Direct Disciple

The 'Hundred Treasure Pavilion' is actually a conglomerate of large shops in the continent that specialize in variety of armors, weapons, skill scrolls, 'spirit stones,' beast cores, herbs and many others whose main shop was located at the heart of 'Kunlun' mountains.

"Hundred Treasure Pavilion," Elder 'Fatty' Lu said it again with emphasis right after he cleared his voice.

The elder then explained carefully what sort of organization was the Hundred Treasure Pavilion.

"With that," he said, "you might be able to find what you're looking for."

Elder 'Fatty' Lu's wooden insignia was actually one of the lowest form of badges the organization had dispersed in the circle of renowned merchants. And the elder had long gotten a hand of it even before he came to Moon Village.

But even that as it may, once Shu Liang showed the badge to the master of any shop—even one that did not belong to the organization—she would definitely be treated with utmost respect.

After explaining the badge's purpose and what it represented, Shu Liang's eyes were clearly glowing with astonishment.

"But be careful not to show it whimsically," the elder heedfully urged, "many cultivators would greedily fight with their lives just to get one."

Indeed, such valuable treasure was very limited in the cultivation world that even that level of badge would be the object of envy among many. And with Shu Liang's reckless attitude, she might really ran with her life on the line with such in her possession.

Shu Liang thankfully nodded to the elder's reminder and immediately kept it inside her spatial ring.

****************

That night the entire Shu family gathered for a dinner in a bit of festive mood as a sort of send-off celebration for Qai and Shu Liang.

"I never expected that this day will come too soon," Shu Wei stressed. "At any rate, we're expecting both of you to be back in a year's time."

The head of the family took a deep sigh before he continued.

"By then," he said, "'The Hunters' Plateau' will officially open recruitment for more outer disciples."

"Eh."

Everyone was shocked at the announcement made by Shu Wei. They were not expecting that the head of the family would make a decision by himself with such resolve.

Shu Wei then explained that he did not mean that the Shu family would be amassing children like what the big clans and sects do.

"We're just taking in few more children who would awaken their elemental affinities," he explained.

That idea was of course an obvious fact as it would be unwise to recruit children who were not able to awaken any affinity—so everyone in the family simply stayed silent as they listened.

"We have already three elders in our family," the head of the family went on, "..so I thought of giving each of them the privilege to pick one or two direct disciples."

What Shu Wei really had in mind was that all the outer disciples to be recruited would remain under Shu Wu's tutelage—but that after awakening their elemental affinities, the elders would now have the choice to get their own disciples.

"Ahhk."

Old Yu almost choke from the food he was trying to eat.

"Master..," Elder Ming Yu suddenly interrupted in embarrassment after regaining proper breathing. "I don't think taking in direct disciples suits me."

"Ah."

Almost everyone understood what the old elder felt.

Indeed, Old Yu's current level would appear too low for disciples to take him as their master even if his status in the Shu family had some sort of authority.

"I am already fine by myself..," Elder Ming Yu politely insisted. "Besides, I already have Yu Yue who personally treats me as her master."

Yu Yue who was silently listening to the conversation nodded with a slight smile upon hearing Old Yu say her name.

"Hmmmn," Qai suddenly uttered.

He then rubbed his nose and grinned.

"Elder Yu," Qai said. "Why don't you just pick one disciple who would assist you in the Treasury Hall."

Shu Wei was happy to hear that Qai was suggesting a compromise. He really wanted to expand the family a bit after gaining a lot from the extermination event—but he wanted to start from recruiting disciples as it would be easier to instill loyalty among the young than hiring aged cultivators.

"Our treasures sure are getting bountiful," Qai described. "And I know that you all know that that is just the beginning of our treasury's growth."

The expression of rest of the members of the family all of a sudden showed signs of pride with the words of Qai as they believed that they were the foundations of the family's growth.

"So I don't see any problem with you taking a 'disciple' yourself," Qai convincingly concluded.

Old Yu felt all the more embarrassed as he deeply respected Qai as his savior.

"If that is what the Young Master thinks," the old elder shyly replied, "..then so be it."