I Tame Beasts by Feeding

Seeing Yu Changsheng refuse so decisively, it wasn’t just the disciples who were stunned—even the Elders wore looks of disbelief.

Yang Wenhao’s brow twitched. "Kid, you heard us right, didn’t you?" he asked, astonished. "You’re not choosing anyone?"

"In this entire, great Wanxiang Sect, do you have any idea what kind of treatment you’d receive as one of our disciples?"

Take Yang Wenhao, the Peak Master of Overlord Blade Peak, for example. He was a supreme existence among Golden Core cultivators. Becoming his disciple would bring immeasurable benefits to one’s future cultivation path.

And yet, Yu Changsheng had decided to refuse.

"I have thought it through very clearly. Thank you, Peak Masters, for your generous offers!"

Yu Changsheng said, bowing respectfully.

"You’d better think this through. If you join Sword Control Peak, I can guarantee that you’ll reach Foundation Establishment Peak within twenty years. How does that sound?"

Lu Ruikai said this with a slight frown, unwilling to give up so easily.

As the Vice Sect Leader, he also hailed from Sword Control Peak and was a close friend of its Peak Master, Li Jiran. Li Jiran wasn’t present at the moment, either because he was busy with important matters or was simply unaware of the situation. Under these circumstances, it was only natural for him to try and recruit the boy for Sword Control Peak.

’Foundation Establishment Peak within twenty years?’

This offer was enough to make countless onlookers’ eyes burn with envy, their breathing growing ragged. But Yu Changsheng’s heart remained as calm as still water.

He just shook his head, offering an apologetic smile and a cupped-fist salute. "Such an opportunity is truly tempting," he said, "but I have other plans. I’m afraid I must decline..."

Lu Ruikai gave Yu Changsheng a long look, then nodded, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

He turned to the other Elders. "Since the boy is unwilling, we shouldn’t force him. Let’s respect his wishes."

"This..."

The other Golden Core Elders fell silent. There was little resentment; more than anything, they were surprised and confused. They all stared at Yu Changsheng, seemingly lost in thought.

After a moment, Yang Wenhao gave a wry smile. "To think we’d actually be turned down by a junior. I never expected this. I’m so embarrassed I can hardly show my face!"

Mo Pengchen remained silent, not wanting to pressure Yu Changsheng. He just smiled quietly, but then his expression shifted slightly. He looked up toward the horizon, a flicker of suspicion in his eyes.

Mu Chengping nodded. His disappointment was evident, but he maintained his composure and offered Yu Changsheng a gentle smile. "It’s good to have your own plans," he said softly. "A refusal is a refusal. But would you mind telling us your reason?"

"Well..."

Yu Changsheng hesitated. As he looked up, he glanced involuntarily toward the horizon. After a long pause, he said, "Actually... I already have a master in mind."

"Oh? And who might that be?!"

The Elders’ eyes went wide, and the spectating disciples exchanged bewildered glances.

’The Golden Core Elders from every peak are here, along with the Peak Master of Overlord Blade Peak. Yu Changsheng rejected all of them. Who else could he possibly choose?’

’Don’t tell me he’s hoping to become a disciple of a Supreme Elder, a Purple Mansion True Monarch?’

’The Supreme Elders and Purple Mansion True Monarchs stopped taking disciples long ago. Yu Changsheng is talented, sure, but he needs to be realistic!’

The disciples broke into a flurry of discussion. The Elders looked surprised, and Yang Wenhao stared at Yu Changsheng with an expression of utter disbelief.

However, just as Yu Changsheng shook his head, deciding not to say more...

"His master is me. Are you trying to steal my disciple?"

A vast, resonant voice suddenly echoed in everyone’s ears.

The crowd looked to the sky. They had heard the voice before they saw the person. Then, they saw him: a white-haired old man, looking perfectly at ease, approaching slowly with his hands clasped behind his back and a small turtle perched on his shoulder.

The old man had hair as white as a crane’s but the face of a youth, with just a touch of silver at his temples. He wore a simple, gray robe, far from luxurious, giving him the air of a common mortal. Yet, his complexion was ruddy, his aura was immense, and his every movement exuded a sliver of Dao Rhyme.

One moment, the old man was on the horizon; the next, he was standing right before them.

This feat alone made everyone’s pupils contract.

"He’s shrinking the ground to an inch!"

Elder Hai exclaimed. All eyes turned to the old man, sizing him up with silent astonishment. They couldn’t sense the slightest trace of cultivation from him, yet the powerful aura he emanated was undeniable.

This could only mean one thing: the man’s realm and power were beyond their comprehension.

But the moment this man appeared, the expressions on both Yang Wenhao and Lu Ruikai’s faces changed dramatically. Mo Pengchen, the Peak Master of Beast Taming Peak, went even further, bowing respectfully to him.

"Greetings, Elder Wei."

Some of the Golden Core Elders and Guardian Elders didn’t recognize Elder Wei.

But no one present was a fool. Seeing the looks on Yang Wenhao’s and Lu Ruikai’s faces, along with Mo Pengchen’s deferential posture, they knew this old man’s identity was anything but simple.

The other Golden Core Elders exchanged glances and immediately adopted a more humble stance.

"Mm."

Elder Wei nodded slowly, his expression placid. He squinted at Yang Wenhao and Lu Ruikai. "What’s this?" he asked. "Getting restless, were we? Trying to get your hands on my disciple?"

"Elder Wei... are you referring to Yu Changsheng?"

Lu Ruikai was taken aback for a moment before understanding dawned with a sense of relief. He gave a wry smile and a wave of his hand, his gaze on Yu Changsheng now complex as he let out a low sigh.

"This junior wouldn’t dare. I was just wondering what master could possibly have guided such an outstanding genius. It turns out it was you all along, Elder Wei."

Lu Ruikai said respectfully.

Aside from Mo Pengchen and Yang Wenhao, the other Golden Core Elders wore mixed expressions of shock and dawning realization.

’Who is that old man? He even has the Vice Sect Leader calling himself a junior!’

’No wonder Yu Changsheng wouldn’t accept a master. So this is who was backing him?’

’Isn’t that the old man who’s always at the Spirit Beast Garden? What’s going on? He has this kind of status?’

The disciples were completely dumbfounded. A few among them, however, had clearly recognized Elder Wei and wore expressions of sheer disbelief.

Ignoring everyone’s reactions, Elder Wei’s gaze swept past Lu Ruikai as he said impassively:

"I have had my eye on this boy, Yu Changsheng, for a long time. As for taking him as a disciple..."

Elder Wei turned his head. After a moment of thought, he looked at Yu Changsheng with piercing eyes and said:

"Today, many Elders from the Five Peaks of the Wanxiang Sect are gathered, and the Vice Sect Leader is also here. Now that you have ascended to the Inner Sect, I will ask you: Are you willing to enter my tutelage and become my disciple?"

His voice wasn’t loud, but everyone present heard it clearly. They held their breath in unison, all eyes fixed on Yu Changsheng.

Yu Changsheng straightened his sleeves, his expression growing even more respectful. He knelt on the ground and bowed deeply to Elder Wei. "I am willing! Thank you, Master, for accepting me!"

Yu Changsheng didn’t know Elder Wei’s exact identity, but he could guess it was anything but simple. He had hesitated before rejecting the numerous Elders, but ultimately, he had still chosen Elder Wei.

’And now it’s clear Elder Wei’s status is truly extraordinary—even Lu Ruikai is so respectful toward him. For a person like that to personally accept me as a disciple... plus, we were already so close. We didn’t have the title of master and disciple, but we had the substance of it. Isn’t the choice at this moment obvious?’

Elder Wei nodded in satisfaction. The Little Profound Turtle on his shoulder lifted its head as well. He bent down, helped Yu Changsheng to his feet, and said with a kind smile:

"Good, good, good. Since that’s settled, from this day forward, you, Yu Changsheng, are officially my direct disciple. Sect Leader Lu, be a witness for this old man. Let us establish a Heaven and Earth Dao Heart and seal it with a Dao Oath."

Beaming, Elder Wei waved his sleeve, and a cup of steaming tea materialized, floating in the air before him.