“What’s your name?”
It was the first time Master Baiyun had asked a genius their name directly.
“Dai Yuling.”
“Good name. Very well, child, I’ll make an exception and take you as my true disciple. Though none of your potentials hit five stars, all three reaching four stars and nine-tenths is remarkably rare,” Master Baiyun said with a smile.
“So she’s the true disciple Master Baiyun meant!”
“No wonder—her potential is incredible!”
“Truly enviable!”
“Thank you, Master!” Dai Yuling, usually composed, couldn’t hide her excitement, kneeling on the spot.
“Rise. Next,” Master Baiyun said, his gaze shifting to Ling Yixue with a hint of curiosity.
Ling Yixue stepped to the Seven-Star Flower, calmly letting a drop of blood fall.
Buzz!
A terrifying sound erupted.
The Seven-Star Flower trembled violently.
Crack!
It shattered!
“The Seven-Star Flower broke?”
“Impossible!”
Everyone was stunned, even Master Baiyun, who’d never seen such a thing.
“How did you fall to the mortal realm?” he muttered cryptically, then sighed. “Your potential is astonishing, but I’m not worthy to be your master. If you don’t mind, you may become my true disciple.”
“Another true disciple?”
Even Zuo Leng and Ming Tian were shocked.
“Her soul potential exceeds seven stars, so the flower shattered. You may not understand, but this Seven-Star Flower tests only lower races’ potentials. She’s of a higher race, requiring a different tool,” Master Baiyun explained, then turned to Ling Xiao and Leng Mei. “The flower’s broken, so you two can’t be fully tested. But I have an immature Seven-Star Flower with four blooms. If any of your potentials reach four stars, you’ll be my entry-level disciples.”
Ling Xiao nodded, not objecting.
No one else dared to either.
Four-star potential wasn’t weak.
As for five stars, no one considered it—Master Baiyun’s judgment was sharp. If Ling Xiao or Leng Mei had five-star potential, he’d have seen it.
Ling Xiao stepped forward, casually dropping a drop of blood.
“All three potentials at four stars. Master, this child’s potential is remarkable. I think he’s no less than Dai Yuling. Could you make an exception and take him as a true disciple?” Lin Ze spoke up.
Lin Ze had always believed in Ling Xiao, and with all four blooms showing three full colors, he felt justified.
“His potential caps at four and a half stars, below Dai Yuling’s level,” Master Baiyun said coolly. “Lin Ze, I know you cherish talent, but becoming my entry-level disciple is already quite good for him.”
Lin Ze gritted his teeth. “Master, that’s unfair. The Seven-Star Flower breaking wasn’t his fault. With another, I’m sure his potentials would all hit four stars and nine-tenths.”
Normally, Lin Ze wouldn’t challenge his master.
But for Ling Xiao, he was going all out.
“Lin Ze, do you think Seven-Star Flowers grow like roadside weeds? I searched years to find these two—one mature, one only at four blooms,” Master Baiyun said, a touch of anger in his voice.
“Master, you’ll regret this,” Lin Ze said.
“Will I? I’d like to see what he’ll do to make me regret it,” Master Baiyun replied.
“Commander Lin, it’s enough. I’m content to be Master Baiyun’s entry-level disciple. Please don’t let my case strain your bond with your master,” Ling Xiao said, moved by Lin Ze’s support but seeing Master Baiyun’s resolve.
Continuing would gain nothing, especially without another Seven-Star Flower to prove his worth.
“Heh, good kid. Lin Ze, you could learn from him. Next,” Master Baiyun said, done with the topic.
Leng Mei stepped up, dropping a drop of blood.
“Soul potential: three stars. Inner force: three stars. Body: four stars.”
“Not bad. You qualify as my entry-level disciple. As for that boy, Yin Ran, was it? Sorry, you’re out,” Master Baiyun said.
Yin Ran’s potential was decent but fell short compared to the others.
He felt helpless—what could he do?
“Very well. Ling Yixue, Dai Yuling, Die Wu, Zhu Hua, Fei Yu, Ling Xiao, Fei Liu, Lu Xing, Shi Lei, Leng Mei— you ten stay. The rest may go claim your Quasi-Mortal Martial Arts,” Still True Man announced loudly.
The others, though reluctant, didn’t dare cause a scene.
Not to mention Master Baiyun in the Mortal Realm—just Lin Ze, Wan Ben, or Still True Man, all at Martial Vein Ninth Layer peak, could crush them with a finger.
“From today, Ling Yixue and Dai Yuling are my true disciples. The other eight are entry-level disciples. Now, pay your respects,” Master Baiyun said.
He was in high spirits. He’d expected only Ling Yixue to qualify as a true disciple, but Dai Yuling proved exceptional too.
Taking two true disciples at once was a first.
Zuo Leng and Ming Tian had been accepted three years apart.
The ten performed the discipleship ceremony.
Master Baiyun stroked his beard, giving the eight entry-level disciples a brief glance before settling on Ling Yixue and Dai Yuling with a pleased smile.
Indeed, true disciples and entry-level disciples were worlds apart.
True disciples inherited Master Baiyun’s legacy, while entry-level disciples got only resources and occasional guidance.
True teachings were out of their reach.
“Remember, you eight entry-level disciples don’t count for much. Outside, don’t claim to be my disciples. If you do, you’ll lose even the chance for my guidance. Understood?” Master Baiyun said.
It was harsh, but he meant it.
Most masters valued their reputations and didn’t want to be tied to mediocre students.
In truth, Master Baiyun would pass his ultimate techniques to Zuo Leng, Ming Tian, Ling Yixue, and Dai Yuling—his real disciples.
The other eight barely counted.
It was the reality.
“We understand, Master!” Ling Xiao and the others replied, heads bowed.
“Good. Lin Ze, Wan Ben, you must have matters to attend to—go handle them. I have more to say to these children,” Master Baiyun said, nodding at their response.
“Yes!” Lin Ze and Wan Ben left, while Still True Man went to oversee the Quasi-Mortal Martial Arts distribution.
The True Spirit Hall now held only Master Baiyun, his four true disciples, and eight entry-level disciples.
Clearly, he had words meant for them alone.
