Chapter 3: Let Go of the Urge to Help, Respect the Fate of Others

Su Bai waited a little longer, then added another line to the sign.

Room and board included!

Join the sect and immediately begin practicing immortal arts!

He dropped all the grandiose nonsense about "future number-one sect under heaven" — he was all about keeping it real.

He only needed one disciple to level up the sect and unlock the Immortal Arts Pavilion. Once that happened, what immortal arts wouldn't be available to him?

Watching the sky slowly darken, Su Bai let out a quiet sigh and began packing up his things, intending to find a spot under a bridge to sleep for the night.

"Excuse me, Immortal Master — is it really true that joining the sect lets you practice immortal arts right away?"

A voice came from behind him.

Su Bai turned to look and saw a young man in a blue robe standing there, his manner somewhat timid.

There was a faint trace of exhaustion between his brows, yet his eyes were filled with determination and longing.

"That's right. Once you join the sect and take me as your master, you can start learning immortal arts immediately."

Su Bai composed himself. This was the first person to come and ask today — no matter what the person looked like, he owed them a patient answer.

But the moment he opened his mouth, a crowd of bystanders pressed in.

"This guy's a scammer — how can you believe him?"

"Exactly, exactly! With such crude tricks these days, does he think it's still ten years ago?"

"Young man, thirty silver taels aren't easy to come by — watch out you don't get swindled!"

The crowd chimed in with jeers from all sides, looking at Su Bai with contempt and disdain, as if he were a piece of trash.

Zhuge Feng said nothing, his expression impassive. He was no fool — he knew there was a ninety-nine percent chance Su Bai was a con artist.

But what about that one percent?

Even if there was only a one-percent chance of getting to practice immortal arts, he… didn't want to give it up!

But thirty silver taels…

Seeing the young man fall silent, Su Bai shook his head. It seemed he had already been branded a scammer and a fool — recruiting a disciple today was looking impossible.

Tomorrow, he'd try a different Hundred Sects Assembly venue and change his outfit!

"Immortal Master, the thirty silver taels — could I pay at the end of the month?" Zhuge Feng gathered his courage and asked quietly.

He knew the request was unreasonable, and the chance of being refused was ninety-nine percent.

Every sect and faction collected their monthly dues at the beginning of the month — no credit, no exceptions.

But he was completely broke right now, and there was nothing he could do about it.

"Pay at the end of the month? No problem at all! Don't worry — our sect absolutely never withholds what's owed!" Su Bai thumped his chest in assurance.

Before transmigrating, the thing he hated most was companies that withheld wages. Now that he'd transmigrated and become a Sect Master, he couldn't guarantee much else — but he would absolutely guarantee his disciples' treatment!

Only someone who's been caught in the rain knows how miserable it feels.

Zhuge Feng was stunned. He hadn't expected anyone to actually agree to credit.

"Immortal Master, you… are you sure?"

"Mm, of course!" Su Bai nodded.

"Immortal Master, this disciple, Zhuge Feng, wishes to join the Heavenly Dao Sect!" Zhuge Feng hurriedly bowed.

"Zhuge Feng, is it? We'll do the formal discipleship ceremony back at the Heavenly Dao Sect. Do you have time now?"

"Yes. This disciple has nowhere to go and can follow the Immortal Master to the sect."

As Su Bai led Zhuge Feng away, the crowd behind them couldn't hold back their laughter.

"That kid isn't an idiot, is he? He couldn't even see through such a clumsy con?" someone couldn't help but mock.

Another chimed in: "Right, right — look at him, his head probably doesn't work too well either."

Someone else cut in: "Ah, forget it. Didn't he just say he was flat broke? Even if someone wanted to swindle him, there's nothing to take."

"Heh heh, who says swindling is always about money? What if they're after his Kidney? Haven't you heard that some powerful figures specifically need young, healthy Kidneys to…" yet another person said.

At that moment, someone in the crowd let out a quiet sigh and shook their head. "Let go of the urge to help, respect the fate of others. Our own lives are already hard enough — why go looking for more trouble?"

The rest nodded in agreement: "That young man dares to run a con out in the open — who knows what kind of backing he has. We ordinary folk can't afford to offend anyone like that!"

The crowd dispersed one by one. All of those words had drifted into Zhuge Feng's ears. He looked up — Su Bai's silhouette had already vanished from sight.

Hah. He had no road left to walk anyway.

If it was a con, then let him be conned!

But what if… it was real?

With that thought, he quickened his pace and hurried after Su Bai.

Seeing Zhuge Feng following along, Su Bai smiled faintly. It looked like the task of recruiting a disciple was about to be completed!

"Stop right there!"

They had barely left the Hundred Sects Assembly when a sharp, indignant cry rang out.

Su Bai looked up and saw a young girl glaring furiously at him.

The girl before him had willow-leaf brows like distant ink-washed mountains, a straight and delicate nose, red lips and white teeth, skin fairer than snow, and long hair that fell to her waist.

Holy shit, what a stunning girl!

Even her anger couldn't diminish her elegance!

Xiao Lingxi.

"Hey, young lady — what's the matter?"

The girl looked at Su Bai with undisguised contempt, then turned to Zhuge Feng: "He's a scammer. Don't let him fool you!"

Su Bai laughed despite himself. "Miss, talk is cheap — do you have any evidence that I'm a scammer?"

The girl let out a huff. "Every faction makes new members serve as Menial Disciples for half a year before they can touch immortal arts as proper disciples. You're saying they can practice immortal arts the moment they join — what else could you be but a scammer?"

Su Bai was amused. "Miss, what does another faction taking half a year to let someone touch immortal arts have to do with my sect letting members learn immortal arts the moment they join?"

"What kind of sect is that generous? If you're not a scammer, what are you?" The girl clearly wasn't buying it.

"If you don't believe me, fine." Su Bai pursed his lips, not bothering to argue with her.

He looked at Zhuge Feng. "If you trust me, come with me. If you don't, you're free to leave."

He desperately needed a disciple, but he would never force anyone.

With that, Su Bai turned and walked away. Whether Zhuge Feng believed him or not was Zhuge Feng's own business.

Seeing this, Zhuge Feng gritted his teeth and finally made his decision: "This disciple trusts the Immortal Master!"

Hearing those words, Su Bai stopped in his tracks and turned back in surprise. "You still trust me?"

"Yes, this disciple trusts the Immortal Master!" Zhuge Feng nodded firmly.

"Then let's go!" Su Bai smiled easily and strode forward.

This feeling of being trusted by someone — it was pretty great.

Su Bai was feeling great; Xiao Lingxi was nearly losing her mind.

She couldn't fathom how someone as stubborn as Zhuge Feng could exist in this world!

He was obviously a scammer, and yet Zhuge Feng still believed him?

"Damn it — you despicable fraud, I'm going to expose your true face!" Xiao Lingxi stamped her foot furiously and chased after Su Bai.

"Hey, miss — why are you following us again?" Su Bai was at a loss for words. Was this girl made of sticking plaster?

Xiao Lingxi let out a cold snort and declared righteously: "I'm going to expose you for the scammer you are!"

"It's already dark out. Why is a little girl like you following me around instead of going home?" Su Bai rolled his eyes. He genuinely couldn't figure out what was going on inside her head.

"You don't need to worry about that — I can protect myself!" Xiao Lingxi lifted her chin proudly, revealing the hilt of a sword at her waist.