"Junior Brother's cultivation seems to have improved recently." Zheng Shijiu commented politely as they waited for the other two.
"Not as much as Senior Brother Zheng." Jiang Hao replied courteously.
In the past, Zheng Shijiu would always maintain a composed and elegant demeanor when facing someone like Jiang Hao, who was at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment. However, since the incident at the demon cave, he felt a bit insecure and dared not underestimate the person before him.
"Did Junior Brother Jiang achieve victory at the mid-stage Foundation Establishment?" Xin Yuyue inquired.
"Yes, I took away that seed," Jiang Hao nodded in response.
"Junior Brother Jiang is indeed cautious." Even Zheng Shijiu had to admire him.
Xin Yuyue felt it was a pity. If it was the Heavenly Star Spirit Technique, she would have wanted to purchase it at a high price. However, she heard that it was taken by Ning Wanping from Law Enforcement Peak, making it difficult to obtain in exchange.
It was surprising to many that Ning Wanping secured the Heavenly Star Spirit Technique. He was actually the fifth to select treasures.
Jiang Hao's victory reaffirmed to both Xin Yuyue and Zheng Shijiu that this person could not be provoked.
After a brief chat, a woman carrying a giant sword approached from afar. She wasn't tall, but the sword on her back was particularly noticeable.
She recognized Zheng Shijiu at a glance and approached politely:
"Luo Yue from the Horizontal Waterfall, sorry to have kept you waiting."
"We just arrived as well," Zheng Shijiu replied with a smile. "Aren't you tired carrying such a sword, Junior Sister Luo?"
"Just part of my training," Luo Yue answered.
Jiang Hao glanced at her and lost interest quickly. She appeared calm and not talkative, and her aura suggested she was also at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.
Soon, a bald man approached from afar. He was muscular, with prominent cheekbones and a slightly fierce expression.
Feng Baifei of the Hundred Bone Forest, late-stage Foundation Establishment.
When Jiang Hao looked at him, he also looked back with a hint of provocation.
Once everyone had arrived, the five of them flew on their swords to recruit new disciples.
The recruitment was to take place at the foot of another high peak.
As they flew, they passed over a deep abyss shrouded in clouds.
At that moment, the four of them flew over the abyss, the sea of clouds beneath them roiling, making them all a bit wary.
"I heard a giant crocodile spirit beast is raised by the sect below; falling would be extremely dangerous," Zheng Shijiu said with some apprehension, looking at the clouds below.
Jiang Hao had heard of it but had never seen that giant crocodile. He hadn't heard of it coming up either. There were people who had gone down, but no one reported seeing the crocodile.
"I heard some people were accidentally eaten by the crocodile, alarming the Law Enforcement Hall," Luo Yue from the Horizontal Waterfall said.
An accidental meal wasn't a good thing, even if the Law Enforcement Hall got involved, it was still very dangerous.
The five people accelerated and swiftly passed through the cloud and mist-shrouded abyss.
Before long, they arrived at the mountain peak where a plaza awaited them, though there weren't many people there at the moment.
Only an early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator was waiting for them.
"Greetings to the five Senior Brothers," Miao Xing greeted respectfully.
Miao Xing appeared to be in his thirties or forties, having lost hope of advancing further, so he took care of some tasks for the outer sect, a somewhat respectable position.
"Junior Brother Miao is too polite. Are the people ready?" Zheng Shijiu asked with a smile, appearing familiar with the recruitment process.
"Yes, just waiting for the five Senior Brothers to oversee it," Miao Xing replied with a nod.
Jiang Hao and his group's weakest member was at mid-stage Foundation Establishment and were all quite young, a stark contrast which Miao Xing was well aware of.
"Junior Brother Jiang seems a bit unfamiliar with the process." Zheng Shijiu looked at Jiang Hao and explained:
"Normally, recruiting new members is handled by some Junior Brothers from the outer sect. We only need to finalize things on the day of the examination.
Recruiting disciples generally falls into two categories. One tests talent. If the talent is sufficient, we accept them. If the talent falls short, we test endurance, and if it's passable, they can be admitted. Of course, Junior Brother could recommend entry into the outer sect if deemed suitable. Now everyone is gathered at the mountain's base, we need to evaluate their talents and ensure there's no falsification."
"I see," Jiang Hao nodded.
"I wonder what the quality is like this year," Feng Baifei from the Hundred Bone Forest expressed his curiosity.
The others were curious too. Every time new disciples were selected, excitement brewed.
If they discovered a disciple with outstanding aptitude, they would immediately bring them back to their lineage, earning significant merit.
Therefore, tasks like recruiting disciples were seen as beneficial by many.
The only fear was bringing back troublemakers.
From the mountain peak, looking down, Jiang Hao saw a large number of people gathered below.
"This time, there are 2,656 registrants, with 2,632 present," Miao Xing explained from the side.
With over two thousand people, Jiang Hao couldn't immediately distinguish who had exceptional talent, though most weren't above average, even compared to himself.
He considered his talent above average, already quite decent.
"Let's go down and test their aptitude," Luo Yue from the Horizontal Waterfall showed interest.
Jiang Hao agreed, aside from the occasional harsh looks from the Hundred Bone Forest senior brother. So far, things were going smoothly.
He believed that nobody would cause trouble during the recruitment of disciples since their teachers surely instructed them to bring back recruits.
An accident would surely bring regret upon returning.
So everyone preferred things go smoothly, holding off any grudges for later, especially since there were none to speak of.
As for the Hundred Bone Forest folks, they were likely hostile because the Law Enforcement Hall couldn't find the culprit and thus suspected the most likely one—which was Jiang Hao himself.
Actually, whatever happened to Ming Zuoqian was merely because they had gone too far, but it seemed the Hundred Bone Forest people didn't self-reflect.
The six of them flew down on their swords, landing at the forefront of the plaza, drawing exclamations from the crowd below.
Most gazed up, full of longing.
Jiang Hao understood their feelings. He also yearned for sword flight when newly joined.
But to reach that point, one must first strive to survive.
Testing talent comprised two parts. First, was testing affinity with spiritual energy using a jade slip. The greater the affinity, the faster one could absorb spiritual energy, indicating an innate talent that was hard to change. The second involved reciting the Heart Sutra, testing comprehension.
Only by passing these two could a disciple be considered ready for cultivation.
Based on this, a preliminary assessment of their suitability for cultivation was made.
Led by Zheng Shijiu, Jiang Hao and others sat aside, waiting for the candidates below to test their affinity with spiritual energy.
With only ten jade slips, they had to test them ten by ten.
With over two thousand people, it would take just a morning.
The jade slips had seven levels, reaching the third level granted eligibility for the outer sect.
Those reaching one or two levels needed further assessment of comprehension and perseverance.
If none of the levels lit up, they were considered without the chance of immortality.
Once Miao Xing gave the order, those queued below began ascending ten by ten.
They just needed to hold the jade slip steady.
In the first batch of ten, only one person achieved the third level.
Xin Yuyue asked for his name and recorded it.
Jiang Hao noticed the joy in that person's eyes. For these people, the reputation of the Heavenly Sound Sect as a Demonic Sect was of no concern.
"Next batch," Miao Xing continued.
This time, a small, clumsy girl approached. Upon seeing her, Jiang Hao's pupils contracted.
It wasn't that he knew her, but that based on his instincts, there was something extraordinary about her.