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 became ecstatic with excitement.
When a prominent figure from the mountain descended to personally select disciples, what did that signify?
It meant bypassing the outer or even inner sect disciples, directly entering the mountain to become a disciple under the tutelage of the supreme elder residing there.
If one were lucky enough to be chosen, it would truly be like a carp leaping through the dragon’s gate—transforming from humble beginnings into someone of prestige, enjoying boundless fortune and success.
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 calculation flashed through his eyes.
Under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t need much time before becoming an outer sect disciple, leaving behind his servant status and finally stepping into the real cultivation world. However, the arrival of this powerful figure presented an unexpected opportunity.
Choosing between joining the mountain or entering the outer sect were two entirely different paths. Joining the mountain meant guaranteed protection, access to cultivation techniques, and abundant resources. However, entering the outer sect meant having to rely solely on oneself.
But these considerations weren’t an issue for him—he had his own path to destiny.
Lu Yan had full confidence in himself. He believed his cultivation level ranked among the top ten among the servant disciples. If he pushed himself, he might even defeat the number one servant disciple.
To avoid unnecessary attention, Lu Yan had concealed his true strength, cultivating slowly and patiently. When the right moment came, he would make a stunning debut and crush all competitors.
He had already planned everything out.
Lasting strength wouldn’t earn admiration. Only when everyone underestimated him and he suddenly displayed astonishing power would the influential figures take notice.
…
Lin Fan stood there, watching the massive crowd approaching, a confident smile curling his lips. Should he act more profound or display a domineering aura?
After all, he was now the sect leader—certainly needed to maintain the proper demeanor.
Lin Fan took a deep breath, standing with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing 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 looked at Lin Fan with nervous anticipation.
This was a true figure of power from the mountain.
Truly heroic and dignified! That overwhelming aura was simply irresistible—undoubtedly a great master.
For the first time in his life, Lin Fan found himself the center of so many gazes, and he couldn’t help but feel a little intoxicated. Among thousands of lost souls, only he stood out.
Standing at the front, Lu Yan observed the so-called “great master” Zhang Erdou had spoken of. His eyes gleamed with intensity. The man exuded a calm yet formidable aura, so deep that even Lu Yan’s secret techniques couldn’t discern his true strength. Truly terrifying.
Previously, Lu Yan had been an utterly ordinary servant disciple—perhaps even worse, a talentless nobody.
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 perfect health but also implanted cultivation techniques in his mind that he had never known before.
From that day on, Lu Yan knew his life would no longer be one of mediocrity.
“Master, 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 show the slightest impertinence.
“Hmm,” Lin Fan nodded, snapping out of his enjoyment of the adoring crowd and carefully observing the gathered disciples.
Everyone swallowed nervously, filled with anticipation, hoping to be the lucky one chosen to return to the mountain with this great master, stepping onto the path of glory.
Lu Yan stood proudly among the crowd, subtly radiating a faint aura, confident that the master’s cultivation level would surely detect his uniqueness.
Once chosen, he would join the mountain sect and finally be free to unleash his potential, forging his own destiny.
Lin Fan’s gaze swept over each individual. Appearance didn’t matter to him.
His selection criteria were simple: strong, powerful, and capable of weeding.
Those who appeared frail were immediately dismissed.
“I will only select five,” Lin Fan declared, then pointed at Zhang Erdou. “You did well gathering everyone. You’re included.”
Zhang Erdou had been nervous—if the master hadn’t chosen him, what would he have done? But now, seeing himself selected first, his triangular face flushed red with excitement, nearly in tears.
The ancestral grave must be emitting auspicious smoke! Zhang Erdou never imagined he’d have such a day of sudden fortune.
As he thought, he wiped his eyes, overwhelmed by the bitterness of his past life.
Looking at Lin Fan, his eyes overflowed with gratitude. From now on, he would repay the master’s kindness with unwavering loyalty.
The servant disciples, seeing the master had already chosen one, grew even more anxious. Out of five spots, one was gone, leaving only four for hundreds of candidates.
Who would be the lucky four?
Lu Yan stood among the crowd, confident he would be selected. Just now, he noticed the master had glanced at him twice.
He was sure of it. But that Zhang Erdou was chosen too—Lu Yan couldn’t help but feel disdain. A scheming, cunning nobody, and yet he was chosen. It was beyond his expectations.
“You…” Lin Fan selected another, a tall, dark-skinned man with thick, muscular arms—clearly a hard worker.
“Thank you, Master,” the tall man stammered in disbelief, then broke into a silly grin.
…
“You…”
“You…”
Lin Fan continued selecting two more, each chosen purely based on physical strength. All of them were clearly from farming backgrounds, strong and capable.
Lu Yan was stunned. He couldn’t figure out the master’s selection criteria. In his eyes, those chosen were the weakest among the weak—people who would never make it into the outer sect.
Yet the very people he looked down upon were being chosen. Could it be they had some hidden talent he failed to perceive?
Now only one spot remained. Lu Yan couldn’t help but feel anxious.
But deep down, he kept telling himself—this last one would be him.
At this moment, he abandoned all caution, unleashing his aura like crashing waves. He would attract the master’s attention with his final display.
As Lu Yan noticed the master looking his way, his heart leapt into his throat. The master had noticed him—surely he would be chosen.
His throat felt dry, desperate to speak.
Lin Fan blinked, glancing at Lu Yan. Something about this guy felt odd—his aura fluctuated erratically. It wasn’t bad, but his frame was too thin, his skin too pale. Clearly, he wasn’t someone who worked hard.
Lin Fan’s gaze shifted slightly, a faint smile forming. “The last one—will be you.”
A simple-minded giant standing not far from Lu Yan was stunned, then overwhelmed with joy.
…
“This can’t be!” Lu Yan’s lips trembled, unable to believe the result. Why didn’t the master choose him? Did the master consider him even worse than those trash?
“Damn it… damn it all!” Lu Yan looked at the chosen few, their smug expressions piercing his heart like arrows.
These people he once looked down upon as trash had been selected. How infuriating.
At this moment, Lu Yan shot Lin Fan a cold gaze, resentment rising from deep within.
“One day, you will beg to be at my feet!”
Clutching his fists tightly, Lu Yan silently turned and left the crowd.
Lin Fan was very satisfied with his five chosen disciples, unaware that this seemingly random selection had already earned him the hatred of an ambitious individual.
If Lin Fan had known this, he probably wouldn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
I was just picking people to pull weeds—how did I end up making enemies?
“Alright, follow me,” Lin Fan said calmly, not wanting to waste time. The weeding work was urgent.
“Master, please wait a moment. I’d like to settle an old score,” Zhang Erdou suddenly spoke.
Lin Fan looked at Zhang Erdou and nodded. “Make it quick.”
With the master’s permission, Zhang Erdou grinned and immediately rushed to a muscular hulk, puffing out his chest. “Yesterday you beat me up and stole ten Body Tempering Pills from me. Return them now—and apologize.”
Zhang Erdou faced the hulk, a minor bully among the servant disciples, feared by all. But now, Zhang had secured a powerful patron—what could this guy possibly do to him?
“You’re the one robbing me! You said ten, but it was only two!” the hulk hissed in anger.
“Hmph, don’t argue. If the master gets impatient, it won’t just be me asking for them,” Zhang Erdou said arrogantly, nose in the air.
The hulk glanced at the impatient master, clenched his teeth, and glared at Zhang Erdou. “Fine. Take them. I hope you never come back.”
Zhang Erdou chuckled. Come back? Not in this lifetime. From now on, he was heading to paradise.
“Now, apologize,” Zhang Erdou licked his lips, happily pocketing the ten pills.
“Sorry,” the hulk muttered bitterly. He never expected this guy to have such luck. But if he ever crossed paths again, he would make sure Zhang paid dearly.
“Good. Next time you see me, Second Dog Brother, behave yourself—or else I won’t be so nice,” Zhang Erdou felt a rare sense of triumph, a feeling so good he couldn’t describe it.
It was simply amazing.
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