After everyone else left, the two nervously lowered their heads and stared at their feet, worried that Yun Zhi would follow up on their cheating attempt. 0

It took a long time before Yun Zhi slowly said, “I didn't expect the two of you to pass the trials and become our sect disciples.0

“Both of you ranked at the top for all three trials, especially the third trial where you came in first and second respectively.”0

“However, that doesn't mean that you are the best-performing candidates in this batch. For example, there is Man Gu from the Ancient Barbarian Tribe. There’s also Tao Yaoye who has a Metamorphic Celestial Physique and Li Haoran who has a Fire Spirit Root… they were behind you, yet they’re all geniuses no less talented than you.”0

Puffed up with pride, Meng Jingzhou winked at Lu Yang. “The Metamorphic Celestial Physique is even rarer than a Single Spiritual Root, and Big Senior Sister still thinks they’re behind us. That means she approves of us!”0

Lu Yang helplessly clarified, “Big Senior Sister probably meant that the person with the Metamorphic Celestial Physique was queuing behind us.”0

Yun Zhi cut in, “Although both of you performed decently, you mustn’t become too full of yourself. When you officially begin cultivating, you will need to be down-to-earth and avoid being arrogant or impatient.”0

Noting Yun Zhi’s serious tone, the two quickly promised that they would be diligent in their future cultivation.0

Sensing that the two did not seem to be making empty promises, Yun Zhi’s expression loosened up. “Since you have given me a ride, I will give you a fortuitous opportunity.0

“Meng Jingzhou, you have a Pure Yang Spirit Root. You have abundant blood and qi, and you are a bane to ghosts and monsters. Among the eight elders, Third Elder is well-versed in this discipline, so you can take him as your master.”0

Pumped with joy, Meng Jingzhou bowed. “Thank you, Big Senior Sister.”0

“Lu Yang, you have a Sword Spirit Root. You are born for the sword. The best in the sword arts is naturally my shifu, the sect leader. You should take him as your master.”5

“But Big Senior Sister, you just said that the sect leader has never liked teaching disciples…” Lu Yang softly muttered.0

He had also noticed the difference in Yun Zhi’s choice of words. She told Meng Jingzhou that he can choose, but when it came to me, she said I should. That’s a completely different thing.0

“That’s not a problem; I can make the decision for him.” 0

Yun Zhi’s indifferent tone stunned Lu Yang. 1

The way she said it sounds like the sect leader has to agree even if he doesn’t want to. 8

“These are just my suggestions. Just like the others, you have a one-month adjustment period. You can decide who you want to choose as your master after that.” 0

Yun Zhi then flew toward Heaven’s Gate Peak, where the sect leader was.0

~~~0

Meanwhile, in the Discussion Hall on Heaven’s Gate Peak, a smooth water mirror was projected in the air. It was enchanted, and whatever it displayed could be viewed from any angle. It had just featured the entire process of the three rounds in the trials.0

Eight figures either nodded or shook their heads, uttered praises or curses, possessing contrasting opinions toward the candidates who passed the trials. When they reached the climax, they almost started a brawl with one another.0

This was nothing unusual. These eight figures had their distinct temperaments, and when they couldn’t win through words, they would resort to blows. Although they were only supposed to comment on how their juniors selected the disciples, it had evolved into full-blown duels fueled by unrestrained emotions, an eye-opening sight for the whole of the Dao-Seeking Sect.  0

Due to the previous instances of mayhem, the true forms of the eight figures were not present. That way, even if their impatience got the better of them, no physical fight would ensue.  0

“The lad Man Gu is not bad. He has a pure Ancient Barbarian Tribe bloodline and his sheer brute strength is unequaled among his peers. Moreover, he is also pure-hearted. This person is suitable to receive my legacy.”0

“The only pity is that he is too pure and naive, which is exactly why the Ancient Barbarian Tribe almost disappeared. If there is a chance in the future, we can place more emphasis on nurturing him.” 2

“What do you mean he’s suited for your legacy? I haven’t had a suitable successor for ages. Considering how Man Gu is devoted to his tasks, it is only right that he comes under my tutelage!”0

The more the two elders argued, the more their tempers flared. In the end, they rolled up their sleeves and… continued glaring at each other.0

The other elders left the two fools alone, and one of them remarked. “The Metamorphic Celestial Physique is impervious to all magic, devoid of filth, and can easily metamorphize for ascension. Come to think of it, it has been a long time since I have come across one. The last time a Metamorphic Celestial Physique appeared was when we just joined the Dao-Seeking Sect.”0

“Unfortunately, the previous person was too hasty with his cultivation. However, before he could make a name for himself in the Central Continent, his eagerness to cultivate to perfection got the better of him. There was no cure for that frustration, and it eventually killed him.”0

“Sixth Elder, you are the most familiar with the Celestial Physique among all of us; perhaps this girl has an affinity with you.”0

“The one with the Fire Spirit Root, Li Haoran, has potential for concocting pills and crafting weapons. The only flaw is his impatient character. During the third trial, he was so bent on surpassing Man Gu that he ended up wasting all his energy early on and everybody else overtook him.”0

“As for the lad from the Meng Family and Lu Yang, one of them has a Pure Yang Spirit Root and the other has a Sword Spirit Root, so they are both very promising. The way they passed the trials was also creative and took everyone’s breath away. Such great potential…Big Brother, why don’t you take them under your wing?” 0

“Absolutely! You only have Dai Bufan as your disciple now, but he has already graduated and no longer needs guidance. If you take in two genius disciples now, when they attain great heights in the future, wouldn’t that be yet another beautiful story?” another elder chimed in.0

“Shoo shoo shoo, you only know how to mention the insignificant merits. Just based on the way they passed the trials, if I do take them in, I can say goodbye to peaceful days. All I want now is to retire safely and become a grand elder. Don’t give me trouble!”1

“Second Elder, why don’t you take them?”0

“Why don’t I take care of you first?”2

The eight elders modestly yielded to one another, not in the least interested in accepting the two geniuses that had a Single Spirit Root.0

You gotta be kidding me! Whoever takes these two in can forget about having a peaceful time for the rest of their lives.0

“Eh, look there; that lass Yun Zhi is giving suggestions to those two. What? One of them is to become the sect leader’s disciple and the other Third Elder’s?!” 0

Everyone’s gazes shifted to Third Elder; the latter could only sigh. 0

I can’t find fault with Yun Zhi’s recommendation. I am the most suitable for nurturing a Pure Yang Spirit Root.0

Out of the eight figures, Third Elder stood out the most. It was not due to his height but rather his muscular frame and overflowing vigor that made him resemble a torch in the darkness, evident traits of a physique cultivator. It was said that in his younger days, his vitality was so uncontrollable that he had to run to the spirit fields and push the buffalo demons to the side so that he could plow the land himself.3

“Speaking of which, hasn’t the sect leader been in seclusion for nine years?”2

“Now that you’ve mentioned it.”0

Everyone suddenly recalled their sect leader. It feels like there isn’t much difference between having one and not having one.0

“Then how is the Sword Spirit Root going to formally acknowledge him as his master?”0

While they were chattering, a graceful figure flew over on a cloud. The mist dissipated, revealing Yun Zhi. “Greetings, senior uncles.”0

Everyone hurriedly rose and bowed. Now that the sect leader was in seclusion, Yun Zhi held the role of acting sect leader. She was in charge of the whole sect, so her position was above the eight elders.0

“Senior uncles, I know that all of you have disciples you prefer to take in, but becoming master and disciple involves significant karma and can’t be forced. I hope you won’t interfere too much with their decisions.”0

This was something the elders already knew about, and they smiled sheepishly. “Of course, of course. However, regarding the Sword Spirit Root becoming the sect leader’s disciple, is that the sect leader’s idea or yours…?” 0

Yun Zhi was slightly displeased upon hearing about the sect leader, and she replied coldly, “Is there a difference?”0

The eight elders fell silent.0

There is no difference, indeed.1

Who are we kidding? How could the sect leader possibly dare to oppose your decision?5