Chapter 457: Becoming a Disciple

The second batch of disciple-application letters?

Elder Tie Fu paid no heed, saying, "Leave them here."

Truly excellent disciples were already taken during the first round; those submitting application letters in this second batch did so only because they had been rejected and were now trying their luck again.

"Master, two of the top three from this year's Outer Sect Competition are among them. The Peak Lord has requested that you accept at least one as your disciple," Zuo Mu reminded.

Elder Tie Fu complained, "He took young Marquis, such a fine talent, as his disciple, yet dumps these mediocrities on me."

For Outer Sect disciples, the top three in the Outer Sect Competition meant only three emerged from hundreds or even thousands.

But to someone like him, they were hardly rare geniuses; among his own disciples, there were not just one or two who had once ranked first among the Ten Heroes of the Outer Sect.

The top three in the Outer Sect Competition were hardly something he valued highly.

"But we cannot simply defy the Peak Lord's orders. Besides, both have undergone bone marrow refinement. According to sect rules, since they submitted application letters a second time, the Li Fire Peak cannot reject them," Zuo Mu said.

He knew that if these two top-three competitors had submitted their application letters to his Master during the first round, his Master would have been quite willing to accept them.

Only after failing to find another Master did they come to the Li Fire Peak, treating it as a last resort; given his Master's proud nature, he naturally would not look kindly on them.

"Who are these two, and which Peak did they apply to before?" Elder Tie Fu set down the handkerchief and straightened his robes.

Zuo Mu clasped his hands and said, "They are Xu Yang and Xiong Kun. Both previously applied to the Medicine King Peak. By the way, Xiong Kun ranked second in this year's competition, and Xu Yang third. Their rankings among the Ten Heroes were fifth and sixth, respectively."

Xu Yang and Xiong Kun were well-known throughout the Outer Sect, but Zuo Mu knew such insignificant figures had no chance of catching his Master's eye, so he hurriedly recounted their details.

"Ignorant children! My path of forging weapons holds mysteries far surpassing alchemy."

Hearing that both had been rejected by the Medicine King Peak, Elder Tie Fu grew even more displeased; the Li Fire Peak and the Medicine King Peak had long-standing friction, and alchemists and weapon forgers looked down on each other.

To Elder Tie Fu, Xu Yang and Xiong Kun were like failed defectors who had tried to join the enemy and now came to the Li Fire Peak, making him even less inclined to accept them.

"Then I'll take this Xiong Kun. Take the rest away!" Elder Tie Fu waved his hand.

Had it not been for the Peak Lord's instructions, he would not have wanted to accept even Xiong Kun.

"Yes!"

Zuo Mu dared not say more, knowing that what his Master Elder Tie Fu disliked most were those who submitted application letters to the Li Fire Peak only on their second attempt.

This batch of application letters passed briefly through Elder Tie Fu's hands; he didn't even glance at them before forwarding them to Elder Elder Huoyun.

Fortunately, after being rejected by the first Master upon a second submission, one could be transferred to the next Elder; otherwise, aside from Xiong Kun, everyone would have had to rewrite their application letters.

"Didn't this young man want to become Elder Tie Fu's disciple? Why has he been transferred to me!" Elder Elder Huoyun picked up the first application letter and found it was Xu Yang's.

He had watched this year's Outer Sect Competition and had some impression of Xu Yang.

"He first applied to the Medicine King Peak and was rejected by Elder Changchun. You know Elder Tie Fu's temperament; only because the Peak Lord instructed him to reluctantly accept Xiong Kun did he reject this one.

The Peak Lord has instructed you to accept him," Gao Lin explained.

Xu Yang had indeed been exactly as predicted; unable to find a desired Master, he had been rejected successively by Elder Changchun of the Medicine King Peak and Elder Tie Fu of the Li Fire Peak.

Now he could only be forcibly assigned by the Peak Lord to his Master, Elder Elder Huoyun, and in the future, he would likely be treated with little favor.

"He only gives orders; why doesn't he take him himself?" Elder Elder Huoyun was also seething with anger.

The best, Xiong Kun, had been taken, leaving the inferior Xu Yang for him?

"Master, Xu Yang is actually quite good: steady, hardworking, and possesses great comprehension. In fact, when I first met him, I wanted him to become your disciple.

Even if he had not secured a top-three spot in the competition, I would still hope you would accept him."

Gao Lin spoke softly, speaking well of Xu Yang.

He had a very good impression of Xu Yang and had originally intended to help him.

"Steady and hardworking? He is merely cautious and timid. For three years, he hasn't even dared to enter the Yunling Mountain Range once, showing no sharpness or ambition of a martial artist."

Elder Elder Huoyun snorted, "Are you complaining that I give you too many tasks and want someone who won't run around to help you share the burden?"

Gao Lin quickly clasped his hands, "Disciple dares not."

"Very well, I'll take him. Since the Peak Lord has given orders, how could I, your Master, defy the Peak Lord?"

Elder Elder Huoyun selected Xu Yang's application letter, then reviewed several others that specifically requested to become his disciple, ultimately choosing three including Xu Yang, and waved for Gao Lin to withdraw.

Three days passed in a flash. Xu Yang arrived at the foot of Sifeng Peak; this time, there were fewer people than before.

After the crowd waited for a while, disciples from various Peaks descended to announce the results.

"Xiong Kun, Xu Yang..."

Soon, disciples from the Li Fire Peak also appeared, holding a register and beginning to call out names.