Even though the rewards from the quests were incredibly tempting, Xuan Yi knew that completing them wouldn't be easy.
Starting with the main quest, he glanced at his two current disciples. Lin Zhiyin, the more promising of the two, had just broken through to the second level of the Qi Foundation Realm. As for Wang Hu... Xuan Yi shook his head slightly. Wang Hu was still stuck at the peak of the seventh level of Qi Condensation. It was uncertain whether he could even advance to the Soul Condensation Realm, much less fulfill the requirements of the quest.
But as Xuan Yi studied the details more carefully, realization dawned on him. The quest didn't demand that his disciple actually break through to the Soul Condensation Realm—it only required them to possess the combat strength of a Soul Condensation cultivator.
That subtle difference changed everything.
In the cultivation world, strength wasn't determined purely by one's realm. Many geniuses possessed battle prowess that far exceeded their cultivation level.
Lin Zhiyin had never had a proper master before. Now that she was under his wing, he could guide her with powerful techniques, offer her high-grade medicinal pills, and personally temper her skills. Her growth would inevitably accelerate under his tutelage.
Xuan Yi's lips curved into a faint smile."In that case, the main quest isn't as difficult as I thought."
But when his gaze shifted to the side quest, the smile faded slightly.
The side quest required him to have a disciple with an aptitude of over 100 points.
That... was a different beast entirely.
Xuan Yi frowned slightly as he recalled the sect's disciples he had observed. Even Bai Zisong—celebrated as the number one genius of the Profound Sword Sect—only had an aptitude of 92 points. If someone like Bai Zisong couldn't reach 100, then finding a disciple who could seemed almost impossible.
"I hope..." Xuan Yi muttered to himself, his gaze drifting toward the horizon, "...that today's reception ceremony doesn't disappoint."
Otherwise, he would have no choice but to personally venture out beyond the sect in search of a true prodigy.
—
The Profound Sword Sect's annual disciple recruitment ceremony was a grand event, not just for the sect, but for the entire Southern Province.
Geniuses from all corners of the Heavenly Wind Kingdom flocked to the sect in hopes of carving a better future for themselves.
The Heavenly Wind Kingdom itself was vast, divided into 108 provinces. The Profound Sword Sect was based in the Southern Province—a relatively remote region—but its influence here was undeniable.
Although not among the top powers, the Profound Sword Sect was formidable. The sect boasted four Nascent Soul experts, and the sect master, Jian Nantian, was himself at the peak of the second level of the Nascent Soul Realm.
That was no small feat.
The difference between the first and second levels of Nascent Soul was massive. In the entire Southern Province, most Nascent Soul cultivators barely touched the first or second level. Those at the third level were rare, and none had ever reached the fourth.
The fourth level marked the beginning of the mid-stage Nascent Soul Realm—a realm of strength that would dominate not just provinces, but entire regions. In the entire Southern Province, there wasn't a single cultivator who had reached that lofty height.
—
By the time Xuan Yi arrived at the sect's great square, it was already teeming with people.
The square buzzed with energy, filled with countless young cultivators—some accompanied by their clan elders, others standing alone with hopeful determination in their eyes.
The reception ceremony wasn't just a formality. It was a rare opportunity for these young talents to be chosen as personal disciples by the sect elders.
Of course, only a lucky few would be accepted as personal disciples. Most would, at best, join as Outer Sect disciples.
Yet even being accepted as an Outer Disciple of the Profound Sword Sect was enough to elevate one's status dramatically back home.
For many here, it was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to change their fate.
The majority of the young cultivators came from modest backgrounds. Children of powerful clans rarely bothered with the Profound Sword Sect. They had better options, such as the prestigious Imperial Academy of Tianfeng—known as the cradle of geniuses—or the ten great sects of the Heavenly Wind Kingdom.
Yet despite that, in the Southern Province, the Profound Sword Sect's name still carried immense weight.
Among the crowd, excited whispers filled the air.
"Look over there!" someone exclaimed, eyes wide with awe. "That middle-aged man in embroidered robes—that's Sect Master Jian Nantian himself!"
A hush fell momentarily as many turned to gaze upon Jian Nantian.
"A Nascent Soul expert..."
"I'm still struggling to break through the ninth level of the Soul Condensation Realm... I can't even imagine reaching Nascent Soul..." another muttered, his voice tinged with both envy and despair.
"That's nothing!" someone else laughed bitterly. "Our Fire Lion City doesn't even have a single Soul Condensation expert at the seventh level. Compared to the Profound Sword Sect, we're nothing!"
Excited conversations rippled through the square.
"Heard that the Sect Master isn't just any Nascent Soul cultivator—he's at the peak of the second level! Only a step away from breaking into the third level!"
"Seriously? If that's true, he must be one of the top cultivators in the entire Heavenly Wind Kingdom!"
Whether or not the rumors were entirely accurate didn't matter. In this world where the strong were revered, just the sight of so many powerful figures gathered in one place was enough to ignite the crowd's fervor.
For many, this was their first time seeing a Nascent Soul cultivator in person.
And to think—if they could just catch the attention of one of these powerful elders—they might change their fate forever.
Amidst the sea of hopefuls, a striking young woman stood, her delicate features set with fierce determination.
Her name was Gui Yiyi.
At seventeen years old, she was already a beauty who could turn heads. Her figure was graceful, her black hair flowing like a waterfall down her back. Yet it wasn't her looks that defined her—it was the quiet fire burning in her heart.
Gui Yiyi was the daughter of the head of the Gui Clan from Half Moon City—one of the three great clans of her city.
Despite her noble birth, she understood all too well that her status only held weight within the limited confines of Half Moon City.
Beyond that small world, she was nobody.
No one would care about her lineage or titles. Strength was the only currency that mattered.
It had taken Gui Yiyi and her clan's younger generation nearly two weeks to journey from Half Moon City to the Profound Sword Sect. The path was arduous and filled with peril, but she had braved it willingly.
She had a dream.
"If I can become a disciple of the Profound Sword Sect," she thought, clutching the token her father had given her tightly, "then no one will dare look down on the Gui Clan again. Even the Witherwood Gate will think twice before opposing us."
The Witherwood Gate—an upstart power near Half Moon City—had been putting increasing pressure on the Gui Clan. Threats, sabotage, and underhanded schemes were becoming more frequent. Her clan's future was grim without strong backing.
But if she succeeded today...
Gui Yiyi's eyes gleamed with stubborn hope as she gazed at the elders standing high above the crowd.
Among them stood Xuan Yi, his robes fluttering gently in the breeze, his expression calm and detached.
To Gui Yiyi, he looked almost otherworldly—like a sword that had been sheathed yet still exuded an aura sharp enough to cut through mountains.
She didn't know his name.
Not yet.
But in her heart, she vowed silently:"If fate allows it, I will become your disciple."
—
High above, on the platform reserved for the Profound Sword Sect's elders, Xuan Yi scanned the crowd with mild interest.
He could feel the intense gazes of countless young hopefuls, filled with yearning and ambition.
But he wasn't here just to admire the scene.
He needed a disciple.
A disciple with aptitude surpassing 100 points.
His sea of consciousness stirred lightly, the system's golden interface flashing faintly in his mind, waiting, expectant.
Would one of these countless youths be the one he was searching for?
The grand ceremony was about to begin.
And with it, perhaps the first step toward a future that would shake the Shen Xuan Landmass itself.