Chapter Thirty-One: Becoming a Personal Disciple (Part Two)-Transmigrated Into My Own Novel(Blood Transformed into Demon)

Chapter Thirty-One

As for how to make his choice, Liu Pan naturally had to consider it “carefully.” Under the watchful gaze of Yang Jiangshui and several elders, Liu Pan fell silent for a moment, then a sudden spark of determination flashed in his eyes.

“Master, I have made my decision,” Liu Pan said respectfully, bowing to Yang Jiangshui. “I’ve decided to choose Elder Lin and learn alchemy from him.”

As soon as Liu Pan spoke, the hall erupted—some were pleased, others restless. Elder Lin, of course, was the most delighted, while Li Liao and the other two elders frowned slightly, their eyes filled with displeasure and confusion.

“Oh? Can you tell us why?” Yang Jiangshui was momentarily surprised at Liu Pan’s swift decision, then he subtly furrowed his brow and asked. In truth, Yang Jiangshui was not particularly invested in whom Liu Pan would choose; after all, every elder belonged to the Sunbright Sect, and no matter whom Liu Pan followed, he would remain within the sect.

He was simply caught off guard by how quickly Liu Pan had made his decision. Martial arts value resolute forward momentum, but they are not about blind impulsiveness. Liu Pan’s swift choice made Yang Jiangshui doubt whether Liu Pan had truly thought it through.

After all, the reason Yang Jiangshui and the elders held Liu Pan in such high regard was because he had shown exceptional understanding of martial arts—far surpassing any peer they had ever met. If Liu Pan had made this choice without due consideration, it might mean their previous assessment was mistaken, and his insight into martial arts was not as profound as they had believed.

When Yang Jiangshui questioned him, Liu Pan was not troubled. He was unaware that Yang Jiangshui doubted his understanding of the martial path, and regarded it as a routine inquiry.

Though he considered Yang Jiangshui’s question ordinary, Liu Pan had already prepared half of his answer on his way here; the rest he composed while listening to the four elders describe their specializations.

“Here’s how it is,” Liu Pan bowed once more and continued, “First, Elder Li—Li Liao—specializes in arrays. Regarding the path of arrays, I must admit I know little about it. Even if I did, I would never choose it.”

Never? Hearing Liu Pan’s absolute words, Yang Jiangshui raised his brows in surprise. For Liu Pan to speak so definitively, perhaps he truly had deliberated deeply.

“Explain—why would you never choose arrays? Do you harbor some prejudice against them?” Li Liao spoke, his brow furrowed. Clearly, he was perplexed by Liu Pan’s reasoning and such resolute rejection.

In fact, Yang Jiangshui and the other three elders were equally curious about Liu Pan’s words. But since the path of arrays was Li Liao’s domain, they were outsiders and felt it improper to interject.

In response to Li Liao, Liu Pan bowed and explained, “After hearing Elder Li’s account, I sensed the tremendous breadth and application of arrays. I can see their great utility. Though I desire to learn them, I cannot choose that path.”

“The reason lies in my aptitude. At nearly sixteen years of age, my cultivation has only just broken into the Martial Disciple realm. I have some measure of self-assessment regarding these qualifications.”

“This aptitude is neither remarkable nor abysmal. With such understanding, I’ve come to hold a single conviction: to pursue the highest realms of martial arts.”

“Therefore, I cannot choose arrays. Useful as they are, they do not enhance my cultivation, and may even impede my progress in advancing realms.”

Liu Pan spoke plainly—his aim was the higher reaches of martial arts, and anything that would hinder his advancement, he would not choose.

“If your goal is to pursue the martial path’s highest realms, why not follow me and focus solely on martial arts cultivation? Why choose alchemy instead?” Elder Zhang spoke, his brow furrowed in confusion.

Turning to Elder Zhang, Liu Pan bowed and replied, “Does Elder Zhang believe practicing alchemy also demands time and energy, and therefore sees a contradiction between my choice and my pursuit of martial advancement?”

Elder Zhang nodded, the meaning clear.

Liu Pan smiled faintly. “It’s undeniable that alchemy requires both time and energy. I fully accept this. However, I believe alchemy and my pursuit of greater martial cultivation are not in conflict, for my goal is the highest realm—not merely to reach a certain level quickly.”

“As with the path of arrays, I know little of alchemy. Yet from Elder Lin’s description of various elixirs, I discovered many that aid cultivation.”

“Again, regarding my aptitude, I have some understanding. If I simply trained relentlessly, perhaps as the elders say, I could reach a certain level after many years. But such a path, I feel, is not suited to me.”

“As the saying goes, haste makes waste. If I only buried myself in training, perhaps my realm would rise swiftly, but my foundation might not be solid. Without a firm foundation, pursuing martial arts’ higher realms would become difficult—such haste would be counterproductive.”

“That is why I choose alchemy: it can supplement my cultivation.” At this, Liu Pan looked to Elder Lin and bowed.

“Though alchemy will cost much time and effort, making my progress slower for a while, I firmly believe that if I master it, even if the lost time cannot be recovered, it will enable me to reach the highest realm my aptitude allows. This is precisely what I have been seeking.”

“As for the last profession, the cultivator of spiritual plants,” Liu Pan spoke, turning his gaze to Elder Yu.

“It is as follows,” Liu Pan bowed again and continued, “First, Elder Li—Li Liao—specializes in arrays. Regarding arrays, I must admit I know little about them. Even if I possessed some knowledge, I would never choose that path.”