Profound Heaven Soul Sovereign

The mastery of Soul Refining that Ye Xuan had displayed during that match had left him utterly shocked.

He had never known Soul Refining could be done like that.

The way Ye Xuan used the Black Shining Vine martial soul to defeat the Undying Firebird martial soul, in particular, had shaken him to his core.

But what shocked him most was Ye Xuan's age. A young man of about twenty had actually defeated an expert as renowned as Rongyang in Soul Refining—and in a straightforward contest of skill, no less, with no flashy tricks involved.

What did this mean?

Even an idiot could see that Ye Xuan's background was anything but ordinary. The person who taught him Soul Refining had to be one of the most incredible Soul Refiners on the continent.

Only an expert of that caliber could produce such an astonishing genius.

Therefore, after much consideration, Yang Xiu had finally made up his mind to take Ye Xuan as his master.

He was well aware that without a mentor to guide him, given his status as a Loose Cultivator, the Peak of Seventh Grade would be his lifetime limit no matter how hard he trained. To advance further, his only option was to become the disciple of a powerful Soul Refiner.

But in the Divine Capital, powerful Soul Refiners were extremely particular about talent. Although he was an old man with a respectable cultivation base, the chances of a top-tier Soul Refiner accepting him as a disciple were practically zero.

All of this, taken together, had led to Yang Xiu's actions just now.

What Yang Xiu didn't know, however, was that his attempt to become a disciple had left Ye Xuan utterly speechless.

Ye Xuan shook his head. "Master Yang Xiu, if you wish to study Soul Refining, that's no problem. As fellow Soul Refiners, we can exchange pointers. But taking me as your master is absolutely out of the question."

Hearing this, Yang Xiu grew anxious. "Master Xuan Ye, I don't know what you're worried about, but I am sincere in my desire to take you as my master. I implore you to accept me as your disciple."

Ye Xuan shook his head. "It's not a matter of having concerns. I have my own preferences when accepting disciples, and I don't do so casually."

It wasn't that Ye Xuan looked down on Yang Xiu; he simply disliked taking on disciples.

In his past life, his status had been so lofty that countless people wished to become his disciple. Even geniuses from the continent's top factions would attend his lectures. Yet, Ye Xuan had never accepted a single one.

Even Huangfu Xiuming could only be considered a nominal disciple of Ye Xuan's, and not even an official one at that.

And now there was this Yang Xiu, whose background was a complete unknown. From his personality, Ye Xuan could tell he was the type to be obsessed with the path of Soul Refining, someone not well-versed in the ways of the world.

But even so, Ye Xuan had no desire to take a complete stranger as a disciple—not even a nominal one.

"Master Yang Xiu, you don't have to take me as your master just to learn the art of Soul Refining. The path of Soul Refining is a long one; who can claim to have reached its end? Besides, for a distinguished Seventh Grade Soul Refiner to take me as a master would be a huge blow to your reputation. Please, think it over."

Yang Xiu shook his head. "I couldn't care less about my reputation. My only concern is whether I can advance further on the path of Soul Refining. Master Xuan Ye, are you worried I have ill intentions? Or some ulterior motive? You can rest assured. I swear here and now that I sincerely wish to take you as my master. It is said, 'a teacher for a day, a father for life.' If I, Yang Xiu, ever betray you in the future, may I be struck down by heavenly lightning and suffer a miserable death!"

A trace of his will was woven into Yang Xiu's oath, and his voice even resonated with Soul Power. He was clearly being completely serious.

This kind of oath, while not guaranteed to come true upon being broken, was imbued with one's personal will. Violating it would have a tremendous impact on one's heart of the Martial Dao. In a mild case, one's cultivation would stagnate, making further progress impossible. In a severe case, one's Dao heart could collapse, leading to cultivation deviation and a violent death.

His resolute attitude moved even Ye Xuan.

Still, the thought of accepting Yang Xiu as his disciple was something he just couldn't stomach.

Just as Ye Xuan was starting to get a headache over the situation, Su Xiuyi's voice called from outside, "Young Master Ye, Tower Master Zuo Yuan is here to see you."

The words had barely left his mouth when Zuo Yuan's cheerful voice boomed, "Young friend Xuan Ye, you certainly are a busy man! It's been so many days, and you haven't visited me at the Soul Master Tower. Come see what this old man has brought for you."

Laughing, he strode directly into the reception hall. He paused for a moment upon seeing Yang Xiu, then smiled. "So Master Yang Xiu is here as well."

As a Seventh Grade Soul Refiner in Celestial Capital Prefecture, it was only natural that the Tower Master of the Soul Master Tower would know him.

Seeing Zuo Yuan, Ye Xuan felt a wave of relief. He quickly went to greet him while saying to Yang Xiu, "Master Yang Xiu, your request is a serious matter. Now that Master Zuo Yuan is here, perhaps we could discuss it later."

How could Yang Xiu not know what Ye Xuan was thinking? He laughed. "Master Xuan Ye, it's even better that Tower Master Zuo Yuan is here. He can act as a witness for us."

He spoke loudly, making no attempt to be discreet. It was as if becoming Ye Xuan's disciple was a matter of great honor, with nothing to hide.

Zuo Yuan blinked, then chuckled. "What are you two discussing that requires my witness?"

He was quite curious himself.

Yang Xiu said at once, "Tower Master Zuo Yuan, you've come at the perfect time! I, Yang Xiu, wish to take Master Xuan Ye as my master, but he absolutely refuses. Please, put in a good word for me. I would be eternally grateful."

"You want to take young friend Xuan Ye as your master?" Zuo Yuan was taken aback for a moment, then burst out laughing. "You crafty fellow, you're quite clever."

A man of Zuo Yuan's stature understood Yang Xiu's scheme immediately. And he had to admit, it was a rather brilliant plan.

Who was Ye Xuan? Zuo Yuan knew perfectly well. He was connected to an old acquaintance of his own master. And any old acquaintance of his master was undoubtedly a top-tier figure on the Celestial Profound Continent.

Although Yang Xiu was a Seventh Grade Soul Refiner, he was essentially a Loose Cultivator who hadn't joined any faction and always acted alone.

If he continued on this path, his future accomplishments would surely be limited.

But if he could become Ye Xuan's disciple, it would be like establishing a connection to that old acquaintance of Zuo Yuan's master. If that happened, his future would be transformed.

Ye Xuan gave a wry smile and waved his hand dismissively at Zuo Yuan. "This..." he said, exasperated.

If Yang Xiu had come looking for trouble, Ye Xuan had plenty of ways to handle it. But he had come seeking to become a disciple, which left Ye Xuan at a complete loss.

Zuo Yuan chuckled. "Young friend Xuan Ye, believe it or not, while I rarely involve myself in the affairs of Celestial Capital Prefecture, I actually know Yang Xiu's background quite well. He's a Loose Cultivator, and though he's a Seventh Grade Soul Refiner, he's a rather straightforward person. He has always acted alone and is definitely not affiliated with any power. In fact, I was the one who applied to the Divine Capital for his Seventh Grade Soul Refiner badge."

Zuo Yuan couldn't vouch for others, but he was certain about Yang Xiu. So, while he hadn't explicitly pleaded on the man's behalf, his words served the same purpose.

Gratitude immediately filled Yang Xiu's eyes. He hurriedly said, "Tower Master Zuo Yuan is right, Master Xuan Ye! I, Yang Xiu, have absolutely no ill intentions. What's more, your Profound Light Pavilion is expanding and needs people. I am, at the very least, a Seventh Grade Soul Refiner and am extremely familiar with Celestial Capital Prefecture. Master Xuan Ye, you could entrust all Soul Refining matters to me. I promise I will be diligent and work tirelessly."

"If that's not possible, Master Xuan Ye, you can observe me for a while longer. Let me serve you with utmost loyalty. I don't ask to become your disciple immediately, only that you give me a chance."

Yang Xiu was willing to give up everything to become a disciple.

If the other families in Celestial Capital Prefecture were to hear Yang Xiu's words, their eyes would pop out and their jaws would drop to the floor.

A dignified Seventh Grade Soul Refiner, the number one master in Celestial Capital Prefecture, was willing to toil like an ox to become a disciple. The thought was simply mind-boggling.

With Yang Xiu's status, even great families like the Yuchi family and the Xiao family would be begging for his services.

Even Zuo Yuan was secretly moved and sighed at Yang Xiu's sincerity.

He was well aware of the struggles ordinary Soul Refiners faced. If not for his own good fortune in having a master, his situation likely wouldn't be much different from Yang Xiu's.

"Young friend Xuan Ye, logically, this is your private affair, and it's not my place to say too much. But I must admit, Master Yang Xiu's sincerity has moved me."

Zuo Yuan once again spoke up for Yang Xiu. Of course, all he could do was put in a good word; whether Ye Xuan was willing or not was not something he could decide.

Ye Xuan gave a bitter smile. "Master Zuo Yuan, it's not that I don't want to help, it's just that this whole business of taking a disciple..."

Seeing Ye Xuan's expression, Zuo Yuan understood his thoughts. It was true. For Ye Xuan, who was only about twenty, to take a disciple several times his age... it would sound rather strange if word got out.

Moreover, accepting a disciple was a deeply personal matter. Many people had their own principles and wouldn't do so lightly.

It was just like his own master. Countless Soul Refiners in the Divine Capital wished to become his disciple, yet to this day, his master had only accepted three Direct Disciples. The rest were just a small number of nominal disciples to whom he offered occasional guidance.

Zuo Yuan then turned to Yang Xiu. "Master Yang Xiu, are you absolutely set on taking young friend Xuan Ye as your master? Personally, I think you could still receive his guidance just by joining the Profound Light Pavilion. With your status and strength, there should be no obstacle to you joining."

A troubled look appeared on Yang Xiu's face. "Tower Master Zuo Yuan, it's true I could learn much by joining the Profound Light Pavilion, but I sincerely wish to stay by Master Xuan Ye's side to learn from him..."

It wasn't that Yang Xiu hadn't considered this possibility. But joining the Profound Light Pavilion and becoming Ye Xuan's disciple, while seemingly similar, were in fact worlds apart.

Joining the Profound Light Pavilion meant merely serving the pavilion. Becoming Ye Xuan's disciple, however, meant following Ye Xuan personally, always at his command—a much closer and more intimate relationship.