Elder Fang He craned his neck, constantly peering outside.
An elder resting with his eyes closed nearby glanced at him, "You're about to turn into a giraffe. What are you looking at?"
"Nothing," Fang He retracted his gaze, but his eyes still strayed outwards, as if waiting for someone.
"Is there a promising seedling you fancy?" the elder asked, appearing to know all. "Who is it?"
Fang He's face showed worry, "That kid is quite outstanding. I'm afraid they won't join our Lieyang Sect."
"How outstanding is this person, to warrant your eager anticipation?" the elder asked languidly.
"In just one year, from a novice who couldn't even practice Qi to a Foundation Establishment cultivator. And the children she brings, the weakest is at Qi Refining stage seven. All of them advanced within a year."
The elder, who had been squinting, opened his eyes wide at this. "By their own ability?"
"Martial Uncle, she's someone from a lawless land. If not by her own ability, then who else can she rely on?" Fang He explained. "Moreover, in their group, there's someone whose cultivation is even higher than mine. The last time I saw them, they were at the late stage of Foundation Establishment, just one step away from forming a core… As for the kid I'm interested in, their cultivation is the same as mine… They're here!"
Elder Fang He leaped from his seat, ready to rush over. The elder swiftly grabbed him, making him sit down. His gaze followed Fang He's direction of sight, and he saw An Yue approaching with someone. That person was at the early stage of Foundation Establishment, holding a child in their arms, their demeanor incredibly casual, not at all like someone coming to register.
"Martial Uncle, what are you doing?"
"Calm yourself," the elder said calmly, holding him down.
"Martial Uncle, such a good seedling cannot be missed. That kid is so young, and already at the middle stage of Foundation Establishment… Huh? Why has this kid's cultivation dropped?" Fang He stared at Xiao Man in surprise. Was this kid using a treasure to hide their cultivation? No, that's not right. This kid's cultivation has indeed dropped! Su Dan Novel Network
"Junior greets Senior Fang," Xiao Man, holding Ze Fang, merely bowed slightly.
"Xiao Qin, why has your cultivation dropped?" Fang He was not one to keep things to himself. "The last time I saw you, you were clearly at the middle stage of Foundation Establishment. How did you become early stage now?"
"Because I advanced too quickly, my foundation is a bit unstable. Some time ago, while cultivating, I went astray with my Qi. Although I was lucky to keep my life, my cultivation dropped by one level," Xiao Man explained calmly.
"You rascal, how could you be so reckless? Let me have a look." Without further ado, he grabbed Xiao Man's wrist. The True Qi within Xiao Man was indeed somewhat disordered, very much like going astray with Qi. He couldn't help but feel a pang of concern. He took out a bottle of medicine from his Qiankun bag and reluctantly handed it to her, "One pill a day. After taking it, meditate for twelve cycles. You, you rascal, are too reckless."
"Thank you for Senior Fang's kindness," Xiao Man thanked him neither humbly nor arrogantly. Her gaze fell upon the other elder, whose gaze, however, was fixed on Ze Fang.
"Young friend, is this your child?"
Xiao Man was about to answer no when Ze Fang tightened his grip around Xiao Man's neck, "Daddy, I want to go home."
The elder's gaze swept over Ze Fang once more, then landed on Xiao Man, "Young friend, this child has unusual roots and bones, a good seedling for cultivation. I am currently a Golden Core cultivator and wish to take this child as my disciple. What do you think, young friend?"
"Thank you for the senior's kindness, but the child is still young. I do not wish for him to leave my side so soon," Xiao Man politely refused. Regardless of the other party's intentions, she could not entrust a child to someone she knew nothing about.
"Before the enrollment ceremony ends, if young friend changes your mind, you can come to the Lieyang Sect to find this old man." The elder looked at Ze Fang with affectionate eyes, "This child is extraordinary. Ordinary people probably cannot provide him with the best growth."
Xiao Man glanced at Ze Fang, "Thank you, senior. Junior takes leave."
"Hey, don't go, Xiao Qin…" Elder Fang He watched Xiao Man's rapidly departing back, stomping his feet. "Martial Uncle, look at what you've done! Such a good seedling, you scared them away!"
The elder returned to his chair to doze. "If that kid has any intention of joining the Lieyang Sect, no one can scare them away. I'm afraid they have no intention of joining the Lieyang Sect at all."
Fang He was slightly taken aback. "I have a connection with them…"
"Connections are worthless in the face of benefits," the elder's tone was lazy, like a dozing cat. He had seen it clearly: that kid was just here to take a look, with no intention of joining the Lieyang Sect.
"Such a good seedling. No, I cannot give up easily."
"Sit here properly," the elder kicked Fang He. "That kid is not someone you can do as you please. This kid showed no fear facing me, even when I released my pressure, they didn't bat an eye. Truly a good seedling, just a bit too arrogant. They need some tempering."
"Talented people are bound to have some arrogance," Elder Fang He quickly chimed in. "Martial Uncle, if this kid can join our Lieyang Sect, it would be of great benefit to our Lieyang Sect."
"The people they bring will not be able to enter just one sect. Don't harbor such thoughts."
Elder Fang He's expression shifted slightly. He was indeed harboring this thought: if Xiao Man joined the Lieyang Sect, then all the people under Xiao Man would follow and join the Lieyang Sect, and their Lieyang Sect would profit greatly this time.
The elder squinted and dozed. He shouldn't have come for this enrollment. If not for Fang He saying there was something unusual in Wuji City, that someone was privately stirring up conflict between the seven great sects, and that the Canglang Sect had suffered heavy losses this time, he wouldn't have rushed to Wuji City. However, after arriving in Wuji City, he found no anomalies.
"Skilled in using poison?"
"Martial Uncle, what did you say?"
"Nothing. Focus on your task. All cultivators above Qi Refining stage seven can participate in this assessment. Watch carefully, and don't let impostors slip through."
"Yes, Martial Uncle." Elder Fang He agreed reluctantly, while giving An Yue a meaningful look, signaling her to follow.
An Yue shrugged helplessly. It wasn't that she wasn't helping, but she couldn't. Bringing the person here was already her utmost effort. If she got any closer to Xiao Man, Xiao Man might think she had ulterior motives, which would instead damage their relationship and give Xiao Man a bad impression of the Lieyang Sect.
Seeing that An Yue was also disobedient, Elder Fang He stomped his feet in annoyance. His tone towards others also turned unpleasant. Those who came to register dared not even breathe, afraid that Elder Fang He would get angry and drive them away!
"I wonder who is lucky enough to catch that kid's eye. Oh well, oh well. If I can't recruit that kid, at least I'll recruit Xiang Jian." Fang He beckoned to a disciple beside him, "Go see where Xiang Jian is. Report back immediately when you find his whereabouts."
"Yes, Elder."