It was the day the Divine Sect recruited disciples.
In less than half a day, the training field was filled with people. Some rogue cultivators were even squeezed to other mountain peaks. The nearby peaks were also filled with rogue cultivators.
Everyone was poised for action. Many young Soul Warriors and Soul Cultivators had excited and expectant looks on their faces. They were all geniuses in their families, and their families had placed great hopes on them. Today, they would be able to overcome all obstacles and overcome all obstacles to enter the Divine Sect!
They would bring glory to their families!
Elder Wen stood on the high platform of the training field and looked down at everyone. Behind him were the other elders of the Divine Sect, and after them were the disciples of the sect.
It was almost time.
"Cultivators, please be quiet. We're from the Divine Sect, and I'm sure you know why we're here. We're here to recruit geniuses from all walks of life and add new blood into the Divine Sect!"
Elder Wen's voice was as loud as thunder as it resounded throughout the training field!
The vast training field immediately fell silent. It was so quiet that even a silver needle could be heard. The people scattered around the training field stared at the old man on the high platform in unison.
"There are many people in Sifang Town who should be familiar with me. In the past, I was in charge of recruiting people in this area. As usual, this year, I'm sure you know what kind of personality I have, right?"
The old man looked particularly kind but in the eyes of the people of Sifang Town, this was all an illusion.
This person was very ruthless!
Last year, there was a young genius from a family. In order to enter the Divine Sect, he had used some tricks during the sparring session. He thought that it was enough to conceal it from the world.
In the end, he was seen through by Elder Wen with a single glance. The elder directly killed that genius.
That family's powerhouse was flustered and exasperated at that time but because the other party was a member of the Divine Sect, he could only forcefully suppress the anger in his heart.
This was making a move against a Divine Sect elder meant going against the Divine Sect. Which family or organization dared to do so?
"As for the rules, I don't need to emphasize them. I'll just note that there are slight changes to the standards for recruiting disciples this year."
Once he said that, people looked over from all directions.
Some rogue cultivators still held on to a tiny bit of hope, hoping that what they had just heard would not come true. Some large families and organizations were looking forward to hearing what was to come.
"Everyone, you've all seen it. The number of people participating this year has more than doubled compared to previous years. Besides, the majority of you have good aptitudes. The development of Sifang Town is really fast, exceeding my imagination.
"If it were possible, I'd really like to recruit all of you into the Divine Sect, but I'm not the only one who has the final say in the sect. If I were to recruit too many disciples, the higher-ups would hold me accountable!
"The Divine Sect is only a small sect. If we recruit too many disciples, we won't be able to do anything even if we wanted to. In the end, we would fail to live up to everyone's expectations of the Divine Sect. It's a result that none of us would want to see.
"Therefore, the Divine Sect has decided to raise the standards for recruiting disciples this year. Only those who have awakened at least six Soul Rings will be qualified to enter the second round of the competition!"
As expected, the moment he finished, the training field was filled with noise.
The disgruntled and doubtful voices from all directions drowned out the voices on the high platform. The rogue cultivators on the nearby peaks began to become restless. For a moment, the training field was somewhat out of control.
Although the other disciples of the Pure Wind Clan received orders from the chief to be in charge of maintaining order, there were too many people, and they simply could not manage it.
"Six Soul Rings. Most people are already eliminated in an instant. This condition is extraordinarily harsh.'
Li Ran stood below the high platform, taking in everyone's reactions and muttering softly.
It was already very rare to awaken five Soul Rings. Since the requirement was raised to six in an instant, it would be strange if those people did not go crazy!
Nonetheless, this was none of Li Ran's business.
Not to mention six Soul Rings, even if it was reduced to five or four Soul Rings, he would not be able to participate at all.
'Senior Mo Bao isn't here. How am I supposed to sneak into the Divine Sect?'
Li Ran's gaze returned to the group of Divine Sect members on the high platform. His mind began to spin rapidly. He had to plan for himself. Who knew if the favor from the Pure Wind Clan would be effective against Mo Bao?
On the surface, the Divine Sect was a sect of the path Soul Dao but because of Senior Mo Bao, there was actually a very small number of people involved in Body Cultivation.
What puzzled Li Ran was where those Body Cultivation disciples were chosen from.
'Could it be that they were chosen from every batch of geniuses?
'How's that possible!'
Those who could enter the Divine Sect were well-known God-favored ones. They had at most nine Soul Rings and at least six Soul Rings. How could they be willing to cultivate Body Cultivation?
Li Ran was engrossed in his thoughts. He was completely unaware that his gaze had been fixed on the elder on the high platform.
On the high platform.
Elder Wen's expression did not change in the face of the commotion in the training field. There was a faint smile at the corner of his mouth.
All of a sudden, his smile froze slightly. He lowered his head to look at the youth below the platform.
The youth who had previously stood beside the Pure Wind Clan's chief.
Elder Wen frowned. 'Why is he looking at me?
'Could it be because of my suggestion?
'Stop joking!
'He has only awakened one Soul Ring...
'How could such a Soul Warrior catch the eyes of the Divine Sect!'
At the spur of the moment, Elder Wen thought of a person's exhortation, but he quickly tossed it to the back of his mind. 'Let's talk about it later!
'Let's get down to business first!'
"Everyone, please be patient!"
The moment the words were spoken, it was like a tiger's roar. Everyone covered their ears in unbearable pain. The clamor in the surroundings was drowned out.
"The truth is just that cruel. If you're dissatisfied, you can choose to go to another sect. The other sects aren't bad either. They're much better than the Divine Sect.
"I'll only say this once. Soul Warriors or Soul Cultivators who have awakened at least six Soul Rings can enter the second round. Everyone else, I'm truly sorry!
"Those who want to watch can stay. We won't take up any of your time. Whether you go or stay, it's up to you!"
The representative of the Divine Sect had said so, proving that there was no possibility of further discussion on this matter.
Someone sighed and retreated from his original position. The moment someone moved, there were movements everywhere.
Several minutes passed.
The originally impenetrable crowd suddenly had some space in between. The nearby mountain peaks were densely packed with rogue cultivators as they retreated dejectedly from above.
Li Ran took a quick glance. Nearly a quarter of them had left. Not all of those who stayed met the requirements of the Divine Sect. Some people did not meet the requirements, but they still chose to stay and watch.
Every year, people were still somewhat interested in the martial competitions between those geniuses and the Divine Sect's representatives. Moreover, every year, there would be a few dark horses that would emerge among the geniuses and become the Divine Sect's most important seedling.
It was a pity that they could not join the Divine Sect, but it did not prevent everyone from watching the show.
"Thank you for your love for the Divine Sect. I'm here to thank everyone on behalf of the sect master for being willing to give us face."
Elder Wen looked around and said with a smile.
"Next, for the disciples who meet the condition, please walk to the right side of the training field."
Just as he said this, the Souls Warriors and Soul Cultivators who had awakened at least six Soul Rings walked out from their families or organizations. Under everyone's gaze, they walked to the right side of the training field.
They were all geniuses from various large and small families, as well as God-favored ones from sects and organizations. Their families and organizations had placed high hopes on them, and many of them even carried mysterious missions on their shoulders.
'So many familiar faces.'
Li Ran saw many familiar faces from that group of people. There was Li Rui from the Pure Wind Clan, Wang Chen and his clansmen from the Wang Xiang family, as well as those who had appeared at the Dongluo Market that day.
He did not have a deep impression of the ones from the organizations, so he did not know their names.
People kept coming down from all directions and landed on the training field. Within a few minutes, the right half of the training field was filled with young Soul Warriors and Soul Cultivators.
Generally speaking, when the Divine Sect came to recruit disciples every year, it would be a month after the day of their awakening. Soul Warriors who had just awakened their Soul Rings would only reach the Soul Cultivator realm at most.