Su Bai waited a little longer and added another line to the sign.

"Meals and accommodation included!"

"Join the sect and immediately start practicing Immortal Arts!"

He removed all those empty promises about becoming the number one sect in the future, focusing instead on being realistic!

He only needed one disciple to upgrade the sect and open the Immortal Arts Pavilion. By then, what Immortal Art wouldn't be available?

As the sky gradually darkened, Su Bai sighed softly, preparing to pack up and find a bridge to sleep under for the night.

"Excuse me, Immortal Master, is it true that joining the sect allows one to practice Immortal Arts?"

At this moment, a voice came from behind.

Su Bai turned around to see a young man in a blue robe standing behind him, looking somewhat nervous.

There was a faint trace of fatigue between his brows, but his eyes were full of determination and longing.

"That's right, once you join the sect and acknowledge a master, you can immediately start learning Immortal Arts."

Su Bai composed himself. This was the first person to inquire today, and regardless of the young man's appearance, he needed to provide a patient explanation.

However, just as he began to speak, a crowd gathered around.

"This is a scammer, how can you believe him?"

"Exactly, such crude tricks are so outdated, like something from ten years ago!"

"Young man, thirty taels of silver isn't easy to earn, be careful not to be swindled!"

The crowd mocked, looking at Su Bai with disdain and contempt, as if he were trash.

Zhuge Feng remained silent. He wasn't a fool; he knew there was a 99% chance Su Bai was a scammer.

But what about the 1%?

Even if there was only a 1% chance of accessing Immortal Arts, he... didn't want to give up!

But thirty taels of silver...

Seeing the young man fall silent, Su Bai shook his head. It seemed he had already been labeled a scammer and fool, making it impossible to recruit disciples.

Tomorrow, he would try his luck at another location during the Hundred Sects Gathering, perhaps with a new outfit!

"Excuse me, Immortal Master, can I pay the thirty taels of silver at the end of the month?" Zhuge Feng mustered the courage to ask softly.

He knew this request was excessive, with a 99% chance of being rejected.

Almost all sects and forces required payment at the beginning of the month, with no exceptions.

However, he was penniless at the moment and had no other choice.

"Pay at the end of the month? No problem! Don't worry, our sect never delays payments!" Su Bai patted his chest in assurance.

Before crossing over, he despised companies that delayed wages. After crossing over and becoming a sect leader, he couldn't guarantee much else, but he would ensure the treatment of his disciples!

Only those who have been drenched in the rain know how unpleasant it is.

Zhuge Feng was stunned, not expecting someone willing to allow deferred payment.

"Immortal Master, are you... sure?"

"Yes, of course!" Su Bai nodded.

"Immortal Master, I, Zhuge Feng, wish to join the Heavenly Dao Sect!" Zhuge Feng quickly saluted.

"Zhuge Feng, right? We'll perform the formalities back at the Heavenly Dao Sect. Do you have time now?"

"I do. I have nowhere else to go and can accompany the Immortal Master to the sect."

With that, Su Bai led Zhuge Feng away, while the crowd couldn't hold back their laughter.

"Is this young man a fool? How could he not see through such a clumsy trick?" someone couldn't help but mock.

Another chimed in, "Exactly, with that look, his brain probably doesn't work well."

Someone else interjected, "Oh, forget it. He just said he's penniless. Even if he wanted to scam, there's nothing to gain."

"Heh, who says scams are only for money? What if he's after his kidneys? Haven't you heard of some big shots needing young, healthy kidneys for..." another added.

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At this point, someone in the crowd sighed and shook their head, saying, "Let go of the urge to help others and respect their fate. Our own lives are tough enough; why invite trouble?"

The others nodded in agreement, expressing their consent: "This young man dares to scam, who knows if he has some backing? We common folk can't afford to offend him!"

As the crowd dispersed, these words reached Zhuge Feng's ears. He looked up, but Su Bai's figure had already disappeared from view.

Heh, there's no other path left.

If it's a scam, let it be!

But what if it's real?

With that thought, he hurriedly quickened his pace, following Su Bai's steps.

Seeing Zhuge Feng following, Su Bai smiled slightly. It seemed the task of recruiting a disciple was about to be completed!

"Stop!"

Just as they left the Hundred Sects Gathering, a sharp voice suddenly rang out.

Su Bai looked up to see a young girl glaring at him angrily.

The girl before him had willow-leaf eyebrows like distant mountains, a straight and elegant nose, red lips, white teeth, and skin as fair as snow, with long hair cascading down her back.

Damn, what a beautiful girl!

Even when angry, she's so adorable!

Xiao Lingxi.

"Young lady, what's the matter?"

The girl looked at Su Bai with disdain and said to Zhuge Feng, "He's a scammer, don't let him fool you!"

Su Bai chuckled, "Miss, empty words are meaningless. Do you have any evidence to prove I'm a scammer?"

The girl snorted, "All forces require half a year of servitude before becoming a formal disciple and accessing Immortal Arts. You claim to allow immediate practice upon joining. If that's not a scam, what is?"

Su Bai laughed, "Miss, what does it matter if other forces take half a year to access Immortal Arts? How is that related to my sect's policy of immediate learning?"

"What kind of sect is so generous? If not a scam, then what?" The girl clearly didn't believe him.

"If you don't believe, then forget it." Su Bai pursed his lips, not wanting to argue further.

He turned to Zhuge Feng and said, "If you trust me, come with me. If not, then leave."

Though he desperately needed a disciple, he would never force anyone!

With that, Su Bai turned to leave, leaving Zhuge Feng to make his own decision.

Seeing this, Zhuge Feng gritted his teeth and finally made a decision, "I trust the Immortal Master!"

Hearing this, Su Bai stopped and turned around in surprise, "You still trust me?"

"Yes, I trust the Immortal Master!" Zhuge Feng nodded firmly.

"Then let's go!" Su Bai smiled easily and started walking.

Being trusted felt quite satisfying.

While Su Bai was feeling pleased, Xiao Lingxi was on the verge of going crazy.

She couldn't believe someone like Zhuge Feng could be so stubborn!

Clearly a scammer, yet he still believed him?

"Damn it, this bastard, I must expose your true nature!" Xiao Lingxi stomped her foot and chased after Su Bai.

"Young lady, why are you following again?" Su Bai was speechless. Was this girl like a sticky plaster?

Xiao Lingxi snorted coldly and said with righteous indignation, "I will expose you as a scammer!"

"It's already dark. Why are you, a young girl, not going home instead of pestering me?" Su Bai rolled his eyes, genuinely puzzled by what was going on in her head.

"That's none of your concern. I can protect myself!" Xiao Lingxi raised her head, revealing a sword at her waist.

---

Proofreader: Peter Pan