Chapter 120: Setting the Examination Question

Even scavenging for scraps in this small courtyard would likely yield many treasures. Long Ruxuan and Lu Ran exchanged a glance, both feeling a pang of sympathy. Those were two precious items—discarded so casually. Their master didn’t even blink; it was truly heartbreaking to see.

But now that Zhu Xiaoyuan had spoken, there was no way they wouldn’t throw them away. So, they simply took the items and headed to the kitchen.

“Senior,” An Yue’er began cautiously, “our matter has reached a successful pause. Now that word of you has spread outside, more people will surely come here seeking discipleship. Many will want to apprentice under you.”

An Yue’er felt a twinge of fear. This would disturb Senior Zhu’s quiet life, and if he blamed them later, it would indeed be difficult to explain. She wasn’t sure if he would punish or be angry with them.

“If we’ve disturbed you, Senior, please feel free to punish us!” An Yue’er said straightforwardly.

When they had previously taken disciples, Senior Zhu had warned against being too conspicuous. Now, pressed by outside forces, they had revealed his existence. She truly feared he might be annoyed.

Moreover, now that many powerful factions knew of Senior Zhu’s presence, they would undoubtedly try everything in their power...

An Yue’er suddenly regretted the decision. She could hardly imagine how furious Zhu Xiaoyuan would be, and what chaos would ensue in the Tianwu Realm.

Leng Qianxue bowed her head in guilt. “I’m truly sorry. It was my failure to consider everything carefully that caused this deviation. Please punish me, Senior.”

Zhu Xiaoyuan was momentarily stunned by these words. His two disciples had merely gone out to stir up some excitement and fight a little. How had that made them famous? And why would anyone want to come apprentice under him? He wasn’t even a fighter for group battles.

Now, Zhu Xiaoyuan had serious doubts about how his two disciples had supposedly fought. They hadn’t really participated, so how had they returned victorious and made a name for themselves?

Suddenly, a possibility struck him.

Could it be that those outsiders had been fooled by the clever tricks of Long Ruxuan and Lu Ran?

No way! If they had been boasting about their prowess, and the people outside believed it and conceded defeat, that would explain everything.

He groaned in frustration.

Zhu Xiaoyuan’s headache deepened. He certainly wouldn’t behave that way.

“Is it because of Long Ruxuan and Lu Ran that these people want to apprentice here?” he asked, struggling a bit with the question.

Leng Qianxue and An Yue’er both nodded simultaneously.

It was over. Zhu Xiaoyuan was utterly despairing. It was just his disciples bragging outside!

But the two young women thought differently. The appearance of Long Ruxuan and Lu Ran had shocked the entire Tianwu Realm, bringing attention to Senior Zhu’s existence.

Having such a formidable master was truly amazing. It was no wonder so many wanted to become his disciples.

Zhu Xiaoyuan covered his head with one hand, realizing it was indeed those two rascals boasting wildly.

The system required him to find ten disciples; he still needed eight. However, Zhu Xiaoyuan never intended to recruit just anyone.

Now, seeing how carelessly Long Ruxuan and Lu Ran were handling this, who knew what kind of foolish individuals they might drag in?

This was unacceptable; he had to be more selective.

With this thought, Zhu Xiaoyuan immediately had Huanyue fetch paper and pen. He quickly jotted down some words and handed the note to Ruofeng.

“Hang this at the door,” he instructed.

“No, better to hang it at the village entrance. That way, people will disperse more quickly,” Ruofeng respectfully suggested.

She took the paper. On it were Zhu Xiaoyuan’s writing: the words stood out clearly:

“If you wish to become a disciple, solve this problem.”

Beneath these words was a series of lines that looked like a drawing but not quite. There was a triangle with several numbers marked on it.

Two angles were labeled with degrees: forty-five degrees and thirty degrees.

The question was: What is the measure of the third angle?

This was clearly a test. But those in the courtyard, upon reading it, were deeply puzzled. What did this question mean?

An Yue’er was especially curious.

Everyone passed the paper around, scrutinizing it carefully.

What was this?

They had never seen such a problem before.

Although they recognized every character, the combination left them bewildered.

“Could this be some profound secret of the Great Dao?” someone whispered.

“Senior Zhu must have a deep meaning behind this question. Only those truly capable can solve it,” Leng Qianxue said admiringly. Who would have thought their master was so formidable, capable of posing such a challenging question!

“We’ve never even seen anything like this before,” someone else murmured.

It seemed this question would become an insurmountable barrier throughout the Tianwu Realm.

Ruofeng took the paper and headed to the village entrance.

“I will post this question at the village gate immediately,” she said.

She left the courtyard and soon arrived at the village entrance.

Somehow, a stone tablet had been procured. Following Zhu Xiaoyuan’s instructions, she affixed the paper to the stone’s surface and then returned promptly.

Before long—

Outside the village—

Several treasure ships roared in and docked at the village entrance.

Members of the great sects disembarked from the ships, and the place erupted into a clamorous crowd.

“We must hurry! We need to reach Senior Zhu before they do!”

“Don’t let those people surpass us!”

“Faster! Faster!”

Everyone was racing against time, afraid a moment’s delay would leave them behind.

All aboard the treasure ships were the sect leaders, with young talents standing behind them.

They were here to bring their promising disciples to Senior Zhu’s side and win glory for their sects.

“Look!” suddenly, a shout came from one of the treasure ships.

“Why has the Nanling Mountain Range become like this? It’s terrifying! But that little mountain village remains completely untouched!”

“That must be where Senior Zhu is!”

“Don’t be fooled by the village’s peaceful appearance; I sense a terrifying presence there!”

“Surely Senior Zhu’s seclusion is why.”

These were all Sovereigns, each speaking in awe.

When the treasure ships reached the village entrance, they landed carefully.

Knowing Senior Zhu was hidden within this village, they dared not recklessly bring their ships inside.