65: Council of Elders

Finally, Hall Master Bai He summarized this Sword Testing Tournament, gave some words of encouragement, and then announced the successful conclusion of this Sword Testing Tournament.

A group of big shots rose into the air, turning into streaks of light and disappearing above the plaza.

"Is it over already?"

"It's such a pity we didn't get to see Senior Brother Luo and Senior Brother Lin compete with their swords."

"Speaking of which, aren't the Hall Master and the Elders taking on Disciples?"

"Who knows? Even if they were, it wouldn't have anything to do with the likes of us..."

The decennial grand event concluded amidst the lingering anticipation of all the Disciples.

...

Inside the main hall of the Spirit Herb Hall, Hall Master Bai He and the Elders gathered once again.

Bai He sat upright in the main seat, looked around, and said with a solemn expression, "The Sword Pavilion has already sent down news."

"The phenomenon of a Dragon soaring through the Nine Heavens has appeared multiple times in the Hundred Thousand Mountains of the Southern Ridge. According to the predictions of the Tianji Pavilion, the True Dragons Lair will emerge within ten years."

"The Sword Pavilion has ordered the five lineages and all the halls to Cultivate a group of young Foundation Establishment geniuses in preparation for exploring the True Dragons Lair."

Upon hearing this, the Elders all wore solemn expressions.

It is rumored that Divine Beasts like the Dragon Clan and Phoenix are favored by heaven and earth, and their bodies are treasures in themselves...

Unfortunately, since the ancient era, the Dragon Clan and Phoenix have disappeared from this world of the Canglan Realm, with only a few ruins remaining.

However, even ruins like the True Dragons Lair are enough to become a great Opportunity for Cultivators.

Naturally, the True Dragons would not allow their own lair to be freely entered and exited by other powerful creatures, so they set up many Restrictions.

Only Foundation Establishment Cultivators whose bone age meets the criteria and does not exceed a specific age may enter.

"Since the Tianji Pavilion says it will open within ten years, they cannot be wrong," Grand Elder Ji Mingxiao replied. "Time is tight; we must prepare early."

The Human Race of the Canglan Realm has the Seven Great Lineages, and the Tianji Pavilion is one of them.

"The Sword Testing Tournament has already ended. I trust all you Elders are clear about the situation of this batch of Disciples," Hall Master Bai He said calmly.

"There are only four with potential for cultivation, about the same as in the past. However, there are two little guys who are quite good, especially that Lin Yan," Grand Elder Ji Mingxiao said.

"This Lin Yan is young, but he has a deep understanding of the Human-Sword Unity Realm. With a little guidance, he has the hope of comprehending the embryonic form of Sword Intent," the Second Elder commented. "But Lin Yan only has a Medium Grade Wood Spiritual Root; this is a shortcoming that cannot be ignored. He will need more wood-attribute treasures."

"The Spiritual Root is not a problem; they are just wood-attribute treasures, and the Spirit Herb Hall can still afford them," Bai He said. "For any Disciple of my Spirit Herb Hall who can comprehend the embryonic form of Sword Intent while in the Refining Qi Realm, there will be enough wood-attribute treasures to Cultivate them until they have a Peak-Grade Wood Spiritual Root."

The several Elders nodded slightly upon hearing this, having no objections.

Such a talented Disciple is indeed worth the cost of improving their Spiritual Root.

Low-level Cultivators only know that Spiritual Roots are important, but in the eyes of high-level Cultivators, Comprehension Ability is equally important, perhaps even more rare.

In fact, even if the Spirit Herb Hall does not Cultivate him, Inner Sect Elders will take him in to Cultivate him.

Whether he is willing to stay in the Spirit Herb Hall is another matter entirely.

"Hall Master is wise. With this policy, I believe some Genius Disciples will be willing to stay in the Spirit Herb Hall," the Grand Elder said with a smile.

"Indeed, every time our Spirit Herb Hall finally produces a Genius, they are immediately poached by the Inner Sect, leaving us with few to show off," Second Elder Zhao Shuli said with a pained expression. "Among all the halls of the Wood Lineage, I fear our Spirit Herb Hall is faring the worst. It is time we found a way to keep our Genius Disciples."

The Grand Elder replied, "The Second Elder's words are very true. Of the three most outstanding Disciples from the last batch, one has just been poached by the Inner Sect, and the other, a descendant of the Xiao Family, will certainly enter the Inner Sect as well."

"There is also Zhao Qiyan, whose Spiritual Root is quite good. I heard he has also comprehended Human-Sword Unity, so he could certainly hold up the reputation of our Spirit Herb Hall..."

Saying this, the Grand Elder looked at Second Elder Zhao Shuli.

"Old Ghost Ji, my grandson's Comprehension Ability is too poor, and his Spiritual Root was cultivated with the support of his Elders in the Family; he cannot be considered a good seedling," Second Elder Zhao Shuli quickly replied.

He kept saying he wanted to keep Genius Disciples in the Spirit Herb Hall, but when it came to his own grandson, he was unwilling.

"Tsk tsk, don't be so anxious, Second Elder, I was just saying," the Grand Elder retorted sarcastically. "Your Zhao Family is deeply rooted in the Inner Sect, so it is understandable that you want to send your descendants to the Inner Sect for cultivation."

"Since that is the case, we will not consider the previous batch of Disciples; let us focus on cultivating the seedlings of this batch."

The Grand Elder concluded, and no one refuted him.

Bai He, in the main seat, also nodded slightly, tacitly agreeing with the Grand Elder's words.

"Besides Lin Yan, that Luo Haoyu also has hope of comprehending the embryonic form of Sword Intent while in the Refining Qi Realm; he can be focused on for cultivation," the Grand Elder continued. "As for the other two, if they rely on themselves, I fear the hope is slim. Our Spirit Herb Hall still has too few outstanding Disciples."

The Second Elder remained silent, fearing that the Grand Elder would bring up Zhao Qiyan again.

The Zhao Family had already decided to prepare a Sword Grass for Zhao Qiyan and Cultivate him to have a dual Peak-Grade Wood and Fire Spiritual Root; his future was limitless.

Furthermore, with the True Dragons Lair about to open, if Zhao Qiyan could seize this rare Opportunity, he would have the potential to become a pillar of the Zhao Family in the future and continue the Family's thousands of years of glory.

How could he let Zhao Qiyan waste his time in the Spirit Herb Hall?

At this moment, Hall Master Bai He spoke: "The current plan is to simply pick the best among the available; let's take in all four Disciples."

"Solicit the opinions of these four Disciples and see which Elder they are willing to apprentice under," he paused, then continued, "If that Lin Yan is willing, he can also apprentice under me."

Everyone was stunned upon hearing this and looked at Bai He.

"Hall Master, you are also going to take an apprentice?" The Grand Elder was somewhat incredulous.

Why was the Spirit Herb Hall faring so poorly? It had a lot to do with the Hall Master.

In a typical Outer Sect hall, the Elders are only Fourth-Realm Golden Core Cultivators, while only the Hall Master must be a Fifth-Realm Nascent Soul Cultivator.

When Cultivators differ by one major Realm, the gap is immense.

Bai He was usually a hands-off manager who ignored the affairs of the Spirit Herb Hall.

Over time, the Spirit Herb Hall declined and could not retain Genius Disciples.

"I am usually busy with cultivation and cannot spare much time to guide Disciples," Bai He said calmly. "Try to have the Elders take them as apprentices; if that really won't work, then I will do it."

"Understood!" The Grand Elder nodded.

"The matter of taking apprentices will be handled by you, Grand Elder," Hall Master Bai He turned to the Grand Elder and said.

"Hall Master, rest assured, leave it to this old man!" The Grand Elder said with a wave of his hand.

Hall Master Bai He nodded with satisfaction, and then said with a slightly apologetic tone, "I have been busy with cultivation these years, and I have troubled you Elders with the many affairs of the Hall."

"The cultivation of these Disciples this time must not fail; I hope you will all do your utmost."

"At the same time, I will strive to secure a few spots for the Sword Tomb from the Sword Pavilion to bestow upon the Elders and Disciples who form a master-apprentice relationship. This is my support for you all as Hall Master."

The several Elders' eyes lit up upon hearing this.

"Hall Master is wise!" The Grand Elder bowed to Bai He, his tone full of surprise.

The other Elders also wore expressions of joy and bowed in praise one after another.