“Is Senior Brother Han a direct disciple?” Qiao Qing’er looked at the path in shock.

The others stared in disbelief.

What was a direct disciple?

Not counting the odd-job workers in the sect, there were tens of thousands of outer sect disciples and more than 3,000 inner sect disciples. After that, there were hundreds of true inner sect disciples under the various elders. Finally, there were the direct disciples.

In the entire Nine Mystic Sword Sect, there were hundreds of thousands of disciples and only 18 direct disciples!

These were the 18 most outstanding people among hundreds of thousands of people.

Every person’s cultivation talent, cultivation, and combat strength were peerless.

The identity of the 18 direct disciples in the sect was not public, but most of the elders and deacons knew who the direct disciples were.

In the past, the direct disciples of the sect started from the outer sect and pushed forward. They were at least in the top five of the outer sect.

Once they were in the inner sect, they were basically not fated to become direct disciples if they did not enter the top 10.

Direct disciples far surpassed cultivators of the same generation.

The Nine Mystic Sword Sect’s Sect Master, Jin Ze, and the three Grand Elders were once direct disciples.

The young man standing beside Qiao Qing’er had a complicated expression as he said in a low voice, “Can the Sword Pavilion’s sword caretaker become a direct disciple…”

Ever since he met Han Muye by chance and found out that he was a sword caretaker, he was at most curious about him. He also hoped that he could get to know him in the future.

No one really took a sword caretaker seriously.

Later on, because of Huo Ping’s battle with Jiang Han, everyone thought highly of Han Muye.

He felt that not only could he befriend an outer sect expert like Jiang Han, he had some means of choosing swords.

At the sect gathering, everyone had a different understanding of Han Muye.

He was actually invited by Elder Tuoba Cheng of Three Stones House to sit on the stage and evaluate the disciples.

At this moment, no one looked down on Han Muye anymore.

Recently, the Sword Pavilion had become famous.

The two Patriarchs and Elders were in charge. Brother Huang Six was righteous.

Whether it was the inner or outer sect, when it came to the prosperity of the sect this time, they had to mention Huang Six, who had sacrificed his life to cultivate and turned the tide at the critical moment.

Many people went to the Sword Pavilion to receive their swords just to visit Brother Huang Six.

At this moment, Han Muye could be considered to have benefited from this. His technique of choosing swords was brilliant, and he became known to more sect disciples.

Qiao Qing’er and the others already knew enough about Han Muye.

But now, they realized that they really didn’t know anything.

“A direct disciple…”

“There are only 18 people in the Nine Mystic Sword Sect, right?” A thin disciple whispered.

“There are 19 of them, including Senior Brother Han,” Qiao Qing’er said softly and turned to go to the guardian hall.

The others looked back and followed.

It was useless to speculate here. They should quickly register for the inner sect.

In the future, when they went to the Sword Pavilion to receive their swords, they had to be more respectful to Senior Brother Han.

A direct disciple was an eminent being.

Huo Ping followed behind everyone in a daze.

…

“This is the 19th direct disciple of the sect, right?” Behind the path, a middle-aged Daoist in a green robe said.

Beside him, a white-haired Earth Realm elder, who was also wearing a green robe, nodded.

“I’ve never seen this person before. If not for the sect master reporting in advance, I really wouldn’t have known that the sect already has a 19th direct disciple.

I wonder what’s so special about this person.”

Hearing the old man’s words, the green-robed middle-aged man smiled and said, “Which direct disciple isn’t a dragon among men? If you don’t have true ability, how can the sect give you a direct disciple token?

Every direct disciple is qualified to compete for the position of sect master.

Speaking of the position of Sect Master.” The green-robed middle-aged man looked around and lowered his voice. “Senior Brother, has Sect Master Jin Ze really cut off his path?”

The old man shook his head and waved his hand. “This is not something we can discuss. Guard the secret place well.”

The green-robed man nodded and disappeared.

“The position of sect master. I wonder who among these 19 direct disciples can take it?” The old man turned to look at the end of the path and muttered. His figure disappeared, leaving only the grass.

…

Han Muye walked along the path and saw that other than the lush vegetation, there was nothing else unusual.

Across a small hill, he could see a low village.

It really looked like a small mortal village. The thatched houses were low, and bamboo fences and chicken coops could be seen.

Is that the secret place?

As they moved forward, Han Muye could sense that the concentration of spiritual energy around him had changed.

He was no longer a novice cultivator. He would not take deep breaths at the entrance of the Sword Sect like before.

At this moment, the spiritual energy in his body was moving, and spiritual halos slowly appeared around him. The feeling of abundant spiritual energy spread throughout his body.

This place should not be far from the sect’s spiritual land.

However, this place looked so ordinary.

Han Muye recalled some rumors that many sect elders with bad taste liked to play with plain and simple things.

Isn’t this small village in front of me extremely simple?

“Eh, a newcomer?”

When they arrived at the entrance of the village, a young man in grayish-white linen clothes who was doing woodworking looked at Han Muye and smiled.

Han Muye nodded. He was considered a newcomer.

“Haha, I’m the 21st legacy disciple of the wood faction. You can call me Mu Eryi.”

The young man put down the saw, clapped his hands, and looked at Han Muye. “Which lineage are you from?”

Which lineage?

After thinking about it, Han Muye realized that he was not from any lineage.

Which lineage could the Sword Pavilion belong to?

“I don’t think I belong to any lineage…” he said, shaking his head.

Don’t exactly belong to any lineage?

Mu Eryi raised an eyebrow and shuddered.

In the sect, there was only one disciple!

Sect Master, Jin Yishui, Jin Ze!

This person cultivated two cultivation techniques and was the sect master. His disciple was indeed not from any sect!

As his gaze swept over Han Muye, Mu Eryi became even more certain of his judgment.

His body shone with spiritual light. He had just broken through not long ago, and there was still sword qi surging on his body.

The direct disciple of the sect master!

It was said that the sect master’s path was severed. Is he going to nurture his disciples?

“Hehe, not really. Understood, understood…” Mu Er smiled and put away the saw and ax. He carried them with a pole and turned to leave.

“Let’s go. I’ll lead you to the guardian elder of the secret place.

You know the elders stationed here, right? They’re the Water Lineage Sect’s Grand Elder Zhang Zhi and Elder Zhang.

When you go to his place, set a code name here in the future and build a wooden house yourself.”

Mu Eryi turned around and said enthusiastically, “If you lack manpower, I can help you build it.”

As he followed Mu Eryi into the village, Han Muye saw that the people living here were all young men and women in their thirties.

“Eh, another newcomer? Which lineage is he from?”

“Mu Eryi, could he be a newcomer from your wood faction?”

“I’ve never seen him before. He’s not in the top 10 of the inner sect. Who is he?”

Everyone looked at Han Muye with curiosity.

But no one asked directly.

Mu Eryi grinned and did not make any introductions.

The two of them walked to the middle of the village. There was a large house that was different from the surrounding vegetation and mud houses.

“The elders live here. The surroundings are where the direct disciples live.”

Mu Er pointed at the row of brick houses and said, “Among the 18 direct disciples, 11 of them live here.”

At this point, he chuckled and said, “After getting used to living in the spiritual land, I really can’t bear to go out.”

Han Muye turned to look, and the halo of spiritual energy around him flashed gently.

Is that all?

What is there to be reluctant about with so little spiritual energy?

Usually, he would use high-grade spirit stones to cultivate. The spiritual energy in them was much richer than here.

“Isn’t it said that there’s only one day a month to cultivate in this spiritual land?” Han Muye recalled the rules that had been passed down in the sect.

The spiritual energy in the spiritual land was also limited. If they did not set rules, it would probably be sucked dry.

This spiritual land’s spiritual energy was still supporting the entire sect’s array formation.

“Hehe, rules are for outsiders to see.” Mu Er revealed a proud expression and said with a smile, “Our direct disciples are the future pillars of the sect. The sect is still willing to bear this bit of spiritual energy.

Let’s go. You’ll know when you meet the elder.”

Han Muye nodded and followed him into the big house.

In the spacious and bright house, an old man in a green and gray robe was pacing. He held a kettle in his hand and watered the flowers and plants in the courtyard.

“Elder, there’s a new legacy disciple reporting today.” Mu Er put down the pick and said.

The old man who watered the flowers didn’t even raise his head. He just said indifferently, “Whose tutelage are you under?”

Under whose tutelage?

Han Muye froze.

Who is my master?

Is he an Elder of the Sword Pavilion?

It was just that there was no formal induction ceremony, nor did it say that he was a disciple of the Sword Pavilion Elder.

Then, if his direct disciple token was given to him by the sect master, would he be considered the sect master’s disciple?

If he had to say who his master was, he should be Mo Yuan’s disciple.

Mu Eryi looked at Han Muye and lowered his head slightly.

Didn’t he lead Han Muye here to find out his identity?

“Ahem, Elder, I’m probably a disciple of the Sword Pavilion Elder.” After thinking about it, Han Muye felt that he was closer to the Sword Pavilion Elder.

It was hard to say if the sect master would acknowledge him or not. It was better not to talk about this relationship.

Mo Yuan had already headed to the East Sea. In the past, he was only an outer sect disciple and did not have any background.

Being under the tutelage of the Sword Pavilion Elder seemed just right.

An Elder of the Sword Pavilion?

Mu Eryi’s eyes turned cold as he looked up at Han Muye.

Is he from the Sword Pavilion?

Isn’t everyone in the Sword Pavilion a sword caretaker?

Elder Zhang Zhihe, who was watering the flowers, also looked up at Han Muye.

“It’s you…”

He nodded slightly and said, “You were with Senior Brother Gao during the battle outside the Nine Mystic Mountain, right?”

Han Muye cupped his hands and said, “I did follow you during the battle.”

Zhang Zhihe put down the kettle in his hand, straightened his back, and reached out his hand. “To be able to follow me all the way, your character must be good.”

Senior Brother Gao is a proud and aloof person. It’s not easy to become his disciple.

Give me your identity token. I’ll register for you. From now on, you’ll cultivate here.”

I would cultivate here in the future?

Han Muye looked around with a hesitant expression.

How can I do that?

The concentration of spiritual energy in the spiritual land was not enough for him to cultivate.

Moreover, he mainly cultivated sword qi, which only the Sword Pavilion had.

“Elder, I’m only here to take a look, not to cultivate for a long time.

I’m a sword caretaker. I still work at the Sword Pavilion.”

As Han Muye spoke, he handed over the token that Sect Master Jin Ze had given him.

Direct disciple!

Looking at the token, Mu Eryi let out a low cry and almost bit his tongue.

Zhang Zhihe also trembled. He narrowed his eyes and looked up at Han Muye.

“So, you’re the 19th direct disciple.”