The System Identifies Supreme Emperors as Ants, I Crush Them Instantly with One Punch - Chapter 9:

Chapter 9: Brainwashing Ceremony

“Fine,” the Vice Sect Master said, and only then did the others finally give up.

“They say the Absolute Righteous Sect doesn’t care about talent and values virtue above all. Seeing it today, it really is true.”

“Exactly. The Absolute Righteous Sect is a Confucian sect. Virtue is its foundation.”

Many newcomers had heard similar rumors, but assumed they were just that—rumors. Now, witnessing it firsthand, they realized everything was true.

“Young man, wait to the side,” the Grand Elder said.

Everyone knew Cang Lanxing joining the Absolute Righteous Sect was a done deal. The only question was which elder would take him in. Being accepted by an elder meant personal guidance, and with that, limitless potential.

Many people looked at Cang Lanxing with eyes full of envy.

“Next,” the Grand Elder called.

Jiang Xiyue stepped forward. A stir of excitement rippled through the crowd. She was one of the three top-tier geniuses, and easily the most dazzling among them.

Qin Tian was fierce, and no one dared get close to him. The other youth was thin, silent, and antisocial, making him difficult to approach. Jiang Xiyue, however, was lively and charming—possibly someone they could rely on.

“I believe a virtuous person should know how to respect others, treating everyone with kindness and equality regardless of status,” Jiang Xiyue said.

“Excellent,” the Grand Elder praised again. As expected of someone with a peerless talent, not only was her foundation superb, her understanding of the Absolute Righteous Sect’s principles ran deep.

“Virtue is about holding fast to one’s principles, not swayed by profit, keeping the heart pure,” said a black-robed youth.

“Virtue is honoring the old and caring for the young, helping one another.”

“Virtue is the conduct of a noble person.”

Each person shared their own interpretation, and to Qin Tian, it all felt like some sort of brainwashing rally. Were these people out of their minds?

Was this still the cultivation world he knew?

Wasn’t it supposed to be survival of the fittest?

This was clearly a brainwashing session. Qin Tian felt no ripple of emotion inside.

“That’s clearly a wrong understanding.”

A thin and small youth stepped forward.

The Grand Elder’s gaze softened. The boy’s eyes were clear and untainted by the mundane world—he seemed like a pure-hearted and moldable talent.

“Youth, tell us your understanding,” the Grand Elder said.

The boy avoided eye contact, head down, shoulders drawn in, and spoke in a whisper, “I don’t know what virtue is. I can’t read or write. I live in a village 300 meters away. My mother’s sick… I heard the immortal sect was opening, so I snuck out to see if I could find some medicine for her.” His head stayed low, as if he didn’t dare face anyone.

He looked around fourteen or fifteen, thin and clearly malnourished. His clothes were ragged, feet bare and covered in thick calluses, and his toenails were filled with black dirt. It was obvious he came from a farming family.

“He can’t read… and he’s a village boy,” many people sighed inwardly. As it turned out, cultivation didn’t just rely on talent. While looking for medicine for his mother, he’d been accidentally discovered to have a peerless gift.

A boy who had never left his village, willing to risk everything to save his mother—it was deeply moving.

For someone from such a tiny village, leaving behind generations of roots just to find medicine required enormous courage.

And the boy was visibly weak, likely hadn’t eaten in a long time. Three hundred meters in these mountainous regions wasn’t easy, even for an adult—let alone a teenage boy.

“But since he’s illiterate, it’s hard to assess his understanding of virtue. It seems he’s not fit for our sect,” the Grand Elder sighed. “What do you all think?”

“As the Grand Elder said, though he’s a filial young man, he doesn’t meet the sect’s requirements. Perhaps it would be better for him to return and learn to read for a few years. Coming back in three years wouldn’t be too late.”

“That sounds reasonable. He’s still young, after all. Coming back in a few years is fine.”

Many elders were touched by the boy’s act of traveling hundreds of meters for his mother. One by one, they voiced their opinions.

The Grand Elder shook his head and said, “The sect rules leave little room for maneuver. However, Heaven shows mercy. Why not join my tutelage first as a servant? As for your mother’s illness, I will help you settle it.”

“Mhm!”

“Something’s off.”

Several elders suddenly stood up, some even drawing their weapons and pointing them at the Grand Elder. “You bastard! Pulling tricks like that? You’d better fess up!”

The Sect Master quickly raised a barrier of light using his spiritual power. This scene couldn’t be seen by the disciples.

“This youth walked hundreds of meters for medicine for his mother. That is the highest form of filial piety. I couldn’t bear to reject him. He reminded me of my own younger self. Taking him in as a servant honors his filial heart.”

“This way, we don’t break sect rules and still honor his devotion.”

“Cut the crap. Tell the truth, you old fox!” Second Elder Yu Xingxue drew her sword. “Do you think we’re fools?”

This old fox had never taken in someone for such a reason before. And now that it was his turn to handle the talent tests, he suddenly wanted a servant?

“Stop! Junior Sister, are you serious right now?” Second Elder’s sword was incredibly sharp.

“Speak up.”

“Alright, alright! He’s got a peerless talent!”

“You bastard! This disciple is mine!” Second Elder pressed her sword against the Grand Elder’s neck.

“Junior Sister, Junior Sister! We’re a Confucian sect—how could we resort to violence? Don’t be rash!” The Grand Elder quickly begged for mercy. Though his junior sister had deep insight into the Confucian Dao, her temper had always been fiery.

“Sect Master, say something!” The Grand Elder was furious. That old man just sat there smiling like a fool—did he not have the dignity of a sect leader?

“Junior Sister, as for which elder the disciple joins, let’s leave that decision to the disciples themselves after all this is over,” the Sect Master finally stepped in to smooth things over.

The light barrier vanished.

Under the gaze of all the disciples, the dozen elders still sat upright, looking every bit like sage-like immortals full of dignity and grace.

“Youth, after discussion, we’ve decided—traveling hundreds of meters to seek medicine for your mother shows great filial piety. According to the teachings of the ancient Confucian Saints, filial piety and virtue are deeply connected. The sect will make an exception—you’ve passed the third trial.”

The boy raised his head. His blue eyes shimmered with radiant light.

Several elders almost couldn’t stay seated.

“Thank you, Immortal Masters,” the boy said. He didn’t understand what had happened—he only knew his mother would be saved.

“Mhm,” the Grand Elder nodded with a warm smile, like a spring breeze.

Such an untainted child would one day surely grasp the true essence of the Confucian Way.

One after another, the assessments continued.

Qin Tian found it all laughable. This test was totally unreliable. Anyone could make something up and get through. Many of their answers sounded alike. Perhaps writing them beforehand was a way to prevent copycats.

But since everyone knew the Absolute Righteous Sect had a righteous reputation, they were bound to give flattering answers.

It wasn’t until the honest young man finished saying, “Virtue is endurance and yielding,” that it was Qin Tian’s turn.

Qin Tian scoffed. Endurance and yielding—what kind of virtue was that?

Still, an elder slightly nodded.

“It’s your turn. Tell us your understanding from the book,” the Grand Elder said to Qin Tian. He still thought this boy was too bloodthirsty and not suited for the Absolute Righteous Sect.

Qin Tian clutched a thick stack of papers, drawing everyone’s attention. It was hard not to notice.

Anyone who didn’t know better might think he came to write a book.

All this for just one word—“virtue”? How much could there be to say about it?