Chapter 17

Soon the inner Disciples arrived at the scene.

"We greet the Elder!" they cupped their hands and did a slight bow.

they all were confused as to who was the commoner that stood next to Tian Bai.

after they were done with their greetings, the beautiful Xie Qian voiced her worries, "Martial Uncle Tian, what took you so long? did you perhaps run into any hidden troubles or enemies? and who is that by your side?"

Xie Qian was able to freely voice her worries without worrying about the honor of an elder as much as the others because her father was a Great Elder, a rank higher in seniority than Elder rank that Tian Bai had.

"Hahaha, Martial Niece Xie you're just like your father used to be when he was younger, I didn't run into any hidden enemies, I just chanced upon this talented young man right here, and took him as my disciple" Tian Bai smiled as he pointed at Dian, covered in his villager robes that were oozing with poverty.

"Hi" said Dian with an awkward smile.

the silence that filled the campsite was so great that it could deceive some to believe that they have gone deaf.

Many disciples felt shocked and were unconvinced of his abilities, just why did Elder Tian choose this nobody as his only disciple.

'for years Elder Tian didn't take a single disciple, what did this simpleton do to impress the Elder enough to take him as a disciple?' was the thought that passed through the heads of many disciples, but no one dared to voice their opinions because that would be the same as saying that Tian Bai was wrong, a dishonour that none of them was willing to perform.

"Talented? just how talented could a country bumpkin be! Martial Uncle Tian, can you please enlighten me about his so-called talent?" Xie Qian said disdainfully, making many of the disciples sigh in happiness as she said what they all thought but didn't dare to utter.

"Well, Martial Niece Xie, have you heard of the Empowered Body constitution?" replied Tian Bai with a smile full of pride.

Xie thought hard for a couple of seconds before becoming shocked, "You mean the innate constitution that allows one to have a natural strong body impervious to most martial arts of the same level?!" Hearing her words, the rest of the disciples became shocked.

"Yes! I think that is enough for you to understand my reasons!" After saying this, Tian dispersed everyone to their own tents, before getting an additional tent for Dian.

"Dian, take this, this is my Martial Technique, the Dark Crane Sword Style, and this is the main Martial Art Manual used by every disciple of the sect, the Raging Sword Art.

Don't underestimate the Raging Sword Art because every disciple uses it, the power it holds is decided by the hand who holds it, just like a sword, it depends on the users talent and compatibility with it. Even the great Martial Elder at the Martial Warrior level practices that same technique.

Usually, outer disciples like you only receive the first 3 layers of the technique, and will receive level 4 and 5 once they become inner disciples, you instead received the entire 9 level because you're my disciple, make sure you train diligently and become the next Martial Warrior to of our sect" Tian Bai said to Dian.

"Don't worry Master! I won't disappoint you!" Dian bowed while promising in his heart to repay Tian Bai for his kindness in the future! Dian understood that Tian Bai was doing him a great favour, and Dian wasn't the type of person to owe things to others and repay them.

If you treat Dian with kindness, he will repay it a hundred times over. However, If you have bad intentions towards him, he will repay them with intentions a thousand times worse.

"Hahaha! that's the spirit! young Luo! oh! I almost forgot, how can you practice in the way of the sword without a sword! hahaha, here, take this guy, he used to help me a lot when I was your age"

Tian Bai pulled out a long medium sword from his back together with its scabbard with a look of reminiscence and handed it to Dian, on the handle was depicted the scene of a crane with black skin and blue feathers flying through the horizon, and on it was carved the two words 'Malevolent Crane'.

[AN: if anyone has any suggestions for the story, or any opinions you want to share, reply to this paragraph with them, I will try to implement any good ideas into the story!]