Those Vying for Chief Disciple—More Than One?

Just as Li Yun left Azure Cloud Residence.

Another young man arrived at Luanbie Residence, the home of another Outer Sect Elder, Huang Yihe.

The young man had handsome brows and starry eyes, an exceptional bearing, and a trace of arrogance. Yet before Huang Yihe, he concealed it perfectly, appearing obedient and sensible.

The young man was Chu Xingyu.

He was the Chief Disciple of Rank 01 Academy, and also Huang Yihe's grandson.

"Grandfather, calling me here so late—are you suddenly going to test your grandson, or is there something you need me to do?"

Huang Yihe let out a scoff.

"What can you possibly help me with, with that little ability of yours?"

"I called you here to tell you that tomorrow morning, you are coming with me to Elder Hall. The title of Renzi Head Disciple will be decided tomorrow."

"What? Why is it so urgent?"

Chu Xingyu was greatly startled. Though he had long regarded the title of Renzi Head Disciple as something already in his pocket, he was still surprised by his grandfather's urgency.

It had only been a little over a month since they entered the sect. Under normal circumstances, the Chief Disciple would not be decided for at least another two months.

Huang Yihe snorted coldly. "I'm not the one in a hurry. Someone else is."

Chu Xingyu froze, seeming to understand something. A flicker of displeasure appeared on his face. "Grandfather, do you mean Li Yun from Rank 95 Academy?"

"I just don't understand."

"What is so remarkable about that Li Yun? He only has Rank 5 Aptitude. How could Elder Zhang Cong recommend someone like that to contend for the title of Renzi Head Disciple?"

"Could it be that Elder Zhang Cong has truly gone blind with age?"

Huang Yihe's expression turned cold as he rebuked, "Shut up!"

Chu Xingyu immediately shrank back, lowering his head as he said, "I'm sorry, Grandfather. I spoke out of turn."

Huang Yihe reprimanded him in dissatisfaction. "How many times have I told you? This is the Celestial Martial Sect, not our own home. Watch your words. What is your status, and what is Zhang Cong's status? Is whether he has gone blind with age something you are qualified to comment on?"

"Based on what you just said, if someone happened to overhear it—"

"You can forget about becoming the Renzi Head Disciple. Your candidacy would be rejected outright!"

"What is a Chief Disciple?"

"A Chief Disciple does not merely possess higher status and authority. He is also a model for tens of thousands of disciples. A disciple who does not even know how to respect the sect's elders is fundamentally unqualified to become Chief Disciple!"

"Do you understand?"

Chu Xingyu nodded repeatedly and admitted his mistake again and again, but deep down, he still felt unconvinced. He thought his grandfather was being far too fussy.

He had merely grumbled a few words, and he had said them in his grandfather's Luanbie Residence. So long as his grandfather did not spread them around, who would know?

What an old fossil!

"I hope you truly understand. Otherwise, even if I shamelessly push you into the position of Chief Disciple, I still cannot ensure that you enter the Inner Sect. You must walk your own path in the end, and how far you can go depends on your own ability."

Huang Yihe earnestly advised him for a while.

Only then did he say, "I received word that a young disciple entered Azure Cloud Residence tonight. He should be the Li Yun whom Zhang Cong recommended."

"I made some discreet inquiries before. Li Yun had been absent these past few days."

"Since he only appeared tonight, he must have just returned. But now that he has returned, given Zhang Cong's temperament, he will certainly bring Li Yun to Elder Hall tomorrow to settle the title of Renzi Head Disciple."

"So you must go tomorrow as well. Not only must you go, you must display abilities before the elders that leave everyone utterly convinced."

"Additionally, you must prepare yourself mentally."

"You and Li Yun are not the only ones aspiring to become Renzi Head Disciple. Over the past two days, I received word that elders from Rank 13 Academy, Rank 27 Academy, and Rank 66 Academy have all put forward candidates."

"If my guess is correct, they should appear tomorrow as well."

Chu Xingyu was stunned for a moment, but soon revealed a deep confidence. "Rest assured, Grandfather. Your grandson will not disappoint you. The Renzi Head Disciple will certainly be mine!"

Huang Yihe smiled. "Confidence is a good thing. As a Chief Disciple, you should have such confidence. But do not forget: confidence taken too far becomes arrogance."

"I know your strength. Minor Success in Zhuang Gong, along with Body Tempering Triple Layer cultivation. Your father spent a fortune to acquire an Enlightenment Fruit so that you could become Chief Disciple—indeed, you are extraordinary."

"But you must also understand that if other elders dare recommend candidates to vie for Chief Disciple, those candidates cannot possibly be mediocre. You must keep that firmly in mind. Otherwise, if you make a fool of yourself, it will become a stain for life."

"Yes, Grandfather. I understand. I will certainly remember your teachings."

"Very good. Then go back first."

"Your grandson takes his leave!"

Chu Xingyu respectfully performed a salute before withdrawing from Luanbie Residence. The instant he stepped out through its gates, a shadowy look surfaced on his handsome face.

"How outrageous! There are stray cats and dogs everywhere. What the hell are they worth, and they think they deserve to compete with me, Chu Xingyu, for Chief Disciple?"

"And Grandfather—what grandfather?"

"Just an old fossil. He is clearly an Outer Sect Elder, yet it takes him so much effort just to secure the position of Renzi Head Disciple for me. He is completely useless."

"And he wants me to keep a low profile and stay humble?"

"Why should I keep a low profile and stay humble when I have strength? If I am going to keep a low profile and stay humble, then what do I need strength for? What Chief Disciple title would I even be competing for? What a joke!"

"Tomorrow—tomorrow, I will let those elders see clearly who is the true heaven-blessed prodigy qualified to become Chief Disciple!"

Hongyun Residence.

The home of Outer Sect Elder Guo Hongyun.

She was an old woman with a head full of silver hair, yet a rosy complexion.

She too was carefully instructing a young disciple.

The Chief Disciple of Rank 66 Academy, Feng Ling!

She was an exceptionally adorable young woman, with a pair of large, watery eyes that seemed to carry a smile every moment of every day.

Interestingly, she was barefoot.

Her feet were as white as jade, her toes like translucent pearls, and a bell was tied to each ankle with a red string.

When she walked, they rang with a tinkling chime.

The sight left Guo Hongyun's face full of helplessness, and she could not help saying, "Feng Ling, can't you listen to me just once? Put on a pair of shoes, and take off those jingling bells. Is that really so difficult?"

"That sound is making stars dance before my eyes."

Feng Ling burst out laughing, her smile as brilliant as sunlight.

"But Elder, my mother said... this is the rule of our Feng Clan. Unless I find my destined husband, I cannot wear shoes, and I certainly cannot remove the bells."

"If I take them off early, my mother will beat me to death."

"I... forget it, forget it. Pretend I never said anything."

Guo Hongyun looked utterly helpless. "Do as you please. Just remember what I told you. Come with me to Elder Hall early tomorrow morning. With your aptitude, none but you can become Renzi Head Disciple."

"I know... Elder Guo, Auntie Hong... you really are so naggy."

"You... you're truly going to anger me to death. Go, go, go! Hurry back and rest. If you stay here any longer, jingling away, I'll lose half my life."