281: Deceiving customers

Lu Xingchen and Li Changbai arrived late, just as the first trial concluded.

As they returned to their places, Liu Ruyan couldn't help but give Li Changbai a rap on the head.

"Li Changbai, I sent you to find Junior Brother, why did it take you so long?"

Li Changbai rubbed his head and said with a bitter smile, "I was as fast as I could possibly be. But Junior Brother was Cultivating in the Spirit Gathering Formation, and I couldn't interrupt him halfway through, could I?"

Liu Ruyan put her hands on her hips and said indignantly, "It's all because you, boy, have a bad memory and didn't notify Junior Brother in advance. Otherwise, would it have been such a mess?"

Li Changbai smiled bitterly again, "Senior Sister, you must speak with a clear conscience! I was fully responsible for the poji pill business. You, on the other hand, had it easy, acting like a hands-off boss. Selecting Disciples on Spirit Medicine Peak for alchemy, transportation, distribution, finding sales channels—I did all of that. I was so busy my head was spinning, so it's normal to occasionally forget things."

Hearing this, Liu Ruyan was silent for a moment.

In this matter, Li Changbai had indeed rendered meritorious service.

He had obtained the poji pill from Junior Brother, and he had handled all the remaining processes.

For a time, Liu Ruyan also felt too awkward to continue blaming him.

Seeing this, Lu Xingchen quickly stepped forward to smooth things over, saying with a smile, "Senior Sister, don't be angry. Am I not here now? And the enrollment ceremony hasn't been delayed, has it?"

Liu Ruyan took the hint and said softly, "Alright, considering your hard work these past few days, and the fact that the enrollment ceremony hasn't been delayed, let's just drop this matter. Both of you, return to your seats!"

Li Changbai felt as if he had been granted a great pardon and quickly sat down in his designated spot.

Lu Xingchen also took his seat.

He looked up at the new Disciples on the ground; there were only about two hundred of them.

And even with this, the trial wasn't over; there was still one very strict trial to come.

Lu Xingchen sighed softly; the Lingyun Sect's entrance exam was too strict.

Judging by the situation, the number of new Disciples joining the Lingyun Sect this year would not exceed one hundred.

Such a small number could easily lead to bullying from other Sects.

It seemed he would have to discuss this issue with Senior Sister later.

Liu Ruyan rose from the head seat, her voice, amplified by Life Qi, resonated throughout the venue.

Her voice was solemn and authoritative, completely devoid of the gentle warmth she had when speaking with Lu Xingchen.

"Thank you all for your trust in the Lingyun Sect and for being willing to participate in our new Disciple assessment. You have successfully passed the first trial, and now I will announce the rules for the second trial."

"Our Lingyun Sect's Elders will suppress their Soul Power to the Initial Spirit Realm and then attack you. As long as you can endure for three minutes against an Elder, you will have successfully completed the challenge."

"Since this battle involves Soul Power, a slight misstep could damage your Foundation, so all of you must be cautious. Those whose Soul Power has not broken through to the Spirit Realm may consider withdrawing!"

As soon as Liu Ruyan spoke, a ripple of whispers immediately spread through the audience.

"No way? Asking a group of new Disciples to contend against a Lingyun Sect Elder, isn't that too much to ask? Even if those Elders suppress their Realm, it will be very difficult for us to win."

"It's not surprising. The Lingyun Sect has always been known for 'not raising idlers,' and the quality of its Disciples is extremely high. It's normal for the enrollment exam to be difficult. Anyway, I'm going to give it a try!"

"Exactly. We've come this far; if we don't try, it will leave us with regret. Anyway, I just Broke Through to the Initial Spirit Realm, so there's still a chance of winning."

"Then I guess I'll pass. As a country bumpkin, I have no way to acquire methods for Cultivating Soul Power. My Soul Power is only at the Mortal Realm, so even if I go on stage, I'll be instantly killed."

While the Disciples were discussing, about half of them chose to leave the Mountain Gate.

They believed they could not pass this second trial.

The remaining hundred or so people were truly the elite of the elite; almost all of them had already Broke Through to the Spirit Realm with their Soul Power.

Liu Ruyan announced loudly, "I declare that the first assessment officially begins! Please come onto the arena in order. We will have ten Elders taking turns conducting the tests."

After a brief silence, a brave individual finally stepped onto the arena.

The one testing him was Elder Li Jia of Lingyuan Peak.

The first Disciple bowed to Li Jia and said in a deep voice, "Junior Wang Cheng, greetings, Elder!"

Li Jia waved his hand and said with a smile, "To be the first to enter, your demeanor is quite good. But whether you can enter the Lingyun Sect still depends on your ability."

Wang Cheng did not show any timidity and said with a smile, "Junior will do his best."

Neither side wasted any words, and the contest immediately began.

Elder Li Jia condensed a giant white python with his Soul Power and launched an attack on the first Disciple.

He had already held back, not only suppressing his Realm to the Initial Spirit Realm but also not using any Martial Skill.

If he were to use the Soul attack Martial Skill passed down by the Lingyun Sect, none of the Disciples present would have any chance.

Wang Cheng also did not provoke him; instead, he formed a shield around his body with Soul Power, fully resisting Li Jia's attack.

Three minutes passed quickly. Wang Cheng blocked Li Jia's attack. Although his face was somewhat pale, he was not injured; it was merely an excessive consumption of Soul Power.

As this result was announced, a round of warm applause immediately erupted from below the stage.

Wang Cheng's performance could only be considered average, but it set a good precedent for everyone.

Liu Ruyan nodded slightly and said with a smile, "Young friend Wang Cheng, congratulations on being the first to pass the trial. Now you may choose to join any of our Lingyun Sect's nine peaks."

That's right, the enrollment exam was fair.

Initially, the Lingyun Sect selected Disciples, but once they passed the trial, it was the Disciples' turn to choose among the nine Peak Masters.

The Lingyun Sect was already sparsely populated, and one more Disciple meant one more bit of strength.

Moreover, Wang Cheng was the first to pass the trial. If he were taken under one's wing, he could attract the remaining Disciples who passed the trial.

So, all nine Peak Masters spoke up to win him over.

"Young friend Wang Cheng, are you willing to join my Spirit Sword Peak? I will bestow upon you Martial Skills for Cultivating Soul Power!"

"Young friend Wang Cheng, are you willing to join my Spirit Wind Peak? I will personally spend time teaching you every month. Every Disciple on our Spirit Wind Peak is personally guided by me!"

"Young friend Wang Cheng, are you willing to..."

Even Li Changbai could not escape the custom, saying with a smile, "Young friend Wang Cheng, are you willing to join my Spirit Formation Peak? Our Spirit Formation Peak specializes in the Dao of Spirit Formation. I can help you become a Spirit Array Great Master!"

Seeing this, Lu Xingchen couldn't help but complain inwardly.

These Peak Masters are truly cunning old foxes!

Martial Skills for Cultivating Soul Power, personal guidance, training to become a Spirit Array Master—these were all things one could obtain just by joining the Lingyun Sect.

And yet, they could still offer them as conditions?

Isn't this deceiving customers?

Oh no, it should be deceiving new Disciples.