Chapter 42 : Apprentice Recruitment Ceremony

In the past, Tai Lingxuan never participated in the disciple recruitment conference.

The reason was simple.

No one would join.

The Hehuan Sect was small in scale, scarce in resources, and weak in strength.

Even among third-rate sects, it was considered at the bottom.

Not to mention, Hehuan Sect only accepted female disciples, and its reputation was hardly favorable.

To this day, there were still vicious rumors about the Hehuan Sect—such as that joining it would result in being sold as a courtesan, or that the women of the sect had questionable temperaments.

Perhaps the Hehuan Sect had indeed been that way once.

But now, the Hehuan Sect had completely changed its image.

Tai Lingxuan herself knew that the current Hehuan Sect was no different from other sects.

Indeed, cultivating the Hehuan Technique required the assistance of heavenly materials and treasures with strong Yang attributes for harmonization.

But did other sects’ cultivation methods not also require external aids?

The old Hehuan Sect had merely chosen a shortcut that was considered taboo by the world.

Now, even without such intentions, one could cultivate normally.

Moreover, because the Hehuan Technique condensed pure Yin energy, its combat power at the same realm was considered top-tier.

Yet, the same problem remained.

The Hehuan Sect’s reputation had been tarnished for thousands of years, and the improvements of the last few decades only made it so the sect was no longer an outright enemy of the righteous.

To attract disciples with that reputation was difficult.

But now, Tai Lingxuan’s mind began to stir with new ideas.

There were three reasons.

First.

Tai Lingxuan had already reached the Consolidation Realm, and at the fourth level of Consolidation no less.

This strength was more than enough to hold positions such as elder or vice sect leader in one of the seven great sects.

For second- and third-rate sects, as a master, Tai Lingxuan had absolute advantage in power.

Second.

Tai Lingxuan had a huge sum of funds in her hands.

More than three thousand top-grade spirit stones.

Although these were entrusted to her by Chen Yuyang, Tai Lingxuan understood that this was practically a gift to herself, and if it was for the sect’s development, using some for a time and replenishing it later shouldn’t be an issue.

If push came to shove… repaying with physical assets was also an option.

Third.

Numerous heavenly materials and treasures brought back from the Ziyang Secret Realm.

Tai Lingxuan counted carefully.

Besides those that could be used by Lingxi and Yuyang, there were still eighty or ninety second- and third-grade heavenly materials left.

Selling them directly for spirit stones would be a waste, but using them as rewards for joining the sect could be an attractive condition.

In summary, Tai Lingxuan felt that this year, perhaps it was worth trying to use the Hehuan Sect’s name at the disciple recruitment conference.

Not aiming for many, just one or two suitable disciples to gradually change people’s impression of the Hehuan Sect.

…

So when the recruitment conference began, Tai Lingxuan, like other sects, set up a simple “registration desk,” posting the Hehuan Sect’s name, the conditions for joining, and the benefits one would receive.

Small sects mostly recruited this way.

Most cultivators returning to the area had certain aptitude, and some had even reached certain realms.

Small and medium sects recruited cultivators like businesses courting customers.

Only the seven great sects had no worries, not even needing to display signs—people willing to join would line up in long queues endlessly.

Two days passed quickly.

“Master, has anyone expressed willingness to join the sect?”

Chen Yuyang and Gu Qiushui approached the registration desk together.

Tai Lingxuan smiled wryly.

“Not a single person has come to inquire, let alone one who meets the criteria and wishes to join.”

Hearing this, Gu Qiushui also smiled bitterly and said bluntly, “Master, those who come here lack vision and don’t understand the benefits of joining our sect. If that’s the case, why waste time? We might as well leave early.”

Tai Lingxuan thought for a moment but shook her head gently, saying, “It’s a pity. The sign is already up. To give up halfway would be a bad look.”

“The recruitment conference lasts seven days. We’ll wait patiently. Someone destined to be with us will come.”

Hearing Tai Lingxuan’s decision, Gu Qiushui had nothing more to say.

After thinking for a moment, she stepped forward and said, “Then let me stay here to watch over things. Master, you should go rest.”

“This…” Tai Lingxuan was about to respond when Chen Yuyang suddenly spoke from the side.

“Master, if you stay here personally to receive guests, people might underestimate the Hehuan Sect. Also, I think this sign needs to be rewritten.”

“Rewrite? How?” Tai Lingxuan raised an eyebrow, puzzled.

Gu Qiushui also looked curious, wondering what idea this junior disciple had.

“Bring paper and pen!”

Chen Yuyang rolled up his sleeves and said immediately.

With curiosity, Tai Lingxuan took out paper and pen from her spatial ring and placed them on the table.

Chen Yuyang picked up the pen, took a deep breath, and wrote a line in a lively, flowing script:

“Only one accepted, mediocrities need not disturb!”

Seeing the eight characters Chen Yuyang wrote, Tai Lingxuan and Gu Qiushui were both stunned.

“No, Junior Brother Yuyang, what does this mean? We can’t recruit anyone as it is, and now you write this… won’t it scare people away even more?”

Tai Lingxuan pursed her lips, lowered her head slightly, and seemed thoughtful.

“Whether it works or not, we’ll find out by trying.”

Chen Yuyang said calmly and handed the paper to Tai Lingxuan to decide.

Tai Lingxuan nodded in approval.

So this new sign replaced the original one.

Then…

Before long, several people stopped to watch.

After a while, the number grew to dozens.

Though no one stepped forward to ask questions, they all stared at the sign and whispered among themselves.

“Seriously? What kind of sect is this, to have such a big mouth?”

“Hehuan Sect.”

“Isn’t the Hehuan Sect known for selling themselves?”

“Not exactly… nowadays Hehuan Sect can be considered righteous.”

“What righteous? I don’t believe it…”

Rumors spread among the crowd.

Just then, two figures strode briskly from outside the venue.

The first was a man around thirty or forty, in his prime, with a square, upright face radiating heroic aura.

His robe was sky blue with floating cloud patterns, signaling his unusual status—the Vice Sect Leader of Sword Gate Mountain, Nie Qi!

Beside Nie Qi was a red-haired girl, also dressed in a similar blue robe.

Though only about fifteen or sixteen, her gaze was arrogant, as if looking down on everything.

Her pride stemmed from her peak Golden Core strength, her nearly unmatched pure Yang constitution, and the fact that she was the eldest daughter of the North Domain’s top family—the Yan clan.

Upon seeing the two, other cultivators stepped aside respectfully.

Even if they did not know their identities, they could feel their extraordinariness.

Those who recognized them immediately showed awe on their faces.

However, these two, who commanded everyone’s respect, headed straight toward the Hehuan Sect registration desk and stopped there.

Tai Lingxuan raised her brows and eyed them cautiously.

Her wariness was mainly directed at the red-haired girl, Yan Luo, eldest daughter of the Yan family.

At this moment, Yan Luo, who had been arrogantly holding her head high, suddenly lowered it considerably, her expression becoming reserved and even a little shy.

Chen Yuyang stepped forward proactively upon seeing the two.

“Senior Nie, may I ask what brings you here?”

“I’m here to thank you, young friend Chen.”

Nie Qi’s gaze also landed on the youth.

Looking at the boy who had stolen the affections of the one he loved, Nie Qi showed no jealousy, only admiration.

He reckoned that under the same strength and circumstances, he could never have done what Chen Yuyang had.

It had nothing to do with age, status, or realm—Nie Qi respected Chen Yuyang’s character.

“I have heard from Yan Luo about what happened in the secret realm. This time, thanks to you, Yan Luo survived.”

Nie Qi cupped his hands and spoke slowly as he presented a long narrow wooden box.

Chen Yuyang took it casually and opened it to see a fifth-grade ink-colored precious sword inside.

“This sword was used by me when I was young. If you don’t mind, I’d like to give it as a token of thanks,” Nie Qi said.

For ordinary people, giving their used items might seem careless.

But for cultivators, it was not so.

Especially since this sword belonged to a powerful Consolidation Realm sword cultivator.

Not to mention the sword’s grade itself, the lingering sword intent on it was a significant gift.

Chen Yuyang weighed the sword in his hand.

After some thought, he did not refuse.

“Thank you for the gift, Senior.”

Nie Qi smiled gently.

“No need to thank me. I just don’t have much worthy to offer.”

“Also, I owe you a favor.”

Chen Yuyang raised an eyebrow.

He had accepted the sword precisely so as not to owe a favor.

Now the other party had openly stated it.

Or perhaps Nie Qi felt a simple sword couldn’t fully express his gratitude.

Well, that was fine.

Although Nie Qi was persistent with Tai Lingxuan, his personality was not unpleasant, and the favor from the Vice Sect Leader of Sword Gate Mountain might come in handy someday.

“It is also a favor my Yan family owes you!” At this moment, Yan Luo, who had been blushing and quietly biting her robe edge since earlier, immediately spoke up.

Her words caused a stir.

A favor from the Vice Sect Leader of Sword Gate Mountain and from the Yan family…

What extraordinary thing had this boy done to earn such massive favors?

Chen Yuyang nodded slightly.

Though he wasn’t very concerned, since the gifts were offered, it was only polite to accept.

Nie Qi nodded and did not dwell further on the topic, instead curiously looking at Tai Lingxuan and asking:

“So, Lingxuan, why have you suddenly decided to recruit disciples this year?”

“This is an internal matter of the Hehuan Sect. There is no need to inform you,” Tai Lingxuan said coldly, keeping up her usual aloof demeanor.

But at this moment, Nie Qi’s eyes suddenly lit up, staring at Tai Lingxuan in disbelief.

“You’ve broken through in realm!”

“Weren’t you previously only at the third level of Consolidation? Why now… the fourth level, no, the fifth level of Consolidation!”

Nie Qi widened his eyes, staring at the woman incredulously.

He knew better than anyone how difficult it was to break through the Consolidation Realm.

He himself had relied on the sect’s vast resources to reach Consolidation Realm four years ago, and he was only at the third level now.

Yet, Tai Lingxuan easily caught up with him.

Now she had completely surpassed him!

How could Nie Qi not be shocked?

At the same time, the surrounding cultivators also burst into exclamations.

“What? She’s at the fifth level of Consolidation?”

“She’s so young…”

“Is the Hehuan Sect really just a third-rate sect? The sect leader’s strength alone would be enough for a first-rate sect leader…”

“Wait, doesn’t this mean that as long as one joins the Hehuan Sect, they could become a disciple of a Consolidation Realm master…”

The moment they realized Tai Lingxuan’s extraordinary strength, many began to reconsider their thoughts and plans.