Chapter 433: Identity Exposed!

Xiao Ruyan hesitated as she took the jade slip, a look of bewilderment on her face.

Her agreement to become Ye Yuan's disciple was not truly for the sake of learning anything; she had ulterior motives.

She hadn't expected that Ye Yuan would actually prepare a teacher-meeting gift for her.

'Take a look. Your master has prepared a soul-cultivating technique and two alchemy methods for you. You must study them well in the future,' Ye Yuan said with a faint smile.

Xiao Ruyan did as told, sinking her divine sense into the jade slip and beginning to browse.

To the onlookers, this scene appeared extremely absurd.

Ye Yuan's soul realm was similar to Xiao Ruyan's, both being high-level grand alchemists. Now Ye Yuan was taking a woman of equal strength as his disciple—no matter how one looked at it, it seemed strange.

'What do you think Ji Qing is playing at? Xiao Ruyan is one of the Twin Beauties of the Royal City. And when Ji Qing was injured earlier, the worry on her face clearly showed she has feelings for him. Yet he... only takes her as a disciple?'

'It infuriates me! Xiao Ruyan is my goddess, and Ji Qing, now the number one in the Royal City, dares to trample on her dignity! I... I'll challenge him to a duel!'

'Give it up! With your strength, you're not even enough to fill the gaps between his teeth, and you talk about a duel! But... Ji Qing's actions are truly baffling. He's only a high-level grand alchemist—how can he teach a disciple?'

'In my opinion, Ji Qing just has a peculiar taste! Although he is Star Abyss's disciple, when it comes to guiding Xiao Ruyan, who is also a grand alchemist, in alchemy, I'm afraid he's not qualified. I'm very curious about what's in his jade slip.'

'Heh, what could it be? Nothing more than his own cultivation technique and alchemy methods. But his understanding of these things can't be much better than Xiao Ruyan's, right?'

A master teaching a disciple is not simply about imparting techniques; it also involves resolving doubts and guiding the disciple through various problems encountered during cultivation.

Especially alchemy, which is profound and difficult to master.

Everyone knew Ye Yuan was skilled in alchemy, but no matter how skilled, he was only a grand alchemist. How much could he comprehend about higher realms?

Teaching a soul-cultivating technique and some alchemy methods and then calling himself a master—wasn't that too frivolous?

At that moment, Xiao Ruyan's brows furrowed slightly, and her expression gradually turned serious.

'Ji... Ji...' Xiao Ruyan was clearly not yet accustomed to calling Ye Yuan 'master.'

'Call me master!' Ye Yuan said calmly.

Xiao Ruyan took a deep breath and said, 'Master, this... this teacher-meeting gift is too precious! I...'

'Heh, you are my disciple. Guiding your cultivation is your master's duty. How can it be considered precious? From today onward, you will cultivate the soul-cultivating technique on the jade slip. But you must promise me that this technique must never be passed on to others; only you may cultivate it! Otherwise... it would be betraying the sect, and your master... will cleanse the sect!' Toward the end, Ye Yuan's voice became extremely stern.

In truth, what Ye Yuan gave Xiao Ruyan was the Thousand Derivations Soul Art and the cultivation methods for the Yin-Yang Separation Technique and the Three Talents Reincarnation Technique.

However, he only gave Xiao Ruyan the first five layers of the Thousand Derivations Soul Art, enough for her to cultivate to the peak of the Alchemy Emperor realm!

Moreover, the jade slip contained very detailed annotations on the Thousand Derivations Soul Art and the two techniques, all derived from Ye Yuan's cultivation insights.

With these, even someone of poor aptitude could cultivate to the Alchemy King realm without any problem.

Given Xiao Ruyan's talent, reaching the peak of the Alchemy Emperor realm was only a matter of time.

In fact, Ye Yuan had carefully considered this meeting gift.

In terms of talent, although Xiao Ruyan was not exceptional, she was quite good.

Ye Yuan naturally understood Xiao Ruyan's feelings, and after spending time together, he trusted her character.

That being the case, why not be generous and pass on his legacy?

Killing Ji Canglan was a near-impossible task; even Ye Yuan could not guarantee success.

Moreover, Ye Yuan was about to leave the Hurricane Realm, and he couldn't be stingy with his first disciple.

So he gave these three things to Xiao Ruyan.

With these, Xiao Ruyan should have no problem ascending to the Divine Realm in the future.

Hearing Ye Yuan's warning, Xiao Ruyan's expression changed, realizing the weight of the jade slip in her hand.

Xiao Ruyan was also an expert; a quick scan of the jade slip's contents told her its value.

She had become his disciple to get close to him, yet Ye Yuan truly treated her as his successor.

After a moment of thought, Xiao Ruyan nodded solemnly. 'Ma... Master, rest assured. I will imprint the contents of the jade slip into my divine soul and slowly comprehend them. I will never reveal them to a third person!'

Ye Yuan nodded. 'Good. Matters here are concluded. Your master is quite injured and needs to recuperate. Come back with me to Qixia Mountain.'

Xiao Ruyan nodded slightly and, like a true disciple, supported Ye Yuan as they left.

Ye Yuan nodded briefly to Shi Haoran. As the group was about to leave, a dozen figures descended from the sky, blocking their path.

The leader was an old man, about the same age as Star Abyss.

From the aura emanating from this man, he was actually a Divine Travel realm martial artist!

'Ding Liang! What are you doing here?' Shi Haoran frowned upon seeing the newcomer.

The old man named Ding Liang ignored Shi Haoran and said calmly, 'The Shadow Guard is conducting business. All irrelevant persons, leave immediately! Otherwise, death without mercy!'

Ding Liang's voice was not loud, but it carried like a bell across the square, heard clearly by everyone present.

'The Shadow Guard! It's the most mysterious Shadow Guard under the Wind Emperor!'

'Th-this is the might of a Royal-level expert? So... so strong!'

'What are you standing there for? If you don't want to die, leave now! I've heard the Shadow Guard has high autonomy and can execute first and report later! If we don't leave, we'll die for nothing!'

There were tens of thousands of people in the square, but they retreated like a tide.

Soon, the vast square was left with only Ye Yuan and Ding Liang's group.

'Ding Liang, what are you up to?' Shi Haoran asked again, displeased.

Although he was a full major realm lower than Ding Liang, his status was not inferior, so he dared to address him by name.

Shi Haoran was the number one under Star Abyss; except for showing deference to the Wind Emperor, he could ignore everyone else.

Ding Liang still did not answer. He glanced at the unconscious Zhao Chengqian not far away, frowned, and asked Ye Yuan, 'Seventh Prince was defeated by you?'

For some reason, Ye Yuan's eyelids had been twitching since earlier, giving him an uneasy feeling.

He had a feeling that Ding Liang's intentions were not good.

Seeing Ding Liang's question, Ye Yuan said, 'So what? Do you want to avenge him?'

'Heh, revenge is naturally not for me! Ye Yuan, come with me!' Ding Liang said with a faint smile.