Moral coercion, utterly shameless.
Ignoring hierarchy, losing propriety.
In the Elder Hall, the three elders, including Qu Guanfu, were speechless over Du Xiaofeng’s actions. A grand elder of the Canglan Sect acting so cheaply.
Gao Zeming stood blankly to the side of the grand hall, completely taken aback.
He had interacted with Elder Du a few times before. Elder Du used to be so lofty, but now he seemed more like an elderly man eagerly awaiting the return of his descendants.
Facing the reprimands of the three, Du Xiaofeng was unfazed, his old eyes focused solely on Lin Chen: "Are you willing to take me as your master?"
"Senior Brother Du, this is too much!"
Qu Guanfu spoke, his expression somewhat grim, but knowing he couldn’t dissuade Du Xiaofeng, he finally turned to Lin Chen: "Lin Chen, with your talent, the sect will surely choose a master best suited to teach you, there’s no need to rush the decision."
"Yes, there’s no hurry. If it’s truly difficult to decide, then wait until the Sect Leader finishes his retreat. He can choose an elder to be your master then."
Above, Zhou Zhifeng also spoke with a smile, believing Lin Chen could grasp the underlying message of his words.
There’s no need to rush to find a master now; waiting for the Sect Leader means maximizing benefits, regardless of which elder is chosen.
If the Sect Leader decides, he must ensure fairness. Elders wanting to take you as their disciple will surely offer the best conditions.
Lin Chen understood the implicit meaning in Elder Zhou’s words, but without much hesitation, he cupped his hands and said: "If Elder Du doesn’t disdain an ignorant disciple, I am willing to take Elder Du as my master."
Indeed, waiting for the Sect Leader to exit retreat and letting more elders know of his situation, with them competing to take him as a disciple, would maximize his benefits.
But on the Martial Path, while competing for resources is acceptable, becoming a slave to these resources voids the essence of martial cultivation.
Resources are important, but sometimes one’s true heart is more vital.
Elder Du not only saved his life but also sent Steward Gao across tens of thousands of miles to bring him here—these are two acts of kindness.
Moreover, with Elder Du emphasizing his importance, would becoming his disciple mean fewer resources?
What meaning would a little extra resource hold?
Seeing Lin Chen respectfully pay his respects, a look of satisfaction appeared on Du Xiaofeng’s aged face. He grasped Lin Chen’s hand: "From today onwards, you are my direct disciple, ranked as the ninety-seventh direct disciple of our sect."
Before Lin Chen, the Canglan Sect had ninety-six direct disciples, and now Lin Chen is the ninety-seventh.
Qu Guanfu and the others, hearing Lin Chen’s decision to apprentice under Du Xiaofeng, sighed inwardly. Yet, as elders, they had their dignity; with everything explicitly stated, Lin Chen still chose Du Xiaofeng, and it would not do to continue contending.
An elder forcing himself into a disciple’s selection after a clear choice, only to be laughed at by elders of other sects.
"Congratulations to Elder Du."
"Congratulations, Senior Brother Du."
With the conflict resolved, smiles once again adorned the faces of Qu Guanfu and the other elders as they congratulated Du Xiaofeng. As for their true thoughts, only they knew.
Standing to the side, Gao Zeming softly spoke: "Congratulations to Elder Du for gaining an excellent disciple."
Lin Chen becoming Elder Du’s disciple was the best possible outcome for him.
Elder Du gaining an excellent disciple meant that the promised rewards would surely be fulfilled.
"Senior Brother Du, we’ll await your disciple-recruitment feast."
"Naturally, everyone, wait for my notification."
Du Xiaofeng laughed heartily. After he finished laughing, Lin Chen turned his gaze to the top of the hall and respectfully saluted the elders.
"I thank the elders for the Canglan Order’s message, saving the people of Liang from oppression by innate martial artists."
Though he chose Elder Du, Lin Chen remembered the elders’ message in the Canglan Order. Without it, he wouldn’t have been able to deter those innate martial artists then.
This kindness must be remembered.
Seeing Lin Chen’s respectful bow, Qu Guanfu and the others had complex expressions; what a good disciple, understanding gratitude and repayment.
"My disciple, no need for such courtesy. They are elders of the Canglan Sect, and as a disciple of Canglan, receiving protection is only natural."
Du Xiaofeng’s words caused Qu Guanfu and the others to twitch their mouths; Senior Brother Du truly wouldn’t miss a beat, returning their earlier words in full.
Without caring what Qu Guanfu and the others thought, Du Xiaofeng, after leaving these words, took Lin Chen by the hand and exited the hall.
"Disciple, though I have taken you as my direct disciple, according to sect rules, direct disciples of elders must undergo an assessment at the Assessment Hall. Only upon passing are you considered an official direct disciple; otherwise, you’re merely a registered disciple."
Lin Chen was a bit surprised; does an elder need to assess disciples before accepting them?
"A direct disciple not only represents being an elder’s disciple but also holds the most prestigious status among sect disciples. They can enjoy the sect’s privileges and resources. The sect has this rule to prevent elders from accepting their own descendants or others who do not meet the criteria as direct disciples."
Lin Chen understood; while the benefits for direct disciples come from the sect, the elders select the disciples themselves. Some elders might take on their family members or others due to personal reasons, even if they don’t meet the sect’s criteria for direct disciples, essentially exploiting the sect’s benefits.
"However, given your age and strength, you have a good chance of passing the direct disciple assessment. Even if you don’t, there’s still the final potential assessment. As long as your potential meets the requirements, you can still become a direct disciple. I’ll take you to the Direct Disciple Hall now."
Du Xiaofeng, fearing Lin Chen might be worried, smiled as he reassured him.
The potential assessment is a test for the sect to evaluate disciples who are geniuses but have not yet matured. Some young disciples fail the direct disciple assessment due to age, but their martial path potential is evident, and if an elder wishes to accept them as disciples early, they can undergo the potential assessment.
"What’s your current rank on Martial Arts Mountain?"
On the way to the Direct Disciple Hall, Du Xiaofeng asked with concern.
"Disciple is currently ranked six thousandth on Martial Arts Mountain."
"You’ve climbed four thousand ranks?"
"Yes, during my time on the ship, I went to Martial Arts Mountain for challenges whenever I had free time."
Since encountering the Ghost Ship, Lin Chen hadn’t spoken to the other youths from the islands. Instead, he returned to his cabin to concentrate on challenges at Martial Arts Mountain.
"Undefeated in every battle?"
"Undefeated in every battle."
Du Xiaofeng’s face revealed a satisfied smile: "Ranked six thousandth on Martial Arts Mountain, undefeated in every battle, coming from a sea island, there’s no issue with the potential assessment."
Just barely entering the top ten thousand on Martial Arts Mountain might not guarantee qualification.
But ranking six thousandth definitely qualifies.
Assessment Hall.
Located in the southwestern area of Canglan Sect.
"Elder Du."
As Du Xiaofeng led Lin Chen closer to the grand hall, two stewards came forward to greet them.
"I brought my disciple to undergo the direct disciple assessment."
Hearing Du Xiaofeng’s words, both stewards’ gazes fixed on Lin Chen. Elder Du was taking a direct disciple? How come there was no prior news?
Inside the hall were also many other disciples, who, upon hearing this, also turned their attention to Lin Chen.
The Assessment Hall of Canglan Sect not only conducts direct disciple assessments but other assessments for different disciples as well. As these disciples looked at Lin Chen’s face, they showed expressions of curiosity.
This senior brother is quite unfamiliar.
Those who can be accepted as direct disciples by an elder are the cream of the crop among the inner sect disciples. Yet this senior brother doesn’t seem to match any of the top-ranked inner disciples.
Feeling the many gazes upon him, Lin Chen remained calm. Ever since winning the Jiangnan Dao Model Student Award, such attention had happened countless times, and he had long since grown accustomed to it.
"What is this junior brother’s name?"
The steward on the left looked at Lin Chen with a very courteous attitude.
"Disciple Lin Chen."
"So it’s Junior Brother Lin." After greeting, the steward on the left turned his gaze to Du Xiaofeng: "Apologies, Elder Du, according to the direct disciple assessment rules, you..."
"I am aware of the rules; just take Lin Chen inside for the assessment."
Du Xiaofeng waved his hand; elders cannot enter the direct disciple assessment.
"Thank you for your understanding, Elder Du. Junior Brother Lin, please follow me."
Lin Chen followed one of the stewards through the front hall and arrived in front of a pavilion.
"Junior Brother Lin, this pavilion is for the direct disciple assessment. Please enter by yourself, Junior Brother Lin."
"Thank you."

Comments

Loading...