Aksai was indeed surprised that the Blackblood Lord made a public claim to accept him as his direct disciple in front of all the Core Formation Lords.
However, he was not surprised by the claim itself.
A few days ago, when the two of them had been alone, the Blackblood Lord had already brought up the matter.
"I want you to beco my last direct disciple," the old monster had said bluntly back then, his tone firm but not forceful.
Aksai had rejected him without much thought. "I appreciate it, but I don't want to get involved in your sect's matters," he'd said. "I've always walked my own path, and becoming soone's disciple would only slow down."
He had ant every word. His goals were clear. He didn't want titles or obligations. He didn't want to be caught in the web of sect politics, even if it was with the Blackblood Sect.
But the Blackblood Lord hadn't been angry. Instead, he had laughed.
"You won't have to join the sect," he had said. "And you won't have to follow around like a disciple either. I just want to tie so karma between us. You saved my life. That's not sothing I take lightly."
Aksai rembered how serious the man had looked then. There was no pride in his voice, just a strange calmness.
"I'm going to die in a few days anyway," he had added with a slight cough. "So you don't need to worry about the formal bond. You'll still have your freedom. No responsibilities. No rules. Just a na. Just… a little protection."
At the ti, Aksai hadn't fully understood what kind of "problems" the Blackblood Lord wanted to help him with. But he could feel that the man was genuine.
The Blackblood Lord was most impressed with Aksai's formation decipher abilities. He was also pleasantly surprised by the speed with which he could cast complex Mudras so flawlessly.
Even though Aksai had hidden quite a lot of his skills in this departnt, it wasn't easy to fool a Core Formation Lord. Especially when Aksai perford these tricks in front of him.
The Blackblood Lord had ntioned the runic seals too. Said he had never seen anyone use them so easily inside the Holy Land Torel. And while he didn't say much more, Aksai could tell that the old monster had beco curious. Maybe even a little impressed.
So now, as the Blackblood Lord made the announcent in front of everyone, Aksai just sighed inwardly.
He had already agreed. Not because he wanted to be anyone's disciple, but because saying no would only create more trouble.
And because, in a way, he understood the old man's thinking.
The Blackblood Lord was a scher. He had been a sect master for more than a hundred years. His mind worked like a strategist's.
Aksai knew the man wanted to pull him closer to Haitin and the sect. He wanted to tie him to the Blackblood na—make him a part of sothing that would last even after he died.
Maybe it was gratitude. Maybe it was caution. Or maybe it was the simple instinct of a powerful man who had spent his whole life planning for the future, even when he knew his end was near.
In the end, Aksai didn't mind. If accepting the man's goodwill helped him in the future, why not turn it into a blessing?
The man was going to die anyway. It wasn't like he'd have to actually serve under him.
***
So, standing before the Lords' table, Aksai kept his face calm and offered a polite bow.
"I will accept your kindness, Blackblood Lord," he said softly. "Thank you for thinking so highly of ."
The Blackblood Lord laughed once more and waved his hand like he had just gifted soone a piece of candy.
"Good," he said. "That's settled then."
The other Core Formation Lords shared small glances with one another, so curious, so indifferent.
The Blackblood Lord slowly stood up from his seat. With a slight grin on his face, he walked up to him and stood right in front of him.
The chatter around the plaza dimd again as people noticed the movent.
"Aksai," the Blackblood Lord said, loud and clear, "this old man is asking you once more, not as a sect master, but as a man whose life you helped save—will you accept as your master?"
Aksai t his gaze for a mont. He then nodded quietly. "Yes."
Aksai reached into his storage ring and took out a sealed jade box. He opened it and revealed a bright red herb with glowing edges—a 3rd Order Spirit herb.
He offered it with both hands, presenting it to the Blackblood Lord with a calm and respectful expression.
According to the customs of the Dadangar Subcontinent, a disciple had to offer sothing of value to pay tribute to their new master. One could look at it as a ntorship fee.
This ntorship fee was only a formality in nature.
It didn't have to be a priceless treasure, but it needed to show sincerity. The old monster's eyes lit up a little when he saw the herb.
"Not bad," he muttered, then took the herb with both hands, his tone turning formal. "I accept this token."
Aksai then dropped to one knee and gave a full bow. With that, the tradition was complete.
The Blackblood Lord smiled wider than before. He took out a storage ring from his sleeve and handed it to Aksai.
"Hahaha, brat. Although we have only known each other for a few days, I like you. It's hard to explain. But I see potential in you. Maybe you remind of my youthful days.
Anyway, I digress.
Inside this ring, you'll find everything I've written down or collected over the years—formulas, techniques, and other knowledge I never shared with anyone. From today, you are my last direct disciple," he said.
Aksai accepted the ring with both hands and offered another respectful bow. "Thank you, Master."
The Blackblood Lord patted Aksai's shoulder with a bit of force, a sign of approval. Though, Aksai didn't like getting patted in such a forceful way, he gritted his teeth and endured it.
Old monsters were really not easy to deal with even when they were about to die. Or rather, they beca even more difficult to deal with and stubborn when they knew that they were about to die.
After being satisfied with his new and last direct disciple's sturdy back, the Blackblood Lord turned around and looked directly at another figure seated at the table—the Green Glory Lord.
"Lord Liyen," he said with a casual smile, "I heard your Green Glory Sect was after soone who took your disciple Lini Lowanfield away? Is that correct?"
===
AN: The Green Glory Lord sends his subordinates Nol and Elika to investigate Lini Lowanfield's disappearance in the Wild Devil Lands in chapter 384. Although Nol and Elika didn't know at the ti, they were indeed investigating Aksai.
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