Chapter 13: The Battle of the Chief Disciples

Looking at the youngest disciple before him, Lin Fan sighed with a smile, grabbed the wine gourd at his side, and took three large gulps of wine; after a moment, he said slowly:

"Nuo Er, you have been in the sect for four years now, haven't you!"

Gently nodding, Zhang Nuo looked at Lin Fan with a blank expression.

"In five more years, it will be the sect's once-in-a-century Chief Disciple Assembly. Any disciple who has reached the Sixth Layer of the Qi Refining Stage or higher may participate. You are currently at the Third Layer of the Qi Refining Stage; as your master, I want to know, within the remaining five years, can you reach the Sixth Layer of the Qi Refining Stage?"

His expression turned slightly bitter, and Zhang Nuo did not give an answer immediately. Although there was no longer a Spirit Insect in his body consuming his essence and blood, and his cultivation speed had become much faster, this "Sword Control Art" became harder to cultivate the further one progressed. With his aptitude, it seemed a bit difficult to cultivate to the Sixth Layer within five years.

Zhang Nuo knew his own aptitude well; to say nothing else, compared to his two senior brothers, he was far inferior.

Seeing that Zhang Nuo remained silent, Gao Dakuan was the first to break the silence.

"Master, I think you should still register the youngest junior brother! No matter what, this is a once-in-a-century grand event for the 'Divine Sword Sect'; if we miss this opportunity, we will have to wait another hundred years! At worst, I will just spend more time on the youngest junior brother in the future!"

Seeming very afraid that Zhang Nuo would lose this opportunity, Gao Dakuan tried his best to persuade Lin Fan.

"I have also thought about this problem. Although I have no confidence in you all obtaining the position of Chief Disciple, it is still good to spar with fellow disciples. I only have you four under my tutelage, and naturally, I do not want to give up such an opportunity, but Nuo Er..."

Lin Fan did not finish his sentence, his drunken, hazy eyes looking at the young disciple before him.

Zhang Nuo lowered his head, not daring to meet Lin Fan's gaze. He had heard Gao Dakuan talk about the Chief Disciple Assembly before; it was specially established by the sect to better cultivate disciples with outstanding aptitude. Once one could obtain the title of Chief Disciple, the sect would give the best resources to that disciple, and at the same time, the Sect Master and the three Elders would teach them more carefully; in this way, it would be hard for their cultivation speed not to be fast.

Because of the rules of the Chief Disciple Assembly, only disciples at the Sixth Layer of the Qi Refining Stage or higher could participate. The reason was simple: only upon reaching the Sixth Layer of the Qi Refining Stage could one control a Magic Treasure. If one had not reached the Sixth Layer, one could not even control a Magic Treasure, so how could one fight?

Likewise, disciples at the Foundation Establishment Stage could also participate. Although it was said that disciples at the Qi Refining Stage had no chance of winning against disciples at the Foundation Establishment Stage, being able to trade a few blows with an expert was still highly beneficial.

Therefore, the various Elders of the Divine Sword Sect had all registered their disciples, but Lin Fan's branch was very special. He only had four disciples, and the youngest one was only at the Third Layer of the Qi Refining Stage. As for whether Zhang Nuo could reach the Sixth Layer of the Qi Refining Stage in five years, he did not know, but if he missed this opportunity because of that, he would be unwilling.

"Master, register me! Even if I have to risk my life, I will cultivate to the Sixth Layer within five years!"

Zhang Nuo, who had been keeping his head down in silence, suddenly raised his head. Two rays of sharp light flashed within his dejected eyes, and for a moment, he was even filled with soaring heroic spirit.

Gao Dakuan and Lin Fan were both startled; they had not expected that Zhang Nuo, who was usually reticent, possessed such ambition. At this time, Gao Dakuan also pleaded for Zhang Nuo, saying:

"Master, just register the youngest junior brother! He has been under your tutelage for so many years, and this is the first time he has been like this!"

Lin Fan remained silent and picked up the wine gourd to take a few more gulps. At this moment, his face was already flushed red, but his mind was extremely clear.

"Da Kuan, you know that according to the rules of the Chief Disciple Assembly, if we register a disciple who does not meet the requirements now, and if they have not reached the requirements after five years, the sect has the power to remove the disciple with the highest cultivation from this branch."

Gao Dakuan also fell silent. This rule was set specifically to prevent reckless registration. There were four branches in the Divine Sword Sect: the main branch of the Sect Master Sun Yiyang, and the three branches led by Shi Liang, Xiao Jingxuan, and Lin Fan. If the list for the Chief Disciple Assembly was submitted now, the Sect Master and the three Elders would group them according to the situation. Once the grouping was completed, the entire battle situation would be set. If someone were absent, it would affect the overall changes, and some might even use this point to cheat; this was the reason why such a rule existed.

Among these four branches, only Lin Fan had the fewest disciples. If Zhang Nuo did not reach the Sixth Layer of the Qi Refining Stage within five years, then the Divine Sword Sect would have the power to strip Gao Dakuan of his qualification! In this way, Lin Fan's branch would have two fewer people participating.

When Zhang Nuo also understood this point, his previous heroic spirit vanished instantly. If it were only himself, he could accept any punishment, but now it implicated Gao Dakuan, and he could not help but feel a bit unbearable!

"Don't worry, Master. I believe the youngest junior brother can definitely do it. Just register him!"

A simple, honest laugh suddenly rang out. Gao Dakuan scratched his head and said with an indifferent look.

Lin Fan knew that he was born kind and honest, and rarely cared about personal gains or losses. This was also the reason why he had taken him as a disciple in the first place. Lin Fan was a man who loved wine as much as his own life and rarely managed affairs between his disciples; if he had taken in a disciple with impure motives, he would not have liked the sight of it. Therefore, although these disciples had slightly poor aptitude, their hearts were quite good.

Zhang Nuo's eyes instantly became moist. Ever since his parents died, he had never felt the taste of being cared for. Now, Gao Dakuan was more like his older brother; for his sake, he was even willing to sacrifice the qualification for the once-in-a-century Chief Disciple Assembly.

"Senior Brother! Within five years, I will definitely cultivate to the Sixth Layer, no matter what price I have to pay!"

"Good! Since that is the case, I will register all four of your names!"

Lin Fan took a large gulp of wine and then set the wine gourd down heavily, his face showing extreme approval. This spirit of unity was not something every branch possessed! For the sake of Zhang Nuo's confidence, and for the sake of Gao Dakuan's magnanimity, he would register Zhang Nuo no matter what!