Chapter 226

Chapter 226: Can Ninghua Sect Withstand Flying Cloud Sect’s Targeting?

Everything was ready, and the day of the recruitment fair arrived.

Countless Cultivators and small sects rushed toward the location of Ninghua Sect. The sect, ancient and solemn, stood on a green mountain, quiet yet grand.

Many Cultivators stared in a daze. This scale did not lose to the Flying Cloud Sect or the Heavenly Sword Sect, both with thousands of years of history.

Some people wondered, raising their voices: “When did such a huge sect get built?” They had not noticed at all.

As expected of Ninghua Sect, the group that used only eight people to claim the top spot in the entire Cultivation World: terrifying. After seeing Ninghua Sect with their own eyes, the visitors felt at ease. They had come to the right place.

The first to arrive among the rogue cultivators was Lin Qian Yin, and the first sect to arrive was the Joyous Union Sect. Lin Qian Yin had also gone to Fengling Terrace; when the Sect Grand Tournament ended, she came here with the token in hand. Perhaps this was the greatest chance of her life.

Shen Sang Ruo greeted her with a smile and said: “You came at the perfect time. From now on you can study music with my second Senior Brother.” Thinking about Song Wei Yan’s off-key chant when casting, Lin Qian Yin felt her ears hurt and wore a stiff smile.

She also brought a message for Beast Taming Sect and said: “Ji Zi Cang said his Master is still moving those Vicious Beasts. It will take some time, so they will arrive late.” Shen Sang Ruo answered calmly: “No problem. We have already prepared a place to house those Vicious Beasts. Once Beast Taming Sect arrives and passes the test, they can move in.” As the first sect she personally recruited, they did have a little privilege.

Next came the Joyous Union Sect. A total of one hundred and five people arrived. No matter if they were men or women, young or old, every one of them was dressed to the nines, bright and eye catching. They had brought their best state to join.

“Sister Sang Ruo, we have come to rely on you!” Fang Yu said, too excited to hide it.

Shen Sang Ruo first cupped her hands to Liu Ru Yan and said: “Greetings, Sect Master Liu. Please go over there for the test. Once you pass, you may join Ninghua Sect.” The testing method was the same one Ninghua Sect had used in the past for admissions, with all kinds of tools and artifacts ready. She added, voice steady: “But if someone fails the test, we cannot accept them into Ninghua Sect. I hope Sect Master Liu will understand.” Liu Ru Yan nodded with a smile and said: “I understand. Thank you.” Then she led the Joyous Union Sect members to the testing grounds.

Fang Yu did not follow. Shen Sang Ruo glanced at him and saw a hint of grievance in his eyes. [What is going on with this kid?] She asked, confused: “Why that face?” Meeting her smiling look, Fang Yu muttered: “You gave Beast Taming Sect a token. Why didn’t you give me a token?” He felt their friendship was good, and he had done well in the Phantom Mirage Domain.

Seeing Fang Yu looking like someone who had given his heart to the wrong person, Shen Sang Ruo understood and laughed. She explained: “The plan to recruit Cultivators and sects came after we returned from the Phantom Mirage Domain. I did not know the Joyous Union Sect well. I only gifted Beast Taming Sect a token after I looked into them.” After all, Yuan Jin had thought about joining another sect before. She had not expected the Joyous Union Sect to want to join Ninghua Sect.

“Enough, go take the test. Your Master is watching you,” she said. Fang Yu turned his head, saw Liu Ru Yan’s death stare, swallowed hard, and said: “Then I am going, Sister Sang Ruo.” He hurried after his group.

Lin Qian Yin and all one hundred and five members of Joyous Union Sect passed the tests smoothly.

Other Cultivators and sects arrived one after another, and soon the gate of Ninghua Sect was packed. The tests were held on the Ninghua Sect plaza, which was big enough to hold one hundred thousand Cultivators. Because there were so many people, everyone first registered their information, and those who passed moved on to the next round of screening. With Immortal Lord Chang Li and Daoist Wu Wei, both at the Divine Transformation Stage, sitting in charge, everything stayed in order.

Still, some people were not here to take part. They were here to watch and stir trouble. They hid among the crowd, waiting for a chance.

Someone started a rumor and said: “I heard Flying Cloud Sect already began targeting Ninghua Sect. Merchants friendly with Flying Cloud Sect will no longer sell them any supplies.” Another voice added: “Without supplies, can Ninghua Sect hold on?” A third said: “A Cultivator’s training burns through resources.” A fourth scoffed: “They are recruiting so many at once. Can they even afford to feed them?”

They thought these words would make the candidates waver. But before Shen Sang Ruo or her people said anything, angry replies rose up on the spot. Someone snapped back and said: “You are not even here to join. Why are you worrying about this?” Another jeered and said: “Exactly, mind your own business. The Emperor is not anxious, yet the eunuch is.” Others called out with spirit and said: “Do you think we do not know Ninghua Sect’s situation? They must have thought everything through, and that is why we decided to join.” More people chimed in and said: “Even if Flying Cloud Sect targets them, so what. If we cannot handle a little pressure, how can we be worthy of Ninghua Sect?” Of course, they swore it was definitely not for the one hundred High-grade Spirit Stones. They just wanted to share hardship with an excellent sect. [Sure, not for the Stones at all.]

Shen Sang Ruo stepped into the crowd. She did not answer the trash talk; she simply said to everyone: “Please make some space.” A clear circle with a ten-meter radius formed around her. She looked again and said: “Not enough. Please step back some more.” The Cultivators did not know what she wanted, but they obeyed. She called out again and said: “Back more, back more.” Soon a clear area with a radius of one hundred meters opened in the middle of the plaza.

“That should do. We will use this,” Shen Sang Ruo said at last. Not only were the Cultivators confused, even Daoist Wu Wei and the others did not understand. She turned to Immortal Lord Chang Li and said: “Master, seal off this area.” Immortal Lord Chang Li snapped his fingers. A ring of fiery Spiritual Power spread out and enclosed the open ground.

Shen Sang Ruo rose into the air on the wind from the Luan Feather Fan and hovered steadily above the circle. Under everyone’s curious gaze, she took out her Cosmos Pouch and tipped it over.

Countless treasures poured out. Tools, treasures, crystals, rare materials, spirit plants; everything was there. The Cultivators on the plaza stared, eyes shining. Each piece was precious enough to be a sect’s heirloom, yet now they fell like rain, clattering onto the ground.

People almost winced with pain. They wanted to put each treasure on a velvet stand, not see them tossed out like this. [So rich it hurts.]

And she still did not stop. Minute by minute, more treasures flowed out. Soon the open area was filled and a small mountain of treasure rose on the Ninghua Sect plaza. Faces turned slack with shock. Now they understood why she had asked for such a large space.

The troublemakers’ expressions twisted. This glittering mountain made their earlier words look foolish. [That really stings.]

With so many treasures, Ninghua Sect could be self-sufficient for years. What was the Flying Cloud Sect going to blockade now, a bazaar?