C6 Jealousy Makes People Ugly

Silence enveloped the hall; not a single sound was made.

The elders had come to realize their opportunities were gone.

The Grand Upper Elder, standing amidst his peers, stroked his beard with a smile.

"Young man, would you be willing to..."

Before the Grand Upper Elder could finish, Bai Yu's face twisted with discomfort, and he pursed his lips.

"Do I have to become a disciple?"

If it weren't for that person's request for him to descend, Bai Yu would never have considered leaving Qing Hui Mountain.

The Second Prince, overhearing Bai Yu's refusal of the Grand Upper Elder's offer, gripped his fists tight.

"Damn it, not only did you steal the spotlight, but now you're being petulant."

Bai Yu's possession of the golden Root was a testament to his formidable strength.

Ouchen Mingyue, who had once looked down on Bai Yu, was taken aback to find her own Root paled in comparison.

The Grand Upper Elder, observing Bai Yu's troubled demeanor, descended from the air.

"Oh? Everyone here is eager to become my disciple, yet you decline?"

He truly hadn't anticipated such a turn of events and was momentarily at a loss.

Several elders approached, hoping to sway Bai Yu.

"The lad simply wished to descend the mountain to test his Root, with no intention of taking a master. Please understand."

The Grand Upper Elder's gaze returned to the stone on the testing platform, a trace of regret in his heart.

If Bai Yu were to stay with the sect, it would signal the rise of a future Grand Upper Elder among them.

Alas, Bai Yu's aspirations lay elsewhere, and they could not compel him to remain.

"Without a master's personal guidance, I fear your Root's potential will go to waste."

Bai Yu knew they wouldn't easily relinquish their hold on him, so he devised a solution.

"I am willing to join the Star Cloud Sect, but I prefer to explore and understand on my own, without the need for a master's insights."

The elders, hearing Bai Yu's desire to stay on his own terms, were understandably perplexed.

He wished to remain in the Star Cloud Sect without a master.

Once Bai Yu stepped away from the testing platform, it was certain that many would eagerly seek him out, hoping to take him on as their disciple.

Upon hearing that Bai Yu would rather die than take a master, the Dust Taoist emerged.

"Don't squander your natural gifts. With over a dozen elders here, feel free to choose any of them."

The Dust Taoist suspected Bai Yu felt the Grand Upper Elder's position was too lofty and hoped Bai Yu would discreetly choose him.

Being chosen would elevate their status significantly.

Ouchen Mingyue trailed behind her master, realizing they had no chance left and had to depart.

For Ouchen Mingyue's master, acquiring a disciple with a purple Root was equally crucial.

Yet, nurturing two individuals with exceptional Roots might not be ideal.

Bai Yu, sensing the Dust Taoist was offering him an opportunity, approached him.

"Thank you for the guidance, Dust Taoist. I simply prefer not to be bound by a master. Please understand."

His words left the Dust Taoist without a reply, though a hint of dissatisfaction lingered in his heart.

"Young man, a strong Root doesn't guarantee future greatness. Without a master, you may not reach your full potential."

As Bai Yu declined to choose among them, someone nearby voiced their opinion.

The Grand Upper Elder, perceiving Bai Yu's discomfort, chuckled lightly.

"To possess such a Root yet refuse a master, your destiny lies in your own hands. I will say no more."

Though there was no formal ceremony, everyone regarded Bai Yu as the Grand Upper Elder's Last Disciple.

"The testing has concluded. Those with a master, follow them and leave. Those without, come with me."

A serene elder with white hair and beard stepped forward from the testing area.

Lacking a master's interest meant they were deemed inherently unremarkable.

Without a unique stroke of fortune, they were likely to remain at the bottom of the Star Cloud Sect indefinitely.

Ouchen Mingyue glanced at Bai Yu, noticing he had joined the ranks of the unexceptional disciples.

With the Grand Upper Elder gone, Bai Yu's actions seemed out of place.

The elder leading the group had already spotted Bai Yu at the back and gestured inside.

"Bai Yu, follow the other elders. They'll set you up with a dormitory."

If everyone else might leave, losing Bai Yu would be a blow to the Star Cloud Sect.

He wouldn't consider leaving without locating Chen Daoran.

Within the Star Cloud Sect, many discussed that with enough Root, not even the Grand Upper Elder would dare intervene.

Wherever the Second Prince went, Bai Yu's name followed, leaving him seething with rage.

"Bang..."

The rock crumbled, and the Second Prince was consumed with the desire to eliminate Bai Yu.

Among the other disciples, he was undoubtedly the most formidable.

Yet, a prodigy like Bai Yu had emerged, capturing the attention of nearly all the elders in the Star Cloud Sect.

The Dust Taoist, hearing the noise at the door, approached to investigate.

Seeing the pulverized stone, he instantly knew what the Second Prince had been up to.

"Your spirit is too fierce. I think you need to calm down."

Regardless of what others could accomplish, he was his own person and couldn't transform into someone else.

The Second Prince knew the Dust Taoist was giving him advice, but he didn't take it to heart.

He left the courtyard alone, uncertain of which one Bai Yu had been assigned to.

Without an elder accompanying him, Bai Yu couldn't possibly be staying in the same courtyard as the Grand Upper Elder.

Stepping out of his room, he caught sight of Bai Yu passing by the entrance.

With no other elders around, it was clear he was on his own. He quickly grasped the situation.

"Bai Yu, hold it right there."

Hearing the voice behind him, Bai Yu paused, unsure of what the Second Prince wanted.

The Second Prince confronted Bai Yu, his face twisted with scorn.

"Don't assume that just because your Root is strong, you can strut around the Star Cloud Sect with impunity. I suggest you tread more carefully."

Without a master, he was like someone without a shield.

Even though it was common knowledge in the Star Cloud Sect that the Grand Upper Elder considered him a Last Disciple, the Second Prince refused to accept it.

Without the formal ceremony of discipleship, there was no master-disciple bond between them.

"Look around; there's not a single elder here to shield you. I could crush you with just one finger. Do you believe that?"

Bai Yu stood before the Second Prince, his expression one of utter nonchalance, as though he hadn't heard a word.

"Have you finished? If you're done, I'm free to go, right?"

Bai Yu wouldn't give the Second Prince a second thought unless he actually attacked.

Just as the Second Prince was about to gather his energy for an attack, an elder's voice echoed from behind.

"Bai Yu? What are you doing here? We've been searching for you for ages. Why are you here? Follow me, quickly."

The elder took the lead, with Bai Yu trailing behind.

"Since you haven't undergone the formal ceremony to become a disciple, many elders still covet your position."

It was odd for the disciples to see their master disinterested in their education.

They reached a deserted courtyard that had all the basic furnishings—it appeared to be Bai Yu's temporary residence.

"If you need anything, come find me. I'm in the neighboring courtyard. It's best not to roam around outside unnecessarily, got it?"