Troublemaker’s Guide to Immortality

Shen Yanye looked at Yun Jin with a bright, beaming smile. "Yun Jin, right? Then I'll call you 'Yun girl,' just like Ling Fei does."

"Yes," Yun Jin responded with sincere respect.

That single word made Shen Yanye even more pleased. This girl understood propriety. And more importantly, she knew how to show gratitude.

With a disciple like that, he was all the more determined to take her in.

At their level of cultivation, people didn't accept disciples lightly. A mediocre disciple would only drain time and energy, and might never achieve anything of significance. But someone like Yun Jin, with such terrifying talent, was a different matter entirely. High talent often came with great fortune.

If he could take in such a fated genius, he might gain a share of that fortune himself. That could help him break through his current bottleneck. Of course, this sort of relationship was mutually beneficial. The disciple would suffer no disadvantage from it.

Looking at Yun Jin, Shen Yanye became more convinced that she was one of those rare cultivators blessed by fate. If he could take her in, even reaching the Mahayana stage might no longer be a distant dream.

With that thought, Shen Yanye spoke in a gentle tone.

"Yun girl, you've awakened your Beastmaster talent. And from what I can see, your potential is anything but ordinary."

"I'm... not really sure what level my talent is," Yun Jin admitted, a little confused.

"You don't need to say," Shen Yanye replied, waving his hand. "A Beastmaster's talent is their greatest secret weapon. If it's combat-related, others might catch on through battle—nothing you can do about that. But if it's a support-type ability, keep it hidden no matter what. That kind of talent is often a Beastmaster's final trump card."

"Yes, I understand." Yun Jin nodded seriously, committing his words to memory.

Seeing her response, Shen Yanye felt even more confident. He estimated he had at least an eighty percent chance of winning her over. Straightening his posture, he coughed lightly and said, "I believe your Beastmaster aptitude is quite strong. And with your connection to Ling Fei... here's my offer. Become my disciple. I've never taken one before. If you agree, you'll also be considered a formal member of the Beastmaster Sect. It's the only Holy Land for Beastmaster cultivation. There, you'll grow faster than anywhere else."

With that said, Shen Yanye waited expectantly, ready to see Yun Jin's overjoyed expression as she bowed to him.

He hadn't planned on taking her in at all, not at first.

At higher stages of cultivation, people were even more cautious about karmic ties. Accepting a disciple meant forming a deep karmic connection. If the disciple proved unworthy, it could backfire and even harm the master.

Originally, Shen Yanye had simply intended to test Yun Jin's aptitude. If she had potential, he'd recommend her to the Beastmaster Sect and help her overcome her beast contract tribulation. That would have been enough to repay the favor he owed Ling Fei.

But then, Yun Jin's talent had turned out to be monstrous.

Letting someone else snatch her away? He'd lose sleep over it.

Even Ling Fei's eyes widened in shock.

His old friend was going to personally take a disciple?

His heartbeat picked up, and he stared at Yun Jin with anticipation.

If she accepted, Shen Yanye would help resolve the contract issue, and she would enter the Beastmaster Sect as an official disciple. Her path as a Beastmaster would truly begin.

Ling Fei nearly wanted to answer for her.

"Take me in as your disciple?" Yun Jin blinked. "Join the Beastmaster Sect?"

Shen Yanye assumed she was too excited to think straight. He patiently explained, "I know you're under a contract, but if you become my disciple, I can break it with ease. Yun girl, Tianxing Sect is far too small for you. It can't contain your potential. Only by joining the Beastmaster Sect can you unlock your true path and reach the pinnacle of Beastmaster cultivation."

Thinking back to the countless divine beast phantoms he had seen behind her, Shen Yanye couldn't help but feel excited. This disciple's growth would be meteoric. She might even surpass him someday.

A Tribulation-stage master.

An invitation to join a Holy Land.

A chance to learn the secrets of the Beastmaster path.

Yun Jin had every reason to say yes.

She looked from Shen Yanye to Ling Fei, and a realization dawned.

This powerful cultivator had clearly been invited by Elder Ling. He was worried about the upcoming Sect Assembly and had brought her a life-saving talisman.

Yun Jin felt a subtle warmth rise in her heart.

Being looked after like this... it was a good feeling.

But seeing the anticipation in Shen Yanye's face, she slowly said, "Senior, I'm sorry. I still want to face Ruan Jun on my own. And... I already have a master. I can only thank you for your kindness."

You already have a master?

Shen Yanye glanced at Ling Fei.

Ling Fei quickly explained, "Yun girl's master is Lin Ya. His cultivation has declined, and he can't stay outside for long periods anymore. If she becomes your disciple, Brother Shen, I guarantee he'll be pleased."

He turned to Shen Yanye and added, "Lin Ya is the peak lord of Tianjian Peak in Tianxing Sect. He was once at the Unity stage, but has likely fallen from that level."

Not even Unity anymore?

Shen Yanye instantly relaxed.

He chuckled. "Yun girl, you're new to cultivation. Maybe you don't know this, but we cultivators walk a path that defies the heavens. Our lifespans are long. Over such a lengthy journey, it's common to have multiple masters. Taking me as your teacher doesn't mean severing ties with your previous one. But at your current level, your former master likely can't guide you much further. What you need now is someone who can lead you higher."

"I understand," Yun Jin said calmly. "But if I join a Holy Land, doesn't that mean I can't join another?"

Shen Yanye paused. "Well, yes. Of course."

Yun Jin shook her head. "Then I can't join the Beastmaster Sect. At least, not yet."

Shen Yanye grew anxious. "Why not? With your Beastmaster talent, not joining the sect would be a complete waste!"

Yun Jin scratched her cheek, slightly embarrassed. "Well... I'm pretty talented in other areas too."

"Other areas?" Shen Yanye nearly shouted. "How could anything compare to your Beastmaster talent?"

She had summoned divine beast phantoms during her awakening!

"Ling Fei, talk some sense into her!" Shen Yanye pleaded.

Ling Fei looked just as troubled.

He had only wanted to find a path forward for Yun Jin.

But if we're talking talent...

She was also a swordsmanship prodigy.

"Don't tell me... you want to join Kunlun Sword Sect?" Ling Fei asked carefully.

Yun Jin shook her head.

"Xuandan Gate, then?" he tried again. They also recruited planters as well as alchemists, and with Yun Jin's aptitude in spirit planting, joining was a real possibility.

Still, Yun Jin shook her head.

"Then where exactly—" Shen Yanye looked like he was about to lose it.

Yun Jin blinked, then gave them an innocent look.

"I was just wondering... can't I join all of them?"

Shen Yanye: "..."

Ling Fei: "..."