Insignificant Obstacles

The most obvious thing to do when recruiting Outer Disciples would be to post a task in the Mission Hall.

However, Ouyang Li was well aware that if he chose this route, he would have to pay from his own pocket.

Although he didn't mind spending some Spirit Stones, splurging because of the sect's orders was outright stupid.

"Alternatively, I could pick a few less talented disciples without any significant background…" He wondered. "But that wouldn't be effective either…"

It wasn't because such people were lazy. In fact, they were incredibly diligent. Ouyang Li was well aware that his predecessor developed a mental demon and died exactly because he was too eager to progress. The problem was that he would have to trick them and spend a lot of time guiding them on how to operate the Waste Disposal Formation.

"It would be so much easier if I had someone with a Divine Consciousness! They would be able to grasp it immediately…"

It was wishful thinking, though. Ouyang Li has long realized that such people wouldn't stay in Outer Sect. Not everyone could be like him, hiding his cultivation base and biding his time…

Walking with his divine senses contracted, Ouyang Li gradually fell into the illusion of his own grandiose.

Suddenly, though, he felt someone bumping into him.

"What the… I'm so sorry! I have eyes but failed to see…" A small voice sounded from below. It was muffled. Very quickly, a petite figure emerged from his red robes, bowing.

Her face was flushed, and she was holding a book. She was slow-eyed and looked flustered. Her green robes accurately accentuated a bun of golden hair and a pair of nephrite earrings.

Seeing her, Ouyang Li inexplicably eased up. However, in the next moment, fear gripped his heart!

"You sure have a lot of courage, girl!" He reprimanded her harshly. "Not only do you openly flaunt your looks, but you also dare to accost a Steward! How daring of you!"

His accusations weren't groundless. After all, as soon as he had been touched, his divine consciousness awakened. Almost immediately, he could feel a slight pull in the air. It was definitely a deliberate attempt!

"Steward, please do not misunderstand!" The girl frantically waved her hands. "This is just a technique that this Peng Liyuan practices. It cannot be separated from my Cultivation Method!"

The disciple's eyes glistened. A small tear appeared in their corner of her eye. She looked really pitiful now. Even her pose changed from flustered to shy!

"What a good immortal technique! What great acting!" If Ouyang Li hadn't come from Earth, he wouldn't be able to tell. "Alas, you are still too inexperienced!"

What dramas had he not seen in his previous life? Even though there were extraordinary powers in this universe, they still couldn't compare to his experience from modern civilization.

"It was an accident. Senior, I really didn't mean to…"

"Silence! You shall reflect on your behavior at Cliff of Abandonment for the next three weeks!" He waved his hand, and the girl's Outer Disciple token quickly flew into his hand.

It was too easy to move Qi-induced objects with his current cultivation base. Still, Normal Artifacts were usually beyond his reach.

"Oh…. I already said it's a misunderstanding," The girl suddenly became sad. "Still, it was indeed my mistake. Please, do set the punishment, senior."

Fortunately, she was decent enough not to use this seductive technique of hers again.

"It's not like I'm sending you to be tortured there. A Cliff of Abandonment has such a great and secluded environment. Although you'll be confined to sitting in one position, your cultivation might soar!

"Ugh! Actually, staying isolated won't help me with my techniques." The girl fluttered her eyelashes. "Perhaps… perhaps this Peng Liyuan could still apologize to you in a different way?"

"This disciple… Just say one more word, and I will extend your punishment!"

Ouyang Li was getting a headache. The truth is that he had already given her the maximum punishment that could be administered for disregarding and offending a Steward.

Soon, he passed her the token. From this moment on, she wouldn't be able to access any facilities on the Outer Peak. Not before she completes her punishment or has the higher-ups change it to something else.

"I thank this broad-minded Steward for his leniency. Might I ask for senior's name?" The girl smiled innocently.

In response, Ouyang Li simply rotated his cultivation base, exerting some invisible pressure.

"Well… that is unfortunate. Then, this Peng Liyuan will bid her farewell. I believe that the next few weeks at the Cliff of Abandonment will definitely help me adjust my mentality. Still, I will be very lonely…"

She looked at him, giving it one last attempt.

This situation was a bit awkward. In the end, Ouyang Li snorted and turned around. He was the first to walk away.

"Should I have accepted it?" He mused on his way to the Sage Pavilion. "Eh, there will definitely be many opportunities soon!"

After all, the sect's atmosphere was starting to get tense. As soon as the Great Formation Array opens, the situation will deteriorate even further. At his time, love will be in the air! Such was human nature!

"It will be easy to get a girl then. Also, I should pick a modest one with no background and no seductive techniques…"

After all, Ouyang Li felt he was powerful enough to do this. Besides, it's not like he would force anyone, right?

However, it was better not to dwell on such thoughts now. Ouyang Li still had a lot of work to do!

Still, he couldn't help but murmur. "I should have known that I would be targeted. After all, unlike those young-looking grandpas, I am truly in the Spring of my life. There are also many Outer Disciples remembering me from when I was one of them…"

Soon, he arrived in front of the Sage Pavilion. It hasn't changed at all since his last visit.

The only new thing was that Ouyang Li was now aware of powerful formations surrounding the building. He was almost too afraid to extend his senses.

No one stopped him with his red-colored robe and token in the form of a jade slip. He went through the first floor and suddenly stood still next to the stairs. It was because an idea hit him.

Looking at the crowded space of the library, Ouyang Li quickly found the section that focused on formations. It was still on the first floor. After all, these were the absolute basics. The things that only Outer Disciples would be interested in.

It was because this information would be available as soon as one advanced to the Immortal Formation Realm. All it took was extend their newly developed divine consciousness and analyze a random formation.

Still, there were many diligently studying disciples seated in this area. These youngsters were ideal for his purposes! All he had to do was offer them an opportunity to work with a real formation array. Then, he would easily convince them to go into his Waste Disposal Pavilion.

This way, sect orders could be fulfilled without paying a single Spirit Stone!

Furthermore, if he chooses less experienced ones, they might even cry with joy. After all, they would have a Steward carefully guide them through the experience!

"Ha!" Ouyang Li's mouth's corner involuntarily raised. "This solution is just too perfect!"

Just as he was thinking about how to properly hoodwink these disciples into following him to work on a Waste Disposal Array, Ouyang Li spotted a vaguely familiar silhouette. It was just a shadow. However, its tall and glistening shape was clearly zeroing in on his position.

"Not this guy again! Please, go away and leave me alone!" He prayed in his heart. Unfortunately, his prayers remained unanswered as the man quickly materialized in front of him.

However, unlike the last time, he was no longer a silver-clad Elder. Instead, he was wearing a black robe that only Eremites at the Golden Core Realm were eligible to have!

"So, it's you again!" The thin man greeted him with curiosity. "I see that you've ignored my previous advice. Oh well, this time I see even clearer! There is definitely something wrong with you…"

Ouyang Li was speechless.

He could only curse in his heart for his bad luck!

He was clearly avoiding the Sage Pavilion long enough. Could it be that this guy had nothing else to do besides staying here and bothering the youngsters?

There is something wrong with me? You must be joking! It is clearly you who is not in the right state of mind!