Yang Zhai looked at the Moon bull and saw that the Moon bull's body had shriveled and had died.
After confirming that everything was alright, he closed his black vortex and stored the Blue Gem as well. After which, he opened a hole in the entrance and exited the pit. And then, he closed the entrance of the pit, and the entrance of the breathing ditch as well. He did not fill up the pit. He got what he wanted and now, if someone falls into the pit for some reason, then it had nothing to do with him. However, if he returns here someday, then this pit might come in handy, that is if the pit stays fine. As for the bull's body, it could rot and be mixed with the earth.
Yang Zhai checked the surroundings and left carefully. He made sure to change his clothes. He always makes sure to keep an extra pair of clothes in the Bloody Storage Ka.
After arriving in the village, he went directly to his house. As for choosing a disciple from his class that was supposed to go with him to the Ma clan, he did not care. Elders could decide for themselves. He just had to say that he did not want to choose the wrong disciple and ruin the clan's reputation and that the elders should help him, that's all. It's not like he would be criticized for thinking about the clan.
He needed to absorb his gains right now and get familiar with his new ability; after all, in his previous life, he discovered that the lines could store abilities when he was already immortal. And he was not so conceited as to believe that he was invincible or talented by having the knowledge of his previous life. That's why he wanted to familiarize himself with the Moon bull's ability and also cultivate some. Therefore, he could not waste his time by going around the village and choosing the disciple.
After all, to choose someone, he would have to go to the disciples and accumulate them in one place before deciding in front of the other based on abilities, so it would not be unfair. If he simply went and chose someone just like that without the others present in one place, then others would think that he was favoring that person. And that was not something a leader would do, if the Academy leader became dissatisfied, he might remove him from the position.
The Next Morning,
Seven kids were standing in a line and the elders were standing in front of them.
"So, did you guys decide who would be going with you four?" Elder Shu asked.
"Yes sir," Senior Fang Qi answered.
"Then why are there only seven of you? Who did not choose the participant for the expedition?" Elder Shu asked.
"It's me, elder," Yang Zhai answered.
"And why is that?"
"Because I did not want to choose the wrong person. If it was something inside the clan, I would have chosen the disciple, but we are going outside to the Ma clan. If I choose someone and that disciple does something wrong, then the clan's reputation would be one that would take a blow and I do not want the clan leader to answer for my decisions, sorry about that, elder." Yang Zhai had a sad and firm expression on his face. He looked straight into elder Shu's eyes to show his determination. And of course, if he showed a slight hesitation, the elder would know that he was lying.
"I like your determination. You thought of the clan and did not choose someone unfairly. I am impressed by your concern for the clan. But still, you are a class leader, and it is your duty to decide for your class. And it is also your responsibility to answer for your subordinates; thus don't hesitate to make decisions according to your preference. Even if we choose a disciple from your class, you still would have to answer for them to your seniors and elders if they do something wrong." Elder Shu said to Yang Zhai.
He did not mind Yang Zhai not choosing someone, after all, he was thinking for the clan. If he scolded him for that, then would he be saying that don't think for the clan from now on, or that he was wrong for thinking for the clan? Therefore, elder Shu chose his words carefully before saying the same thing in different words. This was something Yang Zhai had expected; after all, if Yang Zhai kept on saying that he was thinking for the clan and did not do something, then what would he even do? Why was he even the leader, simply to think for the clan? That was something that anyone could do. Thus, the elder forgave him this time and also told him to not do this the next time in clever words.
"Understood, elder," Yang Zhai said in a determinative voice.
"And I already knew about this from elder Yu Ene. He notified me that you did not choose anyone from the class and that he had already asked elder Ren to choose one instead. We have already decided who will go with you. And he chose Si Kim from your class. Elder Ren said that he has talent in cultivation and is also intelligent. Do you agree with this statement?" Elder Shu said to Yang Zhai and called Si Kim to his side and asked Yang Zhai.
Yang Zhai looked at Si Kim and smiled inwardly. It was because Si Kim was really cunning. Cunning enough that he became the next clan leader in his previous life, even though the clan leader had a son and a daughter.
"No, elder, there is nothing wrong with this statement. Brother Si is a good choice and worthy enough to be praised by you and elder Ren. And if elder Ren chose him, then there must be something else that is not present in the other disciples in the class." Yang Zhai did not disobey the elder Shu. If he did, then he would simply be saying that elder Ren's choice was wrong. And anyway, he did not care. If he did need to do it in the future for his purposes, then he could also go against elders in their decision because he had the authority to do so, except for the academy leader Yu Ene and the clan leader, nobody had more authority over his class disciples than him, not even elder Shu, the second elder of the clan. And elder Shu knew it clearly, that is the reason he asked Yang Zhai if elder Ren's choice was correct.
"Ok, it's decided then, Si Kim will be the one to go with you from your class. And you three, you should introduce the disciples you chose." Elder Shu signaled Si Kim to go and stand in line before asking the other three class leaders to introduce the disciples they chose.
"First, Qian Fa."
"Yes, elder. The disciple to my right is Bang Ju. He is a rank 3 mid-stage cultivator and is trying to develop in the fire path. I chose him because he is a good strategist that can adapt to any situation quickly."
"Greetings elder," Bang Ju greeted.
Elder Shu nodded and looked toward Feng Qi.
Feng Qi knew that it was his turn and said,
"Elder the person to my right is Til Gen. He is a rank 3 early-stage cultivator and is about to advance to the mid-stage. He is developing in earth path and is good at defense. He also keeps quiet mostly and doesn't cause any problems. And I have good coordination with him and can work better with him around."
"Greetings elder," Til Gen also greeted elder Shu.
Elder Shu nodded and looked at Hyun Hae.
But Hyun Hae was playing with her hair with her fingers and did not notice elder Shu's gaze.
Elder Shu's eyes twitched after seeing this. He was in a serious mood and was looking grand in front of the others, but everything was ruined at this moment.
"Greetings Elder, my name is Ai Hao. I am a rank 1 third-stage cultivator and am trying to become a healing cultivator. It's been my dream from a young age, and I have been studying healing resources ever since I was five. I have a lot of knowledge about plants, their effects, beasts' parts that can be used for healing, and much more. I am confident that the healing medicines created by me can achieve top-level effects that can even rival the rank 1 peak stage. If the quality of the resources to create medicines is good, I can even create medicines that can barely reach rank 2." A female disciple to Hyun Hae's right side said. She was the disciple chosen by Hyun Hae.
Elder Shu nodded with an impressed look. He was impressed by Ai Hao's talent and behavior. She interrupted and introduced herself after seeing the situation.
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