Snatching a Disciple

"You freak, are you looking to spar with me?"

Meng Yao's eyes held a chill as she glared at Gui Xing with ill intent, a faint ripple of energy emanating from her swaying figure.

Gui Xing refused to back down, sneering, "What a joke. None of you stepped up earlier because you were afraid of losing face, so I was the only one who did. Now that you've seen someone else's talent, you all want a piece of the action? You lot really have thick skin!"

Meng Yao retorted coldly, "Did I say I wasn't going to step in? Show me the proof! I hadn't even said a word before you jumped in and snatched the opportunity!"

Gui Xing froze. It was true that Meng Yao hadn't actually spoken yet before he had stepped forward. For a moment, even Gui Xing felt a wave of awkwardness.

"Cough, cough. Well, let's just leave it at that. You already have four or five disciples, so don't fight me for this one!"

Meng Yao said dismissively, "So what if I have five or six? Those few are all useless trash. After all these years, not a single one has reached the Grandmaster level. How could they compare to Yang Chen?"

Gui Xing's expression soured. At this moment, Elder Wang spoke up with a smile, "Everyone, are we really starting the bidding war already? Besides, shouldn't we get the consent of the person involved? Right?"

Elder Wang stood up and walked over to Yang Chen with a smile. He released a strand of spiritual energy, which enveloped Yang Chen's body before merging into his core.

Suddenly, Yang Chen felt a warm current flowing through his meridians. After circulating through his body for a moment, the sense of weakness vanished, replaced by a surging feeling of power.

Yang Chen climbed to his feet and brushed the dust off his clothes. Only after clashing with Gui Xing did he realize just how terrifying a Grandmaster-level powerhouse truly was.

Even though his own physical strength had reached the Grandmaster level, he was still significantly weaker compared to a genuine Grandmaster!

However, Yang Chen had still held back—specifically, his Devour Ability.

Although everyone present was a Grandmaster from Number 98, if his Devour Ability were exposed, he might not make it out of this building alive.

It was inevitable that some would covet his ability!

Having overheard the conversation between Gui Xing and Meng Yao, Yang Chen offered a bitter smile. "Seniors, you flatter this junior. What right or ability do I have to become your disciple?"

The implication was clear: he didn't want to be their disciple.

Chen Tianxin's brows twitched slightly. He looked at Yang Chen in surprise and laughed.

Good lad, quite arrogant, aren't you?

You think no one here is qualified to be your master?

In truth, that was exactly what Yang Chen was thinking. After all, he had the system. As long as he had time, he could just keep checking in—what need did he have for a master?

Even without training, he could become a powerhouse just by relying on check-ins!

"Kid, do you even know how the Grandmaster realm is divided?"

Chen Tianxin took a sip of his coffee and spoke slowly.

The Grandmaster realm is divided?

Yang Chen was stunned. He truly hadn't known that there were subdivisions within the Grandmaster realm; he had assumed it was the pinnacle.

But given Chen Tianxin's words, that was clearly not the case!

"How is it divided?"

"What we call a 'Grandmaster' is merely a collective term for those above the S-Class. There are many realms within the Grandmaster level; otherwise, how do you think we distinguish our strength? These are things only S-Class ability users are meant to know, but since you possess a Grandmaster Body, you've essentially stepped halfway into the realm, so you're entitled to know."

Chen Tianxin paused before continuing, "The Grandmaster level is divided into Grandmaster, Shackle, and Heaven Gate!"

"Grandmaster is the realm above S-Class, but above that lie the Shackle and Heaven Gate realms. Every time you break through a realm, you gain supreme, overwhelming power!"

Yang Chen's heart stirred. So there were so many realms beyond Grandmaster. It seemed he had underestimated this world of spiritual recovery, thinking Grandmaster was the peak of invincibility.

"Among the five of us, three are in the Shackle Realm, and one is a standard Grandmaster. As for the Heaven Gate Realm, there are fewer than ten on the entire planet!"

"Your Grandmaster Body has barely reached the early stage of the Grandmaster realm. Gui Xing is a Shackle Realm cultivator, so it's perfectly normal that you couldn't defeat him. If you had faced an early-stage Grandmaster, you might not have lost!"

Chen Tianxin looked at Yang Chen with a smile, offering the explanation.

Yang Chen nodded, suddenly enlightened.

So that was it. No wonder he had felt a sense of insurmountable pressure when facing Gui Xing earlier.

The man was actually a Shackle Realm powerhouse!

"Heh heh, kid, how about it? A Shackle Realm expert like me—is that qualified enough to be your master? That little girl Meng Yao is only a standard Grandmaster!"

Gui Xing said with excitement.

He truly valued Yang Chen's talent. To reach the A-Class level at such a young age—even he hadn't reached A-Class until he was twenty-five or twenty-six.

Moreover, Yang Chen wasn't just A-Class; he possessed a Grandmaster Body. Even if he didn't know how Yang Chen had achieved it, it was still a gift!

"So what if I'm a Grandmaster? Shackle Realm? My man is in the Heaven Gate Realm!"

Meng Yao was immediately displeased. She put her hands on her hips and began to berate Gui Xing.

Gui Xing gave a sheepish smile, clearly not daring to provoke the woman too much. There was no helping it; what she said was true. Meng Yao's man was indeed a Heaven Gate Realm expert!

The kind who was invincible across the entire planet!

Yang Chen didn't answer Gui Xing. Instead, he stared at Chen Tianxin with burning intensity, licked his lips, and asked, "Grandmaster Chen mentioned three in the Shackle Realm and one in the Grandmaster realm. The last one... is that you? The Heaven Gate Realm?"

A glint of craftiness appeared in Chen Tianxin's eyes as he laughed. "That's right!"

"Boss, that's not fair! Didn't you say you weren't taking any more disciples?"

Gui Xing was instantly annoyed, looking at Chen Tianxin with a hint of dissatisfaction in his eyes.

"Do you have a problem with that?"

Chen Tianxin's face darkened as he stared at Gui Xing, his expression clearly implying that if Gui Xing had any objections, he was welcome to make a move.

Sure enough, the moment Chen Tianxin spoke, Gui Xing fell silent and retreated into his own shell.

Yang Chen paid no mind to this, his eyes gleaming as he looked at Chen Tianxin and asked, "Then, would you be willing to take me as your disciple?"

Although Yang Chen hadn't been particularly keen on finding a master before, after hearing Chen Tianxin's words, he felt that finding one wouldn't be a bad idea after all.

After all, there were still so many realms beyond the Grandmaster level, and Chen Tianxin was a Heaven Gate Realm existence. Whether for guidance or simply as a shield, he was an excellent choice.

Just imagine, in the future, as long as he claimed to be Chen Tianxin's disciple, he would receive preferential treatment everywhere he went, even if he didn't cultivate at all!

Yang Chen quite liked the sound of those benefits.

Chen Tianxin smiled faintly. "I do not take disciples!"

As soon as these words were spoken, even Gui Xing was stunned. So, everything you said before was just nonsense? And if you aren't taking a disciple, why talk so much?

A trace of disappointment flickered in Yang Chen's heart, but he quickly recovered. If a Heaven Gate Realm expert couldn't be his master, finding one in the Shackle Realm would still be decent.

"However, I can help you find a master who is suitable for you!"

At this moment, Chen Tianxin's voice rang out once more.

Yang Chen looked up abruptly, only to see a smile playing on Chen Tianxin's face!

Gui Xing's active thoughts immediately cooled down; if Chen Tianxin had said as much, then he certainly had no hope.

But thinking that the little girl Meng Yao wouldn't have a chance either, Gui Xing felt a bit better.

That wasn't too bad!

If no one gets it, heh heh!

"May I ask who Grandmaster Chen is referring to?"

Yang Chen asked solemnly.

Regarding a master, Yang Chen still wanted to choose someone relatively good. After all, his own cultivation was already quite decent; although he was still weak among Grandmasters, he was absolutely invincible below the Grandmaster level!

Furthermore, among his peers, he couldn't find anyone who could compare to him.

Therefore, Yang Chen did have some requirements for a master.

Chen Tianxin smiled faintly. He could grasp a bit of Yang Chen's mindset; after all, geniuses always wanted to find big shots as masters. Wasn't he the same back then?

"Rest assured, he certainly won't be inferior. He happens to be coming to Jiangnan in a few days, so I'll take you to meet him then. In any case, he is no worse than I am!"

Hearing this, Yang Chen finally felt a bit more at ease. After all, Chen Tianxin was a Heaven Gate powerhouse, and someone not inferior to him must also be a Heaven Gate powerhouse.

The surrounding Grandmasters' eyes flickered. Even Gui Xing remained silent, and Shan Shou, in a rare move, cast his gaze toward Yang Chen, examining him carefully before looking away.

"By the way, you haven't joined Number 98 yet, have you? Later, let Elder Wang take you to handle the formalities, then complete a mission; that will count as officially joining Number 98."

Chen Tianxin seemed to recall something and added, "And Elder Wang, give him that mission. Since it's him, we can't use an ordinary mission. It's the perfect chance for that person to see his capabilities; otherwise, that person might not think much of him!"

The words were absolute.

Yang Chen frowned slightly. Not think much of him? Just who was that sacred person?

Since his standards were high, then he would let him see for himself!

In an instant, Yang Chen's competitive spirit was ignited.

"Got it!"

Elder Wang chuckled, then led Yang Chen out to begin handling the trivial matters of joining Number 98.

Back in the room, watching Yang Chen leave, Chen Tianxin stroked his chin with a smile on his lips.

"I've found you a good disciple; I'll have to make sure to fleece you properly when the time comes!"

To be continued!