As soon as these words were spoken, the entire Immortal Performance Square quieted down a bit.
Everyone turned to look at Sun Xiuming.
A newcomer, actually taking the initiative to propose replacing the mentor leading his trial?
This was somewhat disrespectful to the seniors.
On the high platform, the elder responsible for this newcomer trial also paused. If it were an ordinary new disciple, he might chastise a bit for disrespect, but he recognized Sun Xiuming as the child of the new City Lord of Weiri City. After a quick calculation in his heart, he asked,
"Why is that?"
Sun Xiuming gritted his teeth and loudly said,
"Because the mentor I drew is Senior Brother Wubing!"
Once he said this, everyone immediately understood why he was risking the label of "disrespecting the seniors" to ask for a change.
In recent days, the new "senior guiding the newcomer" mode of the trial had already spread among the newcomers. Because of this, Fan Wubing's notorious reputation was widely known, and no newcomer wanted to draw him.
Both the newcomers and the seniors cast understanding glances at Sun Xiuming.
I suppose anyone who drew Fan Wubing would also seek to negotiate with the elder. After all, Sun Xiuming was the fourth in the entry test, having quite the potential; surely he didn't want to stake his future on someone who didn't even possess any cultivation.
After understanding Sun Xiuming, everyone turned their gaze to Fan Wubing.
Fan Wubing felt the gaze of the crowd and sighed in his heart.
What is this? As if my non-consent to Sun Xiuming's request makes me an oblivious person, the culprit delaying others' pursuit of immortality… Clearly, I'm just standing here, having done nothing or said anything, and suddenly all the blame is on me…
Although he thought this way, he understood well. Once a person enters a particular group, they must move with it or be isolated.
Fan Wubing was indeed accustomed to years of cold sarcasm, but it still felt uncomfortable somewhat.
On the high platform, the elder looked at the people below. With one glance, he discerned where public opinion leaned. His primary task as the responsible person was to ensure the normal conduct of the newcomer trial. He coughed, interrupting the uproar,
"This time, the pairings of new and old disciples are strictly arranged. Sun Xiuming, if you are unwilling to have Fan Wubing as your guide, you shall conduct it alone."
Sun Xiuming gritted his teeth and said,
"I'd rather do it alone!"
The implication being, having Fan Wubing would actually be a hindrance?
Some who were on good terms with Sun Xiuming stepped forward to comfort him. Meanwhile, Fan Wubing became more despised.
The elder looked at Fan Wubing,
"Fan Wubing, what do you plan to do? Will you choose Sun Xiuming?"
The pressure from the gaze was suffocating.
Fan Wubing knew he had no choice, that self-willing abandonment was the only option.
He slowly opened his mouth,
"I…"
Beside him, Wei Changkong, who couldn't bear to see this, wanted to speak a few words for Fan Wubing, but suddenly he was preempted by someone else.
At the forefront of the newcomer group, a girl wearing a dark green dress, with hair like a cascading waterfall, her face slightly childish, and eyes like stars under moon-like eyebrows, loudly said,
"Elder, I am willing to exchange mentors with Sun Xiuming!"
The voice was loud and determined, instantly attracting the attention of everyone. They all looked over.
"It's her? Luo Qingyao! The first in entry test among this batch of newcomers!"
"Hey, I can't wrap my head around it… she actually chooses Fan Wubing?"
"Perhaps she hasn't heard of Fan Wubing's reputation? Could it be out of sympathy?"
Luo Qingyao, having sharp ears, heard someone suggest she acted out of "sympathy," immediately turned her head and retorted, upset,
"You should be the one pitied, only daring to gossip behind others' backs!"
With arms akimbo and head upturned, she seemed like a spoiled young lady,
"I must tell you all. The thing I looked forward to most today was matching with Senior Brother Fan. When I saw the result wasn't his name, I was quite upset for a while. Sun Xiuming, if you're unwilling to be with Senior Brother Fan, then give him to me!"
Sun Xiuming stared blankly at Luo Qingyao,
"Qingyao, why? He is Fan Wubing, Fan Wubing!"
"I am Luo Qingyao, not Qing Yao, get it right!"
"But you clearly have a better—"
"Nothing better, Senior Brother Fan is the best!" Luo Qingyao stopped wasting words and turned to face the elder on the high platform, "Please, Elder, make the decision."
Seeing someone willing to take this hot potato, the elder was eager to pass it off. He quickly asked about the disciple Luo Qingyao drew.
The latter had nothing to say and agreed.
The elder nodded,
"Then let's arrange it this way. The newcomer trial will officially start in an hour; use the remaining time to prepare earnestly."
"Alright! Thank you, Elder!"
After dispersal, Luo Qingyao immediately ran to Fan Wubing. She shed her previous overbearing pose and shyly asked,
"S-Senior Brother, we'll be together now. I took the liberty, you won't blame me, will you?"
Fan Wubing looked at her and asked,
"Junior Sister Luo, you should know my situation. Why choose me regardless of yourself?"
Luo Qingyao poked her chin thoughtfully,
"Senior Brother, you might think I'm someone filled with romance, but I believe in my judgment. And I trust you are definitely better than those who enjoy gossiping behind others."
"Though it's said like this, thank you for rescuing me."
"Don't say it like that. I didn't intend on rescuing anyone, just wanted to seize the chance to accompany you." Luo Qingyao said bashfully, "Hehe… I thought you'd reprimand me for pestering you again."
Beside them, Wei Changkong couldn't help saying,
"Junior Sister Luo, I'm still here."
Luo Qingyao glanced at him, the smile slipping off her face,
"I see. No need to emphasize, Senior Brother."
"'Senior Brother'? Junior Sister Luo, don't you know me?"
Luo Qingyao scrutinized him,
"Is this Senior Brother famous?"
"This…"
Wei Changkong felt an internal storm… I presided over this batch's entry test.
Luo Qingyao turned back to Fan Wubing, immediately beaming radiantly,
"I really look forward to the trial with you, Senior Brother."
Wei Changkong twitched his mouth… This is preferential treatment!
Fan Wubing smiled,
"Junior Sister, don't regret it, then."
Luo Qingyao patted her chest,
"No worries, I'll protect you, Senior Brother!" She said, suddenly pausing, "Eh, what did you just call me? 'Junior Sister'? No surname included! Call it again!"
Fan Wubing sternly said,
"Alright, I need to prepare now. You shouldn't delay either."
He then walked away quickly.
Luo Qingyao shouted after him,
"Senior Brother, call it again!"
Watching their backs, Wei Changkong thought, let it be, being ignored is being ignored, at least Wubing now has someone his age to talk to.
In the distance, Sun Xiuming watched Fan Wubing and Luo Qingyao with a complex expression. He murmured to himself,
"Could it be that I really misunderstood something?"
The short and thin youth, He Chen, who previously advised him, walked over,
"Brother Sun, Fan Wubing has been in the sect for almost ten years without any cultivation. I heard he almost lost his monthly allowance previously. You have already reached Foundation Establishment Level 1, you're no longer in the same world as him, not choosing him is the right call."
"But, Qingyao chose him. Such a dazzling person, why do that?"
"Luo Qingyao is from a prominent family with strict upbringing, rarely interacting with outsiders. I reckon that Fan Wubing, with a charming facade and sweet words, deceived her youthful heart. With time, as her cultivation rises while Fan Wubing remains stagnant, she'll naturally drift away."
He Chen smiled and said,
"You and Luo Qingyao are truly well-matched."
Sun Xiuming frowned and walked off,
"Don't speak such things carelessly."
"Alright, alright."