After everyone left, the two of them nervously looked down at their toes, afraid that Yun Zhi would pursue the matter of their intentions to cheat.
After a long while, they finally heard Yun Zhi slowly speak.
“I didn’t expect that both of you passed the test and became disciples of the Questioning Dao Sect.”
“Both of you ranked at the forefront in the three tests, especially in the third one, with one taking first place and the other second. Overall, your results are the best.”
“This does not mean that you are the best performers in this batch, however. For instance, the ancient savage of the Banbone tribe that you met, Peach-Distress Leaf who possesses the rare Feather Transformation Celestial Body ranking behind you, and Li Haoran with the Fire Spirit Root… they all are comparably outstanding!”
Meng Jingzhou was full of confidence, winked at Lu Yang, “A Feather Transformation Celestial Body is much rarer than a single spirit root, but the evaluation from our senior sister is ‘ranked behind us’, which shows her recognition of our potential.”
Lu Yang helplessly explained, “What senior sister means is probably that the Feather Transformation Celestial Body was physically behind us in the first challenge.”
“Although you performed well, do not become complacent. When you formally start cultivating, you must remain humble and diligent.”
Hearing the increasingly serious tone from their senior sister, they quickly assured her that they would be devoted and would not dare to slack off in their future cultivation.
Seeing that their tone was sincere, Yun Zhi’s expression softened slightly: “Since you have brought me along, I will give you a piece of fortune.”
“Meng Jingzhou, you have a Pure Yang spiritual root, vitality that fills the sky, a nemesis to ghosts and demons. The third elder among the eight senior elders deeply agrees with this path, you may take him as your master.”
Meng Jingzhou was overjoyed, hurriedly kowtowed in thanks: “Thank you, senior sister.”
“Lu Yang, you have a Sword Spirit Root and are a natural seedling for the sword path. The one who is most adept in swordsmanship in our sect is the Sect Master, so you should take him as your master.”
“But, senior sister, you just said that the Sect Master doesn’t like to mentor disciples…” Lu Yang spoke softly.
He noticed that the senior sister told Meng Jingzhou that “you may take him as your master,” but for him, she said, “you should take him as your master,” which implied different meanings.
“It doesn’t matter, I can make the decision for him regarding taking on a disciple,” Yun Zhi said in a light tone that made Lu Yang stunned, sounding as if the Sect Master had to agree even if he didn’t want to.
“I only suggest that you, like the other disciples, have a one-month adaptation period. After a month, you can then decide whom to take as your master.”
After saying this, Yun Zhi flew towards the Heavenly Gate Peak where the Sect Master resided.
…
At the Heavenly Gate Peak, in the council hall.
A smooth and clear water mirror was suspended in the air. Under the effect of magic, the content on the mirror was clearly visible from any direction. It displayed the entire process of the three tests.
Eight silhouettes were either nodding or shaking their heads, praising or cursing, expressing different opinions on the disciples who passed the tests. At most intense times, they almost came to blows.
There had been precedents where several of the eight silhouettes, being hot-tempered, would start fighting with magic if they couldn’t win an argument. The process, which was initially meant for making comments and selecting disciples, often escalated into situations where powerful beings would engage in magical duels, providing an eye-opener for the entire Questioning Dao Sect.
Given this, the true bodies of the eight silhouettes were not present. Even if they became truly enraged, they wouldn’t end up fighting.
“Banbone shows promise, a pure ancient savage tribe heritage, unrivaled brute force at the same level, and a simple mind; he is just right for my inheritance.”
“It’s a pity he is too naive; the ancient savage tribe perished because of this. If there’s a chance in the future, we should focus on his training.”
“What ‘suitable for your inheritance’? I’ve been looking for a suitable successor in the art of forging for a long time, and Banbone is diligent, fitting for my lineage!”
The two elders, becoming agitated as they spoke, stared at each other with their sleeves rolled up.
The other elders didn’t pay attention to these two and continued to comment: “The Feather Transformation Celestial Body, impervious to all methods, untainted and peerless, transcending into immortal form, truly hasn’t been seen for a long while. Calculating the time, the last occurrence of a Feather Transformation Celestial Body was when we had just joined the Questioning Dao Sect.”
“It’s a pity the last Feather Transformation Celestial Body was too hasty in cultivation and died before becoming well-known on the Central Continent, eager to perfect the celestial form, heart on fire, unattended to until dying.”
“Sixth elder, among us, you are the most familiar with celestial bodies, perhaps this girl is fated for you.”
“Fire Spirit Root Li Haoran is a great prospect for pill concoction and forging, but too impatient, unable to remain calm. In the third challenge, he was determined to surpass Banbone but used up his strength too early. In the end, he was overtaken by others and became the last to pass the test.”
“As for these two youngsters from the Meng family and Lu Yang, one with a Pure Yang spiritual root and the other with a Sword Spirit Root, both are top-notch talents with unique methods that leave one in awe. Such exceptional talents… Big brother, how about you take them under your wing? After all, disciple Dai Bufan is already capable of independence, and taking two talents under your tutelage will be a good story when they succeed.”
“Get lost, always shirking the tough choices. Given their performance in the tests, if I take these two, forget about peaceful days for the rest of my life. Right now, all I want is a tranquil retirement, to be a venerable elder without disturbances—don’t cause me trouble!”
“Second elder, will you take them on?”
“Do you really think I wouldn’t start by taking you?”
The eight elders were too polite, showing no real interest in the two talented individuals with singular spiritual roots.
“Hey, look, Yun Zhi is giving those two some advice; one to take as a master from the Sect Master and the other from the third elder?”
Everyone’s focus shifted onto the third elder, who sighed in resignation. Yun Zhi’s suggestion wasn’t wrong—he was most suited to cultivate Pure Yang spiritual roots.
Among the silhouettes, the third elder stood out; not tall, but muscular and robust, vitality raging like a torch in the darkness, obviously a body cultivator.
They say when he was young, his vitality was so overwhelming that he often pushed aside ox demons in the spiritual fields to plough the land himself.
“By the way, hasn’t the Sect Master been in seclusion for nine years now?”
“It does seem so.”
They remembered that they still had a Sect Master, whose presence or absence didn’t seem to make much of a difference.
“So how will the one with the Sword Spirit Root take a master?”
As they were discussing, a graceful figure riding the clouds approached. The clouds dissipated to reveal the figure of the senior sister.
“Yun Zhi greets all the venerable elders.”
Everyone quickly stood up to salute. Currently, with the Sect Master in seclusion, Yun Zhi wielded the authority of the acting Sect Master, managing the entire sect, her status above the eight elders.
“Yun Zhi understands that each venerable elder has a favored disciple, but the matter of choosing a master carries weighty consequences and should not be forcibly compelled. When they choose their master, please don’t interfere excessively.”
Naturally, the elders were aware of this and chuckled, “Certainly, certainly. But regarding the Sword Spirit Root, is it the Sect Master’s intention, or yours…?”
Mentioning the Sect Master, Yun Zhi frowned slightly with displeasure and coldly responded, “Does it make a difference?”
The elders remained silent; indeed, there was no difference.
Joking aside, who would dare to oppose a decision made by you?
