CHAPTER 1822: CHAPTER 1821: SETTLING SCORES

The Saint Pen Scholar blushed with embarrassment and awkwardly suggested again, "How about this: we’ll draw lots, and whoever draws my disciple will get him in their sect!"

Everyone objected again, saying that deciding something so crucial to the future shouldn’t be conducted in such a trivial manner.

The Saint Pen Scholar was helpless; he had already made two suggestions, both of which were opposed.

He shrugged his shoulders at everyone and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, if this won’t work and that won’t work, we can’t very well split my disciple into eight parts, can we?"

Yang Changji from the Sword Cultivation Sect laughed heartily and said, "That’s a good idea, split the kid into eight parts, and everyone gets a share."

Bai Fengling took it seriously and stood in front of Long Fei, saying, "What kind of idea is that? I won’t agree to it."

The elders stroked their beards and exchanged glances, understanding Yang Changji’s meaning.

Yang Changji said, "Young lady, don’t be nervous. What I mean is to make an exception and have Brother Jiang join all our sects. Brother Jiang will be considered a disciple of all our sects, and he can choose where to learn and study as he pleases, freely coming and going."

Yu Baiwei from the Alchemy Cauldron Sect smiled and said, "This idea is great. Since everyone is arguing ceaselessly, let’s stop arguing. We can all accept Brother Jiang together, and from now on, he’ll be a disciple of all our sects."

Master Zhu of the Formation Sect, along with other sect masters and elders, thought it over and nodded in agreement.

The Saint Pen Scholar from the Calligraphy and Painting Gate laughed heartily, "Brilliant, brilliant, this indeed is a foolproof plan."

The new disciples were exasperated; they never expected these old fellows to come up with such a lousy idea after so much back and forth.

What is this situation?

However, Master Zhu reminded Long Fei, "Brother Jiang, you must consider carefully. If you choose one sect, you can receive the highest treatment from each. But if you choose them all, you won’t have that privilege."

"That’s exactly right!"

"You can’t have both fish and bear paw!"

"Brother Jiang, you need to think this through!"

"..."

The other elders nodded in agreement.

The observing disciples whispered among themselves, "If it were me, I’d definitely choose the Sword Cultivation Sect!"

"What’s so great about the Sword Cultivation Sect? They just know how to fight. If it were me, I’d definitely choose the Alchemy Cauldron Sect. Becoming a pill alchemist means you’ll never run out of money in your lifetime."

"What’s so great about alchemy? Formations are the best. Every family needs formation masters to set up formations or restrictions, and right now, formation masters are much more in demand than pill alchemists."

"It’s as if our Artifact Refining Division isn’t popular. What cultivation family doesn’t need a Magical Treasure?"

"The Talisman Engraving Sect isn’t bad either! My dream is to join the Talisman Engraving Sect, drawing talismans for money."

"..."

Everyone debated, each with their preferences.

A group of disciples planning to follow Long Fei found it more difficult. If Long Fei chose all sects, they would have to choose one honestly and not just follow him.

Long Fei paused for a moment. In his heart, he was thinking about the last suggestion, to be accepted as a disciple by all sects.

This way, he could learn the best from each.

He could absorb all the essence of Heaven-Piercing Palace.

He clasped his hands in salute, made up his mind, and said, "Elders, masters, I understand your opinions. I choose to be a disciple of all sects, so there’s no more need for you to fight over me, preventing any unpleasantness."

He pretended to be considering everyone, winning the affection of all the elders and masters.

This was exactly what they wanted.

After all, if Long Fei enrolled in a single specialization, he would take away a big group of new recruits.

This, undoubtedly, would let their sect lose competitive advantage among the newcomers.

If everyone can choose, it’s as if no one has chosen.

In their hearts, this was actually of no benefit to Long Fei, but most advantageous for them.

After all, they didn’t have to invest anything but gained the reputation of having a genius disciple like Long Fei.

Whatever achievement Long Fei made would belong to everyone.

If he achieved nothing, they wouldn’t lose anything either.

The Saint Pen Scholar sighed looking at his foolish disciple, said nothing more, just patted his shoulder and handed Long Fei the disciple token of the Calligraphy and Painting Gate.

These old fellows had already prepared the disciple tokens before arriving.

Once given by the Saint Pen Scholar, everyone else took theirs out and handed them to Long Fei.

With these tokens, Long Fei would be free to cultivate in any sect and access all sects unrestricted.

Everyone expressed regret for Long Fei, missing out on elder treatment, chief disciple benefits, and becoming an elder’s son-in-law, just to serve various sects.

Though the reputation is impressive, there are no benefits at all.

If it were them, they definitely wouldn’t choose this way.

After finishing their business, the elders lightly instructed the new disciples, "Alright, everyone stop watching the excitement. There are only three days to choose your specialization, so make the most of it. For your futures’ sake, think carefully before concluding."

The disciples dispersed with a buzz, some still unsatisfied.

Those who planned to follow Long Fei, seeing his decision was made, also went away to consider their futures.

Sunx Lang, with excitement bubbling, stayed behind, clasped his hands and called out to Long Fei, "Brother Jiang, congratulations, congratulations, we’ll be brothers from now on."

Looking at the star emblem on Long Fei, he quickly corrected, "No, I should call you Brother Jiang Senior."

Long Fei chuckled lightly, indifferent to these titles.

He looked at the wound on Sunx Lang’s face, raised a brow, and asked, "Brother Sun, what’s with the wound on your face?"

Sunx Lang covered it with his hand, awkwardly smiling bitterly, "It’s nothing, I accidentally got hurt while doing a task a few days ago. Brother Jiang Senior, we rarely get to meet, let me treat you to a drink!"

Long Fei furrowed his brows, "Brother Sun, if you consider me a brother, tell me the truth. That wound is clearly a result of a punch’s shockwave; what task requires you to box with someone?"

"Brother Jiang, this has nothing to do with you. I appreciate your concern, but I can handle it myself."

Sunx Lang hesitated, face flushed, lowered his head, not wanting to trouble Long Fei.

Long Fei stared at him and asked, "Was it Xiao Yuanyao and his group from the Alchemy Cauldron Sect?"

Last time, Long Fei embarrassed Xiao Yuanyao and his group and had a Thunderstorm Pill explode on them at the Alchemy Cauldron Sect.

He could guess they wouldn’t let it go easily.

Sunx Lang, being hit spot-on, quickly advised, "Brother Jiang, you’re a famous person now, better not to involve yourself with them. If trouble arises, everyone’s eyes are on you!"

Long Fei, filled with bravado, declared, "Fame means nothing to me; since when have I cared about it? If they dare bully my friends, I’ll turn the Alchemy Cauldron Sect upside down if need be to hold them accountable."

He grabbed Sunx Lang and went straight to the Alchemy Cauldron Sect to stand up for Sunx Lang.

Some disciples wanting to follow him, over a thousand of them, hadn’t left yet.

Upon hearing Long Fei’s words, they cheered excitedly, knowing there was drama to unfold, they followed Long Fei straight away to the Alchemy Cauldron Sect, inviting friends along the way.

Just as Sunx Lang said, every word and action of Long Fei stirred the entire outer sect’s emotions.

Not long after, over ten thousand people gathered at the entrance of the Alchemy Cauldron Sect, making for a rather spectacular scene.