Chapter 8
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Chapter 8: The Seeking-Tao Five Peaks
Although Jiang WanLi didn’t consider the Seeking-Tao Sect an elite sect, it still held an awe-inspiring reputation in South Mountain. It was highly praised by countless cultivators and mortals aspiring to embark on the path of cultivation.
Almost everyone in this world sought Tao cultivation, but it was well known that cultivation required immense resources. Spiritual materials and other essentials were extremely precious, making cultivation a pursuit primarily accessible to the wealthy, noble families, and sects founded by ancient masters.
For most, the best way to advance in cultivation was to join a sect or a noble family. However, a noble family’s resources often paled in comparison to those of a sect. A family could only gather resources within its own lineage, whereas a sect could attract talent and strength from far and wide.
Moreover, noble families primarily allocated their resources to blood relatives, leaving those who submitted as followers with little to no access to valuable cultivation materials—even if they were geniuses. As a result, joining a sect became the preferred choice for most cultivators and even for some members of noble families.
Because of this, sects imposed strict disciple recruitment standards.
For example, the Seeking-Tao Sect opened its gates for disciple recruitment once every three years. Even though there were still three days left before the selection began, more than ten thousand people had already gathered outside its gates, eagerly awaiting their chance.
The hopefuls could generally be divided into two groups: cultivators and mortals. The cultivators, already on the path of Tao, were primarily in the Meridians Unclogged Realm and sought to join the sect to gain access to superior cultivation resources. Mortals, on the other hand, had yet to begin their journey.
A distinct gap separated these two groups—cultivators looked down upon mortals, while mortals regarded cultivators with a mix of awe and envy. Despite their differences, both groups remained fixated on the majestic Seeking-Tao Sect.
The sect consisted of five peaks, standing side by side at varying heights. From a distance, they resembled a massive open palm with five fingers reaching toward the sky. Even from the ground, one could only see halfway up the peaks—the higher areas were concealed by swirling clouds, giving the impression of a celestial realm.
The more mysterious it appeared, the more people longed to be part of it.
“Look! This is what a true Tao cultivation sect should be like!”
“Indeed! Even from here, I can sense an incredibly rich Spiritual Energy. There must be a Spiritual Energy Vein beneath it!”
“The Seeking-Tao Five Peaks! Each peak represents a different path of Tao and a unique cultivation method. No matter which one we enter, our future will be limitless!”
Three days passed in eager anticipation. Suddenly, a commotion erupted at the back of the crowd. The noise grew louder and surged forward like a wave, only settling when it reached the gates of the Seeking-Tao Sect.
As the people saw the cause of the disturbance, an eerie silence fell over them—followed almost immediately by a burst of laughter.
A new arrival had appeared, seeking entry into the Seeking-Tao Sect. To everyone’s astonishment, he was clad only in an animal fur coat!
The youth, around fifteen or sixteen years old, had bright eyes and well-defined features. He looked as though he had endured a long journey. Around his neck hung a triangular black stone, and despite his rugged attire, he carried himself with an air of calmness.
In this somewhat prosperous age, even the poorest people managed to wear proper clothing. Yet here stood a boy wearing nothing but animal hide.
A handsome young man in luxurious robes, a fine sword strapped to his back, sneered, “Where did this wild man come from?”
Another noble beside him chuckled, “The Seeking-Tao Sect is renowned far and wide, and yet even a savage wants to join? Can someone who probably can’t even speak properly hope to cultivate?”
The richly dressed youth burst into laughter. “Why not? We cultivate true Tao, and this wild man can cultivate his own wild Tao! Hahaha!”
Their mockery spread through the crowd, drawing more attention to the strange boy.
Yet, the youth in the fur coat seemed utterly unfazed. Without sparing a glance at his detractors, he found a large rock, sat down cross-legged, and silently fixed his gaze on the still-closed sect gates.
This youth was Jiang Yun.
He had finally made it in time for the Seeking-Tao Sect’s recruitment.
He knew people were laughing at him. The moment he had left the One Hundred Thousand Mang Mountains, he had realized how different he looked from others.
But he had no money to buy clothes. More importantly, his fur coat had been sewn by his grandfather, and he refused to part with it. Wearing it made him feel as if he were still in Jiang Village.
Jiang Yun withdrew his gaze from the sect gates and scanned the people around him, listening carefully to their conversations.
After leaving the Mang Mountains, he had been constantly learning. He rested at gathering places, listening to conversations to broaden his knowledge of the world.
His time in the wilderness—identifying herbs, battling fierce beasts—had honed his senses. With just a glance, he could form a rough assessment of the people around him.
“The one mocking me must be from a wealthy and powerful noble family.”
“The strongest one here is that man in black. He hasn’t looked at me even once since I arrived. It’s as if he exists in a world of his own… Such a person is dangerous!”
The man in black Jiang Yun referred to stood at the edge of the crowd. Eyes half-closed, he stood straight and motionless like a towering pine tree.
“And that plain-looking man—he’s big-boned, and the calluses on his hands are thick. His physical strength must be formidable.”
“That girl about my age… she glanced at me just now. It was brief, but her eyes carried a hint of moisture. She’s not ordinary either.”
“And that little girl over there… she’s a mortal, just like me. She somewhat resembles Yuerou. There’s something mysterious about her presence, something I can’t quite grasp.”
What Jiang Yun didn’t know was that, at that very moment, inside the Seeking-Tao Sect, several elders were also observing and evaluating the crowd.
“There are quite a few promising talents this time.”
“Yes. That boy in black and the strong man—both look promising.”
“The girl with sharp eyes… she must have undergone specialized eye training. If nurtured properly, she might be able to awaken the Tao Eyes.”
“That young girl, she’s about twelve or thirteen. Her Tao Spirituality must be exceptional!”
“And that boy in animal hide… a mortal, yet his body is covered in countless scars. He must have endured numerous life-and-death trials.”
“Hopefully, we’ll find some truly exceptional disciples this year.”
Suddenly, a loud boom echoed across the mountains.
With a deep rumble, the gates of the Seeking-Tao Sect slowly opened.
