The outer disciples, naturally, whispered that wastrels who bought their way in like this would only ever learn flashy but useless parlor tricks, amounting to nothing more than getting a meaningless title at White Cloud Manor, much like people getting a university degree nowadays just for the paper.

Ordinary disciples, like Qin Minglong, were taken in by White Cloud Manor from childhood and taught basic martial arts. Those with higher aptitude might be selected as direct disciples and taught more advanced techniques, while the average ones would merely serve as general labor or enforcers for the Manor.

Direct disciples were the true disciples of White Cloud Manor. These individuals were either direct relatives of the Manor's higher-ups or people with exceptionally outstanding natural talent. They were all instructed in profound martial arts, ensuring their future achievements in the Way of Martial Arts would be considerable.

As for Core Disciples, they were undoubtedly the young prodigies with top-tier talent. These disciples were usually the personal, direct students of the Seven Elders or the Manor Lord himself. Their status and prestige were the highest among all disciples, and their future achievements were limitless. I myself am the Great Elder, and the one I personally accepted as a disciple is naturally a Core Disciple. To think that this fellow, who wouldn't even qualify as an outer disciple, could be taken in as a Core Disciple—such a meteoric rise—and yet he doesn't even see this as a benefit?

"Heh heh, and what benefit do you desire?" Qin Xiao, however, offered a faint smile. It had been too long since he had encountered anyone this interesting.

"Er, I'm generally not very greedy? As long as you agree to three requests from me, I will immediately swear allegiance as your disciple..." Ye Jingyu spoke with a deliberate, swaying manner, a look of utter indifference plastered across his face, as if taking Qin Xiao as a master was merely a transaction that could go either way.

"Oh? And what are those three?" Qin Xiao chuckled softly, his expression brimming with playful curiosity.

"First, within White Cloud Manor, I am only allowed to bully others; no one is allowed to bully me..." Ye Jingyu held up a single finger, stating it with utmost seriousness.

"..." Qin Xiao was momentarily speechless. What kind of request was that? What did 'only allowed to bully others and not be bullied' even mean? Though he was fiercely protective of his own, that didn't mean he had to be completely tyrannical, did it?

"Second, my bone structure is exceptional; ordinary martial arts are beneath me. Just give me about ten or eight volumes of those legendary secret manuals that can split mountains and shatter stones..." Before Qin Xiao could speak, Ye Jingyu launched into his second demand.

"..." Qin Xiao's face darkened, and a surge of blood rushed upward to his chest. Did he think those peerless martial arts manuals were like pirated books sold on the street, available in any quantity he desired?

"Third, and most importantly, when I don't feel like cultivating, you are forbidden from forcing me. When I do want to cultivate, no matter where you are, you must return immediately to teach me. If you agree to this, I will become your disciple."

"Pfft..." The suppressed blood in Qin Xiao’s chest could no longer be held back; he spurted a mouthful of crimson, rolled his eyes upward, and slumped backward onto the ground.

Is this you becoming my disciple, or me becoming your slave? What nonsense is this—not practicing when you don't want to, but demanding I teach you the moment you feel like it? Are you my master, or am I your servant?

"Hey, old man, what's wrong with you? Did some woman drain you dry last night? Why are you spitting blood all of a sudden?" Seeing Qin Xiao collapse, Ye Jingyu leaped up, crying out in startled confusion.

"Pfft..." Another mouthful of blood shot from Qin Xiao's mouth, but the sheer anger made him spring upright again. Drained by a woman? How dare you suggest such a thing! Can't you see my hair is already turning white? Where would I have the energy for such matters?

"You bastard! I was willing to take you as a disciple, and you don't know what’s good for you! I'm giving you one last chance—are you going to become my disciple or not?" Qin Xiao finally realized that if he indulged Ye Jingyu’s nonsense, he would surely be angered to death sooner or later.

"The requests I just made..." Ye Jingyu retained his persistent look, the greedy glint in his eyes still flickering.

"Absolutely not! But if you refuse, I guarantee your future days will be very exciting, very exciting indeed..." At this moment, the faint smile on Qin Xiao's face had vanished, replaced by utter ferocity. It looked as if the moment Ye Jingyu uttered a single negative word, Qin Xiao would tear him to shreds without hesitation.

Ultimately, facing Qin Xiao’s brutal threats, our poor student Ye had no choice but to "reluctantly" become the disciple of Qin Xiao, the Great Elder of White Cloud Manor.

Of course, the most critical reason was that he knew even if he possessed a profound cultivation method, he would need sufficient time to actually practice it. Those who had previously conspired with Qin Minglong certainly wouldn't grant him that time, and that vixen Qin Yuting surely wouldn't let him off either. If he didn't secure a powerful backer soon, he might perish at White Cloud Manor before his divine skill was even established.

The formal disciple induction ceremony took place the following day in the main hall of White Cloud Manor.

Because he was being accepted by the Great Elder himself, the ceremony was exceptionally grand. The entire hall was decorated splendidly, and the White Cloud Manor Lord Qin Xuan, the Manor Mistress, the Seven Elders, and several Core Disciples were all gathered in the main hall.

Naturally, the attendance wasn't massive; ordinary disciples were unqualified to attend such a rite. Ye Jingyu couldn't witness the expressions of the disciples who had bullied him that day, but he did see the look of fury mixed with helplessness on Qin Yuting's face, which was as delicate as a pear blossom.

Little slut, that day I only spoke a few frivolous words, and you had me humiliated like that. Now that I have backing, let’s see how I deal with you later... Ye Jingyu thought viciously, looking at Qin Yuting’s mortified expression.

He already knew that Qin Yan was merely the third-ranked among the Seven Elders. Although he held considerable authority, he was nowhere near comparable to Qin Xiao.

"Eldest Martial Brother, the appointed time has arrived. Shall we begin?" At this moment, the handsome, refined middle-aged man seated in the main position spoke toward Qin Xiao, seated to his left, with a hint of envy. This man was Qin Xuan, the current Lord of White Cloud Manor, and he and Qin Xiao were martial brothers.

"I leave all arrangements to the Lord," Qin Xiao replied with a broad smile. Although Ye Jingyu was infuriating, he had to admit that the boy’s innate talent was outrageously high. Especially recalling how, the night before, his martial brothers—including Qin Xuan—had practically glowed green upon seeing Ye Jingyu, Qin Xiao felt a surge of pride. Fortunately, he had been bored enough to attend the martial competition that day and discovered the boy. And fortunately, it was that fellow Qin Yan who accompanied him; if the Manor Lord had gone, then the Manor Lord would be the one accepting the disciple today.

"Ye Jingyu, being taken as a disciple by Senior Martial Brother Qin Xiao is a fortune earned over three lifetimes. From this moment forward, you belong to White Cloud Manor. Do you understand all the rules of White Cloud Manor?" Qin Xuan sobered his expression, looking at Ye Jingyu with regret. Such fine features, such excellent bone structure, and the ability to kill a High-level Martial Warrior with sheer physical strength—such talent meant breaking through to the Grandmaster Realm wasn't impossible! Why had Senior Martial Brother found him first?

"I understand..." Facing the high-ranking officials of White Cloud Manor seated formally before him, Ye Jingyu couldn't possibly say no. However, compared to the deference of the other disciples, his demeanor was much more natural; he showed no sign of being intimidated by Qin Xuan or the others.

Perhaps due to innate arrogance, or perhaps because he was not originally from this world and held no deep reverence for White Cloud Manor, the deep-seated authority of the Manor failed entirely to subdue him.

Seeing Ye Jingyu’s composed expression, the eight individuals seated before him displayed looks of approval. To be so calm at such a young age—he was truly a rare talent.

The rest of the process was straightforward: reciting the rules of White Cloud Manor, drinking the initiation tea offered to Qin Xiao, completing the master-disciple rites, and then offering tea to Qin Xuan and the other Elders. Amidst the envious and jealous gazes of the crowd, he officially became a Core Disciple of White Cloud Manor.

Ye Jingyu had assumed that after the ceremony, he would be escorted to his newly assigned quarters to enjoy the privileges of a Core Disciple. To his surprise, Qin Xuan called him aside, and the former smile instantly faded from his face, replaced by a solemn expression that swept across the hall. Everyone present, except Ye Jingyu, flinched internally, focusing intently on Qin Xuan as if awaiting some critical directive.

"Everyone present here represents the most elite members of White Cloud Manor. You, Ye Jingyu, were not originally qualified to be here, but the fact that the Great Elder, who never accepts disciples, took you under his wing is enough to prove your potential. That is why I have allowed you to remain under special exception. However, I must warn you: what you are about to hear concerns the very life and death of White Cloud Manor. Once you hear it, there will be no turning back. You still have the chance to leave now..."

Gulp...

The heart that had been soaring with excitement moments ago plummeted straight to the bottom of Ye Jingyu's chest. Life and death? Wasn't White Cloud Manor supposed to be incredibly powerful? How had it reached a point of imminent destruction? Was he simply that unlucky?