Chapter 18

Chapter 018: Naturally Willing

The competition continued.

The Grand Dao Sect is impressive; they planned to wrap up the disciple tournament in just one day.

That’s the efficiency of a major sect.

In other sects, a disciple tournament usually drags on for three to five days, and sometimes even stretches to ten days or half a month.

Maybe that’s just the style of the Grand Dao Sect.

Instead of watching this bunch of young rookies squabble, it seems wiser to save time and get some cultivation done.

Did you notice that the Sect Master wasn’t even around for this occasion?

Ji Changming suspected that the reason for appointing a Vice Sect Master was that the Sect Master didn’t want to waste too much time on sect management.

Fifth round.

Lu Ye faced off against Linghu Wushuang.

Linghu Wushuang had already been thrashed by Lu Ye before, so he was well aware of his strength.

“I’ve compensated for my shortcomings, but it seems I’m still no match for you,” Linghu Wushuang intoned.

This was Lu Ye’s first time speaking on the stage.

“Strength comes from shame and persistence; constant improvement is the path of cultivation.”

Linghu Wushuang fell silent for a moment.

“Thank you!”

“You’re welcome.”

“But why are you always so overbearing towards your junior sister?” Linghu Wushuang asked, puzzled.

Lu Ye chuckled and didn’t answer; he held up two fingers.

A surge of sword intent gathered between his fingers.

He thrust one finger forward.

Instantly, alarms blared in Linghu Wushuang’s mind as he stared at the oncoming sword light, as if he were witnessing the infinite mysteries of sword techniques.

“Flying Illusion Sword!”

“Ding!”

The sword light collided with another sword light.

Linghu Wushuang suddenly erupted with countless blood marks.

He stumbled backward, retreating all the way to the edge of the stage before barely managing to stop.

Lu Ye didn’t strike again.

The sword intent from that single thrust remained vividly etched in Linghu Wushuang’s mind, making him ponder and ponder again.

“I concede!”

After conceding, Linghu Wushuang bowed deeply, jumped off the platform, and sat cross-legged, closing his eyes to comprehend.

Lu Ye turned to leave.

The elders widened their eyes, disbelief etched on their faces.

This sword intent?

Absolutely breathtaking!

Beyond comprehension!

Up until now, what Lu Ye displayed was brute strength in battles, simply overwhelming his opponents.

But this pointed sword technique showed everyone Lu Ye’s terrifying mastery of the sword!

“A disciple of Bai Qiulan? I need to go talk to her. She isn’t a specialist in swordsmanship; a genius like this must be taught by me!”

“No way, you couldn’t even beat me! I should be the one to teach him!”

“That sword energy is incredible! I feel unworthy to teach him. No way, I need to find my Master; he’s definitely going to be over the moon!”

The sword-wielding elders immediately got busy.

Some went to find Bai Qiulan, while others went to find their own Masters.

Until now, Lu Ye’s performance had just been extremely strong. In a place like the Grand Dao Sect, having one or two strong geniuses isn’t shocking.

But what Lu Ye displayed just now was beyond the concept of mere strength.

Instead, he was a rare seed for swordsmanship, achieving this level in just half a year of cultivation—it’s simply… indescribable!

Bai Qiulan was quickly surrounded.

“Bai Junior Sister, did you see that? Lu Ye’s specialty is actually swordsmanship. You’re not particularly expert in that area, so why not let me take him as my disciple? If so, the Lonely Sword Peak will provide all resources for the next three years to Bai Lan Peak!”

“I’ll go for five years. Bai Junior Sister, you know how hard it is for me to find a successor for my ‘Hidden Sword Canon’; I finally found a good seedling. If I don’t get him now, my lineage will be broken!”

“Bai Junior Sister, I’ll give you twenty years’ worth of resources…”

Bai Qiulan observed the figures clamoring for Lu Ye, feeling a bit helpless.

What do you have to teach, anyway?

Lu Ye wasn’t just terrifying in sword techniques; his mastery across all cultivation paths was chilling.

Forget about you teaching him; he could even be the capable master of your masters and their masters!

“Brothers, sorry, but Lu Ye is from Bai Lan Peak; I absolutely can’t hand him over!” Bai Qiulan flatly refused.

“Oh come on, Junior Sister, Lu Ye being at Bai Lan Peak is such a waste! You guys focus on spells anyway!”

“Besides, you already have Chu Ling; just let Lu Ye come to us!”

“No way, Lu Ye is absolutely not going to you. There’s no room for negotiation!” Bai Qiulan resolutely refused.

Lu Ye raised an eyebrow at this scene.

This shouldn’t be!

Bai Qiulan shouldn’t still be considering him as her disciple; she should be rushing to offload him like he’s a hot potato, to prevent any potential ‘teaching your own master’ situations.

“Bai Junior, I want Lu Ye!”

Suddenly, a powerful aura descended. With his arrival, all the swords present began to resonate, seemingly welcoming the Sword Dao Sovereign.

The old man, dressed in a black robe, carrying an ancient sword, spoke in an incredibly domineering manner.

“Greetings, Sword Sovereign!”

“Greetings, Master Sword Elder!”

“Greetings, Master Sword Grand Elder!”

The crowd bowed to the Sword Sovereign.

Unity of Dao Realm!

One of the esteemed elders from the Unity of Dao Realm had come to snatch a disciple!

Everyone was astounded; they never expected that a disciple competition would attract the attention of such a powerful elder.

If Lu Ye became a disciple under this elder, it would be like jumping up a level, instantly becoming a junior brother to the Sect Master and all the peak leaders.

“Brother Sword, I think Lu Ye’s more suited to my sword path,” a mocking laugh echoed from the void.

Another elder appeared.

“Brother Tao, I think he’s better suited to my sword path!” Yet another elder showed up.

Three esteemed elders were fighting for Lu Ye.

Bai Qiulan’s expression turned slightly sour.

For some reason, she felt extraordinarily reluctant to let Lu Ye join anyone else’s sect.

Maybe there was a flutter of panic she didn’t want to admit.

If Lu Ye truly became a disciple of someone else, wouldn’t that mean they were completely disconnected from one another from then on?

No!

That’s not acceptable!

Bai Qiulan’s gaze sharpened.

“All esteemed brothers, according to sect rules, you can only choose disciples when they join the sect. If you’re rushing to pick now simply because you see my disciple’s qualifications are good, it’s really not upholding the way of the elders!” Bai Qiulan said with firm conviction.

“You’re not a sword cultivator; how can you teach a powerful sword cultivator well?”

“That doesn’t justify your attempting to take him away!”

A bunch of sword cultivators went crazy trying to persuade Bai Qiulan, but she remained steadfast.

“I don’t care; Lu Ye will be my disciple! As long as he’s willing, I’ll report to the Sect Master to make the final decision!”

“Right, Bai Junior Sister is so stubborn; let’s go find the Sect Master!”

“Lu Ye, I’m asking you now: do you wish to leave Bai Lan Peak and join another sword cultivator’s sect?” Sword Sovereign spoke up.

Instantly, countless gazes turned to Lu Ye.

Yue Hongling clenched her fists nervously, while Bai Qiulan looked serene, yet ripples formed in her gaze.

A faint smile crept onto Lu Ye’s face.

He spoke softly.

“Naturally willing!”

(Don’t forget to bookmark for easy reading next time!)