Li Ming stood in front of the group of children that were now officially known as the Inner Sect disciples of the Array Sect.
The Elder, that was standing at the foot of the stairs that led to the high platform where the Head of the Sect was sitting, rolled up the scroll in her hands and passed it to the Senior disciple standing behind her.
"As we all know that out of all the dedicated and hardworking children that entered the exams this year, there is a particular person who aced both the exams. As an award for their good performances during the entrance exams, Li Ming is allowed to ask for one thing that she needs. The Elders and Sect Head would make sure that we can fulfill your request."
Li Ming slowly stepped forward a little before kneeling down on the ground and bowing in respect to all the Elders that were present in the Sect Hall.
"Since Elder mentioned about this and you all are freely allowing me to ask for one thing, this disciple would be shameless to ask for something." She said as she looked up at the Lady Elder who clearly looked a little shocked.
Li Ming did not try to push away such a golden chance. Rather than acting like she did not need anything, she decided to take advantage of this opportunity to get what she desired.
The whispers that erupted in the group of disciples behind her clearly told Li Ming that nearly everyone was expecting her to deny this present that the Heavens bestowed on her.
"Sure! Voice out your wish." The lady elder said after a few moments of silence when she finally found her voice.
Li Ming's eyes landed on the person who was sitting on the seat of the Sect Head. According to what she heard from the Immortal Master, the image that she had of the Array Sect Leader in her head was that of an old man with long white hair and a similar beard. In short, someone almost similar looking to the Immortal Master.
However, when she finally got to see the head of the Array Sect, what she saw was completely opposite to what she imagined.
Rather than looking old and unfashionable like the Immortal Master, the Lotus Manor Head looked like the most handsome Immortal God that she had seen except her mates.
The Array Sect Leader was so handsome and good looking that he could easily give her six mates a run for their money in terms of hotness.
What a pity that she already was tied to her mates! Li Ming thought as a sigh left her lips.
However, the next second she straightened her spine as she noticed that somehow she had succeeded in pulling the attention of the handsome Sect leader towards her.
Their eyes met and for a moment Li Ming felt like she saw something in his eyes. However, it was gone merely in half a second and what she found was cold and indifferent gazes that were observing her silently.
"This disciple is grateful towards the Guixian Academy and the Array Sect for accepting me as one of its disciples. Getting the opportunity of learning new skills under your guidance is one of the best things that could have happened to me. However, I came to the Academy with a promise to myself. Either I'll fulfill that promise or I'll return back to my home." Li Ming said as she kept her eyes on the cold gazes that were still looking at her.
She could barely pay any attention to what was happening around her. The curious and mocking glances that were aimed at her hardly mattered.
All her attention was pointed at a single person, the one who was going to write an important chapter of her life.
"Disciple Li, don't keep us waiting. Why not say out loud what you want?"
It was one of the Lower sect elders who spoke this time.
Everyone present in the Sect Hall was currently waiting to hear what the genius girl, who passed the entrance exams within no time, was going to demand from the Elders and Head of the Sect.
Some were curious, some were mocking her for overstepping her limits, some saw her as a shameful girl who could not control her greed, while there were some who were completely indifferent about the entire situation.
Two important people who fell in the latter category were the boy with the pollaxe and Young Master Chong. They both were selected as the Inner Sect disciples based on their good performances in the exams.
"I want the Sect Head to take me as his disciple." Li Ming finally announced her wish in a loud and confident voice before bowing her head as she waited for the result that would decide her future.
Unlike the previous times when her words caused the people around her to burst out into whispers, this time the hall was filled with complete silence.
It was so silent that one could hear the heavy breathing of the short and fat elder who was sitting at the very end of the elders' sitting section.
Li Ming felt like the silence kept growing as time passed at such a slow pace that a second felt like a year.
It was not until she was almost about to give up when a voice finally broke the never-ending silence that had fallen over the hall.
"Hahaha...! Li Ming, you really like to dream. Huh! How can you ask for something that is impossible in front of all the elders and your seniors? Are you not afraid of losing your face?"
It was another one of the lady elders of the outer sect who was the one that spoke. Her eyes were filled with ridicule towards the girl who was kneeling at the foot of the stairs.
A few chuckles from the people around the hall followed the lady elder's words. However, Li Ming paid them no attention as she kept quiet and patiently waited for the right person to answer her wish.
"You are really something! Even though you did pretty well in the exams but that doesn't mean that you should forget your place. How could you ask for such a thing? We all know that the Sect Head has refused to take any disciple and here you are - dreaming to get your hands on impossible."
A girl who was also chosen to be a disciple of the Inner Sect mocked Li Ming. There were many like her who had started despising Li Ming since she took away all the line light from the very starting.
The rest did not even get the chance of shining in the eyes of the seniors, elders, and the Sect Head and even before they were gotten chosen as the disciples someone took away the opportunity from them.
"Sister Yen is totally right. Even Senior Xiao Heng who has been following the Lotus Manor Master for the last ten years has not gotten the chance of becoming the disciple of the Sect Head. How come someone like you who just entered the sect is thinking about becoming the head disciple of the entire sect?" Another one added.
"Li Ming, you are either an idiot or a beave girl who's not afraid of being ridiculed and looked down upon. It would be better if you can realize your place."
The comments kept coming but Li Ming paid no attention to them. There was no need in engaging in a debate with them to save her face.
She would only end up ruining her image in front of the Sect head. Moreover, she was too lazy to fight with a bunch of children who knew nothing more than spouting nonsense out of jealousy.
The hall suddenly quietened down as out of the blue a cold and suppressing aura took over the room.
It was so intense and powerful that most were not able to even breathe properly.
The aura disappeared as soon as it appeared. All this time, Li Ming showed no difference in her appearance. It was like she was not affected by that aura even a single bit.
Everyone watched in silence as the man sitting on the seat of the Head of the Sect, stood up from his high seat and descended a few stairs.
His movements were so light that it almost appeared like he was floating in the air rather than walking.
His long white brocade clothes fluttered lightly even though there was no wind present inside the hall.
His jade-like smooth skin and long back hair did not succeed in keeping his powerful and cold aura hidden from the eyes that were keenly trying to engrave him in their minds.
"Since there are still some people present here who are not aware of this matter, I would like to use this opportunity to make this clear to everyone. The Array Sect won't have a High Senior Disciple, no matter whoever is trying to reach that position."