Translator: CinderTL
Chi Yu led Xu Sanyan deeper into the compound. As they walked, they passed many men and women. Chi Yu pointed at them and said, "Junior Brother Xu, you can start picking your servants now. Just take whichever ones catch your eye."
His words dripped with indifference to the disciples' opinions, as if they were mere livestock awaiting slaughter.
"Thank you, Senior Brother," Xu Sanyan replied, glancing around. He soon spotted several women whose appearances he found acceptable.
Some disciples shrank away from the pair, while others straightened their clothes, their faces pleading as if desperate to escape this living hell.
The two eventually reached a pavilion. Chi Yu stepped inside first and bowed to the old man within. "Greetings, Elder Zhang."
Xu Sanyan turned to see an elderly man in gray robes seated behind a desk. When he saw Chi Yu, he immediately stood up, his tone warm and respectful. "Ah, Senior Nephew Chi! Please, have a seat."
Though an elder himself, Zhang dared not act condescending toward Chi Yu. His deference stemmed not from the young man himself, but from Luo Yu, the figure looming behind him.
No one could be certain whether Luo Yu would secure the position of Holy Son, so caution was paramount. After all, the status of Holy Son far surpassed that of an Outer Sect Elder like himself.
"And this gentleman is...?" Elder Zhang inquired, turning to Xu Sanyan.
Chi Yu introduced Xu Sanyan with a smile. "This is Junior Brother Xu. I've brought him here to select a few junior sisters who can support each other in the future. I hope you'll grant us this favor, Martial Uncle."
He handed over a cloth pouch, its weight suggesting it contained a substantial number of Spirit Stones.
Elder Zhang was quite old, well over three hundred years of age, with likely little lifespan remaining. Yet his cultivation level had barely reached the Initial Stage of the Dao Seeking Realm, stuck at this level for a century without progress. Having long abandoned any ambition for advancement, he now pinned his hopes entirely on his descendants.
As such, he had a great need for Spirit Stones and monetary wealth. He gleefully accepted the pouch and turned to Xu Sanyan. "Senior Brother Chi and I are close. Don't hesitate to choose whichever junior sisters catch your eye—consider them yours. Leave the rest to me."
The rest...?
Coercion and bribery?
More likely just coercion, with no temptation involved.
Elder Zhang led the two to the main plaza and announced to the surrounding disciples, "Summon all female disciples from Residence A!"
"Yes!"
"Wait," Elder Zhang paused, considering. "Also summon the male disciples from Residence A."
Some cultivators might have... particular preferences they were too shy to voice directly.
Xu Sanyan waved dismissively. "That won't be necessary. Just the women."
"Heh, as you wish," Elder Zhang chuckled, eager to please. "Only disciples of exceptional appearance reside in Residence A."
Xu Sanyan clasped his hands in a respectful bow. "Thank you, Martial Uncle."
Before long, a group of women began to arrive, numbering roughly forty to fifty according to Xu Sanyan's quick count.
Chi Yu, standing beside him, advised, "Junior Brother, selecting three to five attendants will suffice. When it comes to women, more isn't necessarily better. Do you understand?"
"I understand," Xu Sanyan nodded, his gaze sweeping across the assembled women.
The female disciples varied in appearance. Some lowered their heads shyly, avoiding eye contact, while others boldly stared back, eager to be chosen.
For these women, this consort-selection-like process was all too familiar. Within the Demonic Sect, they occupied the lowest rung of the social hierarchy, vulnerable to abuse from anyone.
Xu Sanyan stepped forward for a closer look. His gaze immediately fell upon one particular woman.
She wore a blue gown and green ankle boots, her tiny feet measuring only three inches. Her hair was neatly arranged in a bun at the back of her head. Barely reaching Xu Sanyan's shoulder, she kept her head bowed like a timid quail, utterly endearing.
Xu Sanyan lifted her chin. The woman pressed her lips tightly together, her eyes darting away, refusing to meet his gaze.
"What's your name?" Xu Sanyan asked.
"Meng Zhuer," she replied, her voice trembling slightly.
"Are you willing to leave with me?"
"Yes..."
The woman knew she had no choice. Her gaze swept quickly over Xu Sanyan's handsome features, and she breathed a silent sigh of relief. At least he's good-looking.
"Pack your things. Let's go," Xu Sanyan said with a nod.
Chi Yu smiled. "Junior Brother, you're only taking one?"
Xu Sanyan nodded. "One is enough. My cultivation cave isn't very big; there wouldn't be room for more."
"If you don't like your cave, Junior Brother, you can exchange it for another at the Hall of Affairs using Spirit Stones," Chi Yu suggested.
Xu Sanyan pondered briefly, then shook his head. "Let's leave it for now. I'll decide when we return."
"Alright then."
Elder Zhang stood nearby, smiling. Since the female disciple had agreed, he didn't need to waste his breath. Besides, Chi Yu had provided enough Spirit Stones to select five disciples, yet only took one. Naturally, that meant a profit for him.
After leaving the Back Mountain, Xu Sanyan and Chi Yu chatted casually in the lead. Meng Zhuer, her fingers tightly intertwined, was visibly nervous. She kept stealing glances at Xu Sanyan, wondering if this Senior Brother had any peculiar habits and worrying about her future life.
At a crossroads, Chi Yu said, "If you need anything, Junior Brother, come find me. I reside in Cave B-7."
"Thank you, Senior Brother. Safe travels," Xu Sanyan replied with a respectful bow, leading Meng Zhuer toward their new cultivation cave.
"Where is your hometown?" Xu Sanyan asked, habitually probing her background.
Meng Zhuer's lips moved slightly as she whispered, "My home is in Wangchuan Prefecture, Li Kingdom. My parents, elder sister, and two elder brothers still live there."
Before Xu Sanyan could ask any further questions, Meng Zhuer revealed everything about her background.
"Why did you come here?" Xu Sanyan asked, curious to hear her story.
Meng Zhuer's expression turned dejected. "My parents sent me here..."
"Sent you?" Xu Sanyan was taken aback. He had assumed she had been abducted.
"Yes... Wangchuan Prefecture is under the jurisdiction of the Holy Sect. Every year, they demand a thousand young men and a thousand young women of suitable age as tribute. This year, it was our family's turn."
"But I thought the Three Great Sects had jointly issued an edict forbidding harassment of the common people. How can the Holy Sect get away with this?" Xu Sanyan asked, puzzled.
Meng Zhuer slowly shook her head. "Senior Brother, you don't understand. The Three Great Righteous Path Sects dwell in lofty realms, like clouds in the sky. How could they possibly notice the ants crawling in the mud? As long as the Holy Sect doesn't push things too far, they've always turned a blind eye."
Xu Sanyan understood that the world was never black and white. Rules were one thing, but how they were applied was another. They were never the same.
The Three Great Righteous Path Sects wouldn't risk a full-scale war with the Harmonious Heart Demonic Sect over a few poor commoners—the cost was simply too high.
As Xu Sanyan walked, he asked, "Do you know which other territories, besides Wangchuan Prefecture, fall under the Holy Sect's jurisdiction?"
Meng Zhuer pondered for a moment. "Many. The Holy Sect recruits over ten thousand new disciples every year."
"That many?"
"Yes, but very few survive to the end..." Meng Zhuer seemed to recall something unpleasant, her eyes brimming with tears.
Xu Sanyan glanced back at her. His Qi Observation Technique instantly revealed her cultivation level: newly entered the Inner Qi Realm, with only mediocre talent.
"How old are you?"
"Twenty-seven," Meng Zhuer replied.
(End of the Chapter)
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