Chief Chu, Who Would You Choose?

"We admit our fault. Please forgive us, Chief Chu."

The two disciples of Dao-Seeking Academy hurriedly admitted their mistake and apologized to Chu Feng.

Chu Feng was not a petty man, and besides, he had never had much of a presence at Dao-Seeking Academy. It was perfectly normal for its disciples not to recognize him.

"No matter. You didn't know, so you're not at fault."

"Thank you, Chief."

Only then did the two disciples breathe a sigh of relief. There was more admiration in their eyes as they looked at Chu Feng.

As expected of a chief of our Dao-Seeking Academy. Ordinary people can't compare to his bearing.

But which institute is Chief Chu in charge of? Why does he look so young?

They soon thought of someone: the chief of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute.

In the past, they certainly would not have taken the chief of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute seriously.

But times had changed. Xiao Chen was there to hold the fort at the Miscellaneous Dao Institute, and Cao Youqian's exploits had recently spread among the outer sect disciples as well.

Many people said that the chief of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute was someone who kept his true abilities well hidden.

Of course, others said that Chief Chu was merely lucky.

But whatever the reason, Chief Chu was not someone outer sect disciples like them could afford to offend.

Chu Feng turned his gaze toward the direction the voice had come from.

A middle-aged man stood up and said respectfully, "Han An of the Merit Hall greets Chief Chu."

"No need for formalities. Are you off duty today?"

Chu Feng greeted him politely.

Deacon Han smiled. "I am indeed off duty. Chief Chu, what brings you down the mountain for an outing?"

Chu Feng did not conceal his reason for coming. "I still have a place to recruit a disciple from outside this year, so I decided to come down the mountain and have a look."

As soon as Deacon Han, that know-it-all, heard this, he caught the scent of money.

Although Chu Feng was not well known among the ten chiefs, with Xiao Chen as his golden calling card, his position remained fairly secure.

"Could it be that Chief Chu is also interested in Kuang Sandao and Ling Zitong?"

"No. I just heard there was a life-and-death duel here, so I came to watch," Chu Feng said earnestly.

But to Deacon Han, it sounded as though he was being evasive.

Chief Chu has clearly taken a fancy to one of the two. If I can get a hint out of him and pass the news along, I might be able to sell it for a good price.

Even though many elders and chiefs were unwilling to acknowledge Chu Feng's ability to teach disciples, not one of them questioned his eye for talent.

Otherwise, he could not have picked out two promising prospects like Xiao Chen and Cao Youqian.

"I didn't expect you to enjoy watching the excitement too, Chief. As the chief of an institute, you must be well versed in all kinds of cultivation methods. Could you give us some guidance later and tell us which of them has the upper hand?"

Chu Feng smiled. "It's hard to predict the outcome of a life-and-death duel. Let's wait until they start fighting."

Deacon Han said, "Chief, today the two aren't fighting to the death, but sparring. Even so, quite a few people are taking bets."

Chu Feng said, "I see. Unfortunately, I don't know either of them. Otherwise, I could have had a little fun myself."

As the two were talking, a commotion arose outside.

"Look, Kuang Sandao is here!"

Hearing this, Deacon Han led Chu Feng to a table by the window.

Chu Feng looked out and saw a man with a full beard and sideburns striding through the air at tremendous speed.

He ran across the sky as though his feet were on level ground.

"Gasp..."

Inside the teahouse, the gathered disciples of Dao-Seeking Academy drew sharp breaths at the sight.

"Kuang Sandao really is wild. Before a major fight, he actually chose to make an entrance by walking on air with spiritual power, which consumes a tremendous amount of it."

"Could he be absolutely certain of winning this fight?"

"Not necessarily. Ling Zitong's Dragon Abyss Spear Art isn't something just anyone can withstand. Even among the outer sect disciples of our Dao-Seeking Academy, only those in the top hundred can be sure of beating him."

Chu Feng listened to the students' discussion and quietly waited for the other man to arrive.

The sound of hoofbeats came from afar. A handsome young man in white robes, carrying a silver spear and riding a white horse, came toward the Life and Death Arena.

Just as the white horse neared the Life and Death Arena, he suddenly leaped high from its back and landed in the arena.

His entrance was not as flashy as Kuang Sandao's, but it had one thing going for it: he was handsome.

"Not bad."

Chu Feng suddenly spoke.

Hearing this, Deacon Han asked instinctively, "Could it be that you favor Ling Zitong, Chief?"

"No. I simply think the boy is handsome. As I see it, strength is only temporary, but good looks last a lifetime."

Chu Feng spouted nonsense with a perfectly serious expression.

Deacon Han said, "..."

Why does Chief Chu seem a little unreliable?

Or is he trying to mislead everyone this way,

so nobody knows whom he's going to take as his disciple?

That must be it.

At the thought, the corners of Deacon Han's mouth involuntarily lifted, and he took a sip of tea.

Once I've confirmed whom Chief Chu wants to take as his disciple, I'll sell the news.

On the Life and Death Arena.

When Kuang Sandao saw Ling Zitong land, he cupped his hands and said with a bold grin, "Brother Ling, it's been a long time. You're as dashing as ever."

Ling Zitong cupped his hands. "You're no less impressive yourself, Brother Sandao. Today, I'd like to see how far you've cultivated those three saber strikes of yours."

Kuang Sandao laughed. "I won't disappoint you this time, Brother Ling."

"Then let's begin."

As he spoke, Ling Zitong took half a step back.

"Please."

Kuang Sandao did not step back. Instead, he made a gesture inviting him to begin.

"Please!"

Even as Ling Zitong spoke, he swung the spear in his hand.

Kuang Sandao drew his saber to meet him.

Boom!

The two went all out from the start. A tremendous explosion made the surrounding spectators instinctively retreat several steps, afraid of being caught up in their fight.

"Sweep Away a Thousand Armies!"

As he spoke, Kuang Sandao unleashed a fierce Sweep Away a Thousand Armies.

Not to be outdone, Ling Zitong immediately struck back. "Roaring Dragon Break!"

In an instant, saber Qi and spear force swept across the entire arena.

Under their clashing attacks, the entire Life and Death Arena shook violently, as though it might collapse at any moment.

A vast cloud of dust enveloped the entire platform.

The spectators below hurriedly retreated while repeatedly trying to disperse the dust.

In the teahouse, Chu Feng and his companions quietly sipped their tea, their expressions unchanged.

A moment later, the dust settled.

On the platform, Ling Zitong had been driven back to the edge. He had a few minor wounds, but his gaze was exceptionally resolute.

Kuang Sandao, opposite him, was not faring much better. A bloody hole had appeared in his shoulder.

The spectators below looked at the two men on the platform and cried out, "So strong! These two are so strong! The disciples of Dao-Seeking Academy can't be much better than this."

Neither Kuang Sandao nor Ling Zitong continued to attack. They regarded each other gravely.

"Brother Ling, you've grown stronger."

Kuang Sandao said.

Ling Zitong smiled. "Likewise."

Kuang Sandao said, "Next, I'll use my strongest saber strike. If you can withstand it, Brother Ling, I'll admit defeat."

"Good!"

Ling Zitong said, "I'd also like to see the strongest saber strike you've been painstakingly cultivating all this time, Brother Sandao."

Kuang Sandao slowly raised the saber in his hand, his presence growing stronger all the while.

Lin Zitong stepped forward half a pace, his gaze gradually turning resolute.

"Frenzied Wave Slash!"

"Heaven-Supporting Dragon Break!"

The saber struck, shocking everyone present!

"Saber intent! Kuang Sandao actually grasped a trace of saber intent. This fellow is interesting."

Chu Feng smiled as he watched the seemingly unstoppable strike.

Hearing him, the disciples in the teahouse looked at Kuang Sandao with a little more wariness.

The saber fell, and the match was decided.

Clang!

The silver spear fell from Ling Zitong's hand, and blood ran down his arm and dripped onto the ground.

"Thank you for showing mercy, Brother Sandao. I lost this fight fair and square."

Kuang Sandao said, "You're too polite, Brother Ling. We were only sparring, and there's no deep grudge between us. Tonight, my treat. Let's go have a couple of drinks at the Pavilion of Fragrant Beauties."

"Good."

Ling Zitong picked up his weapon from the ground and left with Kuang Sandao.

Seeing this, Deacon Han turned to Chu Feng and asked, "Chief Chu, if you had to pick one of those two, which would you choose as your disciple?"

"Kuang Sandao is quite good."

Then Chu Feng suddenly changed tack. "But if I had to choose, it would have to be Ling Zitong."

"Why?"

Deacon Han looked curious.

Chu Feng smiled. "Didn't I already tell you the answer? Because he's handsome!"

Deacon Han said, "..."