I have a martial arts panel.

"However, clan leader, this will completely entangle our Tao Family Village and the Black Armor Guards."

At this moment, Tao Jingfang spoke up again: "From now on, the independence of our Tao Family Village will cease to exist, and the power of the Black Armor Guard will inevitably infiltrate Tao Family Village."

"That's right..."

Tao Jinglu echoed his words, his tone carrying a hint of worry and apprehension.

"Everyone, I completely understand why you think this way."

Tao Jingxing leaned on his chair, his tone slow: "But, facing the Black Armor Guards, do we really have any chance of resistance?"

For a moment, the scene fell silent again.

"After the Black Armor Guards took control of Kangyun County, they maintained a distance from us local families, neither showing hostility nor being overly intimate. This was because they still had things to do: restore production, win over the hearts of the people, and deal with other remaining resistance forces."

"Now that they have dealt with these matters, they are poised to act, communicate with us, and want to become a truly integrated force in the local community, rather than an outsider."

"The Black Armor Guards are backed by the Yuansheng Sect, the most prestigious martial arts holy land in Feiyun Prefecture. What exactly do they intend to do? Does our Tao Family Village truly have the power to resist?"

At this point, Tao Jingxing paused, his tone tinged with helplessness: "So, everyone, from the very beginning, I've been saying that I wanted to inform you all about this, not discuss it with you. Faced with such a powerful and unapproachable entity, we have absolutely no bargaining power... We can only accept it."

Tao Jingxing's words left everyone present with a somewhat uneasy feeling.

Sometimes, one might be proud of their status as a wealthy landowner, but in the eyes of certain powerful forces, it's nothing more than that.

"Of course, you don't need to be too discouraged."

Seeing that everyone was in low spirits, Tao Jingxing continued, "While the Black Armor Guards have infiltrated our Tao Family Village, the young people of our Tao Family Village have also gained the qualifications to acquire various resources from the Black Armor Guards."

"If in the future, the selected people from Taojiazhuang successfully climb to high positions in the Black Armor Guard, they will give us enough support in return. Looking back then, it may not be a bad thing."

The elders have accepted the facts and, after careful consideration, also feel that this matter has both advantages and disadvantages.

"Leaving aside the perspectives of the Black Armor Guards and the local forces we represent, even from the perspective of our descendants, their entry into the Black Armor Guards is more beneficial than harmful."

Tao Jingxing continued, "Once selected for the Black Armor Guard, the cultivation resources they receive are far more abundant than those in Tao Family Village. Whether it's the resources they consume or the resources they receive for guidance and support, the Black Armor Guard has an advantage over us."

"and……"

At this point, Tao Jingxing lowered his voice and a look of anticipation appeared in his eyes: "Xia Yuanxing said that a total of one hundred Black Armor Guard reserve talents will be recruited in Kangyun County this time. If any of them perform well enough and show enough talent, they may even be sent to the Yuansheng Sect and become a true disciple of the Yuansheng Sect."

"Become a disciple of the Source Sect?!"

The elders' expressions changed, with Tao Jinglu even standing up abruptly: "Xia Yuanxing said it himself? Can this be taken seriously?"

"really."

Tao Jingxing smiled slightly.

This is absolutely amazing.

The Origin Sect is an existence that can only be looked up to from afar.

They represent the pinnacle of martial arts in this martial arts world, as well as the supreme power in Feiyun Prefecture.

If a descendant of the Tao family were to enter the Yuansheng Sect, Tao Family Village would experience an unprecedented period of prosperity.

"Great news! Great news!"

Tao Jingfang, who had remained expressionless until now, also showed a hint of excitement.

Seeing the constant shifts in everyone's attitudes, Tao Jingxing shook his head.

"But everyone, don't get too excited yet."

Tao Jingxing added, "According to Xia Yuanxing, of the one hundred people recruited this time, Taojiazhuang, Songjiazhuang, and Tanjiazhuang each have twenty slots, while the county town and other villages have forty slots. In the end, it is still unknown who will be able to enter the Yuansheng Sect."

"What a pity, what a pity, it would have been better if there were more spots available."

Those who had previously vehemently opposed the selection now want more young people from the village to be chosen.

The magnitude of this change in attitude is enough to demonstrate the prestige and influence of the Gensei Sect.

"Alright, that's enough for now," Tao Jingxing added. "The selection date is in a month. Everyone should go back and urge their descendants to seize the time and work hard to cultivate their martial arts, so as not to miss this opportunity."

"Understood, clan leader."

The crowd responded in unison.

……

The next day.

Xu Ning rested at home for a day.

"Xu Ning, Xu Ning!"

Xu Ning and Xu Lian were still tidying up the yard when they heard Guo Ye shouting.

Clang.

Guo Ye pushed open the courtyard gate directly.

"sister."

Guo Ye greeted Xu Lian first, then said to Xu Ning, "Big news, big news!"

"Guo Ye, wait a minute."

Xu Lian couldn't help but laugh at Guo Ye's impatient appearance.

"A notice was just posted in the village saying that the Black Armor Guard is recruiting in Taojiazhuang!"

Guo Ye looked excited.

"The Black Armor Guards are recruiting? Is that true?"

Before Xu Ning could respond, Xu Lian looked surprised.

Although Xu Lian hadn't entered Kangyun County since arriving in Taojiazhuang, she knew of the Black Armor Guard's formidable reputation.

In her eyes, the Black Armor Guards were figures even the village elders revered.

"Yes, Sister Lian!" Guo Ye said, "The Black Armor Guard is recruiting. With my martial arts talent, I don't have much of a chance, but Xu Ning, you have to seize this opportunity. If you get into the Black Armor Guard, I'll be very proud."

Upon hearing this, Xu Lian also became somewhat agitated. She turned to her younger brother and said, "Xu Ning, you must listen to Guo Ye and take this matter very seriously."

Xu Ning didn't say a word, but seeing the two of them like this, he found it somewhat amusing.

"Where's the notice? Take me there."

Xu Ning decided to go and see the notice in person.

"Come on, I'll take you there."

Guo Ye led Xu Ning to a notice board.

At this moment, the area around the notice board was packed with people, many of whom, like Xu Ning, had rushed over as soon as they heard the news.

The notice was blocked by heads, making it impossible to read the text.

"I never expected the Black Armor Guards to be recruiting in my Tao Family Village! This is wonderful!"

"Unfortunately, I'm already over eighteen this year, so I don't have the chance..."

"We definitely have to try; we can't miss this opportunity!"

"..."

The Tao clan members who read the notice did not leave; they remained there discussing it amongst themselves.

The expression on his face was exactly the same as Guo Ye's before.

The villagers of Taojiazhuang did not have as many considerations as the elders.

All they could think about was the opportunity to get ahead right now.

Xu Ning squeezed through the crowd with difficulty and saw the notice.

After quickly glancing through the information, Xu Ning was pushed aside to make way for others.

"Perhaps it's worth a try..."

Xu Ning also made up her mind.

According to the notice, the selection is open to young people aged fourteen to eighteen from Taojiazhuang.

There was no specific restriction that the selected candidates had to be surnamed Tao, so I, as someone with a different surname, should also have a chance.

Apart from that, the selection criteria were not mentioned. It was only said that a month later, Xia Yuanxing, one of the Black Armor Guards of Kangyun County, would personally lead a team to conduct the selection.

What excites Xu Ning most about this selection is the resources available to join the Black Armor Guard.

The notice stated that as long as one joins the Black Armor Guard, one will receive a continuous supply of resources from the Black Armor Guard, and will also have the right to choose whether to leave the Black Armor Guard in the future; the conditions are not harsh.

The only downside is that you can only leave the Black Armor Guard when you are forty years old, which is a bit long.

"The number of people to be selected this time is about twenty..." Xu Ning pondered. "The population of Taojiazhuang aged fourteen to eighteen is about two hundred. Roughly speaking, it should be about one in ten..."

"If the selection is based solely on strength, with my combination of the Bone and Tendon Realm and the Great Perfection of the Gale Blade Technique, it shouldn't be too difficult for me to be selected."

Seeing that Xu Ning was clearly interested, Guo Ye leaned closer and said, "You have a month to focus on your cultivation. If you need any resources, I'll tell my uncle and he'll collect them for you."

"Need not."

Xu Ning waved his hand, looking at Guo Ye who seemed even more anxious than himself: "Relax, it's good if you get selected, but it doesn't matter if you don't. Let nature take its course."

"You..."

Guo Ye shook his head, about to speak to persuade Xu Ning, when he suddenly noticed that the voices in the crowd were lowered.

A handsome, tall young man carrying a sword walked over.

Before the notice was posted, everyone consciously made way for it.

"Tao Qingyuan?"

Xu Ning's brow twitched.