Niu realized something he forgot. How did he convince the protagonist to come to him? He was a unknown cultivator, while Elder Su was known far and wide for his strength. For the protagonist who only wanted to become stronger to protect the ones he loved, this was a for sure deal.
Niu started to sweat. He was thinking of possible solutions on how to get the protagonist. Sure he could just get Kien, but he wanted to bond them together. The entire journey that the dumba** author wrote...He wanted to destroy it completely.
He saw the protagonist looking confusedly at his direction. Niu thought that Zen was confused to know who he was.
...
Zen POV
Zen opened his eyes and saw the roof of the old house.... Zen was confused. This was the house he used to live in as a kid. He had just killed Kien and he died himself..
How did he get here? Zen sat around and looked around. Wait...this was the day he was admitted to the "Golden Golden Wind" sect. He knew this because of the big red circle on the makeshift calendar.
Zen was confused, but he decided to pack up and go to the sect.
...
After being examined, Zen saw the same reactions done before when it was revealed he had a Golden tree spiritual root. He then noticed a person sitting at the side of the elders, watching him intently.
He seemed...familiar. Zen looked closer, and was dumbfounded. Wasn't that Niu, who died of those robbers? What is he doing here? He wasn't here in the last timeline...right? In the last timeline, when Zen saw he had a legendary spiritual root. He immediately picked Elder Su, who was second in command.
He didn't pay attention to the other elders, so maybe Niu was always there? Niu didn't tell him about his past, Zen only knew that he saved him then died to robbers. He managed to kill Futuru, the boss.
——
Niu POV
Niu was thinking of what to do, when Zen suddenly went towards him. He picked up the red stone in the basket, and threw it at Niu's side. This was the ritual that the disciples did to pick their Shizun. (note: teacher. -Koru)
The elders were shocked. This boy...he didn't pick Elder Su, and he picked a semi-outsider??? They looked at Xiang Tu to help them. If they lost this talent, it would be a tremendous loss!
Xiang Tu looked taken back, he didn't expect that the boy would refuse Elder Su and pick a unknown elder.
Xiang Tu knew it was shameless to coax someone after they picker their teacher, but it would truly be a loss they could never recover.
"Cough, are you sure you want to go with Elder Niu?" He looked earnestly at Zen.
Niu knew what they wanted to do, but they couldn't! After having this amazing stroke of luck, he wasn't going to let it go!
"Well, he already did the ritual and it's his choice. You shouldn't coax him." Niu laced hidden meanings in his words. Basically it was "He chose me, back off from trying to convince him b****."
Xiang Tu paused, it was a thousand year tradition for the disciples not to switch teachers. It only happened in rare occasions if their teachers died, or both parties wanted to switch disciples.
Elder Su didn't want to give up though, he was embarrassed his pride was hurt like this. He was ready to brag about getting a good disciple, but he actually picked that loner elder! Elder Su was already kind enough to not immediately attack Elder Niu.
Xiang Tu sensed Elder Su's anger, and waved his hand to appease him.
"Well I see, but this will be a loss to our sect. Hopefully we have something to replace it?" Xiang Tu's intention was there.
Elder Niu knew he won the fight, he hid his joy and replied. "Of course, I had just recently been able to create some Soul level qi gathering pills."
Xiang Tu was pleasantly surprised, so was Elder Su. Soul level items were extremely useful. Combine the normal qi gathering pills, that were made to hurriedly suck up the surrounding air for cultivation. It might not be of use to them, but the disciples are sure to be able to break through some stages.
"We...accept." Elder Su reluctantly agreed. Even though he was still mad, he wanted to help some of his disciples.
Niu remembered that the old Niu hid his capabilities and created some really good pills. He might as well use them.
"Also...Elder Su, I have some interest in your disciple called Kien?" Niu slyly slid it in.
Elder Su's eyes narrowed with a cold glare. "Surely I don't think what I thought I heard."
"Well, seeing as you lost interest in him..I was curious about the rare Jungle Cloud root. After all, it's able to cultivate on the demonic path and heavenly path." Niu smiled a bit, but it wasn't seen through his mask.
Elder Su was still mad. He dared to try to poach his disciple, when he already got someone good! Even though he lost interest in his disciple, he still was a part of his students! "I'm afraid i'll have to refuse."
"A weeks worth of soul level qi gathering pills."
"..." Elder Su was silent for a long time. ".....A month's worth."