"No need. Just enjoy yourself. Having fun is also part of the mission; it's a good distraction for us."

"And what about you?"

"I'm heading home tomorrow. Once the house renovations are done, you all won't need to stay in hotels."

"Your house? Where?" Xuan Jue was completely puzzled, he'd never heard of Zhou You having a house in the Jiangnan base.

"You'll know soon," Zhou You had just received a message from Shao Qi, mentioning that someone had been dispatched to measure the property and that construction would begin tomorrow. He was told to oversee it when he had the time.

Chapter 199: Should I Not Take Male Disciples?

"Wow! Is this...is this your house in the Jiangnan base? It's even bigger than Litchi Manor!" The moment Xuan Jue saw the gate bearing the nameplate "White Tiger Manor", he was astounded. It looked nothing like an ordinary house but more like an ancient mansion of nobles. Very prestigious.

Zhou You had never been to Xuanmen's base and curiously asked, "Your place must be big too, right?"

"Not really. You've seen Yang City; the land is quite expensive there. Moreover, Xuanmen's headquarters are in Shuguang City, which is even pricier. So our base is just some shops in a regular residential area that we've transformed. We usually live separately."

Zhou You asked a few others and got the same answer. He commented, "No wonder your sect is so low-key. Other sects in Yang City seem quite grand."

Xuan Jue responded confidently, "That's because they earn more. Their tuition fees are dozens of times ours. Wealthy families donate generously to get their children as disciples, making them richer."

An idea struck Zhou You, "Why not establish a branch of Xuanmen here in the Jiangnan base? With Xuan Lao's intentions of expanding the sect, you'll need to recruit students everywhere. This place lacks major sects, perfect for your growth. I can lend this manor to you for free."

"Really? Such a big place for free? But...what's in it for you?"

What did Zhou You want? He hadn't really thought about it. This place, once renovated, would hardly be occupied by him. Why waste it? If Xuanmen prospers, it would benefit him too. With Jiangnan's military and the top sect siding with him and Shao Qi, the base's support would be solidified.

Once sects here flourish, it would be tough for Xuanmen to gain a foothold later.

The more Zhou You thought about it, the more he liked the idea. He immediately called Xuan Lao, and after a detailed conversation of over an hour, they finalized the branch establishment. Zhou You then took Xuan Jue and the others to the Martial Arts Association for the required formalities.

The renovation team, which had just arrived, received a halt notice. Zhou You decided to finalize the renovation plans after the paperwork. He already had a preliminary concept in mind.

Registering a sect branch isn't difficult, especially for a venerable sect like Xuanmen. President Shi personally assisted them. With Zhou You vouching, they received the permit the very same day. Afterward, they went to the government department for record-keeping. The branch's in-charge was also selected, one of the ten bodyguards accompanying Zhou You. Xuan Jue called him the fifth senior brother, a good-looking man in his early thirties, always smiling.

"Our fifth brother is going to be the head! Such a significant leap! You should treat us!" teased the other disciples.

Liao Jie laughed at the banter, "I'll treat you, but don't think you're off the hook. I can't manage alone; you all have to stay and help."

Xuan Jue was the first to support, "Alright, I'm staying too! I want to be the senior brother!" Being the youngest in Xuanmen, he always dreamed of such a role.

Liao Jie reminded him, "You wish to be Zhou Sir's disciple. He hasn't taken any students yet. If you succeed, you'll be the senior disciple."

"Right," Xuan Jue eagerly looked at Zhou You, "Master, when will my trial start? You won't abandon me, will you?"

Zhou You just smiled. The idea of taking on disciples was something he hadn't considered before. But seeing the lively group, the idea of having disciples seemed appealing.

"You can start recruiting now. I'll retreat for three days, aiming to comprehend the secret scrolls before the school opening."

"Three days?" Everyone was in disbelief. The inner cultivation method of their sect took beginners at least a year or two to get started. Most of them would be laying foundations in their first year, hardly needing advanced scriptures. Only someone like Zhou You could grasp them so effortlessly.

During his retreat, Zhou You forgot to inform not to send meals. Concerned about him starving, the hotel sent meals thrice a day for three days, but no one touched them. Hotel staff urgently contacted Xuan Jue and the others, fearing they might be blamed if something had happened.

Xuan Jue and the others were busy recruiting. Their announcement caused quite a stir. Many didn't know about Xuanmen, but they recognized the address - White Tiger Manor, previously known as Heavy Sword Manor, which belonged to Zhou You. Could it be a sect established by Zhou You?

Once someone inquired through connections and got the full story, word quickly spread. Everyone came to recognize the prowess of the Xuanmen sect. The disciples they trained excelled in various fields. Although the sect wasn't founded by Zhou You, it still had ties to him. Such a prestigious sect only selected its students; students didn't have the privilege to choose them.

Xuan Ji and his ten senior brothers sat in Qiushui Square from dawn till dusk, collecting application forms. Those deemed unsuitable were promptly dismissed. The rest had to be interviewed one by one. For the first recruitment, only a hundred spots were available.