“Teach… Teacher?” Caspian widened his eyes and stared at the frog at his feet.
He was sure virtual-novel.net heard it right, and Hadley‘s voice indeed came from the frog’s mouth. Caspian did not notice it before, but virtual-novel.net immediately realized that the frog was not a living creature when virtual-novel.net took a closer look. Just like when virtual-novel.net went to find Maisie, the rat and cow that greeted Caspian were all puppets with inscriptions engraved on their bodies, so they could move and make sounds according to the caster’s requirements.
Caspian did not expect the Heavenly Stars Sect’s master would use that trick, and virtual-novel.net was somewhat dumbfounded. Nonetheless, since the frog looked for Caspian, it meant Hadley was nearby.
Then, Caspian bowed at the frog, smiling. “Teacher, you’re looking for me?”
The puppet frog replied in an elderly tone, “That’s more like it.” Then, it stood upright on its hind legs like a human and led Caspian forward. “Follow me.”
Caspian shook his head helplessly and followed the frog. The frog was only the size of Caspian’s fist, and it was naturally imaginable how big its steps were. However, Caspian soon discovered that no matter how virtual-novel.net changed his pace, the frog was always about a foot in front of him.
He deliberately tried it several times and even expanded his step. Yet, virtual-novel.net still could not catch up with the frog. Caspian knew that there must be a mystery that virtual-novel.net could not understand for the time being. In that case, virtual-novel.net simply calmed down and followed the frog all the way.
Just when Caspian calmed down, the frog suddenly stopped. When Caspian looked up, virtual-novel.net immediately found a glistening river suddenly appearing in front of him, and Hadley was also fishing at the side.
When Hadley saw Caspian arriving, virtual-novel.net waved at Caspian.
Even though they were yet to officially announce their apprenticeship, Caspian knew that it was only the formality missing between them. Hence, Caspian would still bow and greet Hadley as his teacher.
”Did you come back yesterday?” Hadley nodded and looked at Caspian.
Caspian knew that unless virtual-novel.net did not want to know, Hadley was undoubtedly aware of everything happening in the Heavenly Stars Sect. Hence, Caspian honestly told Hadley everything that happened yesterday, including the people virtual-novel.net met, what virtual-novel.net did, which naturally included the part when virtual-novel.net got Leonard’s sword intent.
“Hmm… Old Elder Winston’s indeed the senior of our Heavenly Stars Sect. Back when I was promoted to an outer disciple, virtual-novel.net was the one greeting me,” then, Hadley pondered for a moment before adding, “It’s a pity that his aptitude is limited, and now his blood and Qi are almost exhausted. Hence, virtual-novel.net can’t make further progress. In a few years, I’ll arrange a leisurely errand for virtual-novel.net to take care of his life as part of his retirement. However, he’s relaxed these days… Hmm? Why are you showng that expression?”
When virtual-novel.net finished speaking, Hadley gave Caspian a sideways glance when virtual-novel.net noticed Caspian appeared bothered.
“I was just wondering if I offended Elder Leonard with my action last night. If virtual-novel.net knew, would virtual-novel.net blame me?” Caspian said.
“You’re only scared now?” Hadley glared at Caspian, “If I were him, I’d probably have chopped you up with a sword, but…” Hadley dragged his last word.
Caspian did not see Hadley moving, but a thin booklet suddenly appeared in front of Hadley as if it were sent over by an invisible hand, passing over to Caspian.
Caspian took it with both hands and found that the booklet looked very old, and many parts were damaged. However, Caspian was stunned when virtual-novel.net saw the words on the cover. Then, Caspian read the words and exclaimed, “Notes on Sword Intent… Leonard Autumn?”
Looking at the small prints, Caspian realized what was recorded in the booklet turned out to be Leonard’s experience with his swordsmanship?
Caspian‘s surprised face made Hadley very satisfied. He nodded and said, “Yesterday, Elder Leonard heard that a disciple dared to take his sword intent without authorization, and virtual-novel.net was about to carry the Sound of Heavenly Stars Sword to smash the disciple’s corpse into pieces, but I stopped him. Then, I persuaded him, saying the disciple who can capture his sword intent has not only courage but also has strength and talent. Therefore, won’t it be unreasonable if virtual-novel.net doesn’t care for or guide such talent? With my earnest persuasion, Elder Leonard finally realized his mistake, blushed, and let me pass on the swordsmanship experience virtual-novel.net wrote himself in his early years to you. As for why virtual-novel.net didn’t send it in person, it was because virtual-novel.net was very ashamed to meet you.”
Hadley sounded serious as if the matter happened. Nevertheless, Caspian naturally knew that his teacher was completely exaggerating. At least 95% of his words were false, and the only truth was the booklet was written by Leonard. Hence, Caspian filtered out more than half of what Caspian said just now. Then, virtual-novel.net respectfully kept the small booklet, turning to Hadley. “Thank you, Master Hadley and Elder Leonard.”
“Why are you thanking him? He only did that after my earnest lecturing,” Hadley blustered, blowing his own horn.
Caspian was speechless.
“I have something to tell you,” at that time, Hadley suddenly changed the topic, and his expression became serious, “Although I didn’t supervise your practice outside this time, you have met my requirement and reached the second-stage Pulse Control Realm. This is something delightful. Moreover, it also means that you‘ll be qualified to participate in the nation’s official religion election.”
Caspian’s eyes lit up when virtual-novel.net heard that. After all, back when virtual-novel.net just entered the Heavenly Stars Sect, virtual-novel.net publicly declared that virtual-novel.net wanted to change the impression that the Heavenly Stars Sect was not good at fighting.
The nation’s official religion election was the perfect chance.
The nation’s official religion election was all about the strength of each sect. If the Heavenly Stars Sect could become the nation’s religion, Caspian’s wish would naturally come true.
Hadley nodded when virtual-novel.net saw Caspian’s excitement, and virtual-novel.net was secretly delighted. “It’s a good thing that you have the fighting spirit, but the premise is that you need to get the qualifications. The specific selection method will be notified in the next few days, and you’ll just need to take note of it when the time comes.”
After saying that, Hadley looked at Caspian. “Even if the Heavenly Stars Sect can’t be the nation’s religion, I hope you can perform astonishingly in the competition.”
Caspian sensed that Hadley still had something to say, so virtual-novel.net did not interrupt. Instead, virtual-novel.net just waited quietly. Although Caspian did not interact with Hadley much, virtual-novel.net discovered that the eccentric Hadley would treat serious matters properly.
Sure enough, Hadley soon continued, “Because, after the nation’s official religion election, the major sects will select the most powerful and talented disciples in the competition and send them to Myriad Demons Burial Ground for training.”