Chapter 3 Are you sure you want to take him as a disciple?

Lu Changsheng's gaze fell upon a young attendant of Xiao Xiangdao, the third prince of Liang Kingdom.

With his Spirit Sword Physique, Xiao Xiangdao had alarmed the people of Mount Shu, so much so that even the eldest senior brother, Li Changye, decided to personally take him as a disciple.

However, the Disciple Apprenticeship Simulator showed that Xiao Xiangdao's attendant possessed the Heart of the Innocent, with potential even above Xiao Xiangdao himself.

With virtue as profound as that of an innocent child.

Those with the Heart of the Innocent, although seemingly mediocre, with slow progress in the early stages of immortal cultivation, might just reach enlightenment upon embarking on the path of immortality, possibly in just one day.

According to ancient Mount Shu records, eighty thousand years ago, there was an outer sect disciple who spent fifty years advancing from the Foundation Establishment Realm to the Qi Transformation Realm, but in a single day, he gained Path Comprehension, leaping directly from the Qi Transformation Realm over the Golden Core Realm and the Nascent Soul Realm to the Dao Palace Realm. The Sect Leader at the time, believing he had the Heart of the Innocent, made an exception to accept him as a disciple.

Such a disciple is a rare find.

"Xiao Xiangdao, I intend to take you as my disciple, do you wish to accept?"

Li Changye extended the offer of discipleship, and mortals awaiting their trials below all cast envious glances at the third prince of Liang Kingdom.

Li Changye was regarded as the foremost among the young elders of Mount Shu and was a candidate to be the next Sect Leader. To become Li Changye's chief disciple meant a boundless future.

"Liang Kingdom is one of the vassal states of the Great Xia dynasty, and with Mount Shu as its backer, the stature of Liang Kingdom will rise."

"The third prince of Liang Kingdom possesses the Spirit Sword Physique, and in the future, he is at least guaranteed to be an elder of Mount Shu."

"I wonder if the third prince is already married? If we could form a marital alliance with him, our family could soar to great heights."

"Dream on, the third prince is not only of the Liang royal family but also a Mount Shu disciple, why would he take an interest in a daughter from an ordinary prestigious family?"

Many prestigious families and loose cultivators whispered among themselves.

"This disciple is willing!"

Xiao Xiangdao's eyes blazed with fervor, and he immediately agreed.

With the True Person of Taiyuan in constant seclusion, Li Changye effectively oversaw Mount Shu on his behalf. Being taken as Li Changye's chief disciple meant that ascending to the position of Sect Leader of Mount Shu was not an impossible dream.

"Congratulations, Your Highness, for achieving your wish and being accepted into Mount Shu. From now on, our Liang Kingdom doesn't need to look to other feudal states any longer."

"This joyful news must be reported to His Majesty immediately!"

The Liang Kingdom military generals escorting Xiao Xiangdao and his entourage congratulated him and then prepared to make their journey back home.

Mount Shu disciples are not permitted to bring servants, even if they are princes from the mortal kingdoms.

Before the colossal presence of Mount Shu, the mortal kingdoms seem insignificant.

"Hold on."

The voice of Lu Changsheng rang out, causing the Liang Kingdom's people to startle.

"What important matter brings the Elder here?"

The Liang Kingdom's people were apprehensive. Had they inadvertently offended this Mount Shu elder?

"I see that this person has the fate of an immortal, and I intend to take him as a disciple."

Lu Changsheng pointed to a youth dressed in green.

This young man had a very ordinary appearance, and at first glance, looked somewhat honest and simple, hardly the sort that would be described as having the fate of an immortal...

"Qingzhi, the Elder wants to take you as a disciple. You really are lucky."

"Aren't you going to bow and thank the Elder quickly?"

The leading Liang Kingdom military general, a high-level expert in the Qi Transformation Realm, knew that for a mortal, having a Mount Shu elder willing to take him as a disciple was a tremendous fortune, so he hurriedly urged the youth to pay respects.

The youth was somewhat puzzled as he scratched his head: "But I didn't sign up to join Mount Shu..."

"You single-minded fellow, I really don't understand how the Elder sees potential in you."

The Liang Kingdom military general held his forehead in frustration. It was a chance of a lifetime that ordinary people could not even dream of.

"Mount Shu's recruitment of disciples is not limited to the grand ceremony of accepting disciples. As long as you are willing to take me as your master, you can embark on the path of immortal cultivation, and Liang Kingdom will benefit as well," said Lu Changsheng, whispering like a devil.

"Dis-, disciple is willing."

After a serious consideration, the youth accepted the offer, to the urgent dismay of those around.

This was an opportunity to become an inner sect disciple of Mount Shu!

"Very well."

Lu Changsheng satisfactorily accepted his first disciple.

"Lu has actually taken a disciple?"

"Could it be that this person possesses some unique traits?"

"Why not use the Gallbladder Mirror to see his aptitude?"

The other Mount Shu Elders, finding the usually solitary Lu Changsheng willing to take a young boy as a disciple, began to chatter with excitement, eager for gossip.

Taiyuan, also somewhat puzzled, activated the Immortal Artifact Gallbladder Mirror, directing it towards the boy.

The Gallbladder Mirror revealed the boy's aptitude: Lin Qingzhi, lower-grade Root Bone, lower-grade Comprehension, lower-grade Qi Destiny, no special physique.

"This..."

A group of Mount Shu Elders were stunned speechless.

Initially, they had assumed Lu Changsheng's apprentice to be a genius, but they hadn't expected such... mediocrity.

With such aptitude, without the favor of Mount Shu's Elders, he wouldn't even qualify to be an outer sect disciple.

"Brother Lu, this person's aptitude is too mediocre, are you sure you want to take him as a disciple?"

Many Mount Shu Elders sent over looks of doubt.

You understand nothing.

Lu Changsheng muttered to himself.

A disciple with the Heart of the Innocent is a rare find in ten thousand years.

"Ahem, aptitude is one thing, but character is more important."

Lu Changsheng forcibly explained.

Taiyuan and Li Changye nodded in approval; this had been one of Mount Shu's founding principles.

"Let the disciple recruitment ceremony continue!"

After Lu Changsheng took his disciple, the recruitment ceremony proceeded, with more candidates being taken as disciples by Mount Shu Elders, while those not favored by Elders could only become outer sect disciples of Mount Shu.

Should they make significant progress in their cultivation or contributions to Mount Shu, outer sect disciples could become inner sect disciples, or even Elders.

Apart from Xiao Xiangdao, several disciples with special physiques stood out and were taken as disciples by several senior Elders.

The strengths of special physiques varied, and even though these disciples' special physiques were more formidable than those of ordinary cultivators, they still couldn't compare to the Eternal Wilderness Body or the Spirit Sword Physique.

"This child was picked up from the battlefield by the Naval Commander of Liang Country, and he also serves as a Chess Attendant for the Third Prince. Aside from his skill in chess, he usually seems rather slow-witted. Should he cause any offense in the future, I ask for your understanding, Taoist priest. Qingzhi, you must cultivate diligently and not miss this opportunity for immortality."

Before leaving, the Liang Kingdom's Military General entrusted Lin Qingzhi to Lu Changsheng.

Xiao Xiangdao glanced at his follower, also not expecting that an orphan would be taken as a disciple by a Mount Shu Elder.

Fortunately, Lu Changsheng was just an ordinary Elder of Mount Shu, not as prominent as Li Changye.

Otherwise, where would he, the Third Prince, place his face if his own retainer were to surpass him in cultivation?

Xiao Xiangdao clenched his fists; with his aptitude, becoming a Mount Shu Elder in the future was not difficult, and he would certainly not be surpassed by an orphan.

Lu Changsheng paid no attention to Xiao Xiangdao's thoughts but turned to check the panel of his newly accepted disciple on the Disciple Apprenticeship Simulator:

[Lin Qingzhi]

[Talents: Heart of the Innocent, Innate Spirit Vein, Wood Spirit Root]

[Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Realm, first layer]

[Dao Bone: 15 years]

[Merits: 0]

[Mind Technique: none]

[Magic Treasure: none]

[Generosity Opportunities Today: 1/1]

[Blessing Opportunities Today: 1/1]

[Simulation Opportunities Today: 1/1]