The Sect Master Only Accepts Protagonists

You can find up to 5 chapters early on my patreón, If you are interested, go to: https://www.patreon.com/Origin_

==================================================================

"Delicious!"

"It smells amazing~!"

"Ouch—oh, oh! I can't stop eating!"

The entire group devoured their meal like starving beasts, each person seemingly trying to out-eat the others.

Monsters absorbed the essence of the sun and moon, drinking in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to cultivate. Even the weakest of them had bodies brimming with spiritual nourishment, making their meat infinitely superior to that of ordinary livestock.

Most of the prospective disciples who arrived at the Moon Embracing Sect came from humble origins. To them, the taste of monster meat was beyond anything they'd ever imagined.

And this wasn't just any monster meat. These creatures had been slain personally by the sect elders. Their bodies belonged to monsters of the second and third realm—brimming with vitality, energy, and essence. To an ordinary mortal, it was almost too much to handle.

Yet they ate like they could never have enough.

Stomachs swelled as they struggled to take another bite, but the craving remained.

"So this is the life of an immortal sect… This is incredible."

Though they could eat no more, they were filled with emotion.

"This is the Moon Embracing Sect, right? I heard other sects look down on commoners like us, treating us as insignificant ants…"

"But the Moon Embracing Sect is different. Not only do they care about our food and drink, but they even give us monster meat! I can feel my strength growing just from this meal!"

"Hah… If this is what it means to live among immortals, then this place truly is a paradise!"

"I don't know if I'll have the chance to pass the entrance trials… but if I do, it will be the greatest fortune of my life."

"Even if I don't, when I return home, I'll tell my village about this place. Who knows? Maybe next year, one of them will get lucky."

Their words were filled with awe and longing, carried by the crisp mountain breeze.

Fifth Elder Duan Qingyao couldn't help but smile as he listened. "At first, I didn't understand why the Sect Master cared so much about their food, why he insisted on personally ordering us to hunt monsters…"

He sighed, a tinge of admiration in his voice. "Now, I see how shallow my thinking was."

Second Elder Wu Xingyun nodded. "When you treat others with sincerity, they respond in kind. Winning the hearts of the people ensures that, next year, even more will come seeking the path of immortality."

Duan Qingyao chuckled, assuming Lin Fan was about to comfort him.

But the Sect Master merely shook his head. "No, Elder Duan. It's not that your thinking is shallow."

Duan Qingyao's smile deepened.

Then Lin Fan continued, his tone calm but firm. "It's that your vision is too small."

Duan Qingyao's smile froze.

The other elders burst into laughter.

"For us, hunting second and third realm monsters is effortless," Lin Fan continued. "Yet to them, it's an unforgettable act of generosity. In return, they will spread our name far and wide. Why would we not do this?"

His gaze sharpened. "The great sects don't need to concern themselves with such details. They have an endless stream of talented disciples flocking to their gates. But we? The Moon Embracing Sect doesn't have that luxury."

Details make a difference.

To Lin Fan, the truth was clear—his sect had no other choice.

Besides, what's wrong with mountain folk? If fate led them here, that was enough.

They lacked the arrogance to look down on the Moon Embracing Sect. Compared to their villages, this place truly was a land of gods.

Reputation was valuable.

"Details…" The elders murmured in contemplation.

They had never truly considered it before.

For generations, sects followed tradition: test talent, test potential, then place candidates behind the wall of rejection. Each sect had its own selection process, but none deviated from the norm.

Who cared about these details?

But now, the truth was evident.

The great sects could afford their arrogance. Even if they did nothing, noble families and genius cultivators would still flock to them.

But what about the Moon Embracing Sect?

Silence stretched between them.

Lin Fan sighed inwardly. If they continued as they were, how long would they last?

A struggling school couldn't afford to act like an elite academy.

But he didn't blame them. Arrogance was ingrained in cultivators. Each sect followed tradition, never questioning it.

But he would not allow this mindset to persist.

If he did, the sect might not survive another year.

…..

"Have you found anyone who meets our new criteria?" Lin Fan asked after observing the crowd for some time.

The elders stirred from their thoughts. Though they still didn't fully grasp Lin Fan's reasoning, they had agreed to work together. That was enough.

"I have someone in mind," Second Elder Wu Xingyun spoke at last.

Lin Fan's eyes lit up. "Oh?"

"She talks to herself," Wu Xingyun said thoughtfully. "But she doesn't wear a ring like most do when practicing mental techniques. Instead, she has a necklace. I can't tell if she's speaking to herself—or to the necklace."

"Who?"

"Back left," Wu Xingyun gestured subtly. "The girl with a muddy face, wearing linen robes that have been washed so often they've turned white."

Lin Fan and the other elders turned their attention to her.

"I observed her for a while," Wu Xingyun continued. "She mutters occasionally, but it's as if she's having a conversation. More than that—she's opened three mystical gates."

Lin Fan raised an eyebrow. "Three gates?"

"Yes, but something is strange," Wu Xingyun said. "She has the signs of someone who once opened many more. Her cultivation must have regressed due to some unknown reason."

A spark of interest flickered in Lin Fan's eyes.

"So, she's lost her cultivation… and she talks to a necklace?"

"Not just that," Wu Xingyun added. "Her hair is well-kept. Her clothes, though old, are clean. Yet her face is covered in mud. It's deliberate. She's trying to deceive others."

A heavy silence fell between them.

There was definitely something unusual about this girl.

Was it a good thing or a bad thing?

Lin Fan didn't know.

But the Moon Embracing Sect would be fools to ignore someone with such an aura of mystery. If there was even a chance she was destined for greatness, they had to take her.

Li Changshou suddenly spoke up. "If I recall correctly, she bears one of the four great surnames—Xiao, Lin, Shi, or Ye."

"Indeed," Wu Xingyun confirmed.

Lin Fan's mind was made up.

"It's her."

The elders exchanged glances but did not object.

"What about the others?" someone asked.

"We wait three days," Lin Fan decided. "One meal of monster meat each day. After that, we announce the results."

"Understood, Sect Master."

"Sect Master, why don't you rest? We'll keep watch."

Lin Fan nodded. "Very well."

…..

On the third day, Lin Fan stood before the girl.

"You are destined for our sect."

His voice was calm, yet firm.

"What is your name? Are you willing to join us?"

The girl's muddy face broke into a radiant smile. She quickly bent down and bowed.

"Disciple Xiao Ling'er pays her respects to the Sect Master!"