Among the three sects, Han Li’s first choice was not “Falling Cloud Sect,” but rather the “Hundred Artifacts Academy,” renowned in the cultivation world for crafting magical artifacts.
This sect not only had its own unique cultivation techniques but also boasted disciples highly skilled in forging various grades of magical artifacts. Moreover, the sect possessed several legendary methods for crafting top-tier magical treasures. For instance, the original form of the “Qiankun Tower” talisman treasure, once owned by the Yan Family—the foremost clan of the former Yue Kingdom—was a famous artifact crafted using one of these methods.
This intrigued Han Li. However, regrettably, this sect’s recruitment of disciples resembled the practices of the Seven Sects of Yue Kingdom, primarily accepting disciples from established cultivation families and rarely opening its doors to outsiders. Furthermore, the sect was essentially controlled by a coalition of five powerful cultivation families, occupying a mountain range in the western part of Yunmeng Mountain. This left Han Li somewhat disappointed, forcing him to abandon the idea.
The “Ancient Sword Sect,” as its name suggested, specialized in sword techniques. Whether it was magical artifacts or treasures, they were all variations of swords in different sizes. Their signature technique, the “Great White Sword Art,” was renowned throughout Xi Kingdom for its unparalleled sharpness.
Unlike the Hundred Artifacts Academy, the Ancient Sword Sect did not exclusively recruit disciples from cultivation families; it also accepted young rogue cultivators. However, their sword techniques demanded exceptionally high innate talent. Those with slightly inferior spiritual roots were essentially barred from mastering the sect’s techniques. Consequently, despite frequent recruitment, the sect had the fewest disciples among the three.
Yet, once an Ancient Sword Sect disciple achieved significant cultivation progress, their overwhelming offensive prowess made them unmatched among peers of the same level. Thus, they were the strongest of the three sects and naturally occupied the main mountain range of Yunmeng Mountain.
The remaining “Falling Cloud Sect,” in some ways, bore similarities to the Hundred Artifacts Academy. Their cultivation techniques were diverse but lacked refinement, though they were highly reputed for alchemy.
The legendary “Stabilizing Spirit Pill” could only be refined by a few elders of this sect in Xi Kingdom. Despite being significantly weaker in overall strength compared to the other two sects, the Falling Cloud Sect managed to establish itself in the eastern part of Yunmeng Mountain.
Among the three sects, the Falling Cloud Sect had the most lenient entry requirements and recruited the most disciples.
Essentially, the sect had only two conditions for recruitment: either possessing decent spiritual roots and potential, which made them eager to accept, or having a solid foundation in cultivation, with basic techniques mastered to a high level. Even if their spiritual roots were poor, they would still be admitted.
After all, aside from alchemy, the Falling Cloud Sect also dabbled in talisman-making, formations, and other miscellaneous arts, all of which required a large number of low-level disciples to sustain.
Some rogue cultivators with modest cultivation levels, aware that their poor spiritual roots offered little future in a cultivation sect—likely relegating them to low-level status forever—nonetheless, like Han Li, sought refuge under the sect’s umbrella. Many such individuals ended up joining the Falling Cloud Sect.
Given these circumstances, the Falling Cloud Sect’s relaxed recruitment policies, coupled with the allure of the “Stabilizing Spirit Pill,” made it the most suitable choice for Han Li.
After some hesitation and learning that the sect would soon recruit new disciples, Han Li made up his mind. Without informing Zi Ling and the other woman of his plans, he prepared briefly and set off.
After waiting at the foot of the mountain for a few days, as the recruitment date approached, the number of Qi Refinement cultivators from various regions swelled. Han Li leisurely appeared on the stone path leading up the mountain.
By now, Han Li had been walking slowly for about an hour from the base of the mountain. This wasn’t due to the mountain’s height but rather because the path was enchanted with rudimentary illusions, likely intended by the Falling Cloud Sect to test the patience of aspiring disciples.
After all, no matter how lenient their recruitment, the sect wouldn’t admit those unwilling to endure even this minor trial.
Ahead of Han Li, a group of male and female cultivators noticed the peculiarities of the path. After murmuring among themselves, they seemed to deduce the trick and continued forward without further concern.
These individuals appeared to know each other and paid no attention to Han Li, who followed them indifferently.
After another half-hour on the stone path, they finally reached the end of the steps. The young cultivators hurried ahead eagerly, while Han Li calmly ascended the final step and surveyed the scene before him.
A vast platform, over a hundred zhang wide, lay before them. Apart from an unremarkable pavilion opposite, the surroundings were shrouded in white mist, seemingly empty. In front of the pavilion, dozens of cultivators in varied attire sat cross-legged, none daring to enter. The group that had arrived with Han Li silently joined the crowd.
Han Li’s expression remained unchanged, but inwardly, he sneered. While the Qi Refinement rogue cultivators might see nothing amiss, his spiritual sense easily pierced through the illusion.
The so-called pavilion was, in fact, a grand white jade tower, with a plaque bearing the golden characters “Hall of Illusory Clouds.” At the tower’s entrance, beneath the plaque, stood three individuals, casually pointing and commenting on the oblivious Qi Refinement cultivators.
Shielded by the illusion array, they made no effort to conceal their actions.
Among the three, two were at the early Foundation Establishment stage, and one at the mid-stage. They were likely the Falling Cloud Sect disciples assigned to receive the newcomers.
Han Li silently took a seat at the edge of the crowd, lowering his head and closing his eyes as if meditating. Yet, his spiritual sense enveloped the trio, allowing him to eavesdrop on their conversation effortlessly.
“Senior Brother Qiu! Though the time hasn’t arrived yet, the number of rogue cultivators seeking entry seems fewer than expected, and over half appear unqualified. Some barely have seven or eight layers of basic cultivation yet dare to come. Do they truly believe our Falling Cloud Sect accepts anyone?” A fair-skinned youth in his late twenties pointed at a few individuals in the crowd, his tone laced with dissatisfaction.
“What can we do? We just recruited a batch three years ago. Having this many now is already decent. Besides, last time, Elder Jin was short on hands, so a few fellow disciples had to make an exception and admit two rogue cultivators with only eight layers of Qi Refinement. Naturally, this gave outsiders the impression that our entry threshold had lowered, attracting those hoping for luck,” replied the middle-aged man addressed as “Senior Brother Qiu.” Clad in a white robe, he had a stern, square face and piercing eyes, exuding the aura of a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator.
“However, this time, we won’t be lenient. The recent batch of low-level disciples, whether in cultivation or spiritual roots, has been abysmal. A sect elder even complained to the sect master. Thus, under the sect master’s orders, we prioritize quality over quantity this time,” chimed in the other spirited youth with a smirk.
“Quality over quantity? If so, we’d be lucky to recruit ten disciples. Most here will have to return empty-handed,” the fair-skinned youth remarked disdainfully, scanning the rogue cultivators.
“Junior Brother Liu, don’t underestimate them. There might be hidden talents among these rogue cultivators. Take Junior Brother Sun Huo, for instance. He joined as a rogue cultivator and reached Foundation Establishment in just five or six years. While his suitable technique and a rewarded Foundation Establishment Pill played a role, his exceptional talent was key,” Senior Brother Qiu retorted, casting a sidelong glance at the Liu youth, who hailed from a prominent cultivation family.
“Cough! Senior Brother is right. My words were inappropriate,” the fair-skinned youth hastily conceded, forcing a smile, as if wary of Senior Brother Qiu.
“Junior Brother Liu…” Senior Brother Qiu seemed about to say more, but Han Li lost interest and withdrew his spiritual sense, focusing on resting.
Having concealed his aura, he appeared as a typical Qi Refinement tenth-layer cultivator—a level that should secure his entry into the Falling Cloud Sect without issue.
Over the next few hours, more cultivators ascended the mountain path. By sunset, nearly a hundred Qi Refinement cultivators had gathered on the platform, mostly young men and women, with a few middle-aged individuals of higher cultivation.
Suddenly, the pavilion before them erupted in a blaze of red light, vanishing to reveal a towering jade pavilion over ten zhang high, with three figures standing before it.
“Welcome, fellow cultivators, to the Falling Cloud Sect! We, your humble seniors, will oversee today’s disciple selection. Listen carefully to my words, and ensure you miss nothing,” Senior Brother Qiu declared, his sharp gaze sweeping across the crowd with composed authority.
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