Charles Ray, standing to the side, gave a cold snort: “A mere low-level skeleton warrior, not even with proper bones, and you think you’re fit to be my disciple?”

I was taken aback and looked up at Charles Ray. Although I couldn’t see his level, I could still see his introduction—

[Steward Elder · Charles Ray] (Rare BOSS)

Level: ???

Introduction: One of the five stewards outside the Black Castle, originally a member of the demon race, cultivates the Law of Death, possesses great power

……

So he’s a demon.

He directly refused to take me as his apprentice—was he afraid I’d lower the average level of his disciples?

What a joke!

Chapter 9 Dragon Yilan

“Ahem…”

Henry Stone’s gaze was icy as he said, “Qiyue Liuhuo, although you performed well, and according to Black City’s rules you are indeed qualified to choose an elder as your master, my disciples must at least have cultivated to the Body Refining Realm to be eligible, so…”

I understood perfectly—this guy didn’t want to take me either.

Just then, the elder on the left, who looked like an immortal sage, spoke up: “Qiyue Liuhuo, I am the elder in charge of the Wind and Cloud Platform. You should have seen my spirit form before, right?”

I nodded. Indeed, the huge face that appeared on the Wind and Cloud Platform was this very person before me.

[Steward Elder · David Dean] (Rare BOSS)

Level: ???

Introduction: One of the five stewards outside the Black Castle, in charge of the Wind and Cloud Platform, cultivates the power of the Law of Death, his cultivation is unfathomable

……

“Well then…”

He said in a deep voice, “Are you willing to become my disciple, under David Dean?”

I nodded immediately. “I am willing.”

What more was there to say? Among these three elders, my new master seemed to be the best in character—not only did he not look down on me, he even took the initiative to ask, saving me from my awkward situation. Otherwise, if no one wanted me, even players have their pride—it would be mortifying.

“Ding!”

System prompt: Congratulations, you have successfully taken a master and gained the status of [Disciple under the Wind and Cloud Platform]!

The next moment, David Dean flicked his sleeve, and with a “swish,” a jade token floated into my hand. He said, “This is your token. From now on, you are officially a member of the Black Castle. You no longer need to work at the Soul Refining Furnace—just focus on your own cultivation. With this token, you can go anywhere in the five pavilions outside the Black Castle.”

My status has been upgraded?

I couldn’t help but laugh out loud, delighted. “Thank you, Master.”

“Come, I’ll show you around.”

“Yes!”

……

Leaving the main hall, we followed the mountain path. David Dean walked ahead with a calm gaze, hands clasped behind his back, floating along, while I followed behind. We didn’t return to the Valley of Reincarnation, but headed straight up the mountain. The first place we passed was the Wind and Cloud Platform, a battle arena filled with a murderous aura, still standing halfway up the mountain, guarded by a group of undead sentinels.

Past the Wind and Cloud Platform, further ahead, the mountain path paved with blue stone steps was filled with all kinds of death cultivators—there were death swordmasters carrying long swords, death knights exuding powerful auras, and some hunched-over ghouls (who knows what they could possibly cultivate). In addition, there were some young people who were no longer in a deathly form, but had fair skin and beautiful faces, making others envious.

“Hm?”

David Dean turned around, his eyes looking at me as if he could see through my thoughts. He smiled and said, “You rascal, there’s no need to envy others. Cultivating the Law of Death is a long journey, and forging a perfect body is only the first step. In the future, you’ll be just like them—you’ll grow your own flesh and blood body.”

I nodded. “That’s good… that’s good…”

“You still care about appearances, haha~~~”

He laughed heartily, which showed that my master was indeed a good person—very open-minded.

Not long after, a grand and imposing building appeared on the mountain path, bustling with activity. Many death cultivators, both men and women, ghosts and all, were gathered here. David Dean paused briefly and said, “This is the Treasure Pavilion. It’s where all the death cultivators in Black City buy equipment and cultivation materials. You can use your own contribution points to exchange for things here—come often in the future.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Let’s keep going.”

A bit further on, another building appeared by the roadside. Unlike the grandeur and bustle of the Treasure Pavilion, this one looked like a very ordinary wooden hut, with a rather deserted entrance.

“This is the Qiankun Pavilion.”

David Dean said, “An eccentric old fellow lives here, who delights in refining corpses. No need to bother with him, and you don’t need to come here in the future.”

“Old Dean, who are you calling an old fellow!?”

From inside the Qiankun Pavilion, a sinister voice suddenly rang out: “What, do you want to test out the latest puppet I’ve refined?”

David Dean replied with his hands behind his back, “I don’t have time. Junior Lane, you play by yourself!”

With that, he quickly led me away, heading all the way to the back mountain. Pointing into the distance, he said, “Little one, take a look over there.”