Chapter 4311 — Taking Disciples in the Opening-Mountain Stage
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 2
The academy bigwigs exchanged glances, their eyes first falling on the three Opening-Mountain experts at the center. Every time they came out to recruit disciples, there was an unwritten rule: the strong chose first, and the high in station chose first. Only if those three did not want him would the choice pass down the line.
Among all the academy bigwigs present, the highest in station was none other than the academy head, Ling Yuanqing; next came the two vice-heads beside him—Wei Hebei and that woman Opening-Mountain expert. If any one of the three nodded, then Chu Muqing would soar from that day forth, becoming a disciple under their banner, and no one else would have any say in the matter.
Only if all three expressed disinterest would the other academy bigwigs on the platform have any chance to take Chu Muqing under their wing.
After a moment of silence, Academy Head Ling Yuanqing gave no sign, Vice-Head Wei Hebei gave no sign, and the remaining woman vice-head likewise gave no sign.
That meant all three Opening-Mountain giants had no intention of taking Chu Muqing as a disciple.
Below the platform, Chu Muqing watched this play out. His face remained impassive, yet his heart could not help sinking a little, and a shadow flickered through his eyes. He had thought that with his genius aptitude and potential he would surely attract the favor of the three giants—yet, unexpectedly, he had fallen short after all.
Even entering Morning Star Academy, which bigwig one took as one's master—one of the Opening-Mountain giants, or an ordinary Mystic Ascension instructor—made an utterly different world of difference in the status and treatment one ultimately received.
Wherever one went, one could never escape the jianghu rule that the disciple is honored through the master. Even with identical strength and talent, if one man stood behind Academy Head Ling Yuanqing and another behind an ordinary Nascent Soul instructor, their stations would naturally be worlds apart. Everyone present knew this perfectly well, and Chu Muqing was certainly no exception.
Everyone wanted to become a disciple of the three Opening-Mountain giants—but sadly, winning them over was no easy feat. Even with Chu Muqing's aptitude, he was still far from enough.
After the three Opening-Mountain giants had silently declined, it was the turn of the seven Mystic Ascension experts. If one could win their favor, one would likewise rise high in the days to come.
In the end, after the seven Mystic Ascension experts exchanged glances, an old man clad in black academy robes nodded to Chu Muqing and said, "Chu Muqing, from now on you shall cultivate under this old man."
At these words the crowd broke into another wave of envy. Any one of these Mystic Ascension experts would rank as a top-tier master even on Mid Island. Though they fell far short of the three Opening-Mountain giants, to be taken as a disciple by such a formidable figure was already a rare stroke of fortune.
"This disciple obeys," Chu Muqing said at once, bowing in assent, his tone still unhurried and composed, giving all who saw it the sense that this youth was destined for greatness. Yet when the corner of his eye swept over Ling Yuanqing and the other two Opening-Mountain experts, it carried an added trace of venomous resentment, so subtle none could detect it.
In an instant, Chu Muqing had become the absolute focus of the entire arena. Already a famous name in the True Segment Sea, he would now, by all estimates, become a true legend in the word-of-mouth of the crowds.
People began speculating among themselves: if one day this Chu Muqing were to leave Morning Star Academy and return to the True Segment Sea, his strength would likely be enough to sweep all before him unchallenged. (To be continued) R1071