CHAPTER 961: CHAPTER 958: ELECTOR

Another person walked in front, also wearing a white robe, but with a red collar, both the collar and sleeves trimmed with gold. Their hair was meticulously combed, face pale and mustache-less, expression solemn and grave—a perfect embodiment of a charlatan’s aura.

Yes, the aura Lin Tian referred to was the semblance of a charlatan radiated by this person. Of course, that was just his opinion, as everyone else wouldn’t have thought so. The moment this "charlatan" walked in, everyone immediately rose and bowed to him.

"Hello, Master Tan," the students respectfully greeted.

Master Tan? Lin Tian’s interest piqued; was this Master Tan the same Tan Yuan Zhao Ya mentioned? These days, anyone dares to call themselves a master.

Tan Yuan slowly walked to the podium and said to everyone, "Hello, students."

"Good, very good, tomorrow will be even better!" The students responded with even greater enthusiasm, shouting loudly.

Lin Tian almost laughed, thinking he was in one of those so-called motivational seminars again. It was said that many companies began meetings by shouting this slogan; Lin Tian found it utterly vague and even incredibly silly.

Current seminars almost all love shouting this slogan, often just altering its format. It’s beautifully named as a way to engage the audience’s emotions. In high school, Lin Tian also attended so-called master lectures.

He particularly despised such practices; those conducting lectures this way totally didn’t deserve to be called mentors, let alone masters, because they didn’t engage the audience with content but merely shouted slogans together.

Some so-called mentors even bring a large group of assistants to guide the audience in shouting slogans, which Lin Tian despised the most.

Would a true master do this? Certainly not. Such "masters" are simply after money.

Could such a "master" be the mysterious witchcraft user? Lin Tian was very skeptical. This Tan Yuan was merely a charlatan, very different from that cruel witchcraft user.

Tan Yuan raised his hand to signal everyone to quiet down, and then he said, "Today, it seems we have two new students. We’ll follow the usual routine and let them introduce themselves. Remember the rules of our Spiritual Cultivation Class: during your introduction, express your most genuine thoughts and liberate your soul, or else leave, for you are not ready to open your heart to receive our Spiritual Energy."

"Alright, let the female student go first," said Tan Yuan, pointing to a woman in the second row.

Lin Tian turned his head for a peek; the woman was quite pretty, probably around thirty. Judging by the diamond necklace on her neck, she was a wealthy one too.

The woman thought for a moment before speaking, "My name is Luo Jingmei. My family is very affluent, but because my husband is often away, I feel empty inside. I wish to engage with spiritual courses to pursue freedom of the soul."

Although she followed the "master’s" request, her face still reddened, obviously embarrassed and shy to express her inner thoughts in public for the first time.

"Alright, now it’s the male student’s turn," Tan Yuan said, pointing at Lin Tian.

Lin Tian had long prepared a spiel and started spouting nonsense: "My name is Lin Tian. I’m a businessman; I’m very wealthy and have many women, but I often feel troubled because these aren’t what I truly want. I hope Master Tan can help guide me through the maze." His words were so earnest that even Zhao Ya was left stupefied.

"Both students expressed themselves well. I have grasped the cries of your hearts. Confusion is the bondage of your soul. Cast off the shackles and moral norms, liberate your soul..." Tan Yuan began his lecture, thoroughly captivating the members.

The initial part was still digestible, but the more Lin Tian listened, the more speechless he became. Tan Yuan advocated for sex and freedom, claimed marriage was an obstacle, and that society should not condemn sexual needs outside marriage. On the contrary, it should respect these freely chosen rights.

The contents spoke volumes, utterly breaking moral boundaries. As he spoke, he even guided students to strip, claiming eloquently it was to release soul-boundaries. By the end of the lecture, many students had shed their robes, remaining in underwear—and some even took off their underwear.

The scene included both males and females, thoroughly shocking Lin Tian. What kind of Spiritual Cultivation Class was this? It was even more straightforward and blatant than those "Heaven-Earth Feasts" type of parties.

Zhao Ya kept her head down, saying nothing; it was clear this wasn’t her first time witnessing such a scene. Lin Tian slightly shook his head. The people undressing were obviously utterly brainwashed, while those who hadn’t still retained some sense of reason.

"Alright, now’s the most crucial part. The selection of the electors is about to begin. Some have attended several sessions, some only one or two. Among them were past fortunate ones, but there’s no need for those who missed out to regret. As long as you move the heavens, one day, it might choose you." Tan Yuan said with aplomb.

After waiting for a long time, the highlight was about to start, and Lin Tian inwardly sneered. Besides him and Zhao Ya, everyone else was excited and elated in the entire classroom.

"Among the thirty people in our classroom, we had two electors before. Let’s ask them about their experiences first." Tan Yuan tantalized them, instead speaking about the previous electors.

The members all turned their eyes to Zhao Ya and another young woman in the front row.

Zhao Ya looked at Lin Tian before saying, "As an elector, I feel great satisfaction, both physically and mentally enriched, and life went more smoothly..." She lied, spouting nonsense all along.

Another female elector said, "I am also satisfied, except sometimes I feel tired. Please guide me, Master Tan, why is this? Have I done something wrong and attracted something unclean?"

This woman was somewhat paranoid, sharing the same thoughts as Zhao Ya. However, she was too brainwashed and still hoped to seek guidance from Tan Yuan, clearly a suicidal path.

Lin Tian gave the woman a glance. Her complexion was somewhat pale, but her eyes were not yet bloodshot. Obviously, she hadn’t absorbed much life force from the Yin Yang Life Spirit Grass yet; her symptoms weren’t as severe as Zhao Ya’s. But judging by her complexion, it seemed close enough.

Tan Yuan nodded and then said with apparent earnestness, "You did nothing wrong. Why are you feeling tired, while other members do not? It’s because you are an elector, and heaven is testing you."

"When heaven assigns great responsibilities to someone, it shall harden their resolve and weary their muscles. You should feel honored; as long as you pass heaven’s trials, you will achieve great liberation." Tan Yuan said so charismatically that others actually showed envy.

Indeed, great liberation; dying would be a true liberation, Lin Tian scoffed internally.

"Alright, rest easy and wait. I will consult heaven’s will to see who among you will be lucky enough to become the elector today." Tan Yuan left the classroom, walking to the end of the hallway, opening a room.