Chapter 299

Chapter 299: Joining the Haotu Sect

“Do I have to test my eyesight and knowledge?” Li Hui wandered in the forest, noticing that there were no valuable spiritual plants; it looked like an ordinary jungle.

After a short while, he stumbled upon a line of turtles moving ahead in perfect formation.

“Hmm? They must often walk this way, shaping the ground into a turtle path,” Li Hui marveled. Suddenly, it dawned on him, “Turtle path, a return journey and a forward journey. Since I’m entering the Haotu Sect, the way here is indeed a path of no return; moving forward is the path to return. At the same time, it suggests that making a choice means it is a path of no return, and there’s no turning back!”

After about fifteen minutes following the turtle path, he discovered a three-foot-tall Stone Stele.

On the stele were three characters: “Haotu Sect.” The writing looked a bit blurry, but its desolate meaning radiated from the stone, as if witnessing the rise and fall of fortunes, leaving one in a trance.

After standing in a daze for a while, Li Hui noticed five glowing orbs the size of fists appearing on the stele.

Each orb contained a ritual artifact. While this might excite other Spirit Motion Stage cultivators, it had no attraction for Li Hui; if he reached out, he would only grasp a few scraps.

After quite some time, the five glowing orbs became dazzling, turning the ritual artifacts into treasures.

Li Hui still paid no mind, as exploding treasures was too against the heavens. It might not matter on Wan Nest Island, but it was better to be cautious in the Haotu Sect.

“Pfft!” The five orbs collided, creating a massive light, and an ancient voice echoed, “Why don’t you use your points to gather treasures?”

“Points are for exchanging treasures? I, the disciple, am already a treasure myself. I want to refine my body as a ritual artifact, relying on nothing external,” he answered, half-truthfully, which felt a bit cheeky. Ritual artifacts are external, but what about the spirit talismans he held? What about the many exotic treasures he carried? Was it only ritual artifacts that counted?

“Foolishness! If one wishes to do well, the tools must be sharpened first. For instance, if you use your fists to punch a tree while others use saws, will the result be the same? Indeed, one shouldn’t overly rely on ritual artifacts, but without them, how can you protect yourself on your path?”

“You are right, Master. As a foolish disciple, I’m fortunate to have learned talisman methods for self-defense,” Li Hui bowed gratefully. He found this trial to be easier to pass since the other party couldn’t help but speak, possibly sharing more insights.

“Very well, since you refuse to spend points on ritual artifacts, let them convert into sect points! To enter Haotu Sect, you must quickly find your position, and training must not be neglected.”

Li Hui promptly asked, “Disciple is still in the dark, please guide me on where to go.”

“Ha ha ha, you’ll know when you reach the Xuanwu Great Hall,” the voice laughed as a light pillar fell from the sky.

At this time, at the end of the desert, amidst towering mountains lay a strange sight of booming roars and dragon cries, emitting vast crimson light that connected pathways of light to the place.

From above, one could see endless waves of clouds, with splendid lake and mountain scenery reflecting extraordinary light. The overlapping mountains hid golden platforms, with carved columns and jade balustrades resembling the Yao Pool.

As the light pillar approached, countless palaces came into view, with various spiritual beasts roaming freely. Unnamed birds flew through rainbows, frolicking and chasing each other. Suddenly, a fierce wind kicked up, revealing a swiftly moving Flying Peak.

In the distance, more Flying Peaks floated, their towering shadowy trees reaching toward the sky, reminiscent of the ancient Celestial Tree. Occasionally, light and shadow darted across the mountains, indicating Condensed Essence Stage practitioners flying low on their swords.

This magnificent scene and atmosphere were leagues beyond the Jade Symbol Sect. Here lay the un-crowned king of Dalong, the Haotu Sect, which had never ranked lower than second.

The Haotu Sect never participated in the Dalong sect rankings but was inherently involved in the Wutu Continent’s overall ranking, currently sitting at fifty-six, closely tied to the Great Xia Sect.

This meant that entering this door officially brought one into the cultivation world of the Wutu Continent, moving from obscurity into the mainstream.

On Mount Bowang stood a grand hall, with two mystical crane statues perched outside, gazing up at the sky, where the light pillar descended onto the steps between these statues.

A hundred boys and girls appeared, having passed tests and selections to arrive here. Each one was spirited, full of grace and vigor, exhibiting a remarkable appearance.

As Li Hui scanned the crowd, he felt the Fortune Ascending Talisman vibrate continuously. Any one of these youths, should they step forward, could summon great rain and wind in the future, dominating their realms.

This open sect recruitment couldn’t possibly select only this few people; even with stringent criteria, there were roughly thirty thousand youths available. However, they couldn’t cross the threshold to become Inner Sect Disciples, starting as outer disciples instead, and only those who successfully gathered Spirit before eighteen and passed multiple tests would have a chance to enter the Inner Sect.

The youth gathered before the Xuanwu Great Hall were obviously different; they were designated as key trainees and received a certain degree of resource allocation.

Want to treat all equally? What a joke! Who has more, who has less? Cultivating a thousand mediocre talents is not worth as much as cultivating one elite. The Dao is arduous; trimming the excess and nurturing the essence while rising through this path is what the Haotu Sect requires in its disciples.

Li Hui was filled with boundless emotion; after enduring countless hardships and dancing on the brink of life and death, he finally stood alongside these prodigies. They know nothing, they understand nothing!

The path ahead is rugged and difficult; others stroll easily in their shoes while his feet bleed and are raw, yet he continues on. This determination toward the Dao is the greatest stubbornness and resilience.

Ascending the steps felt somewhat like a rural lad rising to the grand hall of an emperor.

In fact, within the territory of Dalong, this Xuanwu Great Hall exceeded even the emperor’s grand hall. If the Dalong emperor were to come here, he would still have to ascend the steps; dare to show off? The next day he would roll down from the dragon throne.

Entering the hall brought a sense of solemnity and grandeur. Clear qi rose from the mystical crane incense burner in delicate wisps, and after taking a deep breath, he felt refreshingly clear-headed. Floating platforms filled the hall in layers, like steps leading upward, where hundreds of figures sat behind the ritual altar.

A voice reverberated, “Greetings to all my brothers, sisters, and esteemed elders. This recruitment is nearing its end, with one hundred twenty-eight talented individuals chosen. Some may remain outside as outer disciples, who will be invited later. The placement of these one hundred twenty-eight new disciples still requires everyone’s thoughtful consideration; after all, exceptional talent is hard to come by, and we should leverage their strengths to the fullest.”

“Yuan Xiao zhuo, step forward to be my personal disciple; this is my departure!”

“Old hag, what are you saying? Water and fire do not mix! The girl possesses the Fire Phoenix’s Embrace Body! How could that not match my cultivation method?”

“What a disgrace to elders! Why argue in front of the new disciples? Yuan Xiao zhuo should come to our Phoenix Pavilion instead.”

Well! The little girl was so scared she kept moving, perfectly hiding behind Li Hui, not knowing how many people were green with envy to witness this, their gazes filled with jealousy.

“Really boring, you all take your time.” Suddenly a voice subdued the crowd, unveiling a light blue figure that waved and called out, “Li Yingjun, why are you still dawdling? Come with your master to the Water Moon Mirror Sky. I don’t care whether you have the Dao body or not; if your name is Li, that’s enough. I am your master, Li Maocai!”