An Unexpected Turn

This year, the True Martial Sect had recruited roughly three hundred new disciples from across the country. Yet aside from Liang Bo and Du Chi, there were no other direct disciples. Since Du Chi had no intention of attending today's apprenticeship ceremony, Liang Bo became the only direct disciple at the ceremony.

When he entered the hall, many people spotted him and began whispering among themselves.

"Look, that's Liang Bo, one of the only two direct disciples among this year's newcomers."

"Mm, that's him! I heard that those named direct disciples upon entering the sect were generally people capable of easily slaying fourth-grade demon beasts during the martial academy tournament. Liang Bo's strength must be on that level too."

"Ahem, your news is outdated. I heard that when Liang Bo first entered the sect a few days ago, he solved the seventh-ranked side-hall test in the Treasure Pavilion and obtained the treasure inside. With such a performance, I'm afraid quite a few sect experts will take notice of him. I wonder who will ultimately take him as a disciple."

"Probably one of the sect elders," someone said uncertainly.

According to the True Martial Sect's rules, all sect disciples automatically lost their status as disciples once their cultivation broke through to the Earth Origin Realm or they passed the age of fifty, after which they would serve the sect.

Among them, those at the Human Origin Realm generally became low-ranking stewards; those at the Earth Origin Realm could become high-ranking stewards; and only those at the Earth Origin Realm who could pass the eighth floor of the True Martial Tower could become elders.

In other words, those qualified to serve as elders were generally true upper-echelon figures within the sect. Even in a top-tier great sect like the True Martial Sect, there were not many such people.

Their standards for accepting disciples were extremely strict. They would not even spare a glance for ordinary inner disciples. But direct disciples with outstanding strength like Liang Bo were different. Not only had he reached the realm of man and saber as one at such a young age, but he had also solved a test left behind by Wine Daoist as soon as he entered the sect. For such a genius, quite a few elders would probably fight to take him as a disciple, wouldn't they?

This was not merely one person's opinion, but the shared belief of nearly all the disciples present. Especially when, before the apprenticeship ceremony formally began, a large group of sect elders poured into the hall, everyone became even more convinced.

"The Sect Master is here!" someone suddenly shouted.

At once, Liang Bo and the others raised their heads and looked into the distance. Outside the hall, a middle-aged man in white robes strode in with a smile, chatting as he was accompanied by two elderly men.

"Look, it's the Sect Master, the Second Elder, and the Fourth Elder!" someone cried, identifying the newcomers.

The people present immediately grew even more excited and envious. "Could it be that Liang Bo is about to enter the tutelage of the Second Elder, the Fourth Elder, or even the Sect Master?"

Although more than a dozen elders had arrived earlier, elders still ranked above and below one another. Ordinary elders had merely passed the eighth floor of the True Martial Tower, making them regular elders. Above them, the sect had established the Elder Council, selecting the ten strongest elders to join it. These ten great elders held higher status than the other elders and could stand shoulder to shoulder with the Sect Master.

The Second Elder and Fourth Elder were elders from the Elder Council. Their arrival, coupled with the Sect Master's personal attendance, made this quite a rare sight even among apprenticeship ceremonies held over the years.

Many people silently guessed that Liang Bo's entry into the sect as a genius was what had drawn them here.

At this moment, Spirit Light Daoist, the Sect Master, sat side by side with the Second Elder and Fourth Elder on the raised platform at the front of the hall. The other ordinary elders stood to either side, while farther away were the other Earth Origin Realm stewards. They too were qualified to accept disciples, but their status was clearly inferior to that of the Sect Master and the elders, so they could only occupy the lowest seats.

Seated below, Liang Bo carefully examined the people on the platform.

Suddenly, he noticed that the Sect Master, the Second Elder, the Fourth Elder, and the others seemed to be casting intentional or unintentional glances in his direction. His heart immediately began pounding. Could these three truly be planning to accept him as a disciple?

If he could enter the Sect Master's tutelage, that would be excellent too!

Although he did not know exactly how strong the Sect Master was, anyone capable of becoming the master of an entire sect could not possibly be weak. Besides, with the True Martial Sect's Sect Master as his backer, whenever he went out in the future, he would represent the Sect Master's face. Wherever he went, others would treat him with respect!

Even if he could not enter the Sect Master's tutelage, becoming a disciple of the Second Elder or Fourth Elder would still give him a master of extraordinary strength. That would be just as good.

Liang Bo could not help but feel expectant.

"Everyone, it is getting late, so I will not waste words. This year's apprenticeship ceremony for the newly initiated disciples shall now begin!" Spirit Light Daoist said. His voice echoed throughout the hall.

He looked at the Second Elder. "Second Elder, how about you begin today's disciple selection?"

The Second Elder was an old man with white hair and beard. Hearing this, he smiled. "How could that be? Naturally, the Sect Master should begin by accepting disciples."

The Fourth Elder also smiled. "Indeed. Senior Brother Sect Master oversees our sect and holds such a noble position. How could the two of us dare go before you?"

Spirit Light Daoist laughed heartily. "There is no need for this. I am only here to preside over the ceremony today. I have no intention of accepting disciples!"

"What? He doesn't intend to accept disciples?" Many people below were stunned by these words. However, the Second Elder and Fourth Elder showed no surprise, clearly having expected this beforehand.

The Second Elder smiled. "Since the Sect Master does not intend to accept disciples, then this old man shall speak first."

"Second Elder, please."

The Second Elder wore a genial smile as his gaze slowly swept across the crowd. When it reached Liang Bo, it visibly paused for a moment before moving on.

"Guo Long, this old man heard that you have trained your spear technique to the consummate level of the basic stage. As it happens, this old man also uses a spear. Would you be interested in taking me as your master?"

"What?" The instant the Second Elder spoke, everyone present froze. They had all assumed that the Second Elder had come for Liang Bo. Even Liang Bo himself had thought so. Yet now, the Second Elder had chosen a disciple none of them had even heard of. This was completely beyond everyone's expectations.

"What is going on? Why did the Second Elder choose this Guo Long instead of the more outstanding Liang Bo? Could Guo Long be even more exceptional than Liang Bo?"

"No. No matter how outstanding Guo Long may be, I doubt he could be stronger than Liang Bo. Perhaps Liang Bo uses a saber, while the Second Elder specializes in the spear. That must be why the Second Elder chose Guo Long instead of Liang Bo," someone guessed.

"Mm, that makes sense!" Quite a few people nodded in agreement.

Other than that reason, no one could think of any explanation for why the Second Elder would give up on taking Liang Bo as a disciple and instead choose an obscure Guo Long.