"Boss, today is the enrollment day for the Seven Great Sects. Should we go?" Xiang Jian asked while eating, eager to test his newly reforged Golden Core. Although his ideal sparring partner was Xiao Man, she had fallen from the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment to the early stage to help him, making it rather shameless to spar with her now.
"No rush. Registration lasts for three days. We can go on the third day," Xiao Man said slowly. "Let's observe for today."
"What if the Seven Great Sects are full by the first two days?"
"They won't be," Xiao Man stated calmly. "Do you think the Seven Great Sects came to Wuji City just for fun?"
"I know they're here to scout for promising disciples, but the spots are limited. We can't be careless."
"Indeed, the Seven Great Sects are here to scout for promising disciples, yet they've announced that anyone above Qi Refining stage seven can participate. This time, besides those from the Land of Nothingness, there are also rogue cultivators from Wuji City. The Seven Great Sects must have already selected their desired disciples. This enrollment is merely to see if there are any overlooked talents," Xiao Man's lips curved into a smile. Furthermore, the Five Poisons Sect's presence in Wuji City is not for simple reasons; enrollment is likely just a facade.
"Then we'll just wait in the manor for these three days?" Xiang Jian was getting restless, his hands itching for a fight and wishing to test his skills.
"If you're bored, go spar with the Old City Lord," Xiao Man, understanding Xiang Jian's eagerness, replied. "I'm sure the Old City Lord would be happy to give you a few pointers."
"That would be great! I'll go find the Old City Lord for a spar after I finish eating."
The City Lord ate silently, not envious of abnormal rapid advancements that ordinary people couldn't match. However, he wondered how this young man could advance even faster than Xiao Man.
Xiao Man then turned to Yan Yan, "Miss, which sect usually recruits the most disciples?"
"It should be the Azure Wolf Sect and the Blazing Sun Sect," Yan Yan replied. "These two sects have always recruited the most disciples, especially the Azure Wolf Sect, which takes in many people every enrollment."
"Which sect recruits the fewest?"
"Hundred Medicine Hall," Yan Yan said, looking at Xiao Man. "Because the Hundred Medicine Hall seeks apothecaries, they must first be familiar with herbs. In Wuji City, those familiar with herbs are either of low cultivation or ordinary people. Unable to cultivate, they can only choose to gather and cultivate medicinal herbs. The Hundred Medicine Hall needs herb children. These children prepare and cultivate medicinal herbs. While the cultivation requirements aren't high, they must be cultivators because many medicinal herbs can only be cultivated by cultivators."
"So, the Hundred Medicine Hall recruits fewer people, but they can still recruit a few, right?"
"The Hundred Medicine Hall recruits not disciples, but errand runners. As for disciples, they might not even recruit one in ten years."
"I see," Xiao Man nodded slowly. "Does the Spirit Snake Sect recruit many people?"
"The Spirit Snake Sect does not recruit many people. They are very strict in selecting disciples, not just looking at cultivation but also character. This alone disqualifies many."
"What about the Five Poisons Sect?"
"The Five Poisons Sect is a special case. Because many cultivators disdain the use of poison, the Five Poisons Sect does not recruit many disciples each year. However, there's a peculiar phenomenon: most disciples recruited by the Five Poisons Sect advance rapidly in cultivation. This is because the Five Poisons Sect is now a priority sect for rogue cultivators to consider."
Xiao Man lowered her gaze. The Five Poisons Sect likely possesses a special cultivation technique that allows for rapid advancement. She wondered if this technique had any side effects. If not, it might be worth finding a way to acquire it for examination.
"Are the other sects standard?"
"Yes, the other sects are unremarkable and very ordinary. Each enrollment, they recruit at most two or three people."
Xiao Man's mind raced. Poison Lady was skilled in using poison and had unique insights into herbs, making the Hundred Medicine Hall the best choice for her. Shan Yun was gentle and not good at scheming, making the Spirit Snake Sect a more suitable fit. As for Yu Da, the Blazing Sun Sect would be more appropriate.
"Sect Master." At that moment, a figure appeared at the doorway – it was Chu Xing.
Chu Xing had chosen to remain in the City Lord's manor by selling Xiao Man's secrets to them. Although he succeeded in joining the City Lord's manor guard, he faced exclusion from others, making his life in the guard difficult.
"What are you doing here? Go down quickly," Fan Ting immediately reprimanded.
Chu Xing immediately knelt at the doorway, "Sect Master, Vice Sect Master, this subordinate knows his mistake. Please forgive me."
Xiang Jian glanced at Chu Xing and continued eating. Zhou Yan had told him the entire story of why Chu Xing remained in the City Lord's manor. Not only was Xiao Man disgusted, but he himself felt disgusted. The thought that this person was brought out by him made him even more disgusted.
Xiao Man took a handkerchief to wipe Ze Fang's mouth and asked softly, "Are you full?"
"Yes."
"If you're full, I'll take you out for a walk to aid digestion." Xiao Man picked up Ze Fang. "I'm leaving."
"Do you want me to accompany you?" Xiang Jian inquired.
"Aren't you going to spar with the Old City Lord? Stay in the manor as much as possible for now," Xiao Man said softly.
"Alright." Xiang Jian unconditionally followed Xiao Man's decisions, never asking for reasons, believing every decision she made had a valid cause.
Chu Xing knelt on the ground, watching Xiao Man walk past him with the child in her arms, her gaze unwavering. His heart sank to the bottom. He hadn't interacted much with Xiao Man, but his perception of her was that she was a kind-hearted person. Yet today, she didn't even glance at him.
"Chu Xing, don't forget your identity." Fan Ting watched Xiao Man disappear before turning to Chu Xing, "You are a guard of the City Lord's manor. Are you going to betray the City Lord's manor?"
"Captain, no, I just hope the Sect Master and Vice Sect Master can forgive me..."
"Does their forgiveness matter to you?" Fan Ting asked with a cold laugh. He hadn't interacted much with Xiao Man but knew she wasn't a soft-hearted person. She had principles, and she would never give a second chance to someone who betrayed her.
"To you, it doesn't matter. But to me, it matters a lot." Chu Xing looked at Xiang Jian, who was still eating at the table. "Vice Sect Master, this subordinate is very grateful that you brought me out of the Land of Nothingness. I have disappointed you, and I hope the Vice Sect Master and Sect Master can forgive my ignorance."
Xiang Jian finished the last spoonful of porridge in his bowl and elegantly wiped his mouth. "You don't need our forgiveness. After all, to us, you are just an insignificant person. Since you've made your choice, walk your path well. Don't waver, or you'll end up with nothing."