The apprenticeship ceremony ended.
Some rejoiced, while others worried.
When he heard that his rewards differed greatly from Mo Chen's, Ruan Tianjing's expression turned as ugly as if he had eaten shit.
Especially when he failed to hear the words "inspector" that he had been yearning for.
He looked at Mo Chen with bloodshot eyes, so jealous he was nearly driven mad.
The authority of an inspector—that was the most important reward of all.
It was great power that tens of thousands in real gold and silver could not buy.
Moreover, it came with the authority to mobilize the inner and outer sect battle formations, execute corrupt officials, and appoint a county's chief administrator.
Any one of those benefits was ten thousand times better than his own reward.
If there were no Mo Chen, all of this should have been mine!
Ruan Tianjing was unwilling to accept it, and his gaze gradually turned vicious.
"Congratulations, Junior Brother Mo!"
At the apprenticeship banquet, Mo Chen had just finished toasting Qin Cangying and the elders when a crowd instantly gathered around him.
There were not only core disciples such as Tantai Xiasang, Qin Feng, and Hu Shiqi.
There were also inner sect disciples such as Su Jinse, Chen Xuanyin, Situ Xin, Yuwen Chongqing, and the rest.
Holding his wine cup, Chen Xuanyin happily clinked it against Mo Chen's.
"Junior Brother Mo, when we're in the Prefectural City, I'll watch over you... no, no, no, you'll watch over me! If anyone dares bully me in the future, you have to stand up for me!"
Mo Chen did not know whether to laugh or cry as he clinked cups with him. "Easy enough."
Su Jinse also raised her cup with a smile. "Junior Brother Mo, please look after me in the future."
Mo Chen