All the elders were utterly shocked, including Leng Feiyan, who was also quite astonished.
At this moment, no one was happier than Lin Jichen.
"Cultivation +20!"
"Cultivation +20!"
"Cultivation +20!"
Thanks to the sect leader's spiritual energy assistance, the energy surged into his body on its own, making his cultivation rise rapidly.
After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the spiritual energy within Lin Jichen's body dissipated, and the surrounding energy returned to normal.
Lin Jichen glanced at his cultivation level: [360/500]
Just a little more, and it would have been full.
He felt a bit regretful—if only it had increased for a little longer.
With the test concluded, everyone turned their attention to Leng Feiyan, waiting for his decision.
Leng Feiyan's previously calm and composed expression finally showed a slight smile.
At that moment, it was as if the world lost its color, and countless flowers bloomed.
"Good, very good. I never expected that our Heavenly Sword Sect would gain another prodigy. Perhaps in the future, his achievements will even surpass mine."
Ah!
Everyone was stunned. They never imagined that the sect leader would give such high praise. Just what kind of talent did this kid have to earn such an evaluation?
"Master, just how talented is this disciple for you to praise him so highly? This is the first time I've ever seen this." A female elder couldn't help but ask with a smile.
Leng Feiyan didn't keep them guessing and answered plainly.
"Innate constitution, spiritual aptitude, and comprehension—each one is exceptional. He is even more outstanding than I was back then. Now, tell me, is this talent good or not?"
Hiss!
All the elders gasped in astonishment.
No wonder he received such high praise from the sect leader. With talent like this, it was only natural for him to bear such great expectations.
After the initial shock, the elders' minds started to race.
A disciple with such talent—who wouldn't want to take him as their student?
In the future, when Lin Jichen became a great figure, they, as his masters, would also gain prestige, wouldn't they?
Not to mention, their disciple could even take care of them in return. Who wouldn't want to seize such an opportunity?
"This disciple has yet to take a master. How about this? He can become my student, and I will teach him well." A slightly chubby man in a purple robe was the first to speak.
But the others were naturally unwilling. How could such a promising student be claimed so easily? They were all elders—no one had special privileges.
"He should become my disciple! I will pass down all my knowledge to him!"
"Elder Qingsong, you already have so many disciples. Don't fight with us for this one. I can teach him everything about the Heavenly Sword Sect as well."
"Elder Qiuyue, you are a female cultivator. Teaching a male disciple would be inconvenient. Let him come to me instead."
"Everyone, no need to be polite. He should be my disciple..."
The elders argued intensely, each hoping to take Lin Jichen as their student.
Lin Jichen, watching so many elders competing to take him in, couldn't be more delighted.
However, to make a good impression, he suppressed his excitement and pretended to be indifferent.
Just as the argument reached a stalemate, Leng Feiyan finally spoke.
"There's no need to argue. This new disciple will enter my tutelage."
...
No one expected that even the sect leader would step in to take him.
Since the sect leader had spoken, the others naturally dared not compete any further.
"Master, don't you never take disciples?"
Elder Qiuyue asked, still somewhat reluctant.
Leng Feiyan smiled slightly, her phoenix eyes shimmering as she parted her red lips.
"My cultivation has been stagnant for the past few years, and my efforts to break through have been fruitless. I don't plan to enter secluded meditation again anytime soon. Since I have the time, I might as well take in a disciple to pass the days."
Hearing Leng Feiyan's words, everyone had no choice but to give up.
Leng Feiyan's beautiful eyes turned back to Lin Jichen.
"Would you be willing to become my final disciple and follow me into the inner hall for cultivation?"
Lin Jichen never imagined that he had initially set his sights on Elder Qingsong...
But unexpectedly, the sect leader herself wanted to take him in.
[Ding! You have triggered the greatest opportunity in the Heavenly Sword Sect! The current sect leader, Leng Feiyan, wishes to take you as her final disciple. Do you accept?]
"Disciple is willing! Greetings, Master!" Lin Jichen answered without hesitation.
As for Elder Qingsong, who he initially considered... well, he could go play by himself now.
After all, taking a master was about choosing the strongest backer. It didn't matter who, as long as they were the best.
No, Leng Feiyan's legs... were long, slender, and pale!
Seeing Lin Jichen bow in respect, Leng Feiyan nodded in satisfaction.
"From today onward, you are my only disciple. Follow me."
With that, Leng Feiyan waved her delicate hand, and Lin Jichen was lifted into the air, following her toward the Tianyan Sect's inner hall.
The other elders could only shake their heads in envy and resignation before returning to their respective residences.
---
The Heavenly Sword Sect covered an immense area, nearly occupying the entire Taiyin Mountain Range.
The sect was divided into the Outer Hall, Branch Halls, and the Inner Hall. This was not unique to the Sword Sect—other sects followed similar structures.
The Outer and Branch Halls were primarily meant for players.
Ordinary players could only train and learn from the Outer Hall, where the instructors were outer sect elders.
Exceptional players had the chance to be accepted as disciples by branch hall elders.
However, the Inner Hall had nothing to do with players—it was reserved for training NPC elite disciples.
These were the sect's elite members before the public test phase of the game.
Only those with one-in-a-million talent might have a chance to enter the Inner Hall.
---
Heavenly Sword Sect's Inner Hall.
The scenery here was completely different from the Outer Hall. If the Outer Hall resembled a Taoist temple, the Inner Hall was nothing short of a celestial paradise.
Twelve towering immortal peaks stood above the clouds, as if lifting the entire Taiyin Mountain Range to the heavens.
Each peak was unique—some were covered in spiritual herbs, emitting a rich medicinal fragrance, while others housed celestial cranes and spirit monkeys. Some were filled with exotic flowers and plants.
Clouds and mist swirled between the peaks, and golden divine light bathed the entire Inner Hall.
The largest and most prominent peak stood at the center.
Atop it, an exquisite palace stood tall, rising above the mountain's summit.
Compared to it, the other palaces and courtyards on the surrounding peaks seemed insignificant, as if stars revolving around the moon.
Mist curled around the mountain, golden light dazzling. The radiance of the other peaks all originated from this central peak.
This highest peak was covered in water caltrop trees, their white blossoms dancing in the warm breeze, creating a mesmerizing sea of flowers that drifted into the clouds.
At the foot of the celestial peaks lay a vast square.
Over a thousand young disciples, both male and female, sat cross-legged on prayer mats, attentively listening to an elderly man with a white beard lecturing at the front.
Lin Jichen scanned the crowd and noticed that the weakest of them was already at the Crystal Formation Stage.
Some had even reached the Golden Core Stage, on par with some of the Outer Hall elders.
These were the true elites of the Heavenly Sword Sect—the backbone of its future.
The elderly lecturer noticed Leng Feiyan and greeted her with a warm smile.
The disciples immediately stood up and bowed in respect.
Leng Feiyan nodded and said to the elder, "Elder Tianjian, no need for formalities. I am merely managing the sect on behalf of my father. You can still call me Feiyan, just like when I was a child."
Elder Tianjian chuckled and waved his hand. "Rules are rules. The former sect leader has already passed the mantle to you. You are now the new sect leader of Tianyan Sect, no longer the little girl you once were."
As he spoke, he noticed Lin Jichen behind Leng Feiyan and asked curiously, "And who is this?"
"My newly accepted final disciple," Leng Feiyan replied.
Boom!
A single sentence sent waves of shock through the crowd.
A thousand disciples were dumbfounded and began whispering among themselves.
"No way, is this kid really the sect master's final disciple?"
"This little junior brother is quite handsome~"
"What makes him worthy of being accepted by the sect master?"
"Exactly! Senior Brother is a peerless genius who reached the Golden Core Realm at just twenty years old, yet even he wasn't taken in by the sect master."
"But this guy is only at the Qi Refining Realm. What a joke!"
"Yeah, he's totally unqualified. I could defeat him with just one finger."
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