Chapter 9, The Confrontation Between Master and Apprentice

Ding Hao's teasing remarks occasionally echoed, but Chen Ling had exerted all his strength yet still could not catch up, nearly falling off his sword in frustration

"Ghostly presence, Master, I am merely joking. It is just that after absorbing the inner elixir of the Eight-Winged Purple Python, my physical strength has improved somewhat, and my speed has increased a bit. How can one speak of ghostly presence? Master should understand the effects of the Eight-Winged Purple Python's inner elixir better than I do, and should know that what I say is not false!" Ding Hao quickly added.

Come in, the Eight-Winged Purple Python is indeed miraculous. Seeing your expression, your injuries have actually healed overnight. Since that is the case, follow me to the back mountain, and I will teach you some secret techniques of the demonic sect. It seems that Chen Ling can hardly wait for even a moment.

Relying on the speed of the Demonic Sword, I have no fear of him. However, this matter must be resolved sooner rather than later. Although I have leverage in his hands, he also possesses the eye and scales of the Eight-Winged Purple Python. These three items are all excellent materials for weapon crafting. If I were to expose this, given his cultivation level, it would be impossible for him to keep these items safe in the Soul Severing Mountain; first and foremost, Ma Feng would not let him off the hook! Hehe, since that is the case, it would not hurt to have a conversation with him! If I were to expose this, given his cultivation level, it would be impossible for him to keep these items safe in the Soul Severing Mountain; first and foremost, Ma Feng would not let him off the hook! Hehe, since that is the case, it would not hurt to have a conversation with him!

Amidst the sinister laughter, Chen Ling finally tore off his facade, his eyes flashing with a green light as he lunged at Ding Hao like a malevolent spirit

Having understood this point, Ding Hao inspected the equipment on himself before heading towards Chen Ling's residence

However, Zhang Li's approach is commendable, and one should not push him too hard; otherwise, if Zhang Heng becomes angry, it would be a loss that outweighs the gain

Oh, I have yet to hear that the Infinite Demon Technique actually possesses the ability to mutate with other things. You were the first to discover this, huh? Even so, what you just used, that ghostly movement technique, can you explain it?

Since that is the case, I will give Master Zhang some face. You may directly hand over the jade to me, and I will no longer hold this matter against you. Quickly take Dai Zhenjun down for recuperation! In my heart, I secretly admire this young man Ding Hao for his determination; unexpectedly, with his mid-stage cultivation of the Void Refinement, he has managed to bring Dai Zhenjun to this state, which is beyond my expectations. I secretly attribute this miracle to the wonders of the Eight-Winged Purple Python's inner elixir, and I cannot help but increasingly anticipate the day I can possess Ding Hao's body!

Only after Ding Hao consumed the eight-winged and the thousand-year inner elixir of the Purple Python, and now that so many days have passed, he should have digested it. Recently, I have not practiced at all, waiting for him to finish digesting, so that I can forcibly take over his body. This way, my cultivation will surely advance further. Once I possess his body, I can also nurture the little eight-winged Purple Python, the benefits to myself are simply unimaginable

After Zhang Li and the others left, Chen Ling placed the jade stone into his storage bag, as if it were meant for him all along. He walked up to Ding Hao and said, "Kid, stop putting on airs in front of me. I see you have already absorbed the millennium inner pill of the Eight-Winged Purple Python. I also witnessed the palm strike Chen Li delivered to you. Given your current condition, how could you possibly be unable to stand? The movement technique and power you are using do not seem to come from the cultivation of the Infinite Demon Art. What is the situation? Speak honestly, or do not blame me for clearing out the door right now!" Chen Ling said in a sinister tone as he looked at Ding Hao.

Indeed, Ding Hao is precisely afraid that the master might harm me. It is already very quiet here; if the master wishes to impart his skills, he can do so now. The cave is dark, and I am rather afraid that I won't be able to see clearly, which would be a disservice to the master's good intentions

Well done, how dare you treat your master this way? Even if I cannot catch you, I will still inform all the demon cultivation sects on Duanhun Mountain about your possession of the Eight-Winged Purple Python's inner elixir, ensuring that you will be utterly destroyed, with no place to bury your remains!

Chen Ling picked up the crystal and the magical technique manual that Ding Hao had placed on the ground. Moments later, a look of ecstatic joy filled Chen Ling's entire face as he trembled with excitement and said: "I truly have not taken you on as a disciple in vain. Although I knew you were not an ordinary person, your good fortune still moves me deeply. With these two items in hand, my progress in cultivation will surely come soon. Therefore, I promise that I will never take advantage of you, and I will nurture you well. I will also share my years of cultivation insights with you as a gesture of sincerity. Although these techniques may not be as miraculous, they are some small methods you can use right now! I hope you will diligently study and practice. I know you do not trust me, so I will leave the techniques here. Now, go into seclusion and take care of yourself!" Chen Ling's expression was filled with great joy as he mounted his flying sword and soared into the air, even faster than when he was chasing after Ding Hao.

Chen Ling finally fell from the sky in anger, calming his mind before slowly saying: "Good disciple, my judgment is indeed commendable, for I have the fortune to take in such a cunning and treacherous apprentice as you. This truly surprises me. Very well, since it is so, you shall stop, and we will have a good talk as master and disciple!" Knowing that he could do nothing to Ding Hao, Chen Ling had no choice but to compromise.

Chen Ling's expression fluctuated between dark and light. Given his character, he would normally never offend Zhang Heng for the sake of a disciple. After all, Zhang Heng is the highest in cultivation aside from the sect master, and even Ma Feng, who is also an elder, falls short in comparison. Although he has Ma Feng's protection, considering Zhang Heng's deep affection for Zhang Li, if he were to anger Zhang Heng, it is likely that even Ma Feng would be unable to intervene.

After a night of recuperation, the injuries have healed, and there are subtle signs of a potential breakthrough into the mid-stage of the fasting period. It is possible that the intense battle yesterday consumed too much of my demonic energy, which fully activated the medicinal properties of the Eight-Winged Purple Python that had been dormant in my body. It seems that fighting is indeed an effective way to enhance one's cultivation.

Yes, Master can just stand there, no need to get too close, I can hear you clearly!" Seeing Chen Ling gradually approaching, he hurriedly said! Observing Ding Hao's caution, Chen Ling felt a sense of helplessness, completely unable to take the initiative!

Oh, so it is Master Chen who has arrived. Junior Brother Ding has disrupted the sect's rules for no reason. What is wrong with me teaching him a lesson? Elder Chen has just reached the Nascent Soul stage, yet he is quite leisurely instead of focusing on seclusion to consolidate his progress! Although Zhang Li's words remain arrogant, he still bows in respect.

Disciple expresses gratitude to the master! Ding Hao followed Chen Ling to the entrance of a hidden cave in the back mountain, but did not enter

Master, why must you act this way? After all, you and I share a master-disciple bond. Such actions are bound to leave Ding Hao feeling disheartened. If the disciple becomes overly fearful and reveals your possession of the eight-winged purple python's scale to everyone, I believe they would be quite intrigued. Just look at the expressions of Master Ma Feng and Master Tu Shu when they saw the scale; I am genuinely concerned for your safety! If both of us, master and disciple, were to perish, it would only benefit others, which would not be fair to them. Ding Hao remains unperturbed. If both of us, master and disciple, were to perish, it would only benefit others, which would not be fair to them. Ding Hao remains unperturbed.

Chen Ling did not get angry but instead laughed, yet his laughter resembled the howling of wolves and the wailing of ghosts. "Good, good, at such a young age you are already so cautious, rare, rare. But have you not considered that with your current cultivation level in the fasting period, you think you can escape from my grasp even here? Ridiculous, ridiculous! Today, I shall send you on your way. Haha, I have granted you immense benefits, and today I will reclaim them all!"

Under the gaze of his ghostly eyes, Zhang Li felt a chill rising from the depths of his heart, making him uneasy all over. Chen Ling had never taken on a disciple and was known for his ruthless methods. However, Zhang Li had never had any conflicts with him and had little interaction until now. After he had struck Ding Hao, he did not expect Chen Ling to arrive so quickly. It was indeed somewhat surprising. Nevertheless, despite the surprise, Zhang Li, relying on his grandfather's favoritism, was not particularly afraid of what Chen Ling could do. It was just that Chen Ling, having been a disciple of Ma Feng, would not overly embarrass Zhang Li. While he would not dare to take his life, it was certain that Zhang Li would lose face.

Ding Hao certainly would not believe that he would have such good intentions, nor would he argue with him. The most important thing at the moment is to recover from his injuries. When the time comes for anything to happen, he will have some basis to rely on!

Hehe, what a joke. Ding Hao disrupts the tranquility of the sect? Chen Shizhi intervenes to teach him a lesson, causing the sounds of battle from the Wujimo Sect to be so intense that I, who was in seclusion, have been awakened by your noise. I wonder if you also count as disrupting the tranquility of the sect? You three are ganging up on him, and moreover, your cultivation is a level higher than his. Does this not count as bullying the weak with the strong, and overwhelming the few with the many? Why don't you explain that to me? Should I also step in to teach you a lesson?

Why have you not entered the cave yet? Do you think I would harm you?

"Master, the martial arts I practice are indeed derived from the writings of the Infinite Demon Technique. However, while I was assimilating the inner elixir of the Eight-Winged Purple Python, there may have been some mutation that resulted in this peculiar form of martial arts, which led to your misunderstanding." Ding Hao immediately resolved to deny it to the end. Chen Ling, in order to maximize the effectiveness of occupying his own body, would certainly not act hastily.

Ding Hao chuckled in disbelief, realizing that greed indeed corrupts one's mind. Even someone as cunning as Chen Ling made such an obvious blunder. Wasn't he essentially confessing with his words? Seeing him like this, Ding Hao no longer wished to continue going in circles with him

Hehe, what the master can think of, the disciple can certainly also conceive. Recently, the disciple has been fortunate enough to wield a sword. Although the disciple has not yet reached the Nascent Soul stage, he is already able to soar with the sword, achieving an astonishing speed. I wonder if the master's cultivation at the Nascent Soul stage can catch up with the disciple! The disciple is very curious. Hmm, master, could you please be a bit faster... this speed is not even the limit of this sword...

Chen Ling must have been eagerly anticipating this for a long time, as his gaze resembles that of a greedy inner elixir, with an unabashedly covetous look that shows no regard at all

Ding Hao was already prepared, the dark and defiant demon sword was in his hand, and almost at the same moment Chen Ling lunged forward, he had already soared with the sword. Before Chen Ling could reach Ding Hao, Ding Hao's figure had vanished. However, his voice could still be heard from afar

At this moment, Ding Hao finally let out a sigh of relief. Although he did not know whether what Chen Ling said was true or false, it seemed that the greatest crisis at present had been temporarily resolved. He picked up the jade slip containing the cultivation method left by Chen Ling and immersed his mind into it. Just now, the ecstatic expression on Chen Ling's face also surged onto Ding Hao's face.

After Chen Ling left, Ding Hao began to heal his injuries. As Chen Ling mentioned, Ding Hao's injuries were not as severe as they appeared. Ding Hao was physically strong, and after being forged by the Wujimagic technique, his body was even more resilient. Although Zhang Li's strike caused him internal injuries, it did not deprive him of the opportunity to counterattack. He simply knew that the gap in their realms was too great, making any counterattack futile, so he pretended to be seriously injured. It was precisely because of Zhang Li's confidence that he did not pursue the attack, preventing Ding Hao's injuries from worsening. While Chen Ling and Zhang Li were locked in contention, Ding Hao had already begun to use his magic to heal. By the time their struggle ended, Ding Hao's injuries had actually healed significantly. He pretended to be weak out of fear that Chen Ling would strike again.

Now, Ding Hao has finally consumed the inner core of the Eight-Winged Purple Python, and he is about to possess such a powerful body. Just thinking about it makes him extremely excited. However, he has now been severely injured by these three individuals. Even if he were to gain possession now, his martial arts would be greatly diminished. He can only wait until he fully recovers; how could this not make him furious

Master, your disciple Ding Hao has come to pay his respects!" Ding Hao said in front of the Chenling gate

Chen Lingcai did not believe his nonsense; from their first meeting, he knew that Ding Hao was certainly not an honest person. Since he could not extract any useful information from him, and he could not immediately kill him and search his body, he instructed him to quickly recuperate. Once he was healed, he should come to Chen Ling's residence, as he had some other techniques to impart to him

"Master Chen, we indeed have our shortcomings, but Dai Zhenjun has already sustained serious injuries, and it seems he is not much better off than Ding Hao. Your disciple has been excessively ruthless. He and I are both third-generation disciples, and my engagement with him cannot be considered as bullying the weaker. If Master Chen intends to teach me a lesson, it would truly be a case of the strong bullying the weak!" Zhang Li stated methodically.

Ding Hao silently lamented, although he knew that Chen Ling might be looking for him, he did not expect that he had been hiding nearby to watch during the recent fight. The realms of the few of them were too far apart from Chen Ling's, and they simply could not detect him. Zhang Li and the others, unaware of the technique he was using, thought it was taught by Chen Ling. However, how could Chen Ling not know what technique he had imparted

As Chen Ling ceased to approach, Ding Hao spoke earnestly for the first time: "Master, please accept Ding Hao as your disciple and lead him into the realm of cultivation. Furthermore, impart to Ding Hao the boundless demonic arts to counter the inner core eruption of the Eight-Winged Purple Python. Although I am aware that the Master harbors ill intentions, I remain deeply grateful. While I have had fortuitous encounters that I cannot disclose to the Master, I assure you that I will not neglect the Master's benefits. I have inadvertently obtained several pieces of top-grade crystal stones, as well as a half-complete demonic technique with formidable offensive power. I present these as a token of filial piety to the Master. Although I respect the Master, if you dare to harm me again, I will fight to the bitter end, ensuring that you too will be left with nothing but bones!" As he spoke, Ding Hao's expression turned cold, and he slowly retreated.

After observing that Chen Ling's anger had somewhat subsided, he glanced at Ding Hao, who was calming himself, and continued, "In that case, I have a medium-grade spirit stone here to present to Junior Brother Ding, as an apology to Uncle Master Chen. What do you think of this arrangement?"