Chapter 19: Taming an Elder... with Spirit Beast Carrots?!

The Eternal Radiance Divine Sect had been enjoying a quiet, potato-flavored morning when a loud voice echoed at the gates.

"Which one of you fools dares to humiliate the prestigious Azure Wind Sect? Come out!"

Li Qingyu yawned.

"Ah... finally, our visitors."

At the gate stood Elder Zhang of the Azure Wind Sect, a grumpy old man with a long beard that reached his belly and a face that could sour milk.

"I heard your pathetic sect has been spreading rumors! Potatoes? Rotten chicken eggs? This is an insult to cultivation!"

Li Qingyu scratched his head. "Rumors? No, no, no. We only spread... enlightenment."

Elder Zhang's face darkened.

"Silence! Today, I will trample your joke of a sect and—"

[Ding! New Hidden Mission Unlocked: 'Recruit the Arrogant Elder'] [Objective: Subdue Elder Zhang and convince him to join your sect. Method: Up to the host's 'creative' discretion.] [Reward: Sect Prestige +5, Mystery Mid-Grade Reward.]

Li Qingyu smiled slyly.

'System... you really know how to keep things interesting.'

He clapped.

"Disciples, prepare the... Spirit Beast Carrot Formation!"

Su Jian blinked. "Sect Master, what's that?"

Li Qingyu laughed mysteriously. "Something I just made up."

Soon, the disciples were running in circles around Elder Zhang, holding giant glowing carrots.

Elder Zhang was bewildered.

"What... what is this?!"

Li Qingyu stepped forward, holding a megaphone (don't ask from where).

"Elder Zhang! Today, I offer you two choices!"

"One: Face our invincible Spirit Beast Carrot Formation, suffer humiliation, and return to your sect with your pants down."

"Two: Swear loyalty to Eternal Radiance Divine Sect and become our... Carrot Guardian Elder!"

Elder Zhang's face turned purple.

"You... you mock me!"

Li Qingyu grinned. "No, Elder. I enlighten you."

With a flick of his wrist, the disciples threw the glowing carrots.

They exploded in puffs of rainbow-colored smoke.

Elder Zhang coughed, stumbled... and accidentally inhaled the smoke.

[Ding! Elder Zhang has been afflicted by 'Carrot Illusion Mist'. For the next 10 minutes, he will hallucinate Spirit Carrot Beasts chasing him.]

"AHHHHH! HELP! GIANT CARROTS ARE EATING ME!"

The disciples held their stomachs, laughing.

Su Jian sighed, facepalming. "Sect Master... what kind of ridiculous sect are we running?"

Li Qingyu beamed. "The best kind."

Ten minutes later, a defeated Elder Zhang knelt in front of Li Qingyu, tears streaming down his face.

"Please... protect me from the carrot beasts... I'll join! I'll be your carrot elder... whatever you want!"

[Ding! Mission Complete. Elder Zhang has been forcefully recruited as 'Honorary Carrot Guardian Elder' of Eternal Radiance Divine Sect.]

Sect Morale skyrocketed.

Li Qingyu crossed his arms proudly. "Good. From today onward, your title shall be... Elder Carrot Slayer!"

Elder Zhang sobbed quietly.

Hu Daniu patted his back. "Welcome to the family, old man."

Ziyan muttered, "Our sect is getting weirder every day..."

And thus, the Eternal Radiance Divine Sect gained its first... senior elder.

Though most of the cultivation world would never look at them the same way again.