Taking a Disciple 1

On the eastern side of Qiankun Continent lay a mountain range stretching for thousands of miles. Rich in spiritual energy, it was a supreme blessed land, and the number one cultivation sect on Qiankun Continent, Mount Grand Mystery, was located there.

Today was Mount Grand Mystery's triennial disciple recruitment ceremony—

The foot of Mount Grand Mystery was packed with people, all of them here to seek a master.

Mount Grand Mystery did not judge applicants by their backgrounds, so it drew more prospective disciples than any other sect.

Among them were plenty of second-generation cultivators, imperial relatives and nobles from the mortal realm, children from poor families, and beggars from the streets.

Especially after word spread that the Canglan Sword Venerable, Chu Moqing, intended to take a disciple, even more people came to seek a master. Even the sons of sect leaders and elders from other sects had arrived.

Feng Wuhen crouched beneath a large tree to escape the blazing sun. His clothes were covered in patches, making it obvious that his family was poor.

Though he came from little, his exceptional looks and carefree bearing drew many covert glances from those around him.

Feng Wuhen's complexion was somewhat sallow from malnutrition, yet his features were delicate and soft. His bright black, doe-like eyes carried a smile, while his pale lips resembled tender flower petals. If not for the small Adam's apple at his throat, people might have mistaken him for a girl.

"Hey! Little beggar, move over and make room for this young lady."

Feng Wuhen's lively eyes had been searching through the crowd for something interesting when a shadow suddenly fell before him, blocking his view.

Looking up, he saw a girl about his age. She wore a dazzling red dress and had her hair arranged in a coiled snake bun. One hand rested on her waist as she glared at him fiercely.

Feng Wuhen raised a hand and pointed at himself. "Are you talking to me?"

Meng Hongying looked at him as though he were an idiot, her dark brows knitting slightly. "Is there anyone else here besides you? This weather is roasting this young lady alive. Hurry up and give me your spot!"

Feng Wuhen rose and dusted off his backside. Looking down into Meng Hongying's eyes, he said, "You tell me to move, so I should move? Why?"

It was Meng Hongying's first time encountering someone who did not obey her. She froze for a moment, then grew even angrier. "How dare you speak to me like that? Do you know who I am?"

Feng Wuhen rolled his eyes speechlessly at her words. "You never said who you were. How would I know? You aren't copper coins or silver—I don't need an introduction to know which is copper and which is silver!

You came over without saying anything and immediately ordered me aside. With that awful temper, no wonder none of your senior brothers, junior brothers, senior sisters, or junior sisters like you."

"How do you know they don't like me?"

Hearing Feng Wuhen's words, Meng Hongying asked in surprise. Then, as though someone had stepped on her tail, she hurriedly protested, "Who said they don't like me? I'm incredibly popular in my sect! No, wait—you said you didn't know me!"

Feng Wuhen had not expected this fiery little pepper to be so quick-witted.

"I guessed. With a temper as bad as yours, there definitely aren't many people who like you."

Meng Hongying stamped her foot in fury after hearing him say twice that no one liked her. "You! Say that again, and believe it or not, I'll beat you up?"

Feng Wuhen rolled up his sleeves, revealing his sturdy forearms. "Come on, then. Let's see which of us can beat the other!"

Just as the two were about to fight, a gentle male voice stopped them. "This little brother and Miss Meng, you will soon be taking the Path of Heart-Questioning. It would be better to save your strength."

Meng Hongying found the voice somewhat familiar. Turning toward the speaker, her furious eyes instantly filled with surprise and delight when she saw who it was. "Brother Shen, why have you come to seek a master too?"

Shen Ziheng wore a pale blue robe embroidered with cloud patterns. A faint smile rested on his face, and there was a hint of helplessness in the way he looked at the two of them.

"Although there is only one trial to enter Mount Grand Mystery, it is not an easy one to pass.

The Path of Heart-Questioning has a total of nine hundred and ninety-nine steps. Climbing it within one hour is difficult enough, and there are illusion arrays set upon the path.

Though they pose no threat to one's life, these illusions can probe the weaknesses in a person's heart and recreate them. They are not easy to overcome.

In previous years, sixty percent of those seeking a master failed because of the illusions. Of those who passed, some became menial disciples after having their spiritual roots tested, while others became outer disciples. Only a very few could become direct disciples of the sect leader or the various peak masters.

Especially this time, with rumors that the Canglan Sword Venerable intends to take a disciple, there are even more applicants. Who knows whether the Path of Heart-Questioning will be harder than in previous years.

So stop arguing, you two. If you are truly unable to let it go, then argue however you like after successfully becoming disciples."

After hearing him out, both Feng Wuhen and Meng Hongying calmed down. Feng Wuhen knew that although Shen Ziheng had said so much, he had truly been trying to inform him.

As second-generation cultivators, Meng Hongying and Shen Ziheng could easily obtain such information. But for an ordinary person like him, unless he successfully became a disciple, he might never learn it in his lifetime.

He nodded at Shen Ziheng and thanked him. "Thank you."

Upon hearing his thanks, Shen Ziheng knew that he understood. The corners of his lips unconsciously lifted.

For some reason, Shen Ziheng had liked Feng Wuhen from the very first glance. Of course, it was not the sort of liking between Dao companions, but he did not know exactly what kind it was. He only wanted to treat him a little better.

The three fell quiet and waited together beneath the tree, unaware that their earlier actions had already been observed.

Feng Wuhen leaned against the tree with his arms folded, his clear eyes lingering a little longer on one particular spot.

On Mount Grand Mystery's main peak, the sect leader and several peak masters sat in a semicircle. Between them stood a water screen, displaying Feng Wuhen leaning lazily against the tree while staring at a certain place. Those clear eyes seemed to be looking through the water screen directly at them.

Song Junning, the master of Pill Peak, looked at those unusually spirited eyes. "Could this child have discovered us?"

"How is that possible? One glance tells you this child has never cultivated. How could he possibly discover us? Even Shen Ziheng and Meng Hongying, who are already at the sixth and fourth levels of Qi Refining, failed to notice us. He absolutely could not have!"

After hearing Xu Kuang, the master of Artifact Refining Peak, say this, Song Junning could not help wondering whether she had overthought it.

Chu Moqing toyed with a white sword tassel in his hand as he looked at Feng Wuhen in the water screen. A glimmer of brightness flashed through his deep eyes.

"I think Senior Sister Song is right. This child is indeed extraordinary and possesses great spiritual awareness."

A cold voice rang through the hall. "If this child can pass the Path of Heart-Questioning, then regardless of his spiritual roots, I intend to accept him as my disciple."

"Since it is Junior Brother Chu's first time taking a disciple, you should look around more. This child's spiritual awareness may be good, but we still do not know the quality of his spiritual roots or comprehension. If they are poor, would that not tarnish your Sword Venerable reputation?"