Chapter 3: The Personal Disciple

"I refuse."

As soon as Jiang Ning spoke these words, the outer court disciple standing atop the stone dais was rendered speechless for a moment.

Clearly, he had not anticipated such an outcome.

"Damn... Why did he have to pick me again?" Jiang Ning was at a loss. He refused so decisively that the commotion in the crowd abruptly ceased.

Everyone was surprised.

"This guy is really straightforward..."

Those who already had opinions about Jiang Ning suddenly found themselves at a loss for words.

"Hmph."

Most of the inner sect disciples looked on with disdain, many having already expected Jiang Ning to respond this way.

Wang Shuo was one of them.

He looked across at Jiang Ning, his eyes filled with scorn.

He had challenged Jiang Ning countless times before, and Jiang Ning had always refused. The young man had never once accepted a match—he probably hadn’t even stepped into the Spirit Gathering Realm. So deathly afraid of dueling, eager to avoid it at all costs, he had not a trace of a strong man’s heart.

"Why did that outer court brat challenge such a coward?"

The people around Wang Shuo were a bit puzzled as well.

"He probably offended someone again. Other than his looks, he’s good for nothing," Wang Shuo said indifferently.

"Exactly. If you’re weak, even if you haven’t offended anyone, anyone seeking a dazzling victory would choose this coward as their opponent," someone immediately agreed.

On the other side, a young man in the Idle Cloud Sect’s robes stood out, his bearing somewhat ethereal, different from the others. He stood behind Jiang Ning, his gaze drifting past Li Qiaochan, who stood beside Jiang Ning, then resting once more on Jiang Ning himself, as if deep in thought.

"Senior Brother Li Zhenyu, do you also find that guy shameless?" asked an inner sect disciple of Idle Cloud Sect beside him.

This young man was named Li Zhenyu—among the inner sect, he was known as the most enigmatic figure. Since joining the inner sect, he’d only made two moves: once to challenge Senior Sister Lin Qian, and once against Yang Xiangtian. No one knew the outcome of those duels, but after that, Li Zhenyu seemed detached from worldly affairs, never again initiating conflict. The two unrivaled prodigies of Idle Cloud Sect had never gone to provoke him since.

Some speculated their strengths were evenly matched, unable to overcome one another.

Li Zhenyu possessed an unfathomable air, unlike Yang Xiangtian’s cold arrogance and aggression—he exuded a mysterious aura, simply standing there radiating the subtle rhythm of the Dao.

Privately, he was called the Idle Cloud Sect’s reclusive third genius.

"Why is refusing a challenge considered shameless?" Li Zhenyu shook his head. "It’s only right. Stay true to oneself—fight if you wish, refuse if you don’t. I actually admire that."

His companion clicked his tongue, uncertain what to say. Inwardly, though, most found it disagreeable.

Admire him? They really couldn’t see what there was to admire…

But since it was Li Zhenyu who spoke, no one dared object.

"Let’s see what that fellow does next..."

Most were simply waiting to watch the drama unfold, eager to see Jiang Ning make a fool of himself.

The outer court disciple on the stone platform was clearly a troublemaker, determined not to give up until he got his challenge. As expected, after a moment of stunned silence, he spoke again.

"I am Zhang Zebing of the outer court! I request a challenge against Senior Brother Jiang Ning!"

This time, he didn’t look at Jiang Ning, but instead turned his gaze to the grand elder of Idle Cloud Sect, who was seated atop the palace pavilions overseeing the proceedings.

As always, the triennial outer court competition was presided over by the grand elder of Idle Cloud Sect.

Zhang Zebing bowed and clasped his fists. "Grand Elder, according to the established rules, when an outer court disciple issues a challenge, the inner sect seniors must not refuse to face them, correct?"

Many inner sect disciples wore mocking smiles.

It was true; though in previous years, it was rare for someone who hadn’t even entered the inner sect to publicly challenge a senior.

Such challenges were more spectacle than substance—most wouldn’t be so reckless. But indeed, there was a rule: if an outer court disciple openly challenged, the inner sect member could not refuse. The inner sect was stronger by default, so the weaker party proposing a duel was not to be shunned.

"That is correct," the grand elder affirmed, casting a deeper look at Zhang Zebing.

"Jiang Ning, you must accept his challenge."

Once again, all eyes turned to Jiang Ning.

"Very well," Jiang Ning nodded.

"He agreed?"

"Isn’t he the eternal coward? Why did he agree today? Has the sun risen in the west?"

"Rules are rules. He had no choice. Finally, something entertaining to witness. That guy probably hasn’t even broken through to the Spirit Gathering Realm. Let’s see how he ends up..."

On ordinary days, Jiang Ning’s face alone attracted the attention of countless senior and junior sisters, leaving others to look on helplessly.

"Let him embarrass himself for once. Maybe then people will realize looks are all he has."

Many couldn’t wait for the show.

Jiang Ning slowly descended the steps toward the stone platform.

"Damn it!" he cursed inwardly.

"Why challenge me? If I really fought, none of you could take me."

"It’s definitely jealousy, yes—jealousy!"

"Seems making myself this handsome was a mistake, a curse..."

He kept cursing to himself.

Usually, he was cautious to the extreme, never daring to act, even more so today with the headmaster and elders present.

"Those old men gesturing at me earlier are up to something. I absolutely can’t make a move!"

Resolute in his decision, he walked as slowly as possible, dragging his feet.

"I haven’t eaten—can I eat something first?" he asked aloud.

There was a stunned silence, even the grand elder was taken aback.

"I could strangle that kid. Unbearable," a chorus of people muttered in exasperation.

"Forget it, let’s just get this over with..."

Seeing no one reply, Jiang Ning stepped onto the platform. Zhang Zebing looked at him with a cold sneer.

"Today, I’ll show the girl I like that strength is the only true asset!"

Jiang Ning’s face darkened. "Ridiculous," he thought. "What a nonsensical reason for a challenge."

Zhang Zebing raised his heavy sword, ready for combat.

All eyes were fixed on the center of the platform.

"Finally, we get to see this guy fall flat!"

The inner sect disciples could hardly contain their excitement, holding their breaths in anticipation of the spectacle to come.

"He’s moving!"

"It’s starting!"

Even Li Qiaochan’s eyes flickered as she stared at Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning did indeed move.

He slowly raised his right hand.

Zhang Zebing tensed, wary—after all, Jiang Ning was an inner sect disciple; who knew what hidden skills he possessed?

But in the next instant—

Jiang Ning spoke: "Um..."

"I concede."

"What the—"

The crowd nearly fainted from exasperation.

Li Qiaochan was speechless, momentarily at a loss.

"He conceded just like that?"

"Damn it, don’t hold me back—I’ll go challenge that guy myself!"

As the uproar grew, Jiang Ning could only sigh inwardly.

"What’s the point of fighting!"

Rule number three: never reveal yourself unless absolutely necessary.

In a situation like this, there was nothing worth fighting for. He could end it in a single move, but the reason for the challenge was meaningless. There was no deep-seated grudge...

He would never risk exposing his true nature, however slim the chance. Any risk was too much.

"You—"

Zhang Zebing was left speechless, at a total loss.

"Violence solves nothing. We’re all fellow disciples now; we ought to live in harmony," Jiang Ning babbled nonsense.

Everyone was left speechless, itching to strangle him.

"Those without strength never dare to act," Wang Shuo sneered. "Soon enough, you’ll see—hiding forever can’t conceal the fact that you’re a useless coward."

Yet in Li Zhenyu’s eyes, there flashed a hint of surprise, soon replaced by calm. He even seemed to look on Jiang Ning with a trace of admiration...

The grand elder, standing high in the palace, observed the scene, giving Jiang Ning a lingering look and a slight nod.

"Very well. The match goes to Zhang Zebing of the outer court!"

"Next, I shall announce the list of those advancing from the outer court to the inner sect in this year’s competition..."

Jiang Ning didn’t look back, striding off the platform.

"Damn, I have a bad feeling about this. I’d better slip away while I can..."

His heart was pounding, more so than ever before.

As he passed through the crowd, he overheard the outer court junior sisters talking.

"So handsome..."

"Truly, those with real strength never fight lightly. He must be hiding his power."

"I’ll make sure to join the inner sect next time!"

"Look, it’s Senior Brother Jiang Ning!"

Noticing the attention, Jiang Ning made a hasty retreat, like a wolf with its tail between its legs.

"Truly, if you’re good-looking, no matter what you do, people think you’re making the right choice," he reflected.

"Ah... Beauty is nothing but a curse," he sighed.

Taking advantage of the distraction as the grand elder announced the names, Jiang Ning intended to sneak away.

"Today is not only the day for outer court disciples to advance, but also the day our sect master chooses a personal disciple!"

The grand elder, having finished the list, made this announcement.

Everyone’s gaze turned to the very top of the palace pavilions—to the Idle Cloud Sect’s leader, Sect Master Yang Yunyan.

"Who else could become the personal disciple? It must be Senior Sister Lin Qian, or Senior Brother Yang Xiangtian."

"Not necessarily. You’re forgetting Senior Brother Li Zhenyu."

Indeed, among the inner sect disciples, Li Zhenyu was the most mysterious; no one knew his true strength, and he was a prime candidate for sole personal disciple.

"It should be Senior Brother Yang Xiangtian. He’s comprehended the natural Dao, and he’s the sect master’s own son," someone else remarked.

Amidst the murmurs, the sect master, standing atop the palace, slowly opened his eyes.

Each step he took was profound and mysterious, as if he trod upon the traces of the Dao itself; though he bore no visible power, heaven and earth seemed to part before him. This was a manifestation of the ninth realm of the Divine Repository—a wondrous supernatural power.

"Today, the one who shall become my personal disciple..."

At this moment, Jiang Ning cared nothing for such matters.

He realized the crowd was too dense; pushing through would cause a stir. Keeping his head down, he tried to slip quietly away.

"...Inner sect disciple, Jiang Ning."

Before he could register what was happening, a supreme radiance enveloped him. He felt a binding force seize him, drawing him uncontrollably toward the very pinnacle of the palace.

"What in the world?"

Looking down, he saw all the outer court disciples and inner sect seniors staring at him.

Everyone was as dumbfounded as Jiang Ning.

"It’s... him?!!"

After a moment, someone finally reacted.

A great uproar erupted!