The Sect Leader's Bizarre Recruitment Chapter 296: The Holy Maiden Requests to be a Taoist Apprentice! San Ye and the Peach Blossom Sword - Novel Cool

Chapter 296: The Holy Maiden Requests to be a Taoist Apprentice! San Ye and the Peach Blossom Sword

Chapter 296: The Holy Maiden Requests to be a Taoist Apprentice! San Ye and the Peach Blossom Sword God (Part 1)

We truly deserve to die!

They sank into deep self-reproach.

Suddenly...

Thump! An inner sect disciple knelt on the ground, overwhelmed with shame, and said, "Elder Lu is right, we were blinded by jealousy and didn't even bother to think and analyze the situation. We truly deserve this..."

"Please punish us, Elder Lu."

"We won't make any excuses. If we dare to frown, we don't deserve to be disciples of the Moonlight Sect!"

"Please punish us, Elder Lu."

The sound of thumping continued.

In almost an instant, a large group of inner sect disciples had knelt down.

And they all begged for punishment.

"Hmph!"

Before Lu Ming could speak, his assistant, Wen Ruyan, let out a cold huff, "Are you all just stupid? Stupid, brainless, and envious..."

"Indeed, we deserve to be punished!"

"Elder Lu, please don't be too lenient with them. You must give them a severe punishment."

"Otherwise, others will follow their example, and won't our sect fall into chaos?"

Elder Chen sighed helplessly.

Lu Ming nodded, "They should be punished."

"And it should indeed be a severe punishment!"

Upon hearing this, the inner sect disciples grimaced.

However, they didn't complain.

How could they complain when they had made a mistake without thinking and were at fault?

If they did, wouldn't they be making one mistake after another, compounding their error? But...

A severe punishment! They grimaced, each guessing what the punishment might be.

"If it's a severe punishment... it will surely be heavy, right?"

"You... hey, you're truly a genius."

"Maybe it's Reflection Cliff?"

"Or cleaning the toilets?"

"At the very least, it'll be going out to slay demons and collect materials for the sect, right?"

"..."

As they pondered, Lu Ming spoke again, "Your punishment is..."

Thud.

Everyone stared at him, awaiting the verdict.

"Your punishment is to all enter secluded cultivation for a year. If anyone violates this, in the future, even if I refine an elixir, they won't get a share!"

"Ah?!" Wen Ruyan was astonished.

Many of the inner sect disciples, who had thought they were doomed, looked up in disbelief.

Elder Chen stared at Lu Ming, for a long time.

His gaze was profound.

"Elder Lu, are you sure...?"

"Did you make a mistake?"

"It's Reflection Cliff, not secluded cultivation," someone whispered.

"No mistake," Lu Ming slowly shook his head. "Reflection Cliff is indeed harsh, but are the conditions suitable for cultivation?"

"You are all the geniuses of our Moonlight Sect, and our future."

"Only when you become stronger will our Moonlight Sect become more prosperous!"

"Each generation has its mission. Your mission now is to strive to become stronger. When the sect needs you, you must contribute!"

"Moreover, most of you are young. Young people have high spirits and find it hard to calm down for secluded cultivation. A year of secluded cultivation is already a heavy punishment."

"Do any of you disagree?"

Everyone was stunned.

They shook their heads in unison, like waves in a drum.

Their brains were almost shaken into a uniform consistency! How dare they disagree? Perhaps their brains were waterlogged! If they dared to disagree, we would be the first to object.

Moreover, how is this a severe punishment?

This is not even a light punishment, let alone a punishment at all!

This is clearly a favor for us!

A year of secluded cultivation...

For some cultivators, a year is a long time, but for most, half of that time is 'wasted' on trivial matters.

Or delayed by mundane tasks.

Or burdened by sect missions...

A year of uninterrupted cultivation is already considered good.

But Lu Ming's 'punishment' allows everyone to cultivate without discrimination and even frees them from sect missions...

Is someone dissatisfied?

And there's Lu Ming's 'command'! It was Elder Lu who told us to enter secluded cultivation. Could your words carry more weight than Elder Lu's?

How is this a severe punishment?

This is clearly a favor Elder Lu is giving us! But...

We clearly acted foolishly!

Not only did we doubt the sect and Elder Lu's fairness, but we also harmed our fellow disciples and almost caused a disaster! Yet, Elder Lu spoke of a severe punishment, but in reality, he is giving us such a favor...

We feel unworthy of this!

They almost lost their ability to speak, overwhelmed by intense shame, and nearly collapsed.

"Sigh."

Lu Ming sighed softly, shook his head slowly, and muttered, "The palm and the back of the hand are both flesh."

"We are all inner sect disciples, the future pillars of our sect. How could we, the sect's higher-ups, treat some lightly and others harshly?"

"But... for now, the conditions don't allow it, so we can only let some people 'get moving' first."

"You will all get your turn."

"Scolding you, punishing you?"

He smiled helplessly and turned to leave.

Only a soft murmur remained, carried away by the wind.

"No one would think I'd do this, right?"

"The punishment is on you, but the pain is in my heart."

These words, meant to be spoken to himself, were indeed very soft.

But everyone present was a cultivator above the Sixth Realm. Their hearing was excellent, and they heard every word clearly.

Upon hearing this...

The disciples were overwhelmed with shame.

Smack! Many cultivators immediately slapped themselves, "I truly deserve to die!"

"I actually doubted Elder Lu's fairness???"

"I'm such a pig-headed fool!"

"I'm so stupid, I want to kill myself. How could I be so reckless?"

I'm such a fool!"

Some people suddenly stood up and said, "I won't say anything else. I'm going into secluded cultivation right now!"

"If I don't cultivate diligently for a year, I swear I won't come out!"

"Just cultivating? Hmph!" His arch-enemy spoke up coldly, "Not only will I cultivate for a year, but I will definitely make progress and show improvement. Otherwise, I'd be letting down Elder Lu's painstaking efforts, and I wouldn't even be able to forgive myself!"

"Do you think only you feel this way? We feel the same!"

"Let's give it our all!"

"If I don't cultivate to a certain level and can't contribute to the sect in the future, I won't be able to die with my eyes closed! I won't even have the face to see Elder Lu again!"

"..."

Self-blame, regret, shame...

Combined with Lu Ming's fairness, justice, kindness, and his good treatment of them...

These emotions piled up, almost crushing them completely.

At the same time, they gradually began to resemble Lu Ming...

Being scolded?

Being mocked? Being ridiculed to the point of having no skin left? It's because Elder Lu cares about us, he's educating us! Who told us to be such fools?

Elder Lu's actions show that he hates the iron for not becoming steel, he cares about our performance! Didn't you hear what he said? Both palms and back are flesh, it's just that we're limited by the current conditions, so he's temporarily treating us differently!

If it were an ordinary person, an outsider, would Elder Lu even care? Would he scold them?

Others wouldn't even bother to give them a glance!

Scolding you is a sign of respect.

Ridiculing you, mocking you, is a sign of importance.

Otherwise... who the hell cares about you?

...

"Elder Lu... is so powerful!"

On their way back, Wen Ruyan couldn't help but praise, "With just a few words, he resolved the conflict, making them feel ashamed and further igniting their passion for cultivation."

"Moreover, Elder Lu truly cares for our Moon Embrace Sect..."

"He's so good, there's no way to describe it."

"As a small Holy Maiden, I should follow Elder Lu and learn from him."

"To be honest, Elder Lu..."

"Let me stay by your side from now on."

Lu Ming chuckled, "Haven't you been following me all along? You've practically moved to my doorstep."

"No, what I mean is..."

Wen Ruyan spoke frankly, "I want to be Elder Lu's Taoist apprentice, always by his side, ready to serve him. I'm very obedient, and I'll do whatever he asks."

"This..."

Lu Ming shook his head, "It's not appropriate!"

"You are the Holy Maiden of our Moon Embrace Sect, representing the dignity of our entire sect."

"How can you be a Taoist apprentice to a mere guest elder like me? It's not appropriate, not at all."

"Don't mention this again, or else... I'll personally go to the Sect Master and tell him about this, and ask him to punish you!"

"..."

Upon hearing these words, Wen Ruyan's face turned pale.

If her master found out about this, and ordered her to stay away from Elder Lu, what should she do?

But soon, she realized something.

That's not right!

Her master cared for her the most!

And Elder Lu dedicated himself to the sect, working tirelessly until his death.

With such a person, what's wrong with being his Taoist apprentice?

Her master would surely support her, right? Yes!

She would go and seek her master's approval for this matter.

Hmph, hmph, hmph.

Once her master agrees, what's there to fear from Elder Lu's refusal?

Given Elder Lu's dedication to the sect, even if he wanted to refuse, he'd still accept, right?

Like this...

Even if it's a bit calculating, but in order to always stay by Elder Lu's side, oh well, I don't care!

As long as I can always be by Elder Lu's side, I'm willing to do anything!!!

...

Outer Sect.

Su Lie and the others brought back the news and explained Elder Lu's attitude.

Many of the outer sect disciples who had lost hope suddenly lit up with joy.

The outer sect, which was once filled with gloom and despair, instantly became vibrant with energy, their shouts echoing through the air.

"Ahhhhhhhh!"

They screamed in excitement, expressing their happiness.

"This is great!"

"And we get to take elixir!"

"Moreover... Elder Lu actually values us so much, values us 'useless' people? This... this is truly..."

"Who's useless?"

Su Lie let out a cold huff, "Whoever keeps putting themselves down, I won't hold back!"

"Those who don't believe in themselves aren't worth the effort!"

"If you don't believe in yourself, if you think you're useless, how can you take big steps forward, how can you grow, and how can you help Elder Lu in the future?"

"We're not useless!"

"Oops, my mistake, my mistake."

"We're not useless!"

"We are also the pride of our parents and Elder Lu..."

"Let's give it our all!"

"If I don't make progress in my cultivation, I'll take my own life!"

"..."

The outer sect disciples' passion for cultivation and gratitude towards Lu Ming reached its peak!

And at this very moment...

An outer sect overseer rushed over, his face pale, and said, "Damn it!"

"Su Lie, what exactly did you say to Elder Lu?"

"Elder Chen from the Inner Sect sent a message. Elder Lu, because of you all, because he wanted to vent his anger for you, not only scolded the Inner Sect disciples, but also Elder Chen and his Dao partner, leaving them speechless."

"You..."

"Oh no!"

"What should we do?"

"This is a huge problem!"

The overseer was in a panic.

Su Lie and the others froze in their tracks, and the entire scene fell silent.

"What?!"

"Elder Lu, for our sake, actually caused a ruckus within the sect, just to vent his anger on our behalf?!"

"Is Elder Lu okay?"

"Overseer, go help Elder Lu quickly!"

"What are you thinking?!"

The overseer was helpless, "Me, help Elder Lu? How am I qualified?"

"And Elder Lu is in trouble..."

"How could Elder Lu possibly be in trouble?"

Chapter: The Elder's Dilemma

"How dare they! Those Inner Sect Elders are either foolish or insane to target Elder Lu!"

"It's just..."

"Elder Lu has done so much for you all, and now he risks falling out with the Inner Sect. This could backfire, and it might not be worth it."

The Outer Sect disciples were instantly moved to tears.

"We... We are truly grateful, but why would Elder Lu value us so highly and stand up for us like this?!"

"Huff..."

Su Lie exhaled and spoke sternly, "It's worth it!!!"

"Elder Lu's actions are commendable! We will strive in our cultivation, taking big strides forward without limit!"

"In the future, we will prove to the Inner Sect that we Outer Sect disciples can also hold up the sky!"

"We... we will not let Elder Lu down, right?!"

"Roar!!!"

The Outer Sect disciples roared in unison, their voices so loud that even the auspicious clouds in the sky scattered.

Most of the Outer Sect disciples felt deep admiration and gratitude towards Lu Ming, and their respect for him reached its peak.

This was truly overwhelming!

...

"Nonsense!"

When Elder Chen reported the matter to Ji Haoyue, she furrowed her brows, "Elder Chen, how are you managing the Inner Sect?"

"How can you let those young ones run amok?"

"And even involving Elder Lu?"

"How are you fulfilling your role as an Inner Sect Elder?"

"It's not just about what happened, but also about not addressing it promptly. You're making Elder Lu work hard and clean up your mess. I'm embarrassed for you."

"Can you still fulfill your role as an Elder? If not, step down, there are plenty of others who can take your place!"

Elder Chen was dumbfounded.

Damn...

How did this fire end up burning my own head?

But he knew he was at fault, so he didn't dare to argue, only saying, "Indeed, I was negligent. I should've intervened earlier, which led to the subsequent events. I can't shirk responsibility for this."

"However, please rest assured, Sect Master, that such incidents will never happen again. Otherwise, I'll accept any punishment you deem fit!"

"Hmph!"

"That's best," Ji Haoyue coldly responded.

She was quite dissatisfied.

"It's all thanks to Elder Lu."

The Grand Elder exclaimed, "Elder Lu's methods truly astonish me."

"For the Inner and Outer Sects to have such a major conflict, one mishandled could lead to disloyalty and mutual animosity. But Elder Lu turned it around, even inspiring these young ones' competitive spirit..."

"Having Elder Lu is indeed a blessing for our sect."

"Naturally," Ji Haoyue nodded and added, "But for such a minor matter, Elder Lu had to step in. Are you trying to work him to death?"

"It's only because Elder Lu is capable and has the means. Otherwise, he'd be overwhelmed."

"Even after personally funding and working tirelessly to refine elixir for our sect, he's still resented by many..."

"What kind of situation is this?!"

"My Hao Yue Sect is not a place for such incompetence!"

"This matter must be properly addressed and future problems prevented!"

"At the same time, if similar incidents occur again, I, as the Sect Master, will not let any responsible party off the hook!"

She glared at Elder Chen, then said, "Leave now!"

Elder Chen wanted to speak but stopped.

In truth, he wanted to say that Elder Lu might be trying to win over the disciples.

But after a moment's thought, he realized that neither the Sect Master nor the other Elders were fools. How could they not notice?

The fact that they noticed but didn't intervene meant they didn't care.

If he brought it up, he might be seen as having a petty mind, and if Elder Lu found out...

...Well, he'd better keep quiet.

The meeting was coming to an end.

Wen Ruyan tiptoed into the conference hall, and Ji Haoyue immediately spotted her, letting out a smile filled with exasperation, "Ruyan!"

"What are you sneaking around for?!"

"Master," Wen Ruyan replied.

Seeing so many high-ranking sect members, Wen Ruyan smiled awkwardly, "I just wanted to ask Master for a favor."

"Oh?"

Ji Haoyue nodded slightly, then turned to the other elders, "Remember what I just said?"

After receiving their affirmations, she waved for them to leave and then looked at Wen Ruyan, smiling, "Go ahead, what is it?

(End of Chapter)

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