37: Chapter 37 Apprentice Disciple

It was rare for Xiao Huo to be so patient in trying to persuade a student who didn't meet the requirements.

On one hand, it was because Qin Yan's words just now had truly struck a chord with him;

On the other hand, he genuinely felt that Qin Yan possessed extraordinary talent in the Spear Dao.

He couldn't bear to see him ruin his future because of a wrong choice.

"Instructor Xiao Huo, thank you very much for your earnest teachings and for looking out for me."

Qin Yan gave a respectful bow, his tone sincere.

A gratified "teachable child" expression appeared on Xiao Huo's face, thinking Qin Yan had been convinced.

However, Qin Yan's next words left him speechless.

"But,"

Qin Yan looked up, the fire in his eyes not extinguished, but burning even more intensely. "Instructor Xiao Huo, I still want to give it a try!

How can I know I'll definitely fail without trying it myself?"

His voice suddenly rose, carrying an unquestionable firmness and sharpness: "The path of martial arts is like rowing against the current!

I believe a true martial artist must dare to think what others dare not think, and dare to do what others dare not do!

To do what others fear to do, and achieve what others cannot achieve!

If one doesn't even have the courage to try, then how can they talk about climbing the peak of martial arts?"

These words were spoken with a resounding force, powerful and rhythmic.

They carried the vigorous spirit of a newborn calf unafraid of tigers and an unyielding will!

Standing behind Xiao Huo, Lu Youyou looked at the youth with determined eyes, feeling as if his entire body was glowing!

Looking at the unwavering fire of conviction in Qin Yan's eyes, Xiao Huo couldn't help but sigh inwardly: 'Sigh, this kid... with such a resilient character and iron will, he's truly a prime candidate for spear training!'

He felt more and more that Qin Yan taking the path of alchemy was going astray.

But at the same time, deep in his heart, he was slightly touched by Qin Yan's persistence in refusing to turn back until hitting a dead end.

Alchemy also required focus and perseverance, perhaps...

Just as Xiao Huo was weighing the pros and cons, feeling somewhat indecisive, Lu Youyou spoke up again from the side.

Her voice was soft and sweet, yet she proposed a solution:

"Teacher,"

She gently tugged on Xiao Huo's sleeve, "I see that Student Qin Yan truly wants to learn alchemy, and his conviction is very firm.

How about... you give him a chance?

You could first take him in as an 'Intern Disciple'."

She blinked her large eyes and continued to explain her idea: "Set an internship period.

If Student Qin Yan truly fails to show any talent in alchemy during the internship,

Or if his progress cannot meet your requirements, then both parties can peacefully dissolve the master-disciple relationship.

Without wasting each other's time, Student Qin Yan can then look for another suitable instructor.

What do you think of that?"

Hearing this, Xiao Huo's eyes brightened slightly.

Lu Youyou's proposal was indeed an excellent way to have the best of both worlds!

It gave Qin Yan a chance to try while leaving himself plenty of room to maneuver, avoiding the huge loss and embarrassment of misjudging or holding back a student.

Xiao Huo looked back at Qin Yan, his expression becoming more serious. "Qin Yan, you heard Youyou's proposal.

I can give you a chance now and take you as an Intern Disciple, with the internship period set for one year.

Within this year, if your alchemy progress is too slow, or if your performance truly fails to meet my expectations, then the transition to formal status will fail.

Our master-disciple relationship will automatically dissolve, at which point you are free to find another instructor.

Of course, if you perform excellently, you can also become a formal disciple early."

He paused for a moment and added: "However, rest assured that even as an Intern Disciple, I will fulfill my responsibilities and obligations as an instructor.

This includes guiding you in choosing a Body Tempering Martial Art and providing the necessary protection when you attempt to break through as a martial artist; I will arrange all of these."

For Xiao Huo, there was actually little difference between an Intern Disciple and a formal disciple at this stage.

After all, truly advanced alchemy, core pill formulas, and alchemy practices that required massive spirit support usually could only be touched and learned after a student became a mid-level martial artist.

Even if he wanted to teach them now, Qin Yan wouldn't be able to learn or practice them.

Qin Yan thought for a moment.

This was undoubtedly the best result he could strive for at the moment.

An opportunity to touch upon alchemy and become the disciple of a Sixth-grade Alchemy Grandmaster!

"I am willing!

Disciple Qin Yan pays his respects to Teacher!"

He no longer hesitated and bowed solemnly toward Xiao Huo.

From this moment on, he, Qin Yan, was an Intern Disciple under the Sixth-grade Alchemy Grandmaster Xiao Huo of Modu University of Martial Arts!

Even though it was just an internship, it was a precious starting point.

"Alright, no need for such formalities; just be more casual in the future.

Come stand behind me."

Xiao Huo waved his hand, his tone much more relaxed.

He looked at Qin Yan, still feeling a bit uncertain in his heart, wondering whether taking in this "latecomer" spear prodigy to study alchemy was right or wrong.

"Let me formally introduce you."

Xiao Huo turned slightly and pointed to the petite girl behind him. "This is Lu Youyou. She joined my tutelage one step ahead of you and is also a New Student in your batch, ranked fourth.

From now on, you are fellow disciples; look out for each other."

"So her name is Lu Youyou."

Qin Yan understood.

He still vividly remembered her "heroic posture" in the New Student trial, swinging that exaggerated giant hammer and violently crushing a Merman Warrior to death; the sense of contrast was simply too strong.

"Hello, Classmate Lu Youyou."

Qin Yan turned to Lu Youyou and greeted her politely, his eyes filled with sincere gratitude.

He knew clearly that if Lu Youyou hadn't proposed that suggestion at the critical moment just now, he would have likely found it difficult to obtain this internship opportunity.

"Hello there, Junior Brother Qin Yan!"

Lu Youyou responded with a grin, revealing two cute little canine teeth, appearing lively and friendly. "We're fellow disciples from now on!"

Qin Yan followed suit and nodded with a smile: "Greetings, Senior Sister."

Afterward, Qin Yan began to chat quietly with this newly met "Senior Sister."

After some conversation, Qin Yan was even more amazed.

This seemingly harmless and cute girl not only had a fierce Hammer Technique that had reached the peak of the second stage, but her alchemy skills were also at the high level of the second stage!

Not to mention her martial arts cultivation, which was already at the middle phase of the first grade, only a step away from the late phase!

"She's simply an all-around genius!"

Qin Yan clicked his tongue inwardly.

Despite both being New Students, the other party flourished in strength and skill across multiple fields, while he was almost entirely crushed in every aspect except for his Spear Technique.

The gap at the start was not small.

"Fortunately, I have the System Panel!"

Under the immense pressure, Qin Yan didn't lose heart but instead became more determined in his conviction to work hard and grow stronger.

He knew his only advantage was that "effort" where he could see the progress and know that his hard work would definitely pay off.

In the distance, several spear instructors who had been following Qin Yan's movements looked somewhat stunned when they saw him finally standing behind Xiao Huo.

They naturally understood what this represented—Qin Yan had chosen Xiao Huo as his instructor!