Dying for Face

Fang Mingguang's expression immediately turned grim upon hearing Wei Yu's words.

He hadn't expected Wang Sheng to actually manage to get initiated in the final few days.

Could this be considered Wang Sheng not persevering until the very end?

Fang Mingguang didn't want to accept it.

However, Wei Yu was well-liked by many senior and junior brothers, and was about to step into Dark Energy, becoming a master in her own right.

Finally, Under Wei Yu's cold gaze, Fang Mingguang reluctantly had to admit defeat and hand over ten taels of silver.

"Damn it, this Wang Sheng is such a waste. If he could get initiated, he should have done it earlier. Instead, he deliberately screwed me over in the final days. Dammit, this isn't over!"

Fang Mingguang didn't dare to get angry at Wei Yu, but he harbored great hatred and disgust for Wang Sheng in his heart.

Although Wang Sheng had also achieved initiation into the Martial Path, becoming Fang Mingguang's junior brother.

He was different from Lin Shu.

Lin Shu was a genius, and more importantly, valued by Zhao Jie. Fang Mingguang couldn't wait to win him over.

As for Wang Sheng, who barely managed to get initiated in the last few days, it was obvious his talent was poor and his future achievements would be limited.

Therefore, Fang Mingguang dared to hate Wang Sheng, wanting to find an opportunity to vent his anger on Wang Sheng, preferably to earn back the ten taels of silver from him.

"Impossible, impossible, he's actually initiated into the Martial Path!"

Sun Ping was still in shock, muttering to himself.

He had always looked down on those with lower aptitudes like Wang Sheng who trained solely through rote practice, even more diligently than himself.

But now that Wang Sheng was initiated and he wasn't, Sun Ping was greatly stimulated.

At this moment, Zhao Jie, who had heard the commotion, also came out. After confirming that Wang Sheng had indeed been initiated into the Martial Path, he immediately announced him as the eighty-seventh official disciple of the Zhao Family Martial Arts Academy.

"A reward of ten taels of silver and two Blood Replenishing Pills. My disciple Wang Sheng, although you were initiated a bit late, once you enter the Martial Path, you should know the world is vastly different. Remember to cultivate diligently from now on, and don't disgrace the reputation of my Zhao family when you go out."

Zhao Jie said loudly in front of everyone.

"Yes, Master. Your disciple will keep this firmly in mind and will never forget it."

Wang Sheng knelt down, kowtowed, and offered tea. The simple disciple-accepting ceremony was thus completed.

Zhao Jie's disciple-accepting gift to Wang Sheng was ten taels of silver and two Blood Replenishing Pills.

This was not as good as Lin Shu's reward, after all, he was initiated nearly a month later.

"You few, you should take your senior brother Wang Sheng as an example and continue to work hard!"

Zhao Jie glanced at Su Youwen, Sun Ping, and the other six, casually instructing them before taking Wang Sheng into the inner courtyard.

After Zhao Jie left, The outer courtyard fell into a clamor once more, with many official disciples discussing Wang Sheng, their words filled with emotion.

It wasn't unheard of for martial arts academies to have disciples who managed to get initiated in the final few days, but it was extremely rare, with one or two per year being considered good.

"Wang Sheng, Senior Brother! He, he's become our Senior Brother now!!!"

The flames of jealousy in Sun Ping's heart were about to burn him to ashes.

He had medium-low aptitude, far surpassing Wang Sheng.

At this moment, Someone's words, Felt like a basin of cold water dousing Sun Ping completely.

"You can still call him Senior Brother a few more times now. When the time comes in a few days and we're expelled from the academy, we might not even have the qualification to call him Senior Brother."

A new disciple sighed.

Sun Ping stood frozen in place, his mind a complete blank.

"Junior Brother Su, this is for you!"

Wei Yu flicked her finger, tossing a Blood Replenishing Pill into Su Youwen's hand.

"Senior Sister, what is this?"

Su Youwen asked, surprised and fearful.

Cannot find the book title, you can try searching for the author, perhaps the name has been changed!

He had also heard about this Blood Replenishing Pill from other senior brothers. It was one of the specialized pills for Bright Energy martial artists, capable of enhancing powerful Blood Essence and nourishing vital energy and strength. It was very useful but also very expensive, costing five taels of silver each.

Five taels of silver could buy three to four thousand baked buns, enough to feed an ordinary family of a few people for half a year, yet it only bought a thumb-sized Blood Replenishing Pill.

"You deserve it!"

Wei Yu said, then ignored him and walked straight into the inner courtyard.

Wei Yu's strength in gambling lay precisely here: wins were wins, losses were losses, and the stakes were clear.

Su Youwen lowered his head, looking at the round, red pill in his hand. He swallowed hard, hesitated for a long time, and finally put it away.

He didn't believe a single pill could help him get started. It would be better to sell it for money to help his family.

Zhao Family Martial Arts Academy.

Inner Courtyard.

The scenery of the inner courtyard was more like an ordinary courtyard. A large, leafy tree stood on the left, with a stone table and chairs beneath it.

Stone slabs were laid out on the ground in a crisscrossing pattern. The remaining open spaces were either planted with flowers or with fruits and vegetables.

Zhao Jie led Wang Sheng across the stone slabs and through the inner courtyard to a large hall.

As soon as Zhao Jie sat down in the hall, a beautiful, plump woman in a blue silk robe, swaying her slender waist, served them two cups of tea.

"Wang Sheng greets Master's Wife!"

Wang Sheng lowered his head, but his gaze fell upon the woman's delicate waist, which swayed as if boneless, captivating him. He praised her inwardly while respectfully saying, "Mm, you two chat."

The beautiful woman, Lady Liang, smiled gently at Wang Sheng and then left directly. She was Zhao Jie's second wife.

After slowly sipping his tea, Zhao Jie saw that Wang Sheng was still standing respectfully and then spoke, "Wang Sheng! You are very good!"

"Thank you, Master, for your praise. It is thanks to your guidance that I was able to begin my Martial Path."

Wang Sheng said.

"Mm."

"To be honest, under normal circumstances, I would highly value a disciple like you. You show great potential to bloom late."

Zhao Jie finished and took another sip of tea.

Wang Sheng's heart sank. With this kind of preamble, there was likely a "but" coming.

He didn't know what Zhao Jie meant.

"But!"

"As you know, these recent times are unstable. Southern Ridge Prefecture is suffering from a severe drought and locust plague, and there are rebels. The Northern Cold Kingdom is preparing to invade our Jing Kingdom. Demonic figures are reappearing in the martial world, and massacres are happening frequently. Our Jiangling Prefecture is caught in the middle, and we could face disaster or war at any moment."

"I need to quickly cultivate a group of martial arts experts to assist me."

"Your Senior Brother Lin Shu has rare, top-tier roots. I originally planned not to take any more disciples and to focus on teaching Lin Shu, helping him master Bright Energy as soon as possible and advance to Dark Energy."

"But your appearance was unexpected."

"After you joined, a portion of the resources originally allocated to Lin Shu will need to be divided among you."

"Of course, as your Master, I must be fair. However, you also know that Lin Shu's talent is significantly higher than yours. So, regarding the division of resources, do you want to compete with your Senior Brother Lin Shu?"

Zhao Jie spoke eloquently.

Wang Sheng was not an ignorant child. As soon as he heard this, he understood Zhao Jie's intention.

Zhao Jie didn't want to give Wang Sheng cultivation resources, but he also wanted to save face and avoid gaining a reputation for bullying his disciples.

Therefore, Zhao Jie's words were designed to make Wang Sheng voluntarily back down.

"Compete!"

Wang Sheng's expression was respectful, but his voice was firm and powerful.

If he didn't fight for it now, With the world on the brink of chaos, should he wait for the rebels and bandits to arrive, only to be powerless and cut down with a single blow?

Thump!

Wang Sheng knelt directly and kowtowed, "My disciple's heart is devoted to martial arts, unwavering. I implore Master to give this disciple an opportunity. Even death would not repay Master's kindness."

Wang Sheng saw through Zhao Jie's true nature – he cared too much about appearances.

Zhao Jie could have simply decided not to give Wang Sheng any cultivation resources. But he was afraid of damaging his reputation.

Since that was the case, Wang Sheng had no choice but to put him on the spot.