In the arena, Michael and Clara still stood opposite each other. It took him a moment to react.
"Uh… thank you."
"You're welcome. It's what I should do."
Clara smiled gently.
The surroundings were eerily silent.
Everyone was caught off guard.
Clara Frost did not give Michael a cold shoulder?
And her attitude was so gentle?
What on earth had happened?
"I know!"
Someone suddenly understood.
"It must be Alexander Michaelson!"
The words seemed to remind everyone, and their eyes lit up.
That's right, everyone knew Michael's father, Alexander Michaelson, doted on him. He was a top-tier cultivator at the peak of the Immortal King stage, one of the strongest in the era, and the patriarch of the Immortal Michaelson Family.
The power he commanded was unimaginable.
"Alexander must have made a deal with the Frost Family. For the family's sake, Immortal Frost's attitude changed so drastically!"
"It must be like this!"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Michael heard the whispers around him and thought carefully. This seemed like the only possible explanation. Otherwise, given Clara's personality, she would never act like this.
"Father, you… really paid such a huge price for your son's happiness? Damn it…"
"Clara, you don't need to hold back. Just be natural…"
Michael still hoped the female lead would maintain her persona and not create trouble. He really didn't want a repeat of past events.
"No, every word I say is sincere, you…"
Clara suddenly stiffened, a look of apology on her face.
"I'm sorry, my master just sent me a message. I need to go quickly and will return later to find you."
She gave an apologetic smile and walked toward the interior of the Everwind Holy Land.
She passed by Michael, leaving a faint fragrance, but he remained expressionless.
He felt that something was very wrong today, regardless of whether his father had intervened.
By the way, where had Ethan Carter gone?
Michael looked around but did not see him, feeling slightly annoyed.
These people truly had no professional ethics!
The male lead was late, and the female lead was on the wrong channel.
Michael expressed his disdain and walked toward the interior of the Everwind Holy Land. The Disciple Acceptance Ceremony was about to begin.
Lucas Harrington had already disappeared; his master had called him away.
Michael walked alone, and those around him instinctively kept their distance.
Everyone knew him—the eldest young master of the Michaelson family, a foolish sycophant squandering family fortune to fawn over others.
Everyone present was proud, and naturally looked down on someone like Michael.
But Michael did not care.
The path of a sycophant was inherently lonely.
Dong… Dong… Dong…
Three deep bell tolls echoed continuously, marking the official start of the Disciple Acceptance Ceremony.
The ceremony was held inside the Everwind Holy Land, in a circular plaza surrounded by nine peaks rising into the clouds. Eyes continuously scanned the crowd.
Above, immortal qi shimmered ethereally.
Below, human voices buzzed.
This was the difference between immortals and mortals.
Inside the arena, Michael saw many familiar faces.
Ethan Carter was standing in the plaza.
Lucas Harrington, next to his master, winked at Michael.
Clara Frost stood beside her master, exuding a cold, exquisite temperament, truly worthy of her title as Immortal.
And one more—Butler Morgan, a figure who had assisted Ethan Carter in the early stages, a great cultivator at the third stage of the Immortal King realm, one of the nine peak masters of the Everwind Holy Land, and Clara Frost's master.
He was half-hidden in mist, dressed in a moon-white gown, his presence elegant yet imposing.
Michael pondered in secret.
According to the normal plot, Alexander Michaelson should have communicated with Butler Morgan, meaning Michael would automatically become his disciple.
Then Ethan would appear, defeat Michael, and replace him as the disciple.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Butler Morgan could not openly accept a weaker disciple.
Chen's victory would rely on Butler Morgan proposing a challenge based on cultivation level while Ethan used a semi-sacred artifact.
The cultivation realms in the Divine Abyss Continent total ten: Profound Qi, Core Condensation, Soul Body, Sea Gathering, Heavenly Origin Realm, Earth Immortal, Heavenly Immortal, Immortal King, Immortal Venerable, and Immortal Emperor. Each major realm has nine stages.
At this point, Michael was at the perfected Heavenly Origin Realm, while Ethan was only at the second stage of the Na Hai Realm.
The plot of the Disciple Acceptance Ceremony was straightforward: Butler Morgan cooperated with Ethan, one seeking discipleship, the other enforcing merit, with Clara Frost watching coldly, ready to humiliate Michael and elevate Ethan.
Michael noticed Clara's unwavering gaze toward Ethan.
He sighed softly.
"It seems this round cannot be avoided."
Yet, they were the leads.
Furthermore…
Michael noticed a subtle shift in Clara's gaze.
Normally, she would show appreciation or peaceful approval toward Ethan.
But he sensed… killing intent!
No???
"Did I see that wrong?"
Michael questioned, puzzled. How could the female lead show such a look toward the male lead?
It must be like that.
Then Butler Morgan's gaze must be the same.
Michael muttered, his eyes drifting toward the master.
Clara's gaze could be explained, but what about Butler Morgan? Logically, he shouldn't know Ethan yet.
On the mountaintop, Butler Morgan forcibly suppressed his own killing intent, reminding himself it was not time, while his eyes softened toward Michael.
Tenderness flowed involuntarily from his gaze.
"Little fellow…"
Soon, the time came.
"The Disciple Acceptance Ceremony officially begins!"
An elder shouted, his voice echoing across the arena. The crowd looked up in anticipation.
"It finally started!"
"Holy Land! Here I come!"
"This time, I will never lose!"
Joining the Holy Land for cultivation was a lifelong dream for many.
All Immortal King-level powerhouses in the Divine Abyss Continent had cultivated there in their youth.
Boom!
A massive roar sounded, and a huge crystal ball appeared in the center of the plaza above.
"According to custom, the first stage is for the peak masters to choose their disciples, bestowing their grace!"
The elder's authoritative voice filled the plaza, invoking awe.
Grace—an unspoken privilege allowing favored disciples to join a master's tutelage directly.
Michael's heart tightened.
Here it comes. Actors, take your places.
"Grace begins! Those who receive a token may enter!"
Instantly, four of the nine mountaintops erupted with strong Profound Qi fluctuations. Three tokens flew, choosing their owners.
"It seems four people have been chosen this year."
Everyone envied them.
Without exception, they were from immortal families.
Michael saw a flying rainbow from Po Lie Peak.
An ancient token crossed the mist and hovered before him. Its light reflected the bitterness of those around him.
"Michael, are you willing to join my tutelage?"
Butler Morgan's voice sounded from above.
"I…" Michael opened his mouth.
"Wait!"
Ethan Carter suddenly shouted, stepping forward with righteousness, interrupting the moment.