Chapter 235: Sending a Message
After Zhou Xuanxiao finished his narrative, Xiao Chen looked at him and nodded slowly.
"I deeply sympathize with Brother Zhou's plight. Since you have come with sincerity, and given your abilities, my Immortal Spirit Holy Land naturally has no reason to refuse you."
A Longevity Realm cultivator, especially one so young, would be groomed as a core disciple anywhere.
Therefore, just as Xiao Chen said, from the standpoint of the Immortal Spirit Holy Land, there was no logic in rejecting a talent already cultivated by others.
As for the Heaven Cloud Sect? Xiao Chen genuinely did not take them to heart.
The Immortal Spirit Holy Land's reputation as the number one sect in Qingzhou was not merely empty boasting.
Even if his master did not intervene, the sect still possessed experts at the peak of the Heavenly Human Realm overseeing things. Moreover, the five martial siblings (including Chen Xingcai) possessed genuine Heavenly Human Realm combat power themselves.
Zhou Xuanxiao's eyes suddenly burst with radiance, and his tense shoulders finally relaxed.
"Many thanks, Brother Xiao!"
"However," Xiao Chen changed the topic, "since you have just arrived, according to the rules, you must cultivate in the outer sect for a period. I will make further arrangements after careful consideration."
"It is only right!" Zhou Xuanxiao agreed without hesitation. He immediately presented the small bronze cauldron with both hands.
"The Miaotian Cauldron is here. Please accept it, Brother Xiao."
Xiao Chen took the ancient cauldron, his fingertips gently stroking the runes on its body as he sensed the ancient aura contained within. He nodded slightly, then summoned a disciple.
After whispering a few instructions, he said, "Take Fellow Daoist Zhou to see Elder Li and have him make proper arrangements."
"Many thanks, Xiao... no, many thanks, Sect Master."
After Zhou Xuanxiao left with the disciple, expressing his gratitude repeatedly, Xiao Chen turned to Chen Xingcai with a slight frown.
"Junior Sister, have you ever heard of a master in this world who would be biased to such an extent for the sake of a newly accepted disciple?"
Chen Xingcai shook her head, the beaded hairpin in her hair swaying lightly.
"Even if Father shows a slight preference for one of you on ordinary days, he generally keeps things even. He would never do such an absurd thing."
"Moreover..." She paused. "That Fellow Daoist Zhou was the Saint Son whom the Heaven Cloud Sect painstakingly cultivated for many years. Both emotionally and logically, it should not have come to this."
"Precisely." Xiao Chen's gaze was deep. "Therefore... when things go wrong, there must be a demon at work. However, it is ultimately the internal affair of another sect."
"Until the other party actively comes to our door, it is inconvenient for us to intervene."
"However..." He put away the Miaotian Cauldron. "Since we have now obtained three of the four cauldrons, I will write a letter immediately to have the Xiao family send the Xuantian Cauldron."
Chen Xingcai blinked. "Will the Xiao family agree? Is the Xuantian Cauldron not their clan-guarding treasure?"
Xiao Chen chuckled upon hearing this, a trace of mockery flashing in his eyes. "Junior Sister, you still do not understand the human heart."
He stood with his hands behind his back, looking into the distance.
"As long as I ask, they will be eager to send someone to deliver it overnight. After all, this is their best opportunity to cling to the Immortal Spirit Holy Land."
That laughter contained a distinct indifference that saw through the ways of the world.
...
It was evening in Immortal Spirit City.
Inside an inn, candlelight flickered, illuminating three young faces.
The first round of assessments during the day had concluded. Ye Fan passed the assessment easily.
The youth with the long saber encountered some twists and turns, but ultimately passed without mishap. However, the round-faced youth was miserably eliminated.
The round-faced youth sat at the table dejectedly. There were tear stains on his face, indicating he had obviously just been crying.
He spoke in a muffled voice, "I am truly useless. I did not even pass the first round of assessment..."
"Do not lose heart!" The youth with the long saber slapped him on the shoulder, the force so great it almost knocked him prone.
"We saw your performance during the day. Being able to reach this step means you are already stronger than ninety percent of the people in Qingyang City!"
Ye Fan also nodded, his tone gentle. "Yes, do not lose heart yet. There is still the outer sect assessment tomorrow, so you still have a chance."
It turned out that according to the assessment methods of the Immortal Spirit Holy Land, youths who did not pass the first round still had a chance to participate in a purely outer sect assessment the next day.
Once passed, they could remain in the outer sect of the Immortal Spirit Holy Land.
As for those like Ye Fan and the youth with the long saber who passed the first round, they would participate in the second round of assessment at the City Lord's Mansion in three days.
The round-faced youth raised his head, his eyes slightly red.
"But you two both passed the first round and can go to the City Lord's Mansion for the second round in three days. You might even directly enter the inner sect..."
"If I cannot even get into the outer sect, how can I hang out with you guys in the future?"
The youth with the long saber sneered. "Isn't your brat usually quite good at boasting? Why are you acting cowardly now?"
"Who is cowardly!" The round-faced youth stood up abruptly, his face flushing bright red.
"Although my talent is average, I, Guo Fugui, am no coward! Tomorrow, even if I have to risk my life, I will squeeze into the outer sect!"
Ye Fan and the youth with the long saber looked at each other and could not help but smile.
All three of them came from small families around Qingyang City in Qingzhou. The youth with the long saber was named Wei Wu, and the round-faced youth was named Guo Fugui.
The three grew up together. Later, when the Ye family faced the calamity of extermination, it was these two youths who risked their lives to hide Ye Fan, allowing him to escape disaster.
They had also constantly provided assistance over the years, so the bond between the three was not just that of brothers, but better than brothers.
Seeing Guo Fugui regain his spirit, the two also breathed a sigh of relief.
"Now that sounds like it." Wei Wu grinned, revealing his white teeth. "Don't worry. Once you enter the outer sect, Ye Fan and I will cover you. If anyone dares to bully you, I will chop them down with my saber!"
Ye Fan shook his head helplessly. "Wei Wu, do not always shout about beating and killing."
"What? Did I say something wrong?" Wei Wu raised his eyebrows.
"Back then, if Fugui hadn't climbed the wall in the middle of the night to carry you out of the Ye family home, you would be long gone! I will remember this favor for a lifetime!"
Guo Fugui scratched his head, feeling somewhat embarrassed. "That was all childhood stuff, why bring it up..."
Ye Fan was silent for a moment before speaking softly, "Indeed. Without you two, I would not be alive today."
Wei Wu waved his hand. "Alright, enough with the sentimentality! Fugui, we will accompany you to the assessment tomorrow to boost your courage!"
Guo Fugui's eyes lit up. "Really?"
"Of course!" Wei Wu grunted.
Guo Fugui finally broke into a smile through his tears and clenched his fists.
"Good! I will definitely make a good showing tomorrow. Once I enter the outer sect and you two are living it up in the inner sect, do not forget your brother!"
Wei Wu laughed loudly. "Don't worry. If we have meat to eat, there will be soup for you to drink!"
Ye Fan looked helpless. "...Can you not say something better?"
The three of them were soon laughing and joking together.
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