Chapter 15: The Sect's Recruitment Assembly

Three days passed quickly, and the sect’s recruitment event was held as scheduled.

Jiang Yan arrived at the venue early, clutching the admission letter given to him by Old Mo.

This year’s sect recruitment was unprecedented in scale. The Eight Great Sects—such as the Xuanling Sect, Lingxu Sect, Zixuan Sect, Xuanyue Sect, and others—all made an appearance, and even some lesser-known minor sects came to join in the bustle.

As always, all mortals and cultivators wishing to participate had to undergo a strict test. Only those who passed would advance to the next round, and the final victors would earn the chance to have their spiritual roots tested.

Those who passed the spiritual root examination could freely choose their sect of preference. The sects, in turn, would assign them as outer disciples or personal disciples based on the quality of their roots.

Jiang Yan watched as disciples in various colored sect robes handed out flyers everywhere, energetically promoting their own sects.

Everyone in the crowd seemed to be holding at least one flyer; the sky was filled with a kaleidoscope of paper drifting through the air, creating a unique spectacle. Jiang Yan was no exception—his hands were full of flyers.

He glanced at the flyers and thought, Wow, even immortal sects are handing out flyers now! Has the cultivation world become this down-to-earth?

Look at those dazzling senior brothers and beautiful senior sisters—absolutely magnetic!

The crowd was abuzz, filled with excitement.

“Sister, which sect are you planning to join?” Jiang Yan overheard a young woman in a green dress ask her companion in pink.

“I’m thinking of joining the Xuanling Sect. If only I could become the disciple of Daoist Sovereign Xuanqing!” the girl in pink replied shyly.

“Me too! I heard he’s attending the event today. They say Daoist Sovereign Xuanqing is cool and handsome—just catching a glimpse of him would satisfy me!” the girl in green said excitedly.

Daoist Sovereign Xuanqing—isn’t he the original male lead from the novel? Jiang Yan mused, So it’s true—age doesn’t matter; looks are everything! That aloof persona is really popular with the girls!

With someone like Daoist Sovereign Xuanqing, who combined looks and power, Xuanling Sect wouldn’t even need to hand out flyers; countless admirers would flock to them regardless.

“Welcome, everyone, to the annual sect recruitment event. The test consists of three stages: physical constitution, perception, and perseverance. Only those who pass will proceed to the final round—the spiritual root test…” Elder Liu of the Xuanling Sect announced on behalf of all the sects.

Hearing the details of the test, the crowd began whispering again.

“It must be tough to pass—look how many people are here!”

“You’re telling me! I spent half a year preparing just for this event!”

“I’ve been training for a full year! My father pulled some strings to get me a temporary master. That master was strict—I got up before the chickens, went to bed after the dogs!”

“Ancestor spirits, bless me to pass and join my dream sect!”

So the world of cultivation was this competitive, too? They hadn’t even joined a sect yet and were already grinding away! He’d just finished cramming for the college entrance exam, only to find another rat race waiting for him in the cultivation world.

Jiang Yan suddenly felt he had little advantage. Surely there were plenty of real cultivators in the crowd…

Yet he didn’t really mind—whatever. His goal wasn’t to join one of the Eight Great Sects!

As long as he could keep his head down, stay far from the male and female leads, and pick a small sect, life would be carefree and free of drama!

The sect trials proceeded in full swing, with some already eliminated and leaving the field.

Jiang Yan passed the early rounds easily—he had to thank Old Mo for letting him train at Yuhua Peak. Those tests were child’s play for him!

Next, the remaining candidates would have their spiritual roots tested.

The spiritual root test used a transparent crystal pillar about two meters tall, said to be provided by Xuanling Sect. It was worth a fortune—one hundred thousand high-grade spirit stones!

Unlike ordinary spiritual root testing orbs, which were fragile, this pillar could withstand tremendous energy and would not shatter, even if the candidate possessed max-level roots.

Not far off, atop the testing platform, Daoist Sovereign Xuanqing appeared in flowing white robes, sending the crowd of fangirls into a frenzy.

“Oh my god, Daoist Sovereign Xuanqing himself is testing our roots!”

“Heavens, I’m actually seeing him up close!”

…

Jiang Yan glanced at Daoist Sovereign Xuanqing and couldn’t help but think: So looks really are everything!

“Look! That girl has the rare thunder and ice spiritual roots!” a middle-aged man in the crowd exclaimed excitedly.

Before he finished, elders from every sect rushed forward, clamoring to promote their sect’s benefits to the girl on stage, pulling out every trick to recruit her.

“Little girl, you must join the Lingxu Sect! We have thunder and ice sword arts perfectly suited for you!”

“Don’t listen to that old man! Our Xuanling Sect is the best—plenty of resources. You’d regret missing this opportunity!”

The elders bickered so fiercely they nearly came to blows!

The girl on stage—who else could she be but Lin Ruyan? Jiang Yan had to admit: her protagonist aura was truly formidable! But something was off—why was the female lead joining the sect recruitment three years early?

“Will you accept me as your disciple?” Daoist Sovereign Xuanqing asked Lin Ruyan.

Jiang Yan had to admit—no wasted words! That’s the male lead for you. Compared to those long-winded old men, he was concise and to the point!

And, well, the cool factor really was off the charts!

Lin Ruyan nodded without hesitation. “I am willing—Master, please accept my bow!”

Jiang Yan thought inwardly: Honestly, you two might as well just go get married!

He hadn’t expected to be forced to witness their “fateful first encounter.” He remembered clearly how his little sister loved these storylines—where the male lead meets the female lead, is deeply drawn to her, and declares, “Woman, you’ve caught my eye!”

It was all rather baffling. If it were a creepy, ugly guy saying that, wouldn’t the heroine run for her life? If she had a phone, she’d probably call the police while fleeing!

With Lin Ruyan now under Daoist Sovereign Xuanqing’s tutelage, the Xuanling Sect elder beamed with joy, while the elders from other sects left with sullen faces.

More candidates ascended the spiritual root platform, their qualities varied, but there were plenty of promising talents. The sect elders’ wounded egos found some solace in these new recruits.

Jiang Yan also spotted Lin Yurou—she possessed a supreme fire spiritual root and ultimately chose the Lingxu Sect.

By the time Jiang Yan’s turn finally arrived, he’d nearly grown impatient.

Stepping onto the platform, he saw Daoist Sovereign Xuanqing gesture for him to begin.