Chapter 224

Chapter 224: Ninghua Sect Recruits Talent

Bai Mu Mu suddenly collapsed into Shen Dao Chen’s arms, and he panicked: “Mu Mu!”

What shocked him even more was that her body was leaking spiritual power like a punctured ball.

He had seen Shen Sang Ruo lose all her cultivation before, so he understood right away what this meant.

He shouted to Master Ling Xiao in a tight voice: “Mu Mu’s cultivation is falling, Ling Xiao!”

Master Ling Xiao’s pupils tightened as he rushed forward, pouring fire red spiritual power into Bai Mu Mu without stopping.

Even with all his strength, he could not restore her cultivation.

He spoke with a grave face: “Mu Mu’s cultivation has fallen to the Qi Refining stage.”

That was almost the same as losing everything.

Shen Dao Chen felt as if thunder struck him; [why must each of my daughters go through this?]

[She can come back from this like Shen Sang Ruo did, right?]

Before he could steady himself, Master Ling Xiao added another blow: “Her pure Ice Spiritual Root has developed impurities. It may be very hard for her to cultivate from now on.”

Shen Dao Chen’s eyes went wide as his voice shook: “What did you say?”

The cultivators nearby had sharp senses and heard them clearly, and the crowd broke into a stir.

Shen Sang Ruo let out a light, cold laugh: [the Heavenly Dao turns in cycles; whom does Heaven ever spare?]

Everything was Bai Mu Mu’s own doing, and now she faced the result.

With sudden trouble inside Flying Cloud Sect, True Lord Gu Ci did not press them. She chose to wait until they handled it before moving on.

Shen Dao Chen ached with worry, and Master Ling Xiao’s face turned frighteningly cold.

Lifting Bai Mu Mu into the air with spiritual power, Master Ling Xiao said: “I have checked her. There is no malevolent spirit on her.”

He continued in a steady tone: “If she had really consorted with malevolent spirits and become a fiend, she would not be nearly drained of cultivation. Even if she could not rule a region, she would at least not be this weak.”

His meaning was plain: Bai Mu Mu was pitiful and innocent.

With her cultivation almost gone and her root impure, she was in a tragic state. As her Master, how could he let others bully her? He declared in a hard voice: “My disciple is under my protection. I will vouch for her. If anyone is not convinced, come to me.”

Shen Dao Chen stood up as well and said to True Lord Gu Ci with a serious face: “With the whole Flying Cloud Sect vouching for her, she could not have had contact with malevolent spirits. Is that not enough?”

This accident made both men’s hearts ache so much that they pushed to shield Bai Mu Mu no matter what.

With no proof of any wrongdoing, and after a round of arguing, Flying Cloud Sect kept Bai Mu Mu despite the pressure.

To be exact, only Shen Dao Chen and Master Ling Xiao stood firm for her; others in Flying Cloud Sect already felt some displeasure.

This was about what Shen Sang Ruo had expected.

Knowing those two, she guessed that while they defended Bai Mu Mu now, a thorn had already lodged in their hearts. [Once they calm down later, will they still treat her like before?]

They had placed high hopes on her; today’s pain would sooner or later turn into dislike and blame. Peace would be hard to keep inside Flying Cloud Sect.

Next came the award ceremony for the Sect Grand Tournament.

On Fengling Terrace the topic finally returned to the tournament.

Ninghua Sect took first place with no dispute.

When Shen Sang Ruo stepped onto the high platform to represent Ninghua Sect, many people felt a little dazed, their faces full of emotion.

After learning about her past, they looked at her with real respect. She had once been stuck in the mud, but the spark in her heart never went out. Today it had grown into a blazing fire, dazzling to behold.

When the ceremony ended, Shen Sang Ruo did not rush to leave.

Standing on the high platform, she spoke in a calm, steady voice: “As you can see, Ninghua Sect has just been founded, and we urgently need people.”

She stated the plan clearly: “After the tournament, Ninghua Sect will recruit widely. We welcome both disciples and elders. Anyone capable may apply.”

She added the terms without hesitation: “Those who join successfully will receive 100 High-grade Spirit Stones as disciples, and 500 High-grade Spirit Stones as elders.”

The terrace exploded with noise at once.

A reward of 100 High-grade Spirit Stones! In many small sects, a disciple’s monthly pay was only a dozen mid grade Spirit Stones, and some could not save even one High-grade Spirit Stone in a whole year.

The elder reward was five times that. It could feed a small sect for a year.

Other sects stared, stunned by Ninghua Sect’s bold generosity.

“Is Ninghua Sect really this wealthy?” people whispered.

“Don’t forget, they sent piles of treasures to Linglong Pavilion’s auctions. Of course they have money,” others replied.

Shen Sang Ruo finished with a time: “If you are interested, come to Ninghua Sect in ten days to take part in the selection.”

Many hearts stirred. Everyone knew the first batch a new sect recruited usually faced looser requirements.

No one expected the tournament to bring them a chance like this.

Disciples already tied to other sects grew red eyed with envy, biting their little handkerchiefs.

They looked at their own elders with a single question in their eyes: can we switch sects?

The elders looked back with the same thought: they wanted to switch too.

Shen Sang Ruo curved her lips slightly and added with a smile: “Of course, if a whole sect wants to join, Ninghua Sect welcomes you.”

Then she set a target that shocked them again: “This time, Ninghua Sect plans to recruit 10,000 people.”

At once, a group of people turned and ran. Others blinked in confusion: “Why are they running?”

“Why do you think? They are going home to pack and move into the big house! Don’t block my way!” someone shouted while sprinting off.

Yuan Jin had his contracted beast lift him up. Holding a token high, he laughed loudly: “You are all late! Our Ninghua Sect Beast Taming Subsect is the first sect to join!”

He changed his wording fast.

The crowd gnashed their teeth in jealousy. “How sneaky, getting pre admitted!” they cried, then ran even faster.

At Joyous Union Sect, Liu Ru Yan kicked Fang Yu, and he clutched his backside as he asked in pain: “Master, why did you kick me?”

She ordered in a rush: “Go secure a spot with Little Sister Sang Ruo now! I was not worried before, but the competition is fierce. We have to hurry.”

She reminded him with a frown: “You have ties with Little Sister Sang Ruo. Our sect does not have a big edge. Do whatever it takes to get at least one spot.”

She added, face full of resolve: “If needed, and if Little Sister Sang Ruo asks, you can even sell your looks a little.”

That would also show off Joyous Union Sect’s special skills and raise their chances.

“Ah?” Fang Yu’s eyes went wide and his face turned red. His Master was saying such bold words that he even forgot to correct how she addressed Shen Sang Ruo across seniority.

She waved him forward: “If it gets us into Ninghua Sect, not just you, I would sell my looks too! Don’t just stand there. Go!”

Still dazed, Fang Yu let Liu Ru Yan push him toward Ninghua Sect’s side.

Shen Dao Chen snorted coldly. Rubbing his fingers, he watched with a dark, unreadable gaze: [So she is taking her Young Sect Master role very seriously. Does she really not plan to return to Flying Cloud Sect?]