Walker Of The Worlds

Chapter 2675  First Disciple

Lin Mu observed Meng Bai closely, a teasing glint in his eyes.

"You don't like it?" he asked, his tone playful.

Meng Bai immediately shook his head, his voice hurried. "I do! I do! I do!" He repeated the words anxiously, as if afraid Lin Mu would take back whatever he had done to him.

Lin Mu chuckled. "Then that's good."

Meng Bai swallowed hard, his curiosity burning. He looked down at his hands, still feeling the lingering traces of the changes within his body. "How… How did you do it, though?" he asked, hesitating before voicing his next thought. "Did you feed me a meridian-expanding elixir? Or maybe a Toxin-Purging Pill?"

Lin Mu shook his head. "Nothing of that sort. I manually cleared out your meridians and infused pure Spirit Qi into you, replacing the impure Qi you had accumulated over the years."

Meng Bai took a step back, his mind reeling at the revelation.

'He replaced all my Spirit Qi? My entire cultivation base, built up over years, was replaced in mere minutes?' he thought, finding it utterly unbelievable.

Even legendary physicians and grandmasters of alchemy required powerful pills and elixirs to purify someone's meridians and Qi, and even then, the process was not as seamless. Yet Lin Mu had done it effortlessly, without any external aid.

'Just who is he? A divine physician? A hidden immortal? A celestial being in disguise?' Meng Bai's imagination ran wild, conjuring countless possibilities.

Regardless of what Lin Mu truly was, one thing became clear in Meng Bai's mind: he could not afford to let go of such an opportunity.

'I'll hug his thigh even if it costs me my life!' Meng Bai resolved, his determination burning brightly in his eyes.

Without hesitation, he fell to his knees with a loud thud and bowed deeply.

"Thank you, Master!" he said, his voice filled with sincerity.

Lin Mu was taken aback by the sudden action. He had not expected such an immediate and dramatic response.

"I, Meng Bai, swear to follow you to the ends of the world, even if it costs me my life!" the boy declared with unwavering conviction.

For the first time in a long while, Lin Mu found himself at a loss. He wasn't sure what to do or how to react.

A familiar voice chuckled in his mind.

"Hahahaha! Well, now you have to take responsibility," Xukong said with amusement.

Lin Mu sighed internally. "Senior," he acknowledged.

"I was deep in cultivation for just one session, and you already managed to obtain a follower? To think you would be this fast," Xukong said, his laughter still lingering.

Lin Mu shook his head slightly. "I just found him interesting, and he seemed to have some talent in formations," he admitted. "I thought it would be a good experience to teach him for a bit."

Xukong's voice turned serious. "You do know what this means, don't you? Taking in a disciple is not something trivial. Karma formed through such a bond is deep, and once it is sown, it cannot be uprooted so easily."

Lin Mu fell silent at those words, understanding the gravity of the situation.

In the cultivation world, it was common for powerful figures to take in disciples. Many sects were built upon such traditions, with elders and grandmasters raising countless students over their lifetimes. Yet, for Lin Mu, the matter was far from simple.

He carried numerous secrets, some of which could shake the very foundation of the world if revealed. Dangers loomed over him constantly, and taking in a disciple meant that person would inevitably be caught in his battles. His enemies could use them as a weakness, a leverage point against him. He wasn't the type to abandon his own, so protecting a disciple would become yet another responsibility added to his burden.

But at the same time, a disciple could also become a strength rather than a weakness. If trained well, they could become a powerful ally, someone who could stand by his side against whatever dangers the future held.

Lin Mu took a deep breath, contemplating the decision. "Should I take him in?" he mused aloud.

Xukong's response was calm. "That is up to you. But teaching others can help you grow as well. Instructing someone else forces you to refine your own understanding, to master your techniques in ways you might never have considered before. I've learned a lot from you, too. Now I finally understand why a certain someone urged me to take in a disciple long ago," he added, his voice tinged with nostalgia.

Lin Mu remained deep in thought as Meng Bai continued kneeling before him, his head pressed against the ground in complete sincerity.

Minutes passed before Lin Mu finally made his decision.

'I have to face threats and challenges regardless of whether I take in a disciple or not. While having one might add to my burdens in the short term, in the long run, they could become a valuable asset—a comrade who can stand beside me.'

With that thought, Lin Mu spoke, his voice steady. "Meng Bai."

Meng Bai immediately straightened, his face still lowered in reverence.

"Yes, Master!" he answered resolutely.

Lin Mu studied him carefully. "Do you truly wish to follow me?" he asked. "Know this: the path you choose will not be easy. Danger will always be close, and your life will be at risk simply by association with me."

Meng Bai met Lin Mu's gaze without hesitation. "I do! No matter what dangers come, I will face them head-on. If someone dares threaten you, I will deal with them myself. And if they try to use me against you, I shall gladly lay down my life!" His words rang out with unwavering resolve.

Lin Mu smiled, pleased with his courage. "Very well," he said. "Then you, Meng Bai, shall be my first disciple!"

THUD! THUD! THUD!

Meng Bai kowtowed thrice, his forehead hitting the ground with loud, resounding knocks.

"I, Meng Bai, swear to the heavens that I shall forever be Master Lin Mu's disciple!" he vowed solemnly.