The burly, middle-aged man watched Ye Wushuang quietly for a moment. An appreciative smile appeared on his face as he spoke two words: "Not bad!"

Upon hearing this, Ye Wushuang turned to look at him. He had noticed this burly, middle-aged man staring at him for some time.

However, he hadn’t sensed any ill will or hostility from the man, so he had paid him no mind.

"May I ask, have you comprehended Saber Intent?" the burly, middle-aged man asked curiously after a brief pause.

"I’ve grasped a small part of it," Ye Wushuang replied lightly, not trying to hide it. After all, for the man to ask such a question, he must have already guessed as much.

"No wonder!" The burly man nodded with a look of understanding.

"May I ask for your esteemed name, Senior?" Ye Wushuang asked with a cupped fist salute.

"No need to call me Senior. My name is Xiong Jiu. I’m a Steward from Fengtian Peak, and I’m here to escort you," the burly man said with a sudden smile.

"Escort me?" Ye Wushuang was taken aback.

"That’s right!" Xiong Jiu replied with a smile. "I am here on the Star Elder’s orders to guide you!"

Hearing this, Ye Wushuang was inwardly stunned. He had only just arrived at the Ancient Spirit Sect and hadn’t even returned to Broken Sword Peak. How could the Star Elder possibly know when he would be coming?

"To be honest, I’ve been by the Elder’s side for many years, and I’ve never seen him pay so much attention to any single person," Xiong Jiu said, his tone full of envy. His own shock was no less than Ye Wushuang’s!

In the Ancient Spirit Sect, the Star Elder’s status was immense. Ordinary people could never hope to meet him; even some of the Sect’s greatest geniuses were denied the opportunity.

And yet, the Star Elder had specifically named Ye Wushuang and ordered Xiong Jiu to come and escort him!

Xiong Jiu couldn’t even imagine what kind of special treatment this was. In all his memory, nothing like this had ever happened before.

Ye Wushuang instantly suppressed his shock and looked at Xiong Jiu. "Steward Xiong, are you a Disciple of the Star Elder?"

"A Disciple?" Xiong Jiu gave a bitter smile. "Becoming the Star Elder’s Disciple is my life’s dream, but I don’t have the qualifications. I can only be considered a nominal Disciple!"

A nominal Disciple, to put it bluntly, wasn’t a true Disciple at all—more like someone who ran errands. Yet, Ye Wushuang had just sensed a distinct note of honor and pride in Xiong Jiu’s voice when he said it.

This showed just how high the Star Elder’s standing was in the Ancient Spirit Sect, and in the hearts of all its Disciples.

"I wonder who would be qualified to become the Star Elder’s Disciple?" Ye Wushuang mused with a small smile. ’Considering the Star Elder’s power,’ he thought, ’a terrifying figure like him would surely only accept the Sect’s strongest Disciple, at the very least!’

"Exactly. The Elder doesn’t even look twice at the strongest Disciples." Xiong Jiu sighed. "Come, let me take you to see him."

"Then I’ll be troubling you, Steward Xiong!" Ye Wushuang said with a cupped fist salute and followed Xiong Jiu onto Fengtian Peak.

Fengtian Peak was the main and highest peak of the Ancient Spirit Sect. Majestic and imposing, it stood tall like an Unparalleled Divine Sword piercing the heavens.

Not only was the terrain magnificent, but Fengtian Peak was also situated at the head of the Ancient Spirit Sect’s main Spirit Vein. The nature’s spiritual energy here was more than ten times denser than on the other peaks.

Within its secluded ravines and hidden paradises, the Spiritual Qi had even condensed into Spirit Liquid, nourishing countless rare flowers, exotic herbs, and precious Exotic Beasts.

He followed Xiong Jiu eastward.

Along the way, Ye Wushuang encountered many people. The weakest among them had a Cultivation at the True Essence Realm, and some were even at the Spiritual Spring Realm. The sight left Ye Wushuang deeply shaken.

Their auras were incredibly powerful, placing Ye Wushuang under considerable pressure. He was once again reminded of just how insignificant his own strength was.

On the path, these people eyed Ye Wushuang with curiosity, but they would fall silent and move on as soon as they saw Xiong Jiu by his side. Everyone on Fengtian Peak knew that Xiong Jiu was the Star Elder’s nominal Disciple.

After about ten minutes, Xiong Jiu led Ye Wushuang to the edge of a small grove.

"Follow right behind me, and don’t fall back," Xiong Jiu instructed, turning his head back toward Ye Wushuang as he stepped into the grove.

Ye Wushuang nodded and followed, curiously observing the grove. Suddenly, he froze in astonishment.

As he walked, the grove itself seemed to shift around him, its movements profound and mysterious, like a labyrinth. The path behind him had already vanished. Without a guide, he would surely be lost in here forever.

’How mystical!’

Ye Wushuang was inwardly amazed. Such a technique was simply wondrous; he had never seen anything like it before. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Suppressing his shock, Ye Wushuang stayed close behind Xiong Jiu.

Xiong Jiu seemed very familiar with the area, leading Ye Wushuang out of the grove in just a minute or two.

What greeted Ye Wushuang’s eyes was not some grand Immortal Palace Divine Hall, but merely a few simple, ordinary wooden huts.

To the southwest of the huts were several flat plots of land planted with various vegetables. An old man was busy working in them, creating a picturesque scene of tranquil country life.

As for the old man busy in the vegetable patch, Ye Wushuang knew it was none other than the Star Elder.

Ye Wushuang was momentarily stunned.

"You go on ahead. I’m going to fetch some water," Xiong Jiu said with a chuckle. He had expected Ye Wushuang’s reaction; his own had been even more flustered the first time he came here.

Who would have thought that a figure revered by the entire Sect would be living the life of a simple farmer here?

Ye Wushuang glanced over and then walked toward him.

The Star Elder looked up, smiled faintly, and said, "Are you surprised?"

"This environment is very pleasant," Ye Wushuang said with a nod. "Out in the world, strength is law, and people’s hearts are full of complexities, slaughter, and schemes. It could never be as peaceful as this place."

"So you like this kind of environment?" the Star Elder asked with a smile.

"I do," Ye Wushuang admitted. "But this place is not for me. The world outside is where I belong."

"Mm-hmm." Hearing Ye Wushuang’s reply, the Star Elder revealed a satisfied smile. "To stay true to your heart and not be swayed by your surroundings... I truly wasn’t mistaken about you."

"Are you willing to take me as your master?"

The Star Elder asked out of the blue.

Ye Wushuang froze, as if he had misheard. The Star Elder, who wouldn’t even spare a glance for the Sect’s strongest Disciples, actually wanted to take *him* as a student!

"If you are unwilling, I will not force you," said the Star Elder.

"It is my honor to be chosen by the Star Elder. How could I possibly be unwilling?"

Ye Wushuang smiled faintly. ’The Star Elder doesn’t even approve of the strongest Disciples. For him to take me as his student is already a great sign of his esteem. How could I possibly refuse?’

’Ever since he failed to cultivate the Heaven-Devouring Dragon Technique and had to start over, Ye Wushuang had realized that having a master to guide him would help him avoid many pitfalls.’

"Good!"

A smile spread across the Star Elder’s face upon hearing Ye Wushuang’s answer. He looked so relieved, as if he had genuinely been worried Ye Wushuang would refuse, which only made Ye Wushuang feel more flustered.

"Master!"

Ye Wushuang smiled as well, then bowed three times, performing the formal rite to accept a master.

The Star Elder did not demand anything more. He simply stroked his beard, his face wreathed in a smile.