Chapter 99: The Moon Surrounded by Stars

Si Kong Xing's words caused an immediate commotion among the male and female disciples behind him.

"What? The Sect Master of Jiuxuan Sect wants to take Chu Feng as his closed-door disciple? This... this is truly a great honor for Chu Feng!"

"Yes! The Sect Master's three disciples are all in their forties at the youngest, while Chu Feng is only sixteen or seventeen years old. If he could become the Sect Master's disciple, that would truly astonish everyone and make me envious!"

"In my opinion, although Chu Feng is young and has already made a name for himself in the martial world, his foundation is insufficient. It would be quite a stretch for him to become the Sect Master's closed-door disciple!"

"I disagree! In my view, Chu Feng's future is boundless, and his achievements will surely surpass ours. The Sect Master is now accepting him as a disciple, showing a discerning eye and finding a successor at a single glance!"

"Perhaps not..."

For a moment, these disciples in golden battle attire voiced their opinions on Chu Feng, discussing among themselves.

Seeing that Chu Feng remained silent, Si Kong Xing asked, "Chu Feng, what is your opinion?"

Chu Feng immediately cupped his hands and bowed deeply to Si Kong Xing, saying, "I am deeply honored by the Sect Master's recognition, but Chu Feng dares not presume! At present, Chu Feng is a fugitive on the martial world, harboring deep grudges against the Xiong Clan of the Fear Gate that have yet to be settled. It would be most inconvenient to take you as a teacher. Sect Master, please judge for yourself!"

Chu Feng could hardly believe that the first task he faced upon stepping onto the lands of Jiuxuan Sect was for the illustrious Sect Master of Jiuxuan Sect to offer him closed-door discipleship.

If it were any other person, whether a sixteen- or seventeen-year-old youth or a sixty- or seventy-year-old elder, who would not wish to become a disciple of Si Kong Xing? Even the slightest connection to Si Kong Xing would make the long road of martial dao effortless.

Si Kong Xing was not only the Sect Master of Jiuxuan Sect, the foremost power among the nine mountains and eighteen veins, but also a martial dao expert at the tenth layer of the Body Tempering Realm who had comprehended the Five Elements Heavenly Instrument.

Among the nine mountains and eighteen veins, there were no more than ten experts at the tenth layer of the Body Tempering Realm. Apart from those who had long been in seclusion or hiding their names, Si Kong Xing was the only one widely known to possess martial strength at the tenth layer of the Body Tempering Realm.

The nine mountains and eighteen veins were neither large nor small in scope. Those whose martial strength reached the tenth layer of the Body Tempering Realm could walk with heads held high and chests thrust forward, whether their reputations were lofty or their crimes numerous, within the nine mountains and eighteen veins.

Who among those extremely strong in personal power and high in status and authority, like Si Kong Xing, would not wish to become his disciple?

Yet Chu Feng was an exception!

If Chu Feng wished to take a master, he would have done so long ago at the Heaven Machine Wood Family, either accepting Wood Zhen Dong or Lei Ying Feng as his teacher, and would not have refused.

Upon hearing Chu Feng's eloquent refusal, Si Kong Xing's expression remained calm, with no trace of surprise. He smiled and said, "Good! Chu Feng, I indeed did not misjudge you! Your martial dao heart is exceptionally strong, and your future cultivation is boundless. It truly is not something I, Si Kong Xing, could teach you!"

A martial dao expert who had comprehended the Five Elements Heavenly Instrument was far more powerful than a Body Tempering Stage ninth layer expert in terms of inner insight. With the naked eye, one could discern a martial artist's vitality, cultivation level, and future prospects almost at a glance.

And Si Kong Xing's words were equivalent to affirming Chu Feng's attainments on the path of martial cultivation, which would surely be extraordinary in the future!

"I truly cannot believe it! Chu Feng actually refused the Sect Master's offer to take him as a disciple without hesitation! Is his heart too strong, too self-assured? Even if he is a peerless genius, he still needs the guidance of a famous master!"

"Hehe, the Sect Master is not one to misjudge people! Since the Sect Master has affirmed Chu Feng's martial dao heart, Chu Feng is not blindly arrogant but has his own way of growing! This way is something our worldly folks cannot comprehend!"

"I see that Chu Feng is definitely not an ordinary person! Facing the Sect Master's offer of discipleship, he could still politely decline. How powerful his heart must be and how sufficient his confidence! Such a person will definitely become a peerless talent in the future!"

"Correct, keep an eye on Chu Feng! Chu Feng's martial dao heart and future cultivation will not be inferior to those of Hall Master Bai!"

Immediately, the male and female disciples began discussing once more, looking at Chu Feng with new respect.

"Chu Feng, this is an internal energy cultivation manual called the One Yuan Restoration Art, which will be of great help to you now! This single art is considered a token of friendship from me to you. Take it."

As he spoke, Si Kong Xing's hand produced a small booklet, which he then handed to Chu Feng.

"Thank you, Sect Master. Chu Feng is flattered and grateful!"

Facing Si Kong Xing's repeated overtures, if Chu Feng refused again, he would be ungrateful, so he accepted the book called the One Yuan Restoration Art and bowed deeply to Si Kong Xing.

Among the nine mountains and eighteen veins, Jiuxuan Sect was recognized as the orthodox school of martial dao, with deep foundations and various martial techniques, manuals, and internal cultivation arts that ranked among the best, not inferior to those of the Wind Thunder Martial Hall.

Such a book as the One Yuan Restoration Art would be an invaluable treasure in Chu Feng's hands, a Body Tempering Stage sixth layer martial artist; there was demand but no supply.

Chu Feng was a clear-eyed man. Si Kong Xing's gestures of goodwill could be for two reasons: first, perhaps he admired Chu Feng's talent and wished to take this young genius into Jiuxuan Sect's fold; second, because of Chu Feng's task to help the Wu Han Xue Clan create ice bead gold pearls.

Jiuxuan Sect bordered the Wu Han Xue Clan. If the Wu Han Xue Clan faced difficulties, the extreme cold air from the Great Cold Sea of Extreme North would descend southward first, and Jiuxuan Sect would suffer the most.

Just as lips and teeth are interdependent, if the "lips" of the Wu Han Xue Clan were damaged, the "teeth" of Jiuxuan Sect would freeze first.

Therefore, Si Kong Xing's overtures to Chu Feng were to encourage him to put more effort into creating the ice bead gold pearls, a reasonable matter.

"Sect Master, this junior has already heard about the Wu Han Xue Clan and the ice bead gold pearls. If there is nothing else, this junior will set out at once."

Chu Feng said.

"Hehe, no hurry on this night! The wind and snow in the Wu Han Xue Mountain at night are fierce, and traveling takes twice the effort for half the result. It would be better to wait until morning when the wind and snow subside and then push on with all our strength!"

Si Kong Xing smiled slightly and said, "Chu Feng, your ability to come so far without shirking responsibility is a source of great comfort to this old man! Although creating the ice bead gold pearls for the Wu Han Xue Clan is quite difficult, since you are personally here to try, I believe even the greatest obstacle will be overcome!"

"Sect Master overstates it. Chu Feng dares not presume!"

Chu Feng cupped his hands hurriedly, feeling somewhat ashamed. Without the thirty million gold coins promised by the Gao Family brothers, Chu Feng would never have traveled to this remote and bitterly cold place, let alone risked entering the Wu Han Xue Mountain.

"Good, stay at Jiuxuan Peak tonight and set out early tomorrow!"

Si Kong Xing spoke, and immediately arranged for disciples to prepare food and guest rooms for Chu Feng.

Upon hearing that Chu Feng would stay at Jiuxuan Sect for the night, the male and female disciples waiting in front of the hall suddenly showed joy, their expressions excited as if they had found a treasure.

Next, in the guest reception hall of one of the eighteen halls of Jiuxuan Sect, a lavish night banquet was held specifically for Chu Feng. Besides the sumptuous wine and delicacies, all the Hall Masters of Jiuxuan Sect attended to accompany him, meeting Chu Feng one by one.

Several dozen Hall Masters meeting and feasting with Chu Feng was both a sign of respect from Jiuxuan Sect to Chu Feng and to themselves!

At the banquet, these Hall Masters praised Chu Feng without restraint, one calling him a young hero, another a rising star, some mentioning his boundless future and others his great achievements, all singing his praises.

Chu Feng was also inclined to befriend these Hall Masters, especially the younger ones. At the same time, he kept an eye on the so-called Hall Master Bai mentioned by the disciples, but did not hear any of the present Hall Masters named Bai.

After the banquet, two Hall Masters escorted Chu Feng to a secluded courtyard behind the guest reception hall, where he would rest that night.

As soon as the courtyard gate closed, the young male and female disciples immediately surrounded it in groups of two or three, gathering at the entrance.

"Mr. Chu, disturbing you so late at night is really rude! I heard that when Mr. Chu created the pulse needles at the Heaven Machine Wood Family, he coughed up blood. May I ask if creating items consumes one's lifespan?"

"Mr. Chu, how did you subdue the Thunderbolt King Beast in the Wind Thunder Stone Cave? Is that Thunderbolt King Beast still with you? Let this brother have a good look! I'll pay for it!"

"Mr. Chu, are you and Thunder Sword Qin a perfect match? When are you getting married? At that time, this younger sister may not be talented, but I'd love to come over to drink your wedding wine! Hehe!"

"Mr. Chu, there are still three months until your battle with the Fear Gate. I wonder how much confidence you have. If you win in one strike, will you exterminate the Fear Gate completely?"

"Mr. Chu, what are your chances of creating the ice bead gold pearls for the Wu Han Xue Clan this time? Can you make ten or eight, or countless ones?"

"Mr. Chu, such a beautiful night and scenery. Why not come out and chat with us? We have been longing for you!"

Hearing the voices of men and women outside the courtyard, you ask a question and I ask one, like a flock of sparrows, Chu Feng sat quietly on the wooden bed in the room, smiling and shaking his head.

Becoming a peerless figure among men and the focus of warriors from all directions, the feeling of being talked about was like stars surrounding the moon, and it quite pleased Chu Feng!

Just then, Chu Feng's ears twitched, and he suddenly heard urgent, powerful footsteps coming from outside the courtyard, not far away. Simply from the sound of the steps, Chu Feng knew the person was no ordinary figure.

"You! It's so late at night, why are you all whispering and chatting here? Stand properly! I deduct ten points of sect contribution from each of you. Are you satisfied?"

From outside the courtyard gate, a thunderous male voice reached Chu Feng's ears through the yard.