Chapter 7

After everyone left, the two of them nervously lowered their heads, staring at their toes, afraid that Yunzhi would hold them accountable for their attempt to cheat.

After a long while, Yunzhi finally spoke slowly.

"I didn't expect that both of you would pass the test and become disciples of Wenda Sect."

"You both ranked among the top in all three tests, especially in the third one, where one of you was first and the other second. Combined, your scores are the best."

"But this doesn't mean you are the best in this batch. For example, the ancient barbarian Man Gu, whom you've met, Tao Yaoye with the Feathered Immortal Body, and Li Haoran with the Fire Spirit Root... they are all geniuses on par with you."

Meng Jingzhou, feeling quite confident, winked at Lu Yang: "The Feathered Immortal Body is much rarer than a single spirit root, yet Senior Sister said he was 'behind us.' This is a sign of her favor towards us."

Lu Yang explained helplessly: "Senior Sister probably meant that during the first test, the Feathered Immortal Body was behind us in the queue."

"Although you both performed well, you shouldn't be arrogant. Once you officially start cultivating, you must remain grounded and avoid complacency."

Hearing Senior Sister's increasingly serious tone, the two quickly promised to work diligently in their future cultivation and not slack off.

Seeing that they were not being insincere, Yunzhi's expression softened slightly: "Since you both helped me, I will grant you an opportunity."

"Meng Jingzhou, you have a Pure Yang Spirit Root, with abundant qi and blood, making you a natural bane to ghosts and spirits. Elder Three, who is well-versed in this path, can be your master."

Meng Jingzhou was overjoyed and quickly bowed in gratitude: "Thank you, Senior Sister."

"Lu Yang, you have a Sword Spirit Root, a natural talent for swordsmanship. The most skilled in swordsmanship in our sect is Master, who is also the Sect Leader. You should become his disciple."

"But Senior Sister, you just said that the Sect Leader doesn't like to teach disciples..." Lu Yang said softly.

He noticed that Senior Sister said to Meng Jingzhou, "you can become his disciple," but to him, "you should become his disciple," which implied different meanings.

"No problem, I can decide on his behalf," Yunzhi said casually, making Lu Yang pause for a moment, as if the Sect Leader would have to agree even if he didn't want to.

"I'm just suggesting. You have a one-month adaptation period like the other disciples. After a month, you can decide who to become a disciple of."

With that, Yunzhi flew towards the Heavenly Gate Peak, where the Sect Leader resided.

...

Heavenly Gate Peak, the Council Hall.

A smooth, clear water mirror floated in the air, displaying the entire process of the three tests, visible from any angle due to the spell.

Eight figures nodded or shook their heads, praised or scolded, each having different opinions on the disciples who passed the tests. At the most intense moments, they almost came to blows.

This had happened before, with a few of the eight figures being emotional, leading to actual duels. What was supposed to be a process of evaluating and selecting disciples turned into a display of power, opening the eyes of the entire Wenda Sect.

To avoid this, the true bodies of the eight figures were not present, so even if they got angry, they wouldn't fight.

"Man Gu is a good one, with pure ancient barbarian blood, unmatched strength at his level, and a simple mind. He is perfect for my lineage."

"Unfortunately, he is too simple-minded. The ancient barbarians fell because of this. If there's a chance, he should be cultivated with a focus."

"What lineage is suitable for you? Our alchemy path has lacked a suitable successor for a long time. Man Gu is focused and dedicated, making him a perfect fit for my path!"

The two elders got so worked up that they rolled up their sleeves and glared at each other.

The other elders ignored these two fools and continued their evaluations: "The Feathered Immortal Body, invulnerable to all spells, pure and unmatched, ascending to immortality. It's been a long time since we've seen one. The last time a Feathered Immortal Body appeared, we had just joined Wenda Sect."

"Unfortunately, the last Feathered Immortal Body was too impatient. He hadn't yet made a name for himself in the Central Continent and rushed to achieve the peak of the Immortal Body, leading to his death from overexertion."

"Elder Six, you are the most familiar with the Immortal Body among us. Perhaps this girl has a connection with you."

"Li Haoran with the Fire Spirit Root is a good seed for alchemy and alchemy tools, but his temperament is too restless, and he can't calm down. In the third test, he pushed himself to surpass Man Gu, exhausting his strength early and falling behind others, becoming the last to pass."

"As for these two, Meng and Lu Yang, one with a Pure Yang Spirit Root and the other with a Sword Spirit Root, both are top-notch talents. Their methods of passing the tests were unique and impressive. Such talents... Elder One, why don't you take them in?"

"Indeed, indeed. You only have Dai Bufan as a disciple, and he is already considered a master. Taking in two geniuses now would be a beautiful story when they succeed in the future."

"Go away, go away, you're just trying to avoid responsibility. If I take them in, I won't have a peaceful day. I want to retire peacefully and become a Grand Elder. Don't give me trouble!"

"Elder Two, will you take them?"

"Do you want me to take you in first?"

The eight elders were very polite, showing no interest in the two single spirit root geniuses.

Damn, whoever takes them in will have no peace for the rest of their life.

"Hey, look, Yunzhi is giving these two advice, suggesting one to become the Sect Leader's disciple and the other to become Elder Three's disciple?!"

Everyone focused on Elder Three, who sighed resignedly. Yunzhi's suggestion was correct; he was the most suitable to cultivate a Pure Yang Spirit Root.

Among the eight figures, Elder Three was the most robust, with a muscular build and abundant qi and blood, like a torch in the dark, a typical physical cultivator.

It was said that in his youth, his qi and blood were so abundant that he often went to the spirit fields, pushing aside the ox demons and plowing the land himself.

"Speaking of which, hasn't the Sect Leader been in seclusion for nine years?"

"It seems so."

Everyone remembered that they had a Sect Leader, but his presence or absence made little difference.

"Then how will the Sword Spirit Root find a master?"

As they spoke, a graceful figure descended on a cloud, the mist dispersing to reveal Senior Sister Yunzhi.

"Yunzhi greets all Senior Uncles."

Everyone quickly stood up and bowed. With the Sect Leader in seclusion, Yunzhi held the authority of the Sect Leader, managing the entire sect, her position above the eight elders.

"Yunzhi knows that all Senior Uncles have their favored disciples, but the master-disciple relationship is a matter of great cause and effect, and cannot be forced. Please do not overly interfere with their choice of master."

The elders naturally understood this and chuckled: "Of course, of course. But the Sword Spirit Root becoming the Sect Leader's disciple, is it the Sect Leader's decision, or yours...?"

Mentioning the Sect Leader, Yunzhi's brows furrowed slightly, showing some displeasure, and she coldly replied: "Does it make a difference?"

The eight elders fell silent. Indeed, it made no difference.

Ha, your decision, would the Sect Leader dare to oppose?