Chapter 189
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Chapter 189: Selecting Disciples
Leader Su Hao of Shadowless Peak had overcome the great tribulation, reaching the Sixth-layer Foundation Establishment celestial realm. Within the entire Heavenly Sword Sect, he stood as a rare figure of prominence, usually remaining aloof and seldom seen.
Clad in a green robe, Su Hao appeared dignified and scholarly, unchanged from Ye Yun’s memory. He stood atop the platform with hands clasped behind his back.
“Hail the Peak Master!”
The eight individuals on the platform dropped to one knee, their voices unified. Instantly, every disciple below followed suit, kneeling in reverence.
Su Hao inclined his head slightly. “Rise,” he said gently.
The disciples obeyed, their gazes brimming with reverence.
“Today marks the initiation of Shadowless Peak’s new inner disciples—a triennial event. The eight Hall Masters and the Black and White Elders will select disciples. Those chosen may rise to become future elites of our peak, their futures boundless.” Su Hao’s voice carried clearly across the crowd.
“Peak Master, all seventy-one disciples passed the trial after consuming the Heart Refining Demon Trial Pill—a rare outcome,” Guardian Elder Black Cloudzi declared.
Su Hao nodded, surprise flickering across his face. “Truly unexpected. Their loyalty is remarkable.” His eyes lingered briefly on Ye Yun as he scanned the disciples.
“Does the Peak Master have further instructions? If not, let the selection commence,” Bai Songzi interjected sharply.
Su Hao seated himself on the platform’s chair with a nod.
“Begin,” Bai Songzi announced.
The eight Hall Masters oversaw Shadowless Peak’s affairs through their respective halls: Wind, Fire, Thunder, and Lightning handled external matters, while Metal, Wood, Water, and Earth managed internal logistics.
“Wind Hall shall start,” declared an elderly man in blue robes—Luo Tiancheng, Fifth-Level Foundation Establishment expert and Wind Hall Master responsible for external missions and battles.
Disciples watched eagerly. Though each hall would only pick three disciples, entry guaranteed superior training resources over solitary cultivation or random mentorship.
Luo Tiancheng’s gaze swept the crowd. With a flick of his wrist, three streaks of light struck three disciples.
“These three.”
Light shimmered above their heads. The chosen trio rushed forward, elated. Admission to Wind Hall meant limitless resources—critical for cultivation success.
“Greetings, Master!” they knelt.
“Rise. You’ll be Registered Disciples until the six-month assessment. Rules will be explained later. Stand aside,” Luo Tiancheng dismissed them.
Two disciples were at the fourth level of Qi refining, one at the third—respectable among their peers.
“Brother Luo sets a high standard. I mustn’t lag,” remarked a middle-aged man in dark red—Lie Xingyun, Fire Hall Master—as he stepped forward.
"Brother Lie, your words are over the line. I merely picked three at random without much thought. These disciples’ aptitudes are passable enough for our selection. Besides, they’re just Registered Disciples – no need for seriousness," Luo Tiancheng said with hands clasped behind his back, smiling.
"Brother Luo speaks true. Then I’ll not hold back." Lie Xingyun guffawed, sweeping his gaze across the crowd before flicking three fingers.
Three firelights flashed from his fingertips. Faint sparks materialized above three disciples’ heads.
The chosen trio rushed forward eagerly, kneeling on one knee before the platform and calling "Master!"
Lie Xingyun spoke briefly before motioning them aside.
The Thunder Hall and Lightning Hall swiftly selected three each, completing the four external halls’ choices.
Ye Yun’s brows furrowed. The four halls clearly treated this as mere formality, caring little which three were chosen.
To outer disciples, inner disciples of Shadowless Peak represented sacred aspirations – the promise of limitless cultivation progress. Yet standing in Cloud Hall during initiation rites revealed how lightly the Peak’s Higher-ups regarded these so-called inner disciples.
Ye Yun harbored no resentment. Talent and strength ruled here. Had any disciple reached sixth or seventh level Qi refining, all Eight Hall Masters would have fought for them. Those with Murong Wuqing’s gifts would receive vastly different treatment.
Among seventy-one disciples, the highest cultivation was fourth level Qi refining – impressive to novices, but worthless to the Eight Halls, especially the four external ones.
The logistical halls (Metal, Wood, Water, Earth) prioritized specialty talents over cultivation. Metal focused on weapon forging, Wood on pill refinement, Water on healing magic, Earth on arrays. Yet even they chose carelessly, treating Registered Disciples as afterthoughts.
Surprisingly, neither Ye Yun, Duan Chenfeng nor Yu Minghong were chosen, though Wu Chenrong and two others were selected. The trio exchanged bitter smiles.
"Our cultivation’s too low. Second level Qi refining for me, first level for Ye and Little Yu – beneath their notice," Duan Chenfeng shrugged.
"Hall Masters must be blind! Though Brother Ye’s only first level, his true strength’s greatest here," Yu Minghong protested indignantly.
Ye Yun waved dismissively. "Teaching matters little. Each cultivator’s path differs. Only by finding one’s own way can true progress occur."
"But this shows their poor judgment," Yu Minghong frowned.
"Judgment? They just pick highest cultivation levels," Duan Chenfeng countered nonchalantly.
Below the platform, twenty-four chosen disciples stood in eight groups, trembling with excitement at their bright futures.
"Since the Eight Halls are done, shall we old men pick two for amusement?" Black Cloudzi asked Bai Songzi.
"Agreed. Last time we took none. I’ll choose one," came Bai Songzi’s shrill reply.
"The Two Elders in Black and White are Shadowless Peak’s paragons – celestial realm survivors of the great tribulation. Their chosen gain lifetimes’ fortune," said Water Hall Master Ling Qingyun.
"Indeed, as our seniors, they’ve only taken a dozen disciples. We thought their talk of teaching was jest!" Wood Hall Master Mu Yucheng tittered behind her hand, middle-aged charm undimmed.
The Elders waved dismissively. "The Peak Master requested our participation. We’ll take two."
"But Elder-chosen disciples would become our peers!" Mu Yucheng objected.
"Merely Registered Disciples – no generational standing. Should they pass our trials and become formal disciples, matching your achievements, being peers matters not," Black Cloudzi boomed, scanning the crowd.
Suddenly, both Elders flicked fingers. Twin streaks of light shot forth.
Beside Ye Yun, two figures lit up – Duan Chenfeng and Yu Minghong.
The Black-White Elders had chosen them!
