Old Man Tang's Dilemma

Keeping expectations at the lowest meant choosing the lowest-ranked sect. Not being of two minds meant making only one choice.

If Lu Ye had understood correctly, that was what Pang Dahai had meant by his final words.

The key question now was whether he should believe him!

After pondering for a moment, Lu Ye made his decision. He set down the brush in his hand and handed it, along with his Jade Token, to the Mustache cultivator across from him. "Senior Brother, I've made my choice."

Mustache raised a brow. "Not going to think it over some more?"

Lu Ye lowered his head to look. "No need."

His talent was so low it was frightening. Even if he chose another sect, it would probably be useless. Rather than that, he might as well place his hopes on the last sect, the Crimson Blood Sect. Pang Dahai had no reason to deliberately toy with him. After all, he had given the man two ores.

"Fine." Mustache nodded, collected Lu Ye's "preferences" and Jade Token, then glanced down at them. "So you're that Lu One Leaf."

"My name is Lu Ye, Senior Brother!" Lu Ye's eye twitched.

"I know, Lu One Leaf!" Mustache looked at him with a beaming smile, heavily stressing the word "One" in the middle.

Lu Ye wanted to curse. He had not even set foot in the martial world yet, and already he had a nickname. How was he supposed to get by in the future?

And who exactly had spread word of his One Leaf talent?

A moment later, Mustache had collected everyone's preferences. He shot into the sky, turning into a streak of light as he veered toward the mountainside to the east.

There was a cluster of palaces there, originally inhabited by Evil Moon Valley cultivators. Now, it had become the Vast Sky Alliance's temporary headquarters. Cultivators constantly came and went, while large quantities of confiscated supplies were piled up there awaiting distribution.

Without stopping along the way, he headed straight for the innermost palace. A female cultivator stood guard at the entrance to the main hall.

Seeing him arrive, the woman asked, "Is it all handled?"

Mustache replied, "They're all here."

"Give them to me. The elders are discussing the retreat. Once they're finished, I'll submit them."

"We're retreating already?" Mustache was clearly somewhat surprised.

The female cultivator said, "Myriad Demon Ridge reacted faster than expected. Several sects have already begun gathering their forces, so we need to leave quickly."

Mustache nodded in understanding. Although the Vast Sky Alliance had brought quite a few people this time, this was ultimately Myriad Demon Ridge territory. If another clash broke out, the other side could continuously send reinforcements, and the situation would then be unfavorable to them.

Evil Moon Valley had already been crushed, and they had reaped a great haul of benefits. This was naturally the time to quit while they were ahead.

After handing the stack of papers to the woman, Mustache quickly departed.

The female cultivator waited outside for a while longer before a vigorous voice came from within. "Bring them in."

Upon hearing this, she immediately pushed open the doors to the main hall.

There were only ten people inside, representing the ten major sects that had come to attack Evil Moon Valley. The man seated at the head had a stern appearance and an imposing air even without anger. He was none other than Pang Zhen of the Righteous Qi Sect, also the Vice Alliance Master of the Vast Sky Alliance. Among everyone present, his cultivation was the highest, having reached the Divine Sea Realm.

The woman approached Pang Zhen, respectfully placed the stack of papers in her arms before him, and said, "This disciple takes her leave!"

After she left, Pang Zhen casually flipped through the stack of papers before him, drew one out, and pushed the rest to the Spokesperson of Azure Jade Sect.

To Lu Ye and the others, every sheet of paper here carried their futures and dreams. But to people like Pang Zhen, these things were not worth examining closely.

Whenever they conquered territory occupied by Myriad Demon Ridge, they would rescue some people. Selecting those among them with the aptitude and talent for cultivation was merely an established custom.

Each of their sects had tens of thousands of disciples. Unless one's aptitude and talent were especially outstanding, who would spare them a second glance?

There was clearly no one among Lu Ye's group worthy of their particular attention.

The stack of over a hundred sheets passed before the spokespersons of one sect after another, gradually dwindling. When it reached the Spokesperson of Hundred Flowers Valley, he selected more than ten people. Just as he was about to pass it on, he suddenly seemed to discover something novel and raised his head toward the old man seated at the very end. "Old Man Tang, someone chose the Crimson Blood Sect."

The moment those words came out, even Pang Zhen, who had been giving instructions to the Spokesperson of Azure Jade Sect, could not help raising his head. "Really?"

He had merely plucked one person at random from the more than one hundred people earlier and had not carefully looked through the others at all.

The others also showed surprised expressions. Someone even laughed. "There's still someone among this batch of little ones with an eye for hidden gems..."

As if choosing the Crimson Blood Sect were something immensely remarkable.

The old man seated at the end, Old Man Tang, was precisely the elder who had brought Lu Ye out of the Mine Cave.

Old Man Tang also looked surprised upon hearing this. Although the Crimson Blood Sect had participated in many such operations, no one had ever chosen it—not even when those who had been rescued were given three chances to choose.

The Crimson Blood Sect's rank was too low. Anyone with even a little ambition or aspiration would never choose it.

Though surprised, Old Man Tang still waved his hand. "The Crimson Blood Sect does not accept disciples. You all know that." If not for the alliance rules, the Crimson Blood Sect's name would not even have appeared on that sheet of paper.

The Spokesperson of Hundred Flowers Valley said, "I'm afraid that won't do, Old Man Tang. He chose only the Crimson Blood Sect, and no one else chose the Crimson Blood Sect."

Old Man Tang looked astonished and held out his hand. "Let me see."

Taking the remaining papers from the Spokesperson of Hundred Flowers Valley, Old Man Tang carefully examined them one by one. As it turned out, just as the man had said, this person who had chosen the Crimson Blood Sect had made only one choice.

"Lu Ye..." Old Man Tang looked at the name on the Jade Token and immediately recalled the young man he had encountered in the Mine Cave. He was even more surprised. It was actually him.

The Spokesperson of Hundred Flowers Valley said, "According to alliance rules, in such a situation, the Crimson Blood Sect must accept him."

There was indeed such an alliance rule. The Vast Sky Alliance gave those who had been rescued three chances to choose, but if they used only one, then the chosen sect had to accept them—provided no one else had made the same choice. This rule was intended to give those single-mindedly devoted to the Dao a sliver of opportunity. Only a few spokespersons among the major sects knew of it; the rescued slaves would absolutely never know.

"This little fellow..." Old Man Tang was somewhat helpless. Lu Ye choosing the Crimson Blood Sect seemed to put him in a difficult position.

"Old Man Tang, the Crimson Blood Sect should accept a disciple as well," the Spokesperson of Hundred Flowers Valley urged. Then his tone shifted. "However, although this little fellow has opened one aperture, his talent seems somewhat lacking."

"What does poor talent matter? Talent does not represent everything. After cultivating for so many years, can none of you still see even this much?"

"Have you seen One Leaf's talent?"

"This is far too poor. How did he open his apertures?"

"But since he made this choice, the Crimson Blood Sect has no room to refuse."

"I'm only worried about the Pill Heart Sect..."

At the mention of the Pill Heart Sect, everyone immediately fell silent, as though something unspeakable had been brought up.

"Rules are rules! If the Pill Heart Sect has any objections, tell them to come find me!" Pang Zhen, who had remained silent until now, made the decision. "Old Man Tang, accept him. Although One Leaf's talent is not worth nurturing, at least preserve the Crimson Blood Sect first. This may not necessarily be a bad opportunity."

Old Man Tang pinched Lu Ye's Jade Token between his fingers. After a long while, he said, "I'll think it over."