Volume 1 Chapter 3: The Dazzling Elder Huang!
After the commotion, the group calmed down. Some were huddled in the corner, trying to digest their hard-fought battle just now. It may sound ridiculous, but Lu Shi, the donkey-looking creep, has indeed saved them.
Although he's unbelievably narcissistic with that kind of face, he indeed deserves their gratitude.
Fang Zhaoge was the only one who remained unaffected. He didn't cultivate like before. Instead, he stared at the outside view from the carriage.
The sect is gradually getting nearer, and Fang Zhaoge could already witness the grandeur of a famous sect. It was more than he could imagine. Every bit of land in his view was filled with all kinds of buildings belonging to the sect.
Even with his current eyesight, he couldn't see the end of it!
The most dazzling thing is those peaks that pierce the heaven! They are enormous! And there are seven of such peaks!
Elder Huang, who had changed into a new robe, stood at the front. His face was filled with pride while looking at the grandiose view in front of him.
"New disciples, welcome to the Scorching Sun Sect, one of the top sects within the whole Great Ming Empire!"
The group of now-new disciples stared in awe at the sect. From where they stood, the territory infinitely extended to the horizon!
It was truly eye-opening!
After arriving before the entrance, a pair of massive gates, the carriage slowly flew down and landed. Elder Huang deactivated the formation and waved his hand to the group.
"Let's go! Let me remind you something. When you enter the gate, there will be several peaks you can choose on your own accord. Of course, some of them have particular prerequisites that you have to fulfil. Such as being a female cultivator…"
Saying this, Elder Huang glared at Lu Shi. Unfortunately, the youth did not catch it.
"Elder Huang, what's the name of that peak?"
Lu Shi excitedly asked, not even bothering with what Elder Huang was trying to say. Elder Huang took a deep breath and buried the urge to kick this donkey-looking kid on the head.
He feared the youth would turn into a donkey if he actually did that…
The group has given up reprimanding him. Even Lin Ming sighed exasperatedly. Just let him be, he'll learn on his own.
"Anyway, other than those particular peaks, you pretty much could join whichever peak you take interest in. But beware, every year, there will be a yearly assessment. And if you don't pass the requirement, you have to change peaks. Or even worse, getting kicked out of the sect!"
The group solemnly nodded at this. It means they have to consider which peak they'd join seriously. So they could pass the yearly assessment with flying colors. Or at least, enough to stay at the peak.
"Elder! Elder! Which peak was the closest to the peak filled with female cultivators?!"
Elder Huang turned his back indifferently. He gave up on that kid. He truly did…
Ignoring the chattering Lu Shi, Fang Zhaoge, Lin Ming and others entered the sect. The guards bowed respectfully towards Elder Huang, and he responded with a nod.
"Ah, look who it is, our infamous Knees Breaker of the Body Tempering Peak! So how's the candidate, Elder Huang? I hope they are up to par!"
A rather long-faced man with slit eyes and a thin mouth greeted them at the entrance. Behind him, there are several disciples in white, golden-edged robes with different auras.
A heroic youth with a sword on his back is quietly drinking tea, his aura as sharp as a sword. A big burly disciple with muscles as hard as rock was talking to him.
There's a gorgeous maiden with soft, watery eyes, playing the zither beside a youth with a scholarly demeanor. The youth was casually reading a book. Another disciple handled fire like it was second nature, skillfully controlling it to his bidding.
At the side, a fat disciple was focused on refining pills with an intricate-looking furnace. Besides him stood a thin youth, handling a paper with ease as he wrote inscriptions on it.
In total, there are seven disciples. All of them are experts in each of their specialities.
"Elder Fu, no worries, I'm confident this batch of disciples I bring would be not bad! I'm afraid you'll be shocked by their talents."
Elder Huang did not hold back at all. He remained unmoved by Elder Fu's hidden provocation.
"Well, please broaden my horizon, Elder Huang! I just found a mere Soul Formation talent just now. It's nothing compared to you."
Elder Fu sighed sadly, but his slitted eyes glinted. At this, the sword-wielding disciple shook his head as he conserved with the burly disciple.
"Elder Huang is a prideful and dazzling man. But I'm afraid he has to back down this time. After all, even I have to admit that a future Soul Formation expert is a good find."
The burly disciple responded with a calm smile. He just stared at Elder Huang who seemed like nothing could shake him.
"That's not necessarily true, Liu Tianji. Look at Elder Huang, his gaze did not change. It's a look I recognized from him. The look of absolute confidence! Do you remember the Eight Regions Competition a few years ago? When Elder Huang participated in the Soul Formation division? We all thought he would lose to the Dark Moon of the Eternal Blue Moon sect, but I saw that gaze from him! And with just an exchange, he actually defeated his opponent with an overwhelming sun-blazing punch!"
The burly disciple's eyes shined as he looked at Elder Huang. The sword cultivator, Liu Tianji did not refute it. He also witnessed the legendary moment back then. After all, it was that win that pushed the Scorching Sun Sect from number 7 to number 4 amongst the eight region sects!
It was also from that fight that Elder Huang established his might as the most dazzling genius of Body Tempering Peak who could defeat a 7th Soul Formation expert when he was just a 3rd Soul Formation realm!
His legend did not lose out to the current fabled Head of the Sword Peak, who came from a humble background. The swordsman who cut through those who despise and doubt him with a single world-turning slash!
As for the nickname 'Knees Breaker', well, it was just that Elder Huang has the habit of breaking his opponent's knees during his battle…
That's why when the news of Elder Huang taking the initiative to recruit disciples in rural places, it shook the whole sect. Even the Sect Master personally questioned him, suggesting he should find disciples in the capital of the Great Ming Empire where the quality of new recruits would be guaranteed.
But he rejected it. As a result, the one in charge of recruiting disciples, Elder Fu, felt like his place was being threatened. Elder Huang was too dazzling, so even though he was just recruiting disciples temporarily, Elder Fu felt his spot was being taken. Hence, the hostility.
Cultivators are that petty. It was rare to find a cultivator with good virtues. And even if there was, it's probably just a farce.
"Elder Huang, could you disclose to me the talents you managed to find?" A regular elder in charge of gathering talents cupped his fists to Elder Huang, showing utmost respect.
Elder Fu just smiled mockingly, his posture was filled with confidence. No matter how dazzling you are, how could you beat me in the field I've been in for almost 5 decades?
"A Foundation Establishment talent, 12 Golden Core talents, 4 Nascent Soul talents, 2 Soul Formation Talents and a Divine Soul talent!"
Elder Huang's booming, bold declaration shook everyone present. Elder Fu stumbled, his slitted eyes widened in shock as he looked at the inconspicuous group of youth behind Elder Huang. One of them even has the face of a donkey!
As for doubting him, why would they? No, in the first place, is this occasion worthy enough for Elder Huang to act deceitfully? It has to be known that Body Tempering Peak was filled with straightforward, bold people! And Elder Huang was even more so!
However, no one noticed how Elder Huang took a glance at Fang Zhaoge. Elder Huang closed his eyes.
'Since you wanted to hide, then fine, I'll cover you. It's the first time I see such a calm, steady temperament coming from a youth.'
In his opinion, even Lin Ming cannot be compared to Fang Zhaoge in terms of steadiness. The kid is clearly more powerful than any of them, yet he can remain calm and unbothered.
Youths love to show off, and even back then, Elder Huang was no different. So it could be said that he was inferior to Fang Zhaoge in terms of steadiness and temperament when he was his age!
"C-Congratulation for Elder Huang to find such heavenly talents! The Sect Master will be delighted to hear that a future Divine Soul expert has been recruited!"
The elder was shocked, and he was brimming with excitement. A future Divine Soul expert! How big of a catch that was?!
There's a saying in ancient times, that it was certain that 1 of 10 Nascent Soul experts to succeed in reaching the Soul Formation realm, yet not even a 1 of 1000 Soul Formation experts could guarantee they would succeed in reaching the Divine Soul realm!
So a Divine Soul talent is basically a guarantee that they would breach that chasm!
Elder Fu was unwilling to lose, but in the end, he sighed sadly. He was like a deflated balloon. In his 5 decades of recruiting disciples, not a single one has such a talent. He was forced to admit that Elder Huang was indeed a person with great fate.
As for harboring hostility? Why would he? Instead, he could use that time to relax and search for a way to break through. Isn't that more fulfilling and exciting?
Elder Fu stood up and cupped his fists at Elder Huang, "Congratulations, Elder Huang! I didn't expect that you would beat all of my merits in the past five decades with just a single recruitment. You're truly a being with great fate!"
Elder Huang indifferently nodded, but he patted Elder Fu's shoulder and encouraged, "You're not bad either! You have recruited a total of 15 Soul Formation talents, and 7 of them have matured and have contributed to the sect with countless merits! You deserve more than you received!"
Elder Fu beamed, and he was like being reborn. His slitted eyes widened as he giddily responded, "You're too polite, Elder Huang!"
After the commotion was over, Elder Huang returned to his batch. His eyes twitched when the donkey face of Lu Shi stretched towards the maiden of the Frozen Hall Peak.
Elder Huang couldn't take it anymore, and he kicked Lu Shi's butt at lightning speed.
"Gyagh! Who dares to violate my butt! Just so you know, I'm only interested in maidens and junior sisters! Men, especially old men, could get lost!"
'Fuck!' The same thought came across each youth's mind. Lin Ming's steady face twitched, he even had the urge to kick this guy.
"Do you wish to die?" Elder Huang's face darkened.
"Eh?" Lu Shi looked back, and he was shocked when he saw the imposing silhouette of Elder Huang.
"D-Damn it, it was an elder! I can't resist at all! But heed my words! You won't be able to take my heart!"
'Fuck!' The youths once again cursed in their mind. This time, Fang Zhaoge already turned his back. He would rather enjoy the melody of the zither of that young maiden.
When the maiden glanced at him and smiled, Fang Zhaoge could feel this soothing feeling in his heart. Indeed, rather than witnessing that f*cking donkey, it's better to enjoy such a beauty.
"That's it! I'll be taking you to the Body Tempering Peak and let you have the taste of my Body Tempering Peak's most brutal body tempering method!"
"No! Please! This old man intended to do unspeakable things to me!"
"Unspeakable things indeed! I'll throw you to the nearest volcano for some body tempering! Who knows, maybe that face of yours could be reformed!"
"Anything! Anything but my face!"
At the side, Liu Tianji smiled calmly as he glanced at his fellow Body Tempering Peak's disciple, who coughed out and retreated from the scene, "Well, fellow daoist, I'll be taking care of the aftermath."
The youths blankly stared as Elder Huang carried Lu Shi as if he were a sandbag. As for Fang Zhaoge, well, he already has the intention to join Sword Peak.
He walked towards Liu Tianji and cupped his fists. The swordsman simply greeted him with a smile.
"Greetings, Senior Brother!"
"What do you need?"