Chapter 7 Humble Elders_1

After everyone left, the two of them looked nervously at their feet, worried that Yun Zhi would question them about their attempt to cheat.

After a while, Yun Zhi finally spoke slowly.

"Unexpectedly, both of you passed the test and became disciples of my Seek Dao Sect."

"Both of you ranked high in the three tests, especially the third one where one of you came first and the other came second. Overall, your scores were the best."

"However, this does not mean that you two performed the best in this batch. For example, Man Gu from the Ancient Barbarian Tribe you've met, Tao Yaoye with Feather Transformation Immortal Body who ranked behind you, and Li Haoran with Fire Spirit Root are all geniuses no less exceptional than you."

Meng Jingzhou looked overly pleased with himself, winking at Lu Yang: "Feather Transformation Immortal Body is much rarer than Single Spiritual Root. However, our eldest senior sister's assessment was that he 'ranks behind us', which shows her high regard for us."

Lu Yang resignedly explained: "What the eldest senior sister probably meant was that the person with the Feather Transformation Immortal Body was behind us in line during the first test."

"Although your performance was good, you can't be complacent and arrogant. When you start your true cultivation, you must stay humble and diligent."

At the increasingly stern tone of their eldest senior sister, the two hastily pledged to be diligent and persistent in their future cultivation, vowing not to slack off.

Seeing that they were not just paying lip service, Yun Zhi's face softened a bit: "Since you two have helped me out, I'll give you each an opportunity."

"Meng Jingzhou, you have pure yang Spirit Root, abundant Qi and Blood, and you are the bane of ghosts and spirits. Of the eight Elders, the Third Elder is in deep harmony with this path, you can take him as your mentor."

Overjoyed, Meng Jingzhou quickly thanked her: "Thank you, eldest senior sister."

"Lu Yang, you have Sword Spirit Root, which makes you a natural seedling for swordsmanship. The best in our sect for swordsmanship is our master, who is also the Sect Leader. You should take him as your mentor."

"But sister, you just said that the Sect Leader does not like to instruct disciples..." Lu Yang said softly.

He noticed a difference in emphasis - while her advice to Meng Jingzhou was "you can take him as your mentor", for Lu Yang it was "you should take him as your mentor". The implication was not the same.

"No worries, the matter of acknowledging masters can be decided for him." Yun Zhi's casual tone took Lu Yang aback, as if even if the Sect Leader did not agree, he had to.

"I'm merely making a suggestion. Like all other disciples, you have a month of adjustment period. After a month, you can then decide which master you wish to acknowledge."

Having said this, Yun Zhi then flew towards Sky Gate Mountain, wherein resided the Sect Leader.

...

Sky Gate Mountain, council hall.

A gleaming Water Mirror was suspended in the air. Under a magical spell, the full process of the three trials could be clearly seen from any direction.

The eight figures in the hall expressed varying views about the disciples who passed the tests. They either nodded or shook their heads, praised or scolded. The debate became so heated that it looked as if they were about to come to blows.

Instances like this had happened before. Among the eight figures, several had strong characters and would resort to using magic when words failed them. What was supposed to be a simple evaluation of the younger generation turned into a major test of strength, an eye-opener for the whole Seek Dao Sect.

Considering this, the eight figures present were not in their true forms, so even if they became aggravated, a fight would not ensue.

"This young man, Man Gu, isn't bad; he has a pure lineage from the Ancient Barbarian Tribe and unparalleled brute strength. He's also straightforward, suitable as my successor."

"What a pity that he's too straightforward. The Ancient Barbarian Tribe was extinguished for the same reason. If there's a chance in the future, he should be cultivated with emphasis."

"What do you mean 'suitable as your successor'? It's been a long time since I've found a suitable successor for my art of Refining. Man Gu is focused in his work. It's only right that he becomes my disciple!"

The two elders were so engrossed in their dispute that they… pounded the table conditionally.

The other elders didn't pay attention to these two foolish old men. They continued their review: "Feather Transformation Immortal Body, impervious to all Dharma. Undefiled and unmatched. Ascending to immortality through Feather Transformation, it's been so long since we last saw one. If you calculate the time, the last Feather Transformation Immortal body appeared when we had just entered the Seek Dao Sect."

"What a pity that the last one with Feather Transformation Immortal Body practiced too hastily. He perished without making a name for himself in the Central Continent, as he was overly eager to achieve perfect embodiment of his Immortal Body."

"Sixth Elder, among us, you are the most familiar with the Immortal Body, maybe this woman is fated to be your student."

"Li Haoran who has Fire Spirit Root and is ideally suited for refinement of pills, is a promising talent, but his temperament is too fiery and he can't calm down. In the third task, he exerted all his energy at the start, in the overzealous ambition to surpass Man Gu. He exhausted all his strength prematurely and fell behind as a result, eventually being the last one to complete the task."

"As for this young man from the Meng family and Lu Yang, one has a Pure Yang Spirit Root and the other a Sword Spirit Root. Each is one-of-a-kind, and their way of passing the test is ingenious and impressive. Good talents like these… Elder Brother, why don't you consider taking them in?"

"Indeed, indeed. You only have one disciple, Dai Bufan, who has already completed his training. There's no need for further instruction. Taking in two more talents now, won't it make a magnificent story when they succeed in the future?"

"Shut up, always avoiding the main point, with the way these two cleared the test, I won't have a peaceful life once I take them in. I just want to retire in peace and be an Elder, so don't make trouble for me!"

"Second Elder, why don't you take them in?"

"Do you want me to take you in first?"

None of the eight elders showed the slightest interest in taking in the two single Spiritual Root geniuses.

Damn it, whoever takes these two in, won't have a peaceful second half of life.

"Eh, look, Yun Zhi is suggesting to these two. One to be taken in by the Sect Leader and the other by the Third Elder?!"

All attention was focused on the Third Elder, who sighed as if resigned to his fate. Yun Zhi's suggestion was not wrong, he was most suitable for cultivating Pure Yang Spirit Root.

Among the eight figures, the Third Elder was the most imposing; a body full of taut muscles and overflowing vitality, he looked like a blazing torch in the dark, the typical Body Cultivator.

It was said that when he was young, his vitality was so overflowing that he could not control it. He would often run to the Spirit Field and chase away the cow demons, plowing the fields himself.

"Speaking of which, hasn't the Sect Leader been in seclusion for nine years now?"

"It seems so."

Everyone remembered that they actually had the position of Sect Leader. It seemed to make little difference whether they had one or not.

"So how should the one with Sword Spirit Root acknowledge his master?"

While they were talking, a beautiful figure flew in on a cloud. As the cloud dissipated, it revealed the figure of the Eldest Senior Sister.

"Yun Zhi pays her respects to all her uncles."

All of them quickly stood up to return the greeting. With the current Sect Leader in seclusion, Yun Zhi was acting on behalf of him, controlling all of the sect, her status was above the eight elders.

"Yun Zhi understands that all of our uncles have their preferred disciples. However, acknowledging a master is a matter of great Causality and can't be forced. I hope that you won't excessively interfere when they are choosing their masters."

The elders naturally understood this concept and laughed: "Of course, of course. However, is the one with Sword Spirit Root being accepted under the Sect Leader a decision made by the Sect Leader or by you…"

Speaking of the Sect Leader, Yun Zhi frowned slightly, she seemed a little unhappy and coldly replied: "Does it make a difference?"

The eight elders fell silent. Indeed, there was no difference.

Joking aside, would the Sect Leader dare to oppose any decisions you make?