80: Chapter 80 Entering the Sect (Part 1)

Inside the room, complex expressions appeared on the faces of the Sect Master and Steward Wu.

Steward Wu broke the silence first, a trace of admiration flashing in his eyes.

"This kid made the right choice this time; he wasn't blinded by emotion and understood how to consider the bigger picture."

The Sect Master nodded slightly, his expression both gratified and grave.

"Mm, it is truly not easy to make a decision that benefits the majority when faced with such a difficult choice."

"Not only must one have a heart of chivalry, but one must also possess the decisiveness to distinguish right from wrong and act when necessary."

The Sect Master pressed his right index and middle fingers together, a brilliant light blooming at his fingertips. He cast a spell into the jade stone, and the light of the illusion formation outside the room dissipated.

"Take him to the main hall; I will notify the Elders to wait for you there."

Before his words had faded, the Spiritual Qi around the Sect Master suddenly swirled, forming a vortex that enveloped his figure.

Immediately following, the vortex shrank instantly, turning into a stream of light that shot out the door.

Steward Wu stood dumbfounded, his eyes filled with undisguised yearning. He subconsciously swallowed, whispering to himself.

"The Nascent Soul Stage... that is the Realm that so many cultivators dream of."

"Condensing a Nascent Soul, resonating with the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi—with just a wave of one's hand, Spiritual Qi runs wild, and even the mountains and rivers can change color."

At this moment, where Yun Song stood, the scene was like a shattered mirror being pieced back together, light flowing and shifting rapidly.

First, the scenery blurred, then the light interlaced and reorganized like threads.

Before long, the familiar scene reappeared; he had returned to the image of himself standing at the doorway earlier.

At this moment, the door was already open. Yun Song stepped in slowly and saw Steward Wu standing there dumbfounded, his eyes blank, as if immersed in his own thoughts.

Yun Song couldn't help but ask: "Steward Wu, what is this... just now I seemed to..."

Before he could finish, Steward Wu snapped out of it and grabbed Yun Song by the arm.

"Let's go, I'll take you to the main hall."

His tone was urgent, and after speaking, he dragged Yun Song out of the room.

As the two stepped into the main hall, Steward Wu reminded him.

"Hurry, hurry... pay your respects to Sect Master Lu."

Yun Song's Adam's apple bobbed. He lowered his head, bowed respectfully, his voice tinged with nervousness.

"This Disciple pays respects to the Sect Master!"

While speaking, he snuck a glance at Sect Master Lu and then quickly lowered his head again.

Sect Master Lu sat imposingly at the head of the hall, sizing Yun Song up.

Beside him stood a handsome young man dressed in white robes.

Below, there were four wooden chairs on each side; five people were already seated, and three chairs were empty.

Sect Master Lu remained expressionless and asked calmly.

"What is your name?"

Yun Song hurriedly answered respectfully: "I am Yun Song."

Sect Master Lu asked again: "Are you willing to join our Tianhua Sect?"

Yun Song answered without hesitation: "This Disciple is willing."

Sect Master Lu nodded: "I will introduce these people to you one by one."

"This is my Personal Disciple, Chen Changsheng."

Then he introduced them in turn: "Elder Gu Hanzheng, Elder Ye Linyuan, Elder Luo Lingxi, Elder Qi Zhenyue, Elder Xie Fusheng."

As the Sect Master introduced them, Yun Song bowed to each of them in turn.

Seeing that the person before them was well-mannered, the other Elders nodded in approval.

Yun Song had initially thought Immortals would be difficult to approach, but seeing that everyone's attitude was acceptable, his nervous heart relaxed slightly.

After the introductions, Sect Master Lu's gaze was like a torch, slowly sweeping from left to right across the Elders.

His brows furrowed slightly, and a trace of confusion appeared in his eyes.

In his mind, usually, whenever a good seedling with excellent Aptitude appeared...

...everyone would argue until their faces were red, wishing they could immediately take them under their wing to Cultivate carefully.

But today, everyone had different expressions, appearing uninterested.

This abnormal situation left Sect Master Lu full of suspicion.

He smiled and said slowly: "I have already told everyone just now; this young friend possesses a Five-Element Spiritual Root. I wonder who is willing to take him in and offer some guidance in his future Cultivation?"

Elder Gu Hanzheng frowned: "Sect Master, this child is already twenty. His Meridians have long passed their golden period for tempering; I fear it will be difficult for him to achieve much."

Elder Ye Linyuan chimed in: "Indeed, Cultivation emphasizes Foundation. Once one is older, some things are hard to make up for."

Elder Luo Lingxi turned her jade bracelet and sighed softly: "The century-old Zhuyang Grass found last month is not even enough for Alchemy for my Personal Disciple. If I were to share it with this child, the Alchemy room would likely be at the bottom of the Sect assessment."

Elder Qi Zhenyue slapped the armrest of his chair, making the teacup hum.

"My twelve-year-old Disciple can split blue stone with his bare hands. If I bring such a burden along, where would I hide my face during the Sect Grand Competition?"

Elder Xie Fusheng leaned against the back of his chair, carelessly wiping his folding fan: "Forget it, forget it. Rotten wood cannot be carved."

"Instead of wasting effort, it is better to wait for the Sect Grand Ceremony in four years to pick a few little children to teach from scratch. At least when they cry, it is pleasing to the eye."

The five Elders whispered among themselves. Yun Song clenched his fingers tightly, almost digging into his palms.

Seeing that none of the Elders intended to take him in, the Sect Master spoke slowly.

"This Sect will take you in as an Inner Sect Disciple. When you successfully achieve Foundation Establishment, I will then take you as a Personal Disciple. Are you willing?"

Yun Song was stunned; countless thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant.

He never expected that the Elders would dislike him so much.

Just as he was dazed, Steward Wu, who was standing to the side, gently nudged him and reminded him in a low voice: "Hurry and thank the Sect Master!"

"This... this Disciple is willing! Thank you, Sect Master, for your benevolence!"

Yun Song finally snapped back to reality, overjoyed, and bowed deeply with his hands clasped in front of his chest.

The Sect Head looked at Yun Song like this, smiled slightly, and nodded gently.

"From today on, you are an Inner Sect Disciple of our Tianhua Sect."

The Sect Master turned to look at Chen Changsheng beside him and instructed.

"Changsheng, go arrange a place for Yun Song to stay. Explain the Sect rules to him carefully, take him to familiarize himself with the Sect, and stop by to collect the resources an Inner Sect Disciple should have."

"As you command."

Chen Changsheng bowed and then left the main hall with Yun Song.

A busy expression of being on official business immediately appeared on Steward Wu's face, and he hurriedly straightened his sleeves.

He cupped his hands to the group and leaned forward slightly, "There are complicated matters at The Mine, and there are still many things waiting for me to handle, so I will take my leave."

After speaking, he nodded slightly to signal, then turned and hurried away.

Elder Gu looked confused: "Sect Master, why keep him? This child has a Five-Element Spiritual Root; the resources wasted in the future will likely be significant, and it might all be in vain!"

Sect Master Lu's expression was calm, and he smiled as he said: "I have considered these things. If we do not keep him—"

"If he turns to another Sect and happens to obtain a great Opportunity one day, cultivating to the Nascent Soul Stage—even if there is only a one-in-ten-thousand chance—we do not want to add another enemy."

"Keeping him will not consume too many resources within these hundred years."

"The Sect Master still has the long-term view. Admirable, admirable." Elder Gu's face was full of smiles as he said this with admiration.