Tian Shu Wu Wang Lu

Half a month has passed in the blink of an eye, and Ayan's progress is nothing short of amazing.

He already possessed strong bones and muscles honed by years of hard work, coupled with a stubborn and persistent spirit. In just half a month, he completely mastered the first level of drawing star energy into his body, and the circulation of star energy became smoother and smoother. His set of fist techniques became even more refined and perfect.

With a single punch, the star power was solid and heavy, easily shattering the bluestone in the courtyard. The previous mess of being flustered and suffering a backlash was gone.

Xingjin's position as supervisor became more and more secure. Every day, he would squat on the stone table to supervise the cultivation. Seeing that Ayan was making progress day by day, his arrogant temper had been greatly reduced. Occasionally, he would even take the initiative to share half of his spiritual fruit with him, treating this honest and simple disciple as one of his own.

That day, Lin Ye calculated that A Yan's cultivation materials and basic spiritual materials were almost exhausted. He also thought that A Yan had never left Qingxuan Immortal Mansion since joining the sect, so he decided to take him to the sect's market to make some purchases and broaden his horizons.

Upon learning that he was going out, Ayan was so excited that he couldn't sleep well all night. He got up before dawn to get ready, changed into a neat disciple's robe, and stood obediently in the courtyard to wait. Even his posture was more upright than usual.

Xingjin had already perched on his shoulder, her little paws tucked into her arms, looking eager to go out and eat.

As dawn broke, the master and disciple, along with their spirit pet, slowly walked out of the Qingxuan Immortal Mansion and headed towards the sect's market.

The sect market was bustling with activity. Shops lined both sides of the street, offering a dazzling array of spiritual herbs, elixirs, and magical artifacts. Cultivators came and went in an endless stream, with shouts and bargaining sounds rising and falling.

Ah Yan was overwhelmed by what he saw, his dark face filled with curiosity. He couldn't take it all in, yet he stayed close to Lin Ye, his hands gently protecting Lin Ye's sides, always remembering his promise to protect his master.

Seeing his nervous yet curious expression, Lin Ye couldn't help but chuckle: "Don't be shy, feel free to buy any little things you like."

Ayan nodded vigorously, his gaze sweeping over his surroundings, but he couldn't bear to look at the objects any longer. He was only thinking about helping his master choose the spiritual materials needed for cultivation, so as to spend less spirit stones.

As soon as the two arrived at the entrance of a spiritual materials shop, they bumped into several carefree outer disciples, the same ones who had bullied Ayan in the servants' quarters.

The leading disciple looked up and saw Ayan. He was taken aback at first, then recognized him. Seeing Ayan dressed in neat cultivator's robes standing beside Lin Ye, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, followed by disdain and mockery. He stepped forward and blocked his way, his tone flippant: "Isn't this that stinking laborer from the servants' quarters? What, all transformed into a cultivator? You must have climbed some high branch!"

The others joined in the laughter, their eyes dismissive, completely disregarding Ayan.

Ayan clenched his fists instantly, his eyes darkening, and his star power subtly surged around him. He didn't act rashly, but instinctively took half a step forward, shielding Lin Ye behind him. His honest face was filled with determination: "Stop talking nonsense! Get out of the way!"

"Oh, you've gotten bolder in just a few days?" The leading disciple raised an eyebrow and reached out to shove Ayan. "Back in the servants' quarters, you weren't like this at all. What, you've got a powerful backer now and you dare to be so arrogant?"

Before his hand could even touch Ayan's sleeve, Ayan steadied himself, sidestepped, and then channeled his star power, throwing a light punch—the very fist technique he had just mastered.

The force was just right; it neither hurt the person nor prevented the disciple from staggering backward, nearly falling over.

"You!" The disciple was both shocked and furious. He had never expected that Ayan would have such cultivation in such a short time. He was immediately enraged and wanted to gather his companions to attack.

Lin Ye stepped forward slowly, his aura calm yet imposing, his cold gaze sweeping over the group: "Stirring up trouble in the market, disregarding sect rules, do you want to be expelled from the sect?"

When the group looked up and saw Lin Ye's face clearly, their expressions turned deathly pale.

They recognized Lin Ye—the newly accepted personal disciple of Elder Xuanzhen, a rising star in the sect. How could they possibly provoke him! Their previous arrogance vanished instantly, and they retreated in fear, bowing and apologizing to Lin Ye before scrambling away from the market, not daring to linger for even a moment longer.

A minor incident quickly subsided.

Ayan withdrew his fist and quickly looked at Lin Ye with a guilty expression: "Master, I'm sorry, I've caused you trouble."

"You didn't cause any trouble. You acted with restraint, upholding your principles without harming your fellow disciples. You did very well." Lin Ye's eyes were full of approval as he patted his shoulder. "A cultivator should not actively seek trouble, but should never be afraid of trouble either. Guarding your conscience and protecting those around you is the right path."

Ayan felt a warmth in his heart, nodded emphatically, and kept his master's words firmly in mind.

Star Ember, perched on his shoulder, nuzzled his cheek with its little head and patted his shoulder with its tiny paws, as if praising his good performance. Its proud yet heartwarming appearance made Ayan unable to help but show a simple and honest smile.

The master and apprentice then entered the spirit material shop. Lin Ye carefully selected the spirit materials and spirit stones needed for Ayan's cultivation, and even specially chose a pair of star iron gauntlets for him to match his fist techniques.

Ah Yan held the boxing gloves as if they were precious treasures, clutching them tightly in his hands. He secretly vowed to train hard and never let his master down.

After finishing their shopping, the sun had already risen high in the sky. Lin Ye led A Yan into a spiritual food pavilion and ordered a table full of spiritual delicacies to reward the master and disciple for their hard work in cultivation during this period.

Looking at the table full of delicious food he had never eaten before, Ayan waited for Lin Ye to start eating before taking small bites himself. When he was enjoying his meal, his eyes curved into crescents, looking honest and satisfied.

Xingjin then monopolized a plate of candied spirit fruits, eating until his little belly was round and full, and then comfortably lay on the table and took a nap.

During the meal, Ayan put down his chopsticks and looked at Lin Ye solemnly again, his eyes filled with unwavering determination: "Master, today I truly understand that cultivating immortality is not only about becoming stronger, but also about guarding one's true self and protecting those one wants to protect."

"From now on, I will definitely cultivate even more diligently and never let you down!"

Looking at his disciple, who had shed the humility of a menial servant and was now filled with the tenacity of a cultivator, Lin Ye felt a surge of satisfaction and nodded with a smile: "Good, Master is waiting to see the day you shine."

After a satisfying meal, the master and disciple strolled back to the Qingxuan Immortal Abode under the warm sunshine.

Throughout the journey, Ayan remained close to Lin Ye, his posture growing ever more upright and his eyes ever brighter.

From a lowly servant who was bullied by everyone to a disciple who has achieved mastery and can stand on his own, this reversal is the result of his perseverance in cultivating day and night, the gift of his master's careful teaching, and the unexpected master-disciple relationship that gave him a new life.

The setting sun cast long shadows of the two people and their pet, a gentle breeze rustled through the woods, and starlight enveloped them.

With his master's guidance, his spirit pet's companionship, and his boundless enthusiasm and unwavering perseverance, Ayan knew that his future path would be bright. Lin Ye also knew that this honest and sincere disciple would eventually become his strongest support. The two of them would surely join hands and walk together on the path of cultivation, step by step, creating their own brilliant chapter.