Li Chunfeng also watched with bewilderment, the corners of his mouth curving upward in an involuntary smile as he found the old man rather endearing.
"What are you grinning at? You had a hand in smashing my gate-guarding stone too, don't think I didn't see you..." Having chased Juejuezi away, the White-bearded Elder turned his full, ferocious glare onto Li Chunfeng.
Li Chunfeng was left speechless. He instantly wiped away his cheeky grin and replaced it with an awkward expression. Not knowing the old man's temper, he certainly didn't dare to push his luck too far; if things went south and he actually got himself killed, it would be a terribly unjust way to die.
Sensing that the old man was not someone to be trifled with, the crowd exchanged glances and tacitly prepared to slip away.
"Xiao Shizi, divide them into groups and send them to keep watch at the edge of the Wasteland," the white-bearded man shouted to a disciple of the Fenghua Sect.
"Since you've joined the Fenghua Sect, you must abide by the rules of the Fenghua Sect..." the White-bearded Elder said unceremoniously.
In his eyes, since they had accepted the remuneration provided by the Fenghua Sect, they were obligated to perform the duties that corresponded to that compensation.
The group of rogue cultivators, who had just been about to retreat, instantly stopped in their tracks. After all, taking people's gifts leaves one with short hands, and eating people's food makes one's mouth soft; if you eat out of someone's bowl, you have to do the job they assign.
"Yes, Elder Ruyuan..." That disciple looked honest and straightforward, and even his voice sounded thoroughly dutiful.
The various rogue cultivators were willing to guard the Wasteland, but since they were being split into groups, teaming up with those of comparable strength was naturally the most sensible approach. Thus, everyone hurriedly began choosing teammates whose abilities matched their own.
"Where do you think you're going? You still haven't told me how you're going to compensate me for my gate-guarding stone!"
Just as Li Chunfeng was about to obediently go join a group, he was called back by the White-bearded Elder, who continued to press him relentlessly for restitution.
*Is this outright extortion? Has the Fenghua Sect gone dirt poor...* Li Chunfeng only dared to mutter inwardly.
"Hehe, Elder... do I look like someone who can afford to pay compensation?"
"No, you don't..."
"Then... what do you propose for compensation..." Li Chunfeng asked cautiously.
"Hmm..." The White-bearded Elder fell into deep thought.
"Then you'll just have to reluctantly become my disciple..." After saying this, the White-bearded Elder stole a subtle glance at Li Chunfeng, making sure no one noticed.
Li Chunfeng's heart skipped a beat, and he stared at the old man with a suspicious look. *Is this old man out of his mind? Is he trying to sell me into servitude?*
Not only was Li Chunfeng frozen in place, but even some of the Fenghua Sect disciples were dumbfounded upon hearing this. Because in the two hundred years Elder Ruyuan had spent in the Fenghua Sect, countless disciples had wanted to enter his sect, yet not a single one had caught his eye. Within the vast Fenghua Sect with its many elders, he was the only one without a single disciple under his knee. For him to now take the initiative to accept a disciple was truly a major piece of news within the Fenghua Sect.
Among the crowd of rogue cultivators, some even looked upon Li Chunfeng with envy. After all, not just anyone could join the Fenghua Sect; gaining entry required going through a grueling gauntlet of trials. Only those singled out and proactively accepted by an elder could bypass the trials, yet it was extremely rare for elders to take the initiative, as elders could misjudge character. Having learned from past mistakes, they made it a rule to avoid repeating them and making fools of themselves.
"You... consider this settled..."
"After the watch duty is over, the formal apprenticeship will take place..." The White-bearded Elder was utterly unyielding, giving Li Chunfeng no room to refuse.
Li Chunfeng was left between laughter and tears, scarcely believing that his charm could move an elder to take him in as a disciple of his own accord. Having been cut off from the outside world for seven years, had the mindset on the Mutian Continent really changed this drastically?
"...One year..." Li Chunfeng shouted loudly as he watched the White-bearded Elder turn to leave.