"Mutual verification is only possible when both sides have reached mastery," Mu Ye remarked, his tone flat.
He was being brutally honest. In the current Body Sect, Mu Ye was the only living soul who had mastered the Innate Secret Technique. There were no other prodigies within the sect capable of keeping pace with Zhangting's cultivation speed.
However, Zhangting's eyes began to sparkle with a mischievous, knowing light. Who says the Body Sect doesn't have another genius? Isn't Aruheng right under your nose?
"Teacher Mu," Zhangting said with a faint, enigmatic smile, "Teacher Han Tianyi once praised me, saying: 'If you do not take what Heaven gives you, you will suffer the consequences.' Perhaps destiny will provide another disciple suitable for the Innate Secret Technique sooner than you think."
Mu Ye glanced at him, his voice laced with a hint of seasoned disdain. "Tone down the arrogance, boy. Do you truly think you're some kind of 'Human Auspicious Beast'? You think you can just summon good fortune whenever you please?"
"Let's just head to the cultivation grounds," Mu Ye grumbled, though he felt a strange prickle of anticipation.
Zhangting followed in silence. He didn't need to argue. The fact that he was, indeed, a "Human Auspicious Beast" was a reality already etched into the timeline. His arrival at the Body Sect was perfectly timed—not just for himself, but to trigger the awakening of the man who, in the original history, surpassed even the protagonist Tang Wulin in physical talent.
As they stepped out of the spatial vault of the Inheritance Seed, they were nearly run over by a sect steward sprinting toward them, his face flushed with frantic joy.
"Sect Master! Good news! Incredible news!" the steward shouted, his voice cracking with excitement. "A disciple from your own branch lineage—a boy named Aruheng—has just awakened his Martial Soul with Innate Full Soul Power!"
Mu Ye's eyes widened to the size of saucers. For a moment, the world seemed to stand still. He slowly turned his head to look at Zhangting, his mind racing back to the boy's "arrogant" prediction only moments ago.
Before Mu Ye could even voice his shock, Zhangting spoke first, his tone breezy and casual.
"It seems, Teacher Mu, that destiny has arrived. And as they say, there's no stopping it." Zhangting tilted his head. "Coincidentally, he's a junior brother I've already befriended."
Mu Ye wasn't surprised that Zhangting knew him. After all, how could a group of children steal a massive slab of rare beef from under the noses of Titled Douluos without "help"? The elders had looked the other way only because Zhangting had subtly claimed responsibility. But he was shocked that the bald-headed brat Zhangting had chosen to feed was a once-in-a-century genius.
"Let's go," Mu Ye commanded. He wrapped Zhangting in a protective layer of soul power and blurred across the sect grounds.
The Awakening Ground
Unlike commoners who went to the Spirit Pagoda, the great clans held their own Awakening Ceremonies. The area was already packed with layers of disciples, elders, and leaders. Even Han Tianyi was there, watching with a satisfied glint in his eyes.
The Body Sect hadn't seen talent like this in over a hundred years. As Mu Ye arrived, he didn't bother with pleasantries.
"Get out of the way!" he barked.
"Who do you think you're... Sect Master?!" The angry elder who had been pushed aside froze instantly, and the crowd parted like the Red Sea.
Mu Ye reached the center of the circle. There stood Aruheng, glowing with a literal aura of power. It was confirmed: an original Body Martial Soul and Level 10 Innate Soul Power.
Mu Ye's heart soared. A successor! While Zhangting was his eldest disciple, the boy would eventually return to the Spirit Pagoda. But this boy—Aruheng—was the future of the Body Sect itself. He could finally repay his debt to his ancestors through this child.
Mu Ye stepped forward, a rare, paternal smile forming on his face. He prepared to welcome his new protégé.
Aruheng saw him and began to jog forward. Mu Ye opened his arms slightly, expecting the boy to fall to his knees and beg for discipleship.
Instead, Aruheng blew right past him.
Mu Ye's smile froze. He looked back to see Aruheng leaping toward Zhangting, who had just arrived with Han Tianyi.
"GOD!" Aruheng yelled, his voice echoing through the sacred grounds. "Brother Zhangting, you are truly my god! My wish came true! I'm a monster! I'm a genius!"
The boy was so agitated his words were a jumble of incoherent praise. Mu Ye felt a sharp pang of "master-envy." He had planned to be the boy's savior, but his eldest disciple had already won the kid's heart with a piece of seasoned steak.
Is it really appropriate to use the Body Sect's own food to steal the Body Sect's own geniuses? Mu Ye wondered bitterly.
Fortunately, Zhangting was a master of psychology. Seeing his teacher's ego bruising in real-time, he reached out, grabbed Aruheng by the scruff of his neck, and forced the bald boy to turn toward the stunned Sect Master.
"You have more than one wish, don't you?" Zhangting whispered loudly. "Didn't you want to be the Sect Master's disciple? He's standing right there, and he looks like he's waiting. Move!"
Aruheng blinked, looked at the imposing figure of Mu Ye, and finally realized the gravity of the moment. He immediately dropped into a deep bow.
"TEACHER!"
Mu Ye glanced at Zhangting—who offered a respectful, innocent nod—and sighed. He waved his hand, and a tangible force of soul power lifted Aruheng up.
Chapter 20: The Divine Artifact is Obtained
"From this day forth, you are my second disciple," Mu Ye declared, his voice regaining its sovereign authority.
The crowd erupted in cheers. The alliance was sealed, a successor was found, and the Body Sect felt more alive than it had in centuries. But amidst the celebration, Zhangting felt a tug on his mental sea.
Han Tianyi approached him, leaning in close. "The 'external forces' you requested from the Tower's vault... they have arrived. Your grandfather pulled a lot of strings to get the Ice God Pearl released early."
Zhangting's heart skipped a beat. The final piece of his trinity.
"Where is it?"
"In your resting chamber," Han whispered. "But be warned, Zhangting. That pearl contains the literal frost of a fallen god. Without the Body Sect's tempering, it will turn your blood to glass."
"Then it's a good thing I start my training tonight," Zhangting replied.
He looked at Aruheng, who was currently being paraded around by the elders. The boy looked at Zhangting and winked, his shiny bald head reflecting the sun.
Zhangting smiled back, but his mind was already miles away. He needed to be faster. He needed to be stronger. Because in the back of his mind, that silver-haired silhouette was still watching him from the shadows of the Starry Sky Forest, and he knew—with the certainty of a "Human Auspicious Beast"—that their first meeting would not be a peaceful one.
Final Note: The contract was signed, the successor was found, and the divine pearl awaited. Qian Gu Zhangting had taken his first solid step toward the ultimate single-soul path. But as the "Auspicious Beast," he would soon learn that even Heaven's favor comes with a price.
[End of Section 20]