Feng Xiangtian's expression shifted between light and dark, his gaze sweeping back and forth between the three elders and Yue Qianchou. No one spoke in the room, and the atmosphere immediately became exceedingly strange. Cheng Gengqing grew a little flustered, sweat gradually appearing on his forehead. Did I do something wrong?
Damn it! What the hell was going on? It had been nearly an hour already. If they did not want to take me in, they could just say so. Did they think I was afraid of them? If it came down to it, I'd just leave. Yue Qianchou, who had been standing there respectfully, also began to simmer with anger and straightened his slightly bent waist.
His movement made Feng Xiangtian's eyes light up as he watched him. The one who tied the bell must untie it. This brat caused the trouble, so he'll have to solve it. With that thought, he finally felt reassured. A smile appeared on his face, and after a light cough, he said to Yue Qianchou, "Your name is Yue Qianchou, correct? Hmm, not a bad name. Since you have brought our sect's Fu Xian Token, our sect will naturally grant your request and accept you into our ranks. From today onward, you are a disciple of Fu Xian Island. What level has your cultivation reached? Tell us."
Yue Qianchou was overjoyed and hurriedly bowed. "Thank you, Sect Master, for taking me in. This disciple is deeply grateful. My cultivation is shallow; I have only just reached Level Ten Qi Refining."
The four Old Fellows in the room stiffened at once. Feng Xiangtian in particular felt rather awkward. With his mid Tribulation stage cultivation, he had actually been unable to see that Yue Qianchou was at Level Ten Qi Refining.
"Level Ten Qi Refining..." Feng Xiangtian muttered several times. This differed somewhat from his original plan, but it was even better this way. He frowned and said, "Yue Qianchou, there are some things I must tell you. Although this token allows you to join Fu Xian Island, our sect has a rule: anyone who fails Foundation Establishment three times will be expelled from Fu Xian Island. Since you have not yet broken through to the Foundation Establishment Realm, you must naturally abide by this rule as well. Think it over carefully! If you regret it, you may take this Fu Xian Token back now and join our sect after you break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm."
Feng Xiangtian was telling the truth, but his words also carried an element of intimidation. His aim was simply to make Yue Qianchou retreat in the face of difficulty and toss this hot potato of a Fu Xian Token back to him, leaving him in peace.
The three elders' expressions changed when they heard Feng Xiangtian say this, but they had no reason to stop him. They all stared at Yue Qianchou, waiting to see his reaction. He did not disappoint them. Yue Qianchou had long heard these rules from Guan Yu and had already thought them through. He immediately shook his head. "Being able to join Fu Xian Island, the greatest sect of the Righteous Path, has been my lifelong dream. Since I have come, this disciple will never regret it."
"Very good." Feng Xiangtian nodded impassively. "Yue Qianchou, take the token back! When an elder of the sect chooses you as a disciple, hand the token over to that elder."
As he spoke, he spread his palm, and the token slowly flew before Yue Qianchou. Once Yue Qianchou caught it, he continued, "Cheng Gengqing, take him to register his name, and find him a place to stay while you are at it."
Cheng Gengqing accepted the order. After Yue Qianchou also expressed his thanks, the two withdrew from the sect master's room.
After the room had remained silent for some time, Elder Huang suddenly spoke from the side. "Sect Master, there is no need to trouble the other elders. Why not have this brat come to my Artifact Refining Pavilion and do some odd jobs?"
"That would not do." Elder Fei smiled. "Elder Huang, the Sect Master just said that Myriad Fragrance Garden needs more hands to increase the production of spirit herbs. I think this brat is quite suitable. He should come to my Myriad Fragrance Garden instead!"
"Bullshit!" Elder Guan of the Alchemy Pavilion cursed. Rising to his feet, he glared fiercely at the other two elders. "You two Old Fellows, cut it out. Do not think I do not know what you are plotting. There is only one token. If everyone wants him, then let each rely on his own ability. Otherwise, I will be the first to object. Hmph! Sect Master, I shall take my leave." With that, he turned and left.
Elder Fei and Elder Huang looked at each other after being cursed, and knowing they could not afford to provoke him, neither dared say a word. After Elder Guan left, the two seemed to remember something and immediately stood to bid the Sect Master farewell. In an instant, the sect master's room had been emptied completely.
Seeing that he was the only one left, Feng Xiangtian secretly counted himself fortunate. If he had not thought of this method, the trouble would have been immense. These three elders alone had already made such a fuss. If all fifty-odd elders came together... No, he had to inform the others too, or it would still be troublesome.
With that thought, Feng Xiangtian took out a piece of jade, struck it with a hand seal, muttered a few words, then crushed it in his hand. Only then did he let out a breath of relief.
After Yue Qianchou and Cheng Gengqing went downstairs, Cheng Gengqing wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "Yue Qianchou, you are the first Qi Refining stage disciple the Sect Master has spoken so much to. I benefited from your good fortune as well. Once I hand over the spirit stones, I will take you to register."
Yue Qianchou had no objections. Accompanying Cheng Gengqing, he quickly counted and handed over the spirit stones. The two then went to the place where new disciples were registered and recorded. Since they explained that it was the Sect Master's decree, everything proceeded smoothly there as well.
As they left Penglai Pavilion, Cheng Gengqing smiled. "Yue Qianchou, congratulations. From today onward, you are a disciple of Fu Xian Island."
"This journey has troubled Senior Ancestor Cheng." Yue Qianchou thanked him with genuine sincerity. As a newcomer who had only just arrived, and in this cold and indifferent Cultivation World, meeting someone who spoke to him with kindness was truly an exceedingly rare thing.
"It was merely a convenient matter. No need to be polite." Cheng Gengqing waved his hand, then suddenly frowned. "You have not yet chosen a master, so I am afraid you have nowhere to stay for now. Why not stay with me first? Once you have decided which elder will be your master, you can go with your master."
Yue Qianchou thought that made sense. Besides, following someone he knew would indeed be much more convenient. Just as he was about to nod in agreement, he suddenly heard laughter behind him. "Then simply take me as your master and come stay at my Alchemy Pavilion."
Yue Qianchou turned around and saw that it was one of the elders he had met earlier. Before he could react, Cheng Gengqing had already bowed and said, "Elder Guan." He could only follow suit and bow as well.
"Ha ha! No need for formalities, no need for formalities." Elder Guan stood with his hands behind his back, smiling as he stared at Yue Qianchou. He circled Yue Qianchou twice, as though he had spotted some priceless treasure. Yue Qianchou's skin crawled under his gaze. He only knew the man was an elder and had no idea what exactly he did. Combined with the medicinal scent emanating from him, Yue Qianchou could not help thinking of those medical lunatics who loved using human bodies for experiments.
Elder Guan stopped circling him, putting on a kindly expression with his old face. "Yue Qianchou, how about I become your master?"
"Uh..." Yue Qianchou did not know how to answer. Something felt wrong. An elder of Fu Xian Island, the greatest sect of the Righteous Path, was actually rushing to become his master? Looking again at Cheng Gengqing's slightly astonished expression, there was definitely something fishy here! Absolutely something fishy!
"Ha ha!" A hearty laugh rang out. Yue Qianchou turned to look and saw the other two elders he had met earlier walking over together. Cheng Gengqing bowed again. "Elder Fei, Elder Huang." Yue Qianchou had no choice but to bow along with him once more.
"Ha ha!" The two elders laughed and said in unison, "No need for formalities." Elder Fei looked at Yue Qianchou with a smile. "Yue Qianchou, you should become my disciple instead!"
"Yue Qianchou, I had the same thought. Come with me!" Elder Huang added.
"Ah!" Yue Qianchou and Cheng Gengqing froze in unison. Beside them, Elder Guan's face instantly changed from sunshine to storm clouds, becoming extremely unpleasant.
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