The Modest Elders
After everyone left, the two of them nervously stared at their toes, afraid that Yunzhi would pursue the matter of their attempted cheating.
After a long silence, Yunzhi finally spoke slowly.
"I didn't expect both of you to pass the tests and become disciples of our Weidao Sect."
"You two ranked among the top in all three tests, especially in the third one, where you placed first and second respectively. Overall, your performance was the best."
"But that doesn't mean you were the best among this batch. For example, the ancient barbarian Manbone, the feathered immortal body Taoyao, and the fire spirit root Li Haoran, who were behind you, are all talents no less than you."
Meng Jingzhou, feeling quite confident, winked at Lu Yang. "The feathered immortal body is even rarer than a single spirit root, but Senior Martial Sister said they 'were behind us'. That's how much she values us."
Lu Yang explained helplessly, "Senior Martial Sister meant that the feathered immortal body was lined up behind us in the first test."
"Although you did well, don't become arrogant. When you start cultivating, you need to be down-to-earth and avoid complacency."
Hearing Senior Martial Sister's increasingly serious tone, the two quickly promised to work diligently in their future cultivation without negligence.
Seeing that they weren't just being perfunctory, Yunzhi's expression eased slightly. "Since you gave me a ride, I'll give you a chance."
"Meng Jingzhou, you have a pure yang spirit root, with abundant qi and blood, a nemesis of ghosts and demons. Among the eight elders, the Third Elder is proficient in this path. You can become his disciple."
Meng Jingzhou was delighted and quickly thanked her. "Thank you, Senior Martial Sister."
"Lu Yang, you have a sword spirit root and are a natural swordsmanship prodigy. Our sect's master of swordsmanship is our sect leader, also known as the Label. You should become his disciple."
"But Senior Martial Sister, you just said that the Label doesn't like teaching disciples..." Lu Yang said in a low voice.
He noticed that Senior Martial Sister had said to Meng Jingzhou, "You can become his disciple," but to him, she said, "You should become his disciple." The implications were different.
"It's fine. I can decide on the matter of becoming a disciple on his behalf," Yunzhi said lightly, making Lu Yang stumble. It sounded like the Label had to agree whether he wanted to or not.
"I'm just giving suggestions. Like the other disciples, you have a one-month adaptation period. You can decide who to become disciples of after that."
With that, Yunzhi flew towards Tianmen Peak where the Label was located.
...
Tianmen Peak, Council Hall.
A sleek water mirror was projected in the air. With the use of magic, it could be seen clearly from any direction. It displayed the entire process of the three tests.
Eight figures nodded, shook their heads, praised, or scolded, having different opinions about the disciples who passed the tests. When the discussion became heated, they almost started fighting.
There had been precedents for this. Among the eight figures, there were a few hot-headed individuals who would resort to magic when they couldn't convince others. What was supposed to be a process of evaluating and selecting junior disciples turned into a matter of emotions, with powerful figures engaging in magic battles, much to the amazement of the entire Weidao Sect.
In light of this, the true forms of the eight figures were not present. Even if they got really upset, they wouldn't start fighting.
"Manbone is a good kid. With pure ancient barbarian blood, he's unbeatable in his stage with his brute strength, and he has a simple mind. He's suitable for inheriting my legacy."
"It's just that he's too simple. That's why the ancient barbarians perished. We should focus on cultivating him when we have the chance."
"What do you mean he's suitable for your legacy? My artifact refinement sect hasn't had a suitable successor in a long time. Manbone is dedicated. He should join my sect!"
The two elders got heated as they spoke and then... rolled up their sleeves and continued to glare at each other.
The other elders ignored these two fools and continued their evaluation. "The feathered immortal body, invulnerable to all dharmas, immaculate and unparalleled, ascending to immortality like a feather—it's been a long time since we last saw one. If I recall, the last time a feathered immortal body appeared was when we just joined the Weidao Sect."
"It's a pity that the last feathered immortal body cultivated too impatiently. Before making a name for himself on the Central Continent, he was eager to reach the peak of immortality and died from internal heat."
"Sixth Elder, you're the most familiar with immortal bodies among us. Perhaps this girl is destined to be with you."
"Li Haoran with the fire spirit root is a good candidate for both alchemy and artifact refinement, but he's too impatient and can't calm down. In the third test, he was determined to climb up and surpass Manbone, exhausting his strength too early. Towards the end, he was overtaken by others and became the last one to pass."
"As for Meng and Lu Yang, one with a pure yang spirit root and the other with a sword spirit root, they're both top-notch talents. Their method of passing the tests was also ingenious, astonishing everyone. Such good talents... Big Brother, why don't you take them under your wing?"
"Indeed, indeed. You only have one disciple now, Daibufan, who can be considered graduated and no longer needs guidance. If you take these two talents, when they become successful in the future, it will be another great story."
"Get out of here, always dodging the important issues. If I take them, I won't have a peaceful day. I just want to retire peacefully and become a senior elder. Don't cause me trouble!"
"Second Elder, why don't you take them?"
"Do you believe I'll take you first?"
The eight elders were very modest, showing no interest in the two single spirit root talents.
D*mn it, whoever takes these two won't have a peaceful life in the latter half of their days.
"Hey, look, Yunzhi is giving them suggestions. One should become a disciple of the Label, and the other should join the Third Elder's sect?!"
Everyone focused their attention on the Third Elder. The Third Elder sighed resignedly. Yunzhi's suggestion wasn't wrong. He was the most suitable to cultivate the pure yang spirit root.
Among the eight figures, the Third Elder was the most burly, with a muscular body and qi and blood so vigorous that he resembled a torch in the dark, a typical physical cultivator.
It was said that when he was young, his qi and blood were so abundant that he couldn't control them. He often went to the spirit fields and pushed the ox demons aside, pulling the plow and cultivating the land himself.
"Come to think of it, hasn't the Label been in seclusion for nine years now?"
"It seems so."
Everyone remembered that they still had a Label position, but it didn't seem to make much difference whether they had one or not.
"So, how will the sword spirit root find a master?"
As they were speaking, they saw a beautiful figure flying over on a cloud. The clouds dispersed, revealing Senior Martial Sister Yunzhi.
"Yunzhi greets the senior uncles."
Everyone quickly stood up and bowed. With the Label in seclusion, Yunzhi was acting as the sect leader, overseeing the entire sect, and her status was above the eight elders.
"Yunzhi knows that each of you senior uncles has a favorite disciple in mind, but becoming a disciple is a matter of great因果 (karma/cause and effect), and it cannot be forced. Please don't interfere too much when they choose their masters."
The elders naturally knew this and chuckled. "Of course, of course. But is it the Label's idea for the sword spirit root to become his disciple, or is it...?"
When it came to the Label, Yunzhi furrowed her brows, showing some displeasure, and responded coldly, "Does it make a difference?"
The eight elders fell silent. Indeed, it didn't make a difference.
Joking aside, the decisions you make, how dare the Label oppose them?