...
Falling into this endless abyss, surrounded by boundless darkness, unable to feel the passage of time, as if the whole world has abandoned me, a sense of loneliness involuntarily emanates from the depths of my heart.
Dim, oppressive, insane.
I don't know how long it has been, but Zeng Yi is already lost and has given up.
Just like this.
Let go of my mind, stop thinking about anything, and let my body continue to fall into this endless abyss.
It's uncomfortable.
Zeng Yi suddenly felt that it became difficult for him to breathe, his consciousness started to feel dull, extremely uncomfortable, as if he was suffocating.
It's so uncomfortable!
"Ah!!!!"
"Meow"
The little Ju who was lying on Zeng Yi's face was startled by this sudden shout and quickly jumped off his face.
Zeng Yi, lying on the bed, suddenly opened his tightly closed eyelids, sat up abruptly, panting heavily, his pale face flushed, and his eyes filled with horror.
In an instant, Zeng Yi snapped back to reality, looked around, and found himself lying on a bed in a room.
"Where is this?" Looking at the room, Zeng Yi's gaze was a bit bewildered.
"Meow~"
A cat meow echoed in the room, followed by a silver figure rushing towards Zeng Yi.
"Xiao Ju!"
Looking at this furry little creature on his thigh, Zeng Yi was somewhat surprised.
"Meow~"
Xiao Ju raised its head and looked at Zeng Yi with its bright emerald eyes, full of joy, rubbing its furry cheek against Zeng Yi's belly, expressing its concern for him.
"Xiao Ju."
Zeng Yi couldn't believe it, his hands trembled as he reached for Xiao Ju, lifting it up and bringing it close to his face, pressing his forehead against Xiao Ju's fluffy head, feeling its warmth.
"I'm not dead, I'm still alive."
Muttering to himself, a look of excitement appeared on his pale face, and his hands holding Xiao Ju began to tremble with excitement.
Zeng Yi thought he was dead, but now that he saw Xiao Ju and could feel its warm temperature, he was certain that he hadn't died.
It seems that Sword Douluo didn't kill me after all.
Zeng Yi felt a bit fortunate. It's good that he didn't die. If he's alive, why would he want to die?
But what was that dark world? Wasn't that hell, the afterlife?
Recalling his memories from before, Zeng Yi's face once again became perplexed. He could vividly remember the scenes in that world, the endless yellow sand, the lonely wind, and that mysterious figure.
Was it all just a dream?
"Meow?"
Seeing his master's behavior, Xiao Ju didn't quite understand. It raised its pink little tongue and licked his cheek.
Feeling the warm wetness on his face, Zeng Yi snapped out of his memories.
"Xiao Ju, I'm fine." Zeng Yi put Xiao Ju down and gently touched its furry head, smiling tenderly.
Pulling away the blanket on his body, Zeng Yi sat up from the bed and stood on the floor. He realized that he was currently wearing numerous white gauze strips wrapped around his strong body.
"It was Sword Douluo who saved me?"
Thinking back to the scene when he was unconscious, there was only Sword Douluo present at that time. Considering his current situation, Zeng Yi could only conclude that it was Sword Douluo who saved him.
But Zeng Yi was confused about this situation. What did Sword Douluo mean? He came to trouble him but ended up saving him. This operation was difficult to understand.
Stretching his stiff body, Zeng Yi heard a faint cracking sound, and that feeling made him much more comfortable.
His injuries have healed.
Feeling the state of his body, Zeng Yi didn't feel any pain, but his current breath was somewhat weak. It seemed that his external injuries had healed, but the internal injuries hadn't fully recovered.
Right, where is Yan Que?
Suddenly remembering this question, Zeng Yi became somewhat panicked. In this room, there was only him and Xiao Ju; there was no sign of anyone else.
"Xiao Ju, where's Yan Que?" Zeng Yi anxiously asked Xiao Ju.
"Meow~"
Xiao Ju meowed and leaped onto Zeng Yi's shoulder.
"Is Yan Que alright?" Zeng Yi asked again.
Xiao Ju nodded its cute little head, responding to Zeng Yi.
"That's good." Xiao Ju's reply made Zeng Yi let out a sigh of relief, and his tense mind relaxed.
"You brat, you finally woke up."
Suddenly, a faint voice came from outside the door, followed by the opening of the room door. A figure walked in, causing Zeng Yi's pupils to contract, becoming vigilant.
"Sword Douluo." Zeng Yi's expression became extremely serious, a shining long knife with its sheath appeared in his hand, which was Zeng Yi's martial soul, Ronin Sword.
"So, even though I saved your life, you're still on guard against me?" Seeing Zeng Yi's defensive stance, Sword Douluo couldn't help but find it amusing. But seeing Zeng Yi's current vigorous appearance, a hint of joy appeared on his face.
Zeng Yi had been in a coma for ten days, but his injuries had healed in just three days. This surprised Sword Douluo. When did his healing elixir become so effective? Healed from life-threatening wounds in just three days?
However, even though his injuries were healed, Zeng Yi hadn't shown signs of awakening, which worried Sword Douluo. If he didn't sense the obvious signs of life in Zeng Yi, he would have already taken Zeng Yi back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. But he couldn't bring Zeng Yi to the sect now, otherwise, the troubles from the Spirit Hall would soon come knocking at his door.
After waiting for seven days, Zeng Yi was still in a deep sleep, which made Sword Douluo unable to endure any longer. He wanted to immediately take Zeng Yi back to the sect and use the power of the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to find a way to wake him up. But just when he was about to do so, Zeng Yi woke up on his own, which finally eased Sword Douluo's nervousness.
"If it weren't for you, would I be in this state?" Hearing Sword Douluo's words, Zeng Yi couldn't help but mock.
"I'm asking about my disciple, Yan Que," Sword Douluo continued, ignoring Zeng Yi's comment.
"Your little disciple is behind here and will be here soon," Sword Douluo calmly replied. He had sensed Zeng Yi's awakening and returned ahead of time.
"You're so young and already taking disciples, quite impressive!" Sword Douluo looked at Zeng Yi with sharp eyes and said.
Originally, Sword Douluo felt somewhat dissatisfied when he inexplicably gained a disciple, but after finding Zeng Yi, he discovered that this person had even taken another disciple. Moreover, he had also become a master before finishing the apprentice, making him upgrade to a Grand Master. This made Sword Douluo even more unhappy.
However, Zeng Yi's talent in swordsmanship, especially the level of talent in sword dao, had turned him into a cheap master. Moreover, his disciple Yan Que also had monster-level talent. As long as they grew up, they would undoubtedly be among the strongest. Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would benefit greatly from them. Buy one get one free, can you believe it?
Leaving aside his disciple Zeng Yi for now, just his disciple Yan Que had talent surpassing everyone in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Having such disciples and grandchildren, Sword Douluo could rest easy for the rest of their lives.
But you're only fifteen years old and already taking disciples. How can this be? Do you not know that it will hinder your own cultivation?
Thinking this way, Sword Douluo became somewhat angry.
Do you really think I'm praising you?
"You brat, who taught you your swordsmanship?" Sword Douluo asked in a serious tone.
"Swordsmanship?" Zeng Yi was confused. Why would Sword Douluo ask such a question?
"I learned it myself, what's wrong?"
"By yourself?" Sword Douluo's eyes widened instantly.
You learned this kind of swordsmanship by yourself? Does that mean I, Chenx Xin, who is known as the Sword Douluo, am just a waste?
Sword Douluo's figure flashed and appeared in front of Zeng Yi in an instant, startling both Zeng Yi and Xiao Ju.
"Is it true? You didn't lie to me?" Sword Douluo's gaze became sharp, his eyes like sword beams, staring directly into Zeng Yi's eyes, making them feel a bit painful.
Unable to endure his intimidating gaze and aura, Zeng Yi quickly said, "Of course, why would I lie to you?"
Zeng Yi's swordsmanship was mostly acquired through the skills given by the system — Sword Mastery and the Wind Sword Art. Sword Mastery allowed Zeng Yi to proficiently use various types of blades and swords, while the Wind Sword Art contained some sword techniques. However, Zeng Yi's current level in swordsmanship wouldn't have been possible with just Weapon Mastery and his current understanding. It seems that he indeed had some talent in swordsmanship.
"You don't have a master?"
"No." Zeng Yi shook his head. He didn't have a master, only an external skill that had long since disappeared.
Zeng Yi's reply filled Sword Douluo with joy. Without a master, that's great. Since that's the case, I'll be your master.
Sword Douluo calmed his emotions for a moment, clasped his hands behind his back and turned his back to Zeng Yi, giving him a profound and mysterious back view, and said calmly, "After seeing your talent in swordsmanship, I want to take you as my disciple. What do you think?"