(MC POV)
About half an hour has passed since the commencement of the student selections. There were quite a number of students who got disqualified during this time, all of them either trudging their way out of the Sect with their heads down or being escorted out by a few Sect members.
I was still seated at the Grand Courtyard with a cup of tea in my hands, watching Cai Hong run around the empty courtyard chasing a butterfly.
Just a reminder that this little dragon is a cosmic being akin to a god, and said cosmic dragon was currently playing with a butterfly with a big happy smile on her face.
So cute.
Just as I took another sip from my cup, I heard the sound of footsteps and turned to see a young man approach me nervously.
He had sandy brown hair that was tied up in a neat bun at the top of his head and quite striking blue eyes. His angular face could land him a career in modelling and his physique wasn't bad either.
He's basically your stereotypical pretty boy.
"Umm… You're… You're a Master… Aren't you?" He asked, wringing his hands nervously.
I raised an eyebrow at the lad, "Oh? Whatever made you think so?"
"Sect Master Qing said there were Masters currently within the courtyard when he announced the start of the selections… You were there as well so I thought you might be one…"
I grinned, "Well, I suppose I should applaud you for your insight. You are correct, I am a Master of Heaven Sect."
His face brightened up, "Ah! Then… May I trouble you to invigilate me?"
"Of course, though my test is a really simple one. All I want to know is what are your reasons and goals in joining Heaven Sect?"
"Eh? Ah! Umm… That is…" He stuttered, suddenly unsure of himself.
I frowned, "What's wrong? Is there a reason that you can't share?"
He shook his head quickly, "No, no! That's not it… Erm… I wanted to join Heaven Sect to become stronger of course… And my main goal of joining is to…"
"Is to?"
"Is to… Umm… Make a harem…" He muttered, hiding his face from view.
I chuckled, "Well, I suppose I can understand such a want, you're human after all."
And not to mention I actually did have one right now so I'm in no position to judge him.
As long as he doesn't try anything with my girls, I won't wipe him from existence.
I leaned forward on my chair, "So, what was your plan in getting one? I'm sure you're not expecting to just go up to a few girls and ask them to join your harem, right?"
He poked his fingers together, "Ummm… Well… If I was strong enough, I think that might work?"
I raised an eyebrow, "You aren't thinking of using force, are you?"
"No! No! Definitely not! I meant that… Umm… Aren't people normally attracted to strong guys?"
"Well… That's not a universal rule since it depends on the person in question. But I suppose there are at least a few of them out there who are."
"Then… Then I think I won't have a problem."
I smirked, "Confident, aren't you? Very well then, what's your name?"
"Shuai Ge," He replied with a straight face.
I raised an eyebrow at him but apparently that really was his name. Well whatever, I'm not someone who would judge them for that.
"Ahem, Shuai Ge huh? Very well, I'm looking forward to what you can do in the future so you have my approval."
The boy gasped, "Truly?! Thank you Master!"
I shook my head at him, "No, this doesn't mean I accepted you as my disciple, I'm only approving you in joining the Sect. Don't get ahead of yourself."
He scratched his head in embarrassment, "Ah… Sorry. I don't know how this works."
I held up my hand and imbued him with some of my Quarks, proof that he had passed the first test that the Elders would be able to verify once he goes in to report his success.
He thanked me again before running back into the Grand Hall where the Elders in charge of recording who passed the first test were waiting, leaving me alone with Iris again.
Honestly, I was quite surprised that he only looked at Iris once throughout our conversation and never again. Now I have a suspicion that he might be gay. He never said he was trying to make a harem of girls after all...
Well, not that there's anything wrong with him being gay anyway, but it was just a thought.
I leaned back in my chair to sip at my tea again, watching Cai Hong continue to run around the courtyard chasing the same butterfly.
A few moments passed and I heard footsteps coming towards me again.
Turning my head, I found another young man coming towards me with confident strides, bordering on a swagger.
I thought he might be another potential student who figured out my identity but instead, he went up to Iris and bowed his head.
"Good day, m'lady. I am Hao Lian, heir to the Hao Family. I could not help but be charmed by your heavenly beauty when I laid eyes on you just now. Could I know your good name?"
Unsurprisingly, Iris ignored him and continued to stare at me with her fathomless gaze.
It took him a few moments to realise that Iris had no intention of returning his greeting but instead of giving up, he tried again.
"Ahem… I said I'm the heir to the Hao Family and I have just been accepted as a member of Heaven Sect. Could I know m'lady's good name?"
"Save your breath boy," I advised him with a slow shake of my head. "She's not interested."
He scowled at me, "And who might you be?"
"You don't need to know, but just know that even if you passed the first test, the rule that you can be disqualified by any Heaven Sect member is still in effect. So I suggest you turn around and walk back the way you came from before I decide it's better that you don't get admitted into the Sect."
He looked like he was going to continue arguing but decided to ultimately back off.
Hao Lian turned around and walked three steps away before noticing Cai Hong who was prancing around the Grand Courtyard.
He turned back to look at me with scorn, "To treat this place like some child daycare, you are definitely a nobody. I'll remember your face. When I become a Master of this Sect, I'm going to make sure you get your just desserts."
I smiled at him, "I'm looking forward to it."
He said no more and stormed off, not taking a second glance back.
Hao family huh? Who the heck even are they? Hmm… Maybe I'll go and find Guiying and ask her about it, it could serve as an excuse for me to go look for her.
I guess we'll see if they become anyone important in the future.
But for Shuai Ge to be the first to figure out my position in the Sect, he might have a bright future ahead of him.
