It was noon.
The Qinglan Sect's disciple recruitment ceremony, held once every three years, was about to begin!
Despite the sweltering heat and scorching sun, Enlightenment Square outside the mountain gate was already packed with ambitious youths from all corners of the Divine Land, all eager to embark on the path to immortality.
The scene was a clamorous hub of excitement. As far as the eye could see, tens of thousands of people had gathered.
This was because the Qinglan Sect had always advocated that the Dao knows no borders, and all should be taught regardless of their background.
Among the youths present were descendants of renowned Martial Arts families and imperial nobles. There were also impoverished farm youths and even idle, profligate young masters from wealthy families who had come merely to try their luck—a diverse crowd indeed.
At this moment, the five Chairmen, along with the Elders and stewards, had not yet made their appearance.
However, the aspiring young men and women were already buzzing with excitement, whispering amongst themselves:
"Dragon Head Peak! I must enter Dragon Head Peak! Sect Leader True Master Ziyun presides over Dragon Head Peak; it must be the branch with the deepest foundation!"
"My friend, you're mistaken there! True Master Ziyun may be the Sect Leader, but among the Five Branches, Elder Chisong of Red Cloud Peak holds the highest seniority and wields the most authority! Red Cloud Peak is my top choice!"
"If you ask me, True Master Yuanyi of Tiandang Peak is the most dependable! He might not be as famous as True Master Ziyun or Elder Chisong, but he's said to be kind-hearted. People call him the Smiling Immortal. Being his disciple would surely be the most relaxed and carefree!"
"Gentlemen, your ambitions are too modest! What about the two stunningly beautiful Chairwomen of Phoenix Caw Peak and Divine Phoenix Peak? How could you not even consider them?"
"Heh! Since this gentleman has spoken so frankly, I'll lay my cards on the table! I choose Chief Xiao of Divine Phoenix Peak!"
"I second that! With the Foremost Fairy of the Cultivation World as my Master, my mind will surely be broadened, and my path to immortality smooth!"
"Hmph, Chairman Su Mei of Phoenix Caw Peak isn't bad either! I heard that before she married, the title of 'Foremost Fairy in the Cultivation World' was always hers!"
"A pity her Dao companion died young. She's a widow!"
"A widow? Now I'm even more interested!"
...
Among the chattering crowd of youngsters, one tall figure was particularly eye-catching. He was dressed in black, his features sharp and handsome. His expression remained cold and indifferent throughout, a stark contrast to the lively atmosphere of those around him.
He sat cross-legged, silent and unmoving, exuding an aura of pride that seemed to scorn the heavens and earth. It was the innate disposition of a born powerhouse!
"Little rascal, do you have a preferred master in mind?" A voice emerged from the youth's ring, speaking directly into his mind.
It doesn't matter. This Princely Heir came to Qinglan for only three things.
Opportunities! Opportunities! And more opportunities!
If, as you say, someone has intercepted this Princely Heir's opportunities, I will hunt them down and eliminate them! The youth's handsome face seemed veiled in frost, radiating a palpable murderous intent.
"Hahahaha, little rascal, haven't I told you? This old man can hear your thoughts!"
"Right now, apart from opportunities, isn't the one you can't stop thinking about the owner of that Lion Hawk Beast—that vivacious young girl with the bell tied to her ankle?"
"So, later on, you'll choose Chief Xiao of Divine Phoenix Peak without a second thought, won't you? Hahahaha..." The teasing voice of Old Shi came from the ring.
Old Shi, you... The youth's cheeks flushed red, and he gritted his teeth. So what if I do! Shouldn't a true powerhouse claim all the beauties in the world for himself?
"Nothing wrong with that sentiment. It's just a pity that flower already has an owner—her Eldest Senior Brother, the one with that extraordinary air... *sigh*."
Don't say anymore!
The mere thought of the girl he'd fallen for at first sight last night, in another man's arms, made Ye Chen's veins throb on his temples, his fury uncontrollable. He had been genuinely smitten for once, yet she had made him lose so utterly!
Damn it!
Hmph! Old Shi, just you watch! That Miss Yingying—sooner or later, I'll make her understand that her superficially noble Eldest Senior Brother is nothing but a worthless piece of trash compared to me!
Only I, Ye Chen, am worthy of being her man!
Just as these indignant words left him—
The steward overseeing the disciple recruitment ceremony announced in a clear, carrying voice, "The Chief Disciple of Divine Phoenix Peak has arrived!"
Upon hearing this, all the youths in the square looked up.
They beheld a strikingly handsome young man, robed in white purer than snow, with an elegant and distinguished air, descending from the sky as he trod upon the White Wall Immortal Sword.
His dark hair flowed, dancing with his sleeves. With hands clasped behind his back, he possessed an otherworldly grace and a noble, splendid temperament, as if he had stepped directly out of a painting.
At that moment, the entire crowd was captivated!
Countless young men and women gasped in admiration involuntarily.
"Wow! What a peerlessly graceful young master from an Immortal Sect!"
"A true immortal... should be just like him!"
"Tsk, tsk! Though I cannot reach such heights, my heart truly yearns for it!"
"Truly worthy of being the disciple of Xiao Hongling, the Foremost Fairy of the Cultivation World! If this master and disciple were a pair, they'd be a celestial couple!" Some even began to 'ship' this unconventional pairing.
"Watch your tongue! Do you have a death wish?!"
...
Unlike the excitement of the other youths his age, Ye Chen's expression remained as dark as still water, his teeth grinding audibly, making him resemble a ferocious beast.
What damn peerless young master? Just a pretty boy, all show and no substance! I, Ye Chen, sooner or later...
Before he could finish his vicious thought, high above, the white-robed figure who was the center of everyone's attention actually flew across the vast crowd, heading straight for him!
Simultaneously, every gaze in the square converged on him!
For some reason, Ye Chen felt a flicker of panic for the first time in his life.
And, just as he'd sensed, this ethereal Eldest Senior Brother from Divine Phoenix Peak, with his transcendent air, came to a halt directly before him.
Instinctively, Ye Chen tightened his grip on the short sword hidden in his robes, covertly circulating his True Qi.
"Young friend, don't panic! Observe the situation carefully! This person is the Chief Disciple of the Qinglan Sect; you cannot afford to offend him right now!" Old Shi's warning voice came from the ring.
Fine, I'll listen to you! Ye Chen gritted his teeth and only then dispersed the True Qi he had gathered.
The two stood nearly face to face, mere inches apart. The gazes of everyone in the square were now fixed on them.
However, what happened next stunned everyone speechless.
The peerlessly graceful and ethereal Eldest Senior Brother of Divine Phoenix Peak was seen viciously yanking Ye Chen up by the collar, his face contorted with fury as he spat out a string of curses, "'Damn it, you blind little brat! Didn't I warn you last night?! You still dare to show your face here? Are you looking for death?'"
At these words, the entire square fell into a stunned silence.
Ding!
"Plot successfully restored! Reward: Charm Value +5, Endowment +1!"
A system reward triggered. Looks like my opening act wasn't half bad.
Lin Xiao felt a little more relieved.