Chapter 484 Status
Elder Sandra and Mira were bewildered by Aelina's statement and weren't quite sure how to react. However, Mira was much calmer as she didn't even need to think about her response, but she was curious why Aelina would suddenly say such a thing on their first meeting. She doubted things were so simple.
"Why?"
Aelina's eyes quivered for a split second before she smiled, "Who wouldn't want a disciple as talented as you?"
Those words might've been enough to fool a simpleton, but Mira wasn't that stupid.
"Then, what can you offer me that I don't already have? What can you teach me that I won't be able to figure out myself? Just like you said, I'm extremely talented, right? Then, why do I need you?" Mira ruthlessly questioned, not giving the Sect Master any face, but she didn't care.
Everything she asked was legitimate questions. Her Cultivation Technique is unique. She already has an amazing External Body Cultivation Technique, and Inner Body Cultivation Techniques are unique to each person and race. She's learned Martial and Scythe Intent by herself. With the FLDIL, she can buy unique resources. She'd rather create new techniques and abilities suitable for her without anyone else's interference.
There's also the Guardian. As unreliable as he is, he's still a godlike being with infinitely more experience and wisdom than Aelina.
Thus, why did she need to subservient herself to someone whose power she'll eventually reach and surpass so long as she doesn't die?
None. There's no reason.
The source of this content is Freeᴡeb(nᴏ)vel.cᴏm.
"Arrogant brat! How dare you speak to the Sect Master like that?! You should be on y-" Elder Sandra rebuked Mira, but Aelina waved her hand to stop her from saying something she shouldn't.
On the other hand, Aelina felt irritation budding inside her at being questioned by a junior, but she wasn't the Sect Master of one of the strongest Sects on the Western Continent for nothing.
"I can assist you in creating unique techniques for yourself, improve your Qi control, offer you resources you wouldn't be able to receive alone, and your status would be unmatched among your generation. Essentially, you will receive the best this continent has to offer without reserve, and I'll put my all into making you a powerhouse of the Sect."
Mira stared at Aelina for a moment before responding with a sigh.
"Sigh… Sect Master Aelina, I think there's a misunderstanding. I don't need any of that; if I did, I would get it myself. I'm not trying to look down on your or anything. In fact, I genuinely think me and you could get along quite well. I like this Sect and am impressed by the way it's managed. From what I've seen, you seem like a good leader, and I am even willing to help the Battle Maiden Sect in times of need."
Mira paused, and by this point, Elder Sandra's face had turned red in rage, but Aelina kept her quiet and listened to Mira's speech without interrupting. A part of her had the urge to force Mira into a discipleship, but for some reason, she sensed indescribable danger when that thought crossed her mind.
She felt she would be thrown into the deepest darkest pits of hell if she were to go through with that idea. It was at that moment she understood.
'Something or someone is protecting her—someone much, much stronger than me. What a pity, but oh well.' Aelina thought.
Mira continued, "But I can't and won't subservient myself to another no matter the benefits. Even if you offered me the world, I still wouldn't agree. What's the point of cultivating if you don't forge your own path? For those who follow a set path, there will come a day when they will reach their limit. On that day, they'll realize how foolish they were to have followed someone else's path. I do not want to be that person. Therefore, I have to decline your offer."
After having said all that, Mira smirked.
"Though, it seems there's another reason why you asked me to be your disciple, other than me being talented."
Aelina pondered over Mira's words for a few moments, then suddenly started chuckling.
"Fufufu~ Hehehe~ HAHAHAHA~~ To think I was seen through by someone so young! You are really bold, Mira! If you said that to anyone else, they would have already removed your head from your body."
Mira just shrugged her shoulders upon hearing that.
"Well, you aren't wrong. Wanting to take you in a disciple would be the icing on the cake and would make the future slightly more straightforward if you were. Just forget I ever brought up the topic of you being my disciple. What I really want is to make you the Prime Disciple or Holy Maiden of the Sect, whatever title you prefer."
"Prime disciple?" Mira asked curiously.
Aelina nodded, "That's right. I'm sure you've heard that the Sect has Trial, Outer, Inner, Core, and finally, Direct Disciples. However, there's one tier above all of those: Prime Disciple. This status gives you nearly all the authority an Elder has but more freedom and autonomy. However, you will have to do a few things for the Sect in return for this status."
Aelina paused, allowing Mira to soak this information in before continuing, "You'll be the face of the Sect shown to the public. You must be there for any events involving our Sect and other major powers. You will have to take on missions that bring significant long and short-term benefits to the Sect. You have to participate in all Continental Tournaments. However, conversely, this also means you will have first priority to enter ancient ruins, inheritances, unique locations, etc."
Mira silently contemplated Aelina's proposition for a while, but she was extremely hesitant to agree. Although the benefits sounded amazing, as she'd have the full support of the Battle Maiden Sect, she was also restricted by this.
There were still many places she wanted to go, like the other continents, and she might be away from the Sect for years at a time. Not to mention, she has no plans on staying in this Mortal Realm all her life. She still needed to kill the bastard who's made her suffer for so long!
There will come a time when she will eventually have to leave the Battle Maiden Sect, whether they like it or not.
On the flip side, if she were to accept a position such as being the Holy Maide, Prime Disciple, or whatever, she wouldn't choose any other Sect or Power other than the Battle Maiden Sect. This is a 'safe' space for women who want to pursue strength above all else.
The disciples normally keep to themselves, but they are still relatively nice people. She hadn't seen anything like 'in-fighting' among the disciples either, not counting duels.
Individual strength determines one's status in the Sect. However, what Mira liked the most about the Sect is that while everything is based on strength and combat power, it's not an elitist society.
There are countless ways for a weaker person to become strong as long as they puts in the effort. Even if they can't become strong, there are still ways for them to be useful, and they are kicked out if they become useless.
The Sect doesn't need dead weight, which is most likely why the attitudes of everyone in the Sect are so serious. Lording over people like a tyrant isn't an option. While one can have subordinates or form their own groups, that has nothing to do with one's status.
Mira shared all her concerns with Aelina, but the latter didn't seem surprised.
"Well, of course, you'd eventually leave the Sect. I'm not shameless enough to try and hold someone back just because they might be useful for the Sect! Once you've fulfilled your duty and fulfilled your role, you can do whatever you want. Everyone here is always striving to reach a taller mountain. That's the foundation of the Sect.
Mira was slightly surprised by Aelina's answer because a normal Sect would try and tie Mira down with as much bullshit as possible to prevent her from leaving. Therefore Mira couldn't help but be a bit skeptical, but she wasn't going to waste her and Aelina's time by being doubtful.
Everything about this Sect was to Mira's liking, and there were hardly any downsides to accepting Aelina's proposition, but Aelina still hadn't answered her original question.
"Why? You still haven't told me why you need ME for this. This is the first time we've met, and without even getting to know each other, you suddenly want me to become this 'Prime Disciple'? This whole situation feels extremely rushed, and I'd like you to explain why before I make any decisions."
Aelina's indifferent face changed slightly to reveal a bitter look upon hearing Mira's words, "Well, I guess it's alright for me to tell you. With your talent and mindset, you'll eventually run into this problem that everyone on the Western Continent, regardless of status, faces."