Chapter 356: Two Who Came to Become Disciples
"Stop!"
With a loud shout, more than ten disciples of Wendao Academy's inner sect descended before the mountain gate, weapons in hand, blocking the two travel-worn cultivators.
A quick glance at their clothing showed they did not belong to any great power. A hint of disdain appeared in the disciples' eyes.
The leader spoke sternly, "Who are you? Wendao Academy's mountain gate is not a place you can trespass!"
With only days remaining until the Holy Sons' ceremony, they had been given strict orders. No one uninvited could be allowed in. If an incident occurred, the patrol disciples would bear the punishment.
"I am Ximen Ye, a rogue cultivator from the Endless Sea," said a middle-aged ascetic respectfully.
Immediately the younger one followed, "This junior is Qin Yun of Sword-Casting City."
Hearing their names, the leader frowned slightly. "What business brings you here? If you cannot give me a proper reason, don't blame my blade for showing no mercy."
Ximen Ye, though faced with arrogance, showed no anger. He remained respectful. "Replying to senior brother, I have come to Wendao Academy to seek apprenticeship. I…"
Before he could finish, the leader cut him off. "Enough. Now is not the time for discipleship. If you wish to enter, wait until recruitment day. At present Wendao Academy has urgent matters and cannot host you."
He then turned to Qin Yun. "You aren't here for apprenticeship as well, are you?"
"Correct. This junior has also come to seek apprenticeship. Here is my master's identity token."
Learning from Ximen Ye's interruption, Qin Yun quickly spoke and presented Mr. Ye's token.
"Let me see."
The leader's tone softened. To him, these two likely came simply to glimpse the Holy Sons' splendor.
But when Qin Yun handed the token over, the leader's face changed. He scowled. "Are you mocking me? This is a disciple's token. Only elders of Wendao Academy may accept disciples formally. At most, stewards may take servants."
"Ah?"
Qin Yun froze, muttering, "But my master Ye Beixuan said he would accept me. How can this not be valid?"
At the mention of Ye Beixuan, all their faces changed. Everyone had heard of the great figure of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute.
The leader quickly took the token, examined it, and saw it indeed belonged to the Miscellaneous Dao Institute, engraved with the character "Lin." It must have once been the token of the newly promoted elder.
A smile appeared on his face. "So you are Elder Ye's disciple. You must have taken the wrong token. Come, follow us through the gate."
Qin Yun wanted to protest he had not taken the wrong one, but recalling the earlier scolding, he chose silence. Better to enter under his master than cause trouble.
Just as they prepared to leave, Ximen Ye spoke. "I also have my master's token, here it is."
Everyone stopped in their tracks.
"Why didn't you say so earlier?" the leader snapped irritably.
Ximen Ye paused. He wanted to point out he had been cut off, but instead simply handed over the token.
The moment the leader received it, his expression changed again. This was a Holy Son candidate's token.
But Wendao Academy no longer had candidates. There were only the two Holy Sons.
Studying carefully, he turned it over—and saw the character "Xiao" engraved on the back. His body trembled violently.
The surrounding disciples also turned pale in shock.
The leading disciple said, "Quick… quickly go inform Steward Bai, explain the situation here."
"Yes."
One disciple acknowledged, then turned and left swiftly with a jade slip.
The leader, now abandoning his earlier arrogance, spoke respectfully, "Senior brother, please wait a moment. This matter is not for us to decide."
Ximen Ye gave a small nod. After years of seeing the warmth and coldness of human affairs, such trifles could not stir his temper.
Soon, Steward Bai descended from the sky outside the mountain gate. His gaze fell directly on Ximen Ye.
"Boy, is the token in your possession truly given to you by Uncle Xiao?"
Ximen Ye answered respectfully, "It is."
Steward Bai said, "In that case, both of you come with me to the External Affairs Court to register. I will send word to the Miscellaneous Dao Institute."
"Yes."
This small episode did not disturb the normal functioning of Wendao Academy.
Inside the Miscellaneous Dao Institute, Chu Feng was drinking with his disciples when a respectful voice came from outside the courtyard.
"A disciple of the External Affairs Court comes to greet Chief Chu."
"Come in," Chu Feng replied casually.
Steward Bai entered with a broad smile, greeting everyone warmly as soon as he stepped in.
Wang Baole went up and threw an arm over his shoulder. "Senior Brother Bai, what brings you to the Miscellaneous Dao Institute today? Come, drink two cups with us."
Steward Bai laughed. "Two disciples from small sects have come with Uncle Xiao's and Uncle Ye's tokens to seek apprenticeship. In the External Affairs Court, my uncle and I are most familiar with your institute, so I came here."
"Oh?"
Hearing this, Chu Feng instinctively glanced at his two disciples, joking, "When did you two secretly take disciples behind my back?"
A thoughtful look crossed Xiao Chen's face. Seeing him silent for too long, Liu Yue'er stepped in. "Master, years ago Brother Chen tested a sword cultivator in the Endless Sea. More than ten years have passed—perhaps that one has finally succeeded."
"There really was such a thing," Xiao Chen murmured. For him, a pure sword cultivator, that test had been done casually at the time.
Ye Beixuan added, "It should be that Qin boy of the Qin clan from Sword-Casting City. Back then, I deliberately went easy while taking disciples. Fellow brothers and sisters should remember it."
"Since they are your disciples, you should handle it yourselves," Chu Feng said, returning to his drink. Wang Baole, meanwhile, recalled his own entry into Wendao Academy and pulled Steward Bai into the drinking as well.
Xiao Chen and Ye Beixuan then flew toward the External Affairs Court.
As they landed, disciples of the court hurried up to greet them.
"Greetings to the Holy Son and Elder Ye."
"Hm," Xiao Chen responded, then asked, "Where are they?"
The disciple said, "Please, Holy Son and Elder Ye, follow me."
With that, he led Xiao Chen and Ye Beixuan toward the small courtyard where the two cultivators awaited…
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