My Martial Arts Level Never Drops

Chapter 365: Chapter 178: True Inheritance?

Yet his tone held a rare, almost imperceptible trace of...

Guilt?

"Zhengchu," he said, stroking his long, snow-white beard as his gaze drifted toward the clouds and mist in the distant valley. "This boy’s disposition and aptitude are truly rare. To reach the entry-level of the Body Technique Leaf Leaf Skill in a single day... it shows his potential and Talent are truly astonishing. Hmm... You have served the Sect with all your heart, discovering such fine talent. Your contributions are undeniable."

Fan Zhengchu’s resentment was almost palpable. "Senior Brother, we had an agreement. If this boy’s disposition proved to be excellent, I would be the one to..."

"Alas, plans can’t always keep up with changes."

Yue Guiyuan cut him off, his voice still gentle but tinged with an authority that brooked no argument. "Han Lingxiao already jumped in to snatch him. If I didn’t step forward, wouldn’t it make me, the Hall Master of the Guiyuan Lineage, seem as if I don’t value our own geniuses?"

"Besides, now that this boy has revealed such Talent and disposition, taking him directly under my tutelage will save a lot of time and be more beneficial for his Cultivation... Zhengchu, you’ve always understood the bigger picture. You should prioritize the legacy of the Guiyuan Lineage and the disciple’s future."

As he spoke, he even patted Fan Zhengchu’s shoulder.

Fan Zhengchu opened his mouth, looked at his Senior Brother’s shameless "I’m doing this all for the good of the Guiyuan Lineage" expression, then glanced at the slightly awkward Qin Fang, who stood beside them not knowing how to react...

In the end, he could only swallow his frustration. His shoulders slumped as he said listlessly, "...You are right, Senior Brother. Everything should be for the sake of Guiyuan and the disciple..."

...It was just that his tone sounded as if the words were being squeezed through his gritted teeth.

The surrounding disciples, who had been eavesdropping with pricked ears, were all struggling to keep straight faces, terrified they might burst out laughing.

Wen Suxin couldn’t help but smile either, covering her lips with her sleeve.

As if he hadn’t noticed his junior brother’s resentment, Yue Guiyuan nodded in satisfaction and spoke gently to Qin Fang. "Since it’s settled, so it shall be. Zhengchu, make the arrangements. First, take Qin Fang to handle the formalities for becoming a True Disciple. As for the official acceptance ceremony... let’s set it for one month from now."

For a Hall Master to accept a Direct Disciple... it was certainly no simple matter.

It was an event that required an announcement to the entire Sect and a grand ceremony!

After speaking, without waiting for Fan Zhengchu to say anything more, Yue Guiyuan smiled at Qin Fang. "In this one month, you can familiarize yourself with the Sect and stabilize your Cultivation. You can also go to the Scripture Pavilion on your own to peruse the texts... The privileges of a True Disciple are quite different from those of an Inner Sect Disciple."

"Before the formal ceremony, you will continue to reside where you are now. One month from today, I will burn incense before the ancestors in front of Guiyuan Hall and formally accept you. During this time, if you encounter any difficulties in your Cultivation, you may consult your Master Fan or come find me in the quiet chambers on the back mountain... I expect you to cultivate with a calm heart and not slack off."

Qin Fang hurriedly bowed and replied, "I will respectfully obey Master’s instructions and cultivate diligently to live up to your expectations."

"Mm," Yue Guiyuan said. Seeing Qin Fang switch his form of address so readily, he revealed a smile and nodded in satisfaction.

After one last glance at Fan Zhengchu, who looked like he still wanted to say something, Yue Guiyuan’s figure rippled like water in the morning light and vanished without a sound.

...What a clean and decisive getaway!

Fan Zhengchu was left fuming in the direction his Senior Brother had vanished. After a long while, he finally turned his head to look at Qin Fang, his expression complex.

’If I had known, I would have locked down our master-disciple relationship two days ago!’

’Why was I pretending to be some magnanimous, enlightened master?!’

Now...

He let out a long sigh.

For a moment, all his enthusiasm drained away.

"Suxin, the matter of registering Qin Fang as a True Disciple... I’ll leave it to you."

He walked listlessly toward the main hall, sighing repeatedly.

Wen Suxin looked at her master’s expression, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. She could only say, "Yes, Master."

Fan Zhengchu didn’t look back. He waved his hand and walked into the main hall... his figure looking somewhat desolate from behind.

"Congratulations, Junior Brother Qin, on being accepted into the Hall Master’s True Inheritance."

Wen Suxin finally turned to look at Qin Fang. The drama of snatching him away just now had been truly astonishing.

...Two Hall Masters fighting over one person!

...In the entire Heavenly Gang Wuji Sect, probably only the Dao Body from four years ago had ever received such treatment.

Having become a True Disciple of the Hall Master in such a bewildering fashion, Qin Fang himself was a bit dazed.

Hearing her, he gave a wry smile. "Senior Sister, please don’t make fun of me. I’m... quite terrified right now..."

Wen Suxin stifled a giggle with her hand, then said, "Come on, let’s go get your True Inheritance Token and robes... Although the acceptance ceremony isn’t for another month, Master Yue has already spoken. You are now a True Disciple and can enjoy the corresponding benefits."

Wen Suxin led Qin Fang toward the Council Pavilion.

As the two left, the surrounding Inner Sect Disciples began to buzz with hushed discussions, their voices filled with amazement and envy.

"Senior Brother Qin just became a True Disciple... and a Direct Disciple of the Hall Master at that!"

"The acceptance ceremony in a month must be going to be incredibly grand, right?"

"Of course! The Hall Master taking a disciple is a major event for our Guiyuan Lineage!"

"Reaching entry-level in a Body Technique in a single day, causing two lineages to fight over him, and then becoming a direct disciple of the Hall Master... Senior Brother Qin’s fortune is truly..."

"There’s no point being envious... Senior Brother Qin’s Talent is just too astounding... Twenty years old, at the True Essence Realm, and he reached entry-level with the Body Technique Leaf Skill in a single day... With that kind of talent and aptitude... he deserves to ascend to the heavens in a single step!"

Naturally, these discussions did not escape Qin Fang’s ears.

Qin Fang let out a soft breath.

’I really did become a True Disciple of the Hall Master in a bewildering way...’

And while he was exchanging his token for a True Inheritance Token, the news that he had become a recipient of Hall Master Guiyuan’s True Inheritance quietly spread from the mouths of the Guiyuan Lineage disciples throughout the entire Heavenly Gang Wuji Sect...

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