Chapter 36: The Pointing and Preaching of the Child of Destiny

Su Yao shook her head directly.

"Grand Uncle-Master, I cannot see through his cultivation either. Judging by the flow of his aura and the way he resonates with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, he might be a true master."

As she spoke, Su Yao arched her body slightly, as if inadvertently pressing her back against Xiao Chenxin’s chest. Xiao Chenxin was not surprised by this; Su Yao was often clingy, and he was preoccupied with his own thoughts.

"He still seems very strange."

"Theoretically, his power is immense, and he acts with extreme flamboyance, which is consistent with someone of his strength. But why is he so kind to others and treats all living beings as equals?"

A massive doubt grew in Xiao Chenxin’s mind. In any world where cultivation is possible, a difference in cultivation level is often seen as a difference in "species." High-level cultivators treat low-level ones like humans treat ants. Even high-ranking monks, who vow not to harm ants while sweeping the floor, would not go so far as to mentor them or improve their lives. This was simply illogical.

Countless thoughts flashed through Xiao Chenxin’s mind, but he could not fathom what kind of destined protagonist could possess such stark contradictions. After pondering for a while, he decided to set the matter aside for now.

"I’ll observe further..."

The primary purpose of this trip was to obtain the prize from the Southern Border Martial Arts Tournament. Once obtained, he would hand the secret realm over to his disciples and trigger the ten-thousand-fold return. As for other matters, it would be best if they could be resolved along the way, but if not, it was of no consequence.

...

After waiting on the spirit boat for only two hours, a massive roar echoed again. A ray of sunlight spilled in through the window. Xiao Chenxin walked to the window to look out.

He saw a gigantic curtain descending from above, like a massive bowl turned upside down, enclosing the entire city. Far above this "bowl," a faint, shimmering phantom of a blue dragon appeared and disappeared. At the center of this "bowl" lay the Haoyue Sect, the host of this Southern Border Martial Arts Tournament.

Looking out, one could see continuous celestial palaces and jade towers nestled within the clouds, appearing and vanishing with the shifting mist, looking quite mysterious. Directly beneath the Haoyue Sect lay an immense city of mortals. Suddenly, Xiao Chenxin spotted a spirit boat rising from the city below, slowly coming to a halt in the sea of clouds where the Haoyue Sect was located.

Xiao Chenxin asked curiously, "What is that?"

Su Yao leaned toward the window, took a close look, and hurriedly explained. "Grand Uncle-Master, since you rarely leave the sect, you wouldn't know. The first sect leader of the Haoyue Sect was a physician by trade. He achieved enlightenment on the Great Dao while practicing medicine and became a Golden Core stage master."

"When he founded the Haoyue Sect, he specifically left behind the sect rule: 'A physician has a benevolent heart, regardless of status.' This spirit boat carries sick mortals to the Haoyue Sect to seek medical treatment. Truth be told, they have a very good reputation among the righteous factions."

After listening to the explanation, Xiao Chenxin nodded. He had a strong impression of the Haoyue Sect. He had previously heard from his disciples that Ye Chen had been rescued by that girl named Lin’er and taken to the Haoyue Sect for treatment. He wondered if he might run into them this time.

Suddenly, a knock sounded at the door. Qiu Changsheng’s hearty voice drifted into the room. "Four distinguished guests, we have arrived at the Haoyue Sect. Would you be interested in going out for a stroll with me?"

Xiao Chenxin gestured for Ling Hu and Meng Yao to prepare to leave. As for Su Yao... she was like a shadow, so no invitation was needed. Opening the door, Xiao Chenxin nodded slightly. "I still need to take my three disciples to the Haoyue Sect for registration, so I won't delay here. I am grateful for your sect’s assistance on this journey."

Qiu Changsheng laughed, his gaze sweeping over the three women beside Xiao Chenxin, and then his expression darkened instantly. "Sect Master Xiao, why are all your disciples women? Why do you look down on men so much? Does your sect not have a single male disciple worthy of your attention?"

Xiao Chenxin felt awkward and did not know how to respond. It wasn't his fault! The system only allowed him to recruit "lickspittles," and he certainly wasn't going to find a male one for himself. He was a straight man, not gay!

These explanations, however, remained unspoken. Considering the aura the man released—intentionally or not—and the uncertainty regarding whether he truly possessed heaven-defying power, Xiao Chenxin offered a diplomatic reply. "Perhaps it is a matter of destiny; I do not know. I will keep it in mind in the future."

Hearing this, Qiu Changsheng put away his stern expression and smiled calmly. "You must pay attention to this in the future."

After Qiu Changsheng spoke, the disciples of the Sword Immortal Sect immediately chimed in. "When will the Senior Brother offer us some pointers? To be guided by the Senior Brother is the greatest blessing!"

"Exactly! The Senior Brother is only guiding outsiders today; those of us in his own sect haven't even received any advice yet!"

"The Senior Brother shouldn't be biased!"

"Hey, you 'Sect Master' person, why don't you hurry up and thank him? What is that attitude, standing there like a statue?"

"Right! What kind of attitude is that? Who does he think the Senior Brother is? He is on the same level as the Dao Ancestor! Others would dream of receiving his guidance, and yet you act so indifferent after receiving it?"

...

Seeing the Sword Immortal Sect disciples directing their hostility toward Xiao Chenxin, Qiu Changsheng quickly intervened. "Everyone, please calm down."

"There are countless people in this world, and no two are exactly alike. We cannot force our own rules upon him. If we force him to agree, how would we be any different from those demonic cults?"

For a moment, the many disciples glared at Xiao Chenxin while continuing to defend their Senior Brother. "It’s only because our Senior Brother is magnanimous that he doesn't hold it against you. If it were me, I certainly wouldn't give you a pleasant look!"

"Get lost! You got a bargain and still pull a long face. You have thick skin indeed."

"The Senior Brother was clearly looking out for you, and you still don't listen. You truly do not appreciate a kind heart!"

...

Under such verbal provocation, Xiao Chenxin narrowed his eyes, a spark of anger rising in his heart. *What does the business of my Yaoguang Sacred Land have to do with your Sword Immortal Sect? Does recruiting disciples require a gender quota? Shouldn't it be based on who has the better talent?*

Looking across the Southern Border, who could produce three disciples better than his? Su Yao was the Holy Master of the Yaoguang Sacred Land and had already touched the threshold of the Nascent Soul stage at a young age! Meng Yao was the reincarnation of a Holy Maiden; her future sainthood was a certainty! Ling Hu was the master of Ye Chen, the protagonist of destiny, and his guide; all the techniques that made Ye Chen invincible at his cultivation level were taught by her!

Even within the Yaoguang Sacred Land, one couldn't find so many gifted individuals. Besides, even if he could, he was restricted by the system and couldn't recruit disciples at will.

Just as Xiao Chenxin was about to retort, he caught a glimpse of a surge of spiritual energy that Qiu Changsheng inadvertently released while calming the crowd. It was dense and powerful, far exceeding his own! Xiao Chenxin knew that he already possessed the Innate Immaculate Supreme Sacred Body, allowing him to control spiritual energy as easily as moving his own limbs, yet even so, he could not compare to Qiu Changsheng.

*It seems he is a protagonist of destiny who has already grown and learned to be patient.*

*Very well. Once I grow through the system, I will compete with you then. As for today, I won't hold it against you.*

Just as Xiao Chenxin was about to leave, Su Yao could no longer restrain herself. "Is the gender ratio in your Sword Immortal Sect balanced then? I heard your sect has a majority of male disciples, doesn't it? Do you look down upon us women?"