Chapter 57: Two Choices
Although Zhu Zhuqing had successfully become his disciple, she understood that if it weren't for the future video showing that she was meant to be his student, there was no way she would have been accepted today.
After all, to be honest, her talent wasn't exceptional. She was a decent genius, but not one of those once in a century prodigies.
Her innate soul power was only level seven. To reach her current level, she had put in several times the effort of others, pushing herself to the limit just to barely keep up with true geniuses. But this was only temporary. The higher she climbed, the more talent would determine her limits, making it inevitable that she would hit a ceiling.
The Netherworld Civet martial soul wasn't particularly powerful. Throughout her family's history, those who reached the Contra level were rare, and not a single one had ever attained the Title Douluo rank.
Zhu Zhuqing was almost certain that without any external miracles, she would never become a Contra in this lifetime. At most, she would reach the Spirit Sage level.
In the Star Luo Empire, the Zhu family stood just below the imperial family in status. But this wasn't because their martial soul was inherently strong it was because the Netherworld Civet could fuse with the royal family's White Tiger martial soul, creating the Spirit Fusion Ability: Netherworld White Tiger.
That fusion was the sole reason why the Zhu family held such a high position in the empire. It had nothing to do with their individual strength.
"Offer the tea and formally acknowledge your master."
Ye Cheng sat upright, now fully playing the role of a teacher.
"Teacher, please have some tea."
Zhu Zhuqing took the teacup Ning Rongrong handed her and bowed respectfully while presenting it.
In the world of Douluo Dalu, kneeling wasn't required when acknowledging a master that was reserved for parents or rulers. A simple bow was sufficient for formal discipleship.
At this time, the relationship between a teacher and a student wasn't as deep as that between parents and children. This was why some soul masters could, without hesitation, turn against their own disciples. In the minds of the people, there were no ethical restrictions between teachers and students.
It wasn't until Tang San, an ancient assassin in his previous life, introduced the custom of kneeling when taking a master that the concept of "One day as a teacher, a lifetime as a father" became a widespread tradition in Douluo Dalu, elevating teachers to a parental role.
Ye Cheng didn't care about kneeling or not. He had taken Zhu Zhuqing as his disciple simply because she had been one of his favorite female characters in his past life. Now that he had the chance to see her in person, he wanted to help her, nothing more.
After accepting the tea and taking a sip, the disciple master bond was officially formed.
"Now that you are my disciple," Ye Cheng set the cup down gently and looked at Zhu Zhuqing, "I will give you two choices regarding your cultivation path.
"The first choice is normal cultivation. I will guide you, answer your questions, and provide you with ample resources to help you reach the absolute limit of your talent.
"But you are aware of your martial soul and your natural limits. Even with my help, your final achievement will, at best, be the rank of Contra. You will never reach the Title Douluo level in this lifetime."
"The second choice is to take a riskier path. I will train you using an unconventional method, pushing you beyond your natural limits. But this path comes with immense danger even with my guidance, there is a high chance that you could die."
"Which one do you choose?" Ye Cheng finished, leaving the decision in her hands.
Zhu Zhuqing fell silent.
She carefully contemplated the meaning behind both choices.
The first choice normal cultivation.
It was the safest and most stable option. No risks involved, and with a Limit Douluo as her mentor, she was guaranteed to reach the Contra level something she had never even dared to dream of before. However, the downside was that her future would be capped at that level. Becoming a Title Douluo would be out of the question.
Her talent had already determined that if she followed a conventional path, she would never reach the Title Douluo level. This limitation had been set the moment she was born.
The second choice was unknown but clearly full of danger.
However, the greater the risk, the greater the reward.
From Ye Cheng's words, Zhu Zhuqing could tell that if she took this path and succeeded, then her minimum achievement would be reaching the Title Douluo rank!
A Title Douluo the pinnacle of soul masters. Something she had never even dared to consider.
If Zhu Zhuqing were a Title Douluo, her engagement wouldn't even matter. Even without a master backing her, a mere marriage contract wouldn't be able to control her. After all, even in the Star Luo Empire, Title Douluo were incredibly rare, their status considered sacred. They were treated as national treasures.
If she became a Title Douluo, she would finally be truly free. She could do whatever she wanted, without anyone controlling her. No one would force her into a battle where she had to kill her own sister.
Such a dream like scenario...
Faced with these two choices, Zhu Zhuqing hesitated.
The first option was safe.
The second offered great rewards but came with extreme risk.
Which one should she choose?
"…"
She didn't speak. Instead, she fell into deep thought, recalling the helplessness of being weak.
Ye Cheng and Ning Rongrong didn't interrupt her. They knew that this decision would determine the course of her future, and hesitation was normal.
A long silence passed.
Then, she looked up, having made up her mind.
"Teacher!"
Meeting his gaze, Zhu Zhuqing took a deep breath and firmly declared, "I choose the second option!"
"The second one? Are you sure?"
Ye Cheng seemed surprised by her choice and asked again, "Think carefully once you choose this path, there's no turning back."
"I'm absolutely sure!"
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes burned with determination. At this moment, her entire presence exuded a sense of renewal, as if she had been reborn.
"Good. Very good."
Ye Cheng nodded in satisfaction. "I think I now understand why the original future me would have taken you as a disciple."
"Zhuqing, can I ask why you chose the second path?" Ning Rongrong asked curiously. "Even if you chose the first option, your family's marriage contract wouldn't be able to bind you. Why take such a big risk?"
"Because I want true freedom!"
At this moment, Zhu Zhuqing seemed to have gained complete clarity. She spoke calmly but resolutely, "I've realized that relying on others will only turn me into someone else's pawn. I want the power to control my own destiny!"
"Well said!"
Ye Cheng smiled and clapped his hands. "Since you have such determination, then as your teacher, I will help you achieve it!"
(End of chapter)
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