Under the Union Leader's probing, Ace stood there like a statue since there wasn't any escape at all. However, it only lasted for a moment before everything returned to normal.
Ace felt massive relief that the Union Leader didn't soul search him, or this would've turned worse within an instant.
Furthermore, his mask was also working, so this could only mean this guy was still strong within the limits of the Mortal Sky Heaven. So he didn't need to worry about getting exposed anymore.
"Hmm, your meridian is dark while your Qi is light, and even I can't see through what kind of soul physique you have." The Union Leader said with great interest in his eyes, "Or, you don't have a soul physique at all, and it's some kind of effect of your meridians. Well, we'll see it eventually, now, don't we?"
"My knowledge is nothing in front of you, Lord Union Leader," White stated with uncertainty.
While Ace was thinking about what the Union Leader does now, this would decide the course of action he would take as well.
"Indeed. That's why I'll give you two choices," Union Leader smiled amiably, "Become my Disciple and inherit my legacy. You will also gain the status of Junior Union Leader, and you will receive an endless supply of resources and status that no one has ever had since the beginning of the Union. Even the Sun Lord standing outside had to call you Junior Union Leader respectfully.
"Second, you will still be my disciple, but you won't inherit my legacy but the true legacy of the Sun and Moon Sword Union. However, this path is deadly and filled with different trials. I can only protect you from the people of the Union but not from the Union.
"However, if you managed to inherit the true union legacy, this path will also lead you to the peak, which I was never able to breach because of my limited talent. But as I mentioned, if you failed, you would die, and no one would be able to protect you."
Ace was shocked when he heard those two options. Although both options included becoming the disciple of the Union Leader, they were vastly different.
In the case of the former, he would be the next union leader, while in the case of the latter, it was a completely unknown approach.
Because the second option was filled with ambiguity, especially the part about not being able to protect him from the union itself.
'Then does this mean there is someone even more terrifying than this guy here? Or it's some of the prerequisites to acquiring this true legacy of the union? Just what is the union…' Ace was now completely confused about this whole union thing.
First, the heaven's stealer mission was related to this place, and now a human who stood at the top of the food chain wanted him to acquire the true legacy of the union, which even someone like him can't.
This raised many red flags.
However, when Ace thought about the Union Leader's protection he would receive after becoming his disciple, it was something he didn't want to miss.
There was no doubt that there were hidden motives in the second option, but Ace felt the second option might lead him into the core secrets of the union. While with the first option, he might have to remain in this place under this guy's watch all the time.
This wasn't something he wanted at all costs.
So, he decided to go with White's resolved cultivator's character and said with full of resolution, "I promise my parents that I would always walk the path of hardship since every hardship also has rewards at the end of it. So, I will choose the second option even if it means death. I'll choose death over mediocrity!"
Union Leader was startled by White's last word as a hint of melancholy flashed past his emotionless eyes before he burst into hearted laughter.
"I don't know if your ambition is commendable or just a mortal's dream to achieve godhood. Maybe this is the reason you are blessed with this talent, and you are also human as well." The Union Leader uttered with a pleased smile.
His expression suddenly turned solemn, "I will now take you as my first disciple in this life."
The next moment, the Union Leader waved his sleeve, and a jade table with an antique teapot and a cup appeared, which made Ace surprised as he didn't know what this tea table had to do with him becoming a disciple, but the atmosphere was indeed solemn.
The Union Leader stated solemnly with an air of supremacy suddenly started to emit from his visage, "The ancient Master Disciple ceremony goes beyond that of an instructor and student; it followed the old Confucian principle of Filial Piety.
"Thus, the formal acceptance of the student by the Teacher is also a type of adoption ceremony because we believe that a Teacher is a second father to a student.
"That's why whenever someone accepts a formal Disciple, it's an unbreakable bond forged for life. Both sides have special filial duties toward each other; a Master protects, tech, and even punishes and corrects the mistake of a disciple.
"Whereas it's a Disciple's duty to never disgraces his master's lineage, and always follow his teaching and even strive to surpass him one day. There's no room for betrayal in this relationship.
"So, if you're willing to accept me as your Master, then kneel before me, bow, and then serve the tea. Me drinking the tea signifies your acceptance as a Disciple!"
Ace felt those words were quite sincere, and it was his first time hearing about such a ceremony, especially the part about this 'Confucian principle of Filial Piety.'
Ace had no master or teacher as he was self-taught, and the system always said no one was qualified enough to teach him, and he knew it was a fact with his special cultivation technique and the path he walked.
So, he never thinks much about accepting someone as a master, much less forging this bond like father and son. This was beyond him, and neither did he wants to experience it at this point!
The time of such bonding was long passed, and he was now a Heaven's Stealer who was destined to walk a lonely path.
Besides, the Union Leader never even gave him the option to reject, so this one-sided forced relationship meant little to him.
Now, he would do what he had to do to achieve his goal and to remain alive, go through the motions (pretend)!
While emotionally said as if he was moved beyond belief by the Union Leader's speech, "It's my honor, Master, I'll never disgrace you or forget your favor!"