Once the others had left, the two stared apprehensively at their toes, fearing Yun Zhi would hold them accountable for attempting to cheat.
Only after a long while did Yun Zhi slowly speak.
"I did not expect that both of you would pass the trials and become disciples of my Dao Seeking Sect.
"Your rankings in all three trials were near the very top, especially in the third trial, where one took first place and the other second. Taken as a whole, your scores are the best.
"However, that does not mean you performed best among this batch. For instance, Man Gu of the Ancient Barbarian race whom you have met, Tao Yao of the Feathering Immortal Physique who was behind you, Li Haoran of the Fire Spiritual Root... all are geniuses who are not inferior to you."
Meng Jingzhou, brimming with smug confidence, winked at Lu Yang. "A Feathering Immortal Physique is far rarer than a single spiritual root, yet Eldest Senior Sister's assessment was simply 'behind us.' That shows how highly she regards us."
Lu Yang explained helplessly, "Eldest Senior Sister probably just meant that when we were queuing for the first trial, the Feathering Immortal Physique was standing in line behind us."
"Although you performed well, you must not become conceited. Once your formal cultivation begins, you must keep your feet on the ground and guard against arrogance and rashness."
Hearing Eldest Senior Sister's tone grow increasingly stern, the two hastily promised to be diligent and conscientious in their future cultivation, never daring to slack off.
Seeing that their tone didn't seem insincere, Yun Zhi's expression softened slightly. "Since you gave me a ride earlier, I will grant you a serendipitous opportunity.
"Meng Jingzhou, you possess a Pure Yang Spiritual Root. Your vital energy surges to the heavens, making you the natural bane of ghosts and specters. Among the eight elders, the Third Elder is deeply versed in this path. You may take him as your master."
Meng Jingzhou was overjoyed and bowed in gratitude at once. "Thank you, Eldest Senior Sister!"
"Lu Yang, you possess a Sword Spiritual Root, a natural seed for the sword path. The one in our sect most skilled in sword arts is Master—that is, the Sect Master. You should take him as your master."
"But Senior Sister, didn't you just say earlier that the Sect Master has never liked teaching disciples...?" Lu Yang asked in a low voice.
He had noticed that Eldest Senior Sister had told Meng Jingzhou "you may take him as your master," but told him "you should take him as your master." The underlying implications were not quite the same.
"No matter. In matters of accepting disciples, I can decide on his behalf." Yun Zhi's nonchalant tone stunned Lu Yang for a moment. She made it sound as though even if the Sect Master didn't agree, he would have to agree anyway.
"These are merely suggestions. Like the other disciples, you have a one-month adjustment period. After that month, you may decide whom you wish to apprentice under."
With that, Yun Zhi took to the air, flying toward Tianmen Peak where the Sect Master resided.
***
Tianmen Peak, Discussion Hall.
A smooth water mirror hung projected in midair. Empowered by magic, its contents were clearly visible from any direction, displaying the complete process of the three trials.
Eight figures nodded or shook their heads, praising or scolding, each holding different views on the disciples who had passed the trials. At the most heated moments, they nearly came to blows.
There was precedent for this. Among the eight figures were several passionate temperaments who, unable to win an argument with words, would resort to spell duels. What began as an evaluation of juniors to select disciples would devolve into emotional outbursts and grand battles between mighty powerhouses, giving the entire Dao Seeking Sect quite a spectacle.
In light of this, none of the eight figures' true bodies were present here; even if their tempers flared, an actual brawl wouldn't break out.
"This kid Man Gu isn't bad. Pure blood of the Ancient Barbarian race, brute strength unmatched among his peers, and a simple, honest mind. He's just right to receive my legacy."
"Pity he's too simple-minded. That was precisely why the Ancient Barbarian race perished. If there's an opportunity in the future, he can be nurtured with particular emphasis on that."
"What do you mean, 'fit to receive your legacy'? My artifact crafting lineage hasn't had a suitable successor in ages! Man Gu is focused and diligent; joining my lineage is only right and proper!"
As the two elders argued, their tempers flared, and then... they rolled up their sleeves and went right on glaring at each other.
The other elders ignored those two fools and continued their evaluations. "Feathering Immortal Physique, immune to myriad arts, immaculate and peerless, ascending like an immortal—truly, we haven't seen one in a long time. Counting back, the last time a Feathering Immortal Physique appeared was right around when we had just joined the Dao Seeking Sect."
"Unfortunately, that previous Feathering Immortal Physique cultivated too hastily. Before even making a name across the Central Continent, driven by impatience to bring the immortal physique to great completion, internal heat attacked the heart, and they succumbed beyond remedy."
"Sixth Elder, among us you are the most familiar with immortal physiques. Perhaps this girl has an affinity with you."
"Fire Spiritual Root Li Haoran is good material for both alchemy and artifact crafting, but his temperament is too restless; he cannot calm his mind. In the third trial, he held his breath and scrambled upward, dead set on overtaking Man Gu in front, only to burn through his strength too early. In the end, the others left him behind, and he became the very last to pass."
"As for this Meng kid and Lu Yang, one with a Pure Yang Spiritual Root and the other with a Sword Spiritual Root, both are top-tier seedlings. Their method of passing the trial was also ingenious, leaving one gasping in admiration. Seedlings of this caliber... Eldest Brother, why don't you take the trouble to accept them?"
"Precisely, precisely! You currently only have Dai Bufan as your disciple, and he has already completed his apprenticeship and requires no further instruction. If you take in two geniuses now, won't it be another wonderful story when they achieve greatness in the future?"
"Scram, scram, scram! All of you love dodging the real problem! Given how they passed the trial, if I take them in, I won't have a single day of peace. All I want right now is to retire in peace and become a Supreme Elder—don't you go making trouble for me!"
"Second Elder, will you take them?"
"Do you believe I'll take you first?"
The eight elders were exceedingly courteous and deferential to one another, not showing the slightest desire to claim the two single spiritual root geniuses.
Damn it, whoever took these two in could kiss any hope of a peaceful life goodbye.
"Hey, look! That lass Yun Zhi is making recommendations to those two. One to apprentice under the Sect Master, and the other under Old Third?!"
Everyone turned their gazes upon the Third Elder.
The Third Elder let out a resigned sigh. Yun Zhi's recommendation wasn't wrong either; he truly was the most suitable to nurture a Pure Yang Spiritual Root.
Among the eight figures, the Third Elder was the burliest, covered in corded muscle, his vital energy surging like a blazing torch in the dark—a quintessential body cultivator.
It was said that in his youth, his vital energy had been vigorous to an uncontrollable degree, and he had often run into the spirit fields, shoved the ox demons aside, and pulled the plows to till the fields himself.
"Come to think of it, has the Sect Master been in seclusion for nine years without coming out?"
"Seems that way."
The group suddenly remembered that their sect still had a position called Sect Master—though whether they had one or not hardly seemed to make a difference.
"Then how is the Sword Spiritual Root going to become an apprentice?"
Just as they were discussing this, a graceful figure flew over riding a cloud. As the mist dispersed, it revealed Eldest Senior Sister.
"Yun Zhi pays respects to Senior Martial Uncles."
The elders hurriedly rose to return the greeting. With the Sect Master currently in closed-door cultivation, Yun Zhi exercised the authority of Acting Sect Master, overseeing the entire sect, placing her status above that of the eight elders.
"Yun Zhi knows that Senior Martial Uncles each have favored disciples in mind. However, taking a master carries weighty karmic ties that cannot be forced. Please do not interfere excessively when they make their choice of master."
The elders naturally understood this and chuckled. "Naturally, naturally. But as for having the Sword Spiritual Root apprentice under the Sect Master, is that the Sect Master's idea, or is it yours...?"
At the mention of the Sect Master, Yun Zhi's brows knit slightly in mild displeasure, and she replied coldly, "Is there a difference?"
The eight elders fell silent.
Indeed, there was no difference.
What a joke—how would the Sect Master ever dare oppose a decision she made?
Chapter 7