Chapter 52: The Beautiful Elder, Liu Qingxu

Ding!

"Congratulations to Wu Tian for completing the side quest: defeating Long Zhan in the sect’s grand tournament and claiming first place!"

"Congratulations, player Wu Tian, on receiving the quest rewards: a clue to the main storyline, 20,000 experience points, and 2 system shop exchange credits."

"Main storyline clue: Nie Yuntian, head of the Nie Family, one of the four great powers of Pingyang City."

"Congratulations, player Wu Tian! Your Instant Kill skill has advanced to Intermediate level. You may now instantly kill enemies two levels above your own, with a cooldown of half an hour!"

After winning first place in the sect’s grand tournament, a series of notifications echoed in Wu Tian’s mind. What pleased him most was gaining a clue for the main storyline, and his Instant Kill skill had been upgraded to Intermediate. Now, he could instantly kill anyone two levels above him. The feeling was simply exhilarating.

However, Wu Tian couldn’t help but feel speechless: upgrading the Instant Kill skill from Beginner to Intermediate had only required 100 points, but advancing from Intermediate to Advanced demanded 1000—a tenfold increase! It was a staggering gap. Still, Wu Tian didn’t complain. The system’s Instant Kill ability was already overpowered at Intermediate, allowing him to slay enemies two levels higher than himself.

The skill upgrade delighted Wu Tian, and the main storyline clue brought him no small gain. The clue pointed to Nie Yuntian, the head of the Nie Family, meaning the Nie Family was involved in the larger scheme—an intriguing revelation.

"I’d already planned to cause trouble for the Nie Family. Now, with the main quest clue pointing right at them, I have all the more reason to become their nemesis," Wu Tian thought quietly to himself. Since the trail led to Nie Yuntian, it was necessary to investigate the Nie Family further.

Since Wu Tian had defeated all thirty-six remaining contestants in a single move, the top ten of the tournament had yet to be fully decided; eight spots were still unfilled. But he paid no mind to the rest—whoever else made the top ten had nothing to do with him.

"Wu Tian, congratulations on winning first place in the grand tournament. Your path ahead will surely be even broader!" As Wu Tian stepped down from the stage, Elder Hao Hu from the Hall of Discipline approached with a beaming smile.

"Oh, thank you." Wu Tian was a bit surprised—the usually stern elder was actually smiling at him.

"Furthermore, someone wishes to see you."

"Someone wants to see me?"

"Yes. As the champion of the grand tournament, it’s only natural. Come with me."

Wu Tian didn’t refuse. He assumed that, as the winner, the sect master must want to see him—after all, soon he would be leaving for the main sect headquarters and bidding farewell to the branch.

Hao Hu led Wu Tian to the room where Sect Master Ye handled all sect affairs.

"Wu Tian, the sect master is inside. Please, go in."

Wu Tian nodded and entered. Upon stepping inside, he was surprised to see, apart from Sect Master Ye, a woman of breathtaking beauty. At first glance, it was impossible to discern her age; she could be eighteen, or perhaps twenty-eight. She exuded an air of mystery. Her figure was flawless, with curves in all the right places—a golden ratio that would make any man’s heart race.

"Wu Tian, you’re here. Please, have a seat!" Sect Master Ye greeted him with a gentle smile.

"Thank you, Sect Master." Wu Tian nodded and sat down.

"Wu Tian, first, allow me to congratulate you on becoming the champion. Your strength has proven you to be among the finest of the younger generation in our sect. There are a few matters I wish to discuss. As the winner, you are now eligible to train at headquarters. This is Elder Liu from the main branch. She is in charge of overseeing this tournament at our Pingyang City branch." Sect Master Ye gestured to the stunning woman.

"Greetings, Elder Liu," Wu Tian responded calmly and respectfully.

"No need for formality. Wu Tian, your outstanding performance in this tournament makes you the rightful champion. Next, you will be summoned to train at the main headquarters, where you’ll find a far grander stage to display your talents. On behalf of the sect, I welcome you. However, I must inform you that upon entering headquarters, you’ll need to take a new master. If you wish, you may enter my tutelage." Liu Qingxu smiled warmly at Wu Tian, clearly expecting no refusal.

Wu Tian was taken aback; he hadn’t expected such a beautiful elder to offer to take him as her disciple.

Perhaps noticing his hesitation, Sect Master Ye smiled and said, "Wu Tian, Elder Liu holds a high position and possesses formidable strength at headquarters. Even I am no match for her. Becoming her disciple would be greatly advantageous for you—your future prospects will be limitless!"

Wu Tian took a deep breath, then shook his head. "Elder Liu, I’m very grateful for your offer, but I have only one master. I cannot take another."

Liu Qingxu raised her brows in surprise. "Do you mean to say I am unqualified to be your master?"

"Not at all. My master treated me like a father. His bones are still cold in the grave. At present, I have no intention of taking another master. If entering headquarters requires it, then I would rather not go at all." Wu Tian shook his head and cupped his hands in apology.

Liu Qingxu exchanged a surprised look with Sect Master Ye. Wu Tian was willing to forgo the opportunity to enter headquarters rather than take a new master—his respect for his teacher left a deep impression.

In truth, Liu Qingxu was overthinking it. Wu Tian’s reason wasn’t so much loyalty as practicality—with the super instant kill system, he had no need for another master. Besides, he had a small, selfish reason: he simply didn’t want a woman, especially one as beautiful as Liu Qingxu, to be his mentor.

"Wu Tian, I’ve heard of your master’s fate, and I’m deeply sorry. Your respect and loyalty are admirable. In fact, joining headquarters does not strictly require taking a new master. You may abstain, but you will still be under my supervision. How about that?" Liu Qingxu offered a new proposal.

"I have no objection at all. As a disciple of the sect, it’s only right that Elder Liu oversee me." Wu Tian smiled and nodded.

"Wu Tian, your talent is remarkable, and I have high hopes for you. Don’t let me down," Liu Qingxu said with a radiant smile.

"Of course. I won’t disappoint you, Elder Liu." Wu Tian’s lips curled into a confident smile.

"Then it’s settled. After the tournament, I will return to the capital’s main headquarters. You are to report there in two months. Don’t forget."

"I won’t forget."