Chapter 56 Becoming an Apprentice? How Could a Master Compare to an Eightyfold Rebate

At that moment, before the sect leader could speak, Yu Wan turned to Cao Xuan with a cold voice. “Cao Xuan, have you thought this through?”

“As they’ve all said, if you take me as your master, I may not have much time to instruct you personally.”

“Of course, if you choose me, all of Talisman Peak’s resources will be open to you.”

“The ‘Cloud Rune Manual’ is also a top-tier foundation-building cultivation method, and I will teach it to you with all my heart. But beyond that, you’ll have to rely on yourself.”

With these words, Yu Wan fell silent, her expression complicated. For the first time, someone was choosing her so resolutely, yet she found herself wanting to push him away.

Compared to the conditions offered by the other three, her lack of time for guidance alone should make it obvious to any clever person how to choose.

Cultivation and foundation-building—the very name of the realm emphasizes the importance of laying a solid groundwork.

Cao Xuan, with a talent for nine-forged spiritual roots, was a genius on par with the others. But what set him apart was that he reached the Foundation Establishment stage at the age of nineteen, an achievement nothing short of remarkable.

Among the four of them, Yu Wan had advanced the fastest, and even she only succeeded at twenty-five—Cao Xuan was six years ahead.

If she were to delay him by five years, that advantage would vanish.

Moreover, while she was confident she would break through to the Golden Core stage, she couldn’t guarantee the timing.

Most importantly, on the path of cultivation, aside from youthful arrogance, at her age, who could promise what realm they would reach?

Five years was her own estimate; it didn’t mean she could truly break through in that time. It could be shorter, or it could just as easily be longer.

Yu Wan recalled what her junior uncle, Immortal Xiang Qiu, had once told her: “When cultivators train, they focus all their energy on breaking through to Foundation Establishment, neglecting the cultivation of their essence, energy, and spirit.”

“Once they enter Foundation Establishment, they fixate on reaching Golden Core, without considering that Golden Cores themselves differ from one to nine marks.”

“With each additional mark, the chances of reaching Nascent Soul increase.”

“Many cultivators, throughout their lives, focus only on the immediate step. Without a master’s guidance, flaws accumulate over time.”

“Yu Wan, you have the greatest talent among us—never forget to build a solid foundation. Don’t pursue breakthroughs blindly!”

This was the value of having a master’s guidance. Yu Wan was able to surpass the other peak masters, reaching the pinnacle of Foundation Establishment so quickly, precisely because of her junior uncle’s instruction.

Yet many cultivators, relying on their own exploration, often overlooked crucial details.

With limited resources and without a master, they could never truly make the most of what they had.

It was like playing a game—you had to choose which skills to develop. Not everyone was part of the Windmoon Sect, able to max out every skill tree.

The quality of one’s foundation determined whether one could achieve Golden Core, and the strength of the Golden Core determined the future possibility of reaching Nascent Soul.

Qingyun Sect was not a top-tier holy land; they didn’t have endless cultivation resources. If Cao Xuan chose her as his master, he would have to make choices in his foundation-building.

There were so many details involved—not something that could be solved just by teaching a few techniques.

A personal disciple was not like an outer or inner sect disciple left to their own devices; it required a master’s hands-on instruction.

Of course, it wasn’t as exaggerated as that, but it was common to have several morning or afternoon classes each week, and at key stages, even evening lessons might be arranged.

If she went into seclusion, Cao Xuan would most likely be delayed by her.

After listening to Yu Wan, Cao Xuan thought to himself, ‘An eightyfold master is my greatest opportunity!’

‘With an eightyfold foundation, not only will I never lack for resources, but there’s a much greater chance of returning with rare treasures.’

‘For example, those complete insights—those are far more valuable than any instruction a master could give!’

Cao Xuan had already experienced the power of a complete insight. Take alchemy, one of the six arts of cultivation—it was a path in itself.

Without a master’s guidance, one could stumble endlessly on their own.

The clearest example was the pill formation rate.

Why could Cao Xuan form ten pills at once? There were so many details at play, but most alchemists only cared that the pill formed at all.

Compared to forming ten pills, they merely wanted any result.

To Cao Xuan, those present were only Foundation Peak Masters or Golden Core Sect Leaders.

But the teachers in his mind from those complete insights—each was a figure of legend!

So, glancing around once more, he dismissed Yuan Dan and Wang Tie without a second thought. He paused a bit longer on Li Zhiyun, but seeing the dazzling “eightyfold” above Yu Wan’s head, he knew he had no other choice.

He immediately performed the ritual of apprenticeship. “I, Cao Xuan, wish to take Peak Master Yu Wan as my master!”

At the sound of his resolute words, Yu Wan’s heart trembled once more.

At that moment, Sect Leader Yu Qingsong let out a sigh. “Cao Xuan, let me explain—”

But before he could finish, Yu Wan’s cold voice cut him off.

“Sect Leader, there’s no need. Since this boy has no regrets and is willing to become my disciple, I will take him as my final student!”

“No need to speak to me of the greater good. If I must, I’ll find a way to break through to Golden Core—and if need be, I’ll simply take my disciple into seclusion with me!”

The peak masters present were stunned. Seclusion wasn’t the same as becoming a corpse and ignoring everything. It meant focusing in one’s cave dwelling on refining one’s realm, ignoring external affairs, but even then, there was time to think, relax, or reflect.

Even when Cao Xuan had previously been in seclusion, he’d still had time to pause, take medicine, read, study, and reflect.

Yu Wan’s words about taking Cao Xuan into seclusion meant that what would have been undisturbed solitude could now include teaching him while cultivating.

This was indeed a way to instruct Cao Xuan during downtime from cultivation.

“Sister, won’t this affect your own progress in seclusion?” the sect leader couldn’t help asking.

Yu Wan merely waved her hand dismissively. “My foundation is already refined. In truth, all that remains is the slow grind. If I have spare time in seclusion, teaching a disciple is just a way to verify my own understanding of Foundation Establishment.”

“Besides, aside from their special skills like alchemy or talisman-making, the peaks are fundamentally about cultivation.”

“Cao Xuan isn’t bound to a particular discipline. If he wants to continue alchemy, so be it. I am merely his master in cultivation.”

The sect leader quickly interjected, “That’s not what I meant. Cao Xuan taking you as his master is perfectly in line with the rules. My concern is your own cultivation—”

“As long as it’s within the rules, there’s nothing more to say, senior brother. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my disciple back up the mountain.”

“I noticed he hasn’t been in Foundation Establishment for long; I need to solidify his basics as soon as possible.”

With that, not waiting for further comment, she summoned a brocade magical artifact shimmering with golden talisman light and called to Cao Xuan, “Come up!”

Cao Xuan hastily bowed to the peak masters and sect leader, then departed from the great hall with Yu Wan.

Seeing how things had turned out, Li Zhiyun gave a cold snort, summoned her demon-slaying blade, and with a kick, vanished from the hall.

Only the two remaining peak masters and Yu Qingsong stood staring at one another.

Yuan Dan, looking troubled, muttered, “He wasn’t supposed to be a disciple of the Pill Peak!”

“How did they just lock eyes and know it was meant to be?”