Aimless Ascension

"I want to have you as my disciple." These words buzzed Xiaolin's mind, still all the way until they reached the open veranda. She wasn't certain what to think of that.

Xiaolin was happy in a sense, though her heart was lamenting. She knew she did nothing to deserve this. Perhaps it was merely the senior's pity that he chose to take such a decision.

Honestly, she didn't want to think about it anymore, nor would she like to give an answer to the proposal. However, her mind couldn't help but wonder what Senior Gale's thoughts were when he decided to her as a disciple.

To be fair, if she was in his place, she wouldn't want anyone useless like her to be her disciple.

"Care to explain what made you decide to take Linlin as your disciple?" Wang Li asked. Her expression was softer than hers, though still hovering in the realm of uncertainty. She certainly hadn't expected this. It seemed like the odd foreigner was full of surprises today.

"Two things," Gale answered simply, counting his fingers. "The first was obviously her abnormal constitution. I have never seen anything like this. If the demerits of Linlin's constitution are fixed, don't you think it would be a wondrous sight?"

Wang Li sneaked a glance in Xiaolin's direction and came back to Gale. "You truly believe that," she muttered. "And what is the second reason?"

"It was obviously her personality," Gale told them straight away. "The sheer willpower to continue on for years even after making no progress. Most people would be frustrated to no end and give up, but not Linlin. That's something I admire, and it is by no means a negligible factor."

Wang Li sighed, clasping Xiaolin's shoulder. "Well, as long as you make the decision in good faith, I'm fine with it, although you will need the girl to agree and grandma to consent."

Wang Li left to call Grandma Yushen shortly, leaving the two of them in silence. Xiaolin remained close-mouthed. Her head bowed the whole time, unable to meet his eyes, unsure what kind of emotion would surge out.

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"I know the decision is abrupt," Gale said after a while. "But believe me when I say this, I didn't want to take you as my disciple out of pity. . ."

Xiaolin lifted her head to look at him, her eyes wavering. 'Stop it. Please. . ."

". . . If it were a pity, I would have just thrown you the resources and got on with it. I truly believe you have the potential to stand at the forefront of the world."

'Stop it. I can't. . .please. . .' Xiaolin's eyes burst into tears as she bit her lips.

Gale's eyes grew complicated as he continued. "But if you don't want to be my discipline, that's fine, too. You just need to bring yourself before the eyes of others. It won't surprise me even if I learn some grandmaster takes interest in you. You're hearing me, right, Xiaolin? Xiao–"

"Stop it," Xiaolin shouted, ramming her mortal fist into Gale's chest. Her expression was all disoriented, torn up, shaking. "Stop it. Stop it. . . Stop it.

Gale said nothing. He just let her punch him with her fist. It hurt her more than it did to him, benefiting from his golden body. To be fair, it didn't hurt at all.

"I don't deserve this," she continued. There was no stopping of her tears. "I can't. . . You don't have to."

Gale stood there like a log and let her do as she pleased. He certainly lacked the experience to say the right word in this type of situation. So he decided to keep his mouth shut, lest he say something he shouldn't have.

After several seconds, Wang Li came back along with Grandma Yushen. They found the frail girl resting on the chest of the lanky foreigner, tears dripping down from her eyes. She was barely a step away from snotting on her Senior Gale.

"I didn't think I would see this," the old woman said meaningfully. Xiaolin's head jerked up from Gale's chest as she moved away to maintain distance immediately. "So what's the matter? Why do you need this old woman to be nosy in the matter of youngsters?"

"Grandma, it isn't like that. . ." Xiaolin tried to explain, but honestly, she wasn't in the state to do anything.

Wang Li explained in her stead. As the matter of taking discipline came, the old woman's eyes turned serious as she gazed at Gale sternly. It didn't take an expert to detect she was sceptical about the incredulity of the situation.

Although the old woman's control of aura was nothing to scoff at, either. It gave nothing away other than what she intended to let out. Gale wondered how she hadn't reached Gold in so many years.

Gale coughed unwittingly. He could easily guess what this old woman was thinking. Probably something in the line of: What is this foreigner's accomplishment to ask this? Can he even give Xiaolin one straight useful piece of advice that could truly help her?

"Is this all true?"

Gale nodded. "Obviously, my understanding of orthodox spirit arts hasn't reached the realm of a master. Yet. I'm not supposed to take discipline until I become one."

Gale paused and wet his lips. He considered his next words very carefully. He couldn't just say he found a loophole in the system, after all.

"However, my artificing has achieved mastery."

Well, he had to take a test to formally get the mantle of a master artisan, but he wasn't just spouting nonsense. He could pass that test. Let's just hope she doesn't ask for the badge. All he had with him was the Adept ranked badge.

"So you'll teach Linlin artificing?"

"If she had the knack for it, then obviously, though, my first job as her master will be to assess her constitution better and help her advance."

"Are you confident that you can fix her problem?" the old woman asked. She wasn't all stern and serious this time. Gale could detect a flicker of hope through her aura.

"I'm not absolutely certain," Gale said truthfully, "but yes. I have found ways to deal with her demerits."