Chapter 69: Please, You Must Take Him as a Disciple

Chapter 69: Please, You Must Take Him as a Disciple "I, Sword Dao Institute, agree." "Alchemy Dao Institute seconds that." "..." Upon hearing Deacon Bai’s words, the many outer sect elders each voiced their stance. They had all been recruiting disciples in the outer sect for many years and could tell at a glance that the chubby boy had poor innate roots and lacked talent. As for his comprehension ability, there was no need to even mention it. The boy was already eighteen and was still only at the fifth level of the Body Tempering Realm. If he hadn’t held a Wendao Token, he wouldn’t even qualify to step through the academy gates. Deacon Bai nodded slightly. "Since all of you are in agreement, I’ll send this boy to the Miscellaneous Dao Institute. If he amounts to anything in the future, I hope none of you will come blaming me." "Don’t worry, Junior Brother Bai. No matter what he becomes, we won’t come after you." "Exactly. That Chu Feng fellow just got lucky, receiving Xiao Chen and Cao Youqian as his disciples." "Right, this kid can’t even be compared to those two." "..." The group of elders continued chatting and laughing among themselves. Deacon Bai didn’t respond further and turned to walk toward the chubby boy, Wang Baole. Looking at the carefree boy, he asked, "Are you done eating?" Wang Baole, still chewing on a pig knuckle, mumbled, "Just one more bite, one more bite." Deacon Bai: "..." The gathered outer sect elders nearly burst out laughing at the scene. They were genuinely curious to see what kind of expression Chief Chu would have after receiving a disciple like this. Exchanging amused glances, they all left the External Affairs Institute together. "Everyone, I’m starting to realize that the Miscellaneous Dao Institute does serve a purpose—it’s perfect for dumping trash like this chubby kid." "What do you mean ‘starting to’? Hasn’t the Miscellaneous Dao Institute been a waste bin for the past hundred years?" "True enough! I’m happy today—let’s drink to that!" A short while later— Deacon Bai brought Wang Baole to the Miscellaneous Dao Institute. Wang Baole looked at the quiet mountain peak before him and instinctively turned to Deacon Bai, asking, "Sir, is it true there’s an endless supply of pig knuckles here?" Deacon Bai: ??? 'This kid has nothing but food on his mind.' "Of course. After all, this is one of the Ten Great Institutes of the Wendao Academy." "But why haven’t I seen a single person?" Wang Baole looked at him skeptically. Just then, a melodious sound of zither music floated over from afar. "See? There’s someone," Deacon Bai said with a smile. The two of them began walking toward the direction of the music. Deacon Bai listened to the soothing and elegant melody and unknowingly became immersed in it. After walking just over a dozen steps, his expression suddenly changed drastically. "This is bad! There’s something wrong with this music!" As a cultivator at the half-step Divine Nurturing Realm, even without being on guard, he had fallen into the illusion created by the music. That alone proved how extraordinary the zither sound was. If the player harbored killing intent toward him, wouldn’t he be completely defenseless? Who could be playing the zither here? When did the Miscellaneous Dao Institute gain a zither master? Deacon Bai ignored the dazed Wang Baole beside him and continued forward. Before long, he saw a woman sitting atop a cliff, wearing an eyepatch and exuding an otherworldly air as she played the zither. No—more accurately, she was cultivating. She was using the music to merge herself with heaven and earth, using it as a method of comprehending the Dao. Hiss... Deacon Bai sucked in a sharp breath. ‘Just what kind of cultivation method is this woman using? Why have I never heard of it in Wendao Academy?’ Wait a minute—wasn’t she from the Qunfang Pavilion? Once Deacon Bai realized who Qin Qin was, he was completely dumbfounded. The matter of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute’s Head taking in a courtesan from Qunfang Pavilion as a disciple had long become the laughingstock of Wendao Academy. After all, disciple slots at Wendao Academy were incredibly precious. For Chu Feng to waste one just to "keep a beauty hidden in a golden house" was no different from being a fool. But now, Deacon Bai only wanted to say: Turns out, we’re the real fools. He didn’t interrupt Qin Qin’s cultivation. That would be a grave taboo—not just in Wendao Academy, but throughout the entire cultivation world. Since he was already here, he decided he might as well listen to the full piece and see what made this young woman so special. Once the piece ended— Deacon Bai couldn’t help but praise her: “Marvelous! Junior Qin, you truly deserve to be called a master of zither Dao. This composition is a once-in-a-century melody.” Qin Qin rose and bowed slightly when she saw him. “Uncle Bai flatters me. I’ve only just barely grasped the surface of Master’s teachings. I’m not worthy of being called a master.” Deacon Bai: “...” How am I even supposed to respond to that? Still, being the socially adept man he was, he quickly changed the topic. “Junior Qin, do you know where Chief Chu is?” Qin Qin pointed down the cliff and replied respectfully, “Master is cultivating down below.” In her view, someone as powerful as her master was cultivating no matter what he was doing—even if she’d just seen him fly off the cliff holding a fishing rod. “Cultivating?” Deacon Bai froze. Wasn’t that Chief Chu just an ordinary mortal? He could actually cultivate? “Junior Qin, would you kindly lead the way? I’ve come today on important business with Chief Chu.” Qin Qin had always been devoted to cultivation, rarely concerned with outside affairs. She didn’t know much about the happenings within Wendao Academy. But now that a deacon had personally come looking for her master, she dared not neglect it. “Please follow me.” With that, Qin Qin put away her guqin. Deacon Bai led Wang Baole to the cliff’s edge. Wang Baole had only just recovered from the effects of the music and still hadn’t figured out what was going on when— Someone grabbed him by the collar and tossed him off the cliff. “Nooo! I don’t want to die!” Wang Baole let out a shrill cry, echoing through the mountain valley. Down below, beside the stream at the base of the waterfall. Chu Feng was watching a fish about to bite the hook, his lips already curled into a satisfied smile. Just then, a pig-slaughtering shriek pierced the air, scaring the fish away. “Damn it! Who’s the blind idiot that just scared off my fish?!” Just as the words left his mouth, Three figures appeared at his side. Deacon Bai wore a helpless expression. “Greetings, Chief Chu.” Qin Qin respectfully said, “Disciple greets Master.” Wang Baole, heart still pounding, patted his chest in relief. “I’m actually still alive...” Looking at the three very different expressions in front of him, Chu Feng could only feel a wave of resignation wash over him. No need to guess—he already knew that blood-curdling scream had come from the chubby boy. “What brings the three of you to me?” With a formal expression, Deacon Bai replied, “Chief Chu, this boy came to Wendao Academy to seek a master, carrying a Wendao Token. According to academy rules, I have brought him to you. Please, do take him as your disciple.” With that, he gave Wang Baole a nudge. “What are you standing there for, boy? Hurry and greet Chief Chu!” Only then did Wang Baole snap out of it and bow toward Chu Feng. “Junior Wang Baole greets Senior Chu.” ==================================================================================== Get access to 20 chapters in advance and enjoy 2 daily updates by supporting the series. Available on Patreon: /Alex_Cruise or Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/anish_44