Chef in the Apocalypse

The Sect Master looked almost like an average middle-aged man. That is if he were to be placed in the Three Kingdoms period of Ancient China. Being from the modern day Earth, Jayce felt as if he was in a museum.

Despite his age, the Sect Master’s hair and long beard were dark and radiating vitality. He wore a red robe which looked to be a few shades lighter than the Elders, giving him a regal atmosphere.

They waited for a few moments before a deep voice called out.

"Rise and introduce yourself young man."

Jayce did as he was told, rising to his feet yet not making eye contact in order to seem respectful. He was currently in an unknown place in front of someone that could likely squash him like he was an ant.

"Sect Master, my name is Jayce and I am a traveler from a far away land who has become lost. I am pleased to make your acquaintance." He bowed, once again ensuring to keep his attitude humble.

The Sect Master began to run his hand through his beard and responded. "To be so strong at your age, you must already belong to a Sect. Why did you not mention them in your introduction?"

"Sect? No, I have never been in a Sect before Sect Master."

"What!? Then how did you reach your current level of strength in such a time? Or are you using a heavenly treasure to make your appearance appear younger?" This time Elder Ji interjected.

Jayce felt the gaze of both men drill into him, as if they were trying to pry into his secrets, leaving him feeling exasperated. Truth be told, he wasn’t particularly sure how to move forward.

He was afraid to mention that he was from Earth in case these people were linked to the ones who wanted to destroy it, despite being humans. However, if he didn’t give a satisfactory answer then he may be suspected as an enemy and killed either way.

Jayce managed to keep his poker face as he spun his tale, hoping that his unhealthy knowledge of cultivation novels would give him strength in this moment.

"I am a wandering cultivator who chanced upon an inheritance. It was only because of this inheritance that I was able to cultivate to my current level despite the lack of resources." He paused to see their reactions, only to see that the Sect Master had a better poker face than himself.

Elder Ji on the other hand was much easier to read, by the way he was nodding his head along it seemed that his story was believable. This gave Jayce the confidence to continue with his tale.

"I was ambushed and had all of my worldly possessions and spatial ring stolen from me, left to die in a ditch. After a few painful days, I made a full recovery and finally chanced upon the disciple Mei who was battling that lizard and saved her in passing."

He turned to Elder Ji and continued, "Not long later you arrived and took me to the sect."

Elder Ji nodded, feeling that the story sounded believable enough. However, the Sect Master spoke up in the next moment, his deep voice sounding out.

"I detect some falsehoods in your story... However we all have our secrets." He said, allowing his words to sink in.

"The fact that you were able to pass through our formation signifies that you have no ill-will towards our Vermilion Flame Sect. Not only that, but you did us a service by saving one of our disciples so we will not treat you poorly."

The Sect Master was still running his hand through his beard, looking at Jayce with interest. Elder Ji let out a sigh of relief, feeling his hopes rekindle. Hearing that this young man was a wandering cultivator with no allegiance and held such strength, he wanted to recruit him into the sect by all means.

He tried to convey his feelings to the sect master, only to be outright ignored.

"It looks like you cultivate your body and have even reached the Core Formation level. Our Vermilion Flame Sect has a heavenly treasure that will help consolidate your body cultivation..." The Sect master said with a strange look in his eyes.

Elder Ji’s eyes widened in disbelief. "S-Sect Master, you can’t mean that? But only sect disciples are allowed to use it."

Jayce’s eyes narrowed. He knew that something was up with the way the Sect Master’s eyes glimmered with slyness. It was as if he was in a cultivation novel and the Sect Master was the sly old fox who could orchestrate things to his favor with merely a few words. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"Hmmm you are right. We can’t exactly let a stranger use the Magma Pools to cultivate in. What would you suggest we do Elder Ji?"

Elder Ji paused for a moment before his face flickered with a realization. Jayce could almost see the cogs turning in his brain as he composed himself and spoke out, "I suppose if Jayce were to join the Vermilion Flame Sect then there would be no issues with him using the Magma Pools."

There it was. The two wished to recruit him into their sect under the premise of receiving a reward for his deeds, even hinting that he could not receive them if he did not join.

To be honest, he wasn’t averse to joining the sect, especially since he knew nothing about this current world. It seemed as if everyone here was also humans as well.

However, it left a bit of a bad taste in his mouth. Perhaps they would be able to hoodwink others at Jayce’s age, however his mind was sharp and combining his two lives he was definitely not a naive kid at 19 years old.

"Sect Master. I appreciate the offer, however I did not save your disciple for mere benefits. I couldn’t possibly request a reward for doing something that I would have done regardless." Jayce bowed and politely declined the offer, however he inwardly grinned after seeing the Elder’s dumbfounded expression.

"Hmmm.’ The Sect Master continued to stroke his beard, yet his eyes lightened up upon hearing the reply. He was starting to like this kid more and more.

"Okay okay, it seems like you cannot be swayed by mere tricks. You seem like the kind of person that responds better when talked to directly." He stated with a smile.

’He switches gears fast.’ Jayce commented inwardly, feeling his opinion of the Sect Master increase slightly.

"Jayce. As long as you let us test your skeletal age and you are indeed 19 years old, we will invite you to join the sect as a Core Disciple. This will allow us to confidently give you our resources without fear of you leaving." The Sect Master continued, his intelligent eyes locked onto Jayce.

Jayce pondered for a few moments. If Elders were already at the Core Formation realm, then that meant that the Sect Master was at least at the Nascent Soul Realm. He needed a sufficient enough status to get resources and become stronger in the next 12 months so he could return to Earth and combat the invaders.

If he could also gain enough influence in the Sect in that time, he could also perhaps convince the Sect Master to lend him some disciples to join the fight.

This would be the first step in the right direction.

Jayce faced the Sect Master and looked into his eyes for the first time since the encounter before bowing politely. "Sect Master, I would be honored to join the Vermilion Flame Sect as a Core Disciple."