Chief Disciple

"What is going on? What are the girls talking about, and what is in their hands?" Deng Jie asked one of his lackeys.

As the chief disciple, many girls would approach him whenever he left his courtyard, showing their love and admiration.

But today was different. It seemed they were all busy with something else.

"Chief, there's a new artifact spreading in the inner court that has everyone talking," Yuan Yimu reported respectfully.

"A new artifact?" Deng Jie furrowed his brows, his interest piqued. "Find out more about this artifact and report back to me."

With that, he walked toward the Scripture Hall.

For the past three days, Mao Jin had been refining Spirit Links and Relay Hubs like crazy. 

He had completed the mission in less than two days, earning him one thousand influence points.

Today, he decided to give himself a break before he suffered a mental breakdown.

Since he didn't have any strong martial techniques and his cultivation technique was low, he decided to visit the Scripture Hall to choose new ones.

As he skimmed through the rows of techniques, he sensed someone on the second floor but didn't care and focused on the fist technique in his hands.

When Deng Jie saw Mao Jin, a deep frown appeared on his face. What is this trash doing here? he thought with deep hatred.

He had worked himself to the bone to enter the inner court and slowly rise to the position of chief disciple. 

Yet Mao Jin, with his pathetic talent, was allowed to stay in the inner court simply because he was the sect master's only son.

How could he not hate him for such blatant nepotism? Those who worked hard couldn't even enjoy half the privileges Mao Jin had.

Just wait. When I become sect master, I'll throw you and everyone close to you out of the sect. He thought before heading deeper into the second floor.

As for Mao Jian, his focus was on a fist technique—Flowing River Fist, a Peak Mortal Grade technique that was close to the Earth Grade.

Having chosen a fist technique, he moved on to sword techniques. 

Quickly, he found one that suited him—Thunderstrike Slash, also a Peak Mortal Grade technique.

But he didn't stop there. He went on to pick a higher-grade cultivation technique.

His previous Low-Grade Mortal Qi Nourishing Art was too weak, so he chose Flowing Stream Nourishing Art, a Peak Mortal Grade technique.

With that, he left the Scripture Hall with a bright smile on his face.

Watching his departing figure, Deng Jie clenched his fists, his mood sour.

He lost interest in choosing a new technique and left the Scripture Hall. Outside, Yuan Yimu was already waiting for him.

"Chief," he called with a deep bow.

"Did you find out?" Deng Jie asked, masking his rage with an indifferent expression.

"Yes." Yuan Yimu nodded and quickly explained everything.

"Hmph. A communication artifact." Deng Jie furrowed his brows. "Let's meet Zhao Tian."

With such an artifact, he could easily control his lackeys and, more importantly, extend his influence over the inner disciples without anyone noticing.

Quickly, they arrived at Zhao Tian's courtyard, only to find a large group of disciples waiting for him to come out.

"Chief…" a boy called when he saw Deng Jie and his men.

When the crowd noticed Deng Jie, they paused for a moment before stepping aside to clear a path for him.

With an indifferent expression, he walked forward and stood before Zhao Tian's door.

"Zhao Tian, come out. I want to have a word with you," he said arrogantly.

All the disciples watched eagerly, waiting to see what would happen. With Deng Jie's arrival, they hoped Zhao Tian would finally address them.

Unfortunately, Zhao Tian did not appear until an hour later.

When he finally opened his courtyard doors, he flashed a deep smile to the impatient and furious crowd.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting. I was on my Spirit Link, having a discussion with my men." Like always, he never missed a chance to brag.

Watching the fatty brag so shamelessly, Deng Jie was livid but controlled his anger. He was the chief disciple—how dare Zhao Tian make him wait and embarrass him?

"Chief disciple, are you also here for the Spirit Link?" Zhao Tian asked with a shrewd smile.

"As I always say, this is a rare artifact, and it's first come, first serve. The old man selling this artifact is elusive and difficult to meet. But don't worry, I've sent my men to track him down, and in two days, there will be more Spirit Links for sale."

"Just have your spirit stones ready. Also, you can place an order right now, and once we get them, you'll be the first to receive one."

Watching Zhao Tian talk like a seasoned businessman with a cunning smile plastered on his face, the disciples rolled their eyes in annoyance.

Since they couldn't purchase the artifact immediately, most of them left in frustration, while some placed their orders.

Deng Jie watched as tens of disciples handed Zhao Tian a thousand spirit stones each. His eyes narrowed, and a sharp glint flashed through them.

With so many spirit stones, he could buy countless pills and skyrocket his cultivation in no time.

'I must find out where this damn fatty is getting these artifacts,' he thought, greed flickering in his gaze.

"Yuan Yimu, place an order," he commanded before departing, his mind brimming with various thoughts.

…

Meanwhile, inside Mao Jin's courtyard, he stood shirtless, practicing his fist technique.

"Hah! My talent is so bad that I couldn't even grasp a single thing after studying the technique for two hours." He shook his head and sighed.

He had been saving his influence points to buy Rune and Array Formation Talents, but with his lack of talent in other areas, he had no choice but to use them now.

If he wanted to change the stigma surrounding him, he needed enough strength to back up his rapidly increasing cultivation level.

It would be humiliating if a disciple with a lower realm beat him up just because he lacked powerful martial arts.

'System, show me the Fist and Sword Talents.'

Quickly, the system panel appeared before him, displaying the talent options.

Martial Art Comprehension Talents:

Dull Insight, Common Understanding, Steady Learner, Sharp Grasp, and Peak Perception

Mao Jin ignored Dull Insight and moved to the second-tier talent, Common Understanding.

The Fist and Sword Common Understanding Talents each cost 500 IP. Gritting his teeth, he purchased both.

[Purchase successful.]

[Fist Talent: Common Understanding]

[Sword Talent: Common Understanding]

[Influence Points: 0 IP]

Instantly, Mao Jin felt the difference. His mind cleared, and all the obscurities in the Fist and Sword techniques became easy to comprehend.

"This should do it," he grinned, then began practicing his fist technique seriously.

The Flowing River Fist slowly took form as he threw each punch.

Unbeknownst to him, his Spirit Link was already causing waves throughout the sect.