Ming Zhitian said, "Senior Ran, hello. My name is Ming Zhitian. I was an orphan from a young age, with no sect or school. However, I achieved some success on my own. I once served as a senior instructor in the Iron Horse Empire. Later, I was repeatedly betrayed by those closest to me, which led to my current predicament."
With the same bitter origins, venturing alone and also harmed by those closest, Ran Yizhou felt an increasing sense of resonance with his own experiences as he listened.
Ming Zhitian laughed heartily, "As you said, Senior Ran, it is destiny. It is destiny that has made me this way, destiny that brings us together here to speak. My life is without regret. If only there were wine, so we could share a couple of drinks. Alas, alas."
Ran Yizhou shook his head, "There is nothing to regret. You and I have met here by fate, so why regret anything?"
Ming Zhitian chuckled, "Indeed. You say I fell from such a height as the Ten Thousand Zhang Abyss and survived. It is fate that brought me here to meet you, Senior Ran. It is truly fate."
Ran Yizhou exclaimed in surprise, "You fell from the top of the Ten Thousand Zhang Abyss and didn't die? A martial prodigy!"
Just as Ming Zhitian was feeling confused, Ran Yizhou suddenly said, "Kowtow and become my disciple, now! Immediately! Right away!"
Ming Zhitian was taken aback, "Why?"
Ran Yizhou retorted, "Why what?"
Ming Zhitian asked, "Why choose me?"
Ran Yizhou sighed, "Why are there so many 'whys'? You are very, very similar to how I was in my youth. I came from a bitter background, and precisely because of that, I didn't want to take on a disciple who also came from a bitter background. It would be too difficult.
Conversely, if one's family background were prominent, it would be much easier. At the very least, there would be no worries about cultivation resources. For this reason alone, you were placed on my blacklist. However, considering our fateful encounter and that you survived a fall from the Ten Thousand Zhang Abyss, it is evident that you have extraordinary bones and are a martial prodigy. You are also more suited for martial cultivation. These points combined outweigh my reservations about family background. You, Ming Zhitian, have passed my assessment."
Ming Zhitian remained bewildered, "Oh, oh."
Faced with such temptation, Ming Zhitian merely responded with "oh, oh"? Ran Yizhou was enraged again, but he suppressed his anger, even as he was merely a wisp of a divine soul.
"You brat! Do you know how many disciples from prominent clans and noble families in the ancient cultivation world I, the Martial Saint, rejected? And you remain unmoved?"
Ming Zhitian's expression was blank, "Senior Ran, let's forget it. I know I am unworthy of being your disciple. Even if my martial prowess were still intact, I am now a cripple. You should return to your tomb and wait for the next fated person. Um, I'll be going now. Bye-bye."
"Buck."
Buck lifted Ming Zhitian onto his back. Ran Yizhou was utterly furious! He flicked his sleeve lightly, and Ming Zhitian was sucked towards him.
Buck, with a fierce expression, tried to approach. Ran Yizhou flicked his sleeve again! A golden, transparent wall instantly appeared before Buck, separating them. No matter how Buck thrashed and roared, he couldn't break through.
Ran Yizhou snorted coldly, "Young Ming, no one has ever dared to defy me like this. You are the first. Do you know? In the past, with my temper, if anyone dared to utter a word of refusal in my presence, they and their entire sect would be annihilated without a trace.
Ming Zhitian was unafraid, "So, you want to kill me?"
Ran Yizhou shook his head, "Today, you will bow whether you want to or not! Kneel!"
Ran Yizhou's hands moved like clouds and rain. He raised his palm and pressed lightly into the air! Ming Zhitian suddenly felt an immense pressure crushing his shoulders, making it difficult to breathe. His legs involuntarily bent towards Ran Yizhou.
"First kowtow!"
Ming Zhitian's body automatically bowed.
"Second kowtow!"
"Third kowtow!"
"Good, young Ming. From this day forward, you are the first formal disciple of me, the Martial Saint Ran Yizhou!"