Chapter 441 - 399: Sect Leader’s Disciple

Chapter 441: Chapter 399: Sect Leader’s Disciple

Lin Le choked back tears, speaking each word with deliberation.

"Sect Leader, in the Cultivation Realm, talent comes first, and strength is king. Our sect is thriving day by day, not only will Junior Brother Yunxing, but future talented disciples will also emerge one after another, all pillars of our sect."

"The Sect Leader’s Disciple bears glory, with an extraordinary status, representing the sect leader in leading the elites. Yet my aptitude is exceedingly dull, with no hope on the Dao path; how can I fulfill such a role? If forced into it, I fear it will plant the seeds of discord within the sect, leading to future calamities."

Lu Qian looked deeply at him, an endless bitterness tugging at his heart.

Jiang Qingfeng watched from the side, extremely anxious. She watched Lin Le grow from a frail boy into a graceful youth. Lin Le had once served as her right-hand man, supporting the early works of Yunshan Sect. Her feelings for Lin Le were naturally much deeper than for other disciples.

She couldn’t help but say: "Xiaolin, don’t say that. Even if the position of Sect Leader’s Disciple is unsuitable for you, you shouldn’t give up on apprenticeship. Let Little Yan take the position, and you be the Sect Leader’s Disciple—"

Before she finished speaking, she suddenly understood.

Lu Qian had just said, "Seniority must be respected, the hierarchy of ranks must not be violated."

With this statement, he blocked Zhang Lemei’s words and denied Tan Yunxing the chance to be the Sect Leader’s Disciple!

Thus, this rule must be strictly adhered to; it was impossible now to contradict oneself and allow Wu Yan, who entered later, to become the chief disciple and Lin Le her junior.

Therefore, if Lin Le becomes Lu Qian’s disciple, he must be the Sect Leader’s Disciple. If he doesn’t become the Sect Leader’s Disciple, he would have to forgo apprenticeship, leaving no other choice!

"Brother Le!" Wu Yan called out in panic, wanting to say something, but Lin Le looked at her and shook his head firmly.

From his main seat, Lu Qian let out a deep sigh.

His voice suddenly became dry and hoarse: "Xiaolin, have you really made up your mind?"

Lin Le bowed heavily, a trace of blood falling from his forehead: "The kindness of the Sect Leader is as vast as mountains and seas, and this disciple will never forget it, even through a hundred reincarnations. However, my decision is firm, and I beg the Sect Leader to fulfill it!"

"Brother Le!" Wu Yan softly called, her body trembling, eyes brimming with tears.

Lu Qian remained silent, and the hall was utterly still, everyone waiting quietly.

"Sect Leader!" Lin Le pleaded once more.

Lu Qian closed his eyes, finally uttering a single word: "Alright."

Jiang Qingfeng wiped away the tears at the corner of her eyes, gritted her teeth, and raised Lin Le, taking a glance around before she was to announce Wu Yan’s merits.

Suddenly, Yang Jiye exclaimed: "Lin Le, if you forgo apprenticeship under the Sect Leader, why not become my disciple instead?"

This shocked several of them, and then Yang Jiye laughed, saying: "I didn’t quite understand before, turns out you’re such an excellent child. If you join my sect, I’ll naturally protect you thoroughly throughout your life. I’m not much inferior to the Sect Leader, am I?"

Electrifying realization seemed to flash through Lu Qian’s mind!

He abruptly raised his head, meeting Jiang Qingfeng’s gaze with a tacit understanding.

He silently cursed, realizing his folly; even Elder Brother Yang saw it clearer than him! If I can’t take on a disciple, then let—

Jiang Qingfeng laughed and said: "Elder Brother Yang, don’t be too greedy, you’ve already taken Zheng Duan; don’t compete with me. Xiaolin, although I’ve yet to reach Foundation Establishment, I have gained some insights into Daoist techniques, so let me be your mentor, shall we?"

Lin Le stared blankly at Jiang Qingfeng and Lu Qian, seeing Lu Qian nod with a smile, causing waves of warmth to surge in his heart.

Wu Yan quickly pulled Lin Le down: "Brother Le, quickly bow your head!"

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Lin Le respectfully performed the three kneels and nine bows, conducting the apprentice ceremony towards Jiang Qingfeng.

Lu Qian watched quietly from above, a feeling of calm finally settling in his heart, and he gave Yang Jiye a grateful nod.

He knew that with Lin Le’s intelligence, he would surely grasp the profound meaning behind this move.

Since he couldn’t personally accept Lin Le as his disciple, it would be done by Senior Sister Qingfeng. He and Senior Sister Qingfeng were in fact Dao companions, set to marry in the future, as a single entity—who takes a disciple but not him?

Lin Le entered under Senior Sister Qingfeng’s tutelage and would enjoy the highest level of protection. Even if his Pseudo-Spiritual Root couldn’t be changed, he would still be protected the rest of his life!

While lost in thought, Lin Le had already presented the tea, completing the entire process. Jiang Qingfeng hadn’t planned on taking in disciples, and the situation had arisen unexpectedly, hence she hadn’t prepared a mentoring gift, but Lin Le cared nothing about it.

The teacher and disciple exchanged a smile, Lin Le gratefully bowed once more, then retreated into the inner hall.

Yunshan disciples all breathed heavily, having been deeply remorseful for Lin Le earlier, yet now relieved by the proper resolution, feeling happy for him in their hearts.

Li Da watched this scene, also a bit lost in thought. That being said, if he could not apprentice under the Sect Leader in the future, perhaps apprenticing under Elder Jiang wouldn’t be bad? Ah, the art of indirect achievement.

If the Sect Leader were to become Dao companions with Elder Guh in the future, will that not mean having another mentoring option, delightful, this way, the path has hope?

What a clever ghost I am.

Finally, only Wu Yan remained, standing lively in the center of the grand hall.

With Lin Le settled appropriately, she too calmed down. She wiped away her tear stains and focused completely on preparations.

Jiang Qingfeng’s proclamation rang out: "Fifth Generation Disciple Wu Yan, with outstanding talent and extraordinary gifts. Ever since entering the sect, she has worked diligently and responsibly... Completed various tasks six hundred and thirty-eight times..."

The disciples were all taken aback; originally, Zheng Duan with more than three hundred tasks was already impressive, yet Wu Yan nearly doubled him!

No wonder Wu Yan quickly advanced to become a True Disciple, turns out she’s a task-crazed monster!

They had no doubts regarding the issue, as the completion of tasks had records in the archives and could not be faked.

What common disciples didn’t know was that, to help Wu Yan quickly elevate her disciple rank, Lu Qian specially assigned many tasks to her for earning merit points.

This was criticized heavily by Jiang Baitao, who declared the Sect Leader Senior Brother biased.

But regardless, these tasks were truly completed by Wu Yan, while she also integrated thoroughly into the Yunshan Sect through these tasks.

Although listening to her achievements now seemed somewhat lacking, her talents and cultivation were exceptional, and she had great rapport with fellow disciples, so there was no objection among them regarding her advancement and the upcoming apprenticeship.

As Jiang Qingfeng concluded her announcement, disciples and guests held their breath.

Then Lu Qian said aloud: "Wu Yan, though you come from humble origins, you possess extraordinary talent. Most importantly, before masters, you are obedient and sensible, facing challenges with tenacity and courage, never backing an inch before enemies, showing humility and kindness towards fellow disciples, and a heart of gratitude, which is truly rare."

"I wish to take you as my disciple, appointing you as the chief disciple of Yunshan Sect, are you willing?"

Wu Yan looked at Lu Qian with eyes full of reverence and gratitude, without any hesitation, bowed down: "Disciple is willing!"

It was the Sect Leader who led Brother Le and me out of the pit of fire and onto the path, it was Yunshan Sect that gave us a blessed life, providing us with a home.

This kindness and feeling, must be repaid with my whole life.

Three kneels and nine bows, respectful tea offering.

"Master, please enjoy the tea."

Lu Qian struggled to contain the joy on his face, cheerfully sipping a mouthful of spirit tea.

Hardly easy, coming to this day, finally accepting his disciple, from henceforth having the title of master. Moreover, his disciple is a one-in-a-million Child of Celestial Mandate, Void Spiritual Root!

The ceremony complete, three chimes sounded.

Yunshan disciples respectfully congratulated, the waves of sound echoing through the grand hall.

"Congratulations Sect Leader on finding an excellent disciple!"

"Salute the Sect Leader’s Disciple!"