Chapter 35: One Can Match Three Thousand

"Senior's kindness, Titus appreciates it deeply," Titus said hesitantly. If Titus were an ordinary Martial Cultivator, it would be fortunate to be under the tutelage of the white-haired elder. However, Titus was not ordinary, possessing the unparalleled treasure of Ancient Wilderness. While others might not see through this, what if the white-haired elder could? Moreover, why did he choose to recruit Titus at this particular moment? No matter how one thought about it, it might not be a good thing. Refuse? The audience was stunned. Russell and others had eyes red with envy, wishing they could kill Titus. Such an opportunity, and he rejected it? Why not leave it to them? "Titus, the hall master kindly wants to accept you, you should agree quickly," Anya urged anxiously, staring at Titus. Such a rare opportunity, yet he refused? "You don't understand," Titus shook his head. "I don't understand, then tell me, why do you refuse?" Anya pressed urgently. This was a chance many could not even dream of. "I can't explain now, maybe later," Titus said offhandedly. Anya was about to speak when the white-haired elder interrupted, "Don't you think for yourself, not even for your family?" Family... Titus stopped in his tracks. "You're smart. If you leave here, do you think you can leave Xanth City alive? Even if you have some abilities and manage to escape Xanth City, what about your family? Can you guarantee their safety? Young man, you've offended too many people," the elder said lightly. Though vague, Titus understood the implications. Titus's offenses were not just against individuals, but against an entire Sect. Would Skynet Sect let him go? Certainly not. Titus thought of the Xenos Family, Uncle, Elsie, and Anya at the Icy Heart Sect. He didn't want any of them to come to harm. Unfortunately, he was short on time. Given enough, Titus believed he could reach a higher level quickly with his foundation. "Can you ensure my family's safety?" Titus turned to face the elder. "I can keep them safe for a year," the elder nodded slightly. "One year is too short," Titus shook his head. "It's enough. If you can't grow strong enough to protect your family in a year, you don't deserve to be my disciple," the elder said indifferently. Well, securing a year for his family should suffice. After a moment's hesitation, Titus nodded, "I am willing to enter Senior's tutelage." "From this moment, you are the seventh direct disciple of the eighty-first generation of my South School," the elder nodded slightly. Apart from Zyaire and Yale from Raging Wave Valley, who looked extremely displeased, others seemed okay, especially Lilah from Icy Heart Sect, who wore a happy smile. Among the younger generation, led by Russell, many looked at Titus with envy and jealousy, wishing they could trade places with him. Anya, on the other hand, breathed a sigh of relief, having been worried about Titus's refusal. For the family... Anya looked deeply at Titus, her eyes conveying unusual emotions. Only Michael among the young ones looked extremely displeased, as he not only gained nothing but also offended Titus. If the Yates Family learned of this, they would surely punish him severely. "Master..." Titus began. "Call me School Master," the elder corrected. School Master? Everyone looked surprised, including the steward of South Figaro Martial Hall, who unexpectedly looked at the elder. Wasn't this white-haired elder the Left Hall Master? How had he become the School Master? "South School is reestablished, congratulations. I also congratulate senior on finding a good disciple." A dignified voice came, as an old man in a black and gold martial robe appeared, smiling at the white-haired elder. "Greetings to the hall master!" The stewards of South Figaro Martial Hall and others kneeled to salute. Even Zyaire and others also saluted respectfully, knowing that this man in the black and gold robe was the true master of South Figaro Martial Hall, holding the hall's authority. "Don't be sarcastic, you think I don't know what you're laughing at?" the white-haired elder coldly said. "Of course, I have to laugh. I thought the one who caused the bell to ring ten times would be an extraordinary genius, but to my surprise, it turned out to be a half-competent Martial Cultivator." The man in the black and gold robe shook his head and sighed, "You waited so many years, and what did you get in the end? Nothing. I told you to give up on South School earlier. If you had given up on South School, the day of merging the north and south halls would have been the day South Figaro Martial Hall rose. However, you stubbornly maintained the old traditions." "Look at the tradition of your South School lineage, what did it get you? Nearly a hundred years of waiting, for a half-competent Martial Cultivator? Even if he caused the bell to ring ten times, how can he alone raise your South School lineage? senior, I advise you not to be too fanciful." “Senior, I'll give you one last chance. Give up South School, and together, we two brothers can reorganize South Figaro Martial Hall. One day, we can make South Figaro Martial Hall the foremost martial hall in Yanille Empire." The white-haired elder simply gave the man in the black and gold robe a glance, then pointed at Titus, "He alone will be enough to match all the members of your North School." "Him?" The man in the black and gold robe glanced at Titus and burst into laughter, "He alone can match three thousand members of my North School? A half-competent Martial Cultivator?" "A person who caused the bell to ring ten times is not ordinary," the white-haired elder stated firmly. "A half-competent Martial Cultivator can also be extraordinary?" The man in the black and gold robe sneered, "Since senior is so insistent, we will follow the rules. South School is reestablished, and so shall North School rise again. According to the agreement, my North School will give him one month. After a month, the conflict between North and South Schools will continue. I want to see if this half-competent Martial Cultivator you speak of can really match my North School's three thousand members." After saying this, the man in the black and gold robe did not wait for the white-haired elder to reply, he waved his sleeve and vanished into the air. Surprising, it's really too surprising. The scene was unexpectedly quiet, everyone looking surprised. South Figaro Martial Hall had divisions of South and North Schools? Everyone furrowed their brows in thought. This turn of events eased the worried expressions of Zyaire and Yale. Although they didn't understand the full situation, it seemed that South Figaro Martial Hall's South and North Schools were at odds. Key point being, the South School seemed weak with only seven members. The North School, however, had three thousand. The worry on Michael's face dissipated, replaced by a smile. He had been concerned about offending Titus and facing punishment from the Yates Family, but it seemed to have been a misunderstanding. He was a member of the North School, and Titus belonged to the South School. With the North and South Schools at odds, offending Titus seemed inconsequential. Moreover, the hall master had said that in a month, the North School would contend with the South School. Titus, as a member of the South School, would surely participate in this contention. One month - he had just one more month to live. Michael glanced at Titus, his eyes cold.