Empress Fuyao becomes his Disciple

Daodao Sect, Qingxuan Peak.

Lu Xuan stood before a modest thatched house, overwhelmed with despair.

Ever since he arrived in this world, he had inherited his late master's mantle and assumed the position of Qingxuan Peak's master in the Dao Dao Sect.

But from the moment he took up the mantle, an apprenticeship system had manifested, conditioning him to accept the Empress as his disciple to activate it!

Wasn't this an outright scam?

In this world, realms were delineated as Qi Lian, Xuan Shi, Xuan Master, Xuan Ling, Xuan King, Great Xuan King, Xuan Emperor, Xuan Zong, Xuan Zun, Xuan Sage, Saint King, Great Emperor... and the Dao Dao Sect's leader barely stood in the Saint King realm. Yet, the system mandated him to accept the Empress as his disciple?

Compounding his predicament was the fact that the previous peak master was a cultivation failure, lingering only at the Qi refining stage—barely above the outer disciples. If not for his late master's grace, he would have been expelled from the sect long ago.

Over the years, Lu Xuan had faithfully attended every grand disciple gathering of the Dao Dao Sect, yet no one had chosen him as their master. His name had spread far and wide, with elders from influential sects cautioning their juniors:

"Don't go to Qingxuan Peak! Don't take Lu Xuan as your master! It will ruin your future!"

Consequently, no one had sought apprenticeship under Lu Xuan.

Lu Xuan sighed deeply.

Recently, the entrance examinations for the Dao Dao Sect had concluded. Tomorrow would mark the disciple recruitment event—would anyone finally choose him as their master?

In that moment, a divine rainbow streaked across the sky from a distance.

Boom!

A gray-robed elder landed solemnly on Qingxuan Peak and addressed Lu Xuan gravely.

"Peak Master Lu, you have gone six consecutive years without recruiting a disciple! By the Dao Sect's rules, if you fail to recruit a disciple for seven years, you will be stripped of your peak master title. Are you aware?"

Lu Xuan nodded wearily. "I know."

The elder's expression turned more complex. "Master Lu, should you lose your position as peak master, your cultivation and talent won't even meet the standards of an outer disciple. Moreover, after so many years as peak master, Dao Dao Sect regulations dictate your expulsion from the sect. Are you aware of this?"

Lu Xuan's face twitched. "I know."

Expulsion from the Dao Sect!

Damn!

This was dire.

The gray-robed elder nodded, then leaped back into the air without a backward glance. "Master Lu, I wish you luck at tomorrow's disciple recruitment event."

As Lu Xuan watched the elder depart, a slight furrow creased his brow.

How could he possibly attract a disciple now?

Suddenly, inspiration struck.

Shower them with spirit stones!

His late master had left behind substantial cultivation resources, most of which Lu Xuan had barely tapped into over the years.

Tomorrow's recruitment event represented his final chance. No longer did he aspire to gain the Empress as a disciple; he simply yearned to secure any disciple and retain his peak master role.

Surely, with such abundant resources, he could entice someone—whether a genius or a lesser talent, it mattered little.

Resolved, Lu Xuan returned to his cave with newfound confidence.

He eagerly awaited tomorrow's recruitment event.

...

The following day, the Dao Dao Sect's disciple recruitment event commenced, setting ablaze the surroundings within a million-mile radius!

With its storied history, surviving ancient calamities, and holding the rare Emperor-level technique "Dao Dao Jing," the Dao Dao Sect had long become the Southern Wilderness' revered cultivation haven.

Countless youths who had cleared the entrance exams converged on the square, each harboring hopes of being chosen by the esteemed Lingfeng.

Eyes aglow with anticipation, they marveled at the Dao Dao Sect's grandeur—spiritual peaks piercing the sky, suffused with dense purple energies crystallizing into substance, caves dotting the landscape like a celestial realm under the ethereal clouds.

In the distance, above trial towers and secret realms, radiant Dao patterns shimmered like constellations, exuding an awe-inspiring power that resonated across the sect. The Dao Sect's magnificence was further accentuated by its sprawling mountain ranges and surging rivers, spanning tens of thousands of miles and hosting auspicious creatures frolicking in the heavens.

Amid the throng, a stunning figure in crimson captivated all gazes—a breathtaking beauty named Ji Fuyao, who had claimed the top spot in the assessments!

Ji Fuyao's cultivation prowess at the mid-stage of the Great Xuan King eclipsed all others present, even surpassing Dao Dao Sect's outer elders. Her unparalleled talent had even evoked resonance with the sect's prized treasure, the Dao Dao Bell!

Acknowledging her as a "once-in-a-millennium genius," the Dao Dao Sect's progenitor had been stirred!

Though the recruitment event had yet to officially commence, Ji Fuyao had already become the object of desire among numerous peak leaders.

A young man in resplendent attire, holding a floating fan, approached Ji Fuyao with a warm smile. "Miss Fuyao, I am Lin Feng, heir apparent of the Lin family..."

"Be gone!"

Before he could finish, Ji Fuyao's cold retort silenced him. With a serene closure of her eyes, she dismissed him outright.

For she was the empress of the Fuyao Dynasty!

Three millennia past, the Fuyao Dynasty had clashed with a major adversary, its internal traitors amplifying the chaos until the dynasty's collapse—her loyalists perishing in droves amid rivers of blood.

Using ancient secrets, she reincarnated to escape annihilation. Yet, this technique left her with a flawed body, shattered soul, and incomplete Dao foundation.

The Dao Sect's profound "Dao Dao Sutra," aligning with heaven's mandate, promised to perfect practitioners' Dao foundations and mend souls. Mastering its ultimate essence could even lead to the fabled realm of the "Ultimate Dao."

This hope fueled her allegiance to the Dao Sect.

Her goal? Retribution!

Resurgence!

With her unmatched potential, she was confident in mastering the "Dao Jing"!

Presently, divine rainbows pierced the heavens, their brilliance akin to stars, suffusing the atmosphere with the aura of saintly realms.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The sect master and numerous peak masters descended upon the square.

"Silence!"

With a wave of his robes, the sect leader's voice echoed powerfully. "The Dao Sect's disciple recruitment event begins now! Choose your Lingfeng!"

Instantly, youthful fervor erupted.

"I seek Danfeng! I aspire to be an alchemist!"

"I choose Jianfeng..."

"I'll join Body Refining Peak..."

Youths surged towards their chosen spiritual peaks with unbridled zeal.

Only Lu Xuan's vicinity remained eerily quiet.

No one approached.

Some peak leaders glanced at Lu Xuan, amused.

"If Lu Xuan recruits a disciple today, I'll eat ten pounds of dung!"

"Lu Xuan hasn't attracted a disciple in seven years; he'll soon depart the Dao Sect, as everyone expects!"

"Indeed! During trials with other major forces, whenever the saints learned of Lu Xuan, they'd mock our Dao Sect. That will no longer happen!"

Amidst their mockery, Lu Xuan marshaled his final efforts.

"I offer access to all Qingxuan Peak's cultivation resources to anyone who pledges me their masterhood! My master left vast spiritual stones and elixirs—"

His words hung in a silence so profound, it echoed.

Elders and disciples alike scrutinized Lu Xuan.

A pregnant pause ensued.

Then, murmurs arose.

"You've got to be kidding! My elders forbade me from joining Qingxuan Peak! They said it would ruin my life!"

"My father threatened to break my legs if I even considered it!"

"Lu Xuan—his cultivation is lower than ours, yet he dares seek discipleship? Were I him, I'd leave the Dao Sect and end this embarrassment!"

Lu Xuan's countenance darkened.

Damn it!

Despite his best efforts, no one sought him as their master!

Just then, a soft voice pierced the murmurs.

"I wish to join Qingxuan Peak and take Lu Xuan as my master!"

Silence ensued.

Not a word was spoken, save for the faintest of sounds—a pin dropping, perhaps.

For it was Ji Fuyao who had spoken, the assessment's top contender who had captivated the entire Dao Dao Sect!

Stunned, the onlookers questioned their hearing.

Did they hear correctly?

Ji Fuyao wished to join Qingxuan Peak?

The sect leader stood stupefied, as just moments ago, he and the other saints had deliberated over who among them would take Ji Fuyao as their disciple. Yet here she was, choosing Qingxuan Peak!

Lu Xuan turned, incredulous.

Seriously?

Wasn't this Ji Fuyao—the top achiever in the assessments? He'd heard about her, of course.

And now she wished to be his disciple?

Was this real or some jest?

Instantly, the sect leader and others rushed to dissuade Ji Fuyao.

"Fuyao, you mustn't!"

But Ji Fuyao remained resolute, her eyes sparkling as she spoke to the sect leader.

"Sect Master, my decision is made."

The sect leader was dumbfounded.

"You don't pity Lu Xuan, do you? He's undeserving of your pity."

Lu Xuan wore a grim expression.

...

Saints from Jianfeng, Danfeng, Piaomiaofeng, and others united to dissuade Ji Fuyao.

"My child, joining Qingxuan Peak would squander your talents!"

"Lu Xuan lacks understanding of cultivation. He's inferior even to our outer disciples. This choice is nonsense!"

"Lu Xuan is deluding himself with this attempt at discipleship!"

But Ji Fuyao tilted her head slightly, undeterred. She approached Lu Xuan and bowed in allegiance.

"I pledge myself to you as your disciple, Master."

In her heart, it was a mere formality, knowing Lu Xuan's inferior cultivation prowess. She remained free to pursue her ambitions, harboring countless secrets within her, safe from the scrutiny that other peak disciples would bring.

At that moment.

"Ding! Congratulations to the host for accepting Empress Fuyao as a disciple! (The Empress is reincarnated and re-cultivated.)"

"The Invincible Apprentice Recruitment System is activating! Estimated time: one hour!"

The announcement stunned Lu Xuan.

Ji Fuyao was the reincarnated empress?

Witnessing Lu Xuan's astonishment, the sect leader and others were rendered speechless.

The sect leader quickly masked his astonishment with a smile. "Lu Xuan, Fuyao is young and doesn't fully grasp her decision. You may decline her."

Surrounding Lu Xuan, the saints joined in urging him to refuse.

"Lu Xuan, please reconsider!"