The story of Lei Poguan left Zhang Menglong feeling wistful, but his personality indeed commanded Zhang Menglong’s respect. If he were still alive, they would surely have been inseparable.

"You better not mess around," Qi Congyun warned, "We managed to bring a promising talent like you into the Sunset Sect; you must stay safe. Of course, if one day you comprehend the third level of the Nine Nether Sunset Art and advance to the Dao Realm, then you can demolish the Divine Profound Hall for me, hahaha!"

"But Elder Qi, is the Nine Nether Sunset Art really that difficult?"

"It’s more than difficult," Qi Congyun sighed, "If everyone in the Sunset Sect could master just the first level, we would undoubtedly be the strongest among the eighteen superpowers! But even comprehending the first level is not easy; many have pondered over it for decades, only to ultimately give up."

"No wonder," Zhang Menglong nodded, "After spending decades getting nowhere and then having to switch to a different cultivation technique, the process already wastes a significant amount of time, and it happens during a martial artist’s prime training age!"

"Indeed," Qi Congyun shook his head, "Many who have good relations eventually fall behind as they waste time, ultimately being surpassed by their less capable peers."

"Gu Xiao," Qi Congyun said seriously, "If you can’t comprehend the Nine Nether Sunset Art, I suggest you give up within three years and immediately train in other Sunset Sect techniques. Although they can’t compare to the Nine Nether Sunset Art, they won’t be weaker than those of other superpowers!"

"Hahaha, don’t worry, there’s no such ’if,’" Zhang Menglong laughed, "I’ll comprehend the Nine Nether Sunset Art in no time!"

"Alright then, I’ll see what you’re capable of!" Qi Congyun patted Zhang Menglong on the back, "I’ll go check on the other disciples. There are some promising youngsters this year, I better hurry and socialize a bit."

"Didn’t expect you to be a social butterfly," Zhang Menglong chuckled.

"Brother Gu Xiao!"

Just as he was about to study the Nine Nether Sunset Art received from the Sunset Sect elders, a young man suddenly approached Zhang Menglong, overly familiar.

"Uh... and you are..."

Zhang Menglong glanced at the young man but didn’t recognize him; they probably hadn’t had any interaction before.

"You wouldn’t happen to be returning too much of my product, would you?" Zhang Menglong considered the possibility, "Sorry, once my product leaves the counter, I don’t accept returns!"

The young man’s forehead immediately showed a few black lines, "Brother Gu Xiao, I... I’m not here to return anything."

"Just not here for a refund, that’s good," Zhang Menglong straightened his back, "What can I do for you?"

"Actually, Brother Gu Xiao, we’re here to invite you to join our apprentice disciple council."

"Huh?" Zhang Menglong paused, still processing, "You guys also have a council?"

"Brother Gu Xiao, you might not know," the young man explained upon seeing Zhang Menglong’s puzzled expression, "There are councils within the eighteen superpowers, each disciple level has a council, core disciples have their own and outer sect disciples have theirs, and we as newly joined apprentice disciples naturally have one too."

"What’s the purpose of this council?"

"The main goal is to unite the disciples, and prevent bullying from higher-level disciples. As apprentice disciples, we’re bound to face oppression from outer sect and even core disciples. Banding together is necessary to protect our rights."

"Makes sense! Alright, count me in!" Zhang Menglong agreed immediately.

"Well... we hope you can lead us apprentice disciples, we wish for you to take on the role of president." The young man cautiously suggested, worried Zhang Menglong might outright refuse.

"What? The council president?" Zhang Menglong hurriedly waved his hand, "No way, the biggest position I’ve held was being a labor committee member in elementary school, managing a council? I can’t even manage my own kid!"

"No, no," the young man quickly said, "Some basic affairs won’t require your involvement, but in cases of conflict, we hope you can stand up for our rights, we all saw how you didn’t even care about the core disciples of Divine Profound Hall, you can definitely protect us."

"Moreover, many of us originally didn’t plan to join the Sunset Sect but followed suit upon seeing you join!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Menglong looked at him again, noticing a spark of admiration in his eyes, akin to seeing an idol.

In many eyes, Zhang Menglong’s actions seemed domineering, yet those not in conflict of interest with him saw him as skillful and loyal. He once handed over the Yujian Villa’s legacy without hesitation to his friends. Such deeds anyone else might begrudge, right?

"What’s your name?" Zhang Menglong glanced at the young man, his strength at Divine Breath Eighth Grade, comparable to Zhang Menglong, quite exceptional among everyone there.

"Brother Gu Xiao, my name is Cen Yun."

"Quite a tasteful name." Zhang Menglong nodded, "Is this your idea or a shared consensus among you?"

"It’s the consensus of all of us!" Cen Yun said, "In fact, there aren’t many in the Sunset Sect, everyone discussed privately and decided I’d seek your opinion, Brother Gu Xiao."

"Rest assured, Brother Gu Xiao, we’ll definitely follow your lead, never tarnishing your reputation, please take on this responsibility!"

"Please take on this responsibility, Brother Gu Xiao!" Suddenly, a synchronized voice arose from all around the cabin.

"Wow, this is quite flattering," Zhang Menglong felt a bit embarrassed, "Alright then, since you all trust me, I’ll take on the task, but remember your promises, I fear no trouble, but I don’t like causing trouble either!"

"If someone bothers us, I’ll break his leg for you, but if you cause trouble yourselves, I’ll break your legs, is that alright?"

"Hahaha, Brother Gu Xiao’s word goes!"

"If there truly is such a person, we can break his leg before Brother Gu Xiao even needs to act!"

"Brother Gu Xiao, the council is just a formality, let’s give it a name!"

"Call it Gu Xiao Society!"

"No!" Zhang Menglong waved his hand, "That sounds like a shady organization, neither socialist enough nor red enough!"

"Then, Brother Gu Xiao, you pick a name!"

"Yes, Brother Gu Xiao, give it a name!"

"Since you want me to name it..." Zhang Menglong thought for a moment, "Joining the organization makes us family, let’s call it Shamate Clan!"