Chapter 326 - 320: Canglan Sect Entry Level Assessment

Chapter 326: Chapter 320: Canglan Sect Entry Level Assessment

Time flew, and half a month passed in the blink of an eye. Zhang Chi spent most of this period cultivating in his room, only occasionally venturing out to check on local prices or to look at the Task Jade Pendant in the City Lord’s Mansion.

’Wanted: a cultivator named Zhang Chi. Suspected Cultivation: Nascent Soul Early Stage. Possesses a powerful Flying Sword Magical Treasure. This cultivator has also mastered Tier Three Peak Alchemy and previously cultivated in seclusion at Qin Mountain Oasis, a subordinate of Golden Wind Oasis?’

Then, one day, Zhang Chi was surprised to find a new bounty posted on the City Lord’s Mansion Task Jade Pendant.

This bounty was for him.

It even included a portrait.

The portrait was shockingly lifelike—it was a perfect depiction of him. Not only were his features and build exact, but even his aura was captured flawlessly.

The bounty had been issued by the Hundred Flowers Palace.

It wasn’t just on the Task Jade Pendant; notices had been posted in other conspicuous places as well.

Like the city gates and the entrance to the Marketplace.

Furthermore, even providing a useful lead was rewarded with ten million Low Grade Spirit Stones.

Killing or capturing him alive, upon confirmation, would yield an even greater reward: three Nascent Soul Materials or a Nascent Soul Pill.

Of course, one could also opt for other rewards of equivalent value, such as an Upper Grade Magical Treasure or Tier Four Cultivation Materials.

’Tsk, tsk. I’m actually worth this much. If I didn’t already have enough Nascent Soul Materials, I’d consider turning myself in.’

Zhang Chi couldn’t help but mock the situation inwardly.

Fortunately, he had changed his appearance long ago, so he wasn’t the least bit panicked.

Besides, he guessed this information was what the Hundred Flowers Palace had obtained before his Turtle Shell Divination Skill had been upgraded.

At first, they must have thought they had a chance of catching him, which was why they hadn’t issued a public bounty.

Doing so would have meant tipping their hand and alerting him.

As for now, they had clearly run out of options. They couldn’t divine any new leads, so they had resorted to this crude measure.

Furthermore, based on the bounty’s details, it was clear the Hundred Flowers Palace suspected he was the one who killed their Nascent Soul Cultivator.

However, the bounty didn’t mention this. Instead, it claimed he had stolen a supreme treasure from the Hundred Flowers Palace.

This way, even cultivators who didn’t care about the official reward would be motivated by the prospect of obtaining the treasure for themselves.

And indeed, many cultivators were showing great interest in the bounty.

Later, Zhang Chi returned to his temporary cave mansion and saw Zheng Hongping and her group again.

They were still drinking tea under the large tree, but their group had grown to over a dozen people.

Most of these cultivators were at the Golden Core Peak, with a few at the Golden Core Late Stage. Assembled, they represented a considerable force.

Zhang Chi, however, didn’t think much of them. The alliance’s recruitment seemed far too casual.

Besides, all these cultivators shared the same goal. When the time came, there would inevitably be irreconcilable conflicts over the opportunity for Nascent Soul Formation.

But that was none of his concern.

’Still,’ he thought, ’that Waste Nascent Soul Pill... if I’m ever in desperate need of Spirit Stones in the future, I could consider selling it to them.’

’They’d surely be able to pool their resources and offer a high price.’

Of course, his first priority would be to keep the Wasted Pills in case an old friend ever needed one.

Even if he did decide to sell, it wouldn’t be now. He’d at least wait until after he reached the Nascent Soul realm.

Zheng Hongping and her group merely glanced at Zhang Chi as he passed, then paid him no further mind.

SWOOSH!

Just then, three streaks of Escape Light suddenly flew over. They ignored the Array and landed directly in the middle of the courtyard.

The Escape Lights faded to reveal three cultivators, all of them powerful Nascent Soul Early Stage Cultivators.

One was City Lord Wu. The other two were elderly men, both Elders of the Canglan Sect.

"Everyone, thank you for waiting. Are you all prepared? The sect’s higher-ups have arrived. The assessment is about to begin."

"Those of you in seclusion, please come out. For those who are away, I’ll trouble you all to notify them."

"If you miss this opportunity, you’ll have to wait until next month. Miss it three times in a row, and you will be required to leave this place after paying a penalty in Spirit Stones."

"However, those who take the assessment and fail are exempt from this. After all, you are all living here because you have my approval."

City Lord Wu announced loudly.

"Greetings, City Lord! Greetings, True Monarchs!"

The cultivators’ spirits lifted, and they quickly gathered.

Cultivators emerged from rooms with previously closed doors.

Others immediately began contacting their friends, sending messages to notify those who happened to be away.

"Three Martial Uncles, please take a seat and wait here."

Zheng Hongping and her group hurriedly gave up their seats, tidied the stone table, and served fresh Spirit Tea.

"Mm."

Hearing this, the three Nascent Soul True Monarchs nodded slightly, not pointing out the impropriety of being addressed this way.

In particular, when he saw the black-robed young man, Wei Wei, one of the white-bearded Elders gave a slight nod.

Wei Wei immediately bowed in response, his face beaming, and shot a smug glance at the other cultivators.

The other cultivators were extremely envious.

As for Zheng Hongping and her group, along with their envy, they also felt a sense of vicarious honor.

A few moments later, more cultivators arrived, bringing the total to over a hundred.

And this was just the number of applicants for one month.

However, the Canglan Sect was one of the Top Level Sects on a mid-sized Oasis and offered relatively good terms, so it was perfectly normal for a large number of Loose Cultivators to want to join.

Moreover, this was only the group in Canglan City; there were surely many more applicants through other locations and channels.

’The competition is this fierce? Thankfully, I’m no longer short on Nascent Soul Spiritual Objects.’

Zhang Chi was both surprised and relieved to find that the vast majority of these cultivators were at the Golden Core Late Stage, and even the Golden Core Peak.

"Alright, let’s begin!"

City Lord Wu spoke again.

He then took out a palm-sized white Book and began calling out names one by one.

"Wei Wei."

The first person he called was the very same black-robed young cultivator suspected of having connections.

SWOOSH!

At that, the white-bearded Nascent Soul Elder waved his hand. A silver Ancient Mirror instantly appeared in the sky, casting a beam of white light that enveloped Wei Wei.

A burst of golden Spiritual Light immediately erupted from Wei Wei’s body.

"Name?"

The other, taller Nascent Soul Elder was in charge of the questioning.

"Wei Wei."

Even though he knew it was a pointless question, Wei Wei didn’t dare object and answered respectfully.

"Origin?"

The tall Nascent Soul Elder asked again.

"The Wei Family from Yuan Mountain Oasis, a smaller Oasis under the jurisdiction of Canglan Oasis."

Wei Wei replied.

The tall Nascent Soul Elder then asked a few more questions regarding his purpose for joining the Canglan Sect, what Immortal Cultivation Techniques he had mastered, and so on.

Wei Wei answered each question, and throughout the process, nothing unusual occurred.

"Alright, you pass. Here are the terms the sect is offering you. Take a look, and if there are no issues, sign this Spirit Contract."

With that, the tall Nascent Soul Elder announced the result and handed Wei Wei a High Tier Spirit Contract.

The Spirit Contract was covered in densely packed text, listing the various terms and conditions.

"Thank you, Martial Uncle."

Wei Wei quickly expressed his thanks, and after a brief glance at the Spirit Contract, he eagerly dripped his blood onto it to sign.

He then went to stand in the empty space behind the three Nascent Soul True Monarchs. When he looked back at the other cultivators, his chin was held noticeably higher.

The other cultivators grew even more envious, and a mix of nervousness and anticipation filled the air.

"Chen Bufan!"

Next, City Lord Wu called the second name: Zhang Chi’s alias.

He even gave Zhang Chi a nod.

’What’s going on?’

’Does this fellow cultivator have connections, too?’

Seeing this, the other cultivators were quite surprised and began discussing it among themselves via voice transmissions.

After all, it took someone special to earn a nod from a Nascent Soul True Monarch, especially since this City Lord was one of the influential Elders within the Canglan Sect.

’He’s the second one?’

Even Wei Wei, Zheng Hongping, and the others were visibly stunned.

They had expected one of Wei Wei’s companions to be called next.

The order shouldn’t be underestimated; being called early offered a significant advantage.

The number of recruitment slots each month was limited, so the standards were bound to be a bit looser at the beginning.

Later on, as slots filled up, the requirements would become stricter.

Furthermore, being called early implied one had connections, which might lead to an easier assessment or simpler questions.

Zhang Chi, however, remained composed. He cupped his hands in a salute, strode out from the crowd, and stood within the white light beneath the mirror.

SWOOSH!

A bright, scorching red light immediately erupted from Zhang Chi’s body.

"Not bad."

The three Nascent Soul Cultivators all nodded slightly.

The mirror had two functions. The first was lie detection, which was even more accurate than the powerful perception of a Nascent Soul Cultivator.

The second was to test one’s Cultivation level and aptitude, and it could even discern if one was practicing a Demonic Cultivation Technique.

Zhang Chi’s Cultivation was at the Golden Core Limit, and he was currently circulating the Myriad Manifestations Li Fire Scripture, so his display was naturally impressive.

He had even used the Divine Concealment Technique to hide the true quality of his Golden Core; otherwise, he would have undoubtedly stunned everyone present.

’He’s actually at the Golden Core Limit, and his Cultivation Technique seems powerful. No wonder he’s getting special attention.’

The cultivators were all quite envious.

’It really works!’

Meanwhile, Zhang Chi secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

He had been worried that the quality of his Golden Core and his Cultivation Technique would expose him, but now he could finally relax.

"Name?"

the tall Nascent Soul Elder asked.

"Chen Bufan!"

Zhang Chi replied instantly.

He was, however, somewhat nervous.

He knew full well that this mirror was the core of the assessment and that its purpose was to detect lies. And he was, quite obviously, lying.

Yet, in the next moment, the mirror showed no reaction.

Clearly, the Jade Pendant in his sea of consciousness had once again done its job.

"Origin?" the tall Nascent Soul Elder asked.

"A Loose Cultivator from the northern Endless Desert Sea," Zhang Chi replied.

Once again, everything remained normal. The tall Nascent Soul Elder frowned slightly but didn’t press for a more specific location.

"What is your purpose for joining our sect?" the tall Nascent Soul Elder continued.

"To obtain a Spirit Vein Cave Mansion, seek a path to Nascent Soul Formation, and acquire various Cultivation Materials," Zhang Chi answered truthfully.

"Have you mastered any of the Hundred Skills of Immortal Cultivation? To what level?"

Although the answer was blunt, the three Nascent Soul Cultivators nodded slightly in approval. The tall Nascent Soul Elder then continued his questioning.

As he asked this, all three Nascent Soul Cultivators looked at Zhang Chi with clear interest.

It seemed the City Lord had already reported everything he knew to the sect’s higher-ups.

"I am skilled in Artifact Refining, at the Tier Three Peak level. I also know some Alchemy, but only at a Tier Three Low Grade level."

Zhang Chi replied instantly, adding the last part on a flash of inspiration.

This way, he might be able to obtain a Tier Four Alchemy inheritance through the sect in the future.

After all, Tier Four Elixirs were incredibly expensive and crucial for his Cultivation.

Besides, the Endless Desert Sea was full of Pill Masters, and claiming a Tier Three Low Grade skill—lower than what was mentioned in the Hundred Flowers Palace’s bounty—wouldn’t arouse suspicion.