Sect Leader! Please strengthen our Dao Sect!

Shen Shanshui's current plan is to take on several bounty missions and earn a large sum of start-up funds for the sect.

In fact, with his cultivation level, he could earn more annually by serving as a Foundation Establishment Elder in other immortal sects than by taking on missions.

Unfortunately, the Qin Dynasty's communication technology was too advanced. Using offerings from other sects to build their own was easily exposed.

This has damaged the reputation of the Tianyi Sect. How will they recruit disciples in the future?

Even when you're out in the world, you still have to have a bottom line.

However, when we recruit disciples in the future, we can let them serve as honorifics in other sects.

The sect leader's bottom line and the disciples' bottom line can still be different.

"Senior brother, it's so lively up ahead!"

Shen Lingxi suddenly grabbed her senior brother's arm and pointed excitedly at the crowd gathered in front of her.

Shen Shanshui sensed the fluctuations of spiritual energy not far away and was also somewhat curious.

"Let's go take a look!"

On the high platform, three elegant young men in white robes stood proudly with swords on their backs, each with a touch of otherworldly grace. Beside them stood two pure and lovely young girls, protecting the stunningly beautiful and aloof fairy in the center.

The crowd below the stage erupted in discussion, their admiration for these disciples of the immortal sect tinged with envy.

"As expected of the young talents of the Flowing Cloud Sect, each of them is exceptionally handsome. I can't even see through their cultivation levels."

"Who do you think you are? You're practically on your deathbed and you've only reached the first level of Qi Refining. If you could tell someone's cultivation level, you'd be a ghost."

"Tsk tsk, I really hate that I don't have any talent. The Flowing Cloud Sect has several Foundation Establishment Realm experts in charge, making it a major sect in our Jiangnan Prefecture!"

Today we recruit disciples; the path to immortality is within reach, yet we can only watch with open eyes!

The surrounding chatter reached Shen Shanshui's ears as he silently scanned the young men on the stage with his divine sense.

"Disciple of a cultivation sect?"

Shen Shanshui raised an eyebrow and murmured softly.

The three men and three women on the stage appeared to be in their early twenties. Three were at the second level of Qi Refining, and two were at the third level. Only the pretty woman had a higher cultivation level, at the fourth level of Qi Refining.

Perhaps it was because he spent many years in seclusion on the mountain, in addition to the common knowledge of the cultivation world that his master had told him.

Shen Shanshui had no idea about the level of his fellow cultivators outside the area.

Looking down, Shen Lingxi was licking a candied hawthorn she had secretly bought sometime during the day.

Seemingly noticing her senior brother's gaze, Shen Lingxi very considerately handed over the candied hawthorn: "Senior brother, you eat it."

"Sigh~"

Shen Shanshui sighed softly, shook his head with a smile, and looked ahead again.

This silly, simple-minded boy of mine is usually not very active in his cultivation, but he's always the first to eat. I never imagined he would be such a genius, far ahead of his peers.

No wonder their master rarely took them down with him; he probably feared that their talent would attract unwanted attention and cause unnecessary trouble.

"Third-class qualification!"

The black stone in the boy's hand on the stage emitted a faint luster.

The aloof fairy smiled gently and said, "Congratulations, your aptitude is quite good, you can join my immortal sect."

The boy was initially stunned, then began to tremble, crying and shouting, "I can cultivate immortality!"

"Father! Mother!"

The boy rushed off the stage and threw himself into the arms of a middle-aged couple.

The boy's parents were also extremely excited, tears streaming down their faces as they laughed through their sobs, "Good, good... my son Wang Teng has the potential to cultivate immortality!"

Seeing this, people from all directions cast envious glances.

Being able to join a renowned immortal sect like the Flowing Cloud Sect, registered in the Great Qin Dynasty, is something that can instantly make an ordinary family in the Immortal Dynasty tremble.

Once they achieve success in their spiritual practice, whether they stay and develop the sect or go out to find employment, their future prospects will be limitless.

Congratulations were heard one after another.

On the stage.

The aloof fairy shook her head, her smile gradually fading, and murmured, "It's just a small county town after all; this is the only promising young talent I can find worthy of my attention in half a day."

"I'll give it a try!"

Just as everyone was filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred towards the young man who had successfully entered the immortal sect.

A loud shout drew everyone's attention.

Dressed in fine clothes, the young man, who looked to be about fourteen or fifteen years old, walked onto the arena with his hands behind his back and his head held high.

The young man was imposing and looked like a wealthy young master.

The aloof fairy's eyes lit up, and she thought to herself that this young man had an extraordinary bearing, and a sense of anticipation arose within her.

"Place your hand on the aptitude stone and let's see how your aptitude is."

The boy reached out and gripped the aptitude stone tightly, exuding an imposing aura.

"Who is this person?"

A passerby in the audience asked a question that had been on many people's minds.

This kid seems pretty arrogant!

"The young master of the Tang family. No need to look anymore, he has no aptitude for cultivation at all."

He went when the Heavenly Sword Sect and the Xuan Kui Sect came to Qingyang County to recruit disciples.

Experienced onlookers quickly provided their answers.

"He's a poor kid. Master Tang has consulted many cultivators and tried all sorts of methods. The day before yesterday, I saw him running around with a huge rock on his back, shouting things like 'Explode your dantian!' He seemed a bit mad."

Upon hearing this, some people were skeptical. Tang Yan seemed overly confident; he didn't look like a loser who had failed twice.

Time ticked by, and Tang Yan on the stage still gripped the dull and lifeless aptitude stone tightly.

The aloof fairy gradually went from expectation to disappointment.

"Still...still can't do it!"

"How can you give up so easily? You bastard!"

At some point, Tang Yan, who had been full of vigor, was now filled with tears, half-kneeling on the ground, and slammed his fist hard into the ground.

Tears fell onto the stage, and all the viewers sighed in sorrow.

Even the aloof fairy was moved.

"Senior brother, he's so pitiful."

"Senior brother, why are you spacing out?"

"Oh...it's nothing, I'm just a little embarrassed."

Shen Shanshui couldn't help but shudder. It turned out that being a chuunibyou (a person with delusions of grandeur) not only transcends national boundaries but also the entire world.

"Let's go, there's nothing to see."

Perhaps due to excessive emotional excitement, Tang Yan on stage fainted.

Just as Shen Shanshui turned around, he caught a glimpse of what seemed to be a fleeting luster on the aptitude stone.

"Um?"

"What's wrong, senior brother?"

"It's nothing, I must be seeing things."

……

……

It was midday, and there weren't many people at the official residence in Qingyang County.

As soon as Shen Shanshui and his junior sister entered the building, they were attracted by a huge spirit stone wall.

Lines of text appeared on it.

[Apprehend Hu Long, the Blade of Broken Sun. A repeat murderer, he possesses the strength of the third level of Qi Refining. A reward of 100 gold coins and five low-grade spirit stones are offered.]

[We are offering high prices to purchase Hundred-Refined Fruits. Those interested can come to the Heavenly Sword Sect for further discussion.]

Seeking to purchase a secondhand flying sword from Fairy Ruyan of the Tianxuan Sect. Offer: 500 low-grade spirit stones.

The Golden Dragon Caravan is seeking three cultivators at the fifth level of Qi Refining or higher to escort the caravan to Qinghe County. The reward is fifteen low-grade spirit stones per person.

"Fellow Daoists, do you have any bounty missions that interest you?"

While Shen Shanshui was still scanning the list, a smiling, official-looking man walked over. He was dressed in uniform and was clearly an official from the government office.

They exchanged a slight greeting and bowed to each other.

Shen Lingxi also imitated her senior brother, awkwardly bowing.

"Still looking, haven't made a choice yet."

"Judging from your unfamiliar faces, this must be your first time visiting the official residence in Qingyang County."

……