Humble Elders

After everyone left, the two stood there nervously, heads bowed and eyes fixed on their toes, fearing that Yun Zhi would hold them accountable for their attempted cheating.

It was a long while before they heard Yun Zhi speak slowly.

"I must say, I did not expect both of you to pass the trials and become disciples of our Ask Dao Sect."

"You both ranked among the best in all three trials, especially in the third stage, where one of you took first place and the other second. Taken together, your results are the best of the lot."

"But this does not mean you performed the best in this batch. For instance, the Ancient Barbarian Tribe member Man Gu you encountered, the Ascension Immortal Body Tao Yaoye who ranked behind you, and the Fire Spirit Root Li Haoran... are all geniuses who are in no way inferior to you."

Meng Jingzhou felt smug and gave Lu Yang a wink: "The Ascension Immortal Body is far rarer than a single spirit root, yet Senior Sister's evaluation was that she 'ranked behind us.' This shows how much she values us."

Lu Yang explained helplessly: "I think Senior Sister meant that the Ascension Immortal Body was behind us in the queue during the first trial."

"Although you performed well, you must not become arrogant or complacent. Once you formally begin your cultivation, you must remain grounded and guard against pride and impetuosity."

Hearing the increasingly stern tone in Senior Sister's voice, the two hurriedly promised to be diligent and not slack off in their future cultivation.

Seeing that their tone did not sound like mere lip service, Yun Zhi's expression softened slightly: "Since you gave me a ride, I shall grant you an opportunity."

"Meng Jingzhou, you possess a Pure Yang Spiritual Root, with qi and blood surging to the heavens; you are the nemesis of ghosts and spirits. Among the eight elders, the Third Elder is well-versed in this path. You may take him as your master."

Meng Jingzhou was overjoyed and hurriedly bowed in thanks: "Many thanks, Senior Sister."

"Lu Yang, you possess a Sword Spirit Root and are a natural seed for the sword path. The one most proficient in the sword path in this sect is my master, the Sect Master himself. You should take him as your master."

"But Senior Sister, you just said that the Sect Master has always disliked teaching disciples..." Lu Yang said in a low voice.

He noticed that when Senior Sister spoke to Meng Jingzhou, she said "you may take him as your master," but to him, she said "you should take him as your master." The implications were not quite the same.

"It is of no concern; I can decide the matter of apprenticeship for him." Yun Zhi's nonchalant tone made Lu Yang pause; it sounded as if the Sect Master would have no choice but to agree.

"I am merely offering a suggestion. Like the other disciples, you have a one-month adjustment period. After a month, you may decide who you wish to take as your master."

With that, Yun Zhi flew toward Heaven Gate Peak, where the Sect Master resided.

Heaven Gate Peak, the deliberation hall.

A clear water mirror was projected into the air. Through the use of spells, the contents could be seen clearly from any direction, displaying the entire process of the three trials.

Eight figures nodded, shook their heads, sighed in admiration, or scolded, each holding different opinions on the disciples who had passed. When the discussion grew heated, they nearly came to blows.

There had been precedents for this; among the eight figures were several hot-blooded individuals who, unable to win an argument, would resort to spell-dueling. What should have been a process of evaluating juniors and selecting disciples would devolve into impulsive brawls, giving the entire Ask Dao Sect a spectacle.

In light of this, the true bodies of the eight figures were not present; even if they truly lost their tempers, they would not actually fight.

"That lad Man Gu is good. A pure Ancient Barbarian Tribe bloodline, his brute strength is invincible among his peers, and his mind is simple. This person is perfect to receive my inheritance."

"It is a pity he is too simple-minded. The Ancient Barbarian Tribe perished precisely because of that. If there is an opportunity in the future, he can be cultivated with a focus on that."

"What do you mean 'perfect for your inheritance'? My artifact refining lineage hasn't had a suitable successor in ages. Man Gu is focused in his work; coming under my tutelage is the only logical choice!"

As the two elders argued, they grew agitated, then... rolled up their sleeves and continued to glare at each other.

The other elders ignored the two fools and continued their critique: "The Ascension Immortal Body—impervious to all techniques, flawless and peerless, destined for ascension. It has truly been a long time since we last saw one. If you calculate the time, the last time an Ascension Immortal Body appeared, we had only just joined the Ask Dao Sect."

"It is a pity that the previous one was too impatient in their cultivation. Before they could make a name for themselves on the Central Continent, they were too eager to reach the Great Perfection of the Immortal Body, suffered a backlash of internal heat, and died."

"Sixth Elder, you are the most familiar with the Immortal Body among us. Perhaps this girl has a fated connection with you."

"Li Haoran with the Fire Spirit Root is a good seedling for alchemy and artifact refining, but his personality is too volatile; he cannot settle his heart. In the third trial, he pushed himself to climb, determined to surpass Man Gu at the front, and exhausted his strength early. In the end, he was overtaken by others and became the last to pass."

"As for this Meng lad and Lu Yang, one has a Pure Yang Spiritual Root and the other a Sword Spirit Root. Both are top-tier seedlings, and their methods of passing were ingenious and breathtaking. Such good seedlings... Big Brother, why don't you go to the trouble of taking them in?"

"Indeed, indeed. You only have Dai Bufan as a disciple now, and Dai Bufan has already finished his apprenticeship and requires no further instruction. If you take these two geniuses now, wouldn't it be another fine tale once they succeed?"

"Get lost, all of you! You only know how to dodge the real issues. Given their methods of passing, if I take them both in, I'll never have a moment of peace. I just want to retire in peace and become a Grand Elder; don't bring me any trouble!"

"Second Elder, why don't you take them?"

"Do you want to see if I take you out first?"

The eight elders were remarkably humble; faced with two geniuses with single spirit roots, they showed not the slightest bit of interest.

Damn it, whoever took these two in would never have a peaceful day for the rest of their lives.

"Hey, look, that girl Yun Zhi is giving these two suggestions—one to apprentice under the Sect Master and the other under Old Third?!"

Everyone focused their gaze on the Third Elder. The Third Elder sighed in resignation; Yun Zhi's suggestion was not wrong—he was indeed the most suitable to cultivate a Pure Yang Spiritual Root.

Among the eight figures, the Third Elder was the most conspicuous. He was not tall, but he possessed a body of rippling muscle, and his qi and blood were as vigorous as a torch in the darkness; he was clearly a body cultivator.

It was said that in his youth, his qi and blood were so uncontrollable that he would often run into the spirit fields, push the ox-demons aside, and pull the plow himself to till the land.

"Speaking of which, has the Sect Master been in seclusion for nine years now?"

"It seems so."

Everyone remembered they still had a position called Sect Master, though it seemed to make little difference whether they had one or not.

"Then how is the one with the Sword Spirit Root supposed to apprentice?"

As they were speaking, they saw a graceful figure flying over on the clouds. The mist dissipated, revealing the figure of the Senior Sister.

"Yun Zhi greets all Senior Uncles."

Everyone hurriedly stood up to return the salute. With the Sect Master currently in seclusion, Yun Zhi held the authority of the Acting Sect Master and oversaw the entire sect, placing her status above that of the eight elders.

"Yun Zhi knows that all of you senior uncles have disciples you favor, but taking on a master is a matter of heavy karmic consequence that cannot be forced. I ask that you do not interfere too much when they are choosing their masters."

The elders naturally understood this, chuckling, "That goes without saying, that goes without saying. However, the Sword Spirit Root being taken in by the Sect Master—was that the Sect Master's intention, or was it yours...?"

At the mention of the Sect Master, Yun Zhi's brows furrowed with slight displeasure, and she replied coldly, "Is there a difference?"

The eight elders fell silent; indeed, there was no difference.

Jokes aside, if you made the decision, would the Sect Master dare to object?