Chapter 14: Departure

Early in the morning, Nian Zhen was seen knocking on the door of Bibi Dong's room.

[Host. You usually just barge in. Why aren't you doing that today?]

"I want to act as respectful as I can if I want her to teach me."

"Come in." An indifferent voice came from inside the room.

Walking inside the room, Nian Zhen saw Bibi Dong was meditating on the bed.

"Sister Mei. How is your injury?"

"Fine. Don't worry. Tell me, what is your purpose of coming here?" Bibi Dong said as she slowly opened her eyes.

"uhh..I wanted to ask sister Mei a favour." Nian Zhen said embarrassedly.

"Hmm..? What favour?"

"Uhh. I want sister Mei to train with me. Don't misunderstand me, I just want a sparring partner." Nian Zhen said.

"....Why me?" Bibi Dong said with a frown. Not even her own disciple would be given this privilege. Why would a complete outsider get it?

"Sister Mei is strong and seems to have a lot of battle experience. Also Sister Mei owes me a favour. I saved you and healed you last time. I even spent my precious medicine on you….woo...woo." Nian Zhen started to cry, rubbing his eyes as hard as he could to bring tears in his eyes.

"....." Bibi Dong gave Nian Zhen a white glance. She had fully understood Nian Zhen's personality after often spending time with him.

"Fine. Which level are you?" Giving up because of this drama king, Bibi Dong curiously asked Nian Zhen. Because Tang Hao was able to find his true power, Nian Zhen had reinforced his hiding ability making it difficult for Bibi Dong to see his level.

"This...I am...uhh...level 15 spirit master." Nian Zhen said.

".....15? How old are you?" Bibi Dong asked.

"Uh I am 7…" Nian Zhen said.

"Level 15 at the age of 7? You aren't joking right?" Bibi Dong asked suspiciously.

"No. Not at all." Nian Zhen said, without a hint of lie in his voice.

"...alright. After noon meet me at the ruins near the city." Bibi Dong said before closing her eyes.

"You really agreed!? Thank You Sister Mei." Nian Zhen said as he happily walked out of the room.

"I am sure he is not level 15. If he doesn't want to say I have my own technique to have him reveal it." Glancing at his figure, Bibi Dong thought with a mysterious smile on her face.

After that, Nian Zhen was completely immersed in training many different skills. During the morning he would practice blacksmithing with Gu Lao. Gu Lao was now teaching everything he knew to Nian Zhen. Nian Zhen used to understand and learn everything he was told so fast that what would take weeks and months to learn would be learnt by Nian Zhen within days. Gu Lao was feeling both unhappy and joyful when he looked at this disciple.

After the morning came the time with Bibi Dong. Though their relationship showed no sign of progress, Bibi Dong had certainly taken a liking to Nian Zhen. His abilities and skill impressed her so much that Bibi Dong had started to become harsher when it came to training Nian Zhen.

Without even the two of them noticing, the atmosphere between the two had reached at that of a master-disciple relationship. Bibi Dong used to point out Nian Zhen's weakness and advise him from time to time.

During the night, Nian Zhen was fully immersed in training his other abilities using the advice given by Enron.

2 months had passed in the blink of an eye. Bibi Dong had now completely regarded Nian Zhen as her disciple, though she had not yet found out what level Nian Zhen was.

After the nth rounds of sparring, Nian Zhen suddenly felt two strong presence coming towards them.

'Have they arrived?' Bibi Dong whispered.

Two figures fell down from the sky just in front of Bibi Dong and Nian Zhen. The two were naturally Ghost and Chrysanthemum Douluo.

"The Pope." Both of them bowed respectfully.

The two were exactly how the novel described. One looked like a certified mummy whereas one was a trap.

"We ask forgiveness from the pope. The elder hall had something going on. We could not ignore that."

"No excuses." Bibi Dong said coldly. The two cowered in fear.

"Uhm Sister Mei who are they? Your friends?" Nian Zhen asked as if he did not know who they were.

"You don't have to fake it. Yun, you already knew who I was right?" Bibi Dong said, looking sharply at Nian Zhen.

"Uhh..what are you talking about? I don't understand Sister Mei." Nian Zhen said without exposing his surprise.

"Hmph. You underestimate a woman's intuition fool." Bibi Dong said indifferently.

[Host. Women sure are scary, aren't they?]

'Haah...Yup I don't understand women' Nian Zhen sighed bitterly.

"Umm...The Pope. Who is this little boy?" Ghost Doulou asked Bibi Dong. He always felt that his Lord's attitude towards the boy was kind of weird

"I don't know. He says his name is Ying Yun. I owed him a favour and was just repaying him." Bibi Dong said, putting back her scepter in her ring.

"Yun, the favour has been repaid now. I know you already know this but take this." Bibi Dong said, handing out two tokens to Nian Zhen. One was white while the other was red, exactly like the token Tang Hao gave him.

"If you truly wish to get strong, then I suggest you go to the Slaughter City. If you show this jade there, you may at least get some benefits. Now regarding the white token, this allows you to freely enter and exit the spirit hall in different cities and towns. If you show it to the Spirit Halls HQ you can get an audience with me. For now, I will refrain from asking you to join the spirit hall. But know that I will be waiting for your answer." Bibi Dong said seriously.

"....I understand Sister Mei." Nian Zhen said.

"Good. Come visit the spirit hall when you have time. Ghost, Chrysanthemum, let's go." Bibi Dong said to her two dumbstruck subordinates.

'What happened to our Lord during this time?' Gui Mei whispered to Yue Guan.

'I don't understand myself? Maybe the boy is the reason? Want to kidnap him and ask him' Yue Guan said glancing towards Nian Zhen.

"You two!! Are you ignoring my order?" A cold hum came from behind the two. Cold sweats completely wet their clothes as they stood up while shivering.

"We dare not." The two said at the same time.

"Then let's go." as she said that Bibi Dong disappeared without even glancing at Nian Zhen a second time. The two douluo followed after her after looking strangely at Nian Zhen.

"And there she goes…." Nian Zhen sighed.

[Host. It seems you would not be able to get her.]

"Huh, who was trying to get her? Well you are not wrong though. Don't worry, wait for me to be at least 14-15 years old. I shall let her feel real love...Hahahaha" Nian Zhen said resolutely.

[...]

Day's passed in a flash. After Bibi Dong had gone away, Nian Zhen had created Six Clones using his Six Paths Clone technique. Each had gotten one of the Six Paths Technique from Nian Zhen and were sent to different locations. The purpose for that was different from clone to clone.

Some of them were to open up business around the mainland whereas some were to gather information whereas one of them was sent to check out the Sun and Moon continent. After the 6 of them went to different locations, Nian Zhen became completely immersed in his own training.

For 3 years, Nian Zhen trained like a madman under Gu Lao. Often challenging spirit masters he found, Nian Zhen was getting extensive combat experience while rapidly growing stronger.

A young boy, around the age of 10-11 was breathing heavily. The boy had long Black hair sticking on his face due to sweat. Even though the boy was just around 11 years old, he had the height of a thirteen year old, reaching a shocking 160 cm.

"Master don't. I am tired already. Please stop. It has started to feel painful. No more." Nian Zhen was breathing heavily. Currently, he was doing the 'thing' with his master.

"Just a little more Xiao Zhen. It will be over soon." Gu Lao said as he was breathing heavily too.

"What the hell is this? There has already been a 10,000 strike already. Are you trying to kill me?" Nian Zhen shouted at the top of his voice. Today was the day when Nian Zhen would officially become an advanced Blacksmith. Gu Lao had already taught Nian Zhen everything he could.

"Hmm. just a little more. The Gold will be fully refined now." Gu Lao said.

After the 10,000 strike Nian Zhen suddenly felt that his arms had gone numb from pain. At that moment the gold finally was refined to its utmost limit.

"Good job Kid. Hahaha...You have finally completely learned all of my teachings. I have nothing left to teach you." Gu Lao laughed heartily, fiercely patting Nian Zhen's back. He was right to choose Nian Zhen as his disciple.

"Hah...Hah...Old man it hurts" Nian Zhen glared at Gu Lao.

"None of that matters. Boy, listen carefully, I have two things to give you upon fully learning my technique. First thing is this." Gu Lao said, handing Nian Zhen a token. This token, unlike the other three, had the Ancient character carved in it.

"This token is proof that you are the 31st generation Patriarch of the Ancient Forge Clan." Gu Lao said.

"You must be wondering how, right? Well I was the current patriarch of the clan. I had been on the search for a disciple to pass my clan's mantle to. The Ancient Forge Clan was an extremely renowned clan 3000 years ago. But due to a mistake our whole clan was slowly degrading to nothing. Even though my family is the lone survivor of the Clan, I was not able to produce an heir. Due to my incompetence I was trying to find a suitable person to pass the sect to. I hope you can make the name of the sect as popular as it used to be." Gu Lao said, with a hint of sadness in his eyes.

"...I will, Master."

"Hmm...Go even if you may be the only person in the sect. I know you will be able to manage. Go meet me tomorrow before your departure." Gu Lao said, before going inside the forge.

Back at the inn.

"Enron open my status"

[Host: Nian Zhen Lv:49]

[Age:10+ Gender:Male]

[Martial Soul: Primal Chaos Dragon, 14 Winged Fallen Archangel, Primordial Scythe

Martial Soul Ability: Shape Shifter, The Fallen One's Judgement, Call Of Death

Soul Rings: 1st Martial Soul: Purple, Purple, Black, Black

2nd Martial Soul: Purple, Purple, Black, Black

3rd Martial Soul: Purple, Purple, Black, Black

Abilities: Samsara Eye(47% Mastered), Alchemy/Transmutation(84% Mastered), Cursed Energy Manipulation(69% Mastered)

Domain: Unlimited Void(Locked)

Laws Comprehended: Law Of Space(8% Mastered), Law of Gravity(12% Mastered)

Elemental Nature/Energy: Lightning, Flame, Cursed, Ice, Space, Gravity

Active Skills: Art of Dual Wielding(100% Mastered), Elemental Manipulation(100% Mastered), Material Burst(65% Mastered), One-Blade Rakshasa(47% Mastered), Advanced Forging Ritual of One-Thousand Weapons(100% mastered)

Passive Skills: Autumnal Breathing Arts(Constant/M), Cooking(M), Maximum Concentration Capacity(M), Absolute Contaminant Immunity(M), Art of Absolute Integrity(M)

|INVENTORY| |MAP|]

"Sigh...Still a long way to go before reaching level 70 huh." Nian Zhen said.

[Host. You are already a genius from the pace you are gaining strength]

"Listen partner. I may be strong but I am no genius. Even though I have worked hard, it would all be in vain without you, Bibi Dongs, Tang Hao's and Gu Lao's support. Do you think I am intelligent? No I am not. I am dumb and only act according to my heart. You are my intelligence and brain and I Thank You for that." Nian Zhen said.

[.....]

The next morning,

Nian Zhen arrived at Gu Lao's forge to bid him Farewell.

"Take care and Thank You for everything, Master." NIan Zhen said, while bowing respectfully.

"Hmm. Take care out there boy. Come visit often. By the way, where are you going now?" Gu Lao asked.

"The Slaughter City" Nian Zhen answered.