https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-45-The-Aftermath-of-Su-Chen-s-Departure/12988658/
Chapter 44: Gu Feng's Criticism
Chapter 44: Gu Feng's Criticism
In the western courtyard of the Tiangang City's side compound, it was already late at night, yet Elder Shang Xuan had summoned Ji Sheng.
Ji Sheng entered with a sullen expression, looking annoyed.
"Grand Elder, even at this late hour, you won't let me have some peace? I've been busy with the martial arts tournament all day, and I should be given some time to rest in the evening, right?"
Hearing these words, Elder Shang Xuan walked over and tapped his head.
"I've been watching for so long, but I haven't seen you doing anything. Are your disciples going around scaring others with their words, causing their opponents to concede, making things easier for you?"
"They didn't have much chance in the tournament to begin with. They were bound to lose, as they were far inferior."
Ji Sheng waved his hand, remaining casual even in front of the Grand Elder.
Hearing this, Elder Shang Xuan sighed helplessly and shook his head.
"I won't argue with you about this. I called you here tonight to talk about Su Chen, that kid.
In recent years, the top performers in the New Disciple Martial Arts Tournament in Tiangang City have all been accepted as direct disciples.
But Su Chen was once a disciple of the Yunyang Sect, and he has a somewhat tarnished reputation.
Taking him as a direct disciple might invite all sorts of gossip.
After some thought, I hope you can take him under your wing.
You've always been dismissive of other disciples' talent and potential, but Su Chen has already emerged victorious in the tournament. Surely his talent is sufficient now?"
Hearing this, Ji Sheng smiled and waved his hand repeatedly.
"We all witnessed Su Chen's performance in today's tournament.
He did win, but his victory was due to his opponents' lack of experience and their overly hasty approach.
His true strength is clearly weaker than Hou Shenfei's.
If Hou Shenfei hadn't exposed his deceptive tactics, he would have lost the match.
There's no point in cultivating such a disciple.
His potential is limited."
Elder Shang Xuan seemed to be getting angry upon hearing these words.
"Every time I ask you to take on a disciple, you make excuses, saying that their talent and potential aren't enough.
What kind of disciple would meet your standards?"
Hearing this, Ji Sheng hesitated for a moment.
"The talent and potential should be at least on par with Fu Jianyun, Gu Feng, and the like.
I don't want to waste my energy on ordinary talents."
Elder Shang Xuan was irritated by these words.
"If it were so easy to find disciples like Fu Jianyun and Gu Feng, Tiangang City would have become the top sect in the Great Zhou by now.
Would the Yunyang Sect, the first sect in Tiangang City, even dare to hope for such disciples?"
"If you're not willing to take him on, then forget it. I believe this disciple, Su Chen, is not ordinary.
He has a tenacious spirit that many disciples lack nowadays.
Others in his situation would have lost their motivation for cultivation, feeling depressed every day.
By overcoming obstacles, Su Chen will go further than many disciples.
Don't regret it later."
After Elder Shang Xuan finished speaking, Ji Sheng still had a smile on his face.
"Grand Elder, please don't try to provoke me. I truly don't want to take on a disciple with such talent and potential.
In my opinion, for a disciple to be worth my guidance, their talent should at least surpass mine.
What's the point of cultivating a disciple who can't surpass their master?"
Elder Shang Xuan waved his hand, no longer wanting to continue the conversation with Ji Sheng.
"In your words, Su Chen has become completely useless.
But he just emerged victorious in the martial arts tournament.
Forget it, go back. Every time I talk to you, it only makes me angry.
If you won't take care of him, I'll protect him!"
Hearing this, Ji Sheng was indeed ready to leave without further delay. Just before departing, he turned back and added,
"Actually, Su Chen isn't completely useless. He has some cleverness and a stubborn streak.
Although everyone knows he seeks credit for others' achievements, he has never admitted it in front of others.
He has a thick skin, and when criticized, he acts as if it doesn't affect him.
Such a disciple will likely have a good future.
However, his talent is indeed somewhat lacking."
As dawn broke, a male disciple rushed into the southern courtyard of Tiangang City.
"Brother, I heard that Su Chen is the top performer in the New Disciple Martial Arts Tournament!"
Seeing Gu Yu's shocked expression, his brother, Gu Feng, unconsciously frowned.
"When something happens, don't rush. Take your time and explain. First, tell me who this Su Chen is."
"Su Chen is the disciple who, during the enrolment ceremony, said he wanted to challenge Liu Xingwan."
"Your brother even told him not to bother Liu Xingwan and to challenge you instead.
Now, he's the champion of the New Disciple Combat Tournament."
Gao Yu seemed to still have some concerns about this.
Upon hearing this, Gu Feng's eyebrows furrowed even more.
"What, do you think he has a chance to beat me?
There's a New Disciple Tournament every year, and there's always a champion. Is that so rare?
Why get worked up over a clown who jumps around?
With his current strength, he can barely block one of my moves."
Gu Feng, the top young powerhouse of Tiangang City, had already reached the Sixth Stage Mountain Furnace Inner Realm. He was unconcerned about the champion of the New Disciple Combat Tournament.
"Gao Yu, as my brother, what you lack is not talent and potential, but the heart of a strong warrior.
Even if we give Su Chen time to catch up, the distance between us will only grow wider, until we can no longer see him.
Why waste your thoughts on him? Look at your second sister; would she pay attention to such things?
Her gaze would be on me, her brother, on Liu Xingwan, and on Fu Jianyun.
Would she focus on some unknown person?"
Gao Yu, after being reprimanded, nodded repeatedly, indicating that he understood.
"By mid-year, the sect should have an assessment tournament. You can go and see for yourself then.
See how foolish it is to pay attention to him."
The weather gradually warmed up.
Near Tiangang City, plants sprouted new buds and unfurled fresh leaves.
The end of the New Disciple Martial Arts Tournament marked the complete conclusion of winter.
The common folk of the Great Zhou began their annual labor, hoping for a good harvest this year.
The people of Tiangang City also prepared to head to the frontlines, traveling to the surrounding towns.
They were tasked with dealing with potential demonic infestations.
It was time to test on the battlefield how much they had learned and grown during the winter.
The Yunyang Sect had been busy throughout the winter.
However, despite their efforts, they hadn't achieved the desired results.
The frontlines suffered consecutive defeats, and even near the Yunyang Sect's gates, demonic creatures roamed.
During this winter, the Yunyang Sect searched for the root cause, from the top down.
From the Headmasters to the team leaders, and then to the team members, they spent over two months but still couldn't identify the core issue.
The results they obtained were merely minor issues, like some disciples being lackadaisical during missions, not taking tasks seriously, and not following instructions.
These issues certainly had an impact, but the frontline information-gathering disciples had already been replaced once.
Even with some problems, there shouldn't be such a large-scale distortion of information.
Inaccurate information had become a persistent problem for the Yunyang Sect.
Currently, the issue remained unresolved, and winter had already passed.
In the Yunyang Sect's branch courtyard, today's conversation involved not only the several elders but also the sect leader, Grandmaster Taiwu.
For the past two years, Grandmaster Taiwu had largely left sect affairs to the elders.
He had almost entirely delegated authority to them.
But recently, he must have learned about the situation and the troubles the Yunyang Sect was facing on the frontlines.
"Fifth Elder, more than two months of winter have passed, and the initial goal seems yet to be achieved.
We can question each of the sect's information-gathering disciples.
The Yunyang Sect's late-summer annihilation campaign was so successful.
The current situation must be due to a critical issue in a key area.
If it's critical, finding it shouldn't be that difficult."
The Grand Elder on the left spoke, his words filled with accountability.
Fifth Elder Sun Xue Rong's eyebrows furrowed as she had anticipated this interrogation.
Previously, she would find excuses, but this time, she truly felt powerless.
"Sect Leader, esteemed elders, over these past months, we've investigated all the issues we could.
We've also questioned the frontline disciples individually.
However, the reasons they provided are all minor issues, incapable of causing large-scale information distortion.
My abilities are limited, so I humbly request the elders and sect leader to work together..."
At this moment, Sun Xue Rong chose to show weakness.
Taking on this task herself would only result in more reprimands.
(End of Chapter)
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