Chapter 79: Accepting a Disciple

“This…” Fang Lang was swayed by Fang Jian’s words, but when he cast his spell on Ye Sansi, he did sense an extraordinary spiritual aura about him—how could it be an illusion?

Though doubts lingered in his mind, since the esteemed elder had already spoken and vowed to protect Ye Sansi, how could he act rashly? He could only remain silent.

Fang Jian continued, “Elder, if Young Hero Ye Sansi is willing to stay on my Square Inch Immortal Island, I will take him as my disciple. If he is unwilling and wishes to go elsewhere, I will personally escort him.”

From among the clouds, the figure asked, “Sansi, what is your wish?”

Ye Sansi replied, “I originally came to this Immortal Island to seek the Way. It was this elder who accused me of being a monster, which angered me and led to the fight. I find the Island Master to be discerning and upright—if I could take him as my master, that would be ideal.”

“Very well,” said the figure in the clouds. “Then I shall take my leave. Sansi, you must be mindful of your own safety in the future. I cannot always know where you are or what you face...”

Ye Sansi bowed deeply. “Thank you, elder, for saving my life. Are you perhaps acquainted with my father?”

“I do not know. I know only you.”

“Only me?” Ye Sansi asked, but as he finished, the Eight Trigrams clouds dissipated, and a dark silhouette drifted away. Though already distant, his voice still echoed across the sky. Turning back, he called, “I am hardly worthy of the title ‘elder’—merely a humble monk from Qingyang Temple…”

The figure in the clouds was gone, yet the people of Square Inch Immortal Island remained in a daze, pondering his identity and wondering how an outsider could have activated the island’s protective formation.

But Fang Jian was different from the others. When this lofty figure appeared, it did not surprise him in the least, as though he had long known of his coming and was aware that the formation could be freely manipulated.

Fang Lang, noticing Fang Jian’s lack of surprise, asked, “Junior brother, do you know this man?”

“Senior brother, how could I? Think—such a master would surely be renowned throughout the land. If even you do not recognize him, how could I?” With that, Fang Jian approached Ye Sansi and said gently, “Sansi, forgive the wrongs you have suffered. This was all a misunderstanding. Bear no grudge against your Grand Elder.”

Ye Sansi bowed. “Island Master Fang, I would not. The Grand Elder acted only for the safety of the island. Yet there are good and evil among the world’s monsters—those who harm must be eliminated, but I hope mercy may also be shown to those who mean no harm.”

Fang Jian patted Ye Sansi on the shoulder, smiling. “Very well, very well. Tomorrow I shall set a new rule for the island. If any of our disciples encounter benevolent spirits or monsters, they must not harm them, but allow them to depart in peace. What do you think?”

“That would be wonderful.”

“Sansi, since I have said I will take you as my disciple, your manner of address must change.”

Ye Sansi knelt and bowed deeply. “Master, henceforth I shall study the arts with you. I am willing to endure hardship and study diligently. I ask for your guidance.”

“Hahaha! Good child, rise quickly.” Fang Jian grasped Ye Sansi by the arms and lifted him up. Then he turned to Fang Lang. “Senior brother, I must trouble you with these thirty-nine people. Select twenty and entrust them to your prized disciple.”

With that, Fang Jian took Ye Sansi by the sleeve and led him before the hall. Pointing to a vacant seat, he said, “Disciple, take a seat there. After such a contest, you must be weary. Sit and rest well.”

“But… but that is the Grand Elder’s seat…”

“Nonsense about Grand Elders—I am the Island Master, my word is law. Sit.”

“Yes, Master.” Since Fang Jian had spoken, Ye Sansi could not refuse and sat as instructed.

While Fang Lang and Fang Yuan continued to select the remaining twenty disciples on the training grounds, Fang Jian conversed with Ye Sansi. “Disciple, do you know that eminent monk?”

“I do. A month ago, I met him at Qingyang Temple in Qingyang City. He spoke some strange words to me. I truly did not expect he would come to save my life today.”

An elder standing nearby leaned in with a smile and said to Ye Sansi, “Sansi, our junior brother has never before taken a disciple. Today he breaks precedent for you—do you know why?”

“I do not, Elder. Please instruct me.”

“Hahaha! It means that the next Island Master shall be you.”

At these words, Ye Sansi grew anxious, leaping to his feet and waving his hands. “No, no, I cannot possibly assume such a position. I might manage to be a mountain king, but to entrust Square Inch Immortal Island to me—I truly…”

The elders all burst out laughing. One said, “Sansi, who said you must govern such a great island alone? You may appoint eight elders to assist you, would that not be more manageable?”

Fang Jian shook his head, smiling. “So my brothers see me as a loafer, do they?”

Everyone but Ye Sansi shared in the laughter. Frowning, Ye Sansi said to Fang Jian, “Master, I came to this island only to seek the Way, not to shoulder such burdens. I also promised to learn the immortal arts and return to Mount Buyun to accompany Old Tree. If I become Island Master, then…”

“Good child, it’s all right. Let me put it this way: in the future, your coming or going is your own choice. I will never bind you with obligations.”

“Junior brother, this is not proper,” an elder whispered to Fang Jian. The matter of succession concerned the island’s future—how could it be treated so lightly?

Fang Jian smiled. “Let’s speak no more of it. What comes, comes. Disciple, if you ever wish to return home, you are free to leave the island at any time.”

“Yes, Master.”

While they conversed, the selection of the thirty-nine was completed. The method was the same as before: all thirty-nine attacked Fang Yuan at once, who judged their abilities, while Fang Lang observed and made his own list.

After half an hour, the thirty-nine had not gained an inch on Fang Yuan. It seemed Fang Lang’s praise was well-founded—Fang Yuan was indeed the foremost disciple of Square Inch, more than able to handle all comers.

Fang Yuan approached Fang Lang. “Master, the contest is over.”

“Very good, Yuan’er. Have you made your choices?”

Fang Yuan nodded. Fang Lang handed him brush and paper, and within the time it takes to burn an incense stick, twenty names were written down.

Everyone in the hall watched the proceedings closely. When Fang Yuan finished, all fell silent. Ye Sansi was most nervous, fearing that Taiyi and the others might be excluded.

Fang Lang rolled up the two lists and handed them to Fang Jian, who opened Fang Lang’s and announced, “The test at the Heaven and Earth Training Grounds is now concluded. The Grand Elder and Fang Yuan have each made a list of twenty names. I shall now announce those selected.”

Clearing his throat, Fang Jian read aloud: “Li Taiyi, Li Bing, Xiong Gang, Song Han… Jin Sun… Lu Renjia.” At the end, there were no names for Liu Lingshuang or Lin Nian’er.

Only then did Fang Yuan realize he had forgotten the Island Master’s instructions—his list was identical to Fang Lang’s, and neither included Lingshuang or Nian’er. Now he was truly in a bind.

Ye Sansi’s tension increased. Fang Jian then opened Fang Yuan’s list and continued to read: “Li Taiyi, Li Bing, Xiong Gang, Song Han… Jin Sun…”

This development took Fang Jian by surprise. He had thought Fang Yuan would remember his instructions and include Nian’er, but now, having announced the names before all, it was difficult to find an appropriate reason to keep her.

The elders noticed the look on Fang Jian’s face and understood his dilemma. The Second Elder stepped forward with a smile. “Senior brother, Island Master, I must say, I envy your choice of disciples—their talents are truly remarkable. I wonder, among the remaining nineteen who were not selected, could I not take one as my final disciple?”

Fang Jian agreed at once, nodding. “That would be wonderful. Among the eight elders, Second Senior Brother has the fewest disciples. If you can accept one today, all the better.”

“Second brother, do think it through. These nineteen are not as outstanding as those Yuan’er picked. If you choose among them…”

The Second Elder smiled. “No matter, no matter. I have taken a liking to the girl named Lin Nian’er. Her spiritual power is extraordinary. If she learns the immortal arts, she will surely outshine the others.”

Since his junior wanted to accept a final disciple, how could Fang Lang object? He nodded in agreement. The Second Elder called out across the training ground, “Miss Lin, would you be willing to become my disciple?”

Lin Nian’er bowed and answered, “If you are willing to accept me, elder, I would be honored. But…”

“What difficulty is there? Speak freely.”

“I have a dear friend, Liu Lingshuang, who was not chosen among the twenty. If she cannot stay, how can I…”

Ye Sansi was about to rise, but the Third Elder, catching sight of him, stood up first and hurriedly said, “Ah, I was just about to say the same. This Liu Lingshuang is exactly whom I wish to accept as my disciple. Second brother, since you have chosen one, don’t try to steal mine.”

The Second Elder laughed. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

Fang Lang was puzzled by his brothers’ eagerness. “What’s gotten into you both, so anxious to take disciples?”

“Ah, senior brother, it’s their own wish. Please don’t concern yourself further,” Fang Jian replied, finally breathing a sigh of relief. His brothers’ timely intervention had resolved matters, and even if Fang Lang suspected anything, he could say nothing more.

Next, Fang Yuan handled the many affairs following the selection, while Ye Sansi, Lin Nian’er, and Liu Lingshuang were summoned by Fang Jian to the Hall of Heaven and Earth.

The Hall of Heaven and Earth truly lived up to its name—magnificent, with carved beams and painted rafters, surpassing even palaces and royal mansions. Looking up, one saw a dragon’s head carved into the ceiling, baring its fangs in a display of awe-inspiring majesty.

Seeing their amazement, Fang Jian explained, “This was left behind by the Square Inch ancestors. With this dragon’s head as the focus, one can activate the island’s protective formation. Should any intruder trespass, they will be reduced to ashes.”

Curious, Liu Lingshuang asked, “Then… then how was that elder earlier able to…”

“Haha, that one possesses extraordinary power, already with one foot in the realm of immortals. No matter how strong our island’s methods, they cannot compare to his level. To destroy Square Inch would take but a breath.”

Lin Nian’er exclaimed, “With one foot in the immortal realm, to be so terrifying—if one were a true immortal or a god, could they not destroy heaven and earth?”

Fang Jian laughed. “Nian’er, not all immortals and gods possess such abilities. Ordinarily, if an immortal tried to trespass on Square Inch Immortal Island and triggered the protective formation, they would either die or suffer grave injury.”

…