Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

Chapter 163 Mutual Promotion

Outside the mountain gate, people were constantly being teleported out, some dejected, others cursing the Qingyun Sect's assessment as inhumane. But most people waited anxiously for the results.

Shi Tie and his team had sharp eyes as they surveyed the surroundings. Occasionally, some of the eliminated contestants would cause trouble, but they would be ruthlessly "invited" out without any politeness. Their methods were swift and decisive, and they intimidated the entire audience.

After a full day, the first stage ended. Of the more than 1,000 people who participated in the assessment, less than 200 passed. They were all pale-faced and still had lingering fears, but their eyes were even more determined.

The second test, "Spiritual Test," was relatively simple. It was presided over by Han Lin, who examined the aptitude of spiritual roots. As Shen Mo had expected, there were no exceptionally talented individuals with heavenly spiritual roots. Most of them had three or four spiritual roots, and there were even a few "pseudo-spiritual root" youths with five spiritual roots. However, they were all those who had performed exceptionally well in the first test.

The third test, "Observation," runs throughout the entire process. Su Xiao and the others secretly observed the candidates' words and actions during their rest periods, noting whether they were arrogant, humble, or united, and even how they treated the ordinary old farmer who brought them water from the foot of the mountain.

After three rounds of selection, only thirty-five people met the requirements. One person is still needed.

Just as Su Xiao was hesitating about whether to lower the standard to make up the number thirty-six, an unexpected incident occurred.

A boy who looked about fifteen or sixteen years old, dressed in rags and with a sallow complexion, ran breathlessly to the mountain gate, knelt down with a thud, and kowtowed repeatedly: "Immortal Master! Immortal Master, please accept me! I can do anything! I can endure hardship!"

Zhang Daniu, who was in charge of guarding the area, frowned and stepped forward: "The assessment is over. You're late."

The young man raised his head, his face covered in mud, but with a pair of unusually clear and determined eyes: "I... I came from 'Luofeng Town', three hundred miles away, and it took me three months! I encountered bandits on the way and lost all my money... I heard that Qingyun Sect values ​​character the most. I'm not afraid of hardship; I want to cultivate immortality!"

He clutched a hard, dry piece of bread tightly in his hand; it was his last meal.

Su Xiao's heart stirred, and she stepped forward, asking gently, "Why do you want to cultivate immortality?"

A look of sorrow flashed in the boy's eyes, but he stubbornly refused to let the tears fall: "My parents both lost their lives to the plague. The immortal master in town said we had no spirit stones and would stand by and watch us die... I cultivate immortality because I don't want myself or people like me to have our lives decided so easily by others!"

Su Xiao remained silent for a moment, then exchanged a glance with Han Lin, both seeing the emotion in each other's eyes. This young man's character was perhaps more valuable than his talent.

"Come with me." Su Xiao made an exception and led him into the "Microscopic Illusionary Heart Array," which had not yet been dispelled. Inside the array, the boy experienced illusions of suffering far greater than those of others, yet he persevered through gritted teeth, his eyes never wavering. Upon testing his spiritual abilities, it turned out he possessed the worst of the five spiritual roots.

In the end, Shen Mo nodded and granted the person special permission to join the sect. This brought the total number of people to thirty-six.

Thus, the second recruitment of new members for the Qingyun Sect has come to a successful conclusion. The thirty-six newly recruited disciples may not have the best aptitude, but their character and perseverance are all excellent qualities.

The meeting of new and old disciples was naturally lively. Shi Tie's booming voice echoed throughout the mountain gate: "Listen up, newbies! Once you enter the Qingyun Sect, you must abide by its rules! Cultivate diligently, unite with your fellow disciples, and respect your teachers! Anyone who dares to slack off, bully their fellow disciples, will face my fists, Shi Tie's fists show no mercy!"

The new disciples, filled with both awe and excitement, responded in unison, "Yes, Senior Brother Shi!"

Su Xiao then arranged for senior disciples to mentor the new disciples one-on-one, familiarizing them with the sect rules, distributing clothing and medicine, and arranging accommodations. Li Xiaocao had already prepared everything meticulously. Zhao Qingyan began explaining the most basic "Qi-Inducing Technique" and sect rules and precepts to the new disciples.

Thirty-six new young faces have joined Qingyun Mountain, like fresh blood being injected, making the entire sect appear even more vibrant.

Along the mountain path, in the training grounds, at the scripture pavilion, and beside the herb garden, one could see both new and veteran disciples busily working or exchanging ideas. Even before the morning mist had dissipated, an even longer queue had formed by the Body Tempering Pool. New disciples waited nervously and expectantly for their first soak, while veteran disciples expertly shared their insights on the new techniques.

Su Xiao was patiently explaining the subtle techniques of spiritual energy circulation in the basic chapter of "Flowing Cloud Dao Body" to several female disciples. "Spiritual energy is like water; your intention follows the movement of clouds. Don't deliberately 'push' it; feel its natural flow..."

Her voice was gentle, and a wisp of pale white mist swirled around her fingertips, flowing and meandering like a living thing, demonstrating the exquisite nature of her technique. The new disciples watched intently, their faces filled with admiration.

"Senior Sister Su is amazing! This cloud seems to have a life of its own!" exclaimed a newly enrolled female disciple named Xiaoyun.

Li Xiaocao's medicinal herb garden has now doubled in size, and in the newly opened spiritual field, tender green seedlings stretch out in the morning light. She is teaching several disciples who are interested in spiritual plants how to identify soil moisture and spiritual energy concentration.

"Look, the leaves of this 'Dew-Gathering Grass' are slightly curled at the edges, which means it's thirsty. It needs to be watered with spiritual spring water mixed with morning dew. The amount of water must be just enough to soak through the roots, not too much and not too little..." She explained in great detail, and several disciples squatted on the ground, learning attentively.

Wang Hu is now practically the head of internal affairs, responsible for allocating supplies, assigning tasks, and recording contribution points. He's incredibly busy, yet full of energy. Holding his ledger, he weaves through the crowd, occasionally stopping to check the records.

"Junior Brother Zhang, your contribution points for tending the herb garden this month have been recorded. Next month, try to master the 'Cloud and Rain Technique' so you can water more efficiently!"

"Junior Sister Li, your handwriting in copying 'The First Explanation of Herbs' is very neat. Five contribution points added!"

Even the most unskilled but resilient newcomer, a boy named Atu, was assigned the simple task of cleaning the mountain path and helping to move supplies. He worked exceptionally hard, his eyes bright, as if he never got tired.

The entire Qingyun Mountain is like a finely wound clock, with each gear performing its function and operating harmoniously. Cultivation, labor, learning, and communication constitute the main theme of the sect's daily life.

Beneath this seemingly ordinary daily life lies the steady improvement of everyone's cultivation and the quiet accumulation of the sect's foundation.

One afternoon, under the old pine tree beside the pulpit, a rare moment of leisure arrived. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled patterns of light.

Shi Tie had just finished a round of arduous cultivation in the secret realm, and his body still carried lingering baleful aura and a few shallow bloodstains. He was sitting cross-legged, adjusting his breathing.

Su Xiao, Zhao Qingyan, Li Xiaocao, and a few others sat together, exchanging their recent cultivation experiences. Several new disciples with good aptitude and outstanding performance were also allowed to listen in.

"Senior Brother Shi, I always feel that your 'Mountain Shaking' technique is a bit lacking. The power is fierce, but you can't control it well enough, and it's easy to hurt yourself." A new disciple named Sun Hao boldly asked for advice. He was born with superhuman strength and was particularly eager to learn Shi Tie's body-refining method.

Shi Tie opened his eyes, chuckled, and didn't hold back: "You have a good eye, kid! This 'Mountain Shaking' technique is all about the 'shaking,' not just brute force! You have to imagine your qi and blood as water, first accumulating power, like a dam holding back a flood, and then bursting forth instantly. But it can't be a torrent; there has to be a 'whirling' force at the last moment, like waves crashing on the shore and then receding a little! That way, you have an explosive burst without damaging your foundation! Come on, let me demonstrate for you..."

As he spoke, he stood up, assumed a fighting stance, his blood and qi surging slightly. He slowly pushed out a punch, a low humming sound emanating from the air. The fallen leaves in front of his fist were pushed away by the invisible force, but then slightly retracted when the force was exhausted.

Sun Hao's eyes lit up, and he nodded repeatedly, "I think I understand a little! Thank you, Senior Brother Shi!"