Chapter 21: Happy Now? You Have a Disciple! 

After conceding, Chu Sheng wasn't immediately eliminated—under the rules of the Minor Tournament, disciples who lost in the top eight still had to fight a revival round to determine the final rankings.

But Chu Sheng had already completed his objective and had no interest in continuing.

Eighth place is fine.

He calculated.

How many Contribution Points would I have to burn going any higher? Not worth it!

So in every revival round that followed, Chu Sheng simply conceded.

Final result: 8th place.

Ye Chen took 1st without any surprises.

On the award platform, Chu Sheng watched Ye Chen basking in glory and felt thoroughly pleased with himself.

"My brother got 1st place—round it up and that's basically me getting 1st place!"

He consoled himself.

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After the Minor Tournament ended, Chu Sheng became truly famous.

2 years since joining, going from an ordinary person to the 6th level of Qi Refinement, all while possessing a "Five Elements Waste Root"?

That speed was even more outrageous than someone with a Heavenly Spiritual Root!

In an instant, Chu Sheng became a legend of Qingyang Peak.

Inner Disciples buzzed with discussion, and the Elder stewards all committed his name to memory.

At the award ceremony, Qingyang Zi personally presented awards to the top ten.

When it was Chu Sheng's turn, the Peak Master gave him a few extra glances.

"Chu Sheng. Not bad."

"Thank you for the praise, Peak Master!"

Chu Sheng bowed respectfully.

After the awards concluded, Qing Ling'er suddenly stepped forward:

"Father! I have observed that Junior Fellow Disciple Chu Sheng possesses extraordinary talent—he is certainly no Waste Root. He must have a hidden Special Spiritual Root! Since he is already on our Qingyang Peak, why not take him as your disciple, Father? It would be a shame to let such a gem slip through our fingers!"

Qingyang Zi stroked his beard with a smile and looked toward Chu Sheng.

"Are you willing?"

Chu Sheng was stunned.

This fast? This directly?

He had originally assumed there would be assessments, tests, observations...He never expected to be taken as a disciple on the spot.

But thinking it over—this was a good thing!

Being apprenticed to the Peak Master meant resources, a powerful backer, and status all at once!

And judging by Qingyang Zi's expression, he had clearly harbored this intention for some time already.

"This disciple pays respects to the Master!"

Chu Sheng dropped to his knees without a second word.

The movement was fluid, his voice loud and clear, his sincerity absolute.

Qingyang Zi nodded with satisfaction.

"Good, good. Rise."

He drew from his sleeve a cyan flying sword and a grey cloth sack far larger than an ordinary Storage Pouch.

"This sword is called Cyan Edge—a high-grade magical instrument, incomparably sharp. This sack is a specially crafted Storage Pouch with 5 interior compartments; it will serve all your needs."

Chu Sheng received them with both hands, his voice trembling with excitement.

"Many thanks, Master!"

A high-grade flying sword! A 5-compartment Storage Pouch!

These 2 items were worth at least 5,000 Contribution Points!

What an absolute windfall!

Meanwhile, Outer Sect Elder Ma De watched Chu Sheng with an expression that carried a trace of regret alongside his satisfaction.

He had originally intended to take Chu Sheng as his own disciple as well—he simply hadn't anticipated that the boy's talent would be this astonishing.

Entering the Peak Master's tutelage now was, if anything, an even better path.

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Next, Chu Sheng began his performance.

Cradling the flying sword and Storage Pouch, he made a circuit around the plaza, calling out to everyone he saw:

"I have a Master now!"

"I finally have a Master!"

"Look! This is the Cyan Edge Sword my Master bestowed upon me!"

"This Storage Pouch—5 compartments!"

His voice rang out, his expression brimming with excitement, and his eyes even glistened with what appeared to be tears.

Qingyang Zi watched from a distance, quietly moved.

 "This child is sincere and pure of heart."

The surrounding disciples, however, wore complicated expressions.

Xu Fan whispered to Chen Feng.

"Junior Fellow Disciple Chu's performance…isn't it a bit excessive?"

Chen Feng's lip twitched.

"He's making sure everyone knows who his new backer is."

Ye Chen let out a cold snort, though a flicker of envy crossed his eyes—despite being a disciple of Sword-Concealing Peak, he had been tricked into taking an ordinary Foundation Establishment Elder as his master, someone who couldn't begin to compare to a Peak Master.

Chu Sheng couldn't care less what anyone else thought.

This was exactly the effect he wanted!

From today onward, he was the personal disciple of the Qingyang Peak Master!

Let's see who would dare come after him now!

Just then, an elegant woman descended from the observation gallery.

She wore a pale violet long dress, her bearing graceful and dignified—she was Qingyang Zi's cultivation partner, the Lady of Qingyang Peak.

"Happy now?"

The elegant woman walked to Qingyang Zi's side and said with a light smile.

"You have a disciple."

Qingyang Zi smiled broadly.

"To gain such an excellent disciple—wonderful."

The elegant woman looked toward Chu Sheng, who was still mid-performance, and a meaningful gleam passed through her eyes.

"Quite an interesting disciple, indeed."

Chu Sheng sensed the gaze and quickly reined himself in, bowing respectfully.

"This disciple greets the Master's wife!"

The elegant woman gave a slight nod.

"No need for formality. Cultivate diligently from now on, and do not disappoint your Master's expectations."

"Yes!"

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After the ceremony concluded, Qingyang Zi instructed Chu Sheng:

"Once you have settled your affairs in the Outer Sect, come report to the Qingyang Annex. Several of your Senior Fellow Disciples are there."

"This disciple understands!"

Chu Sheng returned to his Outer Sect quarters and began packing.

Xu Fan helped him bundle things up and sighed as he worked.

"Junior Fellow Disciple Chu, you've really soared to great heights!"

Chu Sheng replied modestly.

"All luck, all luck."

Ye Chen remained cold and aloof as ever, quietly cultivating without a single word.

Chen Feng sat to the side and suddenly spoke.

"Junior Fellow Disciple Chu, now that you've been taken as a disciple, resources for cultivation are no longer a concern—but you must still watch your words and actions carefully. As the Peak Master's personal disciple, there will be far more eyes on you."

Chu Sheng's heart stirred.

"Thank you for the reminder, Senior Fellow Disciple Chen."

He understood what Chen Feng meant—his cultivation advancement had been far too rapid, already drawing suspicion. Now that he had become the Peak Master's disciple, even more people would certainly be investigating him in the shadows.

"Chen Feng is a decent person. It seems I absolutely must solidify our brotherhood before I leave!"

Chu Sheng thought to himself.

Little did Chen Feng know that a single word of concern had only deepened Chu Sheng's conviction to make him a sworn brother.

Before departing the Outer Sect, Chu Sheng arranged a fine spread of food and wine in the name of farewell.

"Senior Fellow Disciples."

He raised his cup.

"Tomorrow I will be moving to the Peak Master's Annex. I've received nothing but your care all these years—this cup is for you!"

Xu Fan quickly raised his cup.

"Junior Fellow Disciple Chu, you're being too modest—it's you who has looked after us."

Chen Feng and Ye Chen lifted their cups as well.

The 4 of them drained their cups in one go.

Chu Sheng's objective was clear—use this opportunity to secure Chen Feng.

This high-quality Cauldron with a Two Spirit Root was not to be wasted.

"Come, come, drink up!"

Chu Sheng pressed the wine on them enthusiastically.

Xu Fan caught on and joined in.

"Senior Fellow Disciple Chen, Senior Fellow Disciple Ye—Junior Fellow Disciple Chu is a Peak Master's disciple now. We owe him several more cups at least!"

Cup after cup.

Ye Chen was already in low spirits (his cultivation had stalled), and he drank to drown his sorrows, quickly ending up passed out flat on the table.

Chen Feng had a better tolerance, but even he couldn't hold out against Chu Sheng and Xu Fan taking turns pressing him.

After 1 Shichen, Chen Feng collapsed as well.

Chu Sheng's eyes lit up.

The moment had come!

He quietly reached out and tapped a finger against the space between Chen Feng's brows.

The Demonic Seed—planted!

He then summoned the Soul Devouring Banner and collected 1 soul and 1 spirit.

Done!

Xu Fan stood to the side, utterly stupefied—but influenced by the Demonic Seed, he found himself thinking that whatever Chu Sheng did must be right.

"Junior Fellow Disciple Chu, what are you…"

"Helping Senior Fellow Disciple Chen clear his meridians and dispel the alcohol."

Chu Sheng's expression didn't change in the slightest.

"Senior Fellow Disciple Xu, you must be tired too. Get some rest."

"Oh…alright."

Chu Sheng looked at the 3 passed-out figures and nodded with satisfaction.

Chen Feng—6th level Qi Refinement, Two Spirit Root.

Ye Chen—6th level Qi Refinement, peak-stage Lightning Heavenly Spiritual Root.

Xu Fan—5th level Qi Refinement, Three Spirit Root.

Add in those 15 from the Menial Disciple Courtyard…

"I now have 18 sworn brothers!"

Chu Sheng thought contentedly.

The next morning, Chu Sheng packed his belongings—though there was really nothing to pack, since everything was already in his Storage Pouch.

He swapped his old Storage Pouch for the 5-compartment one bestowed by the Peak Master, hung it at his waist, and cut an impressive figure.

Then he officially set out for the Peak Master's Annex.

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Before that, Chu Sheng paid a visit to the Menial Disciple Courtyard.

Steward Liu, upon hearing that he had been apprenticed to the Peak Master, was so overwhelmed he nearly fainted.

"Chu...Chu Senior Uncle Disciple!"

He changed his address at lightning speed.

"This is…bringing glory to our entire lineage!"

Chu Sheng waved his hand.

"No need for such formality, Steward Liu. I owe a great deal to your care all these years."

He reached into his Storage Pouch and produced 500 Contribution Points.

"Take these and use them to improve the meals for the brothers in the Menial Disciple Courtyard."

Steward Liu's eyes brimmed with tears.

"Many thanks, Immortal Master!"

Leaving the Menial Disciple Courtyard, Chu Sheng went to the Spirit Field next.

The Spirit Farmers, upon hearing the news, knelt to offer their congratulations.

Chu Sheng handed them a pouch of spirit seeds.

"Keep farming well. Once I've established myself, I'll find you better lodgings."

The Spirit Farmers offered their thanks profusely.

With everything arranged, Chu Sheng arrived at the Qingyang Annex.