76: Chapter 76: The Legacy of Master Tianjing!

"Good, good, good! As expected, it really is a Heavenly Spiritual Root! You have just reached Core Formation; have you decided what kind of Lifebound Treasure you plan to refine?"

Layman Qingyi's gaze upon Zhao Changsheng was no different from looking at a rare treasure, making Zhao Changsheng's skin crawl.

Regarding Layman Qingyi's question, he could only answer honestly, "This Junior has not yet decided which Lifebound Treasure to refine. Therefore, I plan to first purchase some Materials needed for refining Magic Treasures, such as iron essence, copper essence, and other common Materials—after all, no matter what kind of Lifebound Treasure I refine, most of them can use these. Buying them early will make things more convenient later."

"Well said, well said!"

Layman Qingyi was quite satisfied with Zhao Changsheng's answer. He nodded and added, "I am merely a Loose Cultivator, as you have likely heard. It just so happens that I do not have a suitable Disciple yet, so I intend to take you as my apprentice. What do you think?"

Upon hearing Layman Qingyi's words, Zhao Changsheng was stunned, his face filled with an expression of disbelief as he stared blankly at Layman Qingyi—as if he couldn't believe these words came from his mouth, or perhaps he suspected Layman Qingyi of harboring some ulterior motive, much like Mo Juren's ill intentions when taking a Disciple years ago.

"You needn't worry excessively. The reason I am so eager to take a Disciple is mainly because my Lifespan is running short, with at most another one or two hundred, maybe three hundred years left. I have no one to carry on my Legacy, so I have been searching for a suitable Disciple all these years. Unfortunately, in the Star Sea today, any Cultivator with even a bit of Aptitude either already has a master and School or is backed by a Family power. Under such circumstances, I cannot forcibly seize another's Disciple or clansman."

Layman Qingyi looked at Zhao Changsheng's shocked and horrified expression, speaking gentle words of comfort while patiently explaining.

But Zhao Changsheng didn't believe a single word of his explanation. He immediately asked, "With Senior's status and position, you would only need to spread the word, and countless Cultivators with outstanding Spiritual Root Aptitude would be willing to join Senior's sect. Even those Disciples from Schools and Families would flock to you. Why must Senior search so painstakingly on your own?"

This truly left him completely perplexed.

"I do not lack ordinary Disciples; what I lack is a Disciple who can inherit my mantle and Legacy, and this Disciple's Aptitude must be exceptional. Unfortunately, I have taken many apprentices over the years, but none have been to my liking. However, you, young friend, suit my preferences perfectly, which is why I wish to take you as my Disciple and have you inherit my mantle. I hope you will consider it."

As he spoke, Layman Qingyi's gaze toward Zhao Changsheng grew brighter, like two shining light bulbs, making Zhao Changsheng feel even more uneasy, always suspecting the old fellow had no good intentions.

"To be honest with you, young friend, I once Cultivated a Divine Ability that isn't particularly useful, which allows me to directly see a person's approximate age. Your current age does not exceed thirty. Looking across the entire Star Sea over the past ten thousand years, there is only one person who achieved Forming the Golden Core and reached your Realm at around thirty years old: Venerable Tian Jing from a thousand years ago."

"You may not have heard of this person, but he has a record that will surely shock you—he slew the previous Holy Master of the Star Palace! Because of this, he has almost vanished from the Star Sea's Cultivation World. Aside from us old fellows, very few have heard of this Senior's name."

"Back then, it took him only thirty-odd years to successfully achieve Forming the Golden Core. Afterward, he advanced triumphantly, entering the Realm of a Late Nascent Soul Great Cultivator, and eventually slew the previous Holy Master of the Star Palace. But for some reason, he suddenly vanished without a trace. Some say he achieved a Breakthrough to the Soul Transformation Stage and performed Ascension to the Spirit Realm; others say he left the Star Sea in search of an Opportunity to reach Soul Transformation; and some say he was assassinated by the Star Palace—but how could that be? If the Star Palace had such strength, how could their dignified Holy Master be killed by that Senior?"

"That I could reach my current level as a Loose Cultivator is also thanks to obtaining a portion of that Senior's Legacy. It is a pity I couldn't get the full Legacy; otherwise, I might have had a chance to enter the Middle Nascent Soul Stage or even the Late Nascent Soul Stage."

"But even so, meeting you is my good fortune. That is why I am so impatient to take you as my Disciple. I hope you will give it more consideration."

After saying this, Layman Qingyi's gaze softened considerably, as if afraid of frightening Zhao Changsheng.

Zhao Changsheng believed at most thirty percent of Layman Qingyi's explanation—only that the old fellow had obtained a portion of Venerable Tian Jing's Legacy. Zhao Changsheng had naturally heard of Venerable Tian Jing and greatly admired his Divine Ability, strength, and methods, but even so, he wouldn't take the old fellow as his master because of it.

It was simply because the old fellow gave him a sense of ill intent.

But he also understood that if he didn't agree, wanting to retreat unscathed was simply unrealistic—even though he now had many methods, the other party was definitely not someone easy to deal with.

"Thank you for your high regard, Senior, but this matter is of great importance. I hope to consider it for a while longer, and I hope Senior can grant this."

Zhao Changsheng made a silent resolution in his heart: as long as he could leave safely this time, he would immediately find a place to go into seclusion and Cultivate for thirty to fifty years to raise his Realm to the Middle Core Formation Stage or Late Stage.

In any case, he absolutely could not show his face for a short while. Even if he did, it couldn't be with his real appearance. Furthermore, he had to go to the Outer Star Sea and could no longer stay in the Inner Star Sea to avoid running into this old fellow again.

"Naturally, of course! For you to reach your current Realm as a Loose Cultivator in just twenty or thirty years, combined with the Aptitude of a Wood Attribute Heavenly Spiritual Root, is virtually unique in the entire Star Sea. I hope you can understand my feelings and not overthink things, suspecting me of having murderous intent—I can swear a heart demon oath on this, that I have absolutely no intention of harming you."

With that, Layman Qingyi moved to raise his hand and swear.

"Senior is joking, Senior is truly joking! This matter is significant, which is why I need to consider it more. Please do not overthink it, Senior."

Seeing this, Zhao Changsheng repeatedly shook his head to stop him, his internal vigilance growing even stronger.

"Very well then, very well."

Seeing Zhao Changsheng intervene, Layman Qingyi stopped as well, though a flash of hard-to-detect brilliance flickered deep in his eyes.

"Then you should consider it carefully. This is a Ten-Thousand-Mile Talisman. Once you have made up your mind, you can use it to transmit a message directly to me."

After saying this, Layman Qingyi took out a green Talisman and handed it to Zhao Changsheng.

"Thank you, Senior."