Aksai was indeed surprised that the Blackblood Lord made a public claim to accept him as his direct disciple in front of all the Core Formation Lords.
However, he was not surprised by the claim itself.
A few days ago, when the two of them had been alone, the Blackblood Lord had already brought up the matter.
"I want you to become my last direct disciple," the old monster had said bluntly back then, his tone firm but not forceful.
Aksai had rejected him without much thought. "I appreciate it, but I don't want to get involved in your sect's matters," he'd said. "I've always walked my own path, and becoming someone's disciple would only slow me down."
He had meant every word. His goals were clear. He didn't want titles or obligations. He didn't want to be caught in the web of sect politics, even if it was with the Blackblood Sect.
But the Blackblood Lord hadn't been angry. Instead, he had laughed.
