80: Chapter 80 The Fifth Life, The Blazing Sun Illuminates the Martial Path (Twenty-Eight)

Just as the various Peak Masters were deadlocked, Elder Zhang stepped forward and suggested:

"Peak Masters, delays lead to trouble! This phenomenon is so great that I fear it will attract the Sect Master. By then, all our efforts will have been in vain. In my opinion, why not summon the lad and let him choose for himself?"

The several Peak Masters exchanged glances and agreed that this was indeed the case.

After some discussion, they chose to have Elder Wang and Master Li Er bring Chu Shi over to settle the master-disciple relationship as soon as possible.

Seeing this, Peak Master Lieyang anxiously transmitted his voice to Elder Zhang:

"Old Zhang, why did you come up with such an idea? It would have been better to let me use my strength to suppress these old fellows for a while; that way, I could have gained the initiative. Once this lad makes a choice later, it will be hard to say!"

Elder Zhang replied with some helplessness: "Peak Master, it is because you did not believe me. I recommended this child to you early on, but you said you wanted to wait and see. Now look at the trouble this has caused!"

"Hehe, it's not that I didn't believe you; it's just that who would have thought that such a peerless genius would appear during an ordinary triennial recruitment? If you hadn't dragged me here, and those old fellows hadn't curiously followed, I doubt any Peak Masters would have shown up for this recruitment."

Peak Master Lieyang rubbed his head, feeling a bit awkward.

He then said viciously: "I don't care; this is the disciple you promised me, Old Zhang! If anything goes wrong later, I will hold you accountable! You must be the first to rush up and snatch him for my Lieyang Peak."

"Fine, fine, fine, just wait and see, it won't come to that."

Elder Zhang felt somewhat helpless, then confidently added: "Although I have only spent a short half-month with Chu Shi on the flying ship, I can tell that he is a good child who values his promises. I have already talked with him about finding a good teacher for him in the Holy Land. Under equal conditions, he will definitely prioritize you. Just don't be stingy and let yourself be outdone by the other Peak Masters."

Peak Master Lieyang laughed heartily and patted Elder Zhang on the shoulder, "Rest assured."

The other Peak Masters looked at Lieyang, who was suddenly laughing, and felt confused.

Just as they were about to ask, they saw Elder Wang and Master Li Er returning with Chu Shi.

They immediately cast the matter aside and looked at Chu Shi with kind expressions.

As soon as Chu Shi landed, he saw many gazes looking at him simultaneously.

These gazes were gentle and calm, without a hint of killing intent or hostility, but rather contained a touch of kind goodwill.

But the moment they fell upon him, it was as if a divine mountain from the nine heavens had crashed down upon him.

His entire cultivation, blood energy, and soul were all trembling and submitting in a frenzy.

This was a gap in the absolute essence of life, like a tiny ant facing a majestic true dragon, or the glow of a firefly looking up at the vast sun.

He knew that this feeling meant he had encountered higher life forms, Martial Monarchs of the Yinsui Realm.

It occurred to him that these people must be the various Peak Masters that Elder Wang and Master Li Er had just mentioned, who wished to take him as their disciple.

Relying on the powerful willpower honed through multiple reincarnations, Chu Shi quickly stabilized his mind.

With standard movements, he bowed neither humbly nor arrogantly: "Disciple Chu Shi greets the various Peak Masters and Elders."

"Not bad," the Peak Master of Qingyan Peak spoke first.

"Although we have all tried our best to restrain our pressure, the gap in the essence of life remains immense. You were able to quickly adjust your mind in such a short time; your state of mind is not bad. Are you willing to take me as your master? I am the Peak Master of Qingyan Peak, and I am willing to take you as..."

However, before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by the Peak Master of Luoxia Peak beside him.

"Old Ghost Qingyan, haven't you already taken in Ling Chen? That is a genius with Earth-grade bones and the Qingyan Body. How do you have the face to take in another genius? Can your Qingyan Peak even afford to raise him? Go, go, go, don't be an eyesore here!"

After saying this, the Peak Master of Luoxia Peak looked kindly at Chu Shi, "Young Friend Chu, don't listen to Old Ghost Qingyan's nonsense. Just hearing 'Qingyan Peak' and 'Qingyan Body,' you know that this is the constitution most suited for their Qingyan Peak. If you go there, I fear you won't get many good resources. It would be better to take me as your master. My Luoxia Peak..."

However, the Peak Master of Luoxia Peak also did not finish, as he was interrupted by the other Peak Masters.

For a moment, the scene on the high platform was chaotic, leaving the prospective disciples below dumbfounded.

On the other side, after confirming with Elder Zhang time and again, Peak Master Lieyang coughed lightly and stepped forward to preside over justice.

"Stop arguing, everyone. You are all hundreds of years old; what kind of appearance is this to be making such a scene? There are still a bunch of disciples watching below. In my opinion, why not let this disciple speak for himself and say who he intends to take as his master."

For a moment, the scene quieted down, and everyone looked at Chu Shi.

The pressure was on Chu Shi.

Chu Shi was also somewhat helpless; in the current situation, it seemed that no matter which Peak Master he chose, it would not be good.

Moreover, he already had an agreement with Elder Zhang on the flying ship, and it would not be good to go back on his word.

Thinking of this, a flash of inspiration suddenly struck him, and his gaze quickly searched through the crowd.

Soon, he saw Elder Zhang in a position behind Peak Master Lieyang.

Elder Zhang was also looking at him.

As their eyes met, Chu Shi quickly had an idea.

He steadied himself, bowed to the various Peak Masters, and said neither humbly nor arrogantly: "Disciple Chu Shi thanks all the Peak Masters for their kindness. However, back on the flying ship, this disciple already made an agreement with Elder Zhang Linyuan, so I can only temporarily let down the kindness of the various Peak Masters."

After saying this, he bowed to the various Peak Masters once more.

Subsequently, he knelt in the direction of Peak Master Lieyang and said in a clear voice: "Disciple Chu Shi is willing to take Peak Master Lieyang as my master; I ask that the Peak Master grant this request."

Seeing this, Peak Master Lieyang could not help but laugh heartily, his voice shaking the entire trial square.

"Good! Good! Good! I, Lieyang, will accept you as a named disciple today. You may open a cave dwelling on my Lieyang Peak and enjoy inner disciple treatment. I hope you will cultivate diligently and break through to the Iron Skin Realm to become an official martial artist soon. At that time, I will officially accept you as a personal disciple."

Immediately, he waved his hand, and as a stream of light flashed by, a red-gold token suddenly appeared in Chu Shi's hand.

The token felt smooth to the touch and was crafted entirely from an unknown metal, with the two ancient seal characters "𤒯𡾇" imprinted on it.

Chu Shi did not hesitate in the slightest and knelt directly on the ground, "Disciple Chu Shi pays respects to Master. This disciple will definitely cultivate diligently and will not fail Master's expectations."

"No need for such formalities." Peak Master Lieyang raised his hand to help him up, his face gentle.

But the smug smile on his face could not be hidden no matter what.

He cupped his hands towards the surrounding Peak Masters, "Everyone, I concede the win, I concede. When the time comes, you must attend my disciple's ceremony."

"Hmph, Old Ghost Lieyang." "Shameless!" "Easy to say, easy to say, this old man will definitely be there."

The few Peak Masters were somewhat displeased, but they still offered their sour congratulations.

After Chu Shi bowed to the various Peak Masters and Elders again, he walked down from the high platform and headed towards the Canglan State formation.