At this thought, the faces of the disciples flushed with excitement as they began to "introduce" the core competitive strengths of their respective branches.
[Ding!]
[Bragging detected. Congratulations, Host, you have gained Mana +6.]
[Ding!]
[Bragging detected. Congratulations, Host, you have gained Mana +6.]
[Ding!]
[Bragging detected. Congratulations, Host, you have gained Mana +6.]
...
Yes! This is more like it! Everyone, brag your hearts out. The better the boasts, the more Junior Sister will be impressed! So satisfying...
Time slipped away, second by second. Soon enough, Jiang Ling'er finished filling out her application form and pressed her handprint onto it.
"Senior Brother, I'm done!" the girl said, her face full of anticipation. "Are we going to Spirit Turtle Peak now?"
HISS!
Suddenly, the disciples from the other branches were all on tenterhooks, gazing eagerly at Wang Xiu. If this process were completed, this vibrant junior sister would fall into the huge pit of the Divination Sect, and there'd be no pulling her out.
"No rush," Wang Xiu said, glancing at the anxious disciples. "The recruitment fair isn't over yet."
"If I take you to Spirit Turtle Peak now and someone else wants to sign up, what would I do in my absence? Wouldn't that affect others' opportunity to join a branch?"
Talisman Sect Disciple: (‧_‧?)
Sonic Sect Disciple: (‧_‧?)
Sword Sect Disciple: (‧_‧?)
...
Senior Brother, where do you get this confidence? Don't you understand the Divination Sect's current situation? Finding one adorably clueless girl like Jiang Ling'er is a blessing from the heavens, and you're actually hoping for a second?
Just as everyone was left speechless, they simultaneously heard Wang Xiu's voice transmitting directly into their minds. "Why are you all just standing there? Today's recruitment fair is about to end. I can only stall for another hour at most."
"If you can get Junior Sister Jiang to change her mind right now, the application can still be withdrawn. Once it reaches the Archive Department and the process starts, it'll become troublesome."
"The advantages of your branches that you mentioned earlier still aren't compelling enough!"
"Exaggerate a bit more, even if you have to boast shamelessly! To save a young junior sister from straying onto the wrong path, you must try harder!"
HISS!
The disciples looked at Wang Xiu but saw only an expression of 'noble righteousness' and 'exalted virtue,' completely devoid of any sleazy intentions to take advantage of his proximity to the pretty junior sister.
Senior Brother Wang is truly a gentleman, a role model for us all! It's such a pity. If he weren't a disciple of the Divination Sect, many ambitious people would have been willing to drink and celebrate with him, even become sworn brothers. But that's not the focus right now. Senior Brother Wang has painstakingly bought us an hour; even if we have to brag our heads off, we must make Junior Sister reconsider!
In an instant, a new round of the bragging contest began. It even attracted a few disciples from other branches, and their boasting was a passionate and spectacular sight to behold.
[Ding!]
[Bragging detected. Congratulations, Host, you have gained Mana +6.]
[Ding!]
[Bragging detected. Congratulations, Host, you have gained Mana +6.]
[Ding!]
[Bragging detected. Congratulations, Host, you have gained Mana +6.]
...
Feeling the Mana in his Dantian grow more and more abundant, Wang Xiu was utterly pleased with himself.
On the other hand, however, Jiang Ling'er was suffering. It was as if countless flies were buzzing around her ears, giving her a splitting headache.
Good grief. Joining the other branches is about testing one's Spiritual Root compatibility and comprehension. Joining the Divination Sect is apparently a test of my Daoist commitment!
"Senior Brother," Jiang Ling'er said with a pained expression, "they're so long-winded and annoying!"
Wang Xiu smiled, pulled another handful of spiced melon seeds from his pocket, and stuffed them into Jiang Ling'er's hand. "They mean well. Listening a little more won't do any harm."
"Even if you've really made up your mind to join the Divination Sect, you should still learn about the strengths and characteristics of the other branches."
"After all, the Sanqing Immortal Sect is one big family."
"Thirty-six branches, thirty-six flowers; the brothers and sisters of the thirty-six branches are one big family."
"Here, have some melon seeds while you listen. Don't be anxious!"
Oh...
Looking at Wang Xiu's smiling face, seemingly unbothered by the noisy disciples around them, Jiang Ling'er nodded dumbly.
Meanwhile, she silently called out in her mind. Auntie. He's so calm. Is this what the Daoist School calls 'ultimate goodness is like water'?
As this thought arose, the Jade Bell bracelet on Jiang Ling'er's wrist trembled slightly, emitting a spiritual wave that only she could hear.
Perhaps! Or he might just be genuinely good-natured. Regardless, for you right now, the Divination Sect is the best choice. Although the other branches are prosperous, they have too many powerful cultivators. If I were to reveal myself now, it's very likely those old fellows would discover me. I had you only display the aptitude of a top-grade water Spiritual Root because I was worried that talent too strong would attract unwanted attention. As for this young man from the Divination Sect, even if I stood right in front of him, he wouldn't be able to detect me. It's very safe for us. Besides, this boy has been trying to stop you from joining the Divination Sect, so he seems to be an upright person. You can get closer to him in the future. At the very least, he won't harm you.
Mhm. Okay, Auntie, I understand! Jiang Ling'er nodded slightly.
Join the Divination Sect! Although it sounds like a total trap, I have Auntie looking after me. She's a Great Power Remnant Soul, more than enough to guide my cultivation. Plus, this Senior Brother Wang Xiu of the Divination Sect is incredibly handsome! Get closer to him, you say? Heh... hehe... hehehehe...
An hour passed in a flash.
The disciples from the other branches ultimately failed to persuade Jiang Ling'er to 'pull back from the brink' and 'see the light.'
Wang Xiu, on the other hand, had benefited greatly. Amidst the continuous waves of boasting, his strength had surged, and he had now thoroughly consolidated his cultivation at the third level of Foundation Establishment. He was even on the verge of breaking through to the fourth level of Foundation Establishment. His Mana growth in a single day was more explosive than the previous ten days combined.
"Senior Brother!" Jiang Ling'er said, gathering the melon seed shells in her hand. "The other branches have already packed up. Shouldn't we head back to Spirit Turtle Peak?"
Is that so? Wang Xiu glanced at the other recruitment stalls. Under the setting sun, the other branches had already recruited all the disciples they were going to and had indeed packed up. Looking at the still 'grief-stricken' expressions of the other disciples, Wang Xiu sighed.
I gave you a chance, but you couldn't seize it!
"Fellow Brothers," Wang Xiu transmitted a secret message, "I won't submit Ling'er's file to the Archive Department just yet. I'll bring her to Seeking Dao Peak again tomorrow. You can all try to persuade her again."
"Mmm... bring the brothers from your branches who are the best at promoting and boasting."
"This is the most I can do for you!"
With that, Wang Xiu summoned his magic artifact, the Black Tortoise Mirror. It expanded to the size of a millstone, and taking Jiang Ling'er by the hand, he soared into the sky on it. They looked like a pair of celestial companions, otherworldly and graceful as they departed.
Watching their receding figures, the disciples left on Seeking Dao Peak couldn't help but have a single thought.
Senior Brother Wang Xiu has such noble integrity, what a good man! If it weren't for the Divination Sect being such a trap, with his character, even if Junior Sister Ling'er really joined the branch and even got together with him... they would truly be a perfect match of talent and beauty, a pair born for each other. We could only admire them and concede our own inferiority. What a pity. The Divination Sect is simply too much of a trap.
...
This won't do. Tomorrow, we must bring all the best bullshitters from our branches. We have to save Junior Sister Jiang! The Divination Sect has already ensnared a good person like Senior Brother Wang Xiu; we absolutely cannot let Junior Sister Jiang fall into that same prison!