"For my first chance to choose a spirit weapon, you are actually so considerate of me."

Gan Xiuming's favorability increased by 5, current favorability is 50.

Tu Longjian smiled gently, seemingly embarrassed.

The other disciples who were listening nearby all sighed at the deep affection between the two.

Some people secretly shook their heads, sighing in their hearts, "Another devoted woman. I'm afraid that her devotion will lead to a heartless man. Is it worth giving up her chance for love?"

Just then, a hearty and steady laugh rang out, "I'm late because I've been busy with official duties."

A middle-aged female cultivator with a broad forehead strode across the threshold, and Jie Lei hurriedly went forward to greet her.

"Sect Leader, it's not late. You're the first one here," Jie Lei replied with a smile.

"Hmm, these guys have been lazy lately. We can't keep the new disciples waiting too long."

The middle-aged female cultivator swept her gaze around, unconsciously releasing her oppressive aura, making many disciples feel suffocated.

Only Tu Longjian and Gan Xiuming, who had already reached the Foundation Establishment stage, were less affected.

However, Tu Longjian pretended to be under great pressure and disappeared among the crowd, while Gan Xiuming straightened his back and remained calm, hoping in his heart that the sect leader would pay attention to him.

Tu Longjian's mind wandered. Anyway, she had a guaranteed spot, so she didn't need to gain the favor of the peak master. Once Gan Xiuming went to the main peak, she would just choose the main peak as well.

However, looking at Gan Xiuming's figure, which was as proud as a goose, Tu Longjian's eyes became amused. What a fine Prince Duan.

The sect leader noticed Gan Xiuming's stiff back and his eyes lit up. He was about to praise him.

The competition for students is fierce, and now that she's arrived first, she'll naturally be the first to recruit any promising talents.

But when her gaze fell upon Tu Longjian beside Gan Xiuming, she suddenly remembered the powerful man in blue.

Looking closely at Gan Xiuming, it turned out to be the man who had been a womanizer and then ran away at the last minute.

A look of disdain flashed in the sect leader's eyes, showing no interest whatsoever.

She disdains to accept disciples with questionable character.

The sect leader withdrew his oppressive aura, took the main seat, and spoke with a smile.

A warm, soulful voice echoed in the air.

"Please be seated, fellow new disciples. The other peak masters will arrive shortly."

"You have all gone through the new student trials, and some of you even had to go through a second test before you were able to enter this core disciple recruitment meeting. You have all worked hard."

The disciples felt comforted and echoed, "It's no trouble at all. Thank you for the sect's guidance."

Unexpectedly, the sect leader changed his tone, becoming somewhat sharp and authoritative, "You have performed very well. However, you should know that cultivating the Tao also requires cultivating the mind."

“At least our Guanqing Sect is a reputable and orthodox sect, and we have always demanded this of our disciples.”

Tu Longjian had been practicing the flute all night and was feeling sleepy. Hearing this, he felt as if he had entered a classroom and became even more drowsy.

Thinking to himself, the sect leader is indeed a typical leader in his speech. He starts by showing concern and kindness, but next he'll probably criticize a few students.

As everyone knows, the very few exceptions are you, so stop looking.

"A very small number of new students—"

Sure enough, she knew it.

Tu Longjian stood behind Gan Xiuming, squinting at him with sleepy eyes, a smug smile playing on his lips.

A very small number of students must be the male student who deserted at the last minute.

“A very small number of freshmen, however, have moral failings during the trials.”

"It's not wrong to protect oneself, but to steal one's companion's magic weapon and run away is really unbecoming of a cultivator."

"Although the cultivation world is a dog-eat-dog world, the most irreplaceable thing is your companions."

"I won't name names. In your future spiritual practice, you must cultivate a righteous mind and virtue to prevent inner demons from arising suddenly."

After speaking, she closed her eyes to rest.

Although no names were mentioned, every single incident was a condemnation of Gan Xiuming.

The gossip spread extremely quickly among the cultivators, and many people looked at Gan Xiuming knowingly and whispered among themselves.

Gan Xiuming, like a deflated balloon, suddenly bent his stiff back, wishing he could find a crack to crawl into.

Hearing the surrounding cultivators' discussions, he blushed and almost turned to leave.

Tu Longjian gently tugged at his sleeve, softly comforting him:

"Xiu Ming, don't go. This is the core disciple recruitment meeting. If you miss it, you will never be able to become a core disciple."

Gan Xiuming didn't notice the hint of mockery in her soft voice and nodded through gritted teeth.

Tu Longjian shielded him from the mocking gazes of the other cultivators, squatted down to look at him, and covered his ears.

Gan Xiuming felt a little better when he saw the deep affection in Tu Longjian's eyes.

It was as if the world consisted only of the girl gently covering his ears, shutting out the noise from the outside world.

Her voice was soft and gentle, as if it had a magical power to soothe people's hearts.

He was stunned, his heart pounding in his chest. He, who had been through countless romances, actually felt a touch of genuine affection within himself.

Gan Xiuming's favorability has increased by 10, currently standing at 60. Favorability is still increasing.

Gan Xiuming grabbed Tu Longjian's hand that was covering his ears, and a sincere tenderness appeared in his eyes: "I was wrong."

"I don't care what they do. I regret it now that I abandoned you and ran away back then."

"I never expected that when I was being ridiculed by everyone, it would be you who would put aside past grievances."

"I'm now filled with fear. If it weren't for you, I—"

"What's wrong?" a magnetic male voice rang out.

An Lan rudely knocked Gan Xiuming's hand away with her jade fan, then narrowed her eyes and coldly snorted:

"The most despicable affection comes too late. If it weren't for my junior sister's good fortune, she would have been swallowed by that lizard long ago."

"Besides, those were your close female friends. It's too late to repent now."

Tu Longjian stood up in surprise, wondering why An Lan had come.

[The increase in favorability has been interrupted; Gan Xiuming's favorability remains at 62.]

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