Number One Waste

Author: Gazelle

Chapter 1: New Disciple

Words : 2094 Updated : Feb 21st, 2024

After climbing the more than a hundred bluestone steps, Noah was gasping for air. Beads of sweat covered his forehead as he stared at the towering mountain gate, which rose dozens of feet into the sky. A bitter smile formed on his lips. "No wonder they're one of the Four Great Sects of Cloud Country. Even their mountain gate is built this high!" he muttered to himself, unable to hold back his complaints. In his previous life, Noah had been an archaeology student on Earth. However, after getting entangled with a woman, he was beaten to death by her enraged husband. When he next opened his eyes, he found himself on the Mystique Continent. It wasn't just a case of his soul being transported—his entire body had crossed over, mind and spirit intact. It took Noah three days to come to grips with this new reality, but surprisingly, he felt an odd sense of excitement. Being an archaeology student, he'd always had a fascination for the strange and mysterious. Now, in this world of martial cultivation, he found himself yearning to become an unrivaled expert. With no family ties or attachments, he decided to embrace this second chance at life. When he crossed over, Noah brought along an unnamed pagoda he'd found at a street stall on Earth. The bronze-colored pagoda, no larger than his finger, had intrigued him. But while he was playing with it, the pagoda mysteriously drilled its way into his body, releasing a grayish-white light that wrapped around him. Suddenly, a powerful suction took hold, and he felt himself drawn into a space where the sky was round and the earth was square. The place was shrouded in a chaotic mist. After months of contemplation, Noah discovered the pagoda's purpose: no matter how long he spent inside that space, only a second seemed to pass in the outside world. Realizing this, he was overjoyed. It was like gaining unlimited time to cultivate, granting him endless opportunities to train. But there was a catch. In this world, cultivation required the opening of meridian points, and that hinged on one's natural talent. Those with strong talent could open them naturally, while others needed the aid of Meridian Opening Pills. Unfortunately, as an Earthling, Noah's comprehension and talent were pitifully low, leaving him to rely on these pills. The simplest way to obtain the pills? Joining a sect. Noah tried to join several smaller sects, but he was rejected every time for his lack of talent. Then he heard that the Clyde Sect, one of the Four Great Sects, was recruiting disciples. Desperate, he crossed mountains and rivers to try his luck. Yet, by the time he reached the mountain gate, he was already on the brink of collapsing from exhaustion. After taking a moment to catch his breath, Noah continued the climb. Nearly an hour later, he finally made it to the top, panting heavily as he laid sprawled on the ground. Slowly, he dragged himself forward, passing through the gate and into a vast square. It was already packed with people, hundreds gathered in a space that could hold thousands. Noah scanned the towering figures around him. Realizing it would be pointless to squeeze into the crowd, he resigned himself to standing at the back, looking toward the distant high platform. On the platform stood a middle-aged man clad in black robes, exuding an aura of stern authority. "I am Giles Zerba. I will be conducting this entrance exam," the man announced, his voice booming. "The Clyde Sect's entrance test is simple: we will test your bloodlines. Bloodlines are ranked from one to nine, with one being the weakest and nine the strongest. Above nine is the Divine-grade bloodline. Anyone with a bloodline of four or higher is eligible to join our sect!" With those words, four disciples carried a massive, green stone tablet onto the platform. The stone was three meters tall and had eleven scales on its surface. The first scale was gray, while the other ten were a vivid blood-red. "This is the Advanced Testing Stone," Elder Giles continued. "One red scale lighting up means you possess a first-grade bloodline; nine scales correspond to a ninth-grade bloodline. If all ten light up, it indicates the legendary Divine-grade bloodline!" "Maybe I've got the potential of a Divine-grade bloodline!" someone in the crowd shouted eagerly, and murmurs of excitement rippled through the square. Most of those present had already tested their bloodlines at home, but with inferior stones that could only detect up to a fourth-grade bloodline. Noah, standing alone, tapped the shoulder of a nearby boy. "Hey, genius, what's the deal with that gray scale on the stone?" The boy, flattered by Noah's choice of words, turned to explain, "The gray scale represents those who can't cultivate at all. They say it's worse than being talentless. If you have a ‘trash bloodline,' the more you cultivate, the worse off you get. You might even cripple yourself." Hearing that, Noah's heart sank. Without a moment's hesitation, he turned to leave. He'd already failed numerous entrance exams because of his low bloodline rank, and with the Clyde Sect's advanced testing stone, there was no way he could pass. Whoosh! Just as he was about to make his exit, a graceful figure descended from the sky, landing beside Elder Giles. It was a woman in a flowing white dress, her beauty captivating and her presence commanding. Her eyes were cold, yet alluring, like an orchid blooming in a secluded valley. The entire square fell silent as all eyes turned toward the woman. "Isn't that the Saintess Sandra Waller of Cloud Country?" someone whispered. "I heard she has a seventh-grade bloodline. She's a prodigy who reached the Spirit Sea Realm at a young age and became an elder of the Clyde Sect!" Sandra Waller—a name that inspired awe and reverence. Her appearance ignited whispers among the crowd. "Elder Sandra, finally accepting a disciple?" Elder Giles smiled faintly. "This batch is promising; maybe you'll find a sixth-grade bloodline talent." But Sandra ignored Giles. She took a step forward and addressed the crowd. "Today, I plan to accept a single disciple." Her words caused a stir among the gathered hopefuls. To become the disciple of Sandra Waller, the Saintess of Cloud Country, would be an unparalleled honor. "However, I will only accept those with a bloodline of second grade or lower," Sandra declared. "If anyone here has a bloodline below second grade, you are eligible to be my disciple." Her announcement left everyone in shock. "Did she just say a second-grade bloodline or lower? I must have heard that wrong. Isn't she supposed to be seeking geniuses?" "Everyone here taking the Clyde Sect's entrance exam has at least a fourth-grade bloodline, right?" "If my bloodline was below second grade, I wouldn't even dare show my face at the Clyde Sect!" The whispers grew louder, filled with disbelief. Most ordinary people had first- or second-grade bloodlines, struggling to open their meridians throughout their lives. Those with third- to fifth-grade bloodlines could open their meridians with pills, while sixth-grade talents were prodigies, able to do so naturally. A bloodline below second grade was almost like a death sentence for cultivation. Giles's face darkened as he shot Sandra a sidelong glance. "Sandra, the sect asked you to accept a disciple. Is this how you fulfill their request?" Sandra's face remained impassive. "The sect didn't specify what kind of disciple I had to take. I enjoy a challenge. What's the point of nurturing a fifth- or sixth-grade genius?" She smiled, adding, "If there's no one here with a bloodline below second grade, then there's no blame on me." Giles was speechless, almost choking on his own frustration. Sandra clearly had no interest in taking on a disciple; she was too focused on her own cultivation. Were it not for the sect's pressure, she wouldn't have come at all. "If no one steps forward, I'll take my leave," Sandra said with a faint smile, ready to depart. "Master, I think I have a first-grade bloodline. Thank you for accepting me as your disciple!" A voice rang out from the crowd just as Sandra turned away. Her expression froze, her eyes turning icy. Someone with a first-grade bloodline had actually dared to attend the Clyde Sect's entrance exam? Where did this person find the courage?

Number One Waste

Chapter 1: New Disciple

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