Zhang Erdou, among the servant disciples, wasn’t particularly impressive, but he had a wide circle of friends. Once he spread the news, nearly half of the servant disciples fell into a frenzy.
A high-ranking figure from the mountain descended to personally select disciples to bring up the mountain—what did that signify?
It meant skipping the outer or even inner disciples and directly entering the mountain itself, becoming a disciple under the tutelage of the supreme elder of that particular peak.
If one were lucky enough to be chosen, it would be like a carp leaping through the dragon’s gate—transforming from rags to riches overnight, enjoying boundless fortune and glory, living life to the fullest.
Inside one of the servant disciples’ quarters, a disciple heard the cheers outside and the news Zhang Erdou had just delivered. A glint of sharp insight flashed through his eyes.
Under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t need much time before becoming an outer disciple, leaving behind his servant status and finally stepping into the true sect. But now, with a high-ranking figure from the mountain recruiting disciples, it was undeniably a rare opportunity.
Choosing between entering the mountain or joining the outer sect were two very different paths. Entering the mountain meant protection, guaranteed access to techniques and resources, while joining the outer sect meant relying solely on oneself.
However, none of this troubled him—he had his own destiny to rely on.
Lu Yan was confident in his abilities. He believed his cultivation ranked among the top ten among the servant disciples. If he pushed himself, he could even defeat the number one servant disciple.
To avoid unnecessary attention, Lu Yan had concealed his true strength, cultivating slowly and steadily. When the right moment arrived, he would make a stunning debut, crushing all competition.
He had already planned everything out.
Long-term strength rarely impressed people. Only when everyone underestimated you and you suddenly displayed shocking power would the high-ranking figures take notice.
…
Among the miscellaneous disciples, Zhang Er’gou, though not particularly remarkable, had a wide circle of friends. Once the notice was spread, nearly half of the miscellaneous disciples were thrown into a frenzy.
What does it mean when a big shot from the mountain comes down to select disciples?
It means directly bypassing the outer or inner sect disciples and being taken directly to the mountain to become a disciple under the grand elder of that peak.
If one is lucky enough to be chosen, it’s like a fish leaping through the dragon gate—a complete transformation from rags to riches, with the wind and rain at one’s command, living a life of ease and satisfaction.
At this moment, in the residence of a miscellaneous disciple, one disciple, upon hearing the cheers outside and the news brought by Zhang Er’gou, flashed a gleam of determination in his eyes.
Given his current situation, it wouldn’t be long before he became an outer sect disciple, leaving behind the status of a miscellaneous disciple and truly engaging with the sect. However, the arrival of the mountain’s big shot to select disciples was also an opportunity not to be missed.
Joining the mountain and joining the outer sect were two different paths. Joining the mountain meant receiving the protection of the peak, with no major issues regarding cultivation techniques and resources. But joining the outer sect meant relying entirely on oneself.
However, none of this was a problem for him because he had his own opportunities.
Lu Yan was very confident in himself. He believed his cultivation level was among the top ten among the miscellaneous disciples. If he pushed himself, he could even surpass the top miscellaneous disciple.
To avoid unnecessary trouble, Lu Yan had been hiding his cultivation level, slowly building his strength, waiting for the right moment to make a stunning appearance and overwhelm everyone.
Lu Yan had already planned everything out.
Long-term strength doesn’t create an impact. Only when everyone underestimates you and you suddenly reveal astonishing power will you catch the attention of the big shots.
…
Lin Fan stood there, watching the bustling crowd not far away, a confident smile on his lips. Should he act more reserved or more domineering later?
But now, as the sect leader, he had to maintain the necessary demeanor.
Then Lin Fan took a deep breath, like a master descending, with his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed on the distance, as if piercing through layers of void, seeing the true essence of life, entering a realm of profound mystery.
The miscellaneous disciples, notified by Zhang Er’gou, watched Lin Fan nervously.
This was the big shot from the mountain.
Truly heroic and extraordinary, with an overwhelming presence that couldn’t be ignored. He was undoubtedly a big shot.
For the first time, Lin Fan was the center of attention, and he couldn’t help but feel a bit intoxicated. Among the thousands of bewildered eyes, only his figure stood out.
Lu Yan stood in the front row, looking at the big shot Zhang Er’gou had mentioned, a gleam in his eyes. The other party’s presence was extraordinary yet restrained. Even with his secret techniques, he couldn’t gauge the depth of the other’s cultivation. Truly terrifying.
Lu Yan was originally just an ordinary miscellaneous disciple, even considered a waste by some.
But one day, after being beaten by several senior miscellaneous disciples and losing too much blood, his blood accidentally touched a string of family heirloom prayer beads around his neck. Strange things began to happen.
The string of prayer beads not only restored his body but also brought forth cultivation techniques he had never known before.
From then on, Lu Yan knew his life would no longer be ordinary.
“Master, the number of miscellaneous disciples is too large for me to summon alone. These few hundred fellow disciples should be enough for you to choose from,” Zhang Er’gou said with utmost respect, not daring to be presumptuous.
“Mm,” Lin Fan nodded, then woke from the intoxicating atmosphere of being the center of attention, carefully observing everyone.
Everyone watched as the master examined and selected them, swallowing their saliva, eagerly waiting.
They all hoped to be the lucky ones, taken to the mountain by the master, embarking on a bright path from then on.
Lu Yan stood tall in the crowd, exuding a faint aura. With the master’s cultivation level, he was sure to notice his uniqueness.
As long as he was chosen by the master and joined the mountain, he could unleash his full potential and carve out a place for himself.
Lin Fan’s gaze swept over each person’s body. He didn’t care about their faces.
Lin Fan’s current selection criteria were: strong, powerful, and capable of weeding.
Those with frail bodies were not considered.
“This time, I will only select five people,” Lin Fan said, then pointed at Zhang Er’gou, “You did well in gathering people, so you’re one of them.”
Zhang Er’gou had also been nervous. What if the master didn’t choose him? But now, seeing that the master had chosen him first, Zhang Er’gou’s triangular face turned red with excitement, as if he was about to cry.
The ancestors’ graves must be smoking… Zhang Er’gou never thought he would one day rise to such heights.
Thinking about it, Zhang Er’gou wiped the corners of his eyes, feeling a pang of sadness for his past life.
At the same time, he looked at Lin Fan with eyes full of gratitude. He would definitely repay the master’s kindness in the future.
The miscellaneous disciples, seeing that the master had already chosen one, became even more nervous. With five spots and one already taken, only four lucky ones remained among the hundreds.
Who would these four lucky ones be? The hundreds of miscellaneous disciples watched eagerly.
Lu Yan stood in the crowd, confident that he would be chosen. Just moments ago, he had noticed the master glancing at him twice.
This feeling couldn’t be wrong. However, Zhang Er’gou being chosen was somewhat disdainful to Lu Yan. A cunning, useless person who would soon be in a different world from him had been chosen. It was truly unexpected.
“You…” Lin Fan selected another person, tall, with dark skin and strong arms, clearly a capable worker.
“Thank you, master,” the tall man said, looking at Lin Fan in disbelief. He never thought he would be chosen, then laughed foolishly.
…
“You…”
“You…”
Two more were selected in succession, each chosen based on their physical fitness. The people Lin Fan selected were clearly from farming backgrounds, with strong working abilities.
Lu Yan was now utterly surprised. He didn’t understand the master’s selection criteria. The people the master had just chosen were, in Lu Yan’s eyes, the dregs of the dregs, who would never become outer sect disciples in their lifetime.
But these underestimated people had been chosen by the master. Could it be that they had some special qualities that he couldn’t see?
Now, only one spot remained, and Lu Yan couldn’t help but feel nervous.
But in his heart, he kept telling himself that the last one would definitely be him.
At this moment, Lu Yan went all out, not holding back his aura, which surged like waves.
He wanted to attract the master’s attention with his final burst of energy.
When Lu Yan noticed the master looking at him, his heart leaped to his throat. The master had seen him; he was sure to be chosen.
Lu Yan’s throat felt dry, desperately wanting to speak.
Lin Fan blinked, glanced at Lu Yan, and found him a bit odd. His aura was fluctuating, strong then weak. Although not bad, his physique was somewhat thin and fair-skinned, clearly not used to hard work.
Then Lin Fan’s gaze shifted slightly, revealing a faint smile, “The last one is you.”
The tall, burly man standing not far from Lu Yan was stunned, then overjoyed.
…
“How is this possible?” Lu Yan’s lips trembled, unable to believe the result. Why didn’t the master choose him? In the master’s eyes, was he even worse than these trash?
“Damn it… damn it,” Lu Yan looked at the chosen few, their smug smiles like arrows piercing his heart.
These people, who he had once considered trash, had been chosen. It was utterly infuriating.
At this moment, Lu Yan coldly glanced at Lin Fan, a sense of injustice rising in his heart.
“Today you overlook me, but one day you’ll regret it!”
Lu Yan clenched his fists, then quietly retreated from the crowd.
Lin Fan was very satisfied with the five he had chosen, unaware that his casual selection had earned him the hatred of someone with great ambition.
If Lin Fan knew about this, he wouldn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
I just picked a few weeders, how did I manage to attract hatred?
“Alright, follow me,” Lin Fan nodded calmly, not wanting to say too much. The weeding work was heavy, and he couldn’t afford to waste time.
“Master, please wait a moment. I want to seek justice for myself,” Zhang Er’gou said.
Lin Fan looked at Zhang Er’gou, then nodded, “Hurry up.”
With the master’s permission, Zhang Er’gou smiled, then immediately ran up to a burly man, standing tall and looking at him, “Yesterday you beat me up and stole ten body-refining pills from me. Return them now and apologize to me.”
The man Zhang Er’gou faced was a bully among the miscellaneous disciples, feared by all. But now that Zhang Er’gou had the master’s backing, what could the man do to him?
“You’re robbing me! It was only two pills, how could it be ten? You…” The man’s face changed, and he whispered angrily.
“Humph, no nonsense. The master is here. If you make him wait, it won’t be as simple as me asking for them,” Zhang Er’gou said with his nose in the air, acting very cocky.
The man glanced at the impatient master, then gritted his teeth, looking at Zhang Er’gou with anger, “Fine, here you go. I hope you never come back.”
Zhang Er’gou smiled. Come back? He’d rather die than return to this place. What awaited him now was paradise.
“Good, apologize to me,” Zhang Er’gou said, licking his lips as he carefully put away the ten body-refining pills.
“I’m sorry,” the man said, admitting defeat. He never thought this guy would have such luck. But if he ever caught him again, he’d make sure he knew the consequences.
“Mm, not bad. Next time you see me, behave, or I won’t be so polite,” Zhang Er’gou said, feeling a sense of relief and satisfaction he had never experienced before.
This feeling was truly amazing.
After all, he was now the sect leader—dignity and presence were a must.
Lin Fan took a deep breath, standing with his hands clasped behind his back, eyes gazing far into the distance as if piercing through layers of void, comprehending the profound truths of life, entering a mysterious and transcendent state.
The servant disciples summoned by Zhang Erdou watched Lin Fan nervously.
This was the high-ranking figure from the mountain peak.
Truly heroic and majestic, exuding an aura so powerful it couldn’t be contained. Without a doubt, this was a true great figure.
This was Lin Fan’s first time being the center of such immense attention, and he couldn’t help but feel a little intoxicated. In the sea of thousands of confused gazes, only his figure stood out.
Lu Yan stood at the front, watching the so-called great figure Zhang Erdou had spoken of. His eyes gleamed with intensity. The man’s aura was formidable yet restrained—Lu Yan couldn’t even gauge his true strength with his secret techniques. How terrifying!
Lu Yan had once been an utterly ordinary, even pitiful, servant disciple, practically a failure.
But one day, after being beaten by several senior servant disciples and losing too much blood, his blood accidentally touched a string of ancestral Buddhist prayer beads around his neck. From that moment on, strange things began to happen.
The prayer beads not only restored his body to full health but also implanted unknown cultivation techniques into his mind.
From that day on, Lu Yan knew his life would no longer be one of mediocrity.
“Lord, the number of servant disciples is too vast for me alone to gather. These hundreds of brothers should suffice for your selection,” Zhang Erdou said respectfully, not daring to be the slightest bit careless.
“Hmm,” Lin Fan nodded, snapping out of his indulgence in the adoring atmosphere. He began carefully observing the gathered crowd.
Everyone watched anxiously as the “Lord” scanned them, swallowing hard, eagerly awaiting their fate.
How they longed to be the chosen ones, taken back to the mountain peak by this great figure, embarking on a glorious path.
Lu Yan stood tall and proud among the crowd, subtly exuding a faint aura. With the Lord’s cultivation level, surely he could sense his uniqueness.
Once chosen, he would enter the mountain, finally free to unleash his potential and carve out a new destiny.
Lin Fan’s gaze swept across each person. He didn’t care about their looks.
His criteria for selection were simple: strong, powerful, and capable of weeding.
Those frail in build were immediately dismissed.
“I will only choose five,” Lin Fan announced, then pointed at Zhang Erdou, “You did well gathering everyone—you’re one of them.”
Zhang Erdou had been nervous, fearing what would happen if he wasn’t chosen. But now, seeing that Lin Fan had selected him first, his triangular face flushed red with excitement, almost in tears.
The ancestral grave must have exhaled green smoke… Little Zhang Erdou never imagined he’d have his day of glory.
As he thought, Zhang Erdou wiped his eyes, feeling a surge of emotion for his past hardships.
Looking at Lin Fan, his eyes overflowed with gratitude. From now on, he would repay the Lord’s favor with all his heart.
The servant disciples watched as the great figure made his first selection, growing even more anxious. Out of five spots, one was already taken—meaning only four remained among hundreds.
Who would those four be? The hundreds of servant disciples watched with bated breath.
Lu Yan stood among them, confident. He was certain he would be chosen—just moments ago, he noticed the Lord glancing at him twice.
That feeling was unmistakable. Still, the fact that Zhang Erdou was chosen left Lu Yan somewhat disdainful. A scheming, cunning nobody—now they would be worlds apart, yet he too was chosen. Truly unexpected.
“You…” Lin Fan selected another. This one was tall, dark-skinned, with thick, powerful arms—clearly a hard worker.
“Th-thank you, Lord,” the tall man stammered in disbelief. He never expected to be chosen, and now he could only grin foolishly.
…
“You…”
“You…”
Two more were chosen, each selected purely based on physical strength. All of Lin Fan’s choices were clearly born of peasant stock—undoubtedly hard workers.
Lu Yan was shocked. He couldn’t figure out the Lord’s selection criteria. In his eyes, those chosen were the weakest among the weak, individuals who could never even become outer disciples.
Yet the more underestimated they were, the more the Lord favored them. Could these people possess some hidden talent he failed to perceive?
Now only one spot remained, and Lu Yan couldn’t help but feel nervous.
But deep down, he kept telling himself—this last one must be him.
At this moment, he decided to go all out, no longer concealing his aura, letting it surge like crashing waves.
He would use his final burst of presence to catch the great figure’s attention.
As Lu Yan noticed the Lord looking his way, his heart leaped into his throat. The Lord had seen him—surely he was about to be chosen.
His throat felt dry, and he struggled to speak.
Lin Fan blinked, glancing at Lu Yan. There was something odd about this guy—his fluctuating aura was strange. Though not bad, his frame was rather thin and pale, clearly not someone accustomed to hard labor.
Then Lin Fan’s gaze shifted slightly, a faint smile appearing on his face. “The last one—you.”
A simple-minded giant standing not far from Lu Yan was stunned for a moment before erupting into ecstatic joy.
…
“This can’t be!” Lu Yan’s lips trembled, unable to believe the result. Why hadn’t the Lord chosen him? Did the Lord consider him even worse than those trash?
“Cursed… cursed!” Lu Yan stared at the chosen few, their smug expressions piercing his heart like sharp arrows.
These people he once looked down upon were now chosen. What a shocking twist.
At this moment, Lu Yan cast a cold glance at Lin Fan, resentment rising from the depths of his heart.
“One day, you’ll beg to be acknowledged by me!”
Clutching his fists tightly, Lu Yan silently turned and left the crowd.
Lin Fan was very satisfied with his five chosen disciples, unaware that his seemingly random selection had already earned the hatred of someone with great ambitions.
If Lin Fan had known this, he might not even know how to cry.
I was just picking a few people to pull weeds—how did I end up attracting hatred?
“Alright, follow me,” Lin Fan said calmly, not wanting to speak much. Weeding was important work and couldn’t be delayed.
“Lord, please wait a moment—I’d like to settle an old score,” Zhang Erdou suddenly spoke up.
Lin Fan looked at Zhang Erdou and nodded slightly. “Hurry up.”
Receiving the Lord’s permission, Zhang Erdou grinned. Immediately, he rushed toward a muscular, burly man, standing tall and proud before him.
“Yesterday you beat me up and stole ten Body Tempering Pills from me. Return them now—and apologize.”
Zhang Erdou faced the man—a minor bully among the servant disciples, feared by all. But now, Zhang Erdou had secured the Lord’s favor—what could this guy possibly do to him?
“Robbery? You clearly only had two, yet you claim ten? You…” the burly man’s face darkened, whispering angrily.
“Hmph, no arguing. The Lord is waiting. If you make the Lord impatient, it won’t be just me coming after you,” Zhang Erdou sneered arrogantly.
The burly man glanced at the impatient Lord, then gritted his teeth, glaring at Zhang Erdou with fury. “Fine. Take it. I hope you never come back.”
Zhang Erdou chuckled. Come back? Not in this lifetime. What awaited him now was paradise itself.
“Good. Now apologize,” Zhang Erdou licked his lips, happily pocketing the ten Body Tempering Pills.
“I’m sorry,” the man muttered, accepting defeat. He never imagined this guy would have such luck. But if their paths crossed again, he’d make sure this bastard understood the consequences.
“Hmph, good. Next time you see me, Second Dog Brother, behave yourself—or I won’t be so polite,” Zhang Erdou felt a rare sense of exhilaration, a feeling of triumph coursing through his entire being.
This feeling was simply amazing.
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