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**
Xiao Lin was naturally unaware that Hai Bodong, Jia Xingtian, and Fa Ma were over there discussing matters related to him.
However, even if he had known, he wouldn't have cared. After all, they had simply linked everything together through a series of coincidences; as for connecting it back to Xiao Lin himself, that was absolutely impossible!
Furthermore, if it hadn't been for the sake of completing the trade with Yun Shan today, Xiao Lin wouldn't have gone as far as exposing a portion of his strength in front of the man. As of now, Yun Shan only knew that Xiao Lin was stronger than him.
But as to exactly what realm Xiao Lin had reached, he remained in the dark. So, the challenge initiated by Hai Bodong against Yun Shan came to an end. Simultaneously, the Yun Lan Sect's Disciple Recruitment Ceremony was finally prepared and ready!
The beginning consisted of a set of tedious rituals, which all the guests were essentially familiar with. Finally, before the main hall of the Yun Lan Sect, Yun Shan, as the Sect Master, first offered a stick of incense to the ancestors before turning around and walking to the central position.
There, little Yun Yun had likewise respectfully performed nine kowtows to the ancestral generations of the Yun Lan Sect.
Because today Yun Shan was not only taking Yun Yun as his disciple but also conveniently establishing her as the Young Sect Master, the process was much more rigorous than a simple apprenticeship.
The guests from various factions watched this scene unfold in silence.
Finally, Yun Shan stood fixed less than a meter in front of little Yun Yun.
"Today, I, Yun Shan, the eighth Sect Master of the Yun Lan Sect, wish to accept Yun Yun as my disciple. Yun Yun, are you willing?" Looking at the kneeling little Yun Yun, Yun Shan asked with utmost solemnity.
Of course, in reality, this was merely a formality.
"Disciple Yun Yun is willing. Greetings, Teacher!"
"Thump, thump, thump."
As Yun Yun performed three kowtows to Yun Shan, they were now considered to have officially established their master-disciple relationship.
"Good! From this day forth, Yun Yun is the first disciple of the ninth generation of my Yun Lan Sect, and simultaneously, the Young Sect Master of my Yun Lan Sect!" Standing in the center of the Yun Lan Sect's main hall, Yun Shan announced with domineering authority.
Yes, even though Yun Yun was currently still in the Dou Zhi Qi stage, from the moment Yun Shan formally accepted her as a disciple, her status was set in stone. Regardless of age or cultivation, she was the First Disciple of the Ninth Generation + Young Sect Master!
Unless Yun Yun committed a grave error in the future, her status was basically unshakable. This was also the experience summarized by the Yun Lan Sect after the internal turmoil they had experienced in the past.
That internal conflict was actually caused by a disciple who was initially groomed as the Young Sect Master; later, a more outstanding disciple appeared, and the sect chose to appoint the later disciple as the Young Sect Master.
This led to the first disciple's psychological imbalance, eventually resulting in that internal war.
Therefore, the Yun Lan Sect learned its lesson. Either the Young Sect Master is established right at the start, or they are established only when the previous Sect Master abdicates. This eliminated the previous indecisive attitude and the potential hidden dangers it brought.
Of course, if a Young Sect Master is established early and a more outstanding disciple appears later, that person could only hold the position of Grand Elder. This wasn't considered treating them too poorly.
After all, the position of Grand Elder sometimes held power no less than that of the Sect Master.
As for the current Yun Shan, he chose to establish the Young Sect Master in advance.
"Greetings, Young Sect Master! × n"
At this moment, all the disciples of the Yun Lan Sect, including the elders, bowed slightly toward little Yun Yun standing beside Yun Shan.
"Disciples and Elders, please rise. If there is anything Yun Yun does not understand in the future, I hope you all will not hesitate to provide guidance." Little Yun Yun followed the proper etiquette, returning the salute to the Yun Lan Sect disciples and elders with poise.
With this, the Yun Lan Sect's Disciple Recruitment Ceremony was more or less declared over.
"Congratulations, Sect Master Yun Shan!"
"Congratulations, indeed!"
"I believe Young Sect Master Yun Yun will surely lead the Yun Lan Sect to a new peak!"
"To have such a fine disciple—Sect Master Yun Shan, you truly make us envious!"
"The Yun Lan Sect finally has a successor!"
...
At this moment, even though little Yun Yun had not yet displayed her talent in cultivation, the guests from all sides continued to offer a non-stop stream of flattery. Although Yun Shan knew these were just polite social pleasantries, he still returned the salutes with a smile.
Just as the guests, including the disciples and elders of the Yun Lan Sect, thought the Disciple Recruitment Ceremony was coming to a close, Yun Shan suddenly spoke once more.
"Cough, cough. Everyone, please do not be in such a hurry. Today's Disciple Recruitment Ceremony is only half-finished."
As Yun Shan's words fell, the guests once again shifted their collective gaze toward him, their eyes filled with confusion.
Of course, it wasn't just them; even the disciples and elders of the Yun Lan Sect were currently sporting heads full of question marks. Wait, hadn't the Disciple Recruitment Ceremony already ended? Why did their Sect Master say it was only half-finished?
Was there some insider information that even they didn't know about?
In an instant, many guests quietly began whispering to the friends beside them.
Some even went as far as pulling aside Yun Lan Sect disciples or elders to ask what the remaining content was. However, these disciples and elders could only stammer "aba aba," unable to give a clear answer.
If they said they didn't know directly, it would seem too embarrassing. Therefore, faced with the guests' inquiries, they could only dodge the questions and talk about other things. The guests weren't blind; they could see through the evasiveness of the Yun Lan Sect members.
However, seeing them sweating and stuttering, the guests realized that these disciples and elders likely didn't know the inside story either. Since that was the case, they could only wait for Yun Shan, the host of this event, to make the announcement.
Step, step—
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Yun Shan walked step by step from the center of the hall toward the guest seating area.
"Eh? Why is Yun Shan walking toward us? Old Xiao, Old Mu, do you know what's going on?"
Watching Yun Shan approach, Nalan Jie asked Xiao Lin and Mu Chen beside him with a face full of bewilderment.
Facing Nalan Jie's inquiry, Xiao Lin remained calm, but Mu Chen's mouth couldn't help but twitch. Every time Nalan Jie called him "Old Mu," he felt like the man was cursing at him, though he had no evidence.
Despite several strong objections to the nickname, Nalan Jie continued to do as he pleased.
This reckless attitude left Mu Chen quite speechless.
Thus, most of the time, he simply pretended not to hear how Nalan Jie addressed him.
"I don't know either. Brother Xiao just went to find Sect Master Yun Shan a moment ago; I wonder if he has any insider info?" Mu Chen remembered something and directed the question to Xiao Lin.
As for Xiao Lin, he remained sitting in his place, as steady as an old mountain.
**
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