Upon hearing the prince's words, Distio immediately laughed as he smirked slightly, clearly feeling that there was nothing special about this batch's champion.

A trace of disappointment flowed out in the eyes of Mubarak and Aily when they saw this.

Aily coldly remarked, "The champion of this batch has no backbone. Humph, the champion of the previous generation was senior brother Sith Wiggins, who has now become a ranked disciple. Ezra Zephyr is a far cry from him."

The hierarchy in Spirit Devouring Mountain was very clear. From lowest to highest it goes. 

1. Unofficial Outer Mountains Disciples 

2. Official Outer Mountains Disciples

3. Inner Mountains Disciples 

4. Ranked Disciples 

5. Outer Mountains Elders/Core Disciples.

6. Inner Mountain Elders 

7. Seven Peak Masters 

8. The Chosen Seven 

9. Supreme Leader

When she talked about Sith Wiggins, her eyes would ripple slightly in adoration.

"Not bad, your judgement is pretty good." Distio pointed at Ezra and nodded with a smile. "Since that is the case, in the future…"

However, just as he was about to wilfully appoint some silly duties, the prince's voice sounded again.

"But it is exactly because there are so many talented disciples under Elder Sonk, that I feel that I would only be akin to a useless decoration there. That's why… I feel that the other faction will suit me better."

When Ezra's voice sounded once again on the stone plaza, it caused the atmosphere to instantly freeze as gaze after gaze was cast over in shock.

No one had expected Ezra to favour the other two factions...

After all, out of Alchemic Rune Peak's two factions, Elder Sonk's was clearly the most superior. In the first place, only the imprints of the Spirit Devouring Sect were famous, the alchemy of this sect never saw the light of fame.

However, this choice was no surprise to Ezra Zephyr himself. From the very beginning, he had already decided not to choose Sonk's faction.

It was because he could feel a tiny sliver of hostility in Distio's words and purple belt disciple, Lopap's seemingly unconcerned gaze, hostility that was likely due to his relationship with Drake Tubble, he knew that the sect is full of Shiyan disciples.

Elder Sonk is merely a puppet, the one running the faction was Lopap or that's what Ezra had read from the encounter.

The prince could already foresee the endless amount of trouble that would be sent his way if he joined Sonk's faction. Furthermore, it was more than likely that Sonk would not support him if people from the Shiyan continent came seeking revenge, and instead easily discard him to appease them

Therefore, the prince would most certainly eliminate Sonk's faction from his choices to avoid such trouble. After all, he was here to revive the alchemy and make his foothold through that.

Truthfully speaking, as the host of the Monstrous Wolf of Norse, Fenrir, Ezra needed no one to teach him. Absolutely no one, but he had different plans.

The prince's rejection also stunned the disciples under Elder Lo. Ezra's choice had likewise surpassed their expectations.

"Was I wrong? This junior brother is somewhat interesting." Aily grinned, a trace of admiration now present on her face.

Lopap's face stayed grave as he said, "At least he has some backbone…"

The other disciples from the faction also cast friendly and welcoming gazes towards Ezra.

In contrast, hostility began to rise in the eyes of the disciples under Elder Sonk, their slightly chilly gazes looking towards Ezra. It was obvious that they felt the prince's rejection to be an act of humiliation towards their group.

Especially Distio, whose expression fluctuated indeterminately between anger and embarrassment. He had previously been under the impression that Ezra had tactfully chosen to join them. Who could have imagined that his earlier words were merely a ruse, turning the former's earlier words into a joke?

"You!"

Distio's gaze turned piercingly chilly as he stared at the prince and sarcastically said, "Junior brother Ezra really has character, it seems that you believe that as the champion of the peak selection ceremony, you will revive, no – prosper the alchemy of this sect?

Do you really think that every champion is like the Arcane Wizardry Peak's senior brother Sith Wiggins?" There was no lack of mockery in his words.

There were many champions of the peak selection ceremony in the Spirit Devouring Mountain. After all, there was one for each generation of disciples. Amongst them, there was no lack of amazingly successful disciples, but at the same time also many that ultimately fell back into mediocrity.

After rebuking Ezra, Distio's tone softened slightly as he said, "Junior brother Ezra, you do have some talent, but I advise you not to be too rash. If you fail to grasp this opportunity, regret will do nothing for you in the future.

Only regret will be your companion if you choose alchemy, come with us and try the mysterious art of imprints."

The werewolf prince merely chuckled in response. "Sorry, Elder Sonk's faction is too unsuitable for me, senior broth- no… fellow brother Distio does not need to speak any further about this."

They had the same rank of outer mountain golden belt disciple, there was no reason for Ezra to not call him a fellow disciple.

Furthermore, Distio's words were always secretly threatening him, something that Ezra Zephyr could never allow. Hence, he could no longer be bothered to talk it out nicely.

"Bunch of arrogant dullards." Scoffed Fenrir to which Ezra smiled.

Distio's eyes hardened as an ominous look appeared on his face.

He was about to speak again but saw Lopap open his eyes, indifference within them as he waved at the former. Hence, Distio closed his mouth and venomously glared at Ezra.

Lopap nonchalantly said, "Forget about it since he is not willing. We do not lack a so-called champion of the peak selection ceremony."

He did not give Ezra a second glance. In his opinion, not joining them was undoubtedly destroying one's own future. Once Ezra began to experience hardships in the future, he would naturally begin to understand how foolish he had been today.

Moreover, it was only a champion of the peak selection ceremony, someone who was merely number one amongst the outer mountain disciples. Who in the inner mountains had not gone through rigorous and careful selection? Ezra would soon understand what it meant to vanish into averageness.

Sonk had originally been a little interested in this batch's champion. If the latter could be recruited, Sonk would first make him apologise to Shiyan disciples, before giving him proper guidance. But from the looks of it, this individual was clearly not going to cooperate.

Distio understood Sonk's character and knew from his words that Ezra's actions had already turned off Elder Sonk. A gloating smile immediately revealed itself on Distio's face.

However, the prince paid no attention to them. He really disliked Lopap from the bottom of his heart, and he somehow saw what kind of troublesome future awaited him if he were to join the latter's faction.

Hence, his gaze turned towards Elder Lo as he cupped his fists together and said, "This disciple hopes to study alchemy under Elder Lo