Ch-7: Getting a master(1)

When the result was revealed, the elder choked on his own saliva, and even the crowd started to rub their eyes in disbelief.

"3rd Stage of the Mortal Ascension Realm" boldly displayed on the large stone tablet, and sudden silence enveloped the surroundings until a commotion broke out.

"Damn, are my eyes playing tricks on me?"

"Someone slap my face, wake me up if this is a dream."

" Fuck, I understand I said to slap but did you have to do it so hard, bastard"

"Impossible, who the hell is he, and why the hell does he have such high cultivation?"

"Mortal Ascension Realm, you have to be kidding me, and he's at the 3rd stage even!"

"I thought Su Yang would have the highest cultivation."

"Su Yang is already at the 5th stage of the Mortal Refinement Realm, which is already extraordinary, but how the heck is he in the Ascension Realm? Did he get injected with chicken blood?"

"He's already comparable to an inner sect disciple."

"Who the hell is this guy? Does anyone recognize him?"

"Same, I have not seen him."

The crowd burst into loud chatter when they saw Bai Chenyu's cultivation. Trial disciples having such high cultivation was unheard of. Even Su Yang, who had looked arrogant just a few moments ago, had his mouth hanging open, seemingly able to fit an egg.

The Elder was still in a state of shock and quickly snapped out of his daze by the loud commotion. He looked at the reports on Bai Chenyu one more time, swallowed his saliva, and then directed his attention to Bai Chenyu.

"Disciple Chenyu, I am Zhu Yu, an Outer Court Elder of the sect. Can you tell me how long it has been since you started cultivating?" Zhu Yu asked with a polite smile. He didn't request Bai Chenyu to put his hand on the stone tablet again for rechecking because he knew it was impossible for it to make a mistake. The crowd, witnessing such a polite inquiry, was stunned for a moment. They thought it was reasonable, considering Bai Chenyu's remarkably high cultivation without any aid from the sect and his young age. However, they were unaware that the Elder's politeness stemmed from the reports indicating that Bai Chenyu had awakened his spiritual roots only a year ago. Achieving the Mortal Ascension Realm within such a short period was an extraordinary feat that even many elders in the past couldn't accomplish after numerous years of cultivation, even the sect leader was incapable of such a feat and only a few heaven-defying geniuses could accomplish such a feat. Zhu Yu wanted to confirm this information from Bai Chenyu's own mouth.

"I have been cultivating for only a year, Elder. I awakened my spiritual roots last year," Bai Chenyu replied respectfully. He understood the reason for the Elder's question, he answered honestly as he wanted to attract attention the peak masters. Becoming the disciple of a peak master would be immensely helpful for his future. When the Elder heard the words, matching the information on the report, he sucked in a cold breath and regarded Bai Chenyu as if he were a monster. The crowd descended further into disarray upon learning this.

"What, did I hear right? He just awakened his spiritual roots and started cultivation a year ago, and he's already a Mortal Ascension Realm expert. What the hell!"

"I doubt even the inner court disciples are this monstrously talented."

"Hey, I think I recognize him, that's Bai Chenyu."

"Huh, yes, you're right. Now that the Elder said his name, I recognize him. He indeed did not awaken his roots before a year ago. I used to see him cleaning trial disciples' courtyards many times."

"Really? If that's true, he's heaven-defying, while Su Yang, the previous number one genius, can only be considered talented."

The crowd started chattering, comparing Bai Chenyu with Su Yang, and concluding that he was more talented than Su Yang. Su Yang, on the other hand, clenched his fists, his face turning red in anger. This was supposed to be his moment, and how dare some nobody take his limelight! Su Chen, watching Su Yang, had a gleeful look on his face seeing Su Yang's indignant expression.

'Damn, what's with that look,' Bai Chenyu thought to himself and took a few steps back when he saw the bloodshot eyes of the Elder as if he were some kind of treasure that the Elder must obtain.

'Word will soon spread about his monstrous talent, and perhaps peak masters might start a war among themselves to take him as their disciple. Should I try my luck in taking him as my disciple? Yes, first come, first serve,' the Elder thought inside his mind, recalling the rule that the first elder to convince a disciple to become their personal disciple could not be claimed by another elder. It was unfair to the disciples, but most disciples would agree due to pressure. He was about to open his mouth to speak when his communication token vibrated suddenly. This caused him to snap out of his excitement and cough awkwardly when he noticed Bai Chenyu looking at him weirdly.

Bai Chenyu observed from the sidelines as the Elder retrieved his communication token, a mix of curiosity and uncertainty etched on his face. The Elder's expression shifted dramatically as he listened to the conversation on the other end. From initial excitement to a pale, dejected look directed at Bai Chenyu.

"Congragulations, Disciple Chenyu. Initially, I wanted to claim you as my own disciple, but I just received a call, and you have been chosen by a peak master as his disciple," Zhu Yu declared, forcing a smile. The crowd responded with envious and jealous looks towards Bai Chenyu, while some females regarded him with admiration.

'I got saved,' Bai Chenyu thought, wiping the sweat from his twitching eyebrows. He realized he had forgotten that an elder could have recruited him as his disciple, and his plan to become the disciple of a peak master could have gone awry.

"All right, all of you disperse. The ones who have passed can join the Outer Court from tomorrow," the Elder announced in a tired voice, and many of them left with dejected expressions. Some were disappointed for not becoming Outer Court disciples, while others were sad due to a lack of talent to attract peak masters.

"Elder, what about me?" Zhu Yu was about to leave with Bai Chenyu when Su Yang's voice interrupted him. Zhu Yu looked at the awkward Su Yang, realizing he had forgotten about him due to the call.

"I almost forg... Cough... You can go to the Outer Court tomorrow, to the place where the peak masters might select new disciples. If they like you, you will get selected. Take this token, which signifies you have been qualified," Zhu Yu tossed him a token. Bai Chenyu's mouth twitched when he heard that the Elder was about to admit he had forgotten about Su Yang. Su Yang also heard and wanted to cry but had no tears.

"All right, let's go; that person is waiting for you," Zhu Yu said as he hurriedly dragged Bai Chenyu away leaving behind an angry Su Yang