"Of course, it's about the future. Neither I nor you can tell how it will turn out!" Zheng-Fu nodded, agreeing with the young man. However, he was confident he could achieve his goal if he could become a disciple of the five eccentric elders and one mysterious elder.

"Oh, I see. By the way, can you tell me how many disciples they'll accept this time?" A mysterious, highly skilled martial master suddenly asked with excitement.

"How many? Hmm… I'm not sure how many disciples those elders need this time. As long as you're competent, you'll have the right to pass the selection. But as for the rules and regulations, I can't tell you!" The young man answered the master truthfully, as he genuinely didn't know how many disciples the elders would accept. But he did know that anyone with sufficient talent would be eligible to join, particularly someone like Zheng-Fu. He quickly added that he couldn't disclose more about the selection rules.

"Rules aren't a problem. Just you coming here to escort us personally is a great honor!" Zheng-Fu said, politely cutting off the conversation to prevent further questions from others.

"It wasn't too difficult. Besides, I like it here, including you!" the young man replied with a smile.

"Huh?" Zheng-Fu felt a chill run down his spine. "But I like girls! You must be disappointed!" he quickly clarified, having misunderstood the young man's comment.

The young man was taken aback, stunned by Zheng-Fu's reaction. He hadn't meant it that way at all. He was merely admiring Zheng-Fu's skills.

"I like girls too, kid. By 'including you,' I meant your abilities. At your age, to have this much strength without the support of a powerful sect—I truly respect you!" he quickly clarified to Zheng-Fu.

"Oh, I see! My apologies for the misunderstanding," Zheng-Fu replied with a sheepish smile.

"Forget it, kid! There's still over a month until the selection date. You and your people have plenty of time to cultivate. I'll return here to meet everyone when the time comes," the young man said, taking his leave when he finished his business. He also mentioned that when the time for the disciple selection arrived, he would personally come to pick up Zheng-Fu and those who wished to participate.

"Thank you again, Elder!" Zheng-Fu clasped his hands and saluted respectfully.

The young man's figure suddenly disappeared without a trace, leaving no hint of his presence. Even Zheng-Fu could no longer sense him now.

'So, they let me sense them on purpose?' Zheng-Fu mused, recalling that he'd detected the young man and another mysterious presence earlier.

"Young Master, who should we send this time?" Dong-Kuang, seated beside him, inquired once everything had returned to normal.

"For now, I haven't decided. But all the new elders have the right to join the selection without asking my permission. Brother, please inform the prime disciples that only those who reach the intermediate Divine Emperor stage or higher by the selection date are eligible to participate."

"Yes, sir!"

Zheng-Fu knew that he couldn't keep this matter hidden forever, so he decided to inform the core disciples first. All core disciples had met the minimum power level requirement, which was Divine Emperor level and above, to participate. However, Zheng-Fu added a new rule, requiring them to be at least at the mid-Divine Emperor stage or the equivalent of the fourth level or higher. Since he didn't know what dangers might await, this measure was intended to minimize unnecessary losses, allowing only those who were genuinely strong to participate.

After all, even many experts at the ninth and highest levels of the Divine Emperor stage had failed the selection and lost their lives. What chance would those of lower levels stand when faced with unexpected challenges or stronger foes?

After today's meeting, news of the disciple selection by the five weird elders and one mysterious elder was announced to the prime disciples, with strict orders not to share it with others in the denomination.

The news stirred excitement and chaos. The prime disciples, already busy earning points, now sought more to redeem the rare Purple Heavenly Demon Potion, training hard for the big day.

In Zheng-Fu's private room…

"Brother Hai-Dong, Brother Dong-Kuang, I need to leave tomorrow for Foggy Cloud Land, so I'd like to—"

"Go ahead, Little Brother!" Hai-Dong interrupted with a teasing grin. "Dong-Kuang and I are handling everything here; no need to ask."

"Yes, Young Master, don't worry about anything. We'll take great care of things here," Dong-Kuang added, smiling.

Hehe!

Zheng-Fu could only smile sheepishly as the two teased him, for he had never truly stayed here to fulfill his duties as the founder even once. He felt somewhat guilty whenever he had to leave, knowing that he had to rely on Dong-Kuang and his close associates to take care of things in his absence. Over time, Hai-Dong and other skilled experts had stepped in to help lighten the burden on Dong-Kuang and the others.

"Thank you, all of you," Zheng-Fu said sincerely.

After discussing his journey, Zheng-Fu left the denomination to visit his family in the Tian-Tang Clan's residence. He hadn't seen them for some time and wanted to make time for them now that things were calmer.

Flap!

Half an hour later, he arrived at his family's grand mansion.

"Today the weather is so fine. I wonder how Zheng-Fu is doing?!" A nostalgic voice escaped from a middle-aged woman as she gazed at the sky through the window of the mansion's grand hall.

"He likely has a lot of responsibilities now. He's no longer a child. As the founder of Over the World, Beyond Heaven Denomination, he's behind many achievements. Even for the Emperor, it's challenging to meet him, and as his parents, we're no exception," reassured the middle-aged man standing beside her.

"Who said you're no exception, Father?" A familiar voice suddenly rang out from behind Kong-Shi and Tang-Ling.

Huh?

"Zheng-Fu!" Tang-Ling quickly turned around, joyfully shouting his name before rushing to embrace him.

"My son! Do you know how much I've missed you? I thought I'd never see you again!" Tang-Ling spoke tearfully, her expression full of longing.

"Mother! I wasn't dead or injured so badly that I needed bed rest. You talk as if I've passed away!" Zheng-Fu protested, feeling slightly uncomfortable with her words.

"Oh, Tang-Ling! Our son is fine. He's just so busy that he doesn't always have time to visit," Kong-Shi added, though even he couldn't quite hide the emotion in his voice.

"Well… I just don't know how to express it! It's been so long since we've been together. I just miss you so much, my dear boy. Is that so wrong?" Tang-Ling blushed, realizing her words may have sounded overemotional.

"Forget it, Mother. I don't think much of it. Actually, I'm hungry. Mother, can you cook something for me?" Zheng-Fu quickly waved his hand, reassuring his mother, and changed the topic by asking for a meal.

"Of course, my love! I'll go to the kitchen and make your favorite dish right away. Wait here… Maids!" Tang-Ling responded with no delay, summoning the maids to help prepare the meal. Her earlier sadness had already faded.

"You've truly grown, my son," Kong-Shi said with a slightly serious look after Tang-Ling left.

"It's only natural, Father. No one remains a child forever, except perhaps an artificial being created to never grow old! But even as I grow up, I'll always be your child," Zheng-Fu replied, looking at his father with respect and admiration.

"Haha! That's right! No matter what, you'll always be our child. If anyone ever upsets you or you need a place to turn, remember you can always come back home to us," Kong-Shi said, touched by the change he saw in his son. He had no further advice, only the assurance of a place to return to.

"Thank you, Father. There are only a few people I truly care about—Father, Mother, and Fu-Er. But you and Mother mean the most to me. No matter where I go or what I do, you are my foundation. I only wish to see you both happy forever," Zheng-Fu said warmly, a tear glistening at the corner of his eye before he quickly brushed it away.

"Silly child!"

Bonk!

"Father and Mother are always by your side!"

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