10,000x Cultivation: I Gain Power by Adopting Training Acolytes

As elders from both sects lined up to collect their Trial Bands, Zhang Yun found himself the sudden focus of attention.

"Ah, the infamous 'Eccentric Elder' of the Spirit Immortal Sect!" A mocking voice rang out. A blue-robed elder from the Southern Mountain Sect—his gaze dripping with disdain—stared Zhang Yun up and down. "To think your sect stoops so low as to let a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator bear the title of elder!"

The plaza fell silent, all eyes swiveling toward them.

"Isn't he the one who crippled himself through reckless cultivation?"

"Pathetic. How dare he show his face here?"

Whispers spread like wildfire. Even Spirit Immortal elders shot Zhang Yun disapproving looks, as though his mere presence tarnished their prestige.

Zhang Yun merely arched an eyebrow at his heckler. "And you are...?"

"You're unworthy of knowing my—"

"Ah, 'Elder Unworthy'! An unusual surname indeed!"

"Fool! I am Qiu Lue, Eighth Elder of the Southern Mountain Sect!"

"Qiu Lue... 'Begging for Humiliation.'" Zhang Yun clicked his tongue theatrically. "Your parents had prophetic foresight, it seems."

The crowd stifled laughter. Qiu Lue's face flushed crimson.

"Since you're so eager to court mockery," Zhang Yun continued smoothly, "how about a wager? Let's see whose disciples score higher in this exchange. The loser pays 10,000 spirit stones."

Gasps rippled through the plaza. Qiu Lue's sneer returned. "You think a beggar like you can afford such stakes?"

Zhang Yun gestured toward a scowling Meng Zhong. "Our Tenth Elder here can vouch for my liquidity. He's intimately familiar with my... fundraising methods."

Meng Zhong's jaw clenched hard enough to crack walnuts.

Before Qiu Lue could retort, the Southern Mountain Sect Master intervened. "Let's make this interesting. If Zhang Yun wins, I'll personally add 100,000 spirit stones to the pot. Should he lose, he need only pay 50,000."

The crowd erupted.

"100,000 stones?!"

"Madness!"

Even Spirit Immortal elders paled. "Ninth Elder, don't be rash!"

Zhang Yun met the sect master's challenging gaze. "When fools throw gold at my feet, I never refuse. The bet stands."