The disciples all held their breath upon hearing the Grand Elder’s words, as their placements would most likely determine the future course of the lives. Those who were placed high up would be able to get the most cultivation resources, further separating themselves from those beneath them.
Such was the way the cultivation world worked, and each disciple knew they had to strive for the top, lest they be left behind.
“The placements of this exam are as such. The bottom seventy five percent are to be pseudo-outer disciples, while the next twenty percent are to be outer disciples,” the Grand Elder stated without a blank expression.
His words caused shock to fill many of the disciples, including John, who was surprised to see that most of the disciples couldn’t even become true disciples of the sect. They would be pseudo disciples, which meant they would still have to prove themselves worthy in the future in order to be promoted to true outer disciples.
These disciples were all Inner and Core disciples from the branch sect, but here they were considered next to nothing. A sobering reality washed over those at the bottom of the list, as their hopes and aspirations of soaring though the sect came to a screeching halt.
Without waiting for anyone to come to terms with the news, the Grand Elder continued talking.
“The remainder except the number one placement will become Inner Disciples,” the Grand Elder revealed.
John glanced behind him, at the roughly five percent of disciples that were to become inner disciples. The count was just over one hundred disciples, and included Adam, Chase, and Iris. The most talented youths of the branch sects, the ones that stood supreme in their Core and Direct Disciple positions, were no more than rank and file Inner Sect disciples in the main sect.
“Lastly, the first place winner,” the Grand Elder said as his eyes fell onto John and paused for a moment. John felt as if he were being seen right through from a single glance from the Grand Elder, which made him feel as though his truths were exposed.
John noticed a slight change appear in the Grand Elder’s eyes as he stared at him, which faded away after a brief moment.
“Interesting…” the Grand Elder mused. “Normally you would become a Core Disciple, but I can tell there is so much more to you than meets the eye.”
The Grand Elder’s words shocked everyone in the area who knew him, as words of praise were incredibly rare from him. Even those walking by in the background, hardly paying attention to the event, stopped for a moment to glance at John, who had been praised as unique by the Grand Elder.
John raised an eyebrow at the Grand Elder’s words, as it appeared he could tell that he was special, but not what exactly that specialness stemmed from.
‘Even if he can’t identify what is unique about me, just identifying that there are secrets on me from a single glance is quite terrifying. Just how strong is he?’ John couldn’t help but muse as he stared back at the Grand Elder.
The Grand Elder mused over the matter for a moment before addressing him once more.
“In this case, I will make an exception. You will be given a chance to prove your worthiness to become a Direct Disciple of the sect,” the Grand Elder said.
The eyes of the disciples, branch sect leaders, and the others gathered in the area opened wide in shock at the Grand Elders words. Such an exception had never been made before, and anyone who knew the Grand Elder would never imagine he would make such an exception.
However, they knew what his special innate ability was, and trusted his judgement when it came to things such as assessing talent. Their gazes fell onto John afterwards, incredibly curious as to what was so special about him to allow him to get such an offer.
Even John raised his eyebrows in surprise at the Grand Elder’s words, and bowed his head slightly towards the Elder in a sign of respect.
“Thank you, Grand Elder, for this wonderful opportunity,” John replied respectfully. “However, I’m afraid I must decline this offer. Please accept my apologies.”
“What?” Startled cries erupted amongst both the disciples and the ground gathered to watch the event, as they had never expected John to decline such an offer.
“John, what the hell do you mean no?” Adam yelled up from behind John, before his gaze shifted towards the Grand Elder. “If he doesn’t want it, then I’ll take it instead.”
“Silence,” the Grand Elder calmly stated while waving his hand towards Adam.
Adam felt a powerful energy wrap around his mouth, making it so that he was unable to speak anymore. The Grand Elders’ calm gaze fell onto John once more.
“May I ask why?” the Grand Elder replied to John, as even he was slightly surprised by John’s response.
“Sure, it’s because I already have a master,” John said as he pointed to Lilian who stood a short distance away. “If I became a Direct Disciple, I would have to take a new master, right? In that case, I must humbly refuse.”
Although the start of his master/disciple relationship with Lilian had been brutal and rough, he now truly considered her as his master. She had aided him wholeheartedly with his family endeavors, ensured his safety in the Bloodfiend Sect, and did so much more for him.
As such, he felt it wrong to accept anyone else as his master.
The Grand Elder stared at John for a moment, before an approving smile appeared on his normally stoic face.
“A fine attitude indeed.”
His gaze shifted towards Lilian, who was also surprised by John’s actions. She had expected him to cut ties at the first moment.
“You have a fine disciple under your tutelage,” the Grand Elder said to Lilian.
“Thank you Grand Elder,” Lilian replied respectfully.
“If he refuses to part from your tutelage, then why don’t you become an Elder of this sect then? You have the cultivation required, as well as the talent,” The Grand Elder said to her, causing the eyes of all to once again open wide.
Lilian remained silent for a moment, before she too shook her head sideways in respectful refusal.
“I must decline,” Lilian replied, as she was still the Vice-Sect Leader of the Yuan Continent.
“You can keep your Vice-Sect Leadership while being an Elder of this Sect,” the Grand Elder replied.
Lilian paused her prepared voice of refusal, as that was truly her biggest choice for not becoming an Elder of the main Heavenly Lightning Sect. However, she was still on the fence, and the Grand Elder could tell she was.
“Also, you will be rewarded with money and cultivation resources upon becoming an Elder. Far more than you can imagine, and your rewards will also improve based on the performance of your disciple,” the Grand Elder continued.
His words cut right to the chase, as if he could see what truly motivated Lilian.
‘Wow, his vision truly is great, as he found my master’s biggest weakness right away…money.’
Lilian’s gaze turned heated upon hearing this, and she replied without hesitation.
“Then I’m afraid I am unable to refuse your great offer, Grand Elder. I accept.”
“Good,” the Grand Elder smiled upon hearing this, as Lilian truly was a rare talent that the sect would benefit having as an Elder, let alone her disciple as well.
The Grand Elders gaze shifted back to John, who addressed John once more.
“Then the matter of your concern has been solved. Should you prove your worthiness, you can become a Direct Disciple of your current master, while enjoying the resources the other Direct Disciples enjoy. What do you say?”
John was surprised to see someone as lofty and powerful as the Grand Elder make so many concessions for him, but he figured there was a reason for the Grand Elders actions. It was most likely that the Grand Elder saw some glimpse of his true talent or had been watching the entrance exam and saw his frightening combat prowess. Regardless of the reason, John no longer had a reason to refuse.
“In that case, I no longer have a reason to refuse. I accept.”