Chapter Twenty-Two: Becoming a Disciple of the Mountain Blade Sect

"Do you wish to learn martial arts?"

At the summit, amid the grandest cluster of palaces, Zhou Yi and Song Hai knelt on the ground. On either side stood six people, twelve in total. The speaker was a stern middle-aged man seated at the head.

"Yes!"

Zhou Yi answered without hesitation, his voice resolute and unwavering.

Since his cellular transformation, within the vortex, energy had surged again and again, allowing Zhou Yi to push his physical attributes to their utmost limit. Only when he could no longer improve did he finally emerge, bringing Song Hai with him.

When he stepped out, intending to take in the scenery, a figure appeared abruptly and brought him here.

"Why?"

The sect master, seated at the head, looked down at Zhou Yi and Song Hai. His eyes were calm, like a deep well without ripples, yet within, his heart was truly stirred.

"Is a reason necessary to learn martial arts?"

Hearing this, Zhou Yi looked up into the sect master's eyes and asked solemnly.

"Is it not necessary?"

"Is it?"

"Is it not necessary?"

"Is it?"

Inside the grand hall, the others watched, lines of confusion forming on their faces as the sect master and Zhou Yi volleyed questions back and forth, leaving everyone speechless.

"Has the sect master's intelligence dropped?"

"I think so!"

"Judging by this, he wasn't that clever to begin with!"

On both sides, the others exchanged glances, communicating silently.

"And you?" After a moment, the sect master regained his composure, realizing his lapse. He coughed lightly, shifting his gaze to Song Hai to change the subject.

Discovering two geniuses at once had left the sect master so excited, he was almost giddy.

"Me?"

Asked directly, Song Hai was momentarily stunned. He glanced at Zhou Yi but remained silent.

Though Song Hai gave no answer, these seasoned elders easily discerned his intentions from the way he looked at Zhou Yi.

"What a bond of brotherhood!"

Given the current situation, and recalling what they had seen in the vortex, everyone understood. These two youngsters were bound by deep mutual support and reliance.

The surroundings fell silent. The sect master said nothing, nor did Zhou Yi and Song Hai, who continued kneeling, silent for a long time.

After a moment of exchanging glances, the sect master stood up, walked to the two youths, and reached out to touch their arms.

"Ten times!"

He began with Zhou Yi, placing his hand on Zhou Yi's arm. A heavy, mountain-like aura flowed from the master's palm, and then his excited voice rang out.

"Ten times?" Zhou Yi was stunned for a moment before realizing the sect master was referring to his physical strength. It matched exactly what his attribute panel showed—so extraordinary!

Steadying himself, the sect master forcibly suppressed his excitement, moving his hand from Zhou Yi to Song Hai.

"Fifteen times!"

As soon as his hand touched Song Hai, a startled cry escaped, unable to contain his excitement any longer.

Hearing this, the crowd was astonished. One was higher than the other. Zhou Yi's tenfold strength was remarkable, but not unprecedented in the sect's history.

Song Hai, however, was different.

Fifteen times—the previous record for physical strength stood at tenfold, achieved by a genius after over two thousand years of sect history. Now, before their eyes, the record was broken.

Years of cultivation had tempered their minds, yet none could remain composed now. All gazed at Zhou Yi and Song Hai with fervor.

Their eyes burned with a single thought: I must take this disciple; this disciple must be mine!

But before anyone could act, the sect master, after a brief silence, glanced at the crowd, then said to Zhou Yi and Song Hai, "Stand, follow me!"

Unwilling, the others wanted to protest, but the sect master's gaze silenced them as they watched the trio depart.

"What does the sect master mean by this?"

Once he left, the crowd regained their senses and began to discuss.

"Is he planning to keep them for himself?" someone grumbled, staring at the spot where Zhou Yi and Song Hai had stood, his eyes full of resentment.

"....."

The others remained silent, their dissatisfaction nearly palpable.

No one responded, but though they were unwilling, they knew the truth: talents like Zhou Yi and Song Hai would be wasted if handed over to them.

If only their aptitude were less extraordinary!

If they were merely gifted, their strength would suffice for instruction. But their genius exceeded all limits, beyond what any of them could teach.

Each teacher imparts his own way of thinking, and disciples inevitably absorb it.

For ordinary people, this is a solid path: follow the teacher's road, build strength, then, when strong enough, forge their own way.

But for a genius, from the beginning, all they need is guidance—they will carve their own path.

A teacher's path becomes a shackle, restricting their potential, which is undesirable.

Everyone understood this, so while they grumbled, none tried to stop the sect master from taking the two away—only venting their regrets after they had left.

For talents like Zhou Yi and Song Hai, neither the crowd nor the sect master had the right to teach them. In fact, to teach them would be to mislead them.

Thus, once the sect master discovered their gifts, it was inevitable that neither he nor anyone else would claim to be their teacher. To do so would be the greatest waste of genius.

All that could be done now was to show them direction and impart knowledge, letting them forge ahead on their own. That was the best way.

Since none could be their master, there was no disparity in the heart, only lingering regret they could not hide.

...

The sect master led them through several towers and stone paths, finally pushing open a yellow wooden door and halting in a hall filled with ancestral tablets.

"Kneel!"

Upon entering, the sect master gave the command.

Bang! Bang!

Seeing the room full of memorial tablets, Zhou Yi immediately understood where they were. Questions flooded his mind, but before he could sort them out, he knelt abruptly, pulling Song Hai down with him at the master's word.

Whatever the sect master intended, obeying was the right choice!

Their decisive action eased the sect master's complex emotions, both excited and frustrated. He nodded, turned, and took up three sticks of incense, rubbing them on his head to light them.

"Reporting to the ancestors: today, I, disciple Wenren Ying, accept disciples on behalf of my master. State your names."

Zhou Yi and Song Hai were stunned, staring blankly at him until Wenren Ying shot them a look, jolting them awake.

"Disciple Zhou Yi!"

Zhou Yi cupped his hands, bowing solemnly.

"Disciple Song Hai!"

Song Hai looked at Zhou Yi and followed his lead, speaking loudly.

"I, Wenren Ying, on behalf of Master Huang Ku, accept Zhou Yi and Song Hai as disciples. Should I harbor two hearts, let heaven and earth forsake me!"

With that, Wenren Ying looked at the two.

Zhou Yi understood instantly and signaled Song Hai.

"Should I harbor two hearts, let heaven and earth forsake me!"

"Should I harbor two hearts, let heaven and earth forsake me!"