28: Becoming an apprentice

"Here, there's another one. I pulled two in total, and I'm giving them both to you."

Xiao Xing took out another Feather Barb and handed it to her; he wanted to see if he could increase her Favorability further.

If it reached 80, they would be lovers; above 90, they would be husband and wife; and at 100, it would be undying devotion.

In his previous life, many wealthy players spent massive amounts of money to grind Favorability with female NPCs, their motives being self-evident.

This kind of thing was nothing unusual. After all, this game was too realistic. Even with keyboard games from decades ago, those tycoons would throw money at cartoon female characters; such a virtual online game was even more of a given.

Moreover, in virtual online games, killing, arson, and robbery were all normal, let alone having something happen with a female NPC. As long as you had the ability, no one thought there was anything wrong with it.

"Ah, there's another one!"

After Cheng Xiaoyue took it, she held it in both hands and observed it from side to side.

Although she was happy, the effect wasn't as obvious as the first one.

System notification: Cheng Xiaoyue's Favorability toward you has increased by 5 points, totaling 75 points.

"Brother Chen, Yueyue really likes the gifts you gave."

A moment later, Cheng Xiaoyue suddenly stood on her tiptoes and gave Xiao Xing a kiss on the cheek, then lowered her head, looking very shy.

When Cheng Xiaoyue made this move, the onlookers almost dropped their jaws. Making a female NPC act like this was simply unbelievable.

What on earth did this guy give her? If they had it too, they would definitely give it. After all, this beauty was too stunning. If they could have some involvement with her, any investment would be worth it.

Xiao Xing didn't know what these people were thinking, but even if he did, he wouldn't explain.

In the Continent of Gods and Demons, if there was no prior connection, no matter how many things you gave, the other party might not even acknowledge you.

Not all NPCs cared about money and treasures. If they didn't know you, they wouldn't pay attention to you. If you kept pestering them, they might even attack you, let alone grinding Favorability. If it were that easy to grind Favorability, who wouldn't do it?

"Let's go, let's go inside to see Great Master Luge."

After Xiao Xing called out to her, the two walked into the General Store together, leaving the restless crowd standing there in a daze.

They had originally wanted to greet Cheng Xiaoyue, but from start to finish, she hadn't looked at them once, making them feel a sense of despair... "You said you want to become my disciple?"

Luge frowned slightly after hearing Xiao Xing's request.

He actually hoped Xiao Xing could become his disciple, but he was only an Intermediate Alchemist and couldn't teach Xiao Xing much.

The world outside was where Xiao Xing was meant to soar. If he became his disciple, those Great Masters outside would no longer accept him as a student, which was why he hadn't taken Xiao Xing as a disciple initially.

"Yes, I want to become your disciple."

Xiao Xing nodded in confirmation. He naturally knew the System's limitations. If he didn't have the Golden Finger, he certainly wouldn't be apprenticing here.

But now with the Million Times Amplification of the Golden Finger, once he became a disciple and obtained the Sub-profession, he could instantly become an Alchemy God.

He could go outside to find another Alchemist to apprentice under, but NPCs of this profession were relatively rare, and without a connection, even if you brought proof, they might not acknowledge you.

"Sigh, it's not that I'm unwilling to take you. In fact, I also think you and Xiaoyue are quite a match, but you will eventually go outside. After you become my disciple, I won't be able to teach you anything, which would have a huge impact on your Alchemy."

Luge shook his head, his expression looking very regretful. He knew Xiao Xing was no ordinary person and was bound to go out into the world.

After apprenticing, without a Master's guidance, one could only grope in the dark on their own, making it difficult to achieve great success.

"Dad, what are you saying? Brother Chen and I are just good friends!"

Hearing Luge's words, Xiaoyue's face instantly turned red, and she quickly explained their relationship.

"Mm, Dad knows!"

Luge glanced at Xiaoyue, who was tightly hugging Xiao Xing's arm, and then responded nonchalantly.

He saw the two of them coming in from outside like a couple shopping, and Xiaoyue hadn't let go until now. Wasn't this lying through her teeth? How could he believe her?

"Dad, it's not what you think. I'm ignoring you!"

Seeing Luge's face which was barely holding back a smile, Xiaoyue turned around and leaned her head on Xiao Xing's shoulder, not intending to pay any more attention to her Daddy!

"This... mm, Yueyue is right, we are just good friends!"

Xiao Xing raised his other hand and rubbed her back, agreeing with her words.

Seeing the girl almost throwing herself into his arms, Xiao Xing thought it was a pity. It seemed that without Favorability reaching 80, it would be a bit difficult to take liberties with her.

"Senior, please hurry up and take me as your disciple; you don't need to worry."

Seeing Xiaoyue leaning on him and not getting up, Xiao Xing stopped dallying. He planned to head to Holy Light City after apprenticing; giving Xiaoyue the gift was just a spur-of-the-moment thing.

Of course, it would be even better to have some connection with her. Perhaps because she was the protagonist of a special quest, she was not only beautiful but also had a perfect figure. Who wouldn't like such a beauty?

"Dad, just take Brother Chen as your disciple. He's so strong, he can help you collect high-level Materials in the future!"

Seeing Luge didn't speak up to agree, Xiaoyue raised her head to persuade him for Xiao Xing.

She felt Xiao Xing was very good to her, so she wanted him to stay here. That way, she could play with Xiao Xing every day, and looking after the stall wouldn't be so boring.

However, what she didn't know was that Otherworld Warriors like Xiao Xing would all head to the outside world. She thought that after Xiao Xing apprenticed, he would stay here with her, which was why she spoke up for him.

"Xiaoyue is right, Great Master Luge, don't hesitate anymore."

Xiao Xing also responded. Apprenticing here would save him a lot of time; otherwise, he wouldn't have waited until today to leave.

"This, this really won't do!"

Seeing Xiao Xing urge him again, Luge's face looked very troubled, and he did not agree to take him as a disciple.

It might be due to the System's limitations, not allowing players to apprentice so easily, or perhaps he truly didn't want to delay Xiao Xing's Alchemy.

"Hmph, what do you mean it won't do?"

Seeing this, Xiaoyue puffed out her cheeks and snorted at Luge.

Then she grabbed Xiao Xing's hands and said softly:

"Brother Chen, if Daddy won't take you, I'll take you as my disciple."

Xiaoyue just wanted Xiao Xing to accompany her here; she didn't think much of it. Since her Favorability hadn't reached 80, she only considered Xiao Xing her best friend.

Since her father wouldn't take Xiao Xing, it was the same if she did. Although she was only an Elementary Alchemist, as long as Xiao Xing could stay here with her, it didn't matter who took him.

"Really?"

Xiao Xing was overjoyed. He pulled her into his arms and gave her a hard kiss, then continued:

"Ask me if I'm willing to become your disciple!"

Xiao Xing didn't care about anything else and directly taught her step-by-step how to take a disciple. As long as she asked, a prompt would pop up.

"Ah! Brother Chen, how can you be like this?"

Xiaoyue raised her head, her face completely flushed.