Chapter Sixteen : Everyone Can Call It Their Own Way
After a round of "heartfelt persuasion" and "reasonable discussion" that was anything but calm, the matter of the genius disciple Fang Mu Ge's tutelage was finally settled.
The winner was Elder Su—the strongest among the Grand Elders.
Although Elder Su ranked younger in age and seniority among the Grand Elders, his extraordinary talent had made him the most powerful of them all. His sheer strength had earned him the respect—and more importantly, the restraint—of his senior martial brothers.
"Haha, many thanks for your generosity, brothers," Elder Su said cheerfully.
Unlike most elders, Elder Su didn't appear elderly at all. He stood tall and straight, looking no older than fifty. Judging by his features, he must've been quite the handsome man in his youth.
"Mu Ge, come along now," he said with a warm smile, leading Fang Mu Ge back to his personal cultivation cave.
Without beating around the bush, Elder Su asked,
"Fang Mu Ge, are you willing to become my disciple?"
(ˉ▽￣～) Tch~ Like I even have a choice here.
Fang Mu Ge quickly knelt and declared, "Master, please accept this disciple's formal bow."
"Good, good!" Elder Su was all smiles as he stepped forward to help Fang Mu Ge to his feet.
"I'm Su Xin, former Sect Master and now Grand Elder of Lingyue Sect. I already have two disciples and a daughter. They should be arriving shortly."
Just as he said that, the two disciples and his daughter arrived. Elder Su had called them specifically so they could meet their new junior.
Fang Mu Ge greeted them politely, "Senior Sister, First Senior Brother, Second Senior Brother."
The three nodded in response and introduced themselves while presenting him with gifts they'd clearly prepared in advance.
"Oh, you really don't need to—" Fang Mu Ge said out loud, even as his hands moved faster than his words, accepting the gifts without hesitation.
He wasn't sure how strong they were, but based on their robes, it was obvious—his senior brothers were both outer sect elders, and Su Xin's daughter was an inner sect elder.
With their status, the gifts were bound to be anything but ordinary.
Probably worth more than everything the Fang family owned combined.
Su Xin's daughter was named Su Xinyan. She was stunningly beautiful—elegant, poised, and graceful. She looked to be in her mid-twenties, with the charm of a mature woman and the delicacy of a celestial maiden, perfectly fitting Fang Mu Ge's imagination of what a fairy should look like.
That said, the age difference made her feel more like an aunt than a peer. After all, he was only fourteen.
Fang Mu Ge's full attention had shifted to Su Xinyan—not because he was lovestruck, but because he suddenly remembered his second uncle's advice.
"I totally forgot! Uncle told me to choose Su Xinyan as my master… I got distracted by all that chaos earlier. Turns out she's my master's daughter. So technically, she's now my senior sister."
"Uncle wanted me to be her disciple, but I ended up as her father's. That's close enough."
"Su Xinyan is beautiful and probably still single. Maybe I can introduce her to Uncle—they'd make a great couple."
"Wait, hold on… If they got together, how would our family hierarchy even work?"
"Got it! Each of us can just call it our own way. I'll call her Aunt, she'll call me Junior Brother. I'm a genius!"
No one—neither the three disciples present nor Fang Ting waiting outside the sect gates—had any idea that the first thing Fang Mu Ge did upon joining Lingyue Sect was try to find his uncle a Dao partner... and even figured out how to settle the awkward seniority.
After the others left, only Su Xin and Fang Mu Ge remained.
Fang Mu Ge wasted no time and got straight to the point.
"Master, I come from a small, remote family town. We're poor as dirt... so about that..."
Su Xin blinked, then burst into laughter. "You little rascal, you just became my disciple and already want handouts?!"
Fang Mu Ge scratched his head, showing zero shame.
"I represent you now, Master. If I go around looking shabby, won't that damage your image?"
Su Xin subconsciously nodded. "That does make sense… but with your current strength, even if I gave you something good, you wouldn't be able to use it."
Fang Mu Ge frowned slightly, deep in thought.
"Sure, I can wait to get my own rewards. But Uncle's about to leave—I need to get something for the family now."
With that, he spoke again, more earnestly.
"Master is right. But my clan is weak. In the harsh world of cultivation, they're like a candle in the wind. I worry for them deeply."
Su Xin smiled knowingly. "I understand."
He raised his hand and produced a bracelet.
Most cultivators used storage rings or storage pouches. Only Nascent Soul cultivators and above could afford to use storage bracelets—whose internal space was far greater.
"This holds some cultivation resources and life-saving artifacts. Most importantly, there's a Lingyue Sect token inside. If your family is ever in danger, activating the token will trigger a defensive formation. Any elder nearby with a matching token will rush to help."
"But remember—this token only works once. Tell your family to use it with care."
Fang Mu Ge's eyes lit up. He immediately bowed. "Thank you, Master! I knew choosing you was the smartest decision I've ever made!"
Su Xin was thoroughly pleased, smiling with narrowed eyes.
"Your family's probably still outside the sect gate. Have your Second Senior Brother escort you to say your goodbyes. Then, it's time to focus on cultivation."
"Yes, Master."
Fang Mu Ge found his Second Senior Brother and explained the situation. The elder summoned a cloud and flew with Fang Mu Ge to the sect's outer gate.
By now, the entrance exam had long since concluded. As in past years, only about one in twenty passed and became disciples of Lingyue Sect.
All who passed would begin as outer sect disciples.
Among them, Lu Chenlong—possessing a spiritual body—had been taken in by an inner sect elder, drawing the envy of many.
As for the most gifted of them all, Fang Mu Ge had been accepted by Grand Elder Su Xin—and not without a fight. The other Grand Elders had nearly come to blows over him.
But this event remained unknown to outsiders. Fang Mu Ge's physique was now considered one of the sect's highest-level secrets.
At that moment, the new disciples were tearfully bidding farewell to their families—including Cui Shan.
Dressed in Lingyue Sect robes, Cui Shan stood proudly as his father, Cui Damin, beamed with pride.
"Excellent, excellent! Shan'er, you've made your father proud. You've been accepted into Lingyue Sect."
After praising his son, Cui Damin couldn't resist mocking Fang Ting, who stood quietly nearby.
"Hey, Fang! Where's your little brat? Don't tell me he failed and ran off in shame?"
Cui Shan chimed in, "I didn't see him at all during the second round. He must've been eliminated and didn't dare show his face."
Fang Ting didn't bother responding.
After a few more smug remarks, Cui Damin grew bored with the lack of reaction and turned to another topic.
"How did Lu Chenlong do?"
Cui Shan answered, full of admiration, "He was taken in by an inner sect elder!"
"We're all from Yuhe City. If you ever run into him, try to build a connection," Cui Damin instructed.
"I understand, Father," Cui Shan replied.
With a spiritual body and a master from the inner sect, Lu Chenlong's future was bright. Anyone with a shred of sense knew that getting close to someone like that would ensure smooth sailing within Lingyue Sect.