Chapter 3776: Shocking Zhou Ren
Chapter 3776: Shocking Zhou Ren
Little Bull appeared satisfied with that explanation. Lin Mu meanwhile found the custom rather interesting. He had heard of such practices before. In ancient times it had apparently been quite common.
Disciples would take on their master’s surname to symbolize entering their lineage. These days the practice had become far rarer. Most cultivators retained their original family names. Only a few ancient sects still followed the tradition completely.
Apparently the Heavenly Stream Guardian Sect was one of them.
Zhou Ren seemed to notice Little Bull’s curiosity and decided to elaborate.
"It happens after the sect’s assessments." He explained. "Once a disciple enters the sect, their talent is evaluated. Various elders will review the results."
Little Bull listened attentively.
"If an elder likes you, they can take you as a personal disciple."
"And then I get their name?"
"Exactly."
Little Bull nodded and for a few moments he seemed thoughtful.
Then another question emerged. "What happens if nobody wants me?"
The question surprised both men as Little Bull lowered his head slightly. "What if they think I’m dumb?"
A brief silence followed and Elder He Jian frowned.
The old man looked directly at him. "You are not dumb."
Little Bull blinked. "Not?"
"No." The elder’s tone was firm. "You have much to learn. That is different from being dumb."
Little Bull thought about the distinction.
Eventually he nodded. "Oh."
To him, the explanation seemed reasonable enough. Zhou Ren looked at the young man and felt a bit of sympathy. He had heard some information that Elder He Jian had sent ahead during the journey.
Combined together, it painted the picture of someone who had lived a very difficult life. Truthfully, Zhou Ren could relate to it. Three hundred years ago he had also been nothing more than a commoner.
He still remembered the uncertainty he felt when entering the sect, the fear of not fitting in and the worry that everyone else would be better than him. As such he reached out and patted Little Bull’s shoulder.
"Don’t worry."
Little Bull looked up. "Hm?"
"I’ll look after you." The disciple smiled warmly. "If anyone tries to bully you, I’ll help you."
Little Bull grinned. "Really?"
"Of course."
"You’re nice."
Zhou Ren laughed. Yet before he could respond, he noticed Elder He Jian giving him a strange look. The old man’s expression was rather peculiar. Almost as if he was trying not to laugh.
Zhou Ren frowned. "What?"
He Jian shook his head. "Nothing."
"There is definitely something."
The old man sighed. "I’m just a little worried."
"Worried?" Zhou Ren asked.
He immediately misunderstood. "You mean about Little Bull being bullied?"
The old man shook his head again. "No."
"Then what?"
This time Elder He Jian’s eyes shifted toward Little Bull. The young man was currently looking at a flying ship in fascination.
The old man rubbed his forehead. "I’m worried about the people who try to bully him."
Zhou Ren stared as the statement made no sense. He glanced at Little Bull again. The young man looked completely harmless.
"What do you mean?" Zhou Ren asked.
The elder smiled. "Some things are easier to demonstrate."
Before Zhou Ren could question further, He Jian turned toward Little Bull. "Little Bull."
"Yes?"
"Come here."
The young man obediently walked over before the elder pointed toward Zhou Ren. "Shake your Senior Brother’s hand ’firmly’."
Little Bull immediately stretched out his arm. "Like this?"
"Yes."
Zhou Ren found the request strange but complied and extended his hand.
"Welcome to the Heavenly Stream Guardian Sect, Junior Brother."
Little Bull smiled. "Thank you, Senior Brother."
Their hands met and for a moment everything seemed normal. Then Little Bull grabbed his hand, firmly.
Very firmly.
The smile on Zhou Ren’s face froze as a strange sensation immediately spread through his palm. It felt as though his hand had become trapped between two mountains.
The disciple blinked, then he attempted to casually pull away, but nothing happened. His hand remained completely trapped. The smile slowly vanished from his face.
"Huh?" Zhou Ren muttered.
Little Bull continued smiling innocently. The young man had no idea anything unusual was happening. Meanwhile Zhou Ren tried again. This time he actually applied force, still nothing. His hand did not move even a fraction.
The disciple’s expression finally changed and now he was genuinely confused.
A First Tribulation Immortal was unable to move his own hand?
That was impossible.
Immortal Qi quietly circulated through his arm as his muscles tensed, and his grip strengthened. Yet Little Bull’s hand remained completely immovable.
The young man finally looked up. "Senior Brother?"
Zhou Ren swallowed. "What exactly are you?"
Little Bull blinked. "A person?"
The answer nearly made Elder He Jian burst into laughter. But Zhou Ren ignored them. He focused entirely on freeing his hand. It was at that moment that Little Bull squeezed.
Pain immediately shot through Zhou Ren’s arm as his eyes widened. Every bone in his hand creaked and the pressure felt terrifying. It was not spirit qi, and it was not some secret technique.
It was pure physical strength... Raw, overwhelming strength.
For the first time since meeting Little Bull, Zhou Ren truly understood why Elder He Jian had looked so unconcerned. If someone actually tried bullying this future junior brother of his, there was a very real chance that the bully would be the one crying at the end.
And that was if they could even injure Little Bull. Zhou Ren was sure that the young man didn’t just have raw strength, he probably had the durability to back it up. After all, without a strong body, raw strength would simply make one a glass cannon.
"What the hell is this strength?" Zhou Ren blurted out.
Little Bull immediately released his hand.
"Oh, sorry."
He looked genuinely apologetic.
"Did I break it?"
Zhou Ren stared at his reddened hand. Then at the concerned expression on Little Bull’s face. Then at Elder He Jian who was openly laughing now. Slowly, realization dawned on him.
The elder had not recruited some ordinary villager. He had found a monster hiding in plain sight.