Chapter 67: A Request

Chen Xiao had always been curious about one thing, and now was the perfect opportunity to ask Immortal Master Xi. He said, "How did the Chongxuan Sect get to Fan Village to select disciples? It's so far from Hanshan City, and there are many barriers separating it from the Chongxuan Sect's region. How does your sect decide where to select disciples?"

Immortal Master Xi replied, "Sects usually select disciples every ten years. Each time, a team is sent out to explore lower-tier heavens. After arriving, they go to the local 'Zhishi Hall' to consult the map directory. They eliminate areas that have already been visited by other sects within the past ten years, copy the list of available locations, and then visit each one."

"Huh?" Chen Xiao was surprised. "Zhishi Hall even registers small villages like Fan Village?"

Immortal Master Xi nodded. "That's right. This directory has been compiled over many years. Some places have faded away, while new ones have been added. It’s because of this directory that sects save a lot of effort in recruiting disciples. In the past, students had to travel to a sect’s location to wait for selection, but that came with major drawbacks: long and dangerous journeys, and often, the barriers between the heavens prevented them from reaching their desired sect. On the sect's side, it was also difficult to find gifted candidates without a clear destination, wasting time and effort."

By now, they had reached the house where they were staying. It was already late, but the family hadn’t closed the door, waiting for them to return. After thanking the host, the two of them entered. Since they hadn't finished their conversation, Immortal Master Xi sat on a chair in Chen Xiao’s room, waiting for Chen Xiao to light a lamp before continuing their discussion.

Immortal Master Xi said, "As Zhishi Hall grew larger, it provided a very convenient route for cultivators. There was even a sect offering a reward for a list of locations. The sect's requirements weren’t strict: as long as the location had previous cultivators and their descendants, it could be registered."

Not wanting Chen Xiao to misunderstand, Immortal Master Xi took the initiative to explain, "That's because when a cultivator appears in a family, there’s a much higher chance that their descendants will possess spiritual roots compared to other places."

Chen Xiao understood well. Although the main backgrounds might differ, the role of family heritage was probably similar in its effect.

Immortal Master Xi continued, "Because of the convenience provided by Zhishi Hall, major sects have adhered to the established rules for many years. Wherever they go, they must inform the local cultivating force in advance. They don’t randomly take large numbers of disciples from someone else's territory without notice. In the Gengsheng Lesser Heaven, the local governing force is Hanshan City. As for the smaller areas below, local powers have the right to select disciples first to replenish the local cultivation families. Areas registered with Zhishi Hall cannot refuse a sect’s visit for recruitment."

Xi Yunqing was unbothered by the astonished expressions and gazes of those around him. Calmly, he took a plate of mixed vegetables from the table and said, "The Fasting Pill was only necessary when I was in the mountains to facilitate my cultivation. Now that I’m out for training, there's no need to use it anymore." He added, "I didn’t eat it a few days ago simply because the effects of the last one hadn’t worn off yet."

Tong Nuonuo suddenly realized, and immediately began recommending the dishes on the table to Xi Yunqing. "This one is particularly delicious. It was freshly picked this morning." Chen Xiao closed his mouth. Xi Yunqing’s decision made perfect sense, and he felt that it was the others who were overreacting.

Chen Xiao took a sip of the golden porridge on the table and then grabbed a small, round steamed bun to eat. He found the breakfast unusually fragrant today. Whether it was the mixed vegetables, the porridge, or the steamed bun, they were all of a much higher quality than what he had experienced before.

Du Rong was still sharing a bed with Ah Shou. Since Ah Shou’s bed was large enough, Du Rong hadn’t bothered to find a place to stay in another villager's house. The two rough men didn’t mind, and they made do with what they had. Having spent so much time in this house, Du Rong knew a lot of things that Chen Xiao wasn’t aware of.

Seeing how much Chen Xiao was enjoying the food, Du Rong turned to him and said, "These villagers are quite thoughtful. Not only did they prepare a hearty meal last night as a thank-you, but they even specially sent these dishes over this morning. The taste is much better than what the neighbor usually makes."

Ah Shou chuckled and replied, "Brother Du, I'm glad you like it. To thank you, the village chief and the elders already discussed it and decided that a few of the village women with good cooking skills will take turns delivering meals."

Du Rong laughed heartily. "We’re truly benefiting from Immortal Master Xi’s favor."

The simple but delicious breakfast was finished, and before long, a few women arrived to clean up the remnants. The group sat in the courtyard and discussed how long they would stay in the village.

With the pills given by Xi Yunqing, Wu Qing’s injuries were improving day by day. He was starting to feel sensation in his limbs, and once he took another dose of the medicine, he would be able to sit up. The amount of pills Xi Yunqing had provided was enough to help Wu Qing stand and move. As for the more nourishing rest pills, Xi Yunqing hadn’t given them, and Wu Qing didn’t ask for them. While Xi Yunqing was willing to help, he was not the type to overextend himself. Wu Qing understood this well and harbored no resentment.

With the small bottle of Restorative Pills that Tong Nuonuo had given him earlier, Wu Qing’s internal injuries and meridians were almost healed. He was optimistic, thinking that once the group exposed the wicked Immortal Master Li, the Zhishi Hall would send a Nascent Soul cultivator to take action. At that point, the victims, including himself, would likely receive compensation. With that money, Wu Qing could buy more Restorative Pills and fully recover.

After calculating how long they would stay in the village for about twenty more days, everyone felt that the time was quite long and began making plans for things to do. Immortal Master Xi didn’t like to idle around, so he decided to find a quiet spot to practice or meditate each day. Chen Xiao had other plans and told Du Rong that he would go up the mountain. Tong Nuonuo, being directionally challenged, naturally followed wherever the others went. Wherever Chen Xiao went, he would follow.

After they decided on their individual plans, they were about to head out when Ah Shou, who had been sitting restlessly on the side, suddenly stood up. He rushed to Xi Yunqing and performed the most formal and respectful bow. Kneeling on the ground, he placed his hands on the floor and lowered his head, pressing his forehead firmly to the ground.

No matter how much he had neglected his cultivation, Ah Shou still had the foundational strength of a cultivator with the ability to establish a foundation. However, due to his long-term neglect, his cultivation had regressed, even though his realm hadn’t dropped. Du Rong could tell that Ah Shou was barely stronger than himself, which reflected just how poor his current situation was. However, even with this, Ah Shou had already bowed before Xi Yunqing before Chen Xiao had even fully processed the situation.

Du Rong blinked in surprise. Once he realized what was happening, he exclaimed, "Ah Shou, what are you doing?"

Ah Shou didn’t respond to Du Rong’s question, but instead continued with his respectful bow. His voice, muffled from the position, reached the group’s ears as he spoke: "Immortal Master Xi, I, Chang Shou, beg you to accept me as your disciple and let me join the Chongxuan Sect."

Chen Xiao, standing nearby, clearly saw the slight smile on Xi Yunqing’s lips. He immediately felt a surge of joy in his heart. It seemed that Ah Shou’s performance had pleased Immortal Master Xi. After over twenty years of neglect, Ah Shou had finally found the resolve to seek out a chance and request to join the immortal sect.