Chapter 9: Becoming an Apprentice

  Firecrackers bid farewell to the old year, joyful voices and laughter welcome the new one.

  Lu Fan carried wine and dishes all the way forward. He didn't return to his own courtyard, but instead went straight out of the Lu family's gate and headed towards Old Wu's store.

  The whole riverbank was filled with a lively atmosphere, Lu Fan had a smile on his face, and it was rare for him to be so happy during the first New Year's Eve. On the way, he also gave some food to several children.

  As he walked up to Old Wu's shop door, Lu Fan caught sight of Old Wu leaning against the doorframe, half-drunk.

  From afar, he saw Lu Fan coming over, and Old Wu's old face was filled with smiles.

  Lu Fan walked up to Old Wu, holding up the wine and dishes: "Old Wu, this time let you taste our Lu family's wine and dishes."

  Old Wu smiled and said, "It's rare to see you in such a good mood."

  After taking the wine and dishes, the two sat down. Lu Fan said: "Old Wu, that jar of wine you gave me last time, bring it out too."

  A glint of light flashed in Old Wu's eyes, but he didn't move.

  Instead, Old Wu asked an unrelated question: "Lu Fan, you shouldn't need to walk anymore. What's your current strength like? Are you at the fifth or sixth level of Body Refining?"

  Lu Fan's heart skipped a beat as he knew Old Wu might have some issues, but when he actually heard him say this sentence, he couldn't help but feel shocked.

  Lu Fan paused for a moment and said: "Old Wu, are you helping me?"

  Old Wu pointed at Lufan's chest and said: "No, you're helping yourself, I just gave you an opportunity."

  As he spoke, Old Wu raised his hand and waved it. The wine jar hidden under the counter flew up by itself and landed on the table under Lu Fan's astonished gaze.

  Teleporting objects, such means can only be used by those with profound cultivation.

  Lu Fan never thought that Old Wu, whom he had known for many years, was actually a powerful martial artist.

  Looking at Lu Fan's changing face, Old Wu smiled and said: "Don't be surprised, I'm not a martial artist. Just a down-and-out Qi Refiner."

  Cultivator!

  Hearing these three words, Lu Fan was even more shocked.

  Cultivators are far more noble than ordinary warriors, and even if Old Wu was just an unremarkable cultivator, his status would still be higher than that of a warrior who had cultivated the Marrow Cleansing Technique.

  Swallowing a mouthful of saliva, Lu Fan's face was written all over with incredulity.

  After a moment, Lu Fan finally calmed down and spoke up: "Why give me this opportunity?"

  Lao Wu said: "Because you are a person worth saving."

  Old Wu took a big swig of wine from the jug and continued, "Lu Fan, I still remember when you first walked into my shop. A frail little boy who had lost his mother, desperate for a jar of wine, drank one mouthful and vomited all over the place, but still insisted on finishing the whole jar. The next day, after sobering up, he couldn't even stand steadily, yet he wanted to go back to practicing martial arts, no matter how poor his skills were, and being ridiculed by everyone every day. Heh heh, do you remember that I asked you a question at the time?"

  "What's wrong?" Lu Fan frowned and asked.

  Old Wu said: "It seems you've forgotten yourself. I'm asking you, your body is so weak, it's possible that in two years you'll die from illness, why do you still want to practice martial arts?"

  Old Wu laughed at this point.

  "In the end you answered, even if I die tomorrow, I still want to practice martial arts. Because practicing martial arts can make me stronger, and living has meaning."

  Lu Fan fell silent, as if he had said something like that before. And this sentence has not changed until today, it is still his creed.

  Old Wu pointed at Lu Fan's nose and said, "It's hard to imagine that an eleven or twelve-year-old child could have such a strong will to fight. Just because of your words, I think you deserve one chance. So, every time you come, I'll give you some of my specially brewed wine to drink. Let your body gradually become stronger, and finally use this jar of wine to transform your bones."

  Lu Fan was shocked on the spot, it turned out that he had been changed in this way. No wonder from being weak and sickly since childhood, he slowly grew up and was no longer troubled by illness. No wonder after drinking this jar of wine, his martial arts skills became smooth and unobstructed, the reason was that he had undergone a complete transformation.

  Old Wu pushed the wine jar in front of Lu Fan, and the dark green liquid emitted a strong fragrance.

  Lu Fan picked up the wine jug and took a big gulp, the wine entered his body, and the heat of the flames surged throughout his entire body. Lu Fan felt the power of the wine, just like taking medicine, only one mouthful of strong liquor, but it made Lu Fan clearly feel the increase in his strength.

  This jar of wine is absolutely more valuable than the Gathering Dan his father gave him, Lu Fan suddenly stood up, walked out from behind the table and knelt down on one knee in front of Old Wu.

  "Gratitude for rebirth is hard to forget even with worn-out teeth."

  Old Wu's smile didn't diminish as he said, "Get up. Having lived for most of your life, what you still can't stand is this set of things."

  Old Wu lightly waved his hand, and Lu Fan only felt a gentle breeze lift himself up, with his own strength unexpectedly having no room for resistance.

  The magic of the Refiner is fully displayed on Old Wu's body.

  Old Wu looked into Lu Fan's eyes and asked in a soft voice: "Lu Fan, are you willing to accept me as your master?"

  Lao Wu's face turned solemn, but Lu Fan replied without hesitation: "I'm willing, of course I'm willing. Master is above, and the disciple pays his respects."

  This time, Lu Fan did not perform the warrior's courtesy again, and directly knelt on both knees, knocking his head on the ground nine times in a row.

  "Alright, alright, alright!"

  Old Wu nodded three times and stood up.

  At this moment, the old man who was originally slightly hunched stood up straight, with a gleam of light flashing in his eyes.

  A majestic aura that seemed to defy the heavens burst forth from Old Wu's body. He placed his hand on Lu Fan's head and slowly said, "The grand dao of all living things, the boundless nine heavens. From now on, I, Wu Chen, take Lu Fan as my disciple, and I am willing to pass on all that I have learned in this lifetime to him, so that this life will not be in vain."

  Withdrawing his hand, Wu Chen personally helped Lu Fan up. With a smile on his face, Wu Chen said: "Lu Fan, from today onwards, you are a disciple of the Jiuxiao Gate."

  As he spoke, Wu Chen took out a ring from his clothes and handed it to Lu Fan. The clear "Jiu Xiao" characters on the ring caught his eye.

  "This is the Jiusiao Gate's Master Ring, now passed on to you."

  Lu Fan was shocked on the spot, what's going on, just entering the door and already becoming the leader.

  Lu Fan looked at Wu Chen and said: "Master, the Sect Master's ring, give it to me?"

  Wu Chen ate and drank, saying: "Yes, what's the problem? Anyway, now that it's just the two of us in Jiuxiao Gate, either you're in charge or I am. By the way, this ring is also a spiritual instrument that can store things."

  Lu Fan was suddenly speechless, so this was what they called the Jiuxiao Gate.

  For a moment, Lu Fan felt that he had been a bit rash in taking on an apprentice, but considering the Storage Ring, he let it go.

  "Master, does this mean you'll be teaching me how to cultivate my Qi from today onwards?"

  Wu Chen raised his head and looked at Lu Fan, saying: "You want to become a Qi Refiner and don't want to be a Martial Artist anymore?"

  "What's the difference? It's all about cultivation and getting stronger."

  Wu Chen said: "The difference is huge, you continue to cultivate your martial arts first."

  Lu Fan felt something was off, just now Master said he was a Qi Refiner, why did he let him continue being a Martial Artist.

  Lu Fan spoke up and asked: "Master, what kind of martial skills are you planning to teach me?"

  Wu Chen shook his head and said: "Martial skills? What are you talking about? I'm a Qi Refiner, I don't understand martial skills."

  Lu Fan's face was twisted as if he had been punched.

  "What do you plan to teach me, Master?"

  Wu Chen said: "I plan to teach you something special. Lu Fan, do you want to become the first person in history who is both a Qi Refiner and a Martial Artist?"

  Lu Fan was stunned. Wu Chen's eyes were shining with a fierce light at this moment, and he continued: "With the power of the elements added to his vital energy, cultivating both internally and externally, he will be invincible in the world."

  Lu Fan was somewhat intimidated by Wu Chen's words and said in a low voice: "Master, you're not joking, are you?"

  "Of course not. This is a lifelong study of mine. Although I didn't succeed myself, I'm confident it will work on you."

  Lu Fan swallowed his saliva again and said, "What's the basis for that?"

  Wu Chen said: "Do you think that over the years, the wine I gave you to drink only had the effect of healing wounds and treating illnesses? I am a Qi Refiner, my wine is my elixir."

  Lu Fan gritted his teeth, and now it seemed like he had gotten on a pirate ship and couldn't get off.

  But anyway, his current achievements are all given by Wu Chen, so accompanying him in a crazy way is nothing more than returning to his original form.

  Nodding, Lu Fan said: "Good. Master, you say how to do it, and I'll do it. First step, what should I do?"

  "Wu Chen smiled easily and said: 'First step, let's have a good drink together and celebrate the new year.'"

  Wu Chen raised his wine jug, and Lu Fan also raised the wine jug in front of him.

  The master and apprentice both started drinking heavily, then burst out laughing.

  Laughter echoes through heaven and earth, drifting away with the wind.