips. With a slight probe of their Divine Sense, a vast, profound, and exquisitely intricate Concept of killing surged into their Sea of Consciousness. Its power far surpassed any Cultivation Technique they had ever practiced before!

Their shock and gratitude were beyond words, and they bowed again, thanking him, "Thank you, Junior Martial Uncle, for bestowing the Dharma!"

Gu Changge calmly accepted their 禮, but his gaze seemed to inadvertently sweep past the Zizhu Peak, towards the direction of the other main peaks.

Lin Xiaowan of Dan Ding Peak, Yun Qingjue of Flying Cloud Peak, Su Qingyuan of Sunset Glow Peak, and Zhenyue Peak's... the auras of the Core Disciples of each peak appeared one by one in his mind.

"Since Li Xuanfeng and the other three have received this good fortune, it wouldn't be fair to neglect the promising Core Disciples of the other peaks."

Gu Changge's heart stirred slightly. "When I have some leisure, I'll give them a boost as well."

The few chatted for a while longer on Zizhu Peak. Xuan Yangzi and Ye Guying thanked Gu Changge, then bid farewell with the still-excited Li Xuanfeng and Mu Chenyu, transforming into streaks of light and disappearing into the horizon.

However, Shi Wanshan did not leave with them.

He first watched Xuan Yangzi and the other disappear into the distance, then paced back and forth beside his Disciple Shi Jingxian, sometimes patting his Disciple's now much sturdier shoulder with a silly grin, sometimes frowning, seemingly wanting to say something but hesitating.

Finally, he simply sent Shi Jingxian and Lin Mochen away: "You brats, what are you still standing around for? Hurry back and consolidate your cultivation, and familiarize yourselves with the Cultivation Technique bestowed by Junior Martial Uncle Gu! Don't just stand here foolishly!"

Although the two were a bit puzzled as to why their Master had stayed behind alone, they dared not ask further. They respectfully bowed to Gu Changge and then also left on their escape light.

In a flash, the lively Zizhu Peak summit was left with only Gu Changge and the lingering, reluctant Shi Wanshan.

The atmosphere became quiet and subtle for a moment.

His burly figure seemed a bit hesitant, and the expression on his rough face changed unpredictably.

His large, fan-like hands unconsciously rubbed together, his gaze wandering, occasionally stealing glances at Gu Changge, who was about to turn back into the bamboo house.

Gu Changge stopped, turned around, and looked at the conflicted, hesitant Shi Wanshan, asking calmly, "Senior Brother Shi, is there something else?"

Startled by the sudden question, Shi Wanshan jumped as if his tail had been stepped on. His face, which was usually resolute from years of Body Refining, now flushed with an unnatural redness.

After much stammering, he finally seemed to muster his courage. He moved a few steps closer, lowered his voice, and spoke with a shyness and embarrassment that even he found mortifying:

"Uh... Changge... Senior Brother, I... I just wanted to ask... are you... are you still accepting Disciples?"

The question was abrupt. After asking, Shi Wanshan was so embarrassed that he lowered his head, not daring to look Gu Changge in the eye.

He looked like a brawny man wanting candy but afraid of rejection, a stark contrast to his usual bold, unrestrained, and booming persona.

Gu Changge's face showed a hint of surprise upon hearing this.

Why would Senior Brother Shi suddenly ask this again?

Now that Senior Brother Shi had stayed behind alone and was solemnly asking about "accepting Disciples" again... could it be that earlier, with many eyes around, he found it inconvenient to speak plainly? Perhaps he had discovered an exceptionally talented individual outside, whose Aptitude and Heart-Nature far surpassed ordinary people, even comparable to Xiao Ruobai and the others, an unparalleled talent?

Did he feel that only by being accepted as a personal Disciple into my Zizhu Peak would their talent not be wasted?

Thinking of this, a genuine spark of interest flashed in Gu Changge's eyes.

A promising talent that could make Senior Brother Shi so hesitant and deliberate must be extraordinary.

He asked gently, "Senior Brother Shi, why do you ask this? Could it be that during your recent travels, you encountered a rare and exceptional talent, a beautiful jade among ten thousand, whom you feel is suitable to join my sect and inherit my Legacy?"

He thought that if it truly was a cultivable talent with a pure Heart-Nature, taking them in as a Disciple and carefully teaching them would indeed be a good thing.

"Ah? Beautiful jade? Inherit your Legacy?"

Shi Wanshan was stunned by the question. He looked up, meeting Gu Changge's clear, inquiring gaze, which held a hint of expectation. His old face flushed even deeper, as if blood would drip from it.

Junior Brother's gaze... he thinks I'm recommending a Genius Disciple to him?

This... this is a huge misunderstanding!