Yun Lan suddenly jumped up, wanting to join the Five Spirit Sect.
This was something Zhang Yuge had not expected.
“Master, did you let me join the Five Spirit Sect because of those three Exchange Disciple Quotas from the Divine Phoenix Sect?”
“Nonsense. Otherwise, why would I let you into such a trash sect? Think of the Five Spirit Sect as a stepping stone to enter a first-rate sect. I think it’s feasible. Once I become stronger, I can pass the selection exams like those from the Five Great Families and enter a first-rate sect. Isn’t that enough?According to Wang Quan, the cultivation resources at the Zhang family won’t be any less than those at the Five Spirit Sect. If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be better to cultivate at the Zhang family?”
“Heh, who said I want to give up the Zhang family’s resources? Smart people want it all. The spirit stones from the Zhang family and the Five Spirit Sect don’t conflict. As for the opportunity to enter a first-rate sect, can you really guarantee that you can stand out from tens of thousands in the selection? If you participate in the first-rate sect’s selection, you’ll mostly face a bunch of peak Qi Refinement cultivators who deliberately hold back from Foundation Establishment, each an old hand. What can you compete with them?”
“So isn’t that Exchange Disciple Quota tempting enough?
Besides, you have a reputation now—you’re famously a useless medicine pot, good for nothing.
Abandoned by your family and joining the Five Spirit Sect is quite reasonable.
No one would find it strange.
The real waste is Zhang Qingyao; what does that have to do with me, Zhang Yuge?
Let him say whatever he wants. ㄟ( ̄一 ̄ )”
“As expected of Master, coming up with a method that I couldn’t think of so easily. Good grief, I’m starting to suspect Yun Lan was actually a demon cultivator in his past life. No one understands how to milk benefits better than demon cultivators. But Yun Lan’s proposal is indeed quite good. Once I’m out of the Zhang Mansion, I won’t have to act the role of a capricious playboy every day anymore. Honestly, pretending to be a moody, spoiled young master is quite tiring,”
Zhang Yuge said with a smile.
“Brother Wang, I want to test my aptitude and hope to join the Five Spirit Sect. Do you have any thoughts on this?”
Wang Quan’s face turned uneasy, and he stammered.
“I suppose Brother Zhang has noticed. To test your aptitude, you have to offer a precious Treasure Artifact of high value. I came this time just to watch the excitement and feast my eyes. My family has been officials for generations, never producing a single cultivator. I know I’m not suited for this.”
“That’s not necessarily true. Brother Wang, you haven’t even tried yet, so why give up? Maybe in your generation, you really do have the aptitude,”
Zhang Yuge encouraged.
“……”
“If Brother Wang is short on funds, I can help you out as a friend.”
“Then, Brother Zhang’s kindness is gratefully accepted.”
Wang Quan accepted Zhang Yuge’s favor, and his address changed from “Brother Zhangdi” to the more respectful “Brother Zhang.”
Zhang Yuge took out more than twenty spirit stones from his Storage Pouch and handed them to Wang Quan.
For cultivators, spirit stones were more appealing than antique collections.
Don’t ask, just know he had plenty of money and was generous.
“Brother Wang, let’s go line up now.”
“All right.”
Wang Quan carefully stored the spirit stones Zhang Yuge gave him in his money pouch and eagerly went to queue.
Just as Zhang Yuge was about to leave, he saw his personal maid standing frozen in place and softly asked,
“What’s wrong? You seem unhappy.”
“Nothing…”
Zhang Qingyao turned her head away and said nothing.
Zhang Yuge guessed that perhaps their earlier conversation had hurt her feelings.
“You come with me to test your aptitude.”
He grabbed the girl’s hand and led her to the back of the queue.
Many onlookers gathered, but very few dared to step forward; most were hesitating.
So the person directly ahead of Zhang Yuge in line was still Wang Quan.
The testing process was quick: place your hand on a stone, and if a glow appears, you pass; if not, you fail.
Those who passed stayed on stage, standing behind the Blue Robed Man.
When Zhang Yuge arrived, there were already two young masters behind the Blue Robed Man.
After chatting with Wang Quan for so long, there were still only those two on stage.
Most people ended up losing both money and face.
Soon, it was Wang Quan’s turn.
“It seems those with cultivation aptitude are always the one in a hundred,”
the young master ahead of Wang Quan sighed after being eliminated.
The Blue Robed Man’s eyes flashed with contempt as he casually remarked,
“One in a hundred? Hah, you truly overestimate your mortal families. Among you mortal families, those who can cultivate immortality are one in ten thousand at best. No matter how many soldiers or generals you throw in, if they can last the time it takes to burn an incense stick against cultivators, consider your ancestors blessed. The gap between mortals and cultivators is far greater than you imagine. There’s a saying in the cultivation world: only cultivators are truly human. Mortals are no better than pigs and dogs.”
Hearing such an almost blatant insult, not a single noble present dared to rebuke the Blue Robed Man.
The young master who sighed didn’t dare make a sound.
“Hahaha, what the Immortal Master says is true. In the eyes of cultivators, we mortals are naturally worse than pigs and dogs,”
Wang Quan laughed loudly to ease the awkward silence.
He took out his money pouch and offered all the spirit stones Zhang Yuge had given him, plus all his own silver, to the Blue Robed Man.
“Immortal Master, this is a small token from me. I hope you can test my cultivation aptitude. I came out in a hurry and brought few things. As long as you allow me into the Five Spirit Sect, everything is negotiable. You may accompany me home and take whatever you like.”
Wang Quan looked obsequious, trying his best to please the Blue Robed Man.
The Blue Robed Man knew his intentions but looked at him only with scorn and disdain.
A faint, barely noticeable cold smile tugged at his lips as he said,
“You only brought a little over twenty spirit stones. That’s not much sincerity. Generally, testing once requires you to offer one hundred spirit stones.”
“One hundred spirit stones?”
Not only Wang Quan, but the other nobles present were shocked by the price.
Damn, one hundred spirit stones just to test?
Why don’t you go rob someone?
Zhang Yuge, standing behind Wang Quan, frowned upon hearing this.
“Heh, spirit stones are the one thing I’m never short of, especially low-grade ones like yours. Antique collections have some value, though.”
Wang Quan panicked.
Could it be that he wouldn’t be allowed to test after all?
“Immortal Master, I’ll go home to get them right away. I’ll be back soon.”
“No need. There are already plenty of antique collections here; I don’t want any more. Just make up the remaining seventy or so spirit stones. I’m down from the mountain this time on a recruitment mission, so I need some spirit stones.”
“But, but I…”
Where am I supposed to find so many spirit stones now?
Suddenly, Wang Quan had an idea.
He turned to look at Zhang Yuge.