'Disciple'

The Purple Mist Sect Master was impressed with the details that Shu Wei and the village chiefs proposed.

Further, at the middle of the deliberation, he also learned, to his delight, that the Shu family's siblings of Qai and Shu Liang were joining the event under Mo Clan's banner.

He felt to himself the urge to secretly watch how would Qai fare inside the wasteland—obviously, he knew that dangers and deaths were unavoidable inside the area. And no one could be blamed if at the end of the end event only few could successfully return.

Naturally that was also part and parcel of the event—a hard fact that all the great clans and big families that would participate needed to accept.

Having settled all the details of the arrangements, the sect master naturally gave his approval. He then called two of the sect elders and requested his guests to recount their ideas so the sect could prepare some of arrangements belonging on their part—particularly with the request of the security of the place.

The Sect Master informed them that he would bring two elders to spearhead the security with some elite sect disciples.

And at the end of the deal, they all agreed that with these developments, they needed to inform the cultivators of the region of the exact gathering place and some of the guidelines respecting the event.

But because the Shu family's place was most probably unknown to most of the cultivators, the sect master suggested to give the place a name.

In fact, the emperor himself suggested it to be called 'The Hunters' Plateau,' and recommended that an ark signage at the entrance of the plateau be set up to which Shu Wei naturally agreed.

With that, the visit of the group could truly be considered a success.

But before the Sect Master sent his guests off, he unexpectedly approached Qai and asked an unxpected question.

"Boy, are you perhaps interested in becoming my disciple?"

"Eh?"

****************

To the emperor's standard, Qai's level was average. There were tons of core disciples with obviously better talent.

But Sect Master Han was intruiged by the combination of Qai and his contracted black tiger. Not even one of the sect's disciples thought of taking that path in cultivation.

Unfortunately, Qai had the least intention to join a sect.

The village heads wanted to say 'yes' for Qai knowing the magnanimity of such an offer but both Qai's father and big brother knew, that with Qai's free spirited lifestyle and goals, he did not want to be 'restricted' by sect rules.

But they all knew too well that to instantly reject an emperor's offer might be troublesome.

***************

Easily, the Sect Master could see the glimpse of hesitation in Qai's eyes. He didn't want to force things from Qai so he thought of something else.

"I didn't mean that you have to join the sect," he said. "I'm just interested in you.. so how about an in-name disciple?"

"Ah."

"I could help you with your cultivation..," the emperor added evidently to lock down Qai's interest., "..and you do not need to reside here.. you're free to come and go.. how about that?"

All members of the group were speechless.

That was way better than being a 'sect' disciple. But what happened next was even more unexpected.

"It was truly an honor to be the Esteemed Master Han's disciple..," Qai replied, "..but I can't simply accept such gracious offer."

Everyone was fearfully silent.

The Sect Master was about to get dissapointed when Qai spoke another words.

"Why not let's be friends?" Qai asked.

"Eh!?"

Everyone's eyes almost popped out after hearing Qai's suggestion. It appeared to simply be an innocent remark, but obviously Qai had some deeper intention.

"It's not that I don't want to be an in-name disciple..," Qai cautiously explained. "I would be too stupid to reject such an offer.. but I think, having me as a disciple with the benefit of being outside the sect.. I think I might create a commotion among the sect disciples, Master Han."

Qai sighed after a brief pause.

"I'm pretty sure every disciple in this sect would want to be taken as your personal apprentice, Master Han..," he said, "..me being the Sect Master's chosen disciple while being an outsider would definitely be a cause of envy.."

Qai once more paused for a while before he concluded his response with the following words.

"Instead," he said. "I will visit here, without a doubt, very often to listen to Master Han's wisdom and learn from it sincerely.. in return, Master Han can be rest assured of my loyalty."

"Ho ho," the emperor jested. "Indeed.. indeed.. you're pretty smart for you age.."

The sect master then thought for a while.

"Hmmm," he mumbled.

Qai's reply technically was the same as having a master-disciple. He just removed any color of any 'official' agreement.

That succession from disciple to friendship was Qai's ploy to eliminate the possible trouble it could cause—which was obviously seen through by the emperor but he simply let it be. In the first place, his real intention was only triggered by curiosity over Qai.

"Alright.. I'll take that offer of friendship of yours," he said.