Cultivation is just so scientific!

Chapter 956: Chapter 524: Welcome (Part 2)

”Shizhen, this is your Second Senior Brother, Yue Shan,” Grandmaster Hu introduced, pointing at the mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.

”Junior Brother, Master truly values you highly, makes me quite envious!” Yue Shan nodded at Li Shiming with a smile.

”Greetings to Master, greetings to Senior Brother Yue!” Li Shiming respectfully saluted and said.

Yue Shan touched his body, took out a piece of metal shimmering with lightning, and handed it over.

”This is a piece of Thunder Radiance Xuan Tie I once acquired. Its attributes do not align with mine, so I’ll give it to you as a meeting gift!” Yue Shan placed the Thunder Radiance Xuan Tie in Li Shiming’s hand and said.

”Thank you, Senior Brother Yue!” Li Shiming sensed the aura of the Thunder Radiance Xuan Tie, gratefully and surprisingly said in his heart.

Thunder Radiance Xuan Tie is a fourth-grade refining material, and it’s considered a superior product among fourth-grade refining materials. With his artifact refining skills, he can easily craft a top-level fourth-grade magical treasure from it.

”No need to thank me. When I need to refine elixirs in the future, I won’t be polite with you!” Yue Shan waved with a smile.

”Shizhen, if you encounter any trouble, seek your Second Senior Brother. He’s always making trouble for himself!” Grandmaster Hu patted Li Shiming’s shoulder lightly and said.

Li Shiming felt reassured, sensing that both Grandmaster Hu and Second Senior Brother Yue Shan were very easy to get along with, like a family.

”Junior Brother, I’ve never been afraid of anyone in a fight!” Yue Shan said proudly.

”It’s about time, Shizhen; change into this robe!” Grandmaster Hu shook his head, ignoring Yue Shan, and casually took out a set of fourth-grade magical robes and handed it to Li Shiming.

Li Shiming recognized this set of fourth-grade magical robes. The one he was wearing was also a fourth-grade magical robe, but it was a standard issue by the sect for all Nascent Soul cultivators, signifying status.

The set Grandmaster Hu brought out was for core cultivators of the sect, and the quality alone was different.

The robe, crown, and boots were of the lowest quality in his current set, but the one before him was of fourth-grade upper stage quality, almost equivalent to a defensive treasure, with additional everyday practical functions compared to a normal defensive treasure.

”Thank you, Master!” Li Shiming took this set of fourth-grade magical robes.

He cast a spell to recognize this fourth-grade magical robe as its master, and changing magical attire for cultivators is quite simple.

With a mere thought, he had already changed into the core cultivator’s fourth-grade magical robe.

”Old Ding arrived the quickest; come with me, Shizhen, to not be discourteous!” Grandmaster Hu looked outside and said.

Li Shiming’s heart moved slightly, realizing the one referred to as Old Ding by Grandmaster Hu should be Master Ding.

Master Ding had sent someone to inquire about him previously, and that Yuan Xun had been unfriendly. Added with the matter of him killing Chen Zhou, there was a grudge between them, but of course, he was in no position to bear a grudge with Master Ding.

Outside the main door, Li Shiming met Master Ding and two of Master Ding’s disciples, including Yuan Xun.

When he saw Master Ding, Master Ding’s gaze also landed on him.

A gleam flashed in Master Ding’s eyes, and Li Shiming felt an intangible pressure, almost unable to maintain his stance.

Thankfully, Li Shiming’s body refining technique was bolstered by five nascent souls, preventing any disgrace on the spot.

”Old Ding, how’s this disciple of mine?” Grandmaster Hu noticed Master Ding’s probing. Seeing Li Shiming withstand it, he smiled and asked.

He didn’t realize Master Ding was displeased with Li Shiming, mistaking the probe for a test of junior disciples.

Such behavior could be seen as caring. Otherwise, a great cultivator wouldn’t bother paying attention to a Nascent Soul early stage practitioner.

”The cultivation techniques are rather complicated. Here’s a reward for you!” Master Ding nodded with a smile, took out a jade box, and tossed it to Li Shiming.

Since he tested him and Li Shiming passed, there must be a gesture.

No matter how unwilling he was, he needed to do so; otherwise, he would lose face in front of Grandmaster Hu and break customs.

”Shizhen, thank your Junior Master Ding!” Grandmaster Hu prompted Li Shiming gently.

”Thank you, Junior Master Ding!” Li Shiming bowed gratefully.

Grandmaster Hu and Master Ding conversed while entering, and Li Shiming followed with Yuan Xun and another Nascent Soul Middle Stage Practitioner.

Yuan Xun looked at Li Shiming coldly, remembering the grievances he suffered from Li Shiming’s hands.

He also failed the task Master Ding assigned, receiving a reprimand from Master Ding afterward, all thanks to Li Shiming.

But today was Li Shiming’s initiation ceremony with Grandmaster Hu present, so he dared not act and could only simmer in silence.

Meanwhile, the other Nascent Soul Middle Stage practitioner curiously observed Li Shiming, without hostility.

After settling Master Ding, Grandmaster Hu soon had Li Shiming and Yue Shan go out for another reception. This time it was Sect Master Ji and several representatives from the sect’s forces.

”Senior Sister Feng!” Li Shiming noticed Feng Lanxin among them and greeted her with a smile.

”Master Li, you didn’t invite me to your apprenticeship!” Feng Lanxin softly teased.

Li Shiming scratched his head, not his fault; such initiation ceremonies weren’t for disciples to invite friends. Master handled it all.

”It’s all my fault; I’ll invite you next time, Senior Sister Feng!” He cupped his hands in a bow.

”That’s more like it!” Feng Lanxin laughed softly.

Feng Lanxin’s close attitude with Li Shiming made the other cultivators value him more.

Feng Lanxin’s status was not simple; her attitude significantly elevated Li Shiming’s status within the sect.

Feng Lanxin did so to express gratitude to Li Shiming for the ’Youthful Elixir.’

When Sect Master Ji and others entered the hall and saw Master Ding already there, they were surprised.

They weren’t late, arriving timely, and normally, Master Ding’s status would dictate he be the last to arrive.

Shortly after, the final guest, Grandmaster Chai, arrived with his three disciples.

”Everyone, today I take Li Shizhen as my disciple; thank you, Master Ding and Grandmaster Chai, for bearing witness,” Grandmaster Hu stood up and said, expressing gratitude to the two great cultivators who responded with smiles.

Li Shiming accepted a cup of Spiritual Tea from Yue Shan and approached Grandmaster Hu.

”Master, please have tea!” He knelt, holding the Spiritual Tea above his head.

This was the custom on the Dongqi Continent, informed by Yue Shan beforehand.

Grandmaster Hu accepted the Spiritual Tea, sipped lightly, placed the cup aside, and handed a jade box to Li Shiming.

”Shizhen, joining my tutelage requires following the sect rules, and this is your initiation gift!”

Li Shiming received the jade box with both hands, opening it under Grandmaster Hu’s gaze.

Inside was a jade talisman, which he recognized as a Life-saving Escape Talisman, crafted by a great cultivator, containing a trace of rule power wielded by the great cultivator, requiring significant effort.

Chen Zhou had previously used such a Life-saving Escape Talisman, yet it failed against Li Shiming, but it wasn’t due to the talisman’s inferiority. It was the primary life-saving device for Nascent Soul Middle Stage cultivators, accessible only through close ties with great cultivators.

”Thank you, Master!” Li Shiming bowed his thanks.

Truthfully, this jade Life-saving Escape Talisman wasn’t particularly useful for him; he had the Divine Foot Skill.

If the Divine Foot Skill failed, the jade Life-saving Escape Talisman wouldn’t likely be effective either.

His gratitude was towards Master Hu’s consideration; crafting such a jade Life-saving Escape Talisman wasn’t easy and a significant effort for Grandmaster Hu.