Volume One, Chapter Two: Delight! Double the Return!
Before Wang Zide could even speak, Zhang Xianfeng frowned and shouted, “Nonsense!”
“Lin Hongye is a prodigy who appears once in ten thousand years. How could she possibly become a disciple under you? This is utter madness!”
He then fixed his gaze on Lin Hongye. “Hongye, with your talent, it’s an immense waste to apprentice under Chiyang Peak.”
“As long as you refuse to join Chiyang Peak, you may choose any other main peak of the Great Wilderness Immortal Sect. Of course, I could also accept you as my disciple!”
Yet, even in the face of Zhang Xianfeng, the Sect Leader of the Great Wilderness Immortal Sect, Lin Hongye remained unmoved.
“Thank you for your kindness, Sect Leader, but I only wish to join Chiyang Peak. As for the other main peaks, I have no interest.”
With her innate talent and experience from a previous life, Lin Hongye had no need to formally apprentice; all she required was a place where she could develop in peace.
Hearing this, Zhang Xianfeng shifted his focus to Lin Yang.
“Lin Yang, you cannot accept Lin Hongye as your disciple!”
Pretending to be puzzled, Lin Yang scratched his head. “Sect Leader, she’s seeking to study. Why shouldn’t I accept her? Surely I can’t just turn away a disciple who sincerely comes to apprentice?”
At that moment, the leaders of the other main peaks, unable to stand the situation any longer, stepped forward to admonish.
“Lin Hongye’s talent is the greatest in a thousand years. With such talent, she is destined to ascend to immortality or even the imperial realm. How could she be apprenticed to you?”
“Exactly! She is the future of our Great Wilderness Immortal Sect. Letting her join your insignificant Chiyang Peak would be a ruin!”
Zhang Xianfeng took a deep breath and urged again, “Are you afraid that if you don’t take a disciple today, I will disband Chiyang Peak?”
“It doesn’t matter. I will set a precedent: even without disciples, Chiyang Peak will remain forever within the Great Wilderness Immortal Sect and never be disbanded.”
Just as everyone thought Lin Yang would agree, he twisted his neck and said firmly, “No, no, I absolutely must accept this disciple.”
What a joke! If he didn’t accept Lin Hongye, he would die within twenty-four hours. What use would Chiyang Peak be then?
Seeing Lin Yang so stubborn even under the threat of death, Zhang Xianfeng, who usually maintained his composure, was nearly enraged.
At that moment, Wang Zide spoke up with a proposal.
“Sect Leader, how about this? One month from now is the sect’s grand competition. During this time, Lin Hongye shall temporarily stay at Chiyang Peak.”
“If after one month Lin Hongye fails to claim first place in the competition, it will prove that Lin Yang is incapable of teaching disciples.”
“In that case, it won’t be too late for Lin Hongye to change sects.”
Hearing Wang Zide’s suggestion, Zhang Xianfeng pondered and finally nodded.
“Not bad. That is indeed a solution. Lin Yang, do you dare accept?”
---
A flicker of caution passed through Lin Hongye’s eyes. Her cultivation was only at the peak of the Golden Core stage, while many of the true disciples had reached the Golden Core or even Nascent Soul stages.
To claim first place in the competition a month from now would be as difficult as reaching the heavens.
“I’m not confident. You must not accept the challenge. For now, just stall for time with them,” Lin Hongye transmitted quietly to Lin Yang.
But unexpectedly, Lin Yang seemed not to hear. Without hesitation, he nodded.
“Fine, I accept this wager.”
Seeing Lin Yang’s acceptance, Wang Zide revealed a triumphant smile, while Lin Hongye stared at Lin Yang in disbelief.
She was sure she had transmitted her message correctly—was Lin Yang confused or simply hadn’t heard?
With Lin Yang’s agreement, Zhang Xianfeng breathed a sigh of relief.
“Very well, then. For this month, let Lin Hongye stay at your Chiyang Peak.”
He was about to instruct the grand competition to proceed when Lin Yang interrupted.
“Sect Leader, wait a moment.”
All eyes turned once again to Lin Yang, who now looked at Wang Zide.
“Chief Wang, you and your disciples, and the Chief Lin have yet to utter a certain phrase, haven’t they? Are you planning to break the agreement?”
Wang Zide’s expression darkened, but then he sneered coldly.
“If after one month Lin Hongye doesn’t claim first place, then Chief Lin’s phrase would indeed be inappropriate.”
“In my opinion, it’s better to wait until the day Lin Hongye claims first place before I say anything.”
Lin Yang’s lips curled into a cold smile. He had anticipated Wang Zide’s tactics, but didn’t mind—it was an opportunity to squeeze some advantage out of him.
“In that case, Chief Wang, why not raise the stakes?”
Before Wang Zide could speak, Lin Yang cut in, saving him the trouble.
“Fine. If you lose, all cultivation resources of Chiyang Peak will belong to my Sword Peak.”
“After all, if you lose, Chiyang Peak will cease to exist, so there’s no use keeping those resources.”
“Old miser, your appetite is quite large,” Lin Yang muttered under his breath, then loudly declared:
“Alright, but my master’s cultivation resources are substantial. You must put up a wager of equal value.”
“I see your Sword Peak’s Great Wilderness Sword still holds its charm…”
Wang Zide smirked, confident of victory. Without hesitation, he agreed.
“Hmph, if you truly win, I have no objection to giving it to you.”
“Then it’s settled. Come on, disciple, let’s return to the peak with your master.”
---
Without looking back, Lin Yang spoke, and though Lin Hongye’s expression darkened, she immediately followed.
Zhang Xianfeng shook his head in resignation, then loudly announced:
“Let the Ascension Competition continue.”
---
At the foot of Chiyang Peak, Lin Hongye looked at Lin Yang, who was leisurely walking while chewing on a dog’s tail grass, and asked in dissatisfaction:
“Why did you accept that wager? I told you, I’m not confident of winning.”
“You’re not confident, but I am. Don’t worry, in one month, I guarantee you will suppress all the prodigies of the Great Wilderness Immortal Sect,” Lin Yang replied without turning his head.
A trace of disdain flashed in Lin Hongye’s eyes. She couldn’t understand how someone with only the third level of Qi Refinement cultivation dared to speak such grandiose words.
Soon, the two returned to the mountaintop. Lin Yang pointed to several unoccupied cave dwellings nearby and said calmly:
“These cave dwellings are empty. Choose any one to clean up.”
“Oh, and if you see any skeletons, don’t panic. They might be former senior brothers or sisters. Remember to bury them properly.”
Lin Hongye cracked a faint smile but ignored Lin Yang’s nonsense, flying off to select a cave dwelling.
After Lin Hongye left, Lin Yang eagerly checked the system he had just officially awakened.
【Disciple Return System Activated!】
【First Disciple: Lin Hongye】
【Identity: Yaochi Sovereign】
【Aptitude: Great Emperor Quality (Phoenix Immortal Body)】
【Cultivation: Peak Golden Core】
【Comprehension of the Great Way: Immortal Fire Path (Near Completion)】
【Other: Foundation damaged, soul weakened】
【Ding! From now on, disciple’s cultivation returns double!】