Chapter 72

"Mou Wan told you, right? Be prepared."

"Today, there's a high possibility that no Heavenly Master will be willing to take you as a disciple."

As soon as they met, Wei Zikun laid it out bluntly.

"Understood."

Li Tianming was straightforward. If others didn't look up to him, he wouldn't look up to them either.

He had never had a master, and he was unwilling to respect a Heavenly Master who didn't suit his eye.

"Follow me."

Wei Zikun was a cold and aloof hall master, rumored to come from a prestigious family within the Heavenly Capital. He was a prodigy in his youth.

Now, not yet forty, he had become one of the five hall masters, a prominent figure in Yan Capital.

"Hall Master, may I ask you a question?" Li Tianming followed behind him.

"Go ahead."

"I heard that the Palace Master of the Yanhuang Academy is your brother?" Li Tianming asked.

"Yes, is there a problem with that?" Wei Zikun glanced back at him.

"No." Li Tianming smiled.

The Palace Master of the Yanhuang Academy, around fifty years old, named Wei Tianxiong, was a grandmaster in the Vermilion Bird Kingdom.

People generally believed that Wei Tianxiong was the controller of the entire Yanhuang Academy, holding a lofty position.

Li Tianming had thought so too, but now he realized that the Lord of the Heavenly Capital held an even higher position.

The Lord of the Heavenly Capital also surnamed Wei, likely belonging to the same family as Wei Tianxiong and Wei Zikun.

In that case, it seemed their family was probably the most prominent in the Yanhuang Academy, perhaps even controlling the entire academy.

However, he was unsure of the relationship between his grandfather, Lord Wei, and the Palace Master of the Yanhuang Academy, Wei Tianxiong.

...

As they spoke, Wei Zikun led him through the vast Yanhuang Academy.

Disciples who saw them knew that today was the day he would enter the Heavenly Capital, envying him deeply.

But they didn't know that Li Tianming was about to face the outcome of being rejected by all the Heavenly Masters.

If he became the first disciple whom no Heavenly Master was willing to take, he would have to return to the academy for cultivation, likely becoming a laughingstock.

At that time, they would gloat.

First impressions were crucial. After the defamation three years ago, it was no easy task to shake off the label of a despicable person.

After about a quarter of an hour, they finally entered the gates of the Heavenly Capital.

Passing through multiple checkpoints, they arrived at the core of the legendary academy.

As soon as he walked in, Li Tianming realized that this was indeed the place that controlled the academy's lifeline.

It was especially solemn and dignified, but also more substantial.

Those who remained in the Heavenly Capital were either the most outstanding geniuses in the nation or renowned Heavenly Masters.

The strong ones born here would stand at the pinnacle of the Vermilion Bird Kingdom in the future.

"First, let's go to the Inheritance Hall."

The Inheritance Hall was where the Heavenly Masters took on disciples. Every time a disciple passed the test and entered the Heavenly Capital, they would be apprenticed here.

"Li Tianming, do you know what else the Heavenly Capital has besides Heavenly Masters?" Wei Zikun asked.

"The top disciples of the academy."

"Who's above the Heavenly Masters?"

"Seems like there are the Four Heavenly Kings, then the Deputy Lord, and the Lord?" Li Tianming asked.

"Right, the Lord is the highest existence in the academy, but you won't see him. You should show respect to other Heavenly Masters you encounter."

"The Four Heavenly Kings, above the Heavenly Masters, control the lifeline of the Heavenly Capital. They are senior figures in the Heavenly Capital, and you should respect them even more." Wei Zikun instructed.

He wanted Li Tianming to understand the hierarchy, especially when meeting the Four Heavenly Kings, to be more courteous.

"The Four Heavenly Kings are the War Heavenly King, the Divine Weapon Heavenly King, the Divine Punishment Heavenly King, and the Inheritance Heavenly King."

"The Inheritance Hall is the domain of the Inheritance Heavenly King. Your apprenticeship ceremony will be presided over by the Inheritance Heavenly King."

"Every disciple entering the Heavenly Capital will be personally reviewed by the Inheritance Heavenly King." Wei Zikun said.

"Hall Master, I remember. But I have a small question."

"Go ahead."

"Hall Master is one of the five hall masters, and the Heavenly Capital has the Four Heavenly Kings. I want to ask, who has a higher status, the hall master or the Heavenly King?"

"Of course, the Four Heavenly Kings. The hall master is just a bit higher than ordinary Heavenly Masters, or perhaps on par with them."

Wei Zikun didn't mind Li Tianming comparing him to the Heavenly Kings.

Asking such a question only showed that Li Tianming was inexperienced and had no background.

In Yan Capital, any scion of a prestigious family knew the status of the Four Heavenly Kings, second only to the Lord of the Heavenly Capital and the Palace Master of the Yanhuang Academy.

In comparison, the overall status of the Heavenly Capital indeed exceeded Li Tianming's expectations.

He had always thought the Heavenly Capital was part of the academy, but it turned out the academy was part of the Heavenly Capital.

Among the Four Heavenly Kings, the Inheritance Heavenly King managed the inheritance of the Heavenly Capital's disciples.

Every disciple in the Heavenly Capital was an elite, and he would personally review each one.

In no time, they arrived at the Inheritance Hall. The walls of the Inheritance Hall were black, the architecture grand and imposing, with a certain aura of authority.

This atmosphere was enough to instill awe in any new disciple.

"The time has come. The Heavenly Masters are likely all here. Follow me in, and don't be nervous."

Wei Zikun said and walked in.

Li Tianming followed behind, looking around. He found that the Heavenly Capital was indeed sparsely populated.

On his way in, he hadn't encountered a single person.

Waiting for him in the Inheritance Hall were all the prominent figures of the Vermilion Bird Kingdom, each a powerful presence.

There were eighteen Heavenly Masters, plus the Inheritance Heavenly King, seated in the Inheritance Hall.

As the new disciple walked through the long, dark corridor and stood before them, under their intense gazes, it was like being stripped naked and flayed, how could he not be nervous?

Li Tianming followed Wei Zikun and soon stepped into a grand hall.

The candles around the hall burned brightly, crackling loudly.

There were clearly many people, but no one spoke, the atmosphere was extremely solemn and oppressive, making it hard to breathe.

Although no one spoke, Li Tianming could feel the intense, fiery, or icy gazes covering his body.

These gazes could pierce through flesh, showing the power of these Heavenly Masters.

"Inheritance Heavenly King, all the Heavenly Masters, the first disciple of the Phoenix Hall, Li Tianming, has arrived." Wei Zikun announced loudly.

"Disciple Li Tianming, I greet the Inheritance Heavenly King and all the Heavenly Masters."

The Heavenly Capital was said to be a serious place. Facing these superiors, Li Tianming greeted them promptly.

His tone was steady, neither humble nor arrogant, showing no signs of nervousness.

"Thank you, Phoenix Hall Master." A hoarse, rough voice came, likely from a fierce old man.

"Li Tianming, the first disciple this year, raise your head and let me and the Heavenly Masters see you."

"Yes, Heavenly King."

Li Tianming raised his head. He wasn't afraid to look down; in such a place, it would be impolite to look around immediately upon entering.

Sure enough, at the top of the Inheritance Hall, a tall, robust old man sat.

He had white hair and a youthful face, a ruddy complexion, a powerful aura, and a commanding presence. Despite his age, he still exuded a terrifying aura.

On either side of him, nine Heavenly Masters each sat.

The Heavenly Masters were slightly younger, but at least in their forties to sixties.

However, they all had powerful auras, each one like a mountain before Li Tianming's eyes.

Their intimidating gazes were fixed on Li Tianming.

Behind some of the Heavenly Masters, there were young people standing.

These were likely their disciples, who had come along to see the legendary figure Li Tianming.

To be honest, Li Tianming had never had contact with the Heavenly Capital, so he didn't recognize these prodigies.

But he could be sure that each one was a genius in the academy.

Among his peers, most were at least at the fifth level of the Spirit Source Realm.

At this moment, these young geniuses, along with the Heavenly Masters, watched Li Tianming with interest.

However, in such a solemn atmosphere, they didn't speak.

"The first disciple has arrived. The Heavenly Masters should be familiar with him. It's said he was a disciple of the academy four years ago."

"His potential is known to all, so whoever wants to take him as a disciple can arrange it directly."

The Inheritance Heavenly King leaned back in his seat, passing Li Tianming to the eighteen Heavenly Masters.

The eighteen Heavenly Masters all squinted at Li Tianming.

Their expressions were similar, each one a master of strategy.

At this moment, they chose to observe, not rushing to snatch the first disciple as they usually did.

Li Tianming had seen the portraits of the Heavenly Masters in the records, so he recognized all of them.

He could identify who was Zhao Tianchen, who was Liu Xueyao, and who was Feng Wuguang.

The few candidates Mou Wan mentioned were also there, but they remained silent for now.

The situation was becoming a bit strange and awkward.

If this scene were to spread, it would indeed be a laughingstock.

To be honest, in the past, the first disciple would usually be fought over.

Li Tianming could be said to be the most special first disciple since they became Heavenly Masters.

After some time, no Heavenly Master spoke.

"In that case, Li Tianming, bring out your companion beast for the Heavenly Masters to see." The Inheritance Heavenly King said.

"Yes." Li Tianming nodded.

He had expected today to be awkward, but not this awkward.

The Heavenly Masters couldn't accept his age and current realm.

He was the first first disciple in a thousand years who hadn't even crossed the basic line of the Heavenly Capital.

When the little yellow chick appeared on Li Tianming's shoulder, even a few female Heavenly Masters couldn't help but shake their heads and laugh.

Among them was Liu Xueyao, whom Mou Wan disliked.

She was Mu Qingqing's Heavenly Master, indeed similar in temperament to Mu Qingqing.

She wore a snow-white dress, with a graceful figure, sitting upright, her waistline very attractive.

If not for her icy expression, even colder than Mu Qingqing, she would have been even more charming.

"A bit ridiculous."

"I think we need to revise the rules of the ranking battle. I was ready to take Xiao Xiao as my disciple." Liu Xueyao whispered to the Heavenly Master beside her, Zhao Tianchen.

"Then this thing shows up today." Zhao Tianchen pursed his lips.

He was a very handsome middle-aged man, tall and straight, with long, slender fingers, his long hair neatly tied back, elegant and refined.

"Does anyone feel moved?"

"Ha ha."

The Heavenly Masters spoke very simply, exchanging glances, their eyes filled with mocking smiles.

"Twenty years old, strength equivalent to the third level of the Spirit Source Realm."

"Such a level is truly unbearable to look at."

"To let Lin Xiaoxiao in, by the time she's twenty, she might break through to the Unity Realm."

"Indeed, the rules of the ranking battle waste the youth of true geniuses and let mediocrities slip in."

"Take him as a disciple? If you're not ashamed, go ahead. This guy has offended the Thunder Venerable Mansion."

"Powerless, untalented, a triple-no mediocrity."

Their expressions looked quite helpless.

Because they hadn't expected the first disciple sent by the ranking battle to be someone like Li Tianming.