Lin Yuan's blurted-out "Holy crap?" sounded particularly jarring in the deathly silent square.
Sect Master Xingyun Immortal King and the faces of all the peak masters instantly turned as black as the bottom of a pot. In their eyes, this was clearly Lin Yuan, a useless peak master at the Qi Refining Realm, who had been stunned by the huge pie falling from the sky and had lost all composure! He couldn't even maintain basic manners; how could he be a role model for others?
"Lin Yuan!" The Dan Ding Peak Master's hair and beard stood on end, his voice booming like thunder. "What are you still standing there for? Refuse it immediately! How can the Immortal Seed of the Phoenix be led astray?" Dan fire flickered around him, and the pressure of the Immortal King unconsciously emanated, making it difficult for the nearby disciples to breathe.
Peak Master Jianming's eyebrows furrowed, and his sharp sword energy almost materialized as he pointed at Lin Yuan: "Peak Master Lin, don't make a mistake for yourself, and don't mislead others! If you had even a shred of self-awareness, you should refuse immediately!"
"Yes! No!"
"What kind of place is Starfall Peak? It's a desolate place with the thinnest spiritual energy in the sect!"
"Peak Master Lin, you should know your place!" The other peak masters echoed, their voices almost drowning out Lin Yuan. If it weren't for their status and the fact that Feng Qinghuang was right in front of them, they would have loved to throw this eyesore of a "waste" out of the Tianyuan sect.
Countless gazes were fixed on Lin Yuan, some with disdain, some with mockery, some with disbelief, and most with schadenfreude. Everyone was convinced that Lin Yuan had neither the courage nor the qualifications to accept this "unparalleled wealth," and that he would inevitably back down under pressure.
Feng Qinghuang maintained her bowing posture, her moon-white dress shimmering with a cool light. Beneath her lowered eyelashes, her gaze was calm and unwavering, even carrying a hint of barely perceptible indifference. In her heart, Lin Yuan's reaction was one of shock at her choice and fear of the impending pressure. She was certain that this Qi Refining Realm peak master would soon succumb to public wrath, and she only needed to await the outcome. The position of Starfall Peak Master was merely a stepping stone for her to lie low.
The pressure was like a landslide and a tsunami, making it difficult for Lin Yuan to breathe. He was only at the Qi Refining Realm, how could he withstand the pressure and reprimands of so many Immortal King Realm experts? Cold sweat instantly soaked his back.
"Ding! Activation progress of the Myriad Paths Apprentice Recruitment System: 10%...20%...30%..."
The cold, impersonal notification in his mind had become his only lifeline!
The Empress! She is the reincarnation of the Empress! System activation is imminent!
If you refuse, not only will the system fail, but you will also be immediately stripped of your position as peak master and kicked out! That would be true annihilation!
"I'll fight!" Lin Yuan roared inwardly, a fierce determination surging within him. He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and tried to straighten his spine, which appeared particularly thin under the pressure of the Immortal King.
He raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the aggressive peak masters, finally settling on the "eagerly expectant" face of Sect Master Xingyun Immortal King. His voice wasn't loud, and even trembled slightly with nervousness, yet it carried with exceptional clarity throughout the silent square:
"Sect Master, fellow Peak Masters," Lin Yuan tried to keep his tone calm, "Miss Qinghuang... uh, no, I am your disciple Feng Qinghuang. She is devoted to Xingyun Peak and has voluntarily chosen to become its disciple. This is her personal choice and is in accordance with the sect rules. As the Peak Master of Xingyun Peak, I, Lin Yuan, have the authority and responsibility to accept disciples. Since she sincerely wishes to become our disciple..."
He paused, and under countless shocked, bewildered, and seemingly insane gazes, he spoke slowly and deliberately:
"This disciple...accepts it!"
"boom--!"
The entire Wenda Square was in an uproar!
"He...what did he say?! He accepted it?!"
"He's insane! Lin Yuan is absolutely insane! How dare he defy the sect leader and all the peak masters?!"
"How dare he, a mere Qi Refining Realm cultivator, accept Feng Qinghuang as his disciple?! This is a desecration of a celestial seedling!"
"It's over, it's over! Lin Yuan is doomed! The sect leader and the others will skin him alive!"
The "gentle" smile on the face of Sect Master Xingyun Immortal King froze completely, his eyes instantly turning sharp as knives. An invisible Immortal King's pressure, far more terrifying than before, descended with a bang, pressing down on Lin Yuan like a tangible galaxy! He never expected that this usually timid and almost invisible good-for-nothing would dare to defy all the peak masters and disobey his orders so forcefully today!
"Lin! Yuan!" The voice of Immortal King Xingyun was icy cold, each word like it was wrapped in ice. "Do you know what you're saying?!"
Lin Yuan felt as if he had been struck a heavy blow to the chest, his blood surging. His Qi Refining Realm spiritual power was as insignificant as dust under the pressure of the Immortal King, and he almost collapsed to his knees. He gritted his teeth, blood seeping from his gums, struggling to stay upright, frantically screaming in his heart, "System! Faster! Faster!"
Dan Ding Peak Master, Jian Ming Peak Master, and others were even more furious, their magical power fluctuating violently. If it weren't for the sect leader being there and countless disciples present, they would probably have taught this arrogant fellow a lesson on the spot!
Just when the tension was at its peak and Lin Yuan felt he was about to be crushed, he was on the verge of collapse!
Feng Qinghuang moved.
She slowly straightened up, her moon-white dress fluttering without wind, and a powerful, refined, and anciently majestic aura of the Breaking Illusion Realm rose from her body. Although this aura was far inferior to that of a Celestial King, it possessed a lofty and aloof air that surpassed all living beings, instantly attracting everyone's attention and even diluting the oppressive force directed at Lin Yuan.
She stepped forward, positioned herself half a step in front of Lin Yuan (not to protect him, but merely as a gesture). Her cool gaze calmly met that of the sect leader and the group of furious peak masters.
"Sect Master, fellow Peak Masters," her voice was clear and firm, like ice springs striking jade, "Disciple Feng Qinghuang's mind is made up; in this life, she will only take Peak Master Lin as her master. This is the will of her Dao heart, and she humbly requests the Sect Master and fellow Peak Masters to grant her this wish."
Her posture was respectful, yet her words carried an undeniable resolve. Those four words, "Where the Dao heart leads," carried immense weight! In the cultivation world, obstructing someone's path is a matter of life and death!
Xingyun Immortal King and the other peak masters were ashen-faced, their chests heaving violently. They could suppress Lin Yuan and even punish him according to sect rules, but for Feng Qinghuang, a "ten-thousand-year immortal seedling" who had activated the Heavenly Derivation Instrument and was favored by the Supreme Elder, her will and her "Dao Heart" made them hesitant to act! Forcibly intervening would have unpredictable consequences and might even lead to the complete loss of this peerless genius.
The square was deathly silent, with only heavy breathing echoing through the air. Countless gazes darted back and forth between the enraged sect leader and peak master, the calm and resolute Feng Qinghuang, and the pale-faced, swaying yet still upright Qi Refining Realm peak master.
The Starry Sky Immortal King's gaze was extremely complex. He stared intently at Feng Qinghuang, then glanced at Lin Yuan behind her, who was almost unable to stand. Finally, the terrifying pressure receded slowly like a tide.
"Good! Good! Good!" Immortal King Xingyun said "good" three times in succession, his voice icy cold and devoid of any warmth. "Since Qinghuang, your Dao heart is so firm, and Peak Master Lin is so courageous in taking responsibility... I will grant your request!"
He abruptly flicked his sleeve, his gaze sweeping across the entire arena like lightning: "The selection ceremony for a master shall continue!" With that, he didn't look at Lin Yuan and Feng Qinghuang again, his figure transforming into a dazzling starlight, instantly disappearing from the high platform. His departing figure was filled with suppressed anger and deep disappointment.
The other peak masters exchanged bewildered glances, and could only glare resentfully at Lin Yuan before storming off, filled with pent-up frustration and resentment. Today's grand ceremony should have been their competition for the Immortal Seed, but instead, that good-for-nothing from Starfall Peak had turned everything upside down, causing them to lose face completely!
The crisis appears to have temporarily subsided.
Lin Yuan felt a sudden wave of relief wash over him, almost collapsing to the ground. His back was completely soaked with cold sweat. He glanced at Feng Qinghuang in front of him, still shaken.
Just then, the notification sound in my mind finally reached its destination:
"Ding! The Myriad Paths Apprentice Recruitment System has been successfully activated!"
"Bound Host: Lin Yuan"
"The identity of the first disciple has been confirmed: Feng Qinghuang (the reincarnation of the Heavenly Emperor)"
"New player gift packs are being distributed..."
"Detected that the host has taken on a disciple for the first time, and the disciple is a special target (the reincarnation of the Empress), the reward is doubled! Obtain: [Eye of Insight] (Beginner), [Star Spirit Guiding Array] (Peak Master Level) x1, [Star Origin Pill] x10, [Enlightenment Star Radiance] x1 hour."
"Main Quest Released: Guide the First Disciple 'Feng Qinghuang' to successfully enter the Tribulation Transcending Stage (0/1). Quest Reward: Cultivation level increased to the peak of the Transformation Realm, [Star Tempering Body Technique]."
Lin Yuan was overjoyed and almost shouted it out again! System! It's finally here! Cultivation level increased! Peak of the Transformation Realm! He was finally no longer that useless Qi Refining Realm cultivator who could be easily manipulated!
However, before he could fully process this huge surprise, Feng Qinghuang in front of him had already turned around.
Her stunningly beautiful face remained expressionless, her cool, clear eyes sweeping lightly over Lin Yuan. Her gaze was calm, distant, and even held a hint of scrutiny, as if she were examining a... barely usable tool.
"Master," her voice was devoid of emotion, "the ceremony is over. If there are no further instructions, this disciple will take my leave and head to Starfall Peak." Her words were respectful, yet carried an unquestionable distance, showing no intention of waiting for instructions from Lin Yuan, her "master." In her view, becoming a disciple was merely a formality; she was the one in charge at Starfall Peak.
After speaking, she nodded slightly, her moon-white dress swaying gently, and she transformed into a cold, clear stream of light, heading straight towards Starfall Peak, leaving her master, who had just "accepted" her, all alone in the spot.
Lin Yuan was left alone, standing in a corner of the now empty square, feeling the pitying or mocking gazes coming from all directions.
He looked in the direction where Feng Qinghuang had disappeared, then glanced at the rewards and mission prompts flashing on the system screen in his mind, his expression extremely complicated.
Ecstasy, lingering fear, frustration... and a hint of annoyance at being completely ignored.
"This disciple... seems a bit difficult to handle?" Lin Yuan muttered to himself, a strange smile curving his lips.
With the system in hand and the Empress as his disciple, Starfall Peak and the Heavenly Evolution Sect are about to become quite lively.