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

Moments after Zhang Yun left the sect master's hall, Mu Sheng arrived with a stiff bow. "Disciple greets Master."

"What happened to your hand?" The sect master's gaze sharpened on Mu Sheng's limp right arm.

Mu Sheng hesitated. "Did… did Ninth Elder complain to you, Master?"

"Complain?" The sect master raised an eyebrow. "He mentioned making progress in his cultivation and suggested I verify it with you. Explain."

Under the sect master's piercing stare, Mu Sheng reluctantly recounted his humiliating defeat at Zhang Yun's hands.

"You're saying he overwhelmed you?" The sect master's calm demeanor cracked with surprise.

"It felt like facing a Golden Core elder," Mu Sheng admitted bitterly. "His strength… it's as if his cultivation never regressed."

The sect master's eyes narrowed. "I personally confirmed his shattered core days ago. Are you implying my judgment was flawed?"

"N-no, Master!" Mu Sheng knelt, trembling.

"Enough excuses!" The sect master's voice boomed. "Flying over an elder's peak, causing disturbances, attacking a superior—you've trampled every rule I set. Three months' stipend forfeited. Dismissed."

As Mu Sheng slunk away, the sect master stared thoughtfully toward the Ninth Peak. "To overpower my disciple so thoroughly… Zhang Yun, you've been hiding surprises."

Ninth Peak​

Wu Xiaopang fidgeted at the mountain path entrance while Xu Ming blocked his way, arms crossed.

"I'm telling you, I'm Master's new disciple!"

"Prove it," Xu Ming retorted.

The standoff ended when Zhang Yun returned. "Why's my disciple barred from his own peak?"

Xu Ming flushed. "My apologies, Master! I didn't realize—"

"Diligence deserves praise, not apology," Zhang Yun interrupted. "Xu Ming, meet your junior brother."

The two disciples shook hands awkwardly. Xu Ming's sternness melted into a sheepish grin. "Welcome, Junior Brother."

Back in the cave, Zhang Yun dismissed Xu Ming after handing him a pouch of spirit stones. The older disciple's eyes widened at the generosity.

Wu Xiaopang watched, jaw slack. Two thousand stones, given without hesitation? Memories of his former master's extortion flooded back—months of menial labor for scraps of guidance. Tears welled before he could stop them.

"Master…" he choked out. "Will you… treat me the same?"

Zhang Yun's hand settled on his shoulder. "My disciples walk equal paths."

The dam broke. Wu Xiaopang collapsed into sobs, years of neglect pouring out. Zhang Yun said nothing, simply patting his back until the storm passed.

When composure returned, Wu Xiaopang knelt properly. "This disciple is ready to learn."

"Close your eyes," Zhang Yun instructed. As the boy obeyed, he touched his wrist mark and whispered, "Enter."

The world dissolved into white.

Celestial Master's Realm​

In the Worldly Techniques Pavilion, Zhang Yun commanded, "Match!"

Golden text swirled:

**'Initiating technique alignment for disciple Wu Xiaopang…'**​

A scroll materialized—its surface pulsing with tyrannical energy. Zhang Yun grinned. The boy's dormant saint physique would soon awaken.