24: Join the army at Daofeng

They stepped forward one after another, their gazes fixed on the Peak Master representatives on the high platform, filled with hesitation and expectation.

Soon, a deacon came forward to guide them:

"Those who wish to cultivate the Dao of Alchemy, medicine, and the vitality of flora may enter Hundred Herbs Peak!"

A middle-aged deacon in a green robe announced loudly, pointing toward the second peak on the left, which was shrouded in mist and faint medicinal fragrance.

Dozens of young boys and girls immediately showed looks of yearning and walked over.

"Those who wish to study the Dao of Talismans and formations, and calculate the secrets of heaven, may enter Heavenly Deduction Peak!"

An elegant deacon carrying a Formation Plate spoke, pointing toward another peak where runes were faintly visible.

"Those who wish to master the Dao of Artifact Refining and treasure forging, and the control of fire and flames, may enter Divine Craftsmanship Peak!"

The deacon standing behind the bearded man spoke with a voice like a resonant bell, pointing toward the peak radiating a scorching aura, where the faint sound of hammering could be heard.

"Those who wish to learn spells and Divine Abilities, and practice quiet cultivation to comprehend the Dao, may enter Jade Purity Peak!"

A female deacon standing behind the cold and aloof female Peak Master spoke in a gentle voice, but the rule that Jade Purity Peak only accepted female Disciples had clearly already spread; those who walked over were all young girls.

"Those who wish to walk the path of weapons and slaughter, or the way of battle arrays and Body Cultivators, may enter Military Dao Peak!"

A deacon in tight-fitting attire standing behind the burly and wild Peak Master shouted, his voice sounding like the clashing of metal, as he pointed toward a steep, isolated peak where a faint killing intent permeated the air.

The selection process did not take long.

Most of the candidate Outer Sect Disciples quickly chose a peak based on their vague understanding and preferences and were led away by their respective deacons.

Only a scattered group of over a hundred people remained on the square, among whom twenty were clearly surrounded invisibly in the center—these were the Profound Rank Disciples recruited this time!

Li Qingfeng, Wang Tiezhu, and Wang Teng were all among them.

Further ahead were five figures, three men and two women; they just stood there casually, yet they seemed to be a world unto themselves, attracting everyone's gaze.

The aura on them was far more solid and restrained than that of the Profound Rank Disciples, carrying a natural sense of superiority.

Earth-Grade! Candidate True Disciples!

"Profound Rank Disciples, twenty of you! Step forward!"

The deacon's voice carried a trace of imperceptible solemnity.

The atmosphere instantly became even more heavy; these twenty people were the elites recruited from the Desolate Mountain Domain this time, the saplings that each peak was truly willing to spend effort cultivating.

"You all are Candidate Inner Sect Disciples."

The deacon's gaze swept across these twenty young faces.

"According to the Sect's regulations, the deacons of each peak will choose those they favor to be Named Disciples. You may also choose your preferred peak. Those not chosen by a deacon may choose a peak themselves to enter the Outer Sect for cultivation; once your Qi Refining is successful, you may then seek a master."

As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Teng, who was dressed in brocade robes and had a haughty expression, stepped out from the crowd without hesitation. He cupped his fists toward the high platform and said loudly:

"Disciple Wang Teng, Profound Rank Upper Grade, wishes to enter Divine Craftsmanship Peak to study the Great Dao of Artifact Refining!"

His gaze was directed straight at the bearded man wearing a flame-patterned Daoist robe.

The Peak Master of Divine Craftsmanship Peak—the bearded man known as "Lieyangzi"—let his gaze rest on Wang Teng for a moment before nodding slightly, his voice booming:

"Your bone structure is acceptable, but your Heart-Nature still needs tempering. Granted."

A deacon behind him immediately stepped forward, signaling for Wang Teng to stand with the Divine Craftsmanship Peak group.

With Wang Teng taking the lead, the other Profound Rank Disciples also made their choices one after another.

Some chose Heavenly Deduction Peak to study Talismans and formations, some yearned for the Medicinal Pills of Hundred Herbs Peak, and others chose Jade Purity Peak (limited to female Disciples).

Soon, out of the twenty Profound Rank Disciples, only Li Qingfeng, Wang Tiezhu, and two or three others were still hesitating.

Wang Tiezhu nervously tugged at Li Qingfeng's sleeve and whispered:

"Qingfeng, which... which one should we choose?"

Li Qingfeng's gaze swept over the Peak Masters on the high platform.

Hundred Herbs Peak was gentle, Heavenly Deduction Peak was profound, Divine Craftsmanship Peak was fiery, and Jade Purity Peak was cold... His gaze finally landed on the burly Peak Master standing at the very edge, whose posture was as straight as a spear and whose brow carried a hint of disdainful wildness.

Military Dao Peak!

That Peak Master seemed to sense Li Qingfeng's gaze, and his tiger-like eyes suddenly swept over like a physical blade!

Li Qingfeng felt a chill in his heart, as if he were being stared at by a fierce beast, but a surge of stubbornness and unyielding spirit from his very bones suddenly rose up!

He thought of his parents' expectant eyes, his elder brothers' solid backs, the low walls of Li Family Village, and the "Qing" character he carried!

He wanted to become strong! To possess enough power to protect his family! Alchemy, drawing Talismans, Artifact Refining... these might be stable, but none of them were what he wanted!

What he needed was a tangible power he could hold in his hands, a power that could cleave through all obstacles!

He took a deep breath, stepped forward abruptly, and following Wang Teng's example, cupped his fists toward the high platform. His voice trembled slightly from nervousness but was exceptionally clear and firm:

"Disciple Li Qingfeng, Profound Rank Upper Grade, wishes to enter Military Dao Peak to learn the Dao of weapons and slaughter!"

"Hmm?"

The Peak Master of Military Weapons Peak—that wild, burly man—raised a thick eyebrow, seemingly somewhat surprised.

His sharp gaze scraped over Li Qingfeng like something physical, as if trying to see through him from the inside out.

Li Qingfeng straightened his back and met the gaze without backing down.

"Haha! Good!"

The burly man suddenly let out a laugh like a resonant bell, making the surrounding air hum. "Interesting! A Profound Rank Upper Grade chose my Military Dao Peak! Kid, the Dao of weapons is about slaughter and enduring hardship, not fancy moves! Have you thought it through?"

"I have thought it through!"

Li Qingfeng answered loudly, his palms covered in sweat, but his eyes were exceptionally bright.

"Good! You've got guts! I'll take you in!"

The burly man waved his hand, very straightforwardly.

"Disciple Wang Tiezhu, Profound Rank Medium Grade! I also wish to enter Military Dao Peak!"

Just as Li Qingfeng breathed a sigh of relief, Wang Tiezhu beside him also hurriedly stepped forward and shouted. He had clearly made up his mind to follow Li Qingfeng.

The burly Peak Master glanced at Wang Tiezhu, seemingly not caring much about a Profound Rank Medium Grade, but he also nodded:

"Fine, one more or one less doesn't matter! Both of you, come over!"

The deacon in tight-fitting attire behind him, whose aura was equally fierce, beckoned to the two of them expressionlessly.

Li Qingfeng and Wang Tiezhu quickly trotted over and stood with the Military Dao Peak group.

Including them, there were only twenty or thirty people here, far less crowded than the other peaks.

But Li Qingfeng felt a weight lift off his heart, a strange sense of peace.

On the high platform, the deacon saw that all Disciples had been assigned. His gaze swept over the remaining five Earth-Grade geniuses in the square, and finally said in a deep voice:

"The assignments are set. By the Sect Head's decree! Deacons of each peak, lead the new Disciples into the mountain gate, familiarize them with the mountain's rules and precepts, and settle their residences. Tomorrow at the Hour of Chen, the Hall of Transmission on each peak will grant the Qi-guiding techniques, and you will officially step onto the path of immortality!"

"We obey the Sect Head's decree!"

The deacons of each peak on the high platform bowed to receive the order.

The massive bronze gateway let out a low rumble as it slowly opened inward, revealing the world beyond the mountain gate, shrouded in mist and permeated with Immortal Qi.

"Let's go!"

The deacon from Military Dao Peak spoke succinctly, turning to walk toward the opening bronze gate with steady and powerful steps.

Li Qingfeng took one last look at the massive bronze gateway on the square, then at the slightly nervous Wang Tiezhu beside him. He took a deep breath of the crisp air, rich with dense Spiritual Qi, and his eyes became firm.

He set off, following the deacon, stepping across the massive threshold that symbolized the divide between immortals and mortals, his figure disappearing into the swirling mist.

Military Dao Peak, the Dao of slaughter. This might be a path covered in thorns, filled with blood and fire.

But to protect the roots of the Qing Family, and to live up to his parents' expectations, he, Li Qingfeng, had come!