"Thank you, but I don't intend to become a disciple."
Xu Jiahui bowed politely but rejected the offer decisively and directly, showing no intention of reconsidering.
The protector Hou Changming was stunned, his eye twitching.
He is, after all, the protector of the Divine Sword School. If he were to take in an outer disciple, it would be a dream come true for all outer disciples in the Divine Sword School.
Although the status of being taken in as a disciple by a protector is not as high as being a direct disciple of an elder, it still surpasses that of an inner disciple.
Today, however, being directly rejected by two disciples in a row has left Protector Hou Changming feeling very frustrated.
"Young man, are you willing to become my disciple?"
Hou Changming's expression soured, and he glanced at Zhang Qing with disbelief that a disciple couldn't even be recruited after guarding the space teleportation gate for so long -- he had to accept one.
"Disciple Zhang Qing, pay my respect to my master!"
Zhang Qing was taken aback, but immediately knelt down and knocked three times loudly, so fast that even Hou Changming couldn't react.
"Alright, get up. From now on, you are my novice disciple, and behave well in the Battlefield of Ten Thousand Swords."
Hou Changming took a deep breath and adjusted his posture, at least he had accepted a disciple.
Zhang Qing stood up, feeling excited and thrilled. Being accepted as a disciple by an elder was a dream come true for him.
Hou Changming observed Zhang Qing. This new disciple didn't appear extraordinary and even seemed to fall short of the average level of an outer disciple. He regretted his decision to accept him into his tutelage.
He had only accepted the disciple on impulse and to test whether he would be rejected by the third outer disciple.
Who knows, this disciple knelt down and kowtowed in an instant.
This disciple has knocked his head, and now that the matter has come to this, even if he is secretly dissatisfied, there is no way to do it.
"Congratulations, Zhang Qing!"
Xu Jiahui was happy for Zhang Qing. Being accepted as a disciple by the protector is definitely a great opportunity.
Zhang Qing chuckled and felt lucky lately. He climbed up to the fifth level of the Heavenly Stairs and was also accepted into the protector's peak, which was something he couldn't imagine in ordinary days.
"Zhang Qing, the Battlefield of Ten Thousand Swords is perilous and everything can only rely on yourself. Practice well!"
It was impossible to regret anymore. Hou Changming had to accept what was said and advised his newly accepted disciple who was taken in without much consideration.
Feeling the strength of this disciple, Hou Changming estimated that this disciple would not be able to protect himself in the Battlefield of Ten Thousand Swords. It would be good if he could survive and make it out alive. Hopefully, he'll be able to hone his skills and come out strong.
As soon as he finished speaking, Hou Changming produced a jade bottle and handed it to Zhang Qing, saying, "Take this pill in case of any emergency."
Zhang Qing was moved, took the jade bottle, which seemed to contain many medicinal pills. It was different to have a protector as a teacher and he felt fortunate to have found a good master.
"Go ahead, for within the Battlefield of Ten Thousand Swords lies both danger and opportunity, it all depends on your own luck. As for the Sword-patterned Stone... well, that's up to fate."
Hou Changming entrusted Zhang Qing, as he was his own disciple, that the Battlefield of Ten Thousand Swords contains both danger and opportunity.
At the mention of the Sword-patterned Stone, Hou Changming immediately felt that he had been thinking too much.
There are only a few Sword-patterned Stones in existence, and whoever ends up possessing one will have to be extraordinarily powerful.
With the cultivation strength of his newly received disciple, Hou Changming felt that he may have been overthinking.
Zhang Qing was very excited and still immersed in joy.
Immediately, Su Yi, Xu Jiahui, and Zhang Qing left and also entered the Battlefield of Ten Thousand Swords.
"It seems that we need to find the Sword-patterned Stone."
Su Yi muttered as he had already entered the Battlefield of Ten Thousand Swords, where, according to the rules, the Sword-patterned Stone was of great importance.
The cultivators from the Divine Sword School had only invested a limited number of Sword-patterned Stones in the entire Battlefield of Ten Thousand Swords. Only sixty-eight disciples who obtained the most Sword-patterned Stones could go and compete at the pinnacle of the Spirit Sword Peak.
Therefore, the more Sword-patterned Stones you obtained, the greater the opportunities would be.
Because of this, those direct disciples will only enter the Battlefield of Ten Thousand Swords half a month later. With the strength of direct disciples, if they enter at the same time, the chances of inner and outer disciples finding the Sword-patterned Stones will be zero.
Su Yi doesn't necessarily have to obtain those Sword-patterned Stones, but in the final peak duel, the top 16 ranked individuals will receive unparalleled benefits and substantial rewards from the Divine Sword School, which is what Su Yi desires.
Since he's already in the Divine Sword School, he cannot miss out on such unparalleled benefits and substantial rewards.
"There must be a problem, there is definitely a problem!"
In the Battlefield of Ten Thousand Swords, outside the other space portal, the tall and thin protector and the slightly chubby protector were completely astonished.
A total of over ten thousand outer disciples walked out of the portal, leaving the two protectors dumbfounded and speechless.
In the past, it was already good enough for hundreds of people to walk out, but this time, it was over ten thousand people. Half of the outer disciples had ascended to the fourth level of the Heavenly Stairs. What kind of concept is this? Are all the outer disciples so extraordinary in this generation?
However, what the two protectors didn't know was that a group of strong Divine Sword School cultivators around the Heavenly Stairs were also stunned.
Figures approached the surroundings of the Heavenly Stairs. Strong figures descended, inspecting the Heavenly Stairs.
"There's a big problem, the Heavenly Stairs has lost its function!"
A strong individual spoke up and discovered the issue. The Heavenly Stairs had already lost its function, which was why almost all outer disciples were sent in.
"Check it immediately!"
A bunch of cultivators discussed and it was evident that the significance of the Heavenly Stairs is undeniable.
Besides, it won't be long until the recruitment of new disciples for the Divine Sword School, which takes place every five years.
"What on earth is going on, how could the Heavenly Stairs suddenly encounter problems?"
"It's very strange, could it be caused by that Su Yi?"
"I think that the Heavenly Stairs might have some issues, and that's why Su Yi can only climb up to the seventh level. Otherwise, how could he make it up there? This is too incredible!"
Strong individuals were discussing, and this matter had already shaken the entire Divine Sword School.
The Battlefield of Ten Thousand Swords is not much different from the outside world, with continuous mountain ranges, profound darkness, and ancient trees towering into the sky.
"Creaking, creaking..."
Su Yi, Xu Jiahui, and Zhang Qing walked slowly on the sound of dry twigs and fallen leaves under their feet, knowing the general direction. It will probably take them almost a month to cross the Battlefield of Ten Thousand Swords.
"I succeeded, I succeeded. If my dad and mom knew it, they would definitely be very happy."
Zhang Qing was thrilled, unable to contain the excitement from everything that had happened to him today.