Chapter 435: Jiang Nannan
"Master!" Huo Yu´er's face lit up with surprise, her little ahoge standing straight as she turned to look at Ye Wen, eyes shining. Ye Wen gave her a kind smile and nod, but in the next moment, he flicked her forehead with surprising force.
"Ouch!" Huo Yu´er yelped, rubbing her forehead in confusion, a red mark left where he'd flicked her. "Master, why'd you do that?"
Ye Wen said nothing, simply joining Jiang Nannan to help tidy up. Confused but respectful of his seniority, Huo Yu´er set aside her curiosity and joined in cleaning up, wiping down tables and gathering trash.
Once everything was in order, Ye Wen took a seat, looked at Huo Yu´er, and asked, "So, have you figured it out?"
Huo Yu´er still looked bewildered, her mind spinning as she tried to understand. Although she'd read a lot over the past two months, some of the lessons still escaped her. Ye Wen sighed and explained, "Though your talent remains average, it's no reason to slack off on your cultivation. Money is good to have, but only enough to get by. The wealth you accumulate means nothing if it isn't backed by strength. On the Douluo Continent, power is the only real currency."
Realization dawned on Huo Yu´er's face as she grasped his point. She'd allowed her soul power training to lapse in her pursuit of profit, hence his earlier reprimand. She knew all too well how poor her innate talent was; even with rigorous training, her progress had been slow. Still, Ye Wen's words were a reminder of the bigger picture her hard work to save money wasn't an excuse to neglect training.
"I'm sorry, Master. I understand now." Huo Yu´er bowed her head, genuinely apologetic.
Though Jiang Nannan remained silent, she nodded in agreement. If she'd had the strength back then, she wouldn't have had to sacrifice her dignity to save her mother. It all came down to a lack of power.
Seeing Huo Yu´er's understanding, Ye Wen nodded approvingly before turning to Jiang Nannan with a thoughtful smile. "And this is your friend, isn't it, Yu´er? Aren't you going to introduce us properly?"
Though Huo Yu´er hadn't broadcasted her master's status as a Titled Douluo, she'd mentioned she had a master. Jiang Nannan bowed respectfully, sensing that the man before her was far from ordinary. "Greetings, senior."
Despite being a few years younger than Jiang Nannan, Huo Yu´er and she had become close friends, and Huo Yu´er eagerly introduced her. Ye Wen chuckled approvingly and said, "It's good that you've found such a loyal friend, Yu´er."
"Thank you, senior," Jiang Nannan replied humbly. Ye Wen's calm demeanor spoke of experience, but for Huo Yu´er, his approval made her beam with a shy smile.
Huo Yu´er had kept her friend's troubled past to herself, but she had her ways of discovering the truth. Local allies Tang Ya and Beibei had helped her put the pieces together.
A mischievous glint flashed in Huo Yu´er's eyes as she sidled up to Ye Wen, smiling sweetly. "Master, may I ask you for a favor?"
Ye Wen raised a brow, giving her a playful flick on the forehead. "Just say it. There's no need for sneaky little games."
Relieved by his encouragement, Huo Yu´er asked boldly, "Master, would you consider taking Sister Nannan as your disciple too?"
Ye Wen blinked in mild surprise. He'd expected her to ask for a treasure or elixir to improve Jiang Nannan's talent, but instead, she wanted him to train her friend directly. "And what made you think of this, Yu´er?"
Before Huo Yu´er could answer, Jiang Nannan stepped forward, her tone polite but resolute. "Please, don't take her words to heart, senior. I know my talent is lacking, and after graduating from Shrek, I plan to make my own way in the world."
At Shrek Academy, only the most exceptional students could advance to the inner courtyard, where strict entry requirements weeded out the rest. At fifteen, Jiang Nannan hadn't even reached Soul Elder, so making it into the inner courtyard would be an uphill battle. Having faced hardship, Jiang Nannan was fiercely independent, and while she appreciated Huo Yu´er's gesture, she wouldn't allow her friend to shoulder her burdens.
But to her surprise, Ye Wen's interest only grew. "Heh, I've always admired strong willed young women," he said, grinning. "But do you know my rank? If you became my disciple, you wouldn't have to struggle so hard to survive."
Jiang Nannan's lips pressed together in a tight line. "I'm already grateful for everything I have, senior," she replied. It wasn't entirely true, and Ye Wen could see through her easily. In her eyes, he saw a fierce determination for a life beyond ordinary limits.
"Well, you passed." Ye Wen's voice was calm but certain.
Both women stared at him in stunned silence, their surprise overriding their social grace. Understanding flashed in Ye Wen's eyes, and he gave Jiang Nannan a warm, almost paternal smile. "You may kneel. I am the Tianxing Douluo, and I would be honored to have you as my disciple."
Realizing what was happening, Huo Yu´er nudged Jiang Nannan and whispered, "Nannan, what are you waiting for? Kneel and accept him as your master already! My master is a Titled Douluo you won't find this opportunity again!"
Jiang Nannan snapped out of her daze, the weight of his offer finally sinking in. Though Douluo Continent now boasted over a hundred Titled Douluo, only around thirty or so belonged to the highest sects. Becoming a Titled Douluo's disciple was almost a guarantee of respect and security.
Without further hesitation, Jiang Nannan knelt down with unwavering reverence. "Disciple Jiang Nannan greets Master."
Ye Wen raised an eyebrow, amused by her formal gesture. After all, on the Douluo Continent, such ceremony was rare outside royal courts and family rituals.
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