Chapter 144 – 144: Accepting a Disciple!,Water-Avoiding Pearl (Bonus)

Lu Jun was stunned. Was Dean Xiao taking him as a disciple?!

The old man chuckled, “What’s wrong? You’re unwilling?”

“No, no!” Lu Jun grinned and immediately seized the opportunity, calling out, “Teacher!”

He would be a fool to hesitate. Dean Xiao was a Forbidden Mage in the Water Element, one of the top-tier powerhouses in the country. With a background even stronger than Imperial Capital University’s Jiang Yu’s teacher, Pang Lai, the Chief of the Forbidden Curse Association in the Imperial City, this was a golden opportunity.

Though he couldn’t reveal his true strength just yet, having the recognition of a national powerhouse meant he now had invisible protection.

“You brat, such a smooth talker.”

Dean Xiao playfully scolded him before speaking seriously, “The magic I specialize in is Water and Space, though not for combat. I excel in formation construction and defensive applications.”

Hearing this, Lu Jun nodded, recalling what he knew about Dean Xiao.

Back when Ding Yumian was forced to her death by Senator Zhuang and returned as a vengeful undead, Dean Xiao had used Spatial Magic to annihilate Senator Zhuang on the spot.

Moreover, the Water Circulation Grand Formation, and later his mentorship of Cao Qinqin, passing down knowledge on architectural defenses, all aligned perfectly with what he claimed to specialize in.

Lu Jun wasn’t disappointed at all—on the contrary, he was thrilled.

He had once envisioned a grand plan for his sister’s three-element path, involving the use of the violent monsoons from the Sea Monster Empire, guiding them into the western inland, reviving the plateau’s soil, and purifying the Yellow River.

To accomplish such an unprecedented feat, aside from unimaginable magical cultivation, one needed deep mastery of formation magic.

Without a doubt, Dean Xiao was the perfect mentor for him, someone at the very pinnacle of this field, even on an international level.

“Since you’ve formally acknowledged me as your teacher,” Dean Xiao mused, “I can’t be too stingy. Naturally, I have a gift for you. But don’t expect money—resources must be earned through your own efforts to ensure proper growth.”

“However, if you officially join the National Team, I can personally secure a Star River Vein for you.”

Lu Jun was overjoyed. Even if it wasn’t given to him immediately, just knowing it would be available in the future was enough. Once he reached High-Level, he would have six elements, requiring a massive amount of resources.

The World College Tournament was essentially a contest of backing and support. Talents like Mu Ningxue and Mo Fan, who rose from the grassroots, were rare exceptions.

But now, Lu Jun had his own powerful backing.

“Come with me.”

Buzz!

With a mere thought from Dean Xiao, silver-white radiance enveloped them both, and in the blink of an eye, they teleported.

Lu Jun felt a wave of dizziness before finding himself standing in front of the Three Step Tower.

He was startled—this teleportation distance was at least several hundred meters in a straight line.

He was puzzled. Why had Dean Xiao brought him here?

Dean Xiao said nothing, simply leading the way. Interestingly, they didn’t take the usual training corridor but instead followed an entirely different path, one Lu Jun had never noticed before. It led directly into another space.

Pushing open a heavy, enchanted door, Lu Jun was met with a grand chamber filled with ancient bookshelves and relics.

It resembled a museum, but it exuded an even greater sense of reverence—a pressure so profound that it instinctively slowed his breathing.

Each of the displayed artifacts emanated an aura of presence, carrying a weight that could be felt rather than just seen.

Lu Jun’s breath hitched—these were all Soul-grade Magic Tools. They possessed sentience, meaning they were all High-Level and above.

Dean Xiao casually remarked, “The true foundation of Pearl Academy is far beyond your Xuanming Turtle Shield and Azure Cloud Boots.”

Lu Jun understood. He recalled that Mo Fan had visited this place once or twice in the original story.

Remaining low-key, Lu Jun observed his surroundings, and sure enough, he spotted a mysterious crimson feather—a Phoenix Totem Feather.

Nearby, an elderly man with an aged presence was guarding the area. Noticing their arrival, he yawned and muttered, “Old Xiao, are you… bringing a disciple this time?”

“Yes.” Dean Xiao nodded in response. “I’ve brought him to retrieve something I left here long ago.”

Then, he walked over to another section of the room, where a sandalwood box sat atop the counter. He picked it up and gently handed it to Lu Jun, saying warmly, “This is a magic tool I used in my younger days. Try it out.”

“Thank you, Teacher.” Lu Jun immediately accepted the box with both hands. Upon opening it, he found a crystal-clear, sky-blue orb, about the size of a fist. It was deep and vast like the ocean, radiating a thick, misty aura of water energy.

Dean Xiao explained, “I call it the ‘Water Pearl.’ Its effects vary from person to person, adapting to the user’s own affinity. The one who forged it is unknown, but its history is incredibly ancient.”

“I discovered it by chance in an ancient ruin during my travels in my youth. With it, I was able to roam freely, defeating countless powerful enemies. I no longer need it, but I am certain that the immense energy inside has yet to be fully unlocked.”

“Without a doubt, it is a priceless treasure for any Water Mage.”

Even without Dean Xiao’s explanation, the moment Lu Jun laid eyes on the luminous, azure gem, his Water Element Nebula trembled slightly, stirring with an intense longing.

A mysterious instinct told him that this pearl would bring him tremendous benefits, capable of triggering a profound transformation in his Water Element. Since its effects varied by individual, it likely encompassed all branches of water magic, making it an extraordinary relic.

Seeing Lu Jun’s eager, almost drooling expression, Dean Xiao chuckled and shook his head. He had initially intended to say something more but ultimately decided against it.

He was no longer Pang Lai, the Chief of the Forbidden Curse Association, who was entangled in the struggles of fame and power. He had long since retired from the political scene. His old friends had either passed away or lived out their remaining days in peace. With no real connections left, his only visitors were former students who occasionally came to check on him.

Thus, he lived a simple life. Taking in a disciple didn’t require any grand ceremony—just a recognition of their bond was enough. The rest would depend on Lu Jun’s own talent and diligence; he would do his best to pass on his knowledge.

“Alright, I can see you’re itching to try it out. You should head back and refine the Water Pearl first.”

Dean Xiao then instructed, “From now on, come to me every day for two hours to study formation magic. Any objections?”

“No problem! It’s just…”

Lu Jun scratched his head, feeling a bit embarrassed. He had just become Dean Xiao’s disciple, hadn’t done anything yet, and was already receiving such a valuable gift for free.

Dean Xiao chuckled. “Why are you being polite with me now? Where’s the sharp, calculating attitude you had when you first enrolled, bargaining with me for every little benefit?”

“If you can grow into a true powerhouse and contribute to the country and humanity, that will be the greatest gift you can give me.”

“Thank you, Teacher.”

Feeling deeply grateful, Lu Jun didn’t overthink it anymore. He quickly carried the wooden box home, informed his sister, and immediately entered seclusion to refine it.

Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!

Inside his room, he held the sky-blue pearl in his palm, surrounded by a brilliant azure radiance. Streams of pure Water Element energy continuously poured into his body.

Suddenly, the Water Pearl trembled. With a soft hum, it melted into a luminous, liquid form, flowing into his spiritual world.

A moment later, a vast surge of powerful energy rushed straight into the core of his Water Element Nebula.

This sudden development left Lu Jun momentarily stunned. Unlike normal magic tools, which typically transformed into an imprint within the spiritual domain, this one was behaving completely differently—it was directly absorbed by his Water Element Nebula like a pure source of power.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Soon, under the baptism of the azure liquid, the seven core stars within his Deep Water Whirlpool expanded once more, each growing larger and taking on the appearance of crystalline orbs, shimmering with radiant brilliance.

Among these seven pearl-like cores, a new orb imprint began to float and rotate, much like the Sword Seal in his adjacent Metal Element Nebula.

Then, a surge of information flooded his mind.

Lu Jun suddenly understood.

Fifth-Tier Water Control: [Water-Avoiding Pearl]!

He quickly realized that this was no ordinary magic tool—it had fully merged with his Water Element Nebula. It could now only be separated if he died.

It wasn’t quite a Lifebound Magic Tool, nor was it a form of Dark Matter, but something in between.

“This… feels a lot like Wu Ku’s Water Buddha Bead. It was clearly a magic tool, yet it transformed into his own innate supernatural power.”

Deep in thought, Lu Jun realized that this Water-Avoiding Pearl had an extraordinary origin and was far from ordinary.

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