Chapter 2: Old Devil (2) (2/2)
Unwilling as they may be, the elders had to follow the rules given to them by the patriarch. Even if the Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect has fallen, their lineage was still that of an Immortal Emperor’s. Thus, they could not dishonor the reputation left behind by their ancestor.
Ultimately, the elders issued a command: “Bring out the Truth Mirror.”
The Truth Mirror shone on Li Qiye’s body. Any mortal who wanted to join a sect for cultivation purposes had to be judged by this type of mirror. It tested for one’s physique, life wheel, and fate palace.
Within the mirror, Li Qiye’s reflection appeared. It was a hazy, unstable shadow that seemed as if it would disappear at a moment’s notice. Behind this reflection’s head, an illusive blood halo appeared, and above this halo was a dim light — both were extremely feeble.
“A mortal physique, a mortal life wheel, and his destiny shows that he has a mortal fate palace.” The disciple reported the Truth Mirror’s findings on Li Qiye’s innate talents and physical condition.
Every person had a physique, life wheel, and fate palace. The physique directly affected one’s physical strength, the life wheel indicated one’s longevity, and the fate palace showed one’s innate talent for cultivation.
Li Qiye’s mortal physique, mortal life wheel, and mortal fate palace silenced the elders. He was the most average of men; the sect could go outside and grab any commoner from the streets and they would also have the same talents.
“If you want to become the prime disciple of the Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect, then forget about King and Saint Physiques, at the very least, you would need to have a Xiantian Physique. Your life wheel also has to be around the same level. Your abilities are not fit for this position.” The first elder directly rejected Li Qiye.
“I am aware of my talents.” Li Qiye didn’t want to think too much of it and casually spoke: “But I still want to be the prime disciple.”
“You…” The elders were extremely aggravated by these words. This person was not qualified to even become a normal disciple, let alone the prime disciple! This was one of the most unreasonable requests they had ever heard.
“I trust that the descendants of the Immortal Emperor would neither go back on their words nor violate the ancestral rule and bring shame to the sect and lineage.” Li Qiye played around with the order in his hand and slowly continued: “If this order were to fall into another’s hands, the result would be unimaginable.”
Hearing this, the expressions of the six elders froze. The first elder gazed at him and coldly retorted: “Even if such a thing happened, anyone who wants to become the prime disciple of our sect has to be tested in all aspects. This ranges from their origin to their background as well as their innate talents. After all, the sect will not allow an unqualified candidate to take the position.”
“That is your problem.” Li Qiye stared at the six elders and said: “If you think another sect sent me to steal your Immortal Emperor’s heritage, then let me tell you that I would not need to become the prime disciple. Due to this virtuous order, I can just ask for them; there would be no need to bother becoming the prime disciple. You should know this better than myself! If I wanted to harm the sect, it would not be a difficult feat with the power of this order.”
Li Qiye’s words made the elders glance at each other. Even though they were a bit ambivalent, they didn’t entirely trust Li Qiye.
“He is not exactly without reason.” Elder Cao, one of the six elders, slowly responded: “If the order keeps on wandering around outside, wouldn’t that be a hidden danger to us? We cannot refuse anyone with the order, so we might as well accept his request.”
The first elder coldly replied: “Hmph… This matter cannot be taken lightly!”
Another elder mused: “From the past till now, the prime disciple has always been the disciple directly under the sect master. Whether we accept his request or not, either way, we must first ask for the sect master’s opinion regarding this decision, then make the choice afterward.”
“This makes sense. In the end, the prime disciple would be the direct disciple of the sect master.” The remaining elders agreed.
After the six elders finished debating, the first elder immediately commanded: “Send a letter to the sect master.”
The letter was quickly sent to Sect Master Su Yonghuang, and the six elders received a reply very quickly. To their surprise, the reply was that the sect master had actually allowed for Li Qiye to become the prime disciple.
The first elder read the letter three times and confirmed that he didn’t misread, so he angrily yelled: “Truly unbelievable! The sect master is being too ras.h.!.+”
Elder Cao persuaded with words: “Brother Gu, if the sect master has agreed, then why are we still debating? In the end, the prime disciple is still the direct disciple of the sect master, so the choice is in the sect master’s hands.”
“The sect master is being too rash, ah!” Another elder shook his head and sighed.
Elder Cao forcefully smiled: “So be it, we have no other choice. Ultimately, if we can recover the order, then we will have done a great service to the sect.”