Chapter 617 - 626: Becoming a True Disciple

"Alright, let’s dispense with the formalities. We should head inside. My master is waiting."

Lei Hao glanced at the two people beside him. A thought crossed his mind, and he immediately held his tongue, then led Wen Qingye into the inner hall.

The grand hall was magnificent, yet it avoided vulgarity, exuding a quaint, antique charm from every corner.

As soon as they entered the hall, Lei Hao smiled faintly. "Junior Brother Wen, you’re quite different from before. You’ve already become a True Disciple, one step ahead of me. In the future, it is I who should ask for your guidance, Junior Brother Wen."

Wen Qingye raised his head slightly and smiled. "Brother Lei, you flatter me."

A sharp glint flashed in Lei Hao’s eyes. "Not at all, not at all. With Junior Brother Wen’s current strength, and with Martial Uncle Zhang watching your back, you’re in no way inferior to the likes of Wang Hao, Chu Bufan, and Lu Wushuang. The position of Sect Leader of the Celestial Profound Sect is well within your reach."

Wen Qingye waved his hand. "That’s a matter for the future. For now, I think that’s still too far off."

Just then, they arrived at the entrance to the inner hall.

Lei Hao gestured with his hand. "Junior Brother Wen, please go in. My master is waiting."

Wen Qingye nodded and slowly walked inside. Lei Hao’s eyes followed him until he disappeared into the inner hall.

The inner hall was spacious. Rows upon rows of bookshelves lined the walls, with a main desk at the far end and several smaller desks arranged before it.

An old man sat at the head desk, studying a scroll. Only when he saw Wen Qingye enter did he slowly set it down.

Wen Qingye stepped forward and cupped his fist. "Disciple Wen Qingye of the Celestial Profound Sect pays his respects to the Sect Leader!"

He knew the old man before him was Bai Henshui, the Sect Leader of the Celestial Profound Sect. Wen Qingye had seen him once before at the Three Pristine Platform.

"Qingye, sit down."

Bai Henshui smiled faintly, gesturing casually toward a desk near him.

Wen Qingye nodded and slowly sat down at the indicated desk.

"Excellent." Bai Henshui sized Wen Qingye up and nodded. "Neither arrogant nor impetuous, and you have an impressive bearing. You are indeed worthy of being the genius whose fame has recently skyrocketed in our Celestial Profound Sect. Guanzhong told me that if your meridians hadn’t been severed, you alone would be enough to carry our Sect for an entire generation. It seems there was some truth to his words."

Wen Qingye gave a humble smile. "Martial Uncle Tangg gives me too much credit."

As he spoke, his gaze fell upon Bai Henshui’s hand. The ring on the Sect Leader’s finger was identical to the one Wen Qingye had, seemingly made from the very same Star-Shining Stone.

’A question surfaced in Wen Qingye’s mind.’

Bai Henshui spoke slowly, "Your aptitude is beyond question. You performed admirably during the affair involving the four sects—our Celestial Profound Sect, the Flowing Cloud Sect, the Three Realms Sect, and the Celestial Thunder Hall—though you suffered many grievances. Furthermore, at Junior Brother Hua’s banquet, you upheld the honor of our Celestial Profound Sect. Most recently, you helped Youu Junlian become a Sect Leader Candidate for the Jade Maiden Sect. All in all, your contributions to the Celestial Profound Sect have been immense. That is why Junior Brother Tangg and I have decided to bestow upon you the status of a True Disciple."

As Bai Henshui finished speaking, he turned his palm over. A set of purple robes appeared before Wen Qingye—the very attire worn by Elders and True Disciples.

Wen Qingye accepted the robes and placed them into his Sumeru Mustard Seed.

"I trust you are well aware of a True Disciple’s responsibilities." Bai Henshui slowly rose and walked over to Wen Qingye’s side.

"You are the next generation of the Celestial Profound Sect. When facing a behemoth like the Taiyi Pavilion and pressure from other powers, the entire Sect will be counting on you. When you prosper, the Celestial Profound Sect prospers. When you suffer, the Celestial Profound Sect suffers."

Bai Henshui’s voice was sonorous and powerful, echoing throughout the grand hall with soul-stirring conviction.

Wen Qingye also stood, straightening his back and nodding solemnly. "Of course. Please rest assured, Sect Leader. As a disciple of the Celestial Profound Sect, I will do my utmost for the good of the Sect."

Bai Henshui and Wen Qingye’s eyes met. After a moment, the Sect Leader nodded, then slowly sat back down and asked casually, "What are your thoughts on the Taiyi Pavilion?"

"The Taiyi Pavilion?" Wen Qingye glanced at Bai Henshui, then appeared to ponder for a moment before speaking slowly. "The situation in the entire Eastern Profound Domain is currently unclear. In my opinion, we can only react to challenges as they come."

As Wen Qingye spoke, Bai Henshui’s eyes remained fixed on him, unblinking.

Hearing Wen Qingye’s words, Bai Henshui let out a sigh of relief. "Yes, you’re right. The Taiyi Pavilion’s true power currently lies dormant; what we’ve seen is merely the tip of the iceberg. We must not act rashly. Your temperament is quite good. You know how to assess a situation. That sets my mind at ease."

Before Wen Qingye could reply, Bai Henshui produced a Martial Arts Manual and handed it to him. "I have here a copy of the Rain Falling Flower Sword Technique. It’s a Low-Level Spirit Grade Martial Arts technique. Take it back with you; it will be beneficial even if you only skim it."

"Thank you, Sect Leader!" Wen Qingye said, his face filled with gratitude as he accepted the Rain Falling Flower Sword Technique.

Bai Henshui stroked his white beard and laughed. "Hahaha, once you officially become a True Disciple, a massive amount of the Sect’s resources will be funneled your way. Cultivation resources, Magic Techniques, pills, Magical Artifacts—you’ll want for nothing."

Wen Qingye cupped his fists solemnly. "This disciple will devote his life to the Sect, until his dying day. I will not shrink from any sacrifice."

Bai Henshui nodded in satisfaction and smiled. "Alright. If there’s nothing else, you may leave."

Wen Qingye cupped his fists. "Then this disciple will take his leave."

With that, Wen Qingye slowly walked out of the hall.

The moment he stepped out of the main hall, Qingg Ruo’ai materialized and remarked, "That way of speaking just now... that wasn’t your usual style, was it? So reserved, so restrained."

Wen Qingye smiled and shook his head. "It’s better to be a little more restrained. Hiding one’s strength and biding one’s time is what’s most important."

After he spoke, Wen Qingye glanced back at the grand hall. He hadn’t told Qingg Ruo’ai the real reason, but for some reason, he felt as though Bai Henshui had been testing him.

’Could it be that Bai Henshui wants me to become the next Sect Leader of the Celestial Profound Sect?’

At this moment, sunlight filled the sky. The Main Peak was so high up that it felt as if the sun was right in front of him.

"Ah, Brother Chuu, if you can’t make it this year, just try again next year! How many more years can those old bones of yours last, anyway?"

"Exactly! Your body’s still holding up, right? What’s the rush to come back?"

"If you ask me, with your aptitude, what’s the point of coming back to refine pills? You’d be better off hurrying back to teach Registered Disciples."

"Senior Brother Zhang is right."

"HAHAHAHA!" "HAHAHA!"

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