Boom!
The spectacle sent shockwaves through the crowd.
The Nascent Soul elder shot to his feet, his face a mask of disbelief.
Zhang Xuan nodded to himself, as if this was precisely what he had expected.
A variant spirit root was already exceedingly rare — comparable to a Heavenly Spirit Root.
A dual variant was one in ten thousand, rivaling an Immortal Spirit Root!
Add to that the Wind Thunder Sacred Body, and such talent would be considered exceptional even among the Eternal Families.
This was an Immortal seedling!
“The guardian hidden behind this fellow must be at least Mahayana level, right?” Zhang Xuan speculated inwardly.
The other had traveled with him to Azure Cloud Sect, and while his guardian had never appeared, that did not hinder Zhang Xuan’s analysis.
But his attention was more on the Spirit Testing Stele.
“Guyue Fangzheng has been tested now, so there shouldn’t be any more issues with it, right?” Around them, some initially did not understand the significance of the phenomenon.
But once those in the know explained it, the reaction was like a thousand waves crashing.
“Rivaling an Immortal Spirit Root, plus a Sacred Body?
Good heavens, how incredible is that?” “No wonder the kid acts so smug — he actually has the goods!” “I heard Purple Qi Sect took in an Immortal Spirit Root disciple recently.
Now our Azure Cloud Sect has a dual variant Spirit Root disciple with a Sacred Body too.
Let’s see what they have to brag about now!” The crowd marveled endlessly.
Some looked at Guyue Fangzheng with undisguised envy.
With such talent, joining Azure Cloud Sect was essentially a foregone conclusion.
Given how the Nascent Soul elder’s eyes were shining, it was highly likely he would accept Guyue Fangzheng as his own disciple.
In truth, the Nascent Soul elder was extremely tempted.
This level of talent was an Immortal seedling!
But precisely because Guyue Fangzheng’s talent was too monstrous, accepting him as a disciple was probably beyond the reach of a mere Nascent Soul cultivator.
Upon realizing this, the elder sighed toward the depths of the sect.
“Those inner elders must be watching this as well, I suppose?” Sure enough, the moment that golden light appeared, someone could no longer sit still.
Boom!
Suddenly, an elderly figure materialized out of thin air, hovering in the sky above.
Though his body released no outward pressure, his mere presence alone made everyone present feel as though a massive stone had settled upon their chests.
This sensation caught Zhang Xuan’s attention.
“At least Harmony Integration!” “As expected — the dramatic entrance.” Zhang Xuan stood off to the side, unobtrusive, watching the scene unfold like a spectator.
The old man, having appeared, looked down at Guyue Fangzheng and spoke calmly: “Young friend, would you be willing to take this old man as your master?” After speaking, the elder seemed to feel this was not enough — as if afraid someone might steal the youth away — and quickly added: “I am Wang Defa, an inner elder of Azure Cloud Sect.
Peak Harmony Integration!” At these words, the surrounding disciples’ eyes went wide.
“A Harmony Integration powerhouse!” “This is a true big shot.
He’s actually come out to accept a disciple?” “Heavens!
This is a meteoric rise!” “There’s no helping it.
His talent is simply too heaven-defying.” The crowd exclaimed in admiration and envy.
Some even flushed red, as if it were they who stood under everyone’s spotlight.
But it was not over.
No sooner had Wang Defa spoken than several more figures appeared.
Their auras ranged in strength, some stronger and some weaker than Wang Defa’s.
“Young friend, I am an inner elder of Azure Cloud Sect.
Late Harmony Integration.
Would you be willing to take me as your master?” “Young friend, I am from the Law Enforcement Hall of Azure Cloud Sect.
Early Mahayana.
Would you take me as your master?” “I am at Mid Mahayana.
If you accept me as your master, all your future cultivation resources will be covered by me!” In an instant, all the inner elders of Azure Cloud Sect had appeared, every one of them vying to accept Guyue Fangzheng as their disciple.
The crowd stared with eyes the size of dinner plates.
“Even Mahayana powerhouses have come out?!” “All eyes are on him, all eyes!” “Curse it all — why isn’t that me?!” Watching the Azure Cloud Sect inner elders shower Guyue Fangzheng with promises, practically terrified of losing him, was an eye-opening spectacle for everyone.
The outer elders who had been running the recruitment ceremony exchanged helpless smiles, equally having had their eyes opened.
They had never seen the inner elders argue so shamelessly over a disciple before.
At the same time, everyone looked on with curiosity at Guyue Fangzheng.
Which master would he choose?
The center of attention, Guyue Fangzheng, wore a look of perfect composure, a faint smile playing at his lips, every inch the arrogant young master.
Zhang Xuan, watching from the sidelines, knew full well — this fellow would not join Azure Cloud Sect.
How could an Eternal Family disciple join a small sect with only a Tribulation Transcendence Heavenly Sovereign?
He would surely go to some ancient holy ground or supreme academy instead.
What puzzled Zhang Xuan was why the Tribulation Transcendence Sect Master of Azure Cloud Sect had not appeared.
Guyue Fangzheng’s response was exactly as Zhang Xuan had predicted.
He cupped his fists and said: “I appreciate the esteemed elders’ kindness.
However, if you wish for me to join Azure Cloud Sect — Azure Cloud Sect is not enough.” But his next words made Zhang Xuan’s mouth twitch.
“I merely accompanied a good friend here.
Brother Zhang, it’s your turn to test your talent.” These words erupted like a bombshell, and a portion of the crowd’s attention shifted to Zhang Xuan.
Zhang Xuan screamed internally.
You bastard, are you screwing with me?!
I wasn’t planning to show off!
He silently added another tally against Guyue Fangzheng.
“Young friend, do you know what you are saying?” Fortunately, the inner elder in the sky spoke again, pulling back some of the attention that had turned toward Zhang Xuan.
Guyue Fangzheng remained perfectly calm, even facing a Mahayana dignitary.
“I merely came along as a friend’s companion.
For me, Guyue Fangzheng, to join Azure Cloud Sect — your Azure Cloud Sect truly is not enough.” What he said was the truth, but it was brutally tactless.
Combined with that smug expression, he looked like he was asking for a beating.
“Wow, is he always this arrogant?” “Azure Cloud Sect is a first-rate power in the Southern Region.
Saying that — isn’t he afraid of dying?” “Has he always been this bold?!” The crowd was stunned.
The inner elders’ expressions turned extremely ugly, clearly angered.
The atmosphere instantly turned lethal.
Zhang Xuan’s eyes lit up.
The sect crisis is here already?
Beautiful!
If Azure Cloud Sect actually clashed with the Guyue Eternal Family, couldn’t he complete his mission in minutes?
All he had to do was for the elders to attack Guyue Fangzheng in their anger, then he could die defending the sect as a disciple.
Mission complete!
Of course, Guyue Fangzheng would not actually die — he had a hidden guardian.
Azure Cloud Sect would find a way to smooth things over, and in the end, only a small shrimp like himself would die.
So Zhang Xuan immediately stepped forward to fan the flames.
“How dare you!” “How can you say such a thing?” “Aren’t you slapping Azure Cloud Sect right in the face?” “Azure Cloud Sect is a first-rate power in the Southern Region!
With words like those, what position does this great sect stand in?” “You look down on my Azure Cloud Sect!” Zhang Xuan pointed at Guyue Fangzheng with an indignant expression, looking for all the world as if Azure Cloud Sect were his own home — more of an Azure Cloud Sect disciple than any actual disciple.
At these words, the expressions of several Azure Cloud Sect disciples indeed grew uglier still.
The elders’ gazes toward Guyue Fangzheng turned increasingly hostile.
Guyue Fangzheng furrowed his brow, seriously considering whether his words might have been somewhat inappropriate.
Zhang Xuan did not care about any of this, screaming silently in his heart.
Fight!
Hurry up and fight!
But among the inner elders, someone with discerning eyes had caught the word “Guyue” and hesitated.
“Guyue?” “The Guyue from the Central Region?” At these words, many people froze.
What Central Region Guyue?
And several elders who had not reacted at first suddenly looked as though they had realized something, their expressions shifting dramatically.
Guyue Fangzheng nodded calmly: “Correct.
That is my family.” The moment these words left his mouth, the expressions of the elders in the sky went through wild changes, rivaling a chameleon.
An Eternal Family disciple — why didn’t you say so earlier!
An Eternal Family was not something Azure Cloud Sect, which had never produced a single Immortal, could afford to offend.
And wanting such a person to join — Azure Cloud Sect truly was not enough.
This left the elders frozen in the sky, unsure whether to rage or retreat.
They could only rage for a moment and then stop.
Zhang Xuan was equally speechless.
Where’s your dignity as powerhouses?
You’re just going to shut up like that?
As expected, the stubborn cultivators from novels who cared nothing for worldly affairs and solved everything with their fists did not exist in reality.
Cultivators were not all idiots.
Zhang Xuan looked disappointed.
It seemed there would be no fight after all.
Just as the atmosphere had become thoroughly awkward, Guyue Fangzheng turned to Zhang Xuan again.
“Thank you for your guidance, Brother Zhang.
My words earlier were indeed somewhat inappropriate.” He then cupped his fists toward the elders in the sky: “I was rude just now.
I hereby apologize to Azure Cloud Sect.” Upon hearing this, the elders’ expressions improved considerably.
An Eternal Family disciple apologizing in person — if they kept pressing the matter, they would be the ones in the wrong.
Zhang Xuan grew even more disappointed.
You show-off, if you’re going to be arrogant, go all the way.
Apologizing now — what’s the point?
And you elders — one apology and it’s over?
If apologies worked, what would we need the police for?
“Brother Zhang, it’s your turn to test your talent!” After offering his apology, Guyue Fangzheng turned to Zhang Xuan once more.
At this, everyone snapped back to attention and looked toward Zhang Xuan as well.
A friend of an Eternal Family Guyue disciple — surely his talent could not be too bad?
Zhang Xuan’s actions earlier, speaking up for Azure Cloud Sect, had also won the favor of many elders.
In a moment, all eyes were on Zhang Xuan.
Zhang Xuan’s face turned ashen.
Too hasty!
Now it’s come back to me.
He added another heavy tally against Guyue Fangzheng in his heart.
Someday he would settle the score with this show-off.
What was with this kid’s obsession with making him test?
“Right, right, right — time for this young friend to be tested!” The elders in the sky seized the opportunity to change the subject, looking at Zhang Xuan with eager anticipation.
Zhang Xuan could only manage an ugly smile, shot a venomous glare at Guyue Fangzheng, and began shuffling toward the Spirit Testing Stele.