My Text-Based Cultivation Game

"You...me...him..."

After a long pause, the Fourth Elder finally managed to come up with three personal pronouns.

All the planned displays of strength and power as a master in front of Yunyang were rendered silent by Yunyang's three-stage leap.

Yunyang frowned slightly. The arrow for the apprenticeship task was pointing at this tall, strong old man, and he had completed his task. Why was it suddenly stuck, like there was a bug?

Moreover, the NPCs seemed to be malfunctioning, stammering and mumbling incoherently.

Could it be that my bug-exploiting behavior caused the bug to spawn?

Ugh, what a hassle.

Yunyang scratched his head. Fine, he'd just go down and go up again himself.

Thinking of this, Yunyang turned around and started to walk off the stage.

"Wait a minute, young man!"

Seeing that Yunyang was about to leave, the Fourth Elder seemed to come to his senses and hurriedly reached out to Yunyang as if possessed by Er Kang, calling out to him.

"Um?"

Yunyang turned to look at the Fourth Elder who had called out to him.

"Ahem!" The Fourth Elder composed himself, regaining his composure as a Nascent Soul elder. "I am Wu Zhen, the Fourth Elder of the Xuantian Sect. I wish to take you as my disciple. Are you willing?"

Oh? The bug has been fixed? The story can continue now?

Agreed.

Yunyang nodded repeatedly.

Please perform the actions shown in the image to formally become an apprentice.

A line of small text suddenly popped up in front of Yunyang's eyes, clearly a follow-up guide to the hanging.

Are there any specific requirements for the movements?

As expected of a virtual reality game, it's not like a regular game where you just need to click "confirm".

That being the case...

"Master! Please accept my bow!"

As shown in the picture, Yunyang knelt on one knee and performed a fist salute.

"Hmm~"

The Fourth Elder stroked his long beard. Although Yunyang's bizarre commotion made his heart feel a little uncomfortable, he was still very pleased with Yunyang's eagerness to become his disciple.

This young man must have seen my imposing presence, extraordinary strength, and domineering aura, which is why he was so eager to become my disciple.

Yes! That must be it!

What kind of apprenticeship ceremony is this?

It's probably just a matter of etiquette among mortals, after all, this kid has only been in the mountain gate for half a year.

However, these formalities are not really emphasized in the cultivation world, because cultivators have such long lifespans that time will dilute these so-called formalities.

But why is this kid reaching out to me?

Hmm? What about the mission rewards?

Yunyang scratched his head and looked up at the blue semi-transparent screen that had suddenly popped up in front of him.

It says the task is complete and reminds you to reach out and receive the reward.

You reached out, so what's the reward?

One reached out a hand, the other remained silent, and a strange atmosphere suddenly fell between the newly formed master and apprentice.

"He asked you for a gift to formally become his disciple."

At this moment, the Third Elder silently reminded the Fourth Elder from behind.

The Fourth Elder remained silent, then turned to look at the Third Elder behind him.

Do you think I wouldn't notice?

Am I just pretending not to notice?

Senior brother, you're so annoying!

Why do you have to point it out? If you point it out, I won't be able to pretend I don't know anything anymore.

It wasn't that he was reluctant to give a gift for the apprenticeship ceremony, but the main problem was that the items he was currently carrying were things that only Nascent Soul level cultivators could use, and this kid wouldn't be able to use them anyway.

How could a Foundation Establishment cultivator use something from a Nascent Soul stage cultivator?

But the situation had become so awkward that the Fourth Elder looked at Yunyang's outstretched hand and finally sighed.

"Alright, today I will bestow upon you a low-grade spiritual weapon."

[Quest Reward: Low-grade Spiritual Weapon x1]

After saying that, the Fourth Elder took out a stick that was over two meters long from the storage bag at his waist.

Its two ends are surrounded by golden light, with dragon and phoenix patterns on the top, while the middle part of the staff is bright red, with a faint red light flowing out.

This appearance...

"The Golden Cudgel?"

"Hmm? What did you say, my good disciple?"

"Isn't this stick called that?" Yunyang asked back.

"This magical artifact has no name. I obtained it from a secret realm several years ago. According to the records of the ancestor in that realm, its spiritual energy was forged in imitation of a celestial artifact from the Immortal Realm. Unlike other magical artifacts, it doesn't have any fancy functions. Firstly, it is hard enough, and secondly, it is heavy enough. Moreover, after refining it, its size can be changed at will. The larger it becomes, the heavier it becomes. It is truly a powerful tool for my body cultivation!"

Good heavens, isn't that the Golden Cudgel?

Holy crap, I've become the Monkey King?!

Or is this some kind of Easter egg made by the author?

That's quite interesting.

"A low-grade spiritual artifact?" The Third Elder stroked his long beard, his tone slightly surprised. "You're really willing to part with it?"

"Hmph! Senior brother, do you think I'm a petty person? This is my third disciple, how could I be reluctant to part with him?"

It's just a blue item, what are these two NPCs discussing?

Here you go.

As they were talking, Yunyang was already reaching out to take it.

"Wait a minute."

The Fourth Elder noticed in time and pulled back the hand holding the staff-shaped magic weapon.

"You're quite impatient, kid." The Fourth Elder scolded, "Don't be fooled by how easily I can lift it. This magical artifact is quite heavy. If you can lift it, I'll give it to you now. If not, then leave it with me for now, and I'll give it to you when you can lift it."

These lines... seem so familiar?

New Master, are you the Dragon King of the East Sea?

"Dragon King of the East Sea—no, Master, would you like me to give it a try?"

"Good lad! Dare to try?"

"Why wouldn't you dare here?"

"Excellent! We body cultivators should have this pioneering spirit!"

The Fourth Elder laughed, slowly loosening his grip on the staff-shaped magic weapon.

There was a loud "bang!"

The staff-shaped magic weapon fell from the Fourth Elder's hand, its lower end slamming heavily onto the ground, shattering the floor beneath his feet.

This clearly demonstrates its considerable weight.

However, the Third Elder's focus was not on this. Instead, he calmly said, "One piece of low-grade spirit jade is damaged. The cost will be deducted from your Pure Yang Peak's supply next month."

"...It's just a small amount!" Despite the Fourth Elder's trembling beard, he remained nonchalant, waving his hand dismissively and saying, "No need to worry about it! Come, my good disciple, give it a try!"

The Ruyi Jingu Bang (magic staff).

Yunyang looked the staff-shaped magic weapon up and down.

If I pick it up, can I cosplay as the Monkey King?

"Phew~"

Yunyang let out a long sigh, then slowly reached out and grasped the bright red rod. His spiritual energy gradually surged, and the Returning to One Technique circulated within his body. Suddenly, all the muscles in his body bulged.

Sudden force!

With a little effort, Yunyang discovered that the stick was indeed quite heavy.

But I might be able to lift it myself!

Get up!

【Ding! 】

Just then, Yunyang suddenly heard Guazi's voice:

[The skill attribute assessment has passed; this low-grade spiritual weapon can now be used.]

Huh? What did Guazi just say?

Wait a minute! Why is this stick suddenly so light?

Holy crap!

Yunyang used too much force and almost fell backward on the spot.

"???!"

The Fourth Elder's eyes widened, and he forgot to let go of the beard he was holding.

No, how did this kid pick it up so easily?

This isn't mystical at all!