Stepping Stone

"Master, I will let you decide." Su Yang said in response to Senior Wu's question.

However, Senior Wu shook his head and said, "This decision isn't for me to make, but I can share with you my insight, which might help you decide."

Seeing Su Yang nod, Senior Wu continued, "The Divine Yang Sword Mountain is a powerful and prominent sect within the Martial Heaven, where it's much more difficult for sects to stand out due to their competitive nature. They have an abundance of immortal cultivators while our Fleeting Sword Sect lacks even a single one."

"If I were in your shoes, I would not hesitate to abandon my status of Grand Elder at the Fleeting Sword Sect to join the Divine Yang Sword Mountain, even if I have to start from scratch as a mere Outer Disciple."

"Furthermore, it's not as if you have to join immediately. The Divine Origin Realm isn't easily achievable and could take hundreds if not thousands of years. Sect Leader Han and I are only at the Divine Spirit Realm with very slim chances of going any higher, but you are different. You are blessed with not just immense sword talents but a Heavenly Constitution as well. You definitely have the potential to leave the Mortal Realm."

"Disciple Su, unlike your Master here, you are not fated to remain in this small place. As a cultivator, you should always aim for a higher step—a better environment."

"And as your Master, I urge you to use the Fleeting Sword Sect as a stepping stone to reach a higher place, such as the Divine Yang Sword Mountain. Moreover, it's not like you'll be a disciple there permanently. If you still wish to return to the Fleeting Sword Sect after 2,000 years, we will always welcome you back with open arms. Of course, you could always choose another path. Never settle with a single path in life, Disciple Su."

Su Yang took a long moment to digest everything Senior Wu said and nodded, "This disciple understands."

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and continued, "I will accept Senior Bai's offer."

Senior Wu smiled when he saw the determination within Su Yang's gaze and nodded, "Very well. I shall let the Sect Leader know of our situation."

Senior Wu left shortly after to speak with Han Jianzhi, who was in a meeting with other Sect Elders.

"Sect Leader Han, isn't it about time we find a Prime Disciple—the successor of the Fleeting Sword Sect? How many years has it been since you last accepted a disciple? All of our competitors have already started nourishing their Prime Disciple." One of the Sect Elders voiced their concerns.

Han Jianzhi sighed, "Indeed, it's been several decades since my late disciple—our last Prime Disciple passed away. However, this isn't a matter we can take lightly. We need to find someone qualified."

Of course, Han Jianzhi already had someone in mind, but he didn't have any intention of revealing Su Yang's existence so quickly.

"Sect Leader, we have plenty of qualified disciples. Take my disciple, Yan Zedong, for example. He's only 100 years old and he's already started studying the fifth stage of Sword Tyrant's Void Insights."

Hearing this, another Sect Elder sneered, "Hmph! My disciple, Zhao Luoyang, is only 90 years old and she's already understood half of the fifth stage. She's much more qualified to be the next Prime Disciple!"

A minor uproar ensued, with nearly every Sect Elder in the assembly endorsing their own disciple for the role of Prime Disciple. After all, if their disciple were to become the next Sect Leader, their own position within the Sect would also increase.

Suddenly, one of the Sect Elders there spoke, "What about Grand Elder Wu's disciples? He has two excellent disciples, and while they are not as experienced as the others, their talents are definitely superior—the best our Sect has seen in the past ten thousand years."

Someone quickly responded, "They are out of the question. If I recall correctly, one of them has already been recruited by the Heaven Soaring Sword Palace and will be transferred to them once she reaches the Divine Spirit Realm. The other one is just as talented, so she will most likely walk the same path."

Before anyone could even respond, the door to the room swung open, and a figure walked inside and responded, "Elder Chu is correct. The Fleeting Sword Sect is too small for them, so they will be transferred to our Alliance Sect, the Heaven Soaring Sword Palace once they are prepared."

"Grand Elder Wu! Where have you been lately? I haven't seen you in quite some time."

The Sect Elders were surprised to see him appear so suddenly after many months of absence.

However, Senior Wu ignored them and looked straight at Han Jianzhi and said, "Sect Leader, there's something that requires your immediate attention."

Han Jianzhi narrowed his eyes and asked, "Is it about…?"

"Indeed."

"Very well."

Han Jianzhi stood up and said to the Sect Elders there, "Let's take a break and resume this meeting tomorrow."

He then hastily left the scene with Senior Wu before any of the Sect Elders there could even respond.

Once they returned to the Fleeting Sword Peak, Senior Wu explained the situation concerning Su Yang and Bai Yufeng to Han Jianzhi, whose expression shifted from excitement to perplexed after learning everything.

"The Divine Yang Sword Mountain, huh? Honestly, after being reminded by Elder Chu that your other disciples were too talented for our Fleeting Sword Sect, I've already started reconsidering making Su Yang the Prime Disciple." Han Jianzhi sighed.

"Innate Sword Instincts and the Boundless Yang Consitution—Su Yang surpasses his Senior Apprentice Sisters in every aspect, so it wouldn't make sense to make him a Prime Disciple and contain him within the Sect when the others are already considered too talented for us."

Senior Wu showed a bittersweet smile and said, "I guess we were too blinded by his talents and failed to consider this…"

After a moment of silence, Han Jianzhi spoke, "Although Su Yang will leave our Sect in the future, it doesn't mean we should lessen our efforts for him."

"That's only natural." Senior Wu nodded in agreement.

After all, it would only benefit their Sect if Su Yang became a famous individual in the future and nothing would change the fact that he grew up in the Fleeting Sword Sect.

"Then it's decided. I will let Senior Bai know of Su Yang's decision." Senior Wu said before leaving to find Bai Yufeng.