As the elders and sect master continued to argue, Elder Wang, who had brought Gu Linglong back, was dumbfounded. He glanced at the satisfied Elder Li beside him. "Where did you find such a treasure?!"
"Hehe, in a small village," Elder Li replied casually.
"Damn, you really found him in some remote backwater."
Elder Wang couldn't help but feel jealous. As outer sect elders, it was impossible for them to accept a Martial Sacred Body as a disciple, but finding one was a significant contribution. Elder Wang had brought Gu Linglong and earned an Upper Clear Pill, while Elder Li, who found a Martial Sacred Body, could easily be rewarded with ten pills!
The arguing sect master and elders finally reached a decision.
"We'll use the old method—drawing lots," said the Baiyun Sect master.
He pulled out a lottery tube, each lot representing a different inner sect elder. Whenever they faced a difficult decision like this, they would resort to drawing lots, and this time was no exception.
"I'll draw!" said the Grand Elder, stepping forward.
"No way, I'll do it!"
"Seriously? You guys are even fighting over who draws the lot?"
"Hmph, who knows if you'll tamper with the result?"
"How could you suspect your fellow sect members? You're truly cold-hearted."
"For a Martial Sacred Body, I can be even colder."
As the elders were about to start quarreling again, the sect master sternly commanded, "Enough! Let Ling Feng draw the lot himself!"
Everyone turned their gaze to Ling Feng.
Unfazed, Ling Feng stepped forward and casually drew a lot. The name written on it was...
Misty Peak, Liu Rusi.
The moment the elders saw the name, their expressions soured.
"Damn, it's her?!"
"Out of all the eight elders, it had to be her."
"This doesn't count. Let him draw again," the Grand Elder demanded, trying to grab the lottery tube.
But the sect master swiftly put it away, saying calmly, "The draw is final. The child will become Liu Shimei's disciple."
"Master, this won't do! With Liu Rusi's character, she'll ruin the potential of this incredible Martial Sacred Body!" the Grand Elder protested firmly.
But the sect master had made up his mind. He turned to Elder Li and said, "Since you brought back this Martial Sacred Body, head to the Pill Pavilion and claim ten Upper Clear Pills. Afterward, escort Ling Feng to meet Liu Shimei."
"Yes, Sect Master," Elder Li replied.
With that, Ling Feng followed Elder Li out of the hall.
On the way, Ling Feng couldn't help but ask, "Elder Li, who is Elder Liu? Why does everyone seem to dislike her?"
Elder Li explained, "In Baiyun Sect, there are eight inner sect elders. Elder Liu Rusi is one of them, highly skilled in martial arts—some say her strength rivals the sect master's. However, she is known for her unruly behavior. She's addicted to gambling and drinking, to the point where she even sold off the medicinal herbs and bamboo that once grew on her peak just to fund her habits."
Elder Li sighed, continuing, "She's also prone to causing trouble outside the sect, damaging Baiyun Sect's reputation. That's why she's notorious here. And the strangest part... she claims to be the reincarnation of a celestial being, destined to be invincible in the world."
"Wait... she's mentally unstable?" Ling Feng asked, shocked.
"Yes, she often rants about being a celestial being. She's quite eccentric."
"So... is it really okay for me to be her disciple?" Ling Feng asked, doubtful.
"Well, I'm not sure either. As far as I know, she hasn't taken any disciples before," Elder Li admitted.
"Is it too late to choose a different master?"
"It's probably too late. Once the sect master has made a decision, it's hard to change."
"Well, I guess I'll just have to accept it…"
Ling Feng reluctantly came to terms with the situation.
[Don't worry, host. You still have me.]
Sensing Ling Feng's unease, the system spoke up to reassure him.
Ling Feng felt a bit more at ease. After all, with the system, even if his master was unreliable, he could rely on himself.
Before long, they arrived at Misty Peak.
Staring at the barren mountain, Ling Feng's face twitched. "Are you sure this is Misty Peak?"
"Yes, this is the place," Elder Li confirmed.
"Misty Peak? With such a grand and elegant name, how could it look like this?"
"Misty Peak used to be beautiful, but after Elder Liu moved in, she sold off all the medicinal herbs and bamboo to pay for gambling and alcohol."
"Oh... my master is quite something," Ling Feng muttered, speechless.
Elder Li led him to a small wooden cabin. He respectfully called out, "Outer Sect Elder Li Yun here to see Elder Liu. I've brought you a disciple, as per the sect master's orders."
No one responded for a long time.
"Could she not be here?" Elder Li and Ling Feng exchanged puzzled looks.
Just then, the sound of clattering came from inside the cabin, followed by the creak of the door opening. A strong smell of alcohol wafted out as a stunningly beautiful woman with long, flowing hair appeared at the doorway.
The woman stumbled out, her clothes half undone, holding her head as if she had a splitting headache, swaying unsteadily.
She was clearly drunk.
The problem was... it was broad daylight.
Drunk like this in the middle of the day...
"She really is a hopeless drunkard," Elder Li muttered under his breath.
"What did you just say?" Liu Rusi's beautiful eyes flashed angrily as she heard him.
Elder Li, startled, quickly backtracked. After all, despite her habits, she was still an inner sect elder, far above him in strength and status. "Apologies, Elder Liu. This is Ling Feng, a Martial Sacred Body. He drew your name as his master..."
He quickly explained the situation, then patted Ling Feng on the shoulder with a look that said, "Good luck," before swiftly flying away, leaving Ling Feng alone with Liu Rusi.
Now, only Liu Rusi and Ling Feng were left standing awkwardly in front of the cabin.
Liu Rusi, still clearly not fully awake, squinted at Ling Feng with bleary eyes. "Disciple? Me, having a disciple?"
"Hehehe, alright then, perform the disciple ceremony," she said, laughing hazily.
Without hesitation, Ling Feng knelt down and performed the disciple's bow.
"Disciple Ling Feng greets Master."
[Ding!]
[Congratulations, Host, for officially joining Baiyun Sect and embarking on the path of martial arts. To aid you in your future journeys, a Super Storage Ring has been awarded.]
Suddenly, a black ring appeared on Ling Feng's finger.
Before he could figure out how to use the ring, Liu Rusi suddenly collapsed onto the ground with a thud.
"Master?" Ling Feng rushed over.
He found Liu Rusi snoring loudly, sound asleep.
"This..."
Ling Feng rubbed his forehead, helpless.
He couldn't just leave his master lying on the ground.
"Well, even though there's a rule about men and women not touching, this is my master, so it should be fine, right? Sorry, Master," Ling Feng muttered to himself. He then lifted Liu Rusi into a princess carry.
Although he was only fourteen, thanks to the Martial Sacred Body, his strength far surpassed that of ordinary people, so carrying Liu Rusi was no problem at all.
As he looked at her peaceful, sleeping face, Ling Feng paused for a moment, a bit mesmerized.
He had to admit, even though his master was unreliable, she was incredibly beautiful—delicate brows, lips like red cinnabar, a tall nose, and fair, smooth skin.
Her long, jet-black hair flowed down like a waterfall, soft and shiny.
Hmm.
With a face like that, Ling Feng thought he could make do with such an unreliable master. After all, who isn't a bit of a sucker for good looks?