Chapter 14: The Hidden Master Monk Sweeping the Floors

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Li Wudao had no doubts about the rankings. Jiang Churan’s talent was indeed exceptional, especially considering she had yet to awaken her Qingluan bloodline. Under the watchful eyes of all, ten young men and women stepped onto the stage, looking down upon the disciples below with radiant expressions, full of youthful vigor and pride. Seeing the envious looks cast from the crowd, Li Wudao suddenly understood. Perhaps this was one of the reasons people strove to become stronger—to experience this intoxicating feeling of looking down upon others.

“Now, let us invite the sect leader to personally present the true inheritance rewards!” Elder Wu announced, stepping aside to give way.

“You ten have all done remarkably well. I hope you continue to work hard and soon become the pillars of our sect,” said Sect Leader Murong Yan as he approached the ten youths, handing each a reward personally—a full bottle of Bi Lin Pills and a lower-grade mystical artifact of the Xuan rank, quite valuable. All the disciples below were filled with envy; the rewards and prestige were off the charts.

Those who had just passed the inner sect assessment felt their joy diminish, their smiles tinged with bitterness. True inheritance disciples were truly in a different league, both in status and treatment, incomparable to inner sect disciples.

Below the stage, the commotion was intense. The inner sect disciples were relatively composed, but the 3,500 outer sect disciples were nearly exploding with frustration—the gap was simply too great. In the end, they had nothing but the title of outer sect disciple.

“Elder, do outer sect disciples have any cultivation resources? Is there still a chance to become inner sect disciples in the future?” an outer sect disciple asked unwillingly. This was the collective voice of the outer disciples; none wished to remain at the bottom of the sect forever.

“Of course there are,” Elder Wu replied patiently, understanding their grievances. “Regarding cultivation resources, the sect provides a fixed monthly allowance of spirit stones, which can be used for cultivation and trade... Outer sect disciples receive ten lower-grade spirit stones monthly from the Administration Hall; inner sect disciples receive fifty; true inheritance disciples receive five hundred.”

“Additionally, the sect has a Task Hall. Completing sect missions also grants cultivation resources,” he continued. “As for promotion, that is possible too. The sect holds various competitions annually, such as quarterly and yearly grand martial contests. Those who perform outstandingly may be promoted.”

Hearing this, the outer sect disciples relaxed somewhat. Though resources were scarce, there was at least a chance to rise. After calming the crowd, Elder Wu turned his gaze to the six peak masters and bowed slightly. “Honored peak masters, you may begin taking apprentices.”

Instantly, all voices below ceased. Both outer and inner sect disciples watched intently. The peak masters taking on apprentices—this was the real highlight.

“Jiang Churan, would you be willing to join my Purple Cloud Peak? I promise to teach you wholeheartedly, holding nothing back.”

“Or come to my Jade Sword Peak. I will accept you as my closing disciple; someday, this peak will be yours.”

“...”

All six peak masters offered their sincere invitations.

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At that moment, Murong Yan stood up, smiling gently at the young girl. “Child, would you be willing to accept me, the sect leader, as your master?”

The other peak masters were stunned. The sect leader had only ever accepted one disciple in a century, and now he was considering taking on apprentices himself. How could they compete against that?

Jiang Churan did not hesitate. Her expression was complex as she bowed deeply. “Disciple Jiang Churan greets Master!”

In her previous life, she had already apprenticed under him. If not for Murong Yan’s generous support, she would never have awakened the ancient Qingluan bloodline so quickly. It was also under his protection that she avoided the plots of villains and grew steadily. Murong Yan was undoubtedly her strongest pillar.

“Sect leader, that’s unfair,” one peak master grumbled.

“Exactly! We all had our eyes on her, and you swooped in at the last moment!”

The peak masters who had been targeting Jiang Churan were displeased at having their efforts wasted.

“Ha!” Murong Yan laughed heartily. The old fellows had dared to tease him earlier; now it was time to put them in their place.

“Qi Xingyu, I am the lead of the Scorching Sun Peak. Are you willing to become my disciple?” asked Cheng Yuanliang.

“Disciple is willing,” Qi Xingyu responded happily; his acceptance was merely a formality as he was already an inner sect candidate.

Two of the three most talented disciples had been taken.

The remaining peak masters all turned their attention to Li Wudao, unleashing a barrage of flattery and sweet talk.

“Come join my sect. All cultivation resources are yours to command!”

“Don’t listen to him. The Danqi Peak offers unlimited pills and artifacts!”

The five peak masters surrounded Li Wudao with warm smiles, trying their best to appear approachable. After all, Li Wudao’s extraordinary comprehension was enough to make them swallow their pride.

Faced with this scene, the young man scratched his head, feeling at a loss. He didn’t know who to choose.

Suddenly, a system alert sounded in his mind.

[Beep! High-value investment target detected. Host, please pay attention!]

Li Wudao was stunned and immediately activated his Haotian Eye to scan.

His gaze finally settled on a shabby old man dozing nearby.

[Name: Xia Gucheng]

[Age: 58]

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[Talent: Saint-level mid rank]

[Special Constitution: Geng Metal Sword Body (King’s Constitution)]

[Realm: Peak Martial Emperor]

[Fate: Top-tier Heavenly Grade]

[Recent Activities: Drinking, sleeping, listening to brothel music, tending flowers and plants, idling about.]

[Geng Metal Sword Body: King-level constitution, metal attribute sword body, superior to metal spiritual bodies. If cultivating the sword path, it is fierce, domineering, and unstoppable.]

Li Wudao’s eyes widened as he finished reading. This profile was outrageously powerful. Looking at the old man’s unkempt nest-like hair, shabby clothes, and casual posture, he exuded an aura of “invincible confidence.”

This was undoubtedly the legendary Sweeping Monk!

A Peak Martial Emperor at the Xuantian Sect would surely be among the top-tier powerhouses.

Li Wudao’s breathing quickened. This was a golden opportunity he could not miss. Apprenticing under this old man would first allow him to reap benefits. Secondly, in the martial world’s law of the jungle, having a powerful master was crucial.

Thinking this through, Li Wudao made his decision instantly.

“Thank you all for your kind offers, but I have already decided to apprentice under someone else. I will not accept anyone else as my master.”

The peak masters’ faces darkened upon hearing Li Wudao’s refusal.

“Who is this person? I would like to see who could be stronger than us,” the lead of Danqi Peak snorted coldly.

At this moment, both sect elders and disciples were stunned. He had declined the enthusiastic invitations of the five peak masters?

Under their varied gazes, Li Wudao remained calm and pointed toward the scruffy old man dozing off.

“This...”

The sect leader and other peak masters were speechless.

“Why not choose someone else? Although Xia is the lead of the Seventh Peak, he never takes apprentices, and there are no resources allocated to his disciples. It would be pointless,” Murong Yan patiently advised.

“Yes, Xia Peak Master never accepts disciples and is erratic in his whereabouts. Even if you went, it would be a waste of your talent; you wouldn’t learn much,” others added.

But no matter how the elders spoke, Li Wudao refused, determined to apprentice under Xia Gucheng.

He came to the Xuantian Sect for only three reasons.

First, to reap the benefits. Second, to reap the benefits. Third, to reap the benefits!

With another fat sheep appearing, how could he let it slip away?

Murong Yan sighed helplessly and roused the dozing old man.

“Peak Master Xia, this young man has exceptional comprehension and Earth-level talent. He is this year’s second-ranked disciple. He wishes to apprentice under you. What do you say...”