"Y-You don’t have to give yourself a deadline, Disciple Yuan. You can give it to me whenever you are finished with it. There’s no need to rush it. I highly doubt anybody can learn a Divine-rank technique in just a few days. Zither Arts may not be as complicated as some cultivation techniques, but it’s still a Divine-rank technique nevertheless." Fei Yuyan said to Yuan after hearing his words that sounded like bragging.
"Okay." Yuan didn’t argue with Fei Yuyan and nodded his head before tossing the Divine-grade Zither and the Divine-rank Zither Arts into his spatial ring.
[Congratulations! You have obtained a Divine-grade treasure!]
[Congratulations! You have obtained a Divine-rank technique!]
After accepting the rewards, a notification appeared in the sky for all of the players to see.
[Player Yuan has obtained a Divine-grade treasure!]
[Player Yuan has become the first Player to have obtained a Divine-grade treasure!]
Once both Yuan and Fei Yuyan stored away their treasures, Song Ling’er said to them, "Now that I’ve given you one of the rewards, let’s continue onto the second reward."
"Eh? There are more rewards?" Fei Yuyan looked at Song Ling’er with wide eyes.
Song Ling’er nodded her head and said, "Did you already forget what I said at the beginning of the competition? That I would accept the first place as my disciples?"
"Y-You mean... You want to accept us as your own disciples? You weren’t joking about that?" Fei Yuyan’s jaw dropped to the ground. After all, she could’ve never imagined that she would one day have the opportunity to become the famous Song Ling’er’s disciple!
"Why would I joke about something like that before so many people?" Song Ling’er responded with a serious look on her face.
"Though to tell you the truth, I originally only wanted to accept Yuan as my disciple, but after seeing your talents that could compete even with my current disciples, I have decided to also make you my disciple." Song Ling’er said to Fei Yuyan, not hiding her true intentions.
"But we’re still disciples of the Dragon Essence Temple... We cannot just accept someone from another sect as our Master, especially me, since I am already a Core Disciple." Fei Yuyan said to her, mostly as an excuse.
"It’ll be fine. What I will be teaching you will not interfere with the Dragon Essence Temple’s teachings, and I will even speak to your Sect Master about this. Furthermore, it’s not impossible to accept a master from another sect since that has happened many times in the past."
Song Ling’er then turned to Yuan and continued, "I know you don’t want to leave the Dragon Essence Temple so I’ll allow you to stay at the Dragon Essence Temple while being my disciple at the same time. This way, you won’t have to leave your sect while being able to study under me at the same time."
However, Yuan said, "I appreciate your considerations, Senior Song, but I really don’t intend on focusing on the zither too much. After all, I am already studying the sword and the dagger."
"You’re what?"
Both Fei Yuyan and Song Ling’er stared at him with wide eyes again.
Seeing their expressions that were filled with disbelief, Yuan decided to retrieve the Empyrean Overlord and the Starry Abyss to prove to them that he indeed practiced with swords and daggers.
"See? I am playing the zither mostly as a hobby, and I do not intend on focusing too much on it."
"T-That’s ridiculous! How can you toss away such a heaven-sent talent like this! I won’t allow it!" Song Ling’er said with a frown on her face, clearly unwilling to see someone as talented as Yuan letting his talent go to waste.
And before Yuan could even respond, Fei Yuyan spoke, "I have to agree with Senior Song here, Disciple Yuan. You have the capabilities to become one of the greatest zither experts in the world. Why would you not focus on this path instead? Can you at least give us your reason?"
A bitter smile appeared on Yuan’s face, and he proceeded to tell them a little about his past when he was still active as a musician and how his parents would force him to play, working him like a machine.
"Although I like music— even love— I simply cannot find myself focusing on music like it’s the only thing in my life, as I have already found other things in life that I am interested in. The sword and the dagger are only some of many examples."
"Perhaps I might return to that path in the future, but for now, while I still can, I want to enjoy everything else this world has to offer."
"..."
Song Ling’er and Fei Yuyan remained speechless for a few moments after hearing Yuan’s background.
"Fine... If you don’t want to focus on this path then I won’t force you, since that’ll only do more negative than positive. However, that doesn’t mean I have given up on you because I haven’t, and I will never abandon someone as talented as you, Yuan. Mark my words— I’ll make you serious about music again even if it’s the last thing I do!"
After saying that, Song Ling’er turned around and walked out of the room.
And just as Yuan and Fei Yuyan prepared to leave the room as well, Elder Shan and Elder Xuan appeared before them with Min Li and Xuan Wuhan behind them.
"Congratulations on achieving first place, Disciple Yuan, Disciple Fei! The Dragon Essence Temple will definitely reward you for your contribution!" Elder Xuan said to them with a wide smile on his face.
"Did Senior Song do anything weird to you, Disciple Yuan?" Elder Shan began patting Yuan all over his body like she was looking for injuries.
"I-I am fine..." Yuan said in a slightly dazed voice.
"Congratulations, Yuan! We’ll have to celebrate this occasion when we return to the sect!" Xuan Wuhan said to him.
"Congratulations, Disciple Yuan." Min Li said afterward.
"Thank you all." Yuan nodded with a bright smile on his face, feeling relieved that he did not disappoint anyone.