Li Yi and his two companions, along with the brothers Di Jun and Tai Yi, walked along the road. Tai Yi couldn't understand why his elder brother had invited these three rogues to their home as guests.
In Tai Yi's opinion, Li Yi and his group's actions on Sun Star were nothing short of banditry. Thus, Di Jun and Li Yi conversed amicably throughout the journey, while Tai Yi remained sulky.
Tong Tian was also displeased with Tai Yi's immediate aggression towards Li Yi. Seeing Tai Yi's silence, Tong Tian chose to ignore him.
After a short walk, the group arrived beneath the Fusang Tree.
Yuan Shi gazed at the Fusang Tree and said to Li Yi,
"Brother, is this the Innate Spiritual Root, the Fusang Tree?"
Li Yi nodded,
"Yes, if it weren't for this Fusang Tree, you might still be lying injured right now!"
Di Jun then spoke,
"Fellow Daoist Yuan Shi has profound fortune! Such a blessing!"
After saying this, he invited the three to sit beneath the tree.
Di Jun then said,
"Since Fellow Daoist Yuan Shi is adept at artifact refining, take whatever refining materials or ore veins on Sun Star you fancy. These things are of little use to us brothers anyway. Consider it an apology from my foolish younger brother! We only hope that after you take the ore veins, you will fill the pits, as leaving them would be unsightly!"
Yuan Shi's eyes lit up at this, and he quickly expressed his gratitude to Di Jun.
Li Yi also smiled and said,
"Then we thank you, two fellow Daoists!"
Di Jun, upon hearing this, spoke again,
"Over the years, we brothers have also collected many refining materials. Besides looking good, they serve no other purpose. We shall gift them to you three!"
Saying this, Di Jun instructed Tai Yi to bring out the collected refining materials for Li Yi and his companions.
Although Tai Yi was reluctant, he dared not disobey Di Jun's command and thus brought them out.
Yuan Shi's eyes widened upon seeing the refining materials Tai Yi presented. They were all rare and difficult to find, even on Sun Star. He immediately stood up and bowed to Di Jun in thanks.
Seeing Yuan Shi accept the gifts, Di Jun asked,
"I am curious. Sun Star is protected by an Innate Formation. How did you three manage to enter? I detected no disturbance whatsoever! I mean no offense, I am merely curious!"
Li Yi knew that Di Jun was also a master of formations and understood his confusion.
Li Yi smiled and said,
"My third brother is exceptionally skilled in the Way of formations. This is all thanks to him!"
Upon hearing this, Di Jun's eyes lit up as he looked at Tong Tian.
Tong Tian felt uncomfortable under Di Jun's gaze and quickly asked Di Jun,
"Fellow Daoist, what is this?"
Di Jun laughed heartily and said to Tong Tian,
"Since Fellow Daoist is skilled in the Way of formations, why don't we have a discussion? We can discuss the Way of formations, what do you say!"
Tong Tian was overjoyed at Di Jun's invitation to discuss formations. He usually explored these matters alone, and Li Yi and Yuan Shi had little understanding of formations. Now, encountering a fellow practitioner, he was naturally delighted.
Tong Tian eagerly said,
"Then let us begin!"
Both Tong Tian and Di Jun were masters of formations, and they hit it off immediately, eager to glean insights from each other's understanding of the Way of formations.
Thus, Li Yi, Yuan Shi, and Tai Yi were left to act as their protectors.
Although Li Yi and Di Jun conversed amicably, Tai Yi still felt that they were not entirely friendly towards them. Li Yi, not entirely at ease with Tong Tian, remained vigilant.
Tai Yi, in turn, was also wary of Li Yi and Yuan Shi, viewing the trio as bandits. He feared that Li Yi and Yuan Shi might pose a threat to Di Jun, and thus remained by Di Jun's side, never leaving.
In this manner, the three stood guard until Tong Tian and Di Jun concluded their discussion.
After Tong Tian and Di Jun's discussion ended, Di Jun laughed heartily,
"I never imagined that Fellow Daoist Tong Tian's understanding of the Way of formations would be so profound. I am truly impressed!"
Tong Tian also smiled and said,
"Fellow Daoist Di Jun flatters me. Your attainments in formations are also considerable!"
Following their discussion, the relationship between Tong Tian and Di Jun rapidly blossomed, with a sense of mutual admiration between heroes.
Seeing Tai Yi's cautious gaze fixed on Li Yi and Yuan Shi, Di Jun couldn't help but smile and say,
"My brother and I depend on each other. Please do not take offense, two fellow Daoists."
Li Yi smiled faintly and replied,
"We wouldn't dare. We brothers also depend on each other. We understand."
Seeing that Li Yi took no offense, Di Jun turned to Tai Yi and said,
"The three fellow Daoists are all straightforward people. My younger brother is perhaps too cautious!"
Upon hearing Di Jun's words, Tai Yi realized that Di Jun genuinely held a good impression of Li Yi and his companions. Only then did he truly accept the trio.
He bowed to Li Yi and his companions, saying,
"Please do not take offense, esteemed brothers. It was my narrow-mindedness!"
Li Yi, Yuan Shi, and Tong Tian quickly returned the bow. Li Yi then spoke,
"We do not blame you, fellow Daoist. It is true that my first visit to Sun Star was somewhat impetuous!"
Seeing that Tai Yi and Li Yi's group had smoothed things over, Di Jun was overjoyed. He turned to Tai Yi and said,
"Tai Yi, haven't you always wished to learn artifact refining? Fellow Daoist Yuan Shi is skilled in this art. Why don't you quickly learn from him?"
Tai Yi, upon hearing Di Jun bring up something he had longed for, shyly said,
"Big Brother!"
Di Jun laughed, "What are you shy about? This opportunity won't come again!"
After speaking, he bowed to Yuan Shi and said to him,
"I humbly request your guidance, esteemed Daoist. We are deeply grateful!"
Yuan Shi thought to himself that he had already received considerable benefits from them, and since Di Jun was willing to learn, he was also willing to teach. He immediately said to Di Jun,
"You are too polite, Fellow Daoist. Since Fellow Daoist Tai Yi is keen to learn, how could I possibly refuse to teach him!"
Hearing Yuan Shi's words, Tai Yi immediately stood up and performed the ritual of apprenticeship to Yuan Shi. Li Yi, Yuan Shi, and Tong Tian were startled and quickly tried to stop him, saying,
"This is unacceptable! Absolutely not!"
Tai Yi refused to rise, stubbornly stating,
"Learning has no precedence, and the wise are teachers. Please accept me as your disciple, Master!"
Li Yi was at a loss and could only look at Di Jun. Di Jun also shook his head and said,
"My brother is very stubborn. Fellow Daoist Yuan Shi, please accept my brother."
Li Yi said with a wry smile,
"We address each other as fellow Daoists. How could we presume to accept Tai Yi as an official disciple?"
Di Jun chuckled and said,
"It's no trouble. We will each maintain our own relationships."
At this point, Tai Yi, still kneeling on the ground, said to Yuan Shi again,
"Tai Yi is determined to become your disciple, Master. I implore you to accept me as your disciple!"
Di Jun also bowed to Yuan Shi and said,
"I beg you, esteemed Daoist, to accept my brother."
Yuan Shi was helpless and looked at Li Yi. Li Yi also hadn't expected Tai Yi to be so resolute, abandoning all pretense of face in his desire to learn artifact refining.
Li Yi also had no recourse. He asked Tai Yi again,
"Fellow Daoist Tai Yi, have you truly considered this? Do you genuinely wish to become my second brother's disciple?"
Tai Yi nodded and affirmed,
"I have made up my mind. Please, Martial Uncle, help me persuade my Master!"
Li Yi was speechless. He hadn't even become a disciple yet, and Tai Yi was already calling him Martial Uncle. He felt he couldn't accept such a title.
Seeing Tai Yi's firm resolve, Li Yi sighed and said to Yuan Shi,
"Second brother, since Tai Yi is so determined, you should accept him!"
Yuan Shi saw that Li Yi had spoken and had no choice but to agree. He had originally come out seeking some refining materials and unexpectedly ended up taking a disciple whose cultivation was similar to his own.
Thus, Tai Yi performed the ceremony of apprenticeship to Yuan Shi, officially becoming Yuan Shi's eldest disciple.
Tai Yi also began to address Li Yi as Martial Uncle and Tong Tian as Martial Uncle.