The black flying ship of the Infinite Dao Sect swiftly approached the mountain peak, but to everyone’s surprise on board, a gathering of eleven people was already waiting for them.

“Why is the sect leader, along with the elders, waiting for us? Does he always show up to see the new disciples during recruitment?” One of the disciples, who had joined earlier, asked a companion in a low voice.

The other merely shook his head, equally uncertain.

Even so, the two couldn’t take their eyes off that imposing figure, whose presence they had seen only once but never forgotten. Their respect for him was sincere.

This time, they were able to observe Tian Zhu’s flawless features more closely, as he had completely concealed his spiritual energy, no longer preventing others from seeing his face.

Even so, the disciples from the first recruitment did not dare stare at him for long. As for the newcomers, upon hearing the murmurs and realizing that this was the sect leader—a Golden Core cultivator, someone they never imagined being so close to—they felt even greater fear. Even the most curious only dared to steal furtive glances.

Slowly, the ship stopped before the sect leader and the elders. Everyone disembarked, remaining respectfully silent.

Of course, the elderly disciples took a bit longer to leave, but with a mere glance from Lie Zheng, the younger ones—both from this recruitment and the previous one—hurriedly ran to assist them, fearing any reprimand.

Some elders laughed openly at the scene, amused by the disciples’ terror. Others simply shook their heads, smiling.

Tian Zhu, however, remained indifferent. His serene gaze conveyed the feeling that nothing in the world could surprise him or elicit a reaction.

It didn’t take long for even the elderly men to hasten their pace under his impassive stare. Soon, everyone was in position, waiting in silence, attentive to what he had to say.

Tian Zhu’s cold eyes swept over the disciples before he gave a slight nod.

“I am Tian Zhu, leader of the Infinite Dao Sect. I will not speak much. The rules and other information can be learned from the elders and veteran disciples. I am here today only to declare that with each recruitment, a disciple promotion event will be held. The person responsible for this competition from now on will be the external elder of the Punishment Pavilion, Zheng Tao. He will now explain the rules to you.”

Without further elaboration, Tian Zhu handed over the responsibility to Zheng Tao, who stepped forward.

The disciples were stunned. But soon, excitement took over the group. If not for the presence of the elders, they would have likely erupted in celebration.

The veterans finally understood why Xiao Ling, the disciple with a perfect single-element spiritual root, had not become an inner disciple. Apparently, the sect did not promote based solely on talent, unlike other sects they had heard of, but through an internal process.

The new disciples were also surprised. They hadn’t expected the sect to have specific promotion criteria instead of simply ranking disciples based on natural potential.

“Attention!”

Zheng Tao raised his voice, cutting through the euphoria and bringing everyone back to reality.

“To become an inner disciple, talent alone is not enough. What truly determines this is… combat power! Of course, our sect does not value only strength. There is also another path: the recommendation of an elder. If an elder recognizes your potential, they may promote you directly.”

The disciples’ eyes gleamed with excitement. Immediately, they began casting intense gazes at the elders, filled with expectation.

Some female disciples even blushed, letting indecent thoughts take over.

Aotian broke into a cold sweat upon noticing certain looks and, for a moment, deeply regretted some things he had said before.

“Ahem!”

Zheng Tao cleared his throat, drawing everyone’s attention. A light layer of cold sweat had already formed on his forehead.

“Our sect values hard work, not dubious methods. If anyone attempts to enter the ranks of inner disciples through unapproved means, there will be severe consequences.”

His tone was serious and sharp, quickly trying to dispel any improper ideas some disciples might have.

Especially after noticing the disappointed expression of a short, hunched elderly female cultivator.

Chills ran down the spines of all of Aotian’s avatars. He had to restrain himself from visibly shuddering.

Discreetly wiping the sweat from his forehead, Zheng Tao resumed his explanation.

“Each new recruitment will be accompanied by a competition to select inner disciples. The number of available spots may vary. This time, there are only five.”

He paused briefly before concluding with seriousness:

“Those who enter the inner sect through the competition will receive an extra benefit: a spell of their choice, provided for free by the sect.”

The disciples’ excitement exploded.

“As for the real benefits of becoming inner disciples, they will be revealed later. Lastly, the final rule is that only previously recruited disciples can participate in each competition. New disciples will have to wait for the next one.”

He finished explaining the examination and scanned the crowd, observing if they had understood.

Most of the newly recruited disciples felt disheartened by the last rule, while the veterans exchanged serious glances.

“Very well, since there are only nine of you, let’s make this quick. All of you, attack me, and I will decide who is the strongest. I will only use the second level of Qi Refinement.”

Zheng Tao smiled maliciously and looked at the nine who stepped forward.

The new disciples were shocked to sense the fluctuation of the ninth level in all those disciples. There was even Xiao Ling, who was at the peak of Qi Refinement.

But what left them even more incredulous was the elder declaring that he would fight all of them using only the second level of Qi Refinement.

Even the nine disciples frowned at being so underestimated… well, all except one.

Cang Song hesitantly raised his arm, a regretful expression on his face.

Zheng Tao looked at him with doubt.

“Can I not participate?” he asked, in a sorrowful tone, still feeling the phantom pain from the brutal beating he had received from Elder Zhao, responsible for the inner disciples, when he asked for help to stabilize his realm.

Zheng Tao stared at him with an amused expression, while the other disciples looked at him in confusion.

The devilish smile on Zheng Tao’s face was the only answer Cang Song got.

…

“You, you, you, you, and you.”

Zheng Tao, with a relaxed smile and not a single scratch, pointed at five of the nine disciples who lay on the ground, their faces filled with disbelief, pale and injured.

“From now on, you are inner disciples! Congratulations! As for the others, do not be discouraged. There will always be a next time, so keep working hard.”

He congratulated some and encouraged others with a smile, as a good elder should do.

Cang Song, one of the promoted inner disciples alongside Xiao Ling, remained lying on the ground, a lifeless look on his face, doubting his own existence.

Tian Zhu, the sect leader, stepped forward, waking the new disciples who were still struggling to process the massacre they had witnessed.

“The new disciples may follow Elder Zhao to their accommodations and the next procedures. As for the new inner disciples, Bao Hui from the Treasure Pavilion will temporarily manage you.”

He paused and, seeing that everyone understood, waved his hand, preparing to leave.

“With that said, I declare this competition concluded.”

…

Aotian was staring at his panel with shining eyes, trying his best not to break into a wide grin and leave Rihai confused as to why he was smiling at the air.

Ding!

[Congratulations, Host! The Golden Core level mission has been completed!]

[Host: Long Aotian

Cultivation: 7th level of Qi Refinement

Physique: Mortal

Qualifications: Low-Level Five Elements Spiritual Root (Low Qualification)]

[Infinite Dao Sect (Meaning: Wúji Dào)

Rank: 7 – Golden Core]

[Conditions to become a Nascent Soul Sect:

1 – Sect Leader at the peak of Golden Core

2 – One Ancestor at the early stage of Nascent Soul

3 – Twenty inner elders at the Golden Core stage

4 – Fifty outer elders at the Foundation Establishment stage

5 – Five core disciples with exceptional qualifications

6 – One hundred inner disciples with high qualifications

7 – One thousand outer disciples with good qualifications

8 – Train five core disciples to the Golden Core stage

9 – Train twenty inner disciples to the Foundation Establishment stage

10 – Train one hundred outer disciples to the peak of Qi Refinement

11 – Train the auxiliary abilities of five core disciples to Core-Tier

12 – Train the auxiliary abilities of twenty inner disciples to Founder-Tier]

[You have avatars available for summoning. Would you like to summon now?]

[[Yes] [No]]

Even though the Nascent Soul Sect mission was massive, Aotian was still very excited because among the elders required for this mission, an ancestor was included. This meant that his summoning this time would include an ancestor.

And he remembered what his system had told him once:

[Ancestor – 3 Realms above the Host]

That meant he had just gained a Nascent Soul avatar.

‘Come to daddy!’

Extremely excited, he did not hesitate for a moment before clicking “Yes.”

Advanced Chapters on Patreon: www./TIGR4

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep