Elder

North of Zhaoping Commandery.

Upon the vast, boundless expanse of the desolate earth, countless living beings thrived and all things competed for survival.

A towering mountain, eight hundred zhang in height, stood majestically between heaven and earth. Its peak was hidden deep within a sea of clouds, its rugged rocks uniquely exquisite. Rare creatures and strange beasts occasionally howled and roared amidst the ridges.

At the foot of the mountain sat a small city where the clamor of voices was deafening, the streets thronged with people. Caravans and travelers from distant lands were hurrying toward the gates.

This city was named White Cloud City, one of the nine cities under the protection of the Baishan Sect. Within it lived several hundred thousand mortals who shared a profound connection with the disciples of the sect.

One hundred and thirty-seven years ago, a Foundation Establishment cultivator known as the Baishan Daoist had slain a flood dragon demon here and established his lineage.

After more than a century of inheritance, the Baishan Sect had finally achieved its current flourishing state.

And today was the Baishan Sect's triennial disciple recruitment ceremony. Regardless of status or wealth, they welcomed talented individuals from all over the world.

Because the Baishan Sect's restrictions on its disciples were relatively lenient and favorable, it had become a sanctuary that the common people of several neighboring commanderies aspired to join.

However, the Baishan Sect maintained one non-negotiable condition.

Every three years, disciples were required to slay a demon or an evil spirit. If they wished to leave the sect, they had to slay a demonic beast of the same cultivation realm and surrender its remains to the sect before they could regain their freedom.

Inside a tavern within the city, Zhou Chengyuan removed his disguise and sat by the window, quietly observing the noisy, bustling crowd around a distant platform.

"This Baishan Sect is quite free-spirited and righteous. But are they truly not afraid of their sect's techniques being stolen by outsiders?"

He did not dwell on it further. After all, that was a matter for the Baishan Ancestor to consider.

Closing the windows and doors, he swallowed several Jade Rock Green Origin Pills in succession. The True Essence within his body surged, rising steadily like water being ground smooth.

In recent days, he had constantly questioned his own heart. If he were powerful, how could his family be subjected to such humiliation? How could he be forced to leave his loved ones behind?

Thinking of this, Zhou Chengyuan grew restless. He swallowed another five Jade Rock Green Origin Pills, forcing all his thoughts to converge on his cultivation until he slowly regained his calm.

On the distant platform, talented youths from all directions gathered together, gazing expectantly at the Baishan Sect cultivators on the stage.

"No aptitude. Next."

As the cultivator's cold, calm voice rang out, a dejected youth walked away.

When the next person was tested, the cultivator's expression softened considerably, and he said gently, "Spiritual light, one inch and four tenths. You may become an outer sect disciple. If you wish to join our sect, stand behind me."

Although they were Baishan Sect disciples, they were only at the Spirit Awakening Realm and had come here for the sect's mundane offerings. Though the youth before them had poor aptitude, he would still be a future junior brother. Forming a good connection now was always beneficial.

The youth was overjoyed. Bowing respectfully to the cultivator, he stepped behind him, unable to hide the delight in his heart.

As the testing continued, some rejoiced while others grieved.

"How could I have no immortal destiny? How could I be a mere mortal?" A child prodigy, renowned in his local region, crouched on the ground in utter frustration, yet he had no choice but to accept reality.

A simple, honest farm boy grinned broadly. "I can become an immortal master now! I'll never go hungry again!"

A proud young lady from a wealthy family stood on the platform, while her maidservant kept whispering flattering words from the side.

A poor youth in tattered clothes, clutching his dry rations, finally left the city in dejection.

...

Although everyone who came to seek entry into the Baishan Sect considered themselves extraordinary, believing they possessed some immortal destiny, in reality, such a fate was one in a hundred.

The entire recruitment ceremony lasted three days. Tens of thousands of people flocked to the area, but in the end, only about a hundred were found to have the required aptitude, accepted into the current generation of the Baishan Sect.

While the number seemed substantial, when distributed across the eleven counties of Zhaoping Commandery and the surrounding regions, each county only averaged a few people.

Of course, this was also because most of the individuals with immortal destiny within a county were recruited early on by the local immortal clans, leaving very few for the sects.

It was not until the final day that Zhou Chengyuan left the tavern. By then, his cultivation had successfully reached the third level of Qi Condensation.

He had been stuck at the second level of Qi Condensation for several years, and these three days of bitter cultivation had finally broken through that bottleneck, happening as naturally as water flowing into a channel.

Because there were very few applicants on the third day, the Baishan Sect disciples on the platform had long since let their minds wander. Yet, as Zhou Chengyuan approached, they were suddenly startled. Sensing a tremor in their hearts, they quickly looked toward the newcomer.

The youth before them was full of vitality, but his aura was as heavy as a boulder. A faint, sharp edge emanated from his body, causing their skin to prickle slightly, as if struck by jagged stones.

Having consumed nineteen Jade Rock Green Origin Pills in succession, Zhou Chengyuan still carried a trace of the pills' lingering energy. To mortals, he merely seemed fierce and unapproachable, but to the perception of cultivators, this energy was exceptionally prominent.

"Junior Sun Kong greets Senior."

Although Zhou Chengyuan was much younger than the two of them, among cultivators outside of established clans, strength always took precedence.

"I am Zhou Chengyuan of the Bai Creek Zhou Clan from Qingshui County. I wish to join your esteemed sect today," Zhou Chengyuan said calmly.

"Qingshui County..."

Hearing Zhou Chengyuan's words, a strange expression appeared on Sun Kong's face.

"Hmm?" Zhou Chengyuan frowned slightly.

Sun Kong quickly bowed and explained, "Senior, please do not misunderstand. The reason for my surprise is that several seniors from the Southern Four Counties have also joined our sect over the past few days. I absolutely did not mean to offend you."

Zhou Chengyuan was stunned for a moment, but he quickly understood.

It seemed the Huang family's terrifying oppression was not just a threat to his own clan; the other families were also scared to death. Those immortal clans with two or more Qi Condensation cultivators had likely chosen to send their members away, hoping to secure an alternate path for their lineage.

Even if doing so risked splitting the family or cutting off their inheritance.

But what else could these immortal clans do?

The Huang, Fang, and Fan families stood together like a three-legged stool. With a powerful cultivator like Huang Bailin present, even if the remaining clans joined forces, they could not contend with them.

As for seeking outside help, the only families with a grudge against the Huang family-the Li and Song families-had already colluded with them after the Huang family took the initiative to sell them Green Jade Pills.

Other forces were unable to stand against the Huang family and had no conflicts of interest, so they naturally would not lend a hand.

Now, these immortal clans were simply enduring, waiting for Huang Bailin to perish before they could launch a resistance.

Sun Kong looked at Zhou Chengyuan. To have reached the Qi Condensation realm at such a young age, this person was bound to be an outstanding talent of the Zhou Clan. If not for the upheaval in the Southern Four Counties, he likely would never have joined the Baishan Sect.

'My aptitude is mediocre, and I've never been able to apprentice under a powerful master. Now that the Southern Four Counties are in trouble, this might just be my fated chance.'

"If I join the Baishan Sect, what position will I hold?" Zhou Chengyuan asked.

Sun Kong replied respectfully, "If Senior joins our sect, you will be granted the rank of Elder."

"An Elder?" Zhou Chengyuan murmured to himself. Although he knew that Qi Condensation cultivators were considered Elders within the Baishan Sect, he did not know the specific details.

Seizing the opportunity, Sun Kong quickly added, "Junior is willing to guide Senior and answer any questions you may have."

Zhou Chengyuan nodded slightly, and the two of them walked, one after the other, toward the towering mountain.

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