C7 Recruiting Disciples Light Spirit Body(2)

Disciples from various sects watched in awe as Lee Qian led a man and a woman toward them. Lee Qian was a well-known figure, the steward of the City Lord Mansion and a formidable expert at the Eighth Layer of the Body Refining Stage. Even our own Sect Master would show him great respect. His personal presence here suggested significant strength and influence.

Zhang Jin had already departed from the City Lord Mansion, eager to instruct his sect disciples to steer clear of the Profound Heaven Sect.

Chen Feng observed the sizable crowd following him and noted the importance of connections.

"Sect Master Chen, this area will serve as the recruitment ground for your sect's disciples. I trust that today you will find a disciple who meets your expectations," Lee Qian said.

He promptly directed his servants to set up the necessary items: a shed, a table, a chair, and a sign bearing the name of the Profound Heaven Sect. Though modest, the setup was fully equipped.

"Your assistance is much appreciated, Butler Lee. Rest assured, should you need my help in the future, I will not hesitate to offer it," Chen Feng responded, bowing slightly. Recognizing Lee Qian's cooperation, he knew he must reciprocate generously when the time came.

Lee Qian, satisfied with Chen Feng's response, nodded and departed with his entourage.

The onlookers, recognizing the Profound Heaven Sect's name on the sign, breathed a sigh of relief. The Profound Heaven Sect's reputation was well known; since the demise of their previous sect master, the sect had seen better days. Any sect elder could potentially outmatch the Profound Heaven Sect, yet given Lee Qian's involvement, they knew to report back to their respective sect elders dutifully.

...

Upon returning to the City Lord Mansion, Lee Qian made his way directly to the study. After ensuring no one was around, he twisted a vase on the bookshelf, revealing a hidden underground passage. He entered without hesitation.

The passage was surprisingly well-lit, with luminous pearls adorning the walls. Lee Qian proceeded to the innermost part of the secret chamber and stood in solemn silence, careful not to disturb the individual within.

After a considerable wait, a voice emanated from within.

"Enter!" The voice resonated with authority.

Lee Qian straightened his attire and pushed the door open, stepping inside with a respectful bow. "City Lord."

Lee Tongxuan opened his eyes to briefly survey Lee Qian before closing them again, and said indifferently, "Knowing that I'm in seclusion, you must have a significant reason to interrupt. Speak your piece."

Lee Qian gathered his thoughts before speaking,

"Today, Sect Elder Zhang Jin from the Mountain Leaning Sect arrived with a man and a woman, seeking to join our sect recruitment."

"The man is Chen Feng of the Profound Heaven Sect, and the woman is his disciple, Lu Xueqi."

Lee Tongxuan opened his eyes to regard Lee Qian, "I'm somewhat familiar with the Profound Heaven Sect. By now, it hardly qualifies as a Grade Nine Sect. Given your disposition, you wouldn't bother me over such a matter."

As the City Lord of Essence Opening City, Lee Tongxuan was well-acquainted with the surrounding sects, including the Profound Heaven Sect.

Lee Qian added, "You see clearly, Sect Master. I certainly wouldn't have come otherwise."

Noticing no sign of anger on the City Lord's face, Lee Qian breathed a sigh of relief, "I'm aware of the Profound Heaven Sect's circumstances, but these two are extraordinary. The woman has reached the Body Refining Peak, and I'm unable to discern Chen Feng's full capabilities, though I estimate he possesses the strength of the Golden Core Stage."

"Moreover, the young woman is only sixteen or seventeen, and Chen Feng is about twenty."

"What?"

Lee Tongxuan was taken aback, his Golden Core Stage presence filling the room. At thirty, he had just advanced to Golden Core Level Six, a feat that marked him as a prodigy in the Royal Capital.

It appeared that City Lord Lee Tongxuan's true level was not the Golden Core Level Three as rumored, but Golden Core Level Six. More crucially, this individual had an impressive heritage, likely of royal blood.

Feeling overwhelmed as if by a great mountain, Lee Qian found it hard to catch his breath. He knelt down, bowing his head, struggling against the overwhelming aura of the City Lord.

The City Lord cast a glance at Lee Qian, who was kneeling before him, and withdrew his imposing presence. He spoke, "This is no trivial matter. To reach the Golden Core Stage by the age of twenty is an achievement only the eldest prince of the Royal Capital and the Eldest True Inheritance Disciple of the Divine Martial Sect have managed. And to possess the talent of the Body Refining Peak at merely sixteen or seventeen is equally impressive. If I could bring him over to our side, it would elevate my power to a whole new level."

Lee Qian mopped the sweat from his brow, noting the City Lord's increased prowess. He suspected that the City Lord had advanced to the fourth level of the Golden Core Stage, unaware that he had actually reached Golden Core Level Six.

A wave of joy surged in Lee Qian's heart; the stronger the City Lord became, the more prestigious his own position would grow.

"Afterward, I personally took them to complete their registration. The recruitment spot for the sect disciples is in the prime location, with the largest population."

"This spot was initially reserved for the Blazing Fire Sect, but they turned their noses up at the recruitment event organized by Essence Opening City, so we offered it to the Profound Heaven Sect instead. It's a perfect opportunity to gauge the Profound Heaven Sect's capabilities."

"Hmph! The Blazing Fire Sect, despite being a mere Grade Two sect, dares to be so defiant. If I find any fault with them, I won't hesitate to send my troops and obliterate them."

Sect forces have always been a thorn in the kingdom's side. Without any missteps from them, the kingdom cannot act against them openly, for fear of committing a grave offense. A united front from the sects worldwide would be insurmountable, even for a mighty kingdom, not to mention the formidable Divine Martial Sect.

Observing his subordinate, the City Lord appreciated his shrewdness and efficiency in handling affairs, which saved him considerable worry.

As the steward of the City Lord Mansion, he was a trusted confidant. It was only fitting to reward him and bolster his strength a bit, for he also represented the City Lord's image in public, and it wouldn't do to appear weak.

"You've handled this matter excellently; I'll credit you for your efforts." With that, City Lord Lee Tongxuan produced a pill and handed it to Lee Qian, speaking with a measured tone.

"This pill is a reward for you. Once you take it, you should be able to break through to Body Refining Level Nine."

Lee Qian accepted the pill with a face beaming with delight. A One-pattern Middle Grade Body Refining Pill was worth no less than twenty thousand taels of silver on the market, and it wasn't always available. Consuming this pill would undoubtedly enable him to reach Body Refining Level Nine.

Pills without patterns were considered low grade, One-pattern for Middle Grade, Two-pattern for high grade, and Three-pattern for the highest grade.

Typically, ordinary martial artists used patternless pills, while those with patterns were mainly controlled by large families and sects. The emergence of a Two-pattern Pill could cause major powers to fight tooth and nail for it. The Purple Chu Kingdom had never even considered a Three-pattern Pill, but one could imagine how valuable a One-pattern Pill was.

Lee Qian knelt down and fervently kowtowed, saying, "I am deeply grateful for the City Lord's nurturing grace. I will dedicate myself wholeheartedly to the tasks ahead."

The City Lord grunted in acknowledgment and dismissed him with a wave, "Stand up and withdraw."

...

Chen Feng sat in his chair, with Lu Xueqi standing behind him.

His eyes continuously swept over the surroundings, and his Insight Eye scanned the registering disciples without pause. Those with inferior talent couldn't even muster the courage to meet his gaze.

Name: Zhang Jin

Strength: Body Refining Level One

Bone Root: 5 (Maximum: 10)

Wisdom: 5 (Maximum: 10)

Predestined Blessing: 5 (Maximum: 10)

Willpower: 5 (Maximum: 10)

Note: A Third-rate Talent. This individual possesses extremely poor aptitude and is not worth the investment for cultivation. He does not merit recruitment into the sect.

A Third-rate Talent averages a score of 6, Second-rate at 7, First-rate at 8, Top Talent at 9, and a Peerless Talent requires scores of 10 in at least two categories, while a Demon Talent must score a perfect 10 in all.

Name: Li Si

Strength: Body Refining Level Two

Bone Root: 6 (Maximum: 10)

Wisdom: 6 (Maximum: 10)

Predestined Blessing: 5 (Maximum: 10)

Willpower: 6 (Maximum: 10)

Note: A lower-class genius. This individual possesses extremely poor talent and is not worth cultivating.

The system's standards remain as high as ever. How could there be so many geniuses in the small Essence Opening City? According to the system, only those who are at least Third-rate Talents are eligible for recruitment into the sect.

Nevertheless, Chen Feng is confident that with the ability to recruit disciples, even the least promising can be transformed into geniuses. This is due to his possession of the Tendon Altering Marrow Cleansing Sutra, which can alter an individual's talent and Bone Root. Moreover, the system also provides the Marrow Cleansing Pill.