The Sect Leader's Bizarre Recruitment Chapter 295: A Series of Events, Turning the Moonlight Sect into Lu Ming's Image (Part 1) - Novel Cool

Chapter 295: A Series of Events, Turning the Moonlight Sect into Lu Ming's Image (Part 1)

Chapter 295: A Series of Events, Turning the Moonlight Sect into Lu Ming's Image (Part 1)

As time passed, the 'Anomaly' within the Moonlight Sect gradually subsided.

The disciples' gratitude towards Lu Ming remained and grew stronger by the day.

But...

This gratitude couldn't be expressed every day, nor could it constantly be on their lips, right?

What would that look like?

Moreover, the elixirs were too potent, and they still needed to work hard on their cultivation.

Wen Ruyan decided to stay right at Lu Ming's doorstep, and no amount of urging could make her leave.

But...

There was a group of people who gradually became dissatisfied.

However, the object of their dissatisfaction wasn't Lu Ming, but rather the lower-middle rank disciples. And the group expressing discontent was the upper-middle rank disciples.

Most of them were inner sect disciples, core disciples, and personal disciples of the overseers and elders.

Especially those inner sect disciples who were ranked higher, with cultivation levels already at the Sixth Realm and above.

Their status within the sect was originally quite good, their talents were considered above average, and they were living a very comfortable life.

But now...

The lower-middle rank disciples started taking elixirs, and their cultivation soared like they had found a cheat code. They were quickly catching up and even threatening their own progress!

Even if they couldn't surpass them now, it was only a matter of time.

Even if they couldn't surpass them... seeing the gap between their original 'useless' selves and themselves getting smaller and smaller, they still felt discontent.

"Hmph, they're just a bunch of useless people, do they really think they can turn the world upside down?"

"It's because of their existence that Elder Lu doesn't have time or energy to refine elixirs for us!"

"That's natural, there are more of these useless people than us. If not for them, wouldn't these elixirs be ours?"

"They... are really asking for a beating!"

Some even wanted to say that they deserved to die.

But considering the sect's harmony, they ultimately didn't dare to say those words.

"This can't go on any longer!"

Someone whispered, "If this continues, our positions will be replaced by those useless people."

"But this is the sect's decision, and we can't make Elder Lu unhappy."

"However..."

"Dealing with those useless people should be easy, right?"

"You're an idiot, aren't you?"

"I mean, we, the people here, will suppress our cultivation and fight those useless people at the same level! They've been breaking through frequently and their confidence has grown, haven't they?"

"When we challenge them, they will surely not refuse."

"Then, we will use our own strength to defeat them, and let the higher-ups know who is the most important in the sect, who is the core of the sect, and who should be the focus of cultivation."

"As long as the sect knows they are useless, the focus of cultivation, and the elixirs... will naturally shift to us~!"

"Brilliant!"

"This is how it should be!"

"..."

...

The next day.

Inside the Moonlight Sect, conflict erupted.

The Sixth Realm disciples started picking fights.

Of course, they wouldn't be so foolish as to openly admit it, so they picked various reasons to express their dissatisfaction.

At this moment, they didn't care if their provocations were clumsy, as long as they could fight, anything was fine.

Facing these clumsy provocations, the disciples who had recently obtained elixirs and were experiencing a rapid increase in cultivation naturally wouldn't let it slide.

Previously, even their cultivation speed was so slow that it made others shake their heads.

But now, with elixirs in hand...

They suddenly realized that they too had the potential to become a generation of Heaven's Pride! With this realization, what was there to fear? Especially when fighting at the same level? If they didn't dare to take this step, if they didn't have this courage, what was the point of cultivating?

"..."

However, among them were some sensible people who, after some thought, understood that these senior brothers and sisters were picking fights. Therefore, they were not afraid.

"You're picking a fight, aren't you?"

"Are you afraid of us?"

"Even if I'm defeated, there are countless others like me!"

"Let's fight on the arena, suppressing our cultivation levels for a fair battle!"

Filled with rage and an imposing manner, they were already in high spirits before the overseers could react.

At this moment, even they couldn't stop them.

Fortunately, there were no incidents of bloodshed or loss of life, so they weren't too worried, only observing.

Soon, the many arenas within the Moonlight Sect, where disciples could spar and relax, were already crowded.

And there was still a long queue.

Then...

It was time for 'sparring'!

The disciples who had recently obtained elixirs were excited and eager to prove themselves.

But the imagination was rich, and reality was stark.

They were soon bullied... except for a few who could 'counter-kill', most of them were brutally defeated.

Beaten to the point where they couldn't even lift their heads.

"This...?"

They were filled with bitterness, feeling especially helpless.

"Our recent breakthroughs were clearly very encouraging, but why are we so inferior when fighting senior brothers and sisters at the same level?"

"Is it a matter of accumulation?"

"Or is it..."

"Talent?"

"Alas! We were too impulsive! We know our own talents best, and recently, we only managed to advance because of the elixirs. We thought we were Heaven's Pride, but it was just an illusion, a deception brought on by our rapid breakthroughs."

"Indeed, upon reflection, we only managed to break through so quickly because of Elder Lu's elixirs. Yet, we foolishly attributed it to our own abilities, acting blindly and unreasonably!"

"This beating and humiliation are well-deserved!"

"Alas!!!"

At this moment, their silence was deafening.

But soon, someone with a bitter expression said, "We were beaten, humiliated, and injured because we were simply outmatched. We can't blame anyone but ourselves."

"But for us, Elder Lu worked so hard, even risking his life. He even paid out of his own pocket to refine elixirs for us, yet we turned out to be so incompetent. This..."

"We feel ashamed!"

"We feel ashamed before Elder Lu."

"We..."

"Don't deserve to have him refine elixirs for us!"

"..."

"That's right."

Everyone's faces changed.

Victory and defeat are common in battle, especially since they were never Heaven's Pride to begin with, nor did they possess an invincible belief. It was natural that they wouldn't fall apart or become desperate after a few losses.

However, what about Elder Lu? How would they explain this to him?

Would he think that his elixirs were given to a bunch of useless people and would rather feed them to dogs? Would he stop providing them with elixirs from now on?

This...

The trouble was huge!

If they hadn't consumed the elixirs, they wouldn't have worried about this.

It's like being able to endure darkness—if you've never seen the light.

But now, they had seen the light, tasted the elixirs, and knew how 'fragrant' they were! To be deprived of them now? That was unbearable.

"I understand!"

One of them slapped his thigh and said angrily, "Damn it! Those inner sect disciples did this on purpose. They're digging a pit for us with such a vicious plan, and they're still our fellow sect members!"

"What do you mean?"

The others didn't understand.

"What do I mean? They're deliberately causing trouble and stirring up trouble!"

"Then, they provoke us, making us unable to hold back and take action."

"Using their superior talents, strength, and rich experience to defeat us, they will completely crush us, leaving us utterly defeated. This not only humiliates us but also makes this matter known to everyone."

"Especially... letting Elder Lu know about this."

"This way, our elixirs may very well be taken away."

"At that time, they can take this opportunity to request Elder Lu's support and have him refine elixirs for them..."

"Good heavens!!!" A boom erupted in the crowd.

"Is it really like that?"

"It must be!"

"It's indeed a vicious plan, and they're still our fellow inner sect disciples. We've never seen them being so formidable outside, but they're experts when it comes to bullying their own sect members?"

"We are lower-middle rank disciples, and just as we catch a glimpse of hope, they want to compete with us and take it away... Are they even human?"

"Sigh, I guess they are human. The path of cultivation is one of defying the heavens. We have to compete with the heavens, the earth, others, and even ourselves. Elder Lu's high-quality elixirs are indeed powerful. If they're only supplied to us lower-middle rank disciples, it's understandable that the upper-middle rank disciples would be envious and want to compete for them."

"Who are you, speaking up for them?!"

"I'm not speaking up for them; I'm just stating a fact. Moreover, since the situation has already occurred, it's better to think of a solution than to curse here."

"Or is there any way to salvage this?"

"..."

Another moment of silence followed.

"How can we salvage this?"

"Do you think we can turn the tables on them? Obviously, we can't. Our strength is insufficient."

"Sigh."

"Indeed, strength is a significant issue. How do we resolve this?"

"Is there really no other way?"

"Do we have to watch them succeed right before our eyes?!"

They couldn't accept it!

They were unwilling and unhappy.

The hope they had just glimpsed!

The flame of hope had just been ignited, and now it was about to be extinguished?

And by their own people?

This was unbearable.

"There's no other way."

An outer sect disciple with considerable influence sighed, "This is their open scheme. They want the sect and Elder Lu to see that their value surpasses ours."

"And at least for now, this is indeed the truth."

"Moreover, their talents are indeed superior to ours."

"Otherwise, we wouldn't be lower-middle rank disciples, and they wouldn't be upper-middle rank."

"So, facing this scheme, we can only passively accept it."

"Our plan now..."

"We can only take the initiative to admit our defeat and incompetence to Elder Lu. Perhaps... in the future, when he becomes even stronger, he might spare a few elixirs for us?"

"This..."

Admitting defeat proactively?

This was too pessimistic and helpless.

But apart from this, it seemed there was no other solution.

"Let's go."

Another influential disciple spoke up, "Admitting defeat proactively at least preserves a shred of dignity. Otherwise... we'd truly be left with nothing."

"All of us together?"

"Of course not. Let's select a few representatives."

"Count me in!" The outer sect first senior brother spoke up, "As the outer sect first senior brother, I can't escape blame for this!"

"But senior brother, you won, didn't you?"

Senior brother Su Lie was one of the few winners among the lower-middle rank disciples.

"What's the point of winning? We stand together in victory and defeat, and this concerns our Outer Sect. Naturally, I can't just stand by and watch."

"Everyone fears losing face, but if we dare to act, we must accept defeat!"

"Therefore, I fear nothing!"

"Who else isn't afraid of losing face? Step forward, and we'll go together to apologize to Elder Lu."

"Brother Senior's words are right, count me in!"

"Me too!"

"Let's go, let's go together!"

"..."

...

Soon, a group of more than thirty people arrived outside Lu Ming's cave mansion.

They were all fired up earlier, but at this moment, they hesitated.

After a long while, Su Lie spoke in a deep voice, "What are you all hesitating for? What kind of attitude is this?"

"Victory is victory, defeat is defeat, and inferiority is inferiority."

"We can accept defeat, but we can't let others laugh at us."

"Follow me!"

He took the lead, seeking an audience with Lu Ming, but was stopped by Wen Ruyan.

"What brings you all here?" Wen Ruyan frowned slightly, inwardly annoyed.

Didn't they know that Elder Lu was very tired and needed rest?

How dare these Outer Sect, lower-middle rank disciples come here?

"Saintess, Your Highness," Su Lie took a deep breath and said with a bow, "We've come to apologize to Elder Lu. Please inform him."

"Apologize?"

Wen Ruyan was taken aback.

...

"Have they arrived?"

Inside the cave mansion, Lu Ming smiled.

Then he said, "Ruyan, let them in."

"Yes, Elder."

Only then did Wen Ruyan lead them inside.

Su Lie and his group felt apprehensive as they followed Wen Ruyan into the cave mansion.

Upon seeing Lu Ming, his face pale and obviously exhausted, they immediately knelt down, their eyes reddening.

"Elder Lu!"

Su Lie prostrated himself fully, choking back tears, "We have failed you."

"We have failed your efforts, and we deserve to die."

"Please punish us."

"Is it really necessary?"

Although Lu Ming knew everything, at this moment... he had to pretend.

Pretend that he didn't know anything.

And he had to act like a good person.

"Get up quickly."

Lu Ming took three steps in two, helping Su Lie and the others to their feet, and then said, "What are you all doing? We are all disciples of the same sect, and the future of our sect."

"What have you done that you would say you deserve to die and ask for punishment?"

"Why should I punish you?"

"This..."

Seeing Lu Ming's reaction, Su Lie and the others felt even more ashamed.

They were about to confess their impending defeat, and then said, "We have wasted Elder Lu's elixir and cultivation, we are all useless... we don't deserve such excellent resources."

"Please, Elder Lu, don't work so hard in the future."

"Even if you gave us such high-quality elixirs, it would be like... like feeding it to dogs."

Su Lie gritted his teeth and spoke harshly, "Please rest well, Elder Lu. In the future, refine elixirs for those who need them more and have greater talent."

"Only then will you not have wasted your efforts, Elder Lu."

"Only then can we truly help our Moonlight Sect become stronger and continue to rise."

"We..."

"We'll take our leave now."

Although they compared themselves to 'dogs'.

But who didn't have a shred of pride in their hearts?

After saying all this, Su Lie almost cried.

He couldn't hold back anymore.

He led the group to leave.

"..."

It was at this moment that Lu Ming's face turned cold.

"Are you leaving now?"

Su Lie was startled, but then he felt relieved.

Did Elder Lu get angry?

Is he going to punish us?

That's good!

After a punishment, we'll feel better in our hearts.

They spoke in unison, "Please punish us, Elder Lu."

Lu Ming let out a cold laugh.

"A mere setback, and you want to give up?"

"It's just a temporary defeat. Can't you accept it when it's a competition among ourselves? Do you want to live or die?"

"If that's the case, you might as well leave now!"

"You all indeed don't deserve to take my elixir."

"You all..."

"Are truly useless!"

Su Lie and the others suddenly raised their heads.

What's this?

It... seems different from what they imagined.

He is scolding them, but... what?

Wen Ruyan's beautiful eyes shimmered with ripples as she looked at Lu Ming with admiration, almost losing herself in his presence.

"If you lose, work hard in cultivation and find a way to win it back!"

"If you're inferior, rack your brains and give it your all to close the gap with your opponent, until there's almost no difference, until you surpass them!"

"Strive!"

"Struggle!"

"Fight!"

"This is the age when you should be giving it your all, but you want to give up and live off others?

(End of Chapter)

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