Jiang Li looked at Lin Zhou's face, which was full of "don't bother me" written all over it, and then recalled his unfathomable aura just now—even she, the reincarnation of the empress, couldn't see through his depths, so he was definitely not an ordinary cultivator.
While it's certainly liberating to plunder resources on your own, the world is treacherous, and having a powerful backer doesn't seem so bad. In my past life, I endured countless hardships on my own before acquiring such extraordinary cultivation.
Moreover, even though the Qingyun Sect is in ruins, it is still the former site of a powerful force in the Southern Region, and it might truly hold the opportunity she needs. And this man in front of her can casually produce the pills that restored Xiao Chen's health, so he must have considerable resources.
The thought raced through her mind, and the hesitation in Jiang Li's eyes vanished instantly.
She was never one to hesitate; as an empress in her past life, she was used to being ruthless and decisive. Since she felt this person was worthy of her respect, there was no need for hesitation.
"good."
As soon as she finished speaking, the girl in red decisively bent her knees and knelt down with a "plop," kowtowing three times to Lin Zhou. Her movements were fluid and graceful, even more decisive than Xiao Chen's back then.
"Disciple Jiang Li greets Master."
Her voice was clear and resonant, carrying an undeniable firmness. Even when she was becoming an apprentice, she subtly revealed the air of someone who had once been an empress.
Lin Zhou: "..."
He thought he would have to say a few words, but he didn't expect the reincarnation of the empress to be so straightforward.
[Ding! Congratulations, host, you have successfully accepted Jiang Li as your disciple!]
[Reward: Rusty Iron Sword x1]
A system notification sounded, and a sword appeared out of thin air in Lin Zhou's hand.
This sword was similar to the gun given to Xiao Chen. The blade was covered in rust and looked like a piece of junk that had been pulled out of an old well. It didn't even have a scabbard; it was completely bare.
Lin Zhou casually tossed it to Jiang Li: "Here, this is your gift. Take a look and have some fun."
Jiang Li reached out and took it, and the moment her fingertips touched the blade, her whole body shuddered!
An extremely ancient and powerful sword intent surged through her arm and into her sea of consciousness! The sword intent was as vast as the starry sky and as majestic as an emperor, so much so that the "Empress" mark deep within her soul felt slightly hot!
This...this is an Imperial Holy Sword!
Although it was sealed in layers and its sharpness was covered by rust, the pressure in its bones was unmistakable!
Jiang Li's grip on the sword tightened slightly, and her gaze towards Lin Zhou completely changed.
He casually tossed out an Imperial Holy Sword as a "greeting gift"?
Just how much hidden strength does this seemingly lazy master possess?
She had initially thought that becoming an apprentice was just a temporary measure, but now she suddenly felt that this decision might be the most correct one she had ever made since her reincarnation.
"Thank you, Master!" Jiang Li solemnly put away the sword, her attitude even more respectful than before.
"I've sealed this sword for you with several layers of protection. I've told you how to unseal it, but don't try to unseal it unless absolutely necessary, or you'll suffer a backlash that you can't handle."
Lin Zhou then waved his hand dismissively, "Alright, tidy up the room next to Xiao Chen's. If you want to search for treasure, go to the back mountain, just don't go too far."
His mind was preoccupied with the new tasks from the system, and he didn't want to talk to his two apprentices any longer.
Sure enough, the system's voice rang out as soon as Jiang Li left.
[Triggering the disciple growth quest: The spear strikes like a dragon]
[Mission Objective: To enable the eldest disciple, Xiao Chen, to recover his cultivation level within ten days using the "Breakthrough and Re-establishment Pill" and to gain a preliminary understanding of the spear's intent.]
[Quest Rewards: 3 Marrow Cleansing Pills, 1 Sect Repair Material Pack]
[Mission failed: Ten years of the host's cultivation will be deducted.]
Lin Zhou: "..."
He had just accumulated thirty-eight years of cultivation, and this system already had its eye on him?
"Ten years of cultivation? Why don't you just rob me?" Lin Zhou cursed inwardly. "That kid Xiao Chen's meridians are all broken. He needs ten days to recover his cultivation and comprehend the spear intent? You must have some misunderstanding about 'recovery'."
"The 'Breakthrough and Rebuild' pill contains the power of reshaping. Combined with the 'Prairie Fire Spear Manual' and the rusty iron spear, achieving the goal within ten days is not difficult." The system explained coldly.
Lin Zhou rolled his eyes and turned to look at Xiao Chen, who was continuing to chop wood in the yard.
This kid watched Jiang Li become an apprentice the whole time, and there was no envy in his eyes, only a stronger determination, as if to say, "I won't fall behind either."
"Xiao Chen," Lin Zhou called out.
Xiao Chen immediately put down his axe and strode over: "Master, did you call me?"
"Why haven't you taken the pills I gave you? You haven't even recovered from the damage I caused you."
"Master, I want to practice on my own first. I want to temper my body and gain more experience since I have no cultivation yet."
"Eat that 'Break and Rebuild Pill'." Lin Zhou pointed to the pill in his arms. "After you finish eating it, go to the back mountain to cultivate. Within ten days, regain your cultivation level and figure out some spear intent."
He spoke casually, as if he were saying, "The weather is nice today."
Xiao Chen's eyes widened suddenly: "Master, you said... ten days?"
He knew this pill was precious, but he never expected its effects to be so astonishing. Not only could it restore his health, but it also allowed him to comprehend the essence of the spear within ten days? That was a realm that even he hadn't been able to reach at his peak! If he hadn't entered the Spear Saint's Tomb and had just observed from the outside like everyone else, he might have been able to comprehend a trace of the essence of the spear!
"What? No way?" Lin Zhou raised an eyebrow.
"No! This disciple can do it!" Xiao Chen immediately straightened his back, his eyes burning with fierce determination. "This disciple will definitely live up to Master's expectations!"
He clutched the pills tightly in his arms, turned around and ran towards the back mountain, his footsteps carrying the wind.
Lin Zhou watched his retreating figure and clicked his tongue, "Young people, they're so energetic."
Jiang Li, who had just finished tidying up the house, couldn't help but glance at her master, who was leisurely eating melon seeds in a rocking chair under the old locust tree, and then at her senior brother, who was rushing into the back mountain. Her lips twitched almost imperceptibly.
This master... truly has the word "salted fish" etched into his very bones.
However, she looked down at the rusty iron sword in her hand, feeling the dormant imperial sword intent within it, and a hint of anticipation flashed in her eyes.
Perhaps, in this dilapidated Qingyun Sect, she can truly find what she is looking for.
Lin Zhou, however, paid no attention to his two disciples' thoughts; he was busy planning the "Sect Repair Materials Package" given to him by the system.
"Repair materials? They should have been given long ago." He stroked his chin. "At least fix this roof; it leaked so badly last time it rained my bed was soaked..."
As for whether Xiao Chen can complete the mission?
Lin Zhoucai couldn't be bothered to worry about it.
When my eldest disciple has some free time, I'll give this to him and ask him to repair the sect. Hehe, I'm so clever.
Since the system says it can work, it definitely can.
His biggest concern right now is whether to take a nap in the afternoon or go fishing for a couple of fish in the back mountain.
After all, being a master is nothing compared to lying down and doing nothing.
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