The choice

Yet this Ye Han before him had actually been clever enough to throw the question back at him, leaving the Azure Profound Sect Master looking rather perplexed.

He had not wanted to get involved in this matter in the first place. Although he was the leader of the Azure Profound Sect, he could not afford to offend the elders in charge of the other Mountain Peaks.

Especially the Fifth Elder. The Wang Household backing him was no ordinary great Lineage, and dealing with them was exceedingly difficult.

More importantly, he could hardly tell Ye Han outright that the Fifth Elder's Profound Heaven Peak was more dangerous, could he?

Thus, the Azure Profound Sect Master answered with the hint of a smile, "You must decide that yourself. Profound Heaven Peak has always ranked among the top three Mountain Peaks, so you can consult more fellow disciples about cultivation. Seven Mysteries Peak's disciples have ranked at the bottom in recent years, but you would face less competition there."

At this point, he added something that offended neither side. "As for which Mountain Peak you should join, that is still up to you."

Hearing this, Ye Han nearly swore aloud. This old fox was slippery indeed. He might as well have said nothing!

However, the Azure Profound Sect Master's ambiguous attitude made Ye Han feel increasingly uneasy.

Didn't that mean neither of these elders was someone he could afford to cross?

The Seventh Elder suddenly spoke. "Ye Han! If you join my Seven Mysteries Peak, I can give you a better place to cultivate."

He paused and glanced at the Fifth Elder. "If you come to my Seven Mysteries Peak, I can give you a cave abode for your cultivation!"

At these words, a trace of surprise appeared on the Azure Profound Sect Master's face. When he had previously proposed sending Ye Han to Seven Mysteries Peak, the Seventh Elder had been reluctant and had only grudgingly agreed.

He had accompanied the sect leader to ask Ye Han which Mountain Peak he wanted to join only out of concern for the Azure Profound Sect's reputation.

They could hardly allow a disciple from a cultivator Lineage that had rendered meritorious service to arrive at the Azure Profound Sect with an Azure Mystic Token, only to lose his life instead of receiving the protection he deserved.

That was why he had proposed having the Seventh Elder accept Ye Han into Seven Mysteries Peak.

Who would have thought that after meeting Ye Han, the Seventh Elder's attitude would suddenly seem to change? He had looked so reluctant before. Why did he now seem determined to have him?

More importantly, the Seventh Elder had actually offered to give Ye Han a cave abode outright?

What sort of heavenly treatment was this?

Never mind Inner Sect Disciples—even disciples in the Foundation Establishment Realm had to excavate their own cave abodes or pay a considerable price to obtain one.

Let alone a mortal with aptitude as poor as Ye Han's.

On the other side, the Fifth Elder's face had darkened so much it looked ready to drip ink, and his eyes practically spat fire as he stared at the Seventh Elder.

That damned Ming Jing! Was he determined to compete with me? He had no need for this at all!

Damn it! Was this old bastard still holding a grudge over what happened back then and deliberately making trouble for me?

Thus, the Fifth Elder said gravely, "Ye Han, as the sect leader just said, Profound Heaven Peak has always ranked near the top among the Mountain Peaks. My Profound Heaven Peak has always excelled at training disciples. Otherwise, how could we have achieved such impressive rankings?"

He paused, then continued, "Besides, whatever the Seventh Elder can offer you, I can offer as well, along with some support in cultivation resources! Join my Profound Heaven Peak. I certainly won't treat you poorly."

Hearing the two elders' words, Ye Han's expression shifted, and he said with a delighted look, "I am deeply grateful for both elders' generous regard. You truly leave this disciple torn between two choices."

Then Ye Han turned to the sect leader again. "Sect Leader, I know nothing about the Azure Profound Sect, and I have practically no cultivation. Which Mountain Peak do you think would suit me better?"

The more generous the two elders' offers became, the more Ye Han felt something was wrong. Did the Azure Mystic Token really carry so much weight?

Or had these two old fellows already had a falling-out?

So he passed the question back to the Azure Profound Sect Master once more.

In truth, he had already formed his own judgment. Judging by the tone and attitudes of these three cultivators, the Azure Profound Sect Master remained ambiguous, hoping to offend neither side...

Although the Fifth Elder's words sounded pleasant, his expression and manner as he spoke betrayed a certain disdain for Ye Han, a mortal...

The Seventh Elder looked at him rather strangely and had offered better terms right from the start. From the Fifth Elder's and the Azure Profound Sect Master's reactions alone, Ye Han could tell as much.

Although the Seventh Elder's Mountain Peak ranked at the bottom...

It should still be much better than going to Profound Heaven Peak.

With the methods cultivators possessed, if he went to Profound Heaven Peak, he might die without even knowing how it happened.

The Azure Profound Sect Master, however, said somewhat impatiently, "Ye Han! Every Mountain Peak in my Azure Profound Sect possesses Immortal Arts and cultivation techniques. How far you can cultivate depends entirely on yourself. Since both Mountain Peak elders hold you in such high regard, it would be improper for me to interfere! Just make your own choice!"

This little brat was young, but he had plenty of cunning. He kept dumping every question onto me...

Still, although the boy was young, he had a strong mind, a good deal of shrewdness, and such steadfast determination to pursue the Dao. His aptitude might be somewhat poor, but he did have redeeming qualities. He was worthy enough of becoming an Azure Profound Sect disciple.

However, he could not hint to the boy which Mountain Peak to choose. If the boy chose wrongly, no amount of resolve or mental fortitude would be of any use.

For a cultivator, choosing the right path was also crucial.

Seeing the Azure Profound Sect Master throw the question back again, Ye Han, who had already made his choice in his heart, bowed to the Fifth Elder. "Fifth Elder, this disciple is deeply grateful for your generous regard."

As he spoke, he bowed deeply to the Fifth Elder once more, then turned to the Seventh Elder. "Seventh Elder, this disciple wishes to join Seven Mysteries Peak."

When Ye Han first bowed to him, the Fifth Elder had broken into a grin. He had never expected Ye Han to turn and bow to the Seventh Elder instead. What was the meaning of this?

Was this little brat trying to scheme against him, an elder?

The Fifth Elder's expression immediately turned hostile. "Ye Han! You had better think this through!"

Damn it! How was I supposed to exchange the Azure Mystic Token for pills now?

The Seventh Elder, however, slapped his storage pouch and took out a token. Murmuring an incantation, he inscribed the name "Ye Han" on it, then tossed it to him. "From now on, you will cultivate at my Seven Mysteries Peak. I hope you achieve success in cultivation and ascend to the ranks of immortals."

"Thank you, Seventh Elder." Ye Han respectfully accepted it. Holding the token, he felt a surge of excitement. He had truly become a cultivator.

At that moment.

The Azure Profound Sect Master turned his hand over, and the Azure Mystic Token appeared in it. "Ye Han, according to the rules, besides gaining admission as an Inner Sect Disciple of our sect with the Azure Mystic Token, you can also exchange it for something you want!"

Ye Han respectfully accepted it and was about to leave.

The Fifth Elder's expression shifted, and he immediately said, "Wait!"

But the Seventh Elder blocked his path and shot him a cold glare, making the Fifth Elder's expression turn ugly.

The Seventh Elder said to Ye Han, "What are you standing there for? Come with me to Seven Mysteries Peak!"

With that, he strode forward with a swagger...

"Yes!" Ye Han immediately followed him.

Watching the Seventh Elder leave with Ye Han, the Fifth Elder's face darkened so much it looked ready to drip ink.