CHAPTER 44: A CRUCIAL CHOICE - III

Naturally, their demeanor and voice differed from one another. While some replied enthusiastically after being genuinely shocked by the kid’s intelligence, others spat words like poison. Lucian, however, did not raise his head until the very last. Because if so, how could he show others the smirk on his face?

Soon, as everyone within the crowd was done offering greetings, Lucian raised his head first. He had already calmed his expressions down, wearing an indifferent yet casual smile on his lips like a child.

With somewhat calm expressions, he looked at the slowly rising crowd and said, with his hands still cupped. "Greetings, gentlemen, seniors, and elders. My name is Feng Tian, and I have turned the age of 5 as of today. Moments after this, I will embark on a long journey away from my mother and father. So I hope the one whom I choose to be my master will take good care of me, while the rest, please continue to look after this junior of yours."

Hearing this, the crowd’s expressions changed drastically. The same kid who had challenged their authorities mere moments ago had suddenly lowered himself. To some, it didn’t make sense at all, as a few confused voices softly echoed through the crowd.

"If he wanted to lower himself, why challenge our authorities in the first place?" An old man—dressed in striking earthen robes—hissed silently, his fingers brushing through his long beard.

"One moment he insults us, the next he renders himself lower... What exactly is going on in that child’s mind?" One of the young cultivators who stood near the end muttered to himself, his gaze tightening over the kid’s small figure.

The anger that could be seen seeping from everyone’s eyes a few moments ago was nowhere to be found. In its place, several new emotions had arisen in everyone’s mind, targeted towards Feng Tian.

At a single glance, Lucian could easily determine that these emotions weren’t hostile and didn’t mean any harm either. Instead, they sought to quench their thirst and, at the same time, see more about the child.

Hesitating. Confused. Curious. Lucian could see all sorts of gazes targeted towards him from the crowd. He was quite familiar with such emotions; after all, he was known as the best author not long ago.

While some had already let go of this matter by acknowledging it all as the child’s stupidity, some could still be seen pondering in silence.

"To challenge someone’s authority and outwit them in an instant, then lower themselves to avoid any further conflict. It is an excellent way of showcasing one’s intelligence while keeping their identity low! How could this child learn of such a thing? Wait, was it truly his stupidity that led to this situation, or is that child merely making us believe so?" One of the elderly scholars muttered in a low, sophisticated voice. His eyes were widened while his fingers moved uncontrollably, still calculating the situation.

The old man had guessed Lucian’s true intentions already, but he was still unsure. After all, who would guess a mere 5-year-old to outwit not one or two, but tens of elders and rising stars of renowned sects and lineages, including scholars such as him?

Even if he were to tell the entire crowd, let alone a child, the elder himself would be questioned ruthlessly. Since which of these hundreds of years old would be brave enough to admit that they were outwitted by a 5-year-old?

Maybe this was the exact reason for why the scholar’s expression changed suddenly. Instead of wasting any further time, he expectantly looked at Lucian—his eyes seeping with greed.

Of course, he wasn’t the only one. More than half of the crowd had figured out the situation and desired the child’s intelligence. To them, Feng Tian was no longer prey to be devoured. But a seed with great potential that must be seized and grown personally by them.

All while Lucian couldn’t help but feel proud of himself. ’Can’t believe the ’Stick and Carrot’ method worked against these geezers. Just how dumb are they?’

With the introductions over, Lucian decided not to waste any more time and quickly get this ceremony over with.

"With this, I will quickly start the ceremony." He bowed once again according to the ceremonial customs he had learned from his father and began walking towards the crowd.

Passing by each of the men and elders, Lucian noticed a few female cultivators sweetly smiling at him. Lucian simply ignored their moves and treated them the same as everyone else. One by one, as he passed closely through the crowd, he could finally observe their uniforms, clothes, and weapons.

Before long, Lucian had already singled out a few individuals. In a sense, they didn’t share anything at all. Their weapons were different. Their clothes, although extravagant, carried different names and significance. However, what made them alike was their eyes.

The poorly hidden hostility that kept oozing from their eyes. Even without any proof to back his words, Lucian could easily recognize these people collectively.

’So they are here too, huh? The 6 great sects aren’t any better, I guess?’

Ignoring their cunning gazes, Lucian continued his quest to find the perfect deadbeat master. One after another, he kept rejecting everyone. With each step he took, the horror in the eyes of his parents only grew stronger.

Just like any parent, they feared their child might not have a bright future. If not for the sake of old customs, they would’ve guided their child towards the strongest master present. After all, even if Feng Tian wasn’t aware, his parents recognized the hidden masters of the world present before him.

In minutes, Lucian had reached the very back of the group. Standing before one of the last men, Lucian slowly raised his gaze. As his eyes reached the man’s waist, he noticed that he had neither a poor build nor a hunched back. He was definitely not the deadbeat he had been searching for. Thus, his legs kept moving forward.

However, a hint of curiosity flickered through his mind. Lucian was almost at the last of the crowd; why would seeing a few more faces matter to him? If he didn’t like them either, he could simply go with the second-best present in this crowd.

Instinctively, his gaze drifted above only to be widened in shock.