Two Masters

Thinking this, Zhang Wan made up his mind: he had to do well on this exam.

Picking up his pen, Zhang Wan began to answer the questions.

He went through the questions and answers in one go, without much hesitation.

Although some of the questions on the exam were difficult, they couldn't stump Zhang Wan. Relying on his EXP and his own hard work, he had achieved considerable accomplishments in both martial arts and spirit planting.

He couldn't compare to veteran Spirit Planters or some established Postnatal martial artists, but among martial artists of the same realm, there weren't many who could surpass him.

Even so, Zhang Wan still held back slightly, deliberately getting some questions wrong.

Controlling his score was his specialty!

He just wanted to find a backer; he had no interest in being too talented or too eye-catching and attracting trouble.

After finishing the exam, he handed the paper to Xu Mao. Xu Mao told Zhang Wan to go back for now and that he would notify him when the results were out.

Zhang Wan then returned to his small courtyard from the Fourth Branch.

The exam was done; the rest depended on what the branch wanted to do.

After all, it was just his guess that the branch wanted to cultivate him.

It was also possible they had something for him to do and wanted to assess his capabilities first.

Anything was possible.

After Zhang Wan left, Xu Mao took the exam paper to two vice branch leaders.

After reviewing it, Wang Yue and Li Guannian admired Zhang Wan even more.

"Although there are still some areas for improvement, it's truly remarkable to have such insight in both martial arts and spirit planting at this age."

"Indeed. So, Old Li, I'm taking this disciple!"

"Old Wang, you think I'll give up?"

The two vice branch leaders, Wang Yue and Li Guannian, were like fire and water, neither willing to let go.

Their situations were similar: both were Ninth Level Postnatal martial artists with many disciples and descendants. However, they were both old and didn't have much time left.

Yet, among their disciples and descendants, there wasn't a single person who could take over.

The most outstanding disciple only had Seventh Level Postnatal cultivation; reaching Eighth Level Postnatal was difficult, let alone Ninth Level.

Without Ninth Level Postnatal cultivation, they couldn't inherit their positions.

When they passed away, their large group of disciples and descendants would lose their backing, and their status within the Sect would immediately plummet.

Their future wouldn't be easy.

This was especially true for their blood descendants.

Compared to their disciples, some of whom were outstanding, their blood descendants were far less capable.

When they died, their disciples would also lose their backing and have to focus more on consolidating their own positions. Even if they still helped their blood descendants, they wouldn't be able to offer much assistance.

Their descendants, he feared, would decline all the way down, eventually becoming mortals or perishing in the Sect's conflicts.

Wang Yue and Li Guannian knew well that they had become vice branch leaders of the Dust Bone Fourth Branch by defeating many others. They had many enemies within the Sect.

Once they died, fellow disciples who held grudges against them, those coveting the vice branch leader positions, and those eyeing the interests held by their disciples and descendants would definitely make a move against them.

Without the protection of someone who was also a Ninth Level Postnatal martial artist, the best outcome would be to become ordinary disciples of the Sect. Worse, many would lose their lives because of it.

Internal conflicts within the Sect, while rarely involving direct killing, were still plentiful. Many used other methods to send opponents to their deaths.

The brutality and cruelty were no less than direct combat.

Now, encountering an outer disciple with martial arts talent, who had the potential to cultivate to Ninth Level Postnatal, and who was also skilled in cultivating spirit plants, they saw someone who could perfectly take over their positions once grown. Neither of them wanted to miss out.

For the future of their disciples and clansmen, they had to take this person under their wing!

Neither Wang Yue nor Li Guannian could convince the other, but there was no need to fight over it.

They had a deep friendship and shared the same predicament; there was no need for a life-or-death struggle.

After some deliberation, they finally reached an agreement.

Since neither was willing to let go, they would cultivate him together! With the combined strength of the two of them, they could better cultivate a Ninth Level Postnatal martial artist!

As long as their faction had a Ninth Level Postnatal martial artist, even if their blood descendants remained incapable, they wouldn't have to worry about them being secretly killed at some unknown time.

Even if this generation was a failure, with connections within the Sect, the next generation would still have a chance to rise again.

"However, if the two of us cultivate him together, it's clearly grooming him as an heir. Those people in the Sect won't let him grow easily."

"Even some of our own disciples and descendants are not clear-headed and might target him."

"What of it? We're not looking for a lamb."

"If they are still defeated with us backing them, then let them be defeated!"

"Only those who can withstand the storms and grow are the heirs we need. Otherwise, he will still be easily eliminated in the brutal competition later on!"

The next day, Xu Mao went to find Zhang Wan.

On the way, Xu Mao congratulated Zhang Wan and told him that the exam yesterday was arranged by the branch leader of the Fourth Branch, and now, the branch leader intended to take him as a disciple.

This situation caught Zhang Wan a bit by surprise. He had expected some benefits, but not this kind.

An apprentice to the branch leader? That wasn't out of the question.

Although Zhang Wan didn't need a master, having one wouldn't be a problem.

Moreover, being the apprentice of a branch leader, if used well, could bring considerable advantages.

Zhang Wan prepared himself to formally accept a master.

But when he arrived at the designated location, he discovered that it wasn't one person taking him on as a disciple, but two!

Instantly, Zhang Wan felt a wave of frustration.

He could accept one master; it fit his needs perfectly. It wouldn't be too high-profile, and no random person would treat him like a pig to be bullied.

Two masters? And both of them vice-branch leaders at that!

This was going to be difficult!

It was far too high-profile!

Anyone with a brain would immediately realize that someone favored by two vice-branch leaders simultaneously couldn't be ordinary. While it achieved the goal of not being easily bullied, it was far too conspicuous! So conspicuous, in fact, that it would attract countless curious glances, jealousy, and probing.

People would immediately recognize his potential and threat, and countless fellow disciples striving for advancement would see him as a rival!

Even other martial path forces with conflicts against the Jade Bone Sect would want to eliminate such a promising Jade Bone Sect disciple early on.

The number of martial artists wanting to get rid of him would explode!

This represented endless trouble!

Zhang Wan's scalp felt like it was about to split!

What were these two guys even thinking? Taking me on as a disciple together?

What exactly did they see in me? I can change it if you tell me!

Zhang Wan was inwardly cursing, but he still went through with the ceremony on the spot.

At this point, refusal was pointless.

Directly refusing would immediately offend both of these Ninth Level Postnatal vice-branch leaders. It was no different from inviting trouble by having two masters.

But Zhang Wan was already displeased with the two of them. Harmony between master and disciple in the future? Zhang Wan sneered inwardly. If these two didn't offer him something truly valuable, he wouldn't be able to swallow this insult!