Chapter 289

Chapter 289: Talented Individuals from Each State Gather

The Haotu Sect’s recruitment has been a grand event since thousands of years ago during the Daling Dynasty, usually held every fifteen to twenty years.

It has been twenty-two years since the last recruitment, and fresh blood should have been added years ago. However, due to various internal matters and the crisis in Linggui City, it was delayed. With the situation leading to a gap in talent, they hurriedly announced a large-scale recruitment.

In the past, the Haotu Sect mainly recruited from the five states of Yun, Lu, Meng, Chang, and Qing, as they could easily investigate backgrounds to prevent unworthy individuals from sneaking in.

This time was different; there was a pressing need to expand the recruitment range. Not only did it include the entire Daling territory, but qualified youths from other countries were also incorporated into the recruitment.

As a result, not only did royal relatives collect promising young talents to send to Yunzhou, but distinguished families from other states also moved quickly, sending as many candidates as they could, as even being a miscellaneous disciple in the Haotu Sect was better than staying at home.

However, the Haotu Sect’s recruitment requirements were always strict.

First, applicants had to reach the Spirit Motion stage, with Spirit Motion marks at least meeting the middle tier; those from the lower tier wouldn’t even be considered.

Next, having a unique skill was essential; the Haotu Sect does not accept mediocrity!

Additionally, having battle experience was highly recommended. After all, who wants to stand there like a fool while others bring out their magical artifacts?

In summary, applicants must be outstanding, talented, and excel beyond their peers.

Li Hui felt a pull towards this; if anyone wanted to join the Haotu Sect, it was certainly him. Yao’er’s true core was within the Haotu Sect, requiring the Golden Jade Peach tree to activate her vitality and regather a peach of immortality. Additionally, Mingming needed a suitable cultivation method to balance her Ice Marrow Physique, but none of the methods recorded in the Jade Symbol Sect met her needs.

“Well then, since they are widely recruiting disciples, I will blend in and become a disciple!”

To escort the young man and woman to Yunzhou, their families invested considerable effort, with more than a hundred companions, all of whom had cultivation.

Traveling through states itself was a form of training, but with security this tight, it would be hard to find real opportunities for growth.

Through conversations, he learned that the girl was named He Liu Ying, and the boy was called Nian Ganchan. Previously, they encountered a young man named Li Changtian, who was also heading to Yunzhou. However, he rode on a beast called the Azure-Eyed Douni, which was so fast that it could exceed the speed of flying.

The next day, as dawn broke, the two head bodyguards from Fuyuan Escort Agency suddenly opened their eyes in disbelief as they looked towards Li Hui’s resting place. At that moment, they heard a crane call from outside, followed by the sound of wind as it flew away.

“Master Ma, can you tell how he managed to leave? We were completely unaware!” the bodyguard named Xu whispered.

“Incredible! My eyes are not useless; I can usually read people accurately. Yet, I can’t make out this one at all. It seems the world truly hides dragons and crouching tigers. With the Haotu Sect expanding its recruitment, who knows how many talents they will attract? The daughter of the He Family and the young master of the Nian Family seem quite far apart,” Master Ma replied.

“Less talk and more action; if we pull this off, we’ll have a few good years,” the two bodyguards were unaware that He Liu Ying had excellent hearing, a talent she had never disclosed. From the moment Li Hui got up, she had heard a hint of movement and listened closely to the conversation between the two bodyguards.

“Li Yingjun? Hmph, I’ve never heard this name before. Why are all these people so heartless? Li Changtian is like that, with his arrogant attitude. And this Li Yingjun is even worse, not even bothering to say goodbye. Doesn’t my beauty as He Liu Ying draw their slightest interest?” The girl felt immense frustration; she had come out expecting that young men would revolve around her, but instead, it turned out that only Nian Ganchan did, which was disappointing. For the next ten days, she didn’t want to speak, focusing instead on meditation and cultivation.

Li Hui quickly pushed this encounter aside; he needed to reach Yunzhou within ten days and choose a favorable place. He intended to release everyone before the Formation Disk broke.

On their way, they rode the giant crane at high speed. By the fifth day, at noon, they heard an eagle cry, and a black eagle swiftly approached them.

“Hahaha, brother, your giant crane is incredibly fast! I was amazed when I saw it from afar, and only when I approached did I realize you used a spirit talisman. Truly clever; I admire you greatly!” The speaker looked about fifteen or sixteen years old, with a strong build, sitting on the black eagle.

Li Hui glanced over and thought that the feathers of this black eagle were excellent and would serve well as a medium for talisman-making. Seeing the proud expression on the boy’s face, it was clear he was boasting about his speed while pretending to admire Li Hui.

“Are you also heading to the Haotu Sect in Yunzhou?”

“Of course! It seems we are kindred spirits!” The stout boy grinned widely, pleased that a crane and an eagle could travel together, although speaking at the same time made him feel a bit awkward.

Just then, a strange sound came from behind, revealing eight winged white horses pulling a luxurious carriage racing ahead, moving faster than both the giant crane and the black eagle.

The stout boy cursed, “Goodness, it must be that Wen Shaobao! His family raises horses for the court, and while royal relatives want to gather eight heavenly steeds, this guy casually rolls out this kind of treasure. Why can’t my family provide me with something like that?”

Li Hui couldn’t help but laugh, seeing that this child was quite envious, clearly suffering from jealousy.

“Ah! Right! My name is Huang Tongliang, ‘wind-milled copper’ in characters, good as my conscience.” The boy introduced himself, finding Li Hui, who rode the giant crane, far more likable than Wen Shaobao—mainly because Li Hui’s speed was not inferior to his own.

“I am Li Yingjun—the handsome one,” Li Hui replied with a grin, noting that his parents did not come from scholar backgrounds and didn’t have a family tree, so they named him using a character for brilliance. After entering the Jade Symbol Sect, senior and junior sisters began affectionately calling him “Handsome Brother,” and he got used to it, keeping it as a fond memory.

“Hahaha, I must say, you and I are quite a match in looks. Why don’t we travel together?” Huang Tongliang puffed out his chest, feeling confident about his sturdy build and good teeth.

“I have business in Yunzhou first; after I finish my business, I will go to the Haotu Sect. It’s fine to travel together for a while,” Li Hui said. “I heard there’s still some time before the Haotu Sect opens its doors for recruitment. Why are you and the person driving the carriage here so early?”

“Oh, Handsome, it seems you don’t know anything! There are three initial checks: Spirit Motion marks, physique, and fortune. But this check is not the mountain gate; it’s the testing gate, representing your qualification to participate in the assessment, which is basically an exam. What will it involve? My uncle has connections with the Haotu Sect, and he gathered information saying there are four main assessments: Heart Transformation, Strategy, battle experience, and Treasure Gathering. It’s neither too hard nor too easy,” Huang Tongliang explained loudly, eager to share.