Essence

"That's it? That's the best you can do?" Fang Lin asked incredulously. "Only the peak of the Second Stage? Wow, you really just stopped it there right? Can't you just make me reach the Third Stage already?"

"Moron!" The old man replied angrily. He seemed to be offended not by Fang Lin doubting his ability, but by Fang Lin wanting to reach the Third Stage quickly.

"The Third Stage means the crystallization of a core! For the Immortal Cultivators, they have to make a Dao Core while Godly Practitioners have to create a Mana Core! Crystallizing a core cannot be just done because you want it!"

"There are some criteria required to fulfill before one can create a core! As for you right now, you have only fulfilled one!" The old man's harsh words managed to shake Fang Lin's argument.

"Fine…" Actually, Fang Lin knew that the best he can be boosted right now was up to the Peak of the Second Stage. As for the Third Stage, just like what the old man said, there are some criterion needed before he can attempt it.

With him not able to fulfill even one right now, the best he can do was to push on until the peak Second Stage.

"This stingy old man!" Fang Lin thought angrily thought to himself. "He's clearly wary on me right now! Seems like I can't wheedle more stuff him…"

Fang Lin then bowed in front of the old man as he said,

"Disciple Fang Lin greets the Master Grandpa!"

"Master Grandpa…" The old man resisted the urge to blow up after being called Grandpa. He took some deep breaths to disperse his bad mood. He then looked at Fang Lin as he asked him,

"Why so quick to accept me? What if your first master who is young and fresh gets angry?"

"Well, my first master said that its fine for me to accept more masters, as long as they are not that extremely evil." Fang Lin slowly said. "You're not evil right?"

"Of course I'm not!"

"Then what is your name master? Since you are my master now, I need to know your name!"

"Ehem." The old man coughed as he seemingly tried to divert the topic. "If you want to know my name, you must reach a level of strength that will satisfy me!"

"What level of strength is that then?" Fang Lin asked like an innocent toddler.

"Hmm… maybe the Seventh Stage." The old man said while rubbing her beard sagely. "Reach that stage, and you will be allowed this one's name."

"You really do not want to say your name…" Fang Lin shook his head as he looked at the old man. "Is your name that ugly that you do not want it to be heard?"

"Ugly? No!" The old man glared at Fang Lin ferociously, as if the words he said seemed to have offended him. "For your information, this one's name was a splendid and majestic one."

"Then why am I not allowed to know it?"

"It's because your strength is not enough to accept the burden of hearing my name!" The old man said this with finality. "Sigh. As of now, just call me Master Grandpa."

"Okay." Fang Lin shrugged as if he was nonplussed by this. He then gave the old man a sharp, calculating look as he said, "Since you are my master now, let's initiate a master-disciple contract!"

"Excellent! You did not forget to do that. You really are cautious." The old man seemed to be more impressed as he saw Fang Lin still being wary against him. "Even if you just accepted me as your master, you are still right to suspect me. Who knows, I might be actually a space vampire out to consume your flesh. With you making this contract, you are assuring your safety."

"Hehe." Fang Lin stuck out his tongue to the old man. "Being cautious is better than being victimized right?"

"Indeed."

Both of them then stared at each other as they recited the mantra for the initiation of the master-disciple contract. Fang Lin did not do this contract with Wang Hao since his Ten-Stage Flower Seal was an enough connection between the two.

Minutes passed by and Fang Lin felt a subtle connection with the old man. He knew this was their karma, now bounded together by a master-disciple relationship.

"Let's see… what shall I teach you first? Alchemy or Talisman Making? If its alchemy, then I should make you start memorizing all the names of vegetations..." The old man did not waste time as he started devising a studying plan for Fang Lin. Fang Lin heard all sorts of theoretical ideas and book references that made his intellectual side tremble.

Fang Lin shivered, realizing his new master was way different from Wang Hao.

Wang Hao was the type of person to just give his disciple the tools and let them learn it by themselves. As for this old man, he clearly cared enough to be involved on teaching his disciple.

"If Master Wang Hao can just be like this…" Fang Lin thought to himself amusedly. "Hey master grandpa, remember what you said to me earlier?"

"Ah, about me bringing you the peak of the Second Stage? Forget that one, I was lying about that." The old man said dismissively.

"What?" Fang Lin stood up, glaring at the old man with daggers on his eyes. He stomped his way towards him, with anger clearly evident on his movements.

"Does that mean you cannot bring me to the Peak of the Second Stage?"

"I can bring you at the peak of the Second Stage, but that is not what I am planning to give to you." The old man said while snickering. He seemed to like making Fang Lin angry. "Instead of bringing you to the peak of the Second Stage, I will bring you to a more special state."

"A more special state? Right now, Fang Lin felt as if this old man was actually not pranking him anymore. He strained his ears as he listened closely.

"You know that you cannot reach the Third Stage yet as of now, but I can help you create something similar to that right now." The old man rubbed his hands excitedly. From the looks of it, even he was enthralled by the idea that he will implement on Fang Lin.

Even the old man's eyes started to glow with a manic light. Fang Lin took a step back, feeling somewhat scared by the old man's expression.

The old man then stared at Fang Lin as if he was a great experimental subject. He licked his lips as he slowly muttered,

"I shall help you create an Essence Core!"