Two Realms Shuttle Gate: Don't Call Me a Demon!

Chapter 280: Chapter 195: Competing for a Disciple (Fourth Update)

“The Sect Master speaks the truth, without a base of operations, we may appear free, but in reality, the hearts of our sect members will become increasingly unstable, and the Sect’s power will become dispersed. Over time, the entire Sect could dissipate.”

Tang Peiqing made his comment, noting that a Sect without a piece of territory, constantly drifting about, lacking resources like spirit fields and spiritual mines, can only scatter and flee when danger strikes. The Sect would be like bandits and marauders, capable only of short-lived triumphs.

Without a territory, the Sect is like a body without a spine; few organizations can endure under such circumstances.

Take Heavenly Soul Sect, for example; should danger arise and the troops scatter, those Hidden Realm Elders would be leading their teams alone.

In time, each would inevitably foster ambitions of their own. Whether they would still heed the Heavenly Soul Sect’s commands, or even betray the Sect’s interests for their own safety, that becomes uncertain.”

“Sect Master, if needed, I can make a trip to the Heavenly Soul Sect.”

Tang Peiqing volunteered, as Zhang Junwei couldn’t leave at such a critical time.

His experience was deep enough to represent Ghost Ridge Palace in negotiations, an eminently suitable choice.

“Then I’ll leave this matter to you. We’ll need you to take a trip once we’ve devised our strategy.”

“Understood, though it seems we’ll likely have to promise some of our Sect’s interests.”

“Right now, what Ghost Ridge Palace needs is to survive. Minor losses of interest are, indeed, bearable.”

Zhang Junwei’s eyes gleamed with divine brilliance as he gazed upon the majestic mountains standing tall amidst the grey miasma.

“Fifty years ago, I received the position of Sect Master from my Master and have diligently maintained this legacy. Unfortunately, due to difficult times, I failed to protect Ghost Ridge Palace as my Master entrusted to me, letting the situation deteriorate to this extent.”

Zhang Junwei fell into reminiscence, his voice filled with melancholy, “When I first took over, I also dreamed of making Ghost Ridge Palace more glorious and powerful, but it seems I lacked the talent. To this day, not only have I struggled to expand it, but even preventing its destruction is extremely difficult. I have let down my Master.

Fortunately, our Ghost Ridge Palace has successors, with disciples emerging in each generation, having disciples like Su Jie, as well as Zhu Qingya, who impressed from the moment they joined.” @@novelbin@@

As Zhang Junwei spoke, he suddenly shifted the topic to Su Jie.

Su Jie said nothing, listening to Zhang Junwei’s narrative.

“I tell you this in hopes that you will grow quickly. This Sect is mine and also belongs to the younger disciples, but ultimately, it will be yours. With your talent, one day you may take over my position. Reaching the Taoist Platform Realm is a very promising prospect for you.”

Zhang Junwei suddenly changed his tone, his piercing gaze fixed on Su Jie, his eyes full of earnest affection.

Taoist Qiu’s expression was somewhat peculiar. His tea-making slowed down as if he sensed something, and his gaze flitted between Su Jie and Zhang Junwei.

“Disciple will adhere to his duties, take Ghost Ridge Palace as his own responsibility, and wholeheartedly strive to enhance Ghost Ridge Palace, not letting down the Sect Master’s expectations.”

Upon hearing this, Su Jie immediately showed excited agitation, his face flushing—a perfect portrayal of a disciple who is impulsively excited to be valued.

Yet in his heart, Su Jie was exceedingly cautious and calm. He did not take Zhang Junwei’s grand promises seriously.

The thought of one day becoming Sect Master never crossed Su Jie’s mind as something feasible.

The words of a Demon Cultivator were just that, words, much like a boss promising shares and wealth upon a company’s IPO in exchange for overtime and hard work — the goal being to make the workhorse labor more and endure more, resulting in an endless consumption of hardship.

To Su Jie, these words from Zhang Junwei were all empty promises; tangible benefits would be more persuasive.

“It’s good that you think this way. The future of Ghost Ridge Palace will depend on you young people.”

Zhang Junwei was very pleased with Su Jie’s reaction, unaware of what Su Jie was truly thinking.

“Our Ghost Ridge Palace lacks disciples with your level of awareness. Given your high talent, I would like you to become my Direct Disciple. What do you say?”

At that moment, Zhang Junwei finally revealed his true purpose.

He wanted to recruit Su Jie as a disciple, even as a direct disciple.

“Sect Master, this is not appropriate,”

Taoist Qiu, sensing his suspicions confirmed, became anxious immediately.

For many hard years, only Su Jie, a talent, had emerged from his branch; he was the face of their lineage.

If Zhang Junwei were to recruit him, what would that make him?

There was a way to poach people, but surely not like this!

“Sect Master, this does not quite conform to the rules,”

Tang Peiqing did not stand by the Sect Master either, because this way of freeloading was somewhat excessive.

Tang Peiqing had even more seniority than Zhang Junwei, and his words carried great weight.

Zhang Junwei, looking at the two dissenters, said indifferently, “Of course I know this is not quite suitable, but now the sect is in a time of crisis, and we need to quickly cultivate our lower-level fighting force. Su Jie is exceptionally talented, and under my guidance, he could grow faster.

You are senior elders of the sect, why not first listen to what Su Jie thinks?”

After Zhang Junwei finished speaking, he turned his gaze to Su Jie.

Taoist Qiu and Tang Peiqing also looked over at the same time, putting a lot of pressure on Su Jie.

Had it been any other disciple hearing such good fortune, they would have been overjoyed and eagerly agreed on the spot.

Being the direct disciple of the Sect Master of Ghost Ridge Palace, what an honor it was!

Walking out from there, one could look down upon others, and anyone who saw them would have to look up in admiration.

But upon hearing this, Su Jie appeared to struggle internally, faced the gazes of the three, and then said, “Well, Sect Master, forgive my disrespect, but I have no intention of changing allegiances for now. My master has been very kind to me; I want to continue learning from my master.”

“Good, good, good, you truly are my good disciple; your master has not treated you in vain,”

Hearing this, Taoist Qiu immediately showed a smile on his face, his gaze even involuntarily glanced at Zhang Junwei, as if to say: Kid, competing with me for a disciple, even if you are the Sect Master, it’s useless.

Su Jie quickly said, “Master, you are too kind; I always remember your grace.”

For Su Jie, agreeing to Zhang Junwei would definitely offend Taoist Qiu.

Respecting the master and valuing teaching were also prized within demon cultivators; changing allegiances for Su Jie would be like slapping Taoist Qiu in the face.

Others would merely say Taoist Qiu was inept at teaching, unable to even keep his most talented disciple.

And Taoist Qiu had been generous with Su Jie, who did not want to be the subject of gossip and dislike, and least of all to offend this senior and powerful elder.

Furthermore, to speak frankly, Ghost Ridge Palace was indeed in danger now.

If the Righteous Sects really did break through the Mountain Gate, the significance of being an inner disciple versus being a direct disciple of the Sect Master and targeted by those Righteous Sects was night and day.

The former might even be spared, for after all, having killed an important figure like Du Shaochang and made an enemy of the Guan Chao Pavilion; the latter would be chased to the ends of the earth. Multiple sects would join forces to eradicate him completely.

After all, the temperament of demon cultivators for revenge was infamous; those who became direct disciples of the Sect Master undoubtedly had the highest talent in the sect and the deepest affection for it.

If such a person escaped, once they grew stronger and sought revenge, the whole sect would suffer tremendous loss.