LONG TIAN: THE DRAGON'S SECOND CHANCE

Ch 8

Their journey continued without any significant trouble. The sun that had been shining brightly since morning had now begun to move toward the west. The narrow path cutting through the forest gradually turned into a much wider dirt road. From time to time, merchant caravans could be seen passing by, accompanied by armed guards who remained constantly vigilant.

Long Tian walked several steps behind Xuan Mo while observing his Master.

In his previous life, he had always regarded Xuan Mo as a cold and difficult person to approach. However, after returning to the past, he saw another side of the masked man.

Xuan Mo actually talked quite a lot, especially when explaining various things about the martial world.

Suddenly, Xuan Mo slowed his steps.

Without turning around, he began speaking.

"Long Tian, there is something I have wanted to tell you since we started traveling together. Perhaps what I am about to say will sound strange, but I hope you will remember it.

"I am not as great as you imagine me to be. I am merely an ordinary martial artist who happens to be a little luckier than others. Therefore, if you meet a master who is far more capable than me one day, never feel guilty about leaving me and learning from that person.

"A disciple should always seek the best path for his future, rather than remain bound by feelings of guilt or reluctance toward his master."

After saying those long words, a faint smile appeared beneath his iron mask.

Although his face was hidden, Long Tian could imagine the exact same expression he had seen decades ago.

Over the past few days, Xuan Mo had personally witnessed the intelligence of his young disciple. Long Tian's way of thinking was far beyond that of a child his age.

Some of the questions the boy asked even made Xuan Mo feel that Long Tian's talent was too great to stop developing under his guidance alone.

However, Long Tian merely smiled faintly.

In his heart, he found those words truly amusing.

Xuan Mo thought he was not a great person?

If the entire martial world heard him say that, perhaps they would only be able to laugh bitterly.

Long Tian knew everything that his Master did not yet know.

The Thousand Sword Mountain.

A place that would eventually stand as one of the greatest powers in the martial world.

One hundred Sword Elders guarded the mountain day and night. Anyone who managed to obtain the title of Sword Elder was a top class martial artist capable of shaking an entire kingdom with a single swing of the sword.

And Xuan Mo...

He was the youngest Sword Elder in history.

At the age of nineteen, he had already gained the recognition of the entire Thousand Sword Mountain.

Not only that, his renowned handsome appearance had spread across countless kingdoms, turning his name into a legend among the younger generation.

Yet what people respected most was still his nearly flawless swordsmanship.

Even in his previous life, only a handful of people had been able to last more than ten moves against him.

Long Tian raised his head.

"Master, perhaps you consider those words a form of concern for me. But to me, there is no one more worthy of becoming my master than you.

"Even if I meet a martial artist who is stronger than you one day, I still will not leave you for someone else.

"To me, a master is not merely someone who teaches martial arts. A master is someone who changes the life of his disciple.

"Ever since you saved me and accepted me as your disciple, that decision will never change."

He spoke in a calm voice.

There was not the slightest hesitation in his words.

Hearing his answer, Xuan Mo stopped walking once again.

He let out a soft sigh.

"Long Tian, the martial world is far more complicated than you imagine. Having more than one master is not something shameful.

"Even I have three masters myself. Each of them taught me different things. Who knows, perhaps I will meet another master in the future and learn from them again.

"So if you ever have the opportunity to receive better teachings, never reject it simply because you are thinking about me."

As he spoke, Xuan Mo reached out and gently rubbed Long Tian's head.

That simple gesture made Long Tian feel slightly awkward.

Physically, he was indeed still a child.

But within him lived the soul of a man who had experienced nearly a hundred years of life.

He had once been a respected martial artist.

Yet now, his Master was patting his head like a little boy.

Even so, Long Tian did not try to avoid it.

He simply allowed his Master's hand to remain on his head.

He could only smile bitterly inwardly.

"If the age of my soul is taken into account, I might even be older than most of the elders of Thousand Sword Mountain. Yet now I still have to act like a little child."

He did not argue any further.

Not because he agreed, but because he understood his Master's good intentions.

On the other hand, Long Tian also possessed an extremely strong conviction.

With the memories of his previous life, combined with the True Dragon God Technique that had been deeply engraved into his soul, he was actually confident that he could stand at the pinnacle of the martial world even without anyone's guidance.

However, strength was not the reason he had returned to become Xuan Mo's disciple.

What he wanted to save was not merely his own future.

It was his Master's fate.

Before they realized it, the sky had begun to darken.

The sun had disappeared behind the mountains, replaced by an orange glow that slowly faded away.

In the distance, rows of wooden buildings could be seen standing beside the main road.

Xuan Mo pointed toward them.

"We do not need to spend another night in the forest. There is an inn ahead. We will rest there before continuing our journey tomorrow morning."

Long Tian followed his Master's gaze.

Several food stalls, small shops, and simple inns could indeed be seen along the road.

The road they were traveling on was a trade route connecting several major cities, so merchants and martial artists often stopped there to rest before continuing their journeys.

After spending several nights sleeping outdoors with nothing but grass beneath them and the sounds of nocturnal animals accompanying them, spending a night at an inn was certainly a small luxury worth appreciating.