CHAPTER 45: ACCEPTANCE - I

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

Instinctively, as his gaze drifted up towards the man’s face, Lucian’s body froze and his eyes slightly widened. It wasn’t the kind of shock one would experience while meeting someone they recognized, but the kind of shock that left an incomprehensible impression on one’s mind.

The one standing before Lucian was an old man. An old man who looked eerily ordinary, yet in his eyes, stood out the most.

At a time like this where Lucian could see countless gazes filled with different kinds of emotions, all targeted towards him, the old man’s eyes remained indifferent.

His bold and striking golden eyes looked down upon Lucian without any ulterior motive. Up until now, Lucian had seen many kinds of people waiting to be his master.

As per the rules of this ceremony, all those who participated were prohibited from speaking after the ceremony started. Following this rule, the contenders used all sorts of tricks since they were eager to get their hands on him.

Some disguised their hatred with a smile, while others pretended not to act at all. In one way or another, Lucian could see the small but apparent interest in their eyes towards him.

This old man, however, was unlike anything Lucian had imagined seeing in this ceremony.

As the old man’s bright golden eyes looked down upon the kid intently staring towards him, he slightly rotated his head as if trying to copy the kid. The old man’s face, although wrinkled, seemed younger than anyone standing in the crowd.

His long white hair flowed down his back majestically, while subtle and casual silken robes adorned his physique. His left hand rested behind his back while the other brushed his long white beard.

Just by glancing at the old man, Lucian could tell that he didn’t hold even a single hint of hostility within his eyes. And yet, to mirror such aloofness in his actions...

Almost instantly, a thought flickered in Lucian’s mind, sounding louder than ever.

’An old man who looks more fit than even the rising dragons of the big sects? What is he, if not a hidden master?’

And unlike others, since he didn’t hold any malicious thoughts against Lucian or the Fengs, he could truly play his part as a master. In a sense, Lucian had a chance at getting true tutelage and an easier life while also receiving protection from him.

Believing his judgement, without wasting a single second, Lucian cupped his hands before the old man and bowed in complete sincerity.

"Sir, will you please be my master?" The boy asked, his voice calm and steady.

Hearing this, the elders and young cultivators within the crowd wanted to yell in rebuttal, but they didn’t dare. Obstructing a ceremony as old as that, even they wouldn’t be saved from the wrath of the other sects. But still, the old man, for some reason, sored their eyes.

Even when they wore such extravagant robes and wore immaculate expressions, they were not able to entice the kid’s curiosity for even a second. Instead they got outwitted by the same kid, and to make matters worse, the child had chosen a complete nobody as his master.

While the crowd was still gasping in shock, the parents who stood at a distance looked more shocked than anyone else. Their mouths were open wide while eyes threatened to bulge out any second.

What surprised them wasn’t the fact that their son, Feng Tian, had chosen a nobody as his master. But the fact that Feng Tian had politely and sincerely asked the man to be his master. While it might sound arrogant coming from a 5-year-old’s mouth, it was the most humble thing Feng Tian had ever spoken.

Both Feng Liang and Feng Yue stood witness, as they had cared for Feng Tian since the moment he was born. For 5 years, he had never left their sight. Thus, they had become aware of his habits.

Since the time Feng Tian had become aware of his surroundings, in their eyes, he wore a certain voice to him. Even though they never spoke of it outright, they believed it to be his high intelligence. With time, as his speech developed, Feng Tian often came off as arrogant and cunning. However, his attitude towards his parents never changed.

But for him to be sincere for the first time...

His parents instinctively turned towards one another, the corners of their lips curling into an excited smile.

Glancing into one another’s eyes, they easily knew each other’s thoughts and replied the same way.

"Maybe we were too worried."

"Yeah, he’s a smart kid."

"I guess it won’t be called his life if his decisions were influenced by anyone but himself."

Turning around, they smiled towards their son—bowing silently as he waited to hear the response from the old man.

Even in such a peculiar situation, they couldn’t help but pray in silence, all to wish well for their son.

Feng Tian, on the other hand, couldn’t help but gulp nervously. Even if his hypothesis was true, there was no guarantee that the man would actually accept his request.

Worst case, he will be declined by many more for the sake of a hollow ego if the old man refuses. Still, it seemed like the most viable gamble he could think of.

If he accepted, he could learn about things in depth while not having to worry about his well-being. But if he didn’t, he had a system by his back.

Just like that, the scene had fallen silent as everyone awaited the old man’s response. Then, as the long-awaited silence came to an end, the old man’s calm and cold words echoed through the area.

"Why me?"