Chapter 654 - 411: The Open Scheme

The old attendant carefully reorganized the posts and matched them with the resumes of those sect elders and hidden senior elders, placing them together.

The resumes were placed below, with the opened posts on top.

This Dragon Fish Hall was the venue for the master-apprentice ceremony.

Everyone qualified to take on a disciple would submit their own resume here.

Now, many elders and senior elders all wanted to accept Duan Rong, so the choice naturally fell to Duan Rong’s hands. He must choose a master from among these people for himself.

These resumes and the additional conditions listed on the posts were all the information he could use for consideration.

The old attendant, having organized everything and confirmed it was correct, exited the back hall, served a round of tea in the front hall, and seeing the time was about right, he instructed the junior attendants to serve properly before he strolled to the side door of the back hall.

Normally, at this time, he would sit at the entrance, only rising when he saw someone approaching. But today, he waited outside early.

The old attendant stood outside the entrance as a gust of wind swept through, causing his sleeves and beard to flutter.

About half an incense stick later, Duan Rong and his three companions, led by someone, dragged their heavy ceremonial attire, exhaustedly making their way over.

They were all at the True Qi Realm Great Perfection stage; mere physical labor would not tire them out. The key was that the various tedious rituals on the way had rendered them mentally weary, and having not slept the whole night nor eaten breakfast, they were quite physically and mentally drained.

As Duan Rong and his companions reached the entrance, they saw an old attendant with gray hair and a spirited demeanor standing there with a welcoming smile.

The old attendant courteously ushered the four inside, then bowed to them in the small hall before looking up with a smile and asking, "May I ask, who is Lord Duan Rong?"

Duan Rong, clad in the weighty ceremonial attire and a bit dazed by the rituals, responded to the old attendant’s question, "I am Duan Rong. What might the elder need?"

Upon hearing this, the old attendant gave Duan Rong a deep look, then immediately bowed deeply again, his voice seeming to grow a bit solemn as he called out, "Lord Duan, please follow me!"

Duan Rong’s eyes flickered. The old attendant’s tone was different when addressing him alone. Previously, the old attendant’s smile was respectful, a formality, but Duan Rong could tell that now there seemed to be a kind of genuine respect for him from the old attendant.

Moreover, why was he specifically pointing him out?

The other three also looked at Duan Rong with some curiosity.

Duan Rong followed the old attendant, walking past the screen. Just as they reached it, the old attendant suddenly seemed to remember something and turned to the other three, saying coldly, "You three, wait here and do not wander around. Once I’m finished, we’ll hold your ceremony. I will induct you into the sect as representatives of Taiyi Sect’s founding ancestor!"

The three’s expressions turned sour upon hearing this.

They had hoped to be inducted directly by the steward of the hall.

But hearing the old attendant’s words, it seemed unlikely now.

Being inducted in the name of Taiyi Sect’s founding ancestor was merely a formality—bowing three times in front of the ancestral portrait. This ceremony was meant for inner sect disciples without a master.

The old attendant led Duan Rong to a desk behind the screen, smiling, "Lord Duan, these are the elders and senior elders wishing to take you under their wings!"

The old attendant’s eyes gleamed, hesitating for a moment before continuing, "Here are introductions and the conditions they’ve set forth. You can take your time to contemplate. I will serve from the back. If you have any questions, feel free to call me."

"Lord, this ceremonial attire is quite cumbersome. Would you like me to help remove the outer layers? It would make it easier for you to review."

Duan Rong said, "Is it permissible to remove the attire now?" The historian who taught them the rituals had told them they could only remove it once they left Cuiwei Peak and entered the outer residence.

The old attendant gave a knowing smile, "Yes, lord, no one is watching here. Once you’ve finished reviewing and go to the main hall, I’ll help you put it back on."

Duan Rong replied, "I’ll trouble the elder, then."

"It’s no trouble at all, lord."

The old attendant said as he carefully removed the skirt, chest patch, vest, and ceremonial hat from Duan Rong.

Duan Rong exhaled a breath of relief, feeling much freer instantly.

The old attendant neatly placed the removed attire onto two Grandmaster’s Chairs, while Duan Rong had already picked up a post and some documents from the desk, starting to read.

The old attendant, having arranged the attire, brought a cup of tea and placed it in the middle of the desk before retreating with a smile.

Duan Rong read quickly. After going through several, he already understood what this meant.

He almost reached the altar, and he still remembered the reaction of the woman playing the zither, called Hanyan by his mentor, when he was about to step onto the platform.

He could be sure that the Deep Valley’s test was aimed at Spiritual Power, specifically the test of Divine Soul Strength.

At that time, his Fetal Concealment Scripture had already reached the eleventh layer, and in the Sea of Consciousness, he had also formed the phantom seated in the vast sky.

His Divine Soul Strength might still be somewhat weak among great powers, but in the Mortal World or among ordinary disciples, it was probably of a terrifying level.