The day of the long-awaited Disciple Recruitment Test had finally arrived. The Celestial Radiance Sect was adorned in festive colors, with banners fluttering in the breeze and disciples gathering from all corners of the outer and inner sect.
Elder Lan Yuerong stood at the front of the sect's main square, her aura calm yet dignified. Beside her stood Lin Xuan, her disciple, his hands folded behind his back and an indifferent look on his face.
To the side, another elder, a graceful woman with a gentle temperament named Elder Yue Qingshui, arrived and stood near Elder Lan. Soon, the Sect Leader, Xuan Zhenhai, a middle-aged man with a commanding presence, made his appearance, drawing the attention of all the outer disciples.
Lin Xuan glanced around casually. Today would mark the beginning of many changes.
From the crowd stepped a young man — sharp-eyed, dressed in common robes, yet he held his head high with pride. This was none other than the protagonist of Lin Xuan's novel — Ye Tian.
Ye Tian looked at the grand sect plaza with burning ambition in his eyes.
"One day… this entire Celestial Radiance Sect will be under my control. I'll become the sect leader… I'll show them I'm not some trash talent."
His eyes landed on Elder Lan Yuerong, who stood beside Lin Xuan. She looked noble and untouchable in her white robes. Ye Tian's lips curled into a confident smile.
"She's perfect. I'll definitely become her disciple."
The recruitment ceremony officially began. Talented youths came forward one by one and placed their hands on the glowing crystal to reveal their spiritual roots. Each time, a color would shine based on their talent — white for low, blue for average, gold for rare, and purple for supreme.
One by one, results came out. Most had average talent. A few had rare talent. Then it was Ye Tian's turn.
As he stepped forward, some outer disciples laughed.
"Isn't that the trash from the town below?"
"Yeah, I heard he's been stuck at Qi Refining low stage for years."
But Ye Tian said nothing. He walked calmly to the crystal and placed his hand upon it.
BZZZZZT!
A dazzling purple-golden light exploded from the crystal.
Gasps erupted from the crowd. Even the elders widened their eyes.
"Supreme dual-attribute spiritual root!"
"Incredible! A heaven-defying talent!"
The laughter stopped. The crowd was stunned silent.
Ye Tian stood tall and smiled proudly.
"Now bow, mortals."
All at once, elders stepped forward, speaking with urgency.
"Ye Tian, come to my peak, I'll give you everything you need!"
"No, join my lineage, I'll make you an inner elder in five years!"
Even Sect Leader Xuan Zhenhai stepped forward. "Ye Tian, I want you to become my personal disciple."
Ye Tian's gaze swept over them… then he turned to Elder Lan Yuerong and walked toward her confidently.
"Elder Lan," he said, smiling. "I would be honored to be your disciple."
The crowd held its breath.
But Elder Lan's expression remained cold and indifferent. Without a hint of hesitation, she said,
"No."
The word rang out like thunder.
Ye Tian's expression twisted. "W-Why?" he asked, trying to keep his pride.
"There's no need to explain myself," Lan Yuerong replied.
Ye Tian clenched his fists tightly and turned away.
"One day… you'll regret this. Hmph."
Suddenly, a mechanical voice echoed in Lin Xuan's mind.
Ding!
Host has plundered Ye Tian's destiny of becoming Elder Lan's disciple.
+400 Villain Points!
Total Villain Points: 500
Lin Xuan's lips curled into a faint smile.
A moment later, Elder Yue Qingshui walked forward and smiled gently.
"Ye Tian, I will take you as my disciple."
He turned and nodded, though he was clearly still burning inside.
Yue Qingshui thought, "Hmph, Elder Lan, I now have the most talented disciple in the sect. One day I'll surpass you."
The recruitment event ended, and everyone dispersed.
Lin Xuan checked the system screen.
Item available: [System Storage]
Cost: 500 Villain Points
Effect: Can store any item, undetectable by cultivators, even those above host's realm.
He smirked. "Heh… This will be useful in the future. Purchase."
With a thought, the item was bought and vanished into his inner space.
After a while, Lin Xuan bowed respectfully to Elder Lan.
"Master, I wish to go into seclusion to cultivate further."
Lan Yuerong nodded gently. "Go."
As Lin Xuan walked away, Lan Yuerong's eyes lingered on his back. Her cheeks flushed slightly.
"He's really grown up now… but… if anyone finds out I have a crush on my own disciple…"
She turned away quickly, hiding her embarrassment.
"Shameless… I'm a shameful master."
Meanwhile, Lin Xuan walked with calm steps.
"The plot has finally begun. But now that I'm not an outer disciple anymore, Ye Tian won't clash with me directly… He'll first clash with other outer disciples. They'll bully him… and he'll beat them all, making them fear him. Heh… interesting."
Just then, two figures stepped into his path — Tang Xiaoran and Han Yuyan, his seventh and sixth sisters.
"Hmph!" Tang Xiaoran said. "We need spiritual stones. When will you give them to us?"
Lin Xuan didn't even stop walking. "Go ask the sect. Why are you asking me?"
Both of them froze in place.
"D-Don't try to act cool!" Han Yuyan snapped. "If you don't give us stones, we'll stop talking to you!"
"Thank you, then." Lin Xuan said with a chuckle and walked away without looking back.
Tang Xiaoran's eyes welled up with tears.
"H-How could he treat me like this… he ignored me…"
Han Yuyan frowned and crossed her arms.
"Hmph… He's just acting. There's no way he's become cold-hearted. This is weird… he's never acted like this before."