Rise from a Poor Family: My Martial Arts Counterattack

Chapter 368 Personal Disciple Assessment
Moral blackmail is utterly shameless.

Disregarding social hierarchy is improper.

Inside the Elder Hall, the three elders, Qu Guanfu and Du Xiaofeng, were speechless at Du Xiaofeng's actions. How could a dignified elder of the Canglan Sect act so cheaply?

Gao Zeming stood on one side of the main hall, completely stunned.

He had met Elder Du a few times. Elder Du used to be aloof and superior, but now he was nothing like an elder. He was more like an old man who longed for his descendants day and night.

Despite the three men's attempts to stop him, Du Xiaofeng remained unconcerned, his old eyes fixed on Lin Chen: "Would you be willing to become my disciple?"

"Senior Brother Du, you've passed!"

Qu Guanfu spoke, his expression somewhat grim, but he knew he couldn't persuade Du Xiaofeng. Finally, he turned his gaze to Lin Chen: "Lin Chen, with your talent, the sect will surely choose the most suitable master to teach you. There's no need to rush to make a decision."

"Well, there's no rush. If you really can't make a decision, then wait until the sect leader comes out of seclusion at the end of the month, and then the sect leader will choose an elder for you as your master."

Above the main hall, Zhou Zhifeng also spoke with a smile, believing that Lin Chen could understand the meaning behind his words.

There's no rush to become an apprentice now. Wait until the sect leader emerges from seclusion. At that time, whichever elder he chooses as his master will be the one who benefits the most.

Since the sect leader is in charge, he must be able to win over the crowd, and the elders who want to take him as a disciple must offer him the best possible treatment.

Lin Chen understood the underlying meaning in Elder Zhou's words, but without much hesitation, he clasped his hands and said, "If Elder Du does not mind that this disciple is foolish, this disciple is willing to become Elder Du's disciple."

Indeed, waiting for the sect leader to emerge from seclusion, allowing more elders to know about his situation, and making these elders compete to accept him as a disciple, would maximize his own interests.

However, on the path of martial arts, one can compete for resources, but one cannot become a slave to martial arts resources. If everything is only for maximizing one's own interests, then what is the point of martial arts cultivation?
Resources are important, but sometimes one's principles are more important.

Elder Du not only saved my life, but also sent Deacon Gao to pick me up from hundreds of thousands of miles away. These are two acts of kindness.

Furthermore, given Elder Du's high regard for me, if I were to become Elder Du's disciple, would Elder Du be stingy with resources?

What's the point of having a little more resources?
Seeing Lin Chen bow respectfully, Du Xiaofeng's old face showed a look of satisfaction. He grabbed Lin Chen's hand and said, "From today onwards, you are my personal disciple, ranking as the ninety-seventh personal disciple of this sect."

Before Lin Chen, there were a total of ninety-six direct disciples of the Canglan Sect, and now Lin Chen is the ninety-seventh.

The three people above, including Qu Guanfu, sighed when they heard Lin Chen's words about becoming Du Xiaofeng's disciple. However, as elders, they also had the dignity of elders. Since the words had been made so clear, and Lin Chen still chose to become Du Xiaofeng's disciple, it was not appropriate to continue to try.

An elder of a prestigious sect, who insists on interfering and vying for the position when the disciples have already clearly expressed their desire to become disciples of another elder, will likely be ridiculed by elders from other sects if word gets out.

"Congratulations, Elder Du."

"Congratulations, Senior Brother Du."

With the conflict over, the three elders, including Qu Guanfu, smiled again and congratulated Du Xiaofeng. As for what they were really thinking, only they knew.

Gao Zemin, who was standing on one side of the main hall, spoke in a low voice at this moment: "Congratulations to Elder Du on taking on such a fine disciple."

For Lin Chen, becoming Elder Du's disciple was the best outcome.

Elder Du has taken on a fine disciple, and the promised reward will naturally be fulfilled.

"Senior Brother Du, we're all waiting to attend your disciple-acceptance banquet."

"Of course, everyone, just wait for my instructions."

Du Xiaofeng burst into laughter. After Elder Du finished laughing, Lin Chen looked up at the top of the hall and bowed to the elders.

"This disciple thanks the elders for transmitting the message through the Canglan Token, which saved the people of my Great Liang from the persecution of innate martial artists."

Although he chose Elder Du, Lin Chen still remembered the telepathic messages these elders had sent through the Canglan Token. If it weren't for these three elders' messages, he might not have been able to intimidate those innate martial artists back then.

I must remember this kindness.

Seeing Lin Chen bow respectfully, Qu Guanfu and the others had very complicated expressions. He was a good disciple, knowing how to repay kindness.

“Disciple, there’s no need for such formalities. These are all elders of the Canglan Sect. As a disciple of the Canglan Sect, it is only natural that you would receive their protection.”

Du Xiaofeng's words caused Qu Guanfu and the others' lips to twitch. Senior Brother Du was truly unwilling to suffer any loss; he was returning exactly what they had said in the main hall earlier.

Du Xiaofeng didn't dare to think what Qu Guanfu and the others thought. After saying that, he grabbed Lin Chen's hand and walked out of the main hall.

“Disciple, although I have accepted you as my personal disciple, according to the sect’s rules, all personal disciples accepted by elders must go to the assessment hall for assessment. Only after passing the assessment can they be considered as formal personal disciples; otherwise, they can only be considered as disciples in name only.”

Lin Chen was somewhat surprised. Did the elders really need to conduct assessments before accepting disciples?

"A personal disciple is not only an elder's disciple, but also the most honorable disciple in the sect. They can enjoy the treatment and resources provided by the sect. This rule of the sect is also to prevent us elders from taking our descendants or, for some other reason, disciples who do not meet the requirements as personal disciples."

Lin Chen understood. The benefits for direct disciples were provided by the sect, but the disciples themselves were chosen by the elders. Some elders, in order to cultivate their own descendants or due to certain personal relationships, would take others as disciples, but these disciples did not meet the sect's requirements for direct disciples, which was tantamount to deceiving the sect for its benefits. "However, given your age and strength, you have a high chance of passing the direct disciple assessment. Even if you don't pass, there is still the final potential assessment. As long as your potential meets the requirements, you can still become a direct disciple. I will take you to the Direct Disciple Hall now."

Fearing that Lin Chen might be worried, Du Xiaofeng smiled and reassured him.

The potential assessment is a test conducted by the sect for some talented disciples who have not yet matured. Some young people fail to pass the personal disciple assessment due to their age, but their martial arts potential is there. If an elder who has taken a liking to a disciple wants to accept him as a disciple in advance, then the potential assessment can be conducted.

What's your current ranking at Wudao Mountain?

On the way to the Hall of Personal Instruction, Du Xiaofeng asked with concern.

"This disciple is currently ranked 6,000th in Martial Arts Mountain."

"Another four thousand places have been moved up?"

"Yes, when I'm on the ship, I go up to Martial Arts Mountain to take on challenges whenever I have free time."

Since encountering the ghost ship, Lin Chen stopped talking to the other island youths and returned to his cabin to focus on his challenges on Martial Arts Mountain.

"Not defeated in a single battle?"

"Not defeated in a single battle."

Du Xiaofeng smiled with satisfaction: "Ranked 6,000th in Martial Arts Mountain, undefeated in a single battle, and from an island at sea, his potential is definitely not a problem."

They barely made it into the top 10,000 of Wudao Mountain; their potential might not even qualify them yet.

With 6,000 people from Wudao Mountain, they are definitely qualified.

……

……

The Examination Hall.

It is located in the southwest region of Canglan Sect.

Elder Du.

The moment Du Xiaofeng led Lin Chen into the main hall, two stewards came to greet them.

"This elder has brought his disciples to conduct the personal disciple assessment."

Upon hearing Du Xiaofeng's words, both deacons turned their gazes to Lin Chen. Elder Du had accepted a personal disciple, so why hadn't they heard any news about it?

Inside the main hall, there were many other disciples, and upon hearing this, they all turned their gazes to Lin Chen.

The Canglan Sect's assessment hall not only assesses the direct disciples but also assesses many other disciples. These disciples also showed curiosity when they saw Lin Chen's face.

This senior brother looks completely unfamiliar.

Those who can be accepted as personal disciples by the elders are the best among the inner disciples, but none of the top-ranking senior brothers among the inner disciples match the person in front of them.

Feeling the many eyes on him, Lin Chen remained calm. Since he became the model student of Jiangnan Road, he had been the center of attention many times and was already used to it.

"How should I address this junior brother?"

The one on the left of the two deacons looked at Lin Chen with a very polite expression.

"Disciple Lin Chen."

"So it's Junior Brother Lin." After greeting him, the left-hand steward looked at Du Xiaofeng: "Elder Du, I apologize, but according to the rules for the personal disciple assessment, you..."

"This elder knows the rules. You may take Lin Chen in to participate in the assessment."

Du Xiaofeng waved his hand, saying that the personal disciple assessment was not open to elders.

"Thank you for your understanding, Elder Du. Junior Brother Lin, please come with me."

Lin Chen followed one of the stewards through the front hall and appeared in front of a pavilion.

"Junior Brother Lin, this pavilion is used for the assessment of direct disciples. Junior Brother Lin can enter the pavilion on his own."

"Thank you."

(End of this chapter)