“Ren Shan!!”

A terrifying voice echoed throughout the sect, and the guy in question, felt the hair on his body rise as a chill went up his spine.

“You brat! Come here!” A palm made of spiritual energy suddenly manifested in the sky, and in front of everyone’s dumbfounded eyes, it went crashing towards Ren Shan.

“Old man! Are you trying to kill me!!” Ren Shan’s eyes widened in shock as he clasped both his hands. The muscles on his body pumped up, tearing his clothes, and revealing a golden muscular body.

“Golden Body!”

“He has mastered the Gold Body Technique!” A series of cries erupted from the crowd. Especially the elders, who couldn’t hide the surprise on their faces. The technique was not an easy one, and once mastered, even a cultivator in Qi Refinement could face Foundation Establishment cultivators.

“Boom!”

The Palm crashed onto Ren Shan, and his Golden Body collapsed instantly, forcing him onto all four, kissing the ground.

“I will deal with you later, for now kneel here for a week..” He grabbed Ren Shan with the palm, and casually brought him over before sealing his Qi points, and then made him kneel below the Staircase of Blessing.

It all happened within a span of a few seconds, but the people around couldn’t help but suck their breath in.

This was the epitome of power in the Red City.

‘These people..’ Lu Shimming looked at the Chief Monk, and gulped in. He thought that a place like this would at max have Foundation Establishment Cultivators as the peak, but this wasn’t the strength of one…

Inner Sea Expert.

Lu Shimming felt a trickle of sweat slide down his forehead.

“This is injustice! I had no choice!” Ren Shan protested, but everyone ignored him.

The Chief Monk turned towards Lu Shimming with a gentle smile, which was a 360 degree change from his previous personality.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

“Disciple, shall we head to my residence to have a discussion in person. You should be tired after the ceremony as well..” He gently patted Lu Shimming’s back, while taking him towards his abode.

…

An hour later..

“I am sorry, but I can’t join the Monastery..” Lu Shimming forced a smile on his face. Their conversation had been going for an hour, and the Old monk didn’t seem to have any plans on letting Lu Shimming go.

But Lu Shimming really had no reason to join, now that he had gotten his hands on Prajna Gate, his need for a Spiritual Technique was fulfilled. Not to mention, a Sect full of monks, hell nah! He was a corpse, raised in an unorthodox environment.

“Don’t be in such a hurry, you have got a lot of talent. This is the correct place for you to uncover it. It is fate, why else do you think you would have been duped by Ren Shan to come here..” The Chief Monk persuaded, his eyes almost tearing up from the continuous refusal.

“What is the reason for your refusal?” Patriarch Wu asked as he finished the cup of tea in his hands, and placed it back on the table.

“I don’t want to be a monk, I have a religious bias,” Lu Shimming gave the most obvious answer. One that they couldn’t refuse.

“This..” The Chief Monk really didn’t know how to react to the statement. This was really going to be problematic. They couldn’t take a disciple in, if such was a case.

“Are your convictions that strong?” Partriarch Wu stared at Lu Shimming as if looking for the answer deep in his eye, “I know you are the new stable boy that the brat brought in. Look at you, injured, lost an eye, working a poor job. If I were in your position, I wouldn’t let the opportunity go.”

Lu Shimming had a feeling that a person who could be so calm around the Chief Monk would be no ordinary person. But, it was only now that he realized it, the man was the strongest person in the Red City, the Patriarch of Wu Clan, Wu Jian.

Lu Shimming felt a bit conscious sitting under the nose of two experts, but this in turn only bolstered his confidence. His identity wouldn’t be easily discovered. He might be a corpse, but not one that could be measured according to normal standards.

“If you come to us, I promise you to provide the best resources, and raise you into an expert.” The Chief Monk tried to entice him with promises, not a thing one would expect from a monk. But, he was indeed desperate.

“I actually am married, and have two children as well,” Lu Shimming suddenly threw in his trump card. “I can’t betray them.”

“...”

A silence suddenly engulfed the room.

It wasn’t odd to be married at a young age, especially for mortals. And, for someone who was working as a stable boy, he sure seemed like one.

“Are they alive?” Patriarch Wu suddenly asked, having a bit of knowledge about his situation.

“I am not sure, but I believe they are.” Lu Shimming, tightly held onto his cup. His nervous state, which was for a different reason, seemed to make his story even more truthful.

“Well, there is only one way to solve this situation then.” Patriarch Wu seemed to have found the way out. Both Lu Shimming and the Chief Monk couldn’t help but look at him, one terrified, and other in joy.

“Take him as a personal disciple, not affiliated with Monastery.”

“Impossible!” The Chief Monk slammed the table.

“Fine, then I will take him as my disciple..” Patriarch Wu revealed a smile. He was impressed by Lu Shimming’s principles, and loyalty. Not to mention, he possessed a talent. He was very eager to take him in.

“Wait!” The Chief Monk immediately panicked.

“Didn’t you say it was impossible..” Patriarch Wu frowned.

“That..I just reacted out of instinct..” He replied in a soft tone, before falling into a contemplation. Accepting a personal disciple like that would make him a source of laughter, and condemnation. But, if he let a talent like Lu Shimming go, he would end up in the same situation.

If the end result was the same, did it really matter?

Not to mention, there will always be a chance in future to bring Lu Shimming over.

With that thought in mind, the Chief Monk steeled his resolve.

“Fine, as of today he will be my Personal Disciple..”

“Tsk..you are sly for a monk..” Patriarch Wu complained, not expecting him to actually agree.

‘Umn..what about my opinion..’ Lu Shimming sat there, looking at the two. But, he already knew that there was no more way out of this now.