I was just making up techniques… how did all of you become Emperors? Chapter 609: Jiang Yan Becomes a Disciple

"Why are you in such a panic?"

Chu Feng caught Ji Jiuwu's voice and showed up in the courtyard without delay.

Ji Jiuwu spotted his master and quickly explained, "Master, trouble's brewing. Ah Yan has passed out."

"Oh."

With a sweep of his large hand from Chu Feng, the master and disciple vanished from sight in an instant. Moments later, they materialized in Jiang Yan's courtyard.

Ji Jiuwu gazed at Jiang Yan, who lay there foaming at the mouth, his heart filled with deep worry. Yet, lacking any medical skills, he could only linger nearby, powerless and waiting.

Chu Feng merely glanced over at Jiang Yan and declared, "This young one has been poisoned."

"Ah?"

Ji Jiuwu froze in place, shocked by the revelation.

Chu Feng offered no further words; such a poison posed no challenge to him. He merely pointed lightly, sending a flow of spiritual energy into Jiang Yan's body, and the boy's face regained its color visibly, moment by moment.

Pfft...

Jiang Yan coughed up a glob of dark blood, then gradually fluttered his eyes open, scanning his surroundings in confusion.

Ji Jiuwu rushed closer at once and inquired, "Ah Yan, are you alright?"

Jiang Yan snapped out of his daze at the sound and noticed Chu Feng in the courtyard. He bowed hastily and stated, "This junior pays respects to the Martial God."

"No need for such formalities."

Chu Feng questioned, "Explain what occurred to you."

Jiang Yan held nothing back, describing his earlier ordeal. Each day after his tasks, he would venture into the mountains by himself to hunt for plants, checking if they could be eaten or served as healing herbs.

In the end, he mistakenly consumed a vibrant flower and grew lightheaded. Upon regaining consciousness, he found Chu Feng and Ji Jiuwu standing in the courtyard.

"You're truly fearless of death, kid."

Chu Feng joked, "Since you're so eager to master a hundred herbs, This Seat shall pass on a scripture scroll to you. It details all sorts of herbs and provisions. Once you've fully grasped this scripture, seek out This Seat to take you as an apprentice."

"Many thanks, Senior."

Jiang Yan moved to drop to his knees and kowtow to Chu Feng, but a simple wave from Chu Feng halted him.

"Hold off on such a solemn rite for This Seat for now. It can wait until you've mastered the scripture." Chu Feng finished and vanished from view.

Jiang Yan watched Chu Feng's departing form and whispered, "Senior Martial God is truly remarkable!"

Ji Jiuwu remarked, "Enough flattery for Master. Hurry and become his disciple so you can chase your own Great Dao."

Ji Jiuwu's words struck Jiang Yan like a bolt of sudden insight. He clasped his hands toward Ji Jiuwu and replied, "Gratitude for your guidance, Senior Brother. Junior Brother was slow-witted earlier and overlooked this. I owe you thanks for today's help as well."

"Sigh..."

Ji Jiuwu brushed it off casually, "No need for all that courtesy between us. Get some rest."

"Mm."

Jiang Yan agreed with a nod. After seeing Ji Jiuwu off, he settled into a cross-legged position using the meditation technique Ji Jiuwu had shown him days prior, then dove into examining the scripture now etched in his mind.

Before long, three bold characters surfaced in his thoughts: Shennong Scripture.

As those characters emerged, a flood of text and illustrations filled Jiang Yan's mind. Beneath each image lay thorough descriptions of every medicinal herb, drawing him deep into study for quite some time.

After an extended period, a fierce headache gripped Jiang Yan. He ceased his focus right away, and when he opened his eyes, night had already fallen.

"I didn't realize I'd been at it for hours straight. Small wonder my head aches like this. Still, with this scripture, I'll identify plants much faster."

Jiang Yan chose not to push further. Overdoing it brings no benefit; better to learn up to his daily threshold.

Having set that modest aim, he retired for the night. Come dawn the following day, he rose and joined Senior Brother Ji for the usual water hauling and wood chopping.

Once their chores wrapped up, Jiang Yan asked with curiosity, "Senior Brother, you've already taken Master as your teacher. Why keep up these minor tasks daily?"

Ji Jiuwu grinned and answered, "Master started with these little things to temper me. But I've grown accustomed now. Plus, if I can't endure even this, how could I speak of cultivation?"

Jiang Yan nodded faintly at the words: "Senior Brother speaks true."

Cultivation blurs the sense of time; three months flew by unnoticed.

Jiang Yan had settled into mountain cultivation life. Though long parted from home, he held no fears of his family's concern. He'd wandered for a year or so on past outings; at most, he'd descend once he'd formally apprenticed.

This day marked the Mister's Dao lecture. From listening to Master these days, he sensed a profound shift in himself, though he couldn't pinpoint just what.

An double-hour passed, and Chu Feng concluded his sermon. His eyes turned to Ji Jiuwu: "Jiuwu, any parts that puzzle you?"

Ji Jiuwu rubbed his head: "Master, this disciple thinks I grasped it all, yet comprehended not a thing."

A smile crossed Chu Feng's face at that: "You're toying with This Seat in riddles, kid."

"This disciple wouldn't dare. I just sense I must retreat and reflect on it."

Ji Jiuwu replied, face sheepish. Though his time as Master's disciple was brief, deeper contact only amplified his awe at Master's boundless wonders.

Chu Feng stated, "Very well, return and mull it over. Seek This Seat out only for true confusions."

"Yes."

Ji Jiuwu acknowledged and stepped aside.

Chu Feng pressed on, "Ah Yan, and you?"

"Answering Mister, this disciple is slow and took in just a fraction. Yet today, this disciple hopes Mister will quiz me on the Shennong Scripture."

Jiang Yan responded with respect.

"Oh."

Interest sparked in Chu Feng at once, and he said, "You've wrapped up the Shennong Scripture so soon, kid?"

Jiang Yan nodded: "Yes."

"Alright, then This Seat shall examine you."

Chu Feng launched into quizzing Jiang Yan. Their back-and-forth flowed, and another double-hour slipped away swiftly.

Ji Jiuwu and the White Deer nearby listened to the exchange in total bafflement.

"Excellent, excellent, excellent."

Chu Feng repeated 'excellent' thrice, his face beaming with approval. "Ah Yan, you've truly lived up to This Seat's expectations. As they say, no better day than today. Jiuwu, ready the tea. This Seat will take Jiang Yan as disciple now."

"Yes."

Joy lit Ji Jiuwu's features too; he'd anticipated this moment for ages.

The White Deer watched Ji Jiuwu with envy, pondering: When might I join this immortal as disciple?

Shortly after, the apprenticeship rite stood prepared.

Chu Feng occupied the stone seat, awaiting Jiang Yan's tea offering and the rite's completion.

All proceeded without hitch. Once the apprenticeship concluded, Chu Feng smiled and asked, "Ah Yan, recall why you sought my Wendao Sect?"