"All Named Disciples, the test has concluded."
"Those with graded potential, proceed immediately to the 'Dao Incubation Chamber'!"
"Those without grades will enter the 'Handyman Quarters'."
Like a voice broadcast at a train station, the voice repeated continuously in the hall, urging the Named Disciples to move.
The crowd in the hall split into two streams. The black-clad Cultivators lined up the graded ones and directed them straight into the 'Dao Incubation Chamber'.
Upon entering, what first caught the eye wasn't some flesh-and-blood chamber, but a glowing map that occupied most of the ceiling! The map clearly divided into four areas, marked with large, flamboyant characters: Blood Battle Hall, Spirit Rune Hall, Spirit Rearing Hall, and Guidao Hall.
An old Cultivator in dark gold robes with flowing white hair suspended in mid-air. His voice was gentle yet as resonant as a great bell:
"Everyone, this is the beginning of your Dao path. The Four Outer Halls of the Mosquito God Sect correspond to the Four Inner Peaks; this choice will affect your entire life. The Dao Incubation Power will resonate with your 'dao seed'. Once selected, there is no turning back. You have the time of three sticks of incense. Be prudent, be solemn!"
As his voice fell, the four areas on the map suddenly lit up, transforming into four giant 'light screens' that began playing promotional videos!
On the Blood Battle Hall screen: The image was blood-red! The sky-shaking battle cries almost broke through the light screen! A bald, muscular giant, braving a barrage of Flying Swords and Talismans, moved through the battlefield as if it were uninhabited. He forced his way to the enemy general and squeezed with his massive hand—splat! A head burst like a watermelon! Finally, the screen froze on domineering large characters: All under heaven is but a single load; the Martial Dao is divided into nine measures; only the Martial is supreme!
The Spirit Rune Hall screen was soft and quiet. A lean Cultivator sat at a desk, his brush moving like dragons and snakes. As the final stroke fell, the Spirit Runes on the paper glowed brilliantly, transforming into the phantom of a fierce Spirit Beast that roared and charged out, crashing into and shattering a mountain rock! Large characters appeared: Spirit Runes hide the wondrous Dao; the ink brush paints the universe; runes move heaven and earth!
The Spirit Rearing Hall scene was a vibrant Spirit Beast park. Various rare and exotic beasts were leisurely and carefree. A pretty female Cultivator called out with a smile, and a giant immortal crane submissively bowed its head. She flipped onto its back, and the crane let out a clear cry, spreading its wings and soaring into the sky, instantly piercing through the clouds and mist! Large characters at the end: Rearing spirits accompanies the immortal path; taming beasts treads the river of stars; the Spirit Master rules the universe!
The video for Guidao Hall was eerie and sinister, with flickering ghostly green light. A black-robed Cultivator stood in the darkness, whispering incantations. Distorted shadow creatures and corrosive green light Spells emerged from thin air around him, swallowing everything ahead like a tide. Everywhere they passed hissed and sizzled, turning into flying ash! Finally, chilling large characters: Guidao hides profound mysteries; evil arts break through all hardships; the Dao is ghostly, the heart is firm!
The crowd instantly became rowdy! Gasps, exclamations, and longing looks were everywhere.
These promotional videos were far too provocative.
Xu Huo's gaze quickly swept across the four light screens. Three voices rang in his mind almost simultaneously, fast as lightning:
Charles: "Blood Battle is cannon fodder meat shields! Spirit Rune is technical slave labor! Spirit Rearing is an Advanced pooper-scooper and spare feed! Guidao... the path is wild, the management is loose, and there are loopholes to exploit!"
Blue Star Xu Huo: "Blood Battle death rate is MAX! Spirit Rune definitely has Soul-bound indentured servitude! Spirit Rearing? The way that crane looks at the female Cultivator is wrong, like it's being PUA'd! Guidao... though it's underworld-ish, that Cultivator's hand was shaking while chanting in the promo; there are signs of energy backlash! It shows the Cultivation Technique is flawed, but that also means... there might not be that much backend monitoring?"
Xu Huo made the final call: "Blood Battle is seeking death, Spirit Rune is imprisonment, and Spirit Rearing is high-risk. Guidao is a dangerous path, but it has high freedom and many loopholes... that's the one!"
With his mind made up, Xu Huo didn't hesitate and walked straight toward the dark area representing Guidao Hall.
His movements were crisp and neat, without the slightest hesitation. He didn't even spare another glance at the other three dazzling promotional videos. His calmness formed a sharp contrast with the new Disciples around him who were still excitedly discussing and agonizing over their choices.
The white-haired old Cultivator's gaze seemed to inadvertently sweep over Xu Huo's back, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. Choosing Guidao so quickly? And he's a Grade Seven with a bias toward summoning? Interesting.
Xu Huo walked with steady steps, his figure soon vanishing into the dim light of the Guidao Hall area, which was noticeably darker than the others. He didn't need three sticks of incense; three breaths were enough... Wen Shen Sect, deep within the Dao Incubation Hall.
There were no squirming flesh walls here, only a massive white wall with a silver-white luster, embedded with countless giant crystal screens flowing with complex runes.
This crystal screen was divided into dense small images, displaying real-time scenes from every corner of the 'Dao Incubation Ground': the Evil Qi of the Blood Battle Altar, the flowing light of Spirit Runes, the humming of the Spirit Rearing Hall, the shadows of Guidao Hall... and those Named Disciples being diverted like ants.
The fragrance of high-quality spiritual tea permeated the air.
In front of the control console sat a slouching youth. He looked to be about sixteen or seventeen, wearing a dark gold cloud-patterned robe made of extremely exquisite material but worn sloppily. His hair was loosely held by a priceless Jade Pith Hairpin, with a few unruly strands hanging over his forehead.
One hand propped up his chin, while the other absentmindedly tossed a few "Jade Pith Beads" that radiated dense Spiritual Qi. His eyes lazily swept over the crystal screens, his face filled with impatience.
This person was Mo Qianji. He was the most "useless" youngest son of the Wen Shen Sect's Grand Elder of Law Enforcement, Mo Wuya. He was a notorious dandy who spent three days fishing and two days drying nets in his Cultivation, but was a pro at stirring up trouble.
For this selection of the Four Outer Halls, his old man probably found him too much of an eyesore and tossed him a random idle position as a "supervisor."
"Tsk, what scheme is that old geezer playing again? I've already acted well enough, staying stuck without a Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment. My brothers just loosened their monitoring on me, and I still have plenty of things to do..." Mo Qianji grumbled internally, but on the surface, he let out a huge yawn.
His fingers slid carelessly across the control console, and the images on the crystal screen switched rapidly. "There are a few decent prospects in this selection. I see, 'Father' wants me to pick a team of my own? Oh~ this person is a Grade Nine? A bit interesting..."
Just then, his eyes suddenly lit up as the crystal screen froze on a scene in front of the Guidao Hall altar.
In the image, a farm boy who looked like he had no highlights other than being a bit handsome successfully caught Mo Qianji's attention.
As for this guy named Xu Huo, Mo Qianji rubbed his chin and flicked his finger. All the data on Xu Huo, from boarding the ship to the testing, appeared before his eyes. The more he looked, the wider Mo Qianji's smile became. He merged all the images on the screen into one, leaving only Xu Huo's figure on the massive screen.
"Interesting, this person is truly not bad."
Mo Qianji became uncharacteristically solemn. He directly channeled his magic power and began to calculate with his fingers.
"I can't even calculate it? I've long known that the Three Thousand Worlds are as vast as the sea and the laws of heaven and earth are profound and mysterious, but I didn't expect to encounter such an interesting person in this tiny Wen Shen Sect outer selection."
Mo Qianji murmured to himself, his eyes flashing with the light of excitement.