Choosing a Master

As the zither music constantly shifted, the alternating sensations of scorching heat and biting cold within the heart became difficult to endure. As the frequency gradually accelerated, howls of wolves echoed from within the valley, and many began to lose their composure, descending into madness.

These people naturally could not escape the fate of being eliminated.

A quarter of an hour later, the old man stopped and stood up, wiping the heavy sweat from his forehead. He turned to the disciple beside him and asked, "How many are left?"

"Second Sect Master, half a quarter of an hour ago there were a hundred left; by now, there should be fewer than twenty," the disciple replied.

"Good. I can't play anymore even if I wanted to. These twenty may choose an elder as their master; send the rest to the various protectors!" After saying this, the old man stood up, put away his zither, and left.

The Cloud Saint Sect has five great Sect Masters, all of whom are super experts above the Spirit King realm. Below them are the elders at the Spirit King realm, numbering about twenty, followed by the protectors, all of whom are at the Spirit Commander level.

Sect Masters, elders, and protectors form the core strength of the entire Cloud Saint Sect. Below the protectors are the core disciples and entry-level disciples. Core disciples are all at the Spirit General level, while entry-level disciples are primarily at the Spirit Scholar level, though some are at the Spirit Entry level.

The hundred disciples who passed the test this time are all entry-level disciples. Their future depends on their individual potential; once they reach the Spirit General level, they are automatically promoted to core disciples. As one's strength increases by a realm, their position rises accordingly, and their status and treatment naturally improve as well.

Of course, even among the entry-level disciples at the very bottom, status and standing differ. Generally speaking, disciples under an elder have a higher status than those under a protector.

As the zither music faded, Sanbao slowly opened his eyes and looked around. There were fewer than twenty testers left in the valley. To his slight surprise, there was an acquaintance among them—the very same noble young master who had cursed others as "cats and dogs" during the preliminary test. It seemed he had some real ability; Sanbao took note of him.

At the same time, the other dozen or so people were also sizing each other up. After all, these people were likely the most talented among this batch of entry-level disciples, and future sparring or competition was inevitable.

On the massive plaza of the Cloud Saint Sect's main hall—the Cloud Saint Hall—over a hundred newly promoted entry-level disciples stood neatly before a high platform. They were undergoing the final procedure before officially joining: Master Selection.

Unlike most sects where masters choose their disciples, the Cloud Saint Sect stipulates that newly joined disciples have the right to choose their own masters. At this moment, everyone held a small booklet in their hands—the Master Selection Manual.

The manual contained brief introductions to all twenty-plus elders and over a hundred protectors of the Cloud Saint Sect, making it easier for the new disciples to choose their preferred mentor.

Huang Tianhu, Elder, Spirit King, practices fire-type techniques, excels in offense, has a fiery temper, is fond of wine and women, and has over ten disciples.

Li Tianlai, Protector, Spirit Commander, practices earth and wood dual-type techniques, excels in stealth, has a fast speed, is steady in nature, detests the lazy, and has twenty disciples.

Zhao Fengqin... does not give men the time of day, has eight disciples, all of whom are women. Male disciples must not choose her as a master, or else they will face a fate worse than death.

Jing Yifei, Elder, Spirit King, fire-type expert, solitary and arrogant, currently has no disciples.

Zhao Youdao, Elder, Head of the Enforcement Hall...

As he flipped through the booklet, Sanbao's expression became increasingly colorful. This wasn't a Master Selection Manual; it was a book of secrets.

However, it was for the best. After flipping through the entire booklet, he had "met" all the high-level members of the Cloud Saint Sect, save for the few Sect Masters. Just as everyone was reading with great interest, Elder Zhao Youdao, the Head of the Enforcement Hall on the high platform, shouted loudly:

"Everyone, pay attention! The eighteen people remaining from the test have the right to choose an elder as their master; of course, you may also choose a protector. The rest can only choose to be under a protector. Do not choose incorrectly, lest you waste your efforts."

"Why would anyone choose a protector if they can choose an elder? Are they sick?" the noble young master shouted loudly again.

"You're the one who's sick. The most suitable one is the best, don't you understand?" another disciple, who was among the final eighteen but intended to choose a protector, retorted.

"With that kind of ambition, I don't know how you managed to make it to the end," the noble young master sneered, refusing to back down.

"Hmph, then we must spar when we have the time," the two locked horns. If not for the presence of so many Cloud Saint Sect experts, they likely would have started fighting already.

"If only I could be apprenticed to an elder; they are Spirit King powerhouses. Just thinking about it makes me excited..."

"I don't know which backwater village that bumpkin came from. What's so great about a Spirit King? A Spirit Emperor is a true powerhouse..."

The youths below the platform discussed in a hubbub, making for a lively scene. The people from the Cloud Saint Sect on the high platform were long used to this; every master selection was like this.

"Alright, before the final selection, I must solemnly remind everyone: although you have entered the Cloud Saint Sect, it does not mean you can stay on Cloud Mountain forever. Disciples who do not reach the Spirit General level before the age of twenty-five will be demoted to outer sect disciples and sent into the secular world. Without immense merit, it will be impossible to return to the sect."

"Therefore, from the first day you enter the sect, for the sake of the Cloud Saint Sect and for yourselves, you must cultivate diligently and strive to become core disciples as soon as possible so that you can stay on Cloud Mountain for a long time."

A stir ran through the crowd. Clearly, many were confused by this cruel and aggressive sect rule, but they soon calmed down.

Survival of the fittest is the rule of this world, and there was nothing more to say. Besides, these entry-level disciples were all exceptionally talented; none of them believed they couldn't reach the Spirit General level before twenty-five.

This was just a small interlude, and soon, the master selection became the main theme once again.

"I choose Protector Li Tianlai."

"I choose Elder Zhao Youdao."

"I choose..."

Before long, everyone had chosen their master and were led away by the relevant disciples of the Cloud Saint Sect to perform the apprenticeship rites.

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, most of the new disciples on the plaza had chosen their mentors. By the time Sanbao decided who to pick, only a dozen or so relatively mature disciples remained around him, all looking conflicted. After all, the people in the manual were just names; without seeing them in person, it was truly difficult to choose.

"Senior Brother, I choose Elder Jing Yifei..."

After half a cup of tea's time, Sanbao finally reported to a Cloud Saint Sect disciple in charge of registration.

"What? You choose Elder Jing? I think you'd better pick someone else. Elder Jing is not an ordinary elder; he is cold, arrogant, and solitary. It is said that he doesn't even look at some of the Sect Masters. Most people can't stand him..." The Cloud Saint Sect disciple looked at Sanbao, seemingly feeling he was too young, and whispered a warning.

"Senior Brother, do you know why?" Sanbao asked in a low voice.

"I joined five years ago. At that time, several fellow disciples insisted on apprenticing under Elder Jing, but they all transferred to other elders later. It is said that besides making them act as fire boys, that Elder Jing never cares about his disciples' cultivation, let alone teaching them any good Spirit Skills or giving them treasures."

The kind-hearted senior brother whispered a few more words in Sanbao's ear.

"Then I'll go and try it out~"

The senior brother's warning only served to strengthen Sanbao's resolve.

He didn't need any Spirit Skills, nor did he need a master's guidance. That place had the fewest people, which was best. The manual stated it clearly: Jing Yifei, currently no disciples. That was the peace and quiet he wanted. Moreover, since Jing Yifei was so arrogant and solitary, he must have something extraordinary about him.

"You, you, fine, I hope you won't regret this," the kind senior brother widened his eyes, seemingly trying to figure out what exactly was wrong with the junior brother before him to make him so ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth.

"Let's go, I'll take you there." Before long, the remaining dozen or so new disciples had all chosen their sects and were led away by the organizers of the Cloud Saint Sect, while it was still that same kind senior brother who led Sanbao to pay his respects to his master.

"I'm sorry to trouble you, senior brother. I actually have a few questions I'd like to ask you as well."

As the two chatted along the way, Sanbao finally learned that the Cloud Mountain range was vast, encompassing hundreds of peaks, yet the total number of people in the Cloud Saint Sect was no more than a thousand (excluding outer sect disciples), which could be described as a sparsely populated area with plenty of land.

Because of this, the cultivation grounds of some of the elders and protectors of the Cloud Saint Sect were very scattered, and some places were even quite remote; the cultivation ground of Jing Yifei was exactly like that.

The two walked slowly along a small stone path for a full half hour before finally arriving in front of a large mountain.

"Junior brother Sanbao, Elder Jing is on this mountain. You can just take this Inscription Tablet and go pay your respects. I won't go up. Take care, haha." The kind senior brother gave a bitter smile, seemingly still feeling sorry for Sanbao.