Chapter 373: An Interlude During Disciple Recruitment
The Wendao Academy's triennial disciple recruitment ceremony proceeded as scheduled.
The academy's square bustled with activity, just like in previous years.
Unlike before, this time the Miscellaneous Dao Institute's recruitment area occupied the most prominent position rather than a corner.
Before dawn, a long queue had already formed before the Miscellaneous Dao Institute's recruitment point.
Many in the line daydreamed about their future lives after becoming disciples of the Qiankun Great Sage.
As the sun rose, dozens of figures flew across the sky.
Before these figures even landed, the previously noisy square fell deathly silent.
Even cultivators of noble birth didn't wish to leave a poor impression on the academy's elders at such a moment.
After the Wendao Academy members landed, a resonant voice announced: "The Wendao Academy's disciple recruitment ceremony officially begins. All institutes may now begin assessing candidates."
With this declaration, each institute began recruiting disciples in an orderly fashion.
At the Miscellaneous Dao Institute's recruitment area, Qin Qin sat at the rear, slowly activating her World-Destroying Eye.
Chu Caiyi sat at the front, inquiring about the identities of each cultivator seeking apprenticeship.
"Name."
"Origin."
"Past experiences."
"..."
Time passed minute by minute. On the first day, the Miscellaneous Dao Institute only recruited two disciples—and they barely passed the assessment.
Qin Qin turned to the quiet Fang Mu beside her: "Junior Brother Fang, please take these disciples back to the outer court and have them arrange their accommodations."
"Understood."
Fang Mu didn't hesitate, leading the two disciples toward the mountain where the outer court was located.
Hearing this, the two disciples subconsciously asked:
"Fellow senior brothers and sisters, aren't we going to meet our master?"
Xu Caichen smiled: "You can't call us senior brothers and sisters here. At the Wendao Academy, cultivators at my Nurturing Spirit Realm level like me should be addressed as 'Instructor.' As for our master, you haven't passed the outer court's assessment yet, so naturally you aren't qualified to meet him."
The two froze upon hearing this, the excitement vanishing from their faces.
One disciple named Zhao Yi murmured: "This isn't what I heard before coming here."
Xu Caichen remained patient as he explained: "Because Master never considered taking disciples; he's merely following protocol. However, if you can demonstrate exceptional talent within the Miscellaneous Dao Institute, you may become his disciple."
Their spirits instantly lifted upon hearing this. They exchanged glances and said in unison: "We will work hard."
Xu Caichen's lips curled slightly: "Excellent. This steward awaits the day you enter the inner court."
Meanwhile, Qin Qin and the others had returned to the Miscellaneous Dao Institute. Chu Feng smiled upon seeing them: "Did you find any suitable disciples today?"
Qin Qin spoke first: "In response to Master, we recruited two barely acceptable disciples today. However, their destiny pales in comparison to our fellow disciples."
Having perfected her World-Destroying Eye, she could now perceive the destiny of all applicants.
"That's natural. Few in this world can compare to you all in destiny. Just select some with Nirvana-like potential to avoid our Miscellaneous Dao Institute becoming a laughingstock later."
Chu Feng ended the discussion there.
"Understood."
Qin Qin answered respectfully.
The recruitment continued. On the second day, Qin Qin's group recruited three more disciples.
This result satisfied everyone, considering the academy had never recruited more than three disciples in any previous session.
Soon came the final day of recruitment. After recruiting three disciples, Qin Qin's group was preparing to pack up when a commotion erupted from the crowd.
"Why has a disciple from the North Abyss Shi Family come?"
"Aren't North Abyss cultivators supposed to cultivate in the Sacred Dynasty's Dao Palaces?"
"The Shi Family produced a Sage before. Though no Sage currently presides over them, several Great Sages do, making them a top-tier family in the North Abyss Sacred Dynasty."
"..."
The Miscellaneous Dao Institute members paid no mind to this sudden disturbance.
To them, worldly bustle held little relevance. They simply wanted to conclude the recruitment and return to Miaomiao Mountain to cultivate.
But soon, Fang Mu noticed the North Abyss Sacred Dynasty cultivators walking toward them.
Escorted by numerous experts, a strikingly handsome and dignified young man entered the Miscellaneous Dao Institute members' view.
The onlookers immediately understood—the North Abyss Shi Family's prodigy wished to join the Miscellaneous Dao Institute and become the Qiankun Great Sage's disciple.
Wherever the Shi Family group passed, young participants in the assessment made way for them.
Even among those who had already joined the Wendao Academy, none could compare in status to this prodigy from the North Abyss Shi Family.
The Miscellaneous Dao Institute members remained completely composed, paying no mind to the Shi Family group despite the presence of a Marquis among them.
The Marquis's gaze immediately fell upon Qin Qin at the rear of the crowd.
Feeling his scrutiny, Qin Qin instinctively activated her World-Destroying Eye to glance at him.
With just that one look, the Marquis felt as if needles pricked his back, his body trembling involuntarily as he thought: This Miscellaneous Dao Institute truly lives up to its reputation—a place where crouching tigers and hidden dragons gather.
With both of the Wendao Academy's Holy Sons absent, the White-robed Music Demon alone could suppress all rivals. Fortunately, he had specifically warned the young master beforehand not to put on airs.
In the crowd, Shi Xuan halted his steps when only ten paces remained from the Miscellaneous Dao Institute's recruitment point. He raised his hand to signal everyone to stop before proceeding forward.
After taking seven steps, he bowed to those present: "Shi Xuan of the North Abyss pays respects to all senior brothers and sisters."
"Name."
Fang Mu didn't acknowledge his greeting but asked indifferently.
This made Shi Xuan pause momentarily—hadn't I just introduced myself?
He had come to the Miscellaneous Dao Institute because an elder in his family knew an elder from the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, who had specifically divined his fortune for him.
The hexagram revealed that only by coming to this Wendao Academy could he walk the Supreme Path.
Those around them couldn't help but give thumbs-up to the Miscellaneous Dao Institute members.
This was the Miscellaneous Dao Institute prodigy they envisioned—no matter who came, they must follow the rules.
Especially the three youths who had recently joined the institute, who instantly felt their backs straighten.
Though annoyed, Shi Xuan answered earnestly: "Shi Xuan."
Fang Mu continued: "Any fortuitous encounters?"
Shi Xuan appeared thoughtful, then shook his head: "None."
The Shi Family was second only to the imperial clan within the North Abyss Sacred Dynasty's territories. He had no need to seek fortuitous encounters—family resources alone had made him a prodigy by eighteen.
Fang Mu asked several more questions, but Shi Xuan's answers remained negative or unremarkable.
Just as Fang Mu was about to speak, Qin Qin from the crowd suddenly said: "You may join our Miscellaneous Dao Institute. Whether you can become Master's disciple depends on meeting him, but this elder guarantees she will take you as her apprentice. Are you willing?"
Shi Xuan's heart leaped with joy. As long as he could meet that foremost Great Sage of the Xuantian Continent, he was certain he could become the disciple.
"This disciple is willing."
Hiss...
The crowd gasped. Some unselected "prodigies" looked particularly displeased.
A sword-wielding cultivator stepped forward from the crowd, demanding loudly: "This is unfair! Why did he get accepted when my answers were identical? Why does he get to join the institute and meet the Qiankun Great Sage?"
Another troublemaker immediately drew support.
"Indeed! Does his noble status grant him special privileges?"
"I protest! I demand to see the Qiankun Great Sage!"
"..."
"Silence!"
Qin Qin commanded sharply, releasing immense pressure that enveloped the surroundings. Her true meaning manifested into a pair of terrifying heterochromatic eyes floating in the sky.
"True Meaning Manifestation—True Meaning Great Perfection!"
The Shi Family Marquis stared at the heterochromatic eyes in the sky, his face paling. Even he had not cultivated his true meaning to Great Perfection.
Though Shi Xuan remained calm, his heart trembled slightly. In the Sacred Capital, he had seen imperial prodigies, but none had cultivated their true meaning to this level at the Harmony Realm.
If this elder alone was so formidable, how powerful must the rumored Twin Holy Sons be?
"Enough. This elder won't quarrel with you juniors. Today's recruitment ends here."
After speaking, Qin Qin retracted her pressure and turned to Shi Xuan: "Come with this elder up the mountain."
"Understood."
Before Shi Xuan finished speaking, the elder had already turned and flown away. He dared not delay and quickly followed.
The Shi Family members stood dumbfounded, a single thought flashing through their minds: Young Master Xuan, we're still here!
After a long while, someone asked: "My Lord Marquis, what should we do now?"
Marquis Fengshan said: "Return to Wendao City and await news."
"Understood."
The Miscellaneous Dao Institute members also departed, leaving behind the stunned onlookers...
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