What Benefits Are There?

At the mention of Wine Daoist, everyone present secretly reveled in his misfortune. You refused to take Liang Bo as your disciple before. Now trouble has come knocking, hasn't it?

If Wine Daoist had not spoken to them beforehand, how could they possibly have overlooked a genius like Liang Bo?

But now, Liang Bo's performance was simply too outstanding. Those other Heaven Origin Realm figures would certainly be alerted as well. Whether Wine Daoist could keep Liang Bo as his disciple was hard to say; even if he could, he would likely have to pay a steep price.

The Second Elder pondered. "I believe Wine Venerable still has the greatest chance. After all, he spoke up beforehand. If others went to snatch his disciple, it would be somewhat unjustifiable on moral grounds. Besides, Blazing Flame Venerable excels at artifact refining, Flying Wild Goose Venerable is not skilled at teaching disciples, Longwind Venerable owes Wine Venerable a favor, and Sword Venerable is Wine Venerable's closest friend. None of these four can pose much of a threat to Wine Venerable. Only Cuckoo Wind Venerable might still contend with him."

"Indeed." The Fourth Elder nodded. "Cuckoo Wind Venerable and Wine Venerable have never gotten along, and it is not the first or second time they have fought. This time, the two will likely fight again. Only the victor will be able to take Liang Bo into his sect."

Spirit Light Daoist smiled. "Actually, I believe the best choice would be for Blade King himself to instruct Liang Bo. Unfortunately, Blade King has been in seclusion for many years. Who knows when he will emerge?"

The senior figures of the sect chatted idly as they waited patiently.

Just then, a new message appeared on the stone stele before the True Martial Tower: "Liang Bo, direct disciple, has passed the third trial of the second floor of the True Martial Tower."

Boom! The entire scene erupted. The higher-ups who had anticipated this were relatively composed, but the ordinary martial artists began discussing it excitedly.

"He really passed the second floor! This is simply unbelievable! The last person from our True Martial Sect to pass the second floor within one year of joining must have been over a hundred years ago, right? And Liang Bo achieved it just ten days after entering the sect. This is practically defying heaven!"

"Sigh, I used to think I was a genius myself. Even when facing Su Yang and Lu Jinghui, I never truly accepted their superiority. But when it comes to Liang Bo, I have no choice but to concede!"

"Liang Bo has already passed the second floor, yet he still isn't coming out. Could he be planning to challenge the third floor?"

"Eh, he's out! He's out!" someone suddenly shouted.

At the entrance of the True Martial Tower, a white-clad figure with a long saber at his waist appeared. It was Liang Bo.

During the battle just now, Liang Bo had worn down the puppet's energy through a prolonged fight. Only when the puppet's energy was nearly exhausted did he finally claim victory.

Even the third trial of the second floor had been so difficult. Naturally, he knew it was impossible for him to continue and clear the third floor now. Forcing his way onward might even get him injured, so it was better to stop while he was ahead.

After this great battle, he had not only successfully passed the first two floors of the True Martial Tower, but also recognized his lack of real combat experience. In the future, he would need to put more effort into that area.

Moreover, he had originally been somewhat dejected after failing at the disciple-taking ceremony. But after this trial, the pent-up frustration in his heart had been completely vented, leaving him in an exceptionally refreshed mood.

"So many people?" Liang Bo froze the moment he stepped out of the True Martial Tower.

He had expected that his challenge might attract quite a few spectators, but seeing so many people gathered here still surprised him.

Especially when he saw Spirit Light Daoist, the Second Elder, the Fourth Elder, and several other elders he did not recognize in the middle of the crowd, his heart stirred.

So many people came to watch. It seems the commotion I caused this time is quite sensational! The Sect Master, the Second Elder, the Fourth Elder, and the others all looked down on me before and refused to take me as a disciple. But will they still have the same attitude now? If they ask to accept me as their disciple, should I agree? Liang Bo pondered inwardly.

He clearly did not know that Spirit Light Daoist, the Second Elder, the Fourth Elder, and the others had not been unwilling to take him as a disciple. Wine Daoist had spoken to them in advance, leaving them with no choice but to pass him over and choose other inner disciples instead.

Thus, upon seeing these people again, Liang Bo still felt both displeased and smug. So what if none of you thought highly of me and none of you wanted me as a disciple? Hadn't I still passed the second floor of the True Martial Tower?

But after hesitating for a moment, he decided that taking a master was necessary. It was not because he absolutely needed a master or a backer, but because he wanted benefits. If they wanted him to take a master, that was fine—but there had to be conditions. They could not offer him nothing at all.

At present, his greatest challenge was how to retain his status as a direct disciple in next year's sect tournament.

If he were demoted to an inner disciple, his privileges within the True Martial Sect would be reduced. He would no longer be qualified to exchange for the later levels of Heaven-tier martial techniques such as Wave Stacking and Flowing Light.

If he wanted to exchange for them, he would have to wait until the sect tournament five years later and regain his status as a direct disciple.

That was clearly something he could not accept!

Therefore, he decided that whoever could offer him the greatest benefits and enable him to raise his strength as quickly as possible would become his master.

As for that tiny bit of displeasure in his heart, what was it worth before real benefits? Raising his strength as quickly as possible was the true path!

Having made up his mind, Liang Bo was about to hear what Spirit Light Daoist and the others had to say.

Just then, Spirit Light Daoist and the others suddenly turned their gazes toward the east side of the city, where two figures were rapidly flying in their direction.

Before they even drew near, one of them burst into laughter. "Liang Bo, this old man has been keeping an eye on you for many days. I originally intended to observe you a while longer, but I never expected you to pass the second floor of the True Martial Tower so quickly."

Before the words had even faded, the two figures had already arrived before the True Martial Tower. They were Wine Daoist and Sword Venerable.

Clearly, in the earlier contest with Cuckoo Wind Venerable, Wine Daoist had emerged as the final victor. But just what price he had paid to win was something only he himself knew.

"Greetings, Venerables!" Every martial artist present, including the Sect Master and the First Elder, bowed in salute.

"No need for such formalities!" Wine Daoist's voice was not loud, yet it reached every person's ears with perfect clarity.

He looked at Liang Bo with a smile and asked, "Liang Bo, this old man is Wine Daoist. I intend to take you as my personal disciple. Are you willing?"

"A Heaven Origin Realm expert? And Wine Daoist... isn't he the one who left behind the Red Dragon Armor?" Liang Bo was both startled and delighted, but his expression remained calm. "May I ask, Venerable, if I take you as my master, what benefits will there be?"

The moment those words fell, the crowd erupted into an uproar.