Mu Fan Chose Not to Come

"Another choice already?"

Lu Changzhi was a little surprised.

"Using the system is simple enough, but the experience is a bit meager."

Skipping the first option, Lu Changzhi examined the two that followed.

There was even a high-grade spirit-rank cultivation technique among them. It was worth a fortune.

The high-grade spirit-rank cultivation techniques in the Five Symbols Sect could probably be counted on one hand.

But the corresponding choice...

"Forget it."

If he simply left, the losses would be far from small.

The rewards for the disciple recruitment mission, the boosts to his realm and strength from the new disciples, and the possible cracked version of the idle cultivation system.

"That leaves persuading him in person."

Lu Changzhi looked at the so-called reward.

[External Avatar]: Can create an avatar identical to the user. It has no independent consciousness and can only perform specified tasks. It can use most system functions...

"That'll do."

Lu Changzhi's eyes lit up.

It was like someone handing him a pillow just as he was getting sleepy.

He had been out for so long and visited so many places on this trip that he was getting rather tired of it.

With this External Avatar, he wouldn't have to work so hard running around in person the next time a mission came up.

Even if he did have to go, his efficiency would improve greatly.

There was no need to deliberate any further.

He asked the system where Mu Fan was.

Sure enough, Mu Fan was in the Mu Residence up ahead.

"Changzhi, are you planning to visit the Mu Residence?"

Xu Kun glanced at Lu Changzhi and asked.

"Peak Master Xu, are you familiar with the Mu Residence?"

"I wouldn't say that, but I've been here a few times."

"Then sorry for the trouble, Peak Master Xu," Lu Changzhi said with a smile.

Before long, Mu Jun, the master of the Mu Residence, hurried over. He was a square-faced middle-aged man.

"Peak Master Xu, what brings you here? Please, come in, come in."

The group entered the hall, and Mu Jun hurriedly sent people to make preparations.

"Peak Master Xu, what business brought you all this way in person? Is there anything the Mu Lineage can do to help?"

"I don't have any business myself." Xu Kun smiled and looked at Lu Changzhi:

"It was Peak Master Lu's idea to come this time."

"Peak Master Lu?" Mu Jun hurriedly looked over, his expression jolting as he hastened to speak:

"You're the Peak Master Lu who took in the genius Gu Chen and had the Five Symbols Sect establish the new Hidden Origin Peak especially for you?"

"I've long admired your name! I never imagined you would grace us with a visit. Your presence truly brings splendor to our humble Mu Lineage..."

When it came to flattery, the secular powers really were in a league of their own.

Beside them, Jin Fugui's head buzzed as he listened.

These two men, who had spent all their time going around eating, drinking, and having fun, were both peak masters of the Five Symbols Sect!

And the one who had taken him in was none other than the Peak Master Lu everyone outside had been talking about earlier.

He was stunned, shaken, and incredulous.

"You're too courteous, Residence Master Mu." Lu Changzhi smiled and said:

"I came here mainly to take a disciple from the Mu Lineage. Is there anyone you would recommend, Residence Master Mu?"

"Take a disciple?!"

Mu Jun's expression jolted, as though he had heard something unbelievable. He asked tentatively:

"Would they be joining Hidden Origin Peak as your disciple?"

"Exactly." Lu Changzhi nodded.

Mu Jun took a deep breath. "Would you be willing to wait a while, Peak Master Lu? Some of the younger generation are still out, so it will take some time."

"That's fine."

Now that he was nearby, he wasn't in such a hurry.

Mu Jun hurriedly rose to spread the news and summon the younger members of the Mu Lineage.

The entire Mu Lineage was immediately thrown into an uproar.

"Heavens, who would have thought the legendary master of Hidden Origin Peak would come to our Mu Lineage in person to take a disciple!"

"What a pity! If I were a little younger, this might well have been my chance!"

"I heard the disciple will be joining Hidden Origin Peak. That low-grade spirit-level genius Gu Chen is there now. If you're accepted, you'll be fellow disciples with him, and you'll have someone to help you in a fight."

"This is such a great opportunity. The first and second young masters have a good chance, but people like us probably don't have much of one."

The entire Mu Lineage was in an uproar.

Ever since Gu Chen had joined Hidden Origin Peak,

the rumors about it had never stopped.

As they passed from mouth to mouth, they had grown increasingly outrageous.

Some claimed that anyone who joined Hidden Origin Peak would surely shake an entire region when they emerged into the world.

The stories about Hidden Origin Peak had grown ever more mystical.

And now, Hidden Origin Peak had come in person to take a disciple...

"Changzhi, what suddenly made you think of coming to the Mu Lineage to take a disciple?"

After the others had left, Xu Kun put the question to Lu Changzhi.

Lu Changzhi smiled faintly:

"Peak Master Xu, when I was about to visit the Mu Lineage, hadn't you already guessed that might be why?"

Xu Kun nodded.

"Then that's it." Lu Changzhi smiled.

"A man's intuition. I felt I'd find something worthwhile in the Mu Lineage, so I came."

Hearing this, Xu Kun couldn't help shaking his head.

The brat was pulling the wool over his eyes again.

Even so, he was somewhat curious.

What sort of person did Lu Changzhi intend to take back this time?

The previous two, Luo Ling'er and Jin Fugui, had both defied expectations.

Mu Jun did not immediately summon the younger members of the lineage.

Instead, he prepared a lavish evening feast.

It was an enormous banquet.

Xu Kun, Lu Changzhi, and their party sat in the seats at the very center.

The remaining seats were occupied by important figures of the Mu Residence.

The younger generation of the Mu Residence followed behind them, each taking a seat according to their status, all in good order.

Lu Changzhi noticed something, however.

Among the foremost seats for the younger generation of the Mu Residence, one had been left empty.

"Peak Master Lu."

Mu Jun raised his wine cup in a toast, then said:

"Nearly all the younger members of the Mu Residence have arrived. Shall I introduce them to you?"

"Wait a moment." Lu Changzhi raised a hand slightly and said:

"Why is there still an empty seat over there?"

Mu Jun looked over, then smiled helplessly and said:

"That is the seat of my third son, Mu Fan. Perhaps he knows his aptitude is poor, so he..."

"Interesting." A hint of amusement appeared at the corners of Lu Changzhi's mouth.

He hadn't expected Mu Fan to choose not to come.

But those words struck Mu Jun's ears like a thunderbolt. His body immediately stiffened, and he broke out in a cold sweat.

"Please don't take offense, Peak Master Lu. I'll have someone find him at once," Mu Jun hastened to say.

Only then did he suddenly remember.

This was not a question of opportunity.

It was a question of face.

The esteemed master of Hidden Origin Peak had come to the Mu Lineage to take a disciple. Even if they had no chance, the Mu Lineage should have had everyone attend.

His third son's aptitude and talent might be abysmally poor, and he might not be cut out for cultivation at all.

But none of that mattered.

What mattered was that they could not slight Peak Master Lu!

"Steward, hurry and find Fan'er!" Mu Jun urged.

But the steward looked troubled as well:

"Residence Master, when I went to tell the third young master about this earlier, he asked me to pass a message to the first and second young masters, telling them to perform well. As for him, he said he wouldn't come and make a fool of himself."

"After saying that, he went out."