The saying goes that in life, everyone ends up being deceived somehow.
Sister Fuji is simple-minded and sensitive. Naturally, Zhang Ze, as the good brother, couldn’t bear to see her tricked by bad people.
So, why not let him do it?
"Sister Fuji, what are your plans for the future?" Zhang Ze started the conversation.
"If possible, staying here would be best."
"But if you Sword Pavilion folks think I shouldn’t stay here, I wouldn’t mind going elsewhere."
Fuji turned her head a hundred and eighty degrees to look at Zhang Ze.
Even for Fuji, who is neither living nor dead and almost immortal, this underground dwelling is a rare gentle haven.
Cold and comfortable, yet free from evil and impurity.
However, since it is owned land, leaving is nothing unusual, she’s managed this way for years.
After all, the Venerate had said that one should strive to be a good demon.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Ze thought for a moment and broke into a friendly smile.
Liu Lili and Mei’Er took a step back upon seeing Zhang Ze’s smile, their expressions showing a hint of pity towards Fuji.
"If I had a way to let you stay here, would you be interested in hearing about it?"
Fuji leaned down to look at Zhang Ze, "Do you really have a way? You’re so weak; you can’t even beat me."
"These are no longer the Primordial times; in this era, everything has reason and logic," Zhang Ze said with a grin.
"If you wish to stay, just find a way—no need for fighting and killing."
"And what I have in abundance are ways," Zhang Ze said, taking out a wooden tag from the Hundred Treasures Bag.
"Becoming a Sword Sect disciple means you can naturally stay here."
"Are you interested in practicing swordsmanship?"
At these words, not only Fuji but even Chen Qin and Mei’Er were left stunned.
"Boss, can we really do that?" Lily looked at Zhang Ze with an incredulous gaze.
Chen Qin thought for a moment, "It doesn’t seem to be a problem."
"Our Sword Sect doesn’t mind species when accepting disciples."
"I remember Pavilion Master Zhengyi having a monkey disciple."
"In the Main Pavilion, there are a few horse demons and pig demon senior brothers, they..."
Alright, stop now, junior sister.
If you continue, it’s going to get biblical.
Zhang Ze coughed twice to interrupt the two girls’ chatter, gesturing for Fuji to lower her body. Once Fuji shrank into her human-like form, Zhang Ze officially began his persuasion.
The first step in persuasion is to start by packaging oneself.
Zhang Ze first chatted with Fuji about worldly matters, giving her a solid understanding of the impressive status of the Sword Sect.
Then he started talking about himself.
Since joining the Sword Pavilion, Zhang Ze hadn’t done much, just blew up a Demon Helm and tricked a Demon Path leader.
Yet in Zhang Ze’s telling, these deeds were thrilling and spectacular; he was already the rising star of the Sword Pavilion.
Fuji listened in confusion, while Lily pulled out her little notebook.
Only the title of this notebook had a bit of an issue.
"The Art of Persuasion"
Once Fuji was somewhat bewildered by Zhang Ze’s lingo, he began elevating the importance of the matter.
Starting with the harmony between humans and demons, and looking forward to the future of the Four Continents, Zhang Ze elaborated a gorgeous tale full of ups and downs.
In regards to educational significance and moral stance, Fuji’s apprenticeship would be a renowned immortal cultivation saga passed down through ages.
Lily continued her notes.
Seeing Fuji finally dazed, Zhang Ze pointed out the key points.
"Sister, with your cultivation, you still can’t beat a mere Dog Demon, do you know why?"
Fuji frowned, discouraged by the thought. Her cultivation should be much higher than that black dog, but she always lacked force in a fight.
"Am I just too cowardly..." Fuji felt unsure.
"Wrong! It’s because you haven’t practiced swordsmanship."
"Though you have an innate ability, you don’t know how to wield it, which is a huge waste."
"With your talent, not practicing swordsmanship would be a waste."
"Your Sumeru Space can transform into countless forms, with three heads and six arms in a blink—you’re just perfect for cultivating Sword Dao."
"Is it too late for me to start now?" Fuji still felt insecure.
"Of course not, as the old saying goes..."
"Better learn Dao in the morning than die in the evening, and since you won’t die for another thousand years, it’s never too late to learn."
"Moreover, our Sword Sect prides itself on inclusivity in education and accepting all classes..."
With Zhang Ze’s flattering words, Fuji already started imagining herself wandering the world with a sword.
At this moment, she swung up to the top of the cave, swinging back and forth.
[Fuji character unlocked]
[Character title updated, Ten Thousand Forms Sword Venerate]
[Related rewards issued]
Chen Qin tugged at his clothes from behind.
"Senior brother, now that the persuasion is done, what about Sword Sect?"
"No rush on that; if worst comes to worst, there’s still my master, I’ll go continue persua...," Zhang Ze whispered to Chen Qin.
Zhengyi’s voice rang out behind Zhang Ze.
"Pavilion Master, are the important discussions over?" Zhang Ze asked, grinning.
Zhengyi didn’t respond to Zhang Ze’s prompt, instead, he knocked on his head.
"No need for more persuasion, I approve of this matter."
"Hmm... also place her under your master’s tutelage, might as well keep Guanqi busy."
"By the way, I’ve also approved that other matter."
Zhang Ze’s face beamed upon hearing this, Zhengyi shook his head and vanished straight away.
Mei’Er, watching Zhang Ze as she walked out, always felt there was something off about him.
It wasn’t a moral issue but more about his identity.
Judging by his actions, Zhang Ze didn’t seem like an ordinary Qi Cultivation Stage Eighth Layer disciple at all.
"Hmm? When did he reach the Ninth-Layer Qi Cultivation?"
Mei’Er once again fell into shock.
Li Guanqi looked at his newly acquired female disciple, somewhat bewildered.
In being sold out by both his disciples and master, he preferred not to comment much.
But things should always be looked at positively; at least this disciple was eager to learn.
Certainly more eager than Zhang Ze.
"Master, is this right?"
The now condensed-to-human-size Fuji rotated seven hundred and twenty degrees, elegantly swung a sword, its sword Qi resembling a dragon, then swallowed the sword back into her body, using Lifebound Divine Techniques to shrink to a mere inch, and reappeared at the top of the cave.
Swinging back and forth.
Li Guanqi didn’t know whether this was right or not.
He certainly hadn’t taught such a flexible disciple before.
However, as a teacher, one must face challenges, and Li Guanqi felt up to the task.
After all, Fuji was more competent than Zhang Ze.
Thinking of Zhang Ze again gave Elder Li a headache.
He initially thought Zhang Ze would behave for a while but didn’t expect him to start large-scale operations again and even obtain the Pavilion Master’s approval.
Shaking his head, not wanting to dwell on Zhang Ze’s affairs, Li Guanqi smiled at Fuji, saying, "Good, but there are still areas that need improvement."
Outside the Sword Pavilion mountain gate, a certain valley.
Figures busied, resembling a construction scene.
Chen Qin was cultivating, while Zhang Ze was in retreat.
Only Lily and Mei’Er were overseeing the progress.
"Here, here, yes yes yes, stop, precisely there."
Under Lily’s instructions, a plaque was hung up.
Thousand Mechanism Pavilion.
Below were three small words, Heaven-Blasting Gang