Chapter 42: Taking a Master
The distraught boy was quickly escorted away, and the test continued.
The white-haired elder returned with another young cultivator, the one who had been shocked by Mingyan’s speed earlier. He frowned, seeing he was now behind Mingyan in line.
As more cultivators tested their aptitude, the results quickly became apparent. Of the dozens ahead of Mingyan, five had been eliminated, half with scores around five levels and the other half with six. No one else had achieved seven levels…
The elders above looked disappointed, clearly dissatisfied with the quality of this batch of recruits.
Those with five or six levels wouldn’t be chosen by the elders and would become ordinary disciples of the Wind Spirit Branch.
After over an hour, it was finally Mingyan’s turn.
“A sixteen-year-old at the Great Brook Realm? He’s probably going to set a new record for the lowest score today.” Disciple Zhang sneered, still not expecting much from Mingyan.
The young man behind Mingyan rolled his eyes. He had thought the same, but then he had witnessed Mingyan’s incredible speed during the first test. This would likely shock everyone.
The lowest score so far was three. Those who passed the first test generally had decent talent. It was rare for someone to score only two levels on the second test.
But Mingyan’s situation was unique. He was the oldest among the new disciples. Those of similar age had been eliminated in the first test… Those who remained were mostly under thirteen, some even younger, like the boy the elders had fought over, who looked to be only seven or eight.
“Since he passed the first test, he should at least get three levels. I don’t think he’ll break the record.” Another disciple beside Zhang shook his head. “Besides, we might be mistaken. Doesn’t this happen every year? We underestimate a disciple, and they turn out to be incredibly talented…”
“I won’t lose anything either way. I’ve been wanting to confess to Senior Brother Le.” Zhang snorted.
“…” The other disciple subtly distanced himself from Zhang.
Mingyan, unfazed, placed his hand on the Wind Spirit Stone.
The elders above looked disappointed, seeing his age and cultivation level. One of them sighed. “What’s wrong this year? Why are the recruits so weak? I heard the Moon Shadow Branch has many talented new disciples, many with seven levels, and even a few with eight… Although no one reached the Holy Maiden’s ten levels, it’s still quite good…”
“Indeed. At this rate… how can we compete with the Moon Shadow Branch…”
“Careful!” Another elder warned, glancing at him. “Besides, what’s the rush? I think this young man is special. I heard from the guards at the front gate that he ascended the mountain effortlessly during the first test. Perhaps his talent is beyond our expectations.”
“…Is that true?”
“We’ll see.”
The Wind Spirit Stone felt strange to the touch, like… the sensation of wind against one’s palm when moving at high speed…
A disciple beside him instructed, “Circulate your spiritual energy as fast as you can. The Wind Spirit Stone can sense it. Begin.”
Mingyan nodded, closed his eyes, and circulated his energy.
His natural spirit channels, a unique aspect of his constitution, allowed for exceptionally fast energy circulation, unlike others who had to create their own channels. The Wind Spirit Stone quickly reacted, vibrating slightly.
The first level lit up, followed by the second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth…
Before anyone could react, the glow jumped to the eighth level and continued rising, reaching the tenth level without stopping.
The stone radiated a brilliant light that enveloped Mingyan, reaching towards the sky!
“Ten levels?!” The previously disappointed elder’s eyes widened. “It’s actually ten levels?!”
“Excellent! It’s been so long since the Wind Spirit Branch has seen a ten-level talent!” The balding elder was also excited. “I must personally guide this disciple.”
“Don’t let him die under your tutelage.” Lin Zhongdao glared at him and snorted. “Let Wang Daoming teach him.”
Hearing this name, the balding elder fell silent. After a moment, he said, “The Headmaster is likely observing this as well. He should be arriving soon.”
The young cultivator behind Mingyan rolled his eyes. He had known this wasn’t an ordinary person. Damn, not normal at all. Even if he achieved eight or nine levels, no one would remember him now… How unlucky…
Disciple Zhang was also shocked. “I didn’t expect him to actually get ten levels… Hmph, well, at least I have a legitimate reason to confess to Senior Brother Le now.”
“…” The disciple who had distanced himself from Zhang was also stunned, then looked at him, speechless. “Senior Brother Zhang, do you understand what ten levels means? It means he’s far more talented than Senior Brother Le… He’s on the same level as the Holy Maiden…”
“This test doesn’t represent everything. Besides, even if he’s more talented than Senior Brother Le, so what?” Zhang shook his head. Although surprised, he wasn’t swayed.
“How many ten-level talents have there been in history? Were any of them weaklings?” another disciple said. “The Headmaster will probably come to accept him as a personal disciple… If nurtured properly, he might become the Wind Spirit Holy Son, a position that has been vacant for centuries…”
“The Wind Spirit Holy Son can only be Senior Brother Le. Although he only has eight levels, even the Holy Maiden praised his talent.” Zhang glared at him. “This guy is only at the Great Brook Realm. Senior Brother Le is already at the early Qi Sea Realm, only slightly weaker than the Holy Maiden. It will take him years to catch up to Senior Brother Le.”
“But Senior Brother Le isn’t young anymore… He’s already twenty-four or twenty-five… The Holy Maiden is only eighteen…”
“Do you think this guy can reach the Qi Sea Realm in two years?” Zhang snorted.
Mingyan opened his eyes, looking at the brilliant light reaching towards the sky, also surprised. He had thought eight levels would be sufficient, but he had achieved ten.
He looked up at the elders, puzzled. Why weren’t they reacting? Why weren’t they trying to recruit him?
He removed his hand from the stone, looking around, but found nothing unusual. Strange… What was going on? Wasn’t ten levels the highest possible score?
“You’ve passed the test. Please wait here.” The disciple who had been surprised by his score approached him, smiling. “Elder Lin just informed me that the Headmaster is interested in accepting you as a personal disciple. Someone will be here to escort you shortly. Please wait a moment.”
Mingyan finally understood. It wasn’t that the elders weren’t interested, but that the Headmaster, who was above them, had taken notice of him. He nodded and stepped aside to wait.
He was now the center of attention. Almost everyone was staring at him. What did ten levels mean?
Historically, those who achieved ten levels often became the Holy Son or Holy Maiden of their respective branches, eventually becoming the Headmaster. But the Wind Spirit Branch hadn’t seen a ten-level talent in a long time. Even the current Headmaster, Wang Daoming, had only achieved nine levels when he joined.
Although the results of the Wind Spirit Stone and Moon Shadow Stone tests didn’t fully represent a cultivator’s overall talent, geniuses generally had excellent physiques, which enhanced their potential.
This meant the Wind Spirit Branch might finally have a Holy Son again…
The elders looked at Mingyan with fervent gazes, while the other disciples looked on with envy. Such talent meant he would receive abundant resources and training… Who wouldn’t want to be the Headmaster’s personal disciple? With the Headmaster’s guidance, their progress would be incredibly fast.
A figure appeared silently behind the elders.
“Headmaster!”
A disciple noticed him and immediately knelt down, and the others followed suit, bowing respectfully. “Headmaster!”
Mingyan looked at the man called Headmaster. He appeared relatively young, dressed in green, his demeanor dignified and charismatic. He smiled and waved his hand. “Rise.”
He then appeared before Mingyan, his smile gentle. “You’re the one who achieved ten levels, right? My name is Wang Daoming, Headmaster of the Wind Spirit Branch. Would you be willing to become my disciple?”
“The Headmaster himself… He truly values this ten-level talent.” A disciple exclaimed.
“Ten levels… even the Holy Maiden only has ten levels… The Wind Spirit Branch can finally hold its head high. We’re always being compared unfavorably to the women… His cultivation level is a bit low, but given time, he’ll catch up.”
Wang Daoming reminded Mingyan of Xia Yanming. They both seemed gentle and kind. He had a good first impression of the Headmaster. He cupped his hands respectfully. “Disciple…”
Just as he was about to speak, a hazy figure appeared, making Wang Daoming frown. He gestured for Mingyan to stop and looked surprised, while the elders above landed and knelt down. “Holy Master!”
The disciples, who had just risen, knelt down again. “Holy Master!”
Wang Daoming also bowed. “Holy Master… to what do we owe this honor?”
Holy Master? Mingyan looked at the hazy figure and realized it was Holy Master Yue Ying, whom he had met several times but never seen clearly. Why was she here?
She didn’t speak but sent a letter flying towards Wang Daoming, her voice cold and indifferent. “Family Head Huang Junru entrusted me with this child’s care. I intend to accept him as a personal disciple. He will also cultivate the Wind Spirit Scripture. Although I haven’t cultivated it myself, I’ve thoroughly studied it and am capable of guiding him.”
“What is the meaning of this?” Wang Daoming accepted the letter but didn’t open it, his brow furrowed. “You’re the Headmaster of the Moon Shadow Branch. How can you accept a male disciple? There’s no precedent for this.”
“I’ll set the precedent today.” Holy Master Yue Ying said calmly. “My decision is final. Or do you think you’re a better teacher than me?”
Wang Daoming lowered his head. “I wouldn’t dare… But the division of the branches was established by our ancestors. Please reconsider accepting a male disciple, Holy Master.”
Mingyan remained silent, observing the situation. He had thought becoming the Headmaster’s disciple was a great honor, but now, the Holy Master wanted him as her disciple?
He was talented, but her current disciple, Yue Qingying, was also exceptional. Why would she make an exception for him?
“I said, my decision is final. There’s nothing to reconsider.”
“…Let him decide, Holy Master,” Wang Daoming said after a moment of silence.
“Mingyan, what is your decision?” Holy Master Yue Ying looked at him, her voice slightly cold. Mingyan pondered.
She hadn’t accepted him immediately after receiving Huang Junru’s letter, unlike what the Huang family had said. She must have wanted to assess his talent first. Now that he had proven himself, she was using the letter to claim him… This made him hesitate.
He couldn’t say she was wrong, but it did lower his opinion of her slightly.
He didn’t know Wang Daoming, but Holy Master Yue Ying seemed to have a good relationship with the Huang family… He was now on good terms with the Huang family, so becoming her disciple seemed advantageous. However, as the Headmaster of the Moon Shadow Branch, she shouldn’t be accepting male disciples. Becoming her disciple would make him stand out… Would that attract unwanted attention…?
But it would also make Ning Feixuan notice him. Mingyan made his decision.
He knelt before Holy Master Yue Ying. “Disciple is willing to become your disciple…”
Wang Daoming’s face darkened. He returned the letter to the Holy Master, glared at Mingyan, and left.
Mingyan knew he had likely offended Wang Daoming, but choosing him would have offended the Holy Master. Wang Daoming, by giving him the choice, had created this situation.
Compared to Wang Daoming, Holy Master Yue Ying was more powerful and influential. Becoming her disciple was the better choice…
“Good. From now on, you’re my disciple. Call me Master.” Holy Master Yue Ying, whose real name was Yue Wu Xia, nodded slightly and, with a wave of her hand, lifted him into the air. She then tapped her foot gently and flew away with him.
The other disciples looked at each other, bewildered…
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