Chapter 46: Elder Long Bai's Offer
[I want to take on missions to increase my combat experience and battle awareness] I wrote, finally putting into words what had been on my mind for a while. Elder Long and I were both sitting on the wooden platform outside my residence in the courtyard. The serene surroundings contrasted sharply with the turmoil in my heart.
"Missions? Why so suddenly? You just had a breakthrough, and it hasn't been long since you came out of your training," Elder Long said, leaning back with the support of his palms on the wooden platform. He gazed upward, his expression thoughtful. "Don't try to achieve everything at once, or in the end, you'll be left behind by others. Cultivate, increase your realm, and when the Sect Master or Ancestor believes you're ready, they'll approach you themselves or send a message."
I smiled, knowing Elder Long was only looking out for me. I scribbled in my notebook and presented it to him: [I know. But my heart is in turmoil because I saw Long Chen yesterday. He has already climbed to the heights of a respected core disciple while still in the Qi Condensation realm. And here I am... still lingering in the lower sub-realms of the same realm. Sometimes, I doubt if I'm even worthy of the position of True Successor.] I lowered my head, my gaze fixed on the little insects crawling through the grass, my expression dejected.
Elder Long read the text, and then—
Slap!
"Agh!" My eyes widened at the sudden shift in the atmosphere, which had grown somber. "Stupid boy! Don't risk your life for quick success," Elder Long scolded. "I've heard about this Long Chen... isn't he the boy who awakened with you? You were the one who stepped forward to give him a chance, and thanks to you, we gained such a talent." He paused, his piercing gaze locking onto mine. It felt as though he was looking straight into my soul. "Do you regret it?"
Regret? I thought about it, not answering immediately. The question demanded deep contemplation. Elder Long noticed my hesitation, and a smile bloomed on his aged face. For many, he was an existence incapable of such expressions. Those who knew of Elder Long's past deeds would have been bewildered. Though he was no longer as active as he once was, he remained a figure of fear for many sects. Even within the Hidden Dragon Sect, many disciples and elders avoided him, intimidated by his imposing presence—his biceps, six-pack, and the scars from countless battles with enemies and rivals.
[I do not regret it.] I wrote on the used page.
Elder Long stood up, his voice firm. "Well, then it's decided. I will train you personally."
Huhhhh!!! I reacted internally, my mind racing.
Elder Long, ignoring my stunned expression, continued, "Unless you pass my training, I will not allow you to go on any missions."
I frowned. [What kind of training?]
Long Bai smirked. "Simple. Survive."
Seeing my confused expression, he explained, "You want to take on missions to increase your combat and battle experience. Then I will train you. The thoughts you're having now are just because you have nothing to do. While you're in training, you won't have time to worry about who's doing what or how fast they're progressing. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
I could only nod my head like a chicken pecking at its food. It wasn't a bad offer. Being personally trained by the Head Elder was an opportunity many wouldn't dare dream of, yet here I was, hesitating before agreeing. Hooo... It seemed I had unknowingly become arrogant.
"Then it's decided," Elder Long said. "Since you've already reached the second level of Qi Condensation, you no longer need to sleep or eat—except for consuming pills and taking medicinal baths. The time is yours to decide."
[How about after the sun goes down?] I wrote. [I want to maintain my life in the outer sect for now. And what are medicinal baths? I've heard and read about pills that could instantly make you immortal while living in my village. There were many such rumors.]
"Haha..." Elder Long laughed lightly, and I instantly felt embarrassed. I didn't know what I'd said wrong, but I instinctively knew it was something foolish. "Cough— It's our negligence. We should have provided you with more advanced information," he said. "To answer your first question, medicinal baths are special baths prepared by mixing several rare, non-toxic herbs. This method is also known as 'burning money' because every herb and plant used for cultivation and pill-making is extremely expensive. As for pills that instantly make someone immortal... I don't know about such things. However, there are pills that can help with major realm breakthroughs, but their effects are short-lived, and the side effects could even cripple someone."
Elder Long coughed and gave an extremely long explanation, from which I only managed to retain the points I'd been curious about.
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