Could it be that I am the cruel villain?
Chapter 238 - 164: The Appearance of the Candle Dragon_2

Chapter 238: Chapter 164: The Appearance of the Candle Dragon_2

Recruiting disciples is different from cultivating resources.

If you don’t need cultivating resources, just leave them be; they won’t vanish into thin air.

But disciples are different.

You, Liu Tangxi, randomly go off on killing sprees, disappearing for years or even decades, and leave your disciples neglected in the mountains. Aren’t you just wasting their talents?

That is truly leading astray the younger generation.

Those who are recruited by Purple Cloud Palace and promoted to Inner Sect Disciples are all exceptionally talented, especially the ones who become Direct Disciples, who are the cream of the crop picked from tens of thousands.

Like this time the sect is recruiting disciples, if they were chosen by others among the Nine Peaks, or even personally taken in by Sect Master to Dragon Head Peak.

These elders, as well as Peak Masters, might at most grumble and envy, bitching behind the scenes, but there would definitely be no one questioning it.

Because no matter what, they have instructed many outstanding disciples, and with age comes experience, knowing exactly how to provide targeted teaching. But Liu Tangxi...

What they see in her is more concern.

Moreover, the number of disciples recruited to the Inner Sect is already limited. If Liu Tangxi claims a dozen or twenty people off the bat this year, each of the remaining Peaks might end up with only two or three each, essentially waiting in vain for five years.

But out of respect for the Sect Master and the previous generation, no one is willing to voice their concerns and break this deadlock.

"Alright, you’re not young anymore, bickering all day without cease, and now you’re even having a mood with your nephew who hasn’t returned to the sect for many years, is that it?"

The one who first broke the silence was the Sect Master seated at the head.

The middle-aged man with a jade-like complexion, wearing a gold-embroidered purple robe, and a black jade crown on his head, whose every gesture exudes a natural nobility and leisure, as if all the unfolding events were within his expectations.

He was the eldest in the hall, which one could barely tell just by his looks.

"Yes, Sect Master."

With the Sect Master speaking, everyone present ceased their dispute and, clasping their hands, indicated agreement with his decision.

Seeing everyone so restrained, he smiled and shook his head: "There’s no need for such formality. Isn’t the reason I’ve summoned you to the back hall to ease the conversation? Let me speak frankly then."

"For nearly fifty years, Swordmaster Peak has not recruited disciples. This time, Nephew Liu has returned willing to teach the skills of a Sword Immortal, which is a fortunate event for our sect. As fellow sect members, we naturally should accommodate him. Therefore, this year, Nephew Liu should naturally have priority in selecting disciples he sees fit."

"Does anyone have any objections to this?"

Though somewhat reluctant, everyone shook their heads to express no objections.

"That is very good."

Saying this, the Sect Master looked directly at Liu Tangxi, who was seated at the far end, by seniority and age she indeed had to sit in the last place, making her the junior here.

"But what Junior Brother He said makes sense."

With a shift in his tone.

"Nephew Liu’s swordsmanship is certainly sophisticated, but teaching is not the same as fighting; they have things in common but are not entirely identical."

"Moreover, there is only Nephew Liu at Swordmaster Peak, and considering she also has responsibilities as one of Purple Cloud Palace’s law enforcers, she is quite busy. If there are too many disciples, she might not be able to look after them all."

"Perhaps we could do it this way."

Sensing the surprised looks from everyone, the Sect Master still maintained his gentle smile, having made his decision about the distribution of this year’s places yesterday already.

Balancing the power among the Eight Peaks, allowing each Peak to function properly, not to waste any disciple’s talent—that’s what he, as the Sect Master, ought to do.

"Let Nephew Liu choose one from this year’s group of disciples."

"I’ve heard that Nephew Liu has already taken a disciple while abroad, and choosing one more here would make two."

"Although Nephew Liu possesses an astounding ability, she is still young and lacks teaching experience. Moreover, Swordmaster Peak is sparsely populated, with no one to share her burdens."

"So, Nephew Liu might as well focus on teaching these two disciples. On one hand, it is an opportunity to learn how to be a mentor and instruct disciples. On the other, it facilitates the possibility of recruiting more disciples in the future."

"Five years as the term—if Nephew Liu can guide at least one of these two disciples to stand on their own, then I, as your senior, can rest assured allocating more disciples to Swordmaster Peak in the future. Progress through patient mentoring is the key to longevity."

"What are your thoughts, Nephew?"

Although phrased as a discussion, everyone knew the Sect Master had practically settled the matter.

The others nodded inwardly; the Sect Master had certainly maximized the benefits, managing everyone’s emotions perfectly, even Liu Tangxi couldn’t get upset after hearing his plan, handlings it impeccably.

The underlying intention was to let Liu Tangxi choose from tens of thousands to take the disciple with the highest potential under her wing, which was indeed a considerable honor.

The subsequent handling was also very appropriate, reasoning that to avoid any teaching mishaps, only one disciple was given. With five years for cultivation, if such a talented disciple cannot be taught to achieve something significant, then it’s better for you not to teach at all.

If, on the contrary, something remarkable could be taught, it’s great for the sect to have successors. In the next term, continue to let you choose first to compensate for the numbers at Swordmaster Peak, but only gradually increasing, so as not to affect the number of disciples recruited by the other Peaks.

Because originally, they recruit based on the resources available to the Eight Peaks, and recruiting too few or too many might lead to unequal distribution of resources.

Truly a solution where everyone is happy.

Seeing that everyone present showed genuine smiling faces, the Sect Master just smiled subtly; he knew too well how to appease these old foxes.