Chapter Eleven: Chen Ping Pays His Respects to His Master

  Chen Pan's sudden move startled the Tang Valley disciples around him, and several emotionally excited ones even drew out their weapons again, thinking that Chen Pan was about to make a ruthless attack.

  "What's the meaning of this, little brother?" Zhou Shen Xian hastily signaled to Tang Gu that everything was fine, then helped Chen Pan up and asked.

  Chen Pan wiped away the tears that were about to dry up and said emotionally: "Please, immortal, accept me as your disciple! My surname is Chen, my name is Pan, and I am from Chenjia Village. This demon killed everyone in my village, leaving only me alive. I want to learn from you to avenge them!" Chenjia Village was a small village that the strange person had destroyed, not a single soul remained, even if one went to investigate, nothing could be found.

  It's not that I don't want to go back, but with my own strength, it's basically impossible to complete. I estimate that by the time I get home, my grandson's grandsons will be born soon. Moreover, I've always been interested in cultivating immortality, and now isn't this a great opportunity? Besides, in my past life, "Journey to the West" was remade countless times, and every version I watched made me sigh that if Tang Monk knew magic, he wouldn't have had so much trouble. Now if I learn magic well, maybe I can even create a new "Journey to the West". If Tang Monk knows magic, who can stop him?

  "But that demon is already dead, your great revenge has been avenged!" A disciple of Tang Valley reminded.

  Chen Pan almost glared at him, just now he was still dull and stupid, how did his brain suddenly become so bright? However, in his heart, he was not flustered, hastily opening his mouth to say: "I thought I was dead for sure, didn't expect the various gods to rescue me and let me keep my life. But there are many evil people in this world, so I want to learn well, cut down demons and monsters, travel the world, and uphold justice!"

  "Ah, not bad! However, cultivation is not as easy as you think. One slight mistake and your soul will scatter, the danger far exceeds that of ordinary people." That Zhou immortal shouted "good" again, and reminded him.

  Chen Pan had long been prepared: "If it weren't for the help of all you gods, I would have definitely died. Now that I can barely survive, I consider it a gift from heaven. To save more innocent people from the harm of evil spirits, what's wrong with dying?" His words were righteous and resolute, full of the spirit of "If I don't go to hell, who will?" In his memories of past lives, he recalled that reputable sects liked their disciples to show such determination, so it should have some effect.

  "Well said! Young brother, your words have truly touched my heart. If you're not reluctant, follow us back to Tang Valley now and I'll inform Master to accept you as his apprentice." The leading disciple immediately agreed, and this approach proved effective. These Tang Valley disciples are indeed good seeds with pure thoughts, and with just a slight stir, their true nature is revealed.

  "It's fine then. Liu Yun, the rest is up to you guys now. I have something else to attend to, so I'll take my leave first." Zhou Shen nodded and handed over the task before preparing to leave.

  That Liu Yun, a disciple of Tang Gu, immediately led the others to pay their respects: "To bid farewell to Master Zhou, thank you for saving our lives today. We will definitely ask our master to bring us to your doorstep to express our gratitude in person another day."

  Zhou Shenxian waved his hand: "A small matter, what's the big deal? My Tianlei Sect and your Tanggu are of the same breath and branch, can't just stand by and do nothing?"

  Listening to a few people, Chen Pan was stunned and immediately asked: "Aren't you together?"

  Liu Yun nodded: "Zhou Shifu is the master of the Tianlei Sect's Lianqidang, we are Tanggu disciples."

  Chen Pan suddenly blurted out: "That Zhou Shenxian, can I go to the Tianlei Sect to learn martial arts?" As soon as he spoke, he immediately realized it was inappropriate. The Tang Valley had already agreed to accept him, but he was asking to go to the Tianlei Sect instead - wasn't that looking down on them? He glanced around and saw that although several people hadn't caught the implication of his words, Liu Yun seemed somewhat displeased.

  That week, the immortal also heard it and asked: "Why? Tang Gu's strength is among the best in my Dongji Xuanzhou, and his fire repair method is unmatched by anyone. What are you not willing to do?"

  At this time, Chen P'an couldn't hesitate and forced out an excuse: "Well, to be honest, I've been afraid of fire since I was young, especially in the past year. This demon has taken me everywhere to kill people and set fires. When I see flames, I involuntarily think of my own dead relatives and those innocent civilians, and just want to find a place to hide. So when all of you gentlemen took action earlier, I got scared and hid in that corner. Otherwise, if it were someone else, they would have already run out shouting for help, why make myself suffer more?"

  Why not go to Tang Valley? Chen Pan also had his reasons. Firstly, he really didn't have any feeling for fire. Secondly, the memories of his past life told him that lightning and thunder weapons were far more lethal than flame weapons. Thirdly, even if he went back to Liu Yun's master, it was uncertain whether he would be willing to take Chen Pan as a disciple. Why bother going far when he could start his cultivation career immediately if Zhou Xian agreed? Lastly, the disciples of Tang Valley all seemed dull and stupid, and their master probably wasn't that impressive either.

  "Is this true?" Zhou Shen Xian asked, after all, he also had the intention of borrowing Chen Pan's mouth to explain. If it were himself, a disciple whom Tian Lei Sect was willing to accept would ask to go to Tang Gu, and he would also be unhappy in his heart. In order not to cause misunderstandings between the two parties, the clearer the better.

  As soon as he said that, Chen Pán felt like a genius and it was no wonder that Dr. Wang had taken a liking to him in his past life. Now, when Zhou Shénxiān asked him, he quickly racked his brains and replied: "How dare I deceive the immortal? The prestige of Táng Gǔ is renowned far and wide, and it's truly a blessing from heaven that he would take notice of me. How could I possibly be dissatisfied? It's just that every time I see flames, I think of those who have passed away, and my heart can't help but feel unsettled. If I were to practice in vain and tarnish the great reputation of Táng Gǔ, wouldn't I become a sinner?" He finished speaking, knelt down on both knees, and kowtowed with a sorrowful face.

  "Die, Immortal!" Chen Pan said sorrowfully, but in his heart he was thinking, "Immortal, you'd better hurry up and agree, or else I'll become a shadow of my former self."

  Zhou Shenxian didn't say a word, but Liu Yun instead helped Chen Pan persuade him: "Master Zhou, just agree to it! Brother Chen's entire village suffered a great calamity and is already pitiful enough. If he really goes to my Tang Valley, day after day worrying will not only be detrimental to his cultivation, but also easily give rise to heart demons. In the end, instead of helping him, we'll harm him."

  These Tong Valley disciples, because of their exceptional wisdom, had been initiated into the sect from a young age and rarely came out. They hadn't experienced many things in the world, so their thoughts were extremely simple. Chen Pan's words were sincere and heartfelt, with tears streaming down his face, and even he was almost deceived by them. Liu Yun naturally didn't suspect anything either.

  Perhaps it was Liu Yun's words that had an effect, Zhou Shenxian thought for a moment and nodded his head, saying: "Alright then, you can follow me back to the Tianlei Sect. After I report to the sect leader, I'll accept you as my disciple. Just don't regret it later."

  Regret? How could I, if I missed this opportunity I would truly regret it. Hearing Zhou Shen Xian agree, Chen Pan immediately kowtowed three times in a row and exclaimed: "Thank you Master for your help!"

  "Congratulations, Master Zhou and Brother Chen! From now on, I'll have to address you as Younger Master Chen!" Liu Yun immediately cupped his hands in congratulations, while Chen Pan hastily returned the courtesy: "Thank you, Older Brother Liu for understanding, I really am..."

  Liu Yun immediately waved his hand: "No need, no need! Tanggu and Tianlei Sect are like one family!" Then he bowed to Zhou Shenxian again: "Master Zhou, the demon has been killed, and the disciples of Tanggu will return to the mountain to report. Farewell!" After Zhou Shenxian nodded, he led the Tanggu disciples away.

  "Then let's go too!" Zhou Shenxian said, and with a casual flick of his sleeve, Chen Pan involuntarily followed him as they flew towards the sky together.