This wasn't supposed to happen. The second place was supposed to be Wang Qingyu, who had lost to Ye Liang by only one percent.
In the end, she was selected by fifteen elders and she decided to select Elder Zhang Wei! So how did she become the first ranker?
"Was it... because of me?" Eren smiled wryly, realizing that he might have caused a bigger snowball effect than he realized.
His phoenix hadn't even given Ye Liang a chance to show his skills, which caused his score to be lowered.
Even though he had given the same score as Elder Ren did in the novel, the other two Elders clearly lowered the score. That was the only possibility.
"Wait a minute, maybe it's for the best?" Eren thought.
"If he had taken the first rank, he would have the right to select anyone as his master. What if he had selected me as his master? Being stuck to the main character, no way."
Eren didn't have faith in the actions of the Main Character. He had already gone beyond the script by selecting him for trial challenge.
Now that he was the second rank, he didn't have the opportunity to make such changes. In the end, it was like the story was trying to get back on track.
Ye Liang could only select an Elder amongst the ones who had selected him. And Eren wasn't planning to select him.
Amongst the ones who were going to select him, Elder Li was the best choice. So at the end of the day, Ye Liang had no choice but to select Elder Li, just like he did in the novel.
As for Wang Qingyu, she was a fan of Zhang Wei. Even if she received the reward of a first ranker, she was going to select Zhang Wei. There was no variable.
Realizing that it was for the best, Eren slightly calmed down.
Although he had gone through thousands of emotions in the last few minutes, his outer expressions had remained still.
There were a few more chances with Ye Liang. In the novel, almost every Elder wanted him. He was seen as a prodigy.
But this time, only twenty or so Elders selected him. And amongst them, Elder Li was one.
Just as Eren was hoping, Ye Liang selected Elder Li as his Master.
And lastly, it was the turn of Wang Qingyu.
"Since you are the top ranker, you can select any Elder. An Elder's choice doesn't matter. But still, just for reference, I'll tell you about the other Elders."
Ye Liang looked at Wang Qingyu with jealousy. This was supposed to be his position. He was supposed to take the first rank and receive a reward from the system.
All his hopes fell apart, the moment he challenged Eren. He couldn't help but glare at Eren, thinking that this was all his fault.
Zhang Wei explained about the Elders and what they specialized in. She also described their teaching methods and the number of disciples under each Elder.
"Have you made up your mind?" Zhang Wei asked.
"I have." Wang Qingyu nodded.
"It's a good quality to be decisive," Elder Li smiled. "So, who are you going to select? If I do say so, I think Elder Zhang will be perfect for you."
Eren couldn't help but glance at Elder Li with a smile.
'You think she doesn't know? She had already made up his mind before she even came here. She's her biggest fan after all. So you don't have to convince her. Her choice is already made.'
Eren kept his thoughts to himself. He was simply looking forward to returning to the mountain since the selection was almost over. He could finally relax.
Unfortunately, his happiness didn't last long as he heard Wang Qingyu's response.
"I want to select Elder Ren," Wang Qingyu, the only Six Star Talent this time, stated as she looked at Elder Ren.
"Cough... Cough..." Eren burst into a fit of coughing, shocked beyond his expectations.
"Were you two hit on your head on the way to the Sect? What is up with everyone selecting me today?! You think I don't have enough troubles for myself?" Eren kept cursing inwardly.
He couldn't believe Wang Qingyu's choice. But he quickly recovered and plastered a supportive smile on his face.
He wanted to convince her to change her choice and select Elder Zhang. But before he could even begin, Elder Zhang started speaking.
"That's an excellent choice. Although Elder Ren is new to our Sect, he is very strong as many have already seen today. And he's also the only person who doesn't have a disciple yet. So you will be his first disciple."
Zhang Wei wasn't upset that Wang Qingyu selected Elder Ren. Instead, she was supportive, believing it to be the right choice.
"Congratulations, Elder Ren. You managed to take a six star talent as your disciple." Elder Li also congratulated Eren.
Eren wanted to say so many things, but he had long lost the opportunity. He didn't even know how he was going to teach this girl.
He was still thinking if he still had any way out of this situation
[Option One: You have been selected by a Six Star Talent. However, her talent is very low as per your standards.
Tell everyone that a six star Talent isn't worth your attention and that you don't want such trash as a disciple.
Reward: Shadow Blossom Sword (High Tier)]
[Option Two: When life gives you lemons, you make a lemonade. Since you already received a Disciple, accept her.
Reward: An Unknown Egg (Rare Tier)]
[Option Three: Convince Wang Qingyu to select any other Elder as her master, without hurting her feelings.
Reward: Ice Lotus Flower (Rare Tier)]
[Option Four: Tell everyone that you are a fake and that you don't want to see a six star talent ruin her life by accepting you as her master.
Reward: A Dragon Scale (Unique Tier)]