Chapter 289 - 249: Apprenticing Under the Profound Monarch

"What you said makes a lot of sense." The Pearl Spirit nodded happily, "Since you are the master’s successor, you should naturally grow to be like the master."

Under Lu Qian’s gentle guidance, the Pearl Spirit confirmed her course of action. She would accompany the successor of the Jichuan Profound Monarch and protect her until she attains the Primordial Spirit Venerable Position, growing to the same level as the Jichuan Profound Monarch.

But by then, will the Primordial Pearl still be able to leave?

At this moment, Wu Yan, who had not participated in the conversation between Lu Qian and the Pearl Spirit, suddenly spoke weakly: "Sect Leader, am I supposed to be the successor to the master of Pearl Spirit Senior? Who is Pearl Spirit Senior’s master?"

It turned out that the successor of the Jichuan Profound Monarch himself was still in the dark, completely unaware of the current situation.

Thus, Lu Qian omitted the details of the battle and simply introduced the life and story of Ao Ting, the overlord of Cangzhou and the Jichuan Profound Monarch, leaving her dumbfounded, unable to fathom how she had inexplicably become the successor of such a legendary figure.

Seeing her bewildered expression, Lu Qian couldn’t help but sigh inwardly, the Celestial Spiritual Root favored by heaven indeed. Such a grand fortuity was handed directly to her, along with an elder of extraordinary power as a personal bodyguard.

From now on, the Yunshan Sect would greatly benefit from her.

With Lu Qian’s explanation, the Primordial Pearl also understood the distinction between titles like "Jichuan Profound Monarch," identities such as "Yunshan Sect Leader," and personal "names," and was deliberating whether to adopt a title herself to align with her master.

"Sect Leader, but I am a Yunshan Disciple, can I apprentice under this Jichuan Profound Monarch?"

Lu Qian nodded: "Jichuan Profound Monarch was a Loose Cultivator. Becoming his successor and inheriting his legacy is merely your own fortuity, you don’t have to change sects; you remain a Yunshan Disciple. Moreover, since the Profound Monarch has passed, in the future, if you wish to apprentice under someone else, you are free to do so."

Wu Yan nodded joyfully. Being able to stay in the Yunshan Sect, in her home, not having to be separated from Brother Le, and repaying the Sect Leader’s kindness was wonderful. Also, given how powerful the Jichuan Profound Monarch was, perhaps he had a method to change a person’s aptitude?

But everyone says that Spiritual Roots are nurtured by nature and there’s never been a method to change them.

If there’s truly no method, then it doesn’t matter...

She suddenly recalled that Lu Qian had told her before, that once she became a True Disciple, he would take her as his apprentice.

Having now become the successor to the Jichuan Profound Monarch, if I can later become the Sect Leader’s Disciple, I’ll certainly be able to protect Brother Le completely. Whether Brother Le’s aptitude is good or bad, I’ll be able to protect him, not allowing him to be bullied.

Thinking this, the young girl held her head high and puffed out her chest, full of confidence, a sudden sense of pride emerging within her.

Having just guided the Primordial Pearl in a lengthy talk, it’s amusing that the most important party is only now understanding the situation, Lu Qian couldn’t help but find it a bit funny.

Since Wu Yan agreed herself, he immediately asked the Pearl Spirit to create an image of the Jichuan Profound Monarch and then took out a piece of Spirit Wood to carve a memorial tablet for the Profound Monarch.

The Pearl Spirit was curious about all this, forcing Lu Qian to explain it as the etiquette required in the world for apprenticeship. He asked whether the Jichuan Profound Monarch had any other disciples, but the Pearl Spirit had no memory of them.

She was awakened too late, having little understanding of the Profound Monarch’s daily life. However, Lu Qian speculated that despite being a Loose Cultivator, the Profound Monarch ought to have a few disciples, although they likely perished in the final siege battle.

Not wanting to dwell too much on it, right here on this Huxing Island, the Pearl Spirit waved her hand and the ground shook and rose. Following her deepest inner affection, almost instantaneously, a nine-foot-high statue was sculpted.

"Master..." Upon seeing the statue, she softly called and, in a flash, transformed back into a glowing pearl, attaching herself to the statue’s heart.

The statue was so lifelike and vivid that standing before it felt like truly witnessing the undefeatable might of the Jichuan Profound Monarch, who conquered Cangzhou.

This was a handsome, middle-aged man with a smiling face, one hand hanging down and the other gestured forward, as if bidding farewell. Lu Qian guessed that this was the form seen by the Primordial Pearl when last seeing the Jichuan Profound Monarch.

Though gravely wounded and on the brink of death, saying his final farewells, the Profound Monarch’s face bore a radiant smile without a trace of fear of death or pain from critical injuries.

Perhaps the Profound Monarch embraced his end calmly after this farewell.

This composure, fearlessness, carefree spirit, and freedom deeply impressed Lu Qian. He placed the tablet engraved "Jichuan Profound Monarch Ao Ting" before the statue and respectfully bowed three times.

Next, Wu Yan knelt down, offering three kneels and nine kowtows to the statue and the tablet, solemnly addressing: "Master."

An apprenticeship ceremony with a Primordial Spirit Profound Monarch and the disciple of a region’s overlord should have been a grand affair, worthy of the greatest pomp, yet it was simply completed in this unnoticed corner, causing Lu Qian inevitable regret.

A flash of light, and the Pearl Spirit re-emerged, circling Wu Yan. She suddenly felt a strong sense of identification with the young girl and began to understand the significance of the ceremony.

She extended her hand, and the barren lakebed suddenly shook as a three-zhang high blue crystal stele rose.

"’Supreme Primordial Spirit Sea-Suppressing Profound Skill,’ this is the cultivation technique that the master practiced, you can look at it now."

But Wu Yan glanced at Lu Qian, then suddenly asked: "Pearl Spirit Senior, now that I’ve become Master’s disciple, all the scriptures on this island belong to me, right?"

The Pearl Spirit nodded.

"Since they belong to me, can I show the scriptures to others?"

The Pearl Spirit hesitated, feeling somewhat strange, but logically it was sound: "Since it’s yours, naturally you can."

Well done, Little Yan! Lu Qian moved, wiping the corner of his eyes. You’re the great contributor to the rise of Yunshan Sect!

But when the Pearl Spirit looked at the stone stele, the strong discomfort overcame logic: "This stone stele won’t do; only you can see it."

"Why is that? The cultivation technique on the stone stele also belongs to me." Wu Yan blinked her pure eyes, looking innocent.

"This..." The Pearl Spirit struggled to think for a while, stammering and eventually said in frustration, "It just won’t do."

Wu Yan wanted to say more but was gently stopped by Lu Qian.

Forget it, you can’t push too hard. You have to eat one bite at a time, just coax, no, slowly entice later.

This discussion was drawing to a close, and the issue of the divine skill scriptures was basically resolved. Just as immense joy welled in his heart, it was suppressed by the sudden recollection of the enormous challenge faced by Yunshan Sect and the shadow cast by Master Fengfeng.

"Pearl Spirit Senior, none of these items are what I want," Lu Qian said with a grin, "so in exchange for Innate Spiritual Qi, I need you to do me a favor."

"Sure, what favor?"

"Help me kill some people."

Watching the Sect Leader naturally break down "one favor" into many parts, with the Pearl Spirit Senior agreeing unsuspectingly, Wu Yan felt utterly confused.