Protect Our Clan Leader

Chapter 481: Chapter 11 Prominent Family! Connections are Very Important_2

“You all should already know this, but for this selection of apprentices, the Master will choose three alchemists to become his disciples.” Gu Hanyu took a few delicate steps towards the front of the crowd and spoke, “The first person selected is a third-grade alchemist, Qian Xuefu.”

While the words echoed, a flurry of “I knew it” expressions surfaced on everyone’s faces.

Although everyone had their suspicions, they all secretly nursed a little hope that Master Danding wouldn’t be swayed by family connections and influence, thus giving them a greater chance of being selected.

However, seeing that Master Danding did indeed choose the prestigious Qian Xuefu, they couldn’t help but feel disappointment.

Indeed, being from a prominent family has its advantages, even when it comes to finding a master.

Feeling the envious and jealous glances from the crowd, Qian Xuefu puffed up his chest with pride, secretly delighted with himself.

He knew he would be one of the selected few.

“Everyone, please be quiet.”

Hearing the buzzing discussions around her, Gu Hanyu furrowed her flawless brows.

Although she wasn’t entirely pleased with Qian Xuefu either, the Master’s wishes were final and should not be subject to other people’s criticism.

Upon hearing her words, the scene immediately fell silent.

Even though Gu Hanyu was not yet in the Heavenly Human Realm, her accomplishments in medicine, alchemy, and her status as a disciple of Master Danding, made her extremely significant.

However, even though the discussions were curbed, the crowd was still highly curious.

“May I ask who the second selected apprentice is?” a venerable elder tactfully asked.

Gu Hanyu replied indifferently: “The second selected apprentice is the Independent Cultivator Si Xinghai.”

“Si Xinghai?”

The highranking nobles were momentarily taken aback.

Even though Master Danding had already hinted he admired Independent Cultivator Si Xinghai, making everyone somewhat prepared, the actual announcement still left them somewhat disgruntled.

Master Danding had the capacity to accept three disciples, which was the limit; if an independent cultivator was included, this would mean fewer places were available for the young scions of influential families.

However, Master Danding was ultimately a powerful cultivator at the Purple Abode Realm, and what’s more, he was also an esteemed Grandmaster of Alchemy. Thus, no matter how displeased the crowd, they had no choice but to swallow their discontent.

Gu Hanyu, unconcerned by their reactions, congratulated Si Xinghai with a soft gaze after announcing the second selected apprentice, “Congratulations, junior brother Si.”

Si Xinghai quickly shed his aloof attitude, and respectfully bowed, “Thank you for your guidance, senior sister.”

Although he was overjoyed to be selected, he didn’t become conceited, but was actually even more respectful than before.

Seeing this, the many nobles present silently nodded their approval.

This young man has a good disposition; he seems stable and steady.

As an independent cultivator, both cultivation and alchemy come with greater challenges than those facing the young sons of influential families, hence they are generally more willing to endure hardships and are more mature.

The young alchemists looked at Si Xinghai with complex expressions, filled with both envy and unwillingness.

Now, only the last spot remains. It’s highly likely Master Danding will choose Dongfang Yuxi. They probably don’t stand a chance anymore.

Only Dongfang Yuxi still stood there, eyes half-closed and arms crossed over his chest, as calm and collected as a deep pool or towering mountain.

“Haha, who the Master selects as his disciples has a lot to do with his own considerations.” Elder Qian Jingde laughed, “Stop beating around the bush, Scholar Gu. Who’s the final choice? Dongfang Yuxi or Wuwen Nianjing?”

These two were the most likely candidates. Still, everyone knew that the Wuwen Clan was not a 5th-grade Purple Abode Clan, and Master Danding might not necessarily forsake the potentially more promising Dongfang Yuxi for them.

Upon hearing these words…

Both Yuwen Jinghong and Dongfang Bohua tensed up slightly. Until the official announcement, anything could happen.

Gu Hanyu glanced meaningfully at Wang Shouzhe who was calmly drinking his tea and replied evenly, “The third disciple the Master has accepted is Wang Shouye from the Changning Wang Clan.”

“What?”

The entire room was silent, in particular, the old and the young of the Dongfang Family. They were visibly shaken, disbelief coloried their countenances. The eyes of countless people had landed on Wang Shouye who was restlessly looking around.

Listening to their discussions, he thought he was out of the running, feeling overwhelmingly guilty. When he thought about how much he disagreed with how his family raised him, he didn’t expect good fortune to come knocking.

“You, young man, did good.” Qian Xuefu slapped Wang Shouye’s shoulder, and said with a grin, “You’ve obviously got a excellent skill in alchemy and had family connections, yet you were acting like you knew nothing.”

Wang Shouye helplessly smiled and said, “I honestly did not know…”

The young people who had passed the examination looked at him with complex expressions.

Especially, Wuwen Nianjing, her eyes were particularly profound.

If it was said that Wang Shouye did not have a strong backing, she would be the first not to believe it.

After all, her Yuwen Clan’s Old Ancestor, who was a heavenly human, had personally intervened and gave Master Danding a generous gift. Her score was nearly identical to Wang Shouye’s, yet she was usurped by him. Clearly, this was the result behind the manipulation of the Changning Wang Clan.

Wang Shouye looked nonplussed. Suddenly, he thought of a possibility.

Was all of this controlled by his fourth brother behind the scenes?

Looking at Wang Shouzhe from far away, he noticed that his fourth brother was as calm as ever, as if all of this was within his calculations.

Then, the most unacceptable reaction was from the Dongfang Clan.There,

Dongfang Bohua stood out and said, “It’s impossible. It just can’t be. Dongfang Yuxi from our family got first place in this examination. Why should this kid from the Wang Clan be selected?”

In extreme anger, his beard flared out like a furious old lion.

Gu Hanyu seemed to have anticipated this scene. Her beautiful eyes half-lidded, she calmly said, “Ancestor Bohua, please calm down. This was Master’s wish.”

Master Danding’s wish?

Dongfang Bohua showed a hint of apprehension, but became excited almost immediately, “I demand to see Master Danding and ask him for an explanation.” The tone of his words was almost accusatory towards Master Danding.

Gu Hanyu’s face turned cold, she reprimanded firmly, “Ancestor Bohua, mind your words. Before the examination, the Master had declared that the examination would serve only as a reference. As to whom he would take as an apprentice, Master has his own judgment. You are in no position to interfere.”

Her words were very blunt. After all, the Dongfang Family was only a declining 7th rank aristocratic family. Did they have any right to question a respectable master like Danding?

Dongfang Bohua’s face turned red, he hastily bowed and explained, “Miss Hanyu, you might have misunderstood my meaning. I was just too shocked and lost my bearing.”

Master Danding was easy-going. He may be tolerant, but he was still a respected master that must not be questioned by anyone. If he truly angered him, it would probably mean tough times ahead for the Dongfang Family.

This is the misery of a clan with insufficient power. No matter where they go, they always need to see other people’s faces.

Also showing an unsightly expression, was Dongfang Yuxi, who previously ascertained to be the winner of the examination.

His face turned red then pale as he suppressed the rage welling up in him, “According to reason, I should naturally not question the Master’s decision. However, I, Dongfang Yuxi, put so much effort into this examination.”

“Since the Master chose Wang Shouye, there must be something unique about him. I would like to learn from Brother Shouye. No matter what the result is, I will undoubtedly accept it.” @@novelbin@@

As his words fell, the crowd revealed varying expressions. Some were gloating, others were worried for the Wang clan.

After all, what Dongfang Yuxi said made sense. He merely wanted to learn from Wang Shouye. If Wang Shouye refused to accept the challenge, it wouldn’t look good if it were to be announced to the masses and it would be even more damaging to the reputations of both Master Danding and the Changning Wang Clan.

However, Dongfang Yuxi was obviously picking an easy target. He didn’t challenge Si Xinghai, nor did he challenge Qian Xuefu, clearly because he thought it would be easier to bully the 7th rank Changning Wang Clan.

All eyes then fell on Wang Shouzhe. As the current head of the Wang Clan, it was ultimately his call to accept or reject the challenge.

Wang Shouzhe swept his gaze over the two members of the Dongfang clan. He had used his connections to suppress them this time. Yet, that’s how the world works. If it wasn’t so, then why would he expend the effort to nurture his own network while expanding his family’s power?

The Wang Clan had poured a lot into building their networks.

This wasn’t just a game, it’s not like you can get through just by slashing your way along.

…