Zhao Yu, heading back to his room, felt the token in his hand glow. The Manor Lord's voice echoed in his ear, commanding with unyielding authority.
"Task: Recruit new members for the manor. The candidates await outside. Serve as examiner and conduct their trials. Accept?"
Ladling out tasks via token? The Manor Lord's will? Barely a day here… Glanced toward the lord's quarters. He's shown me great kindness. I'll do this well.
"Accept the task."
The token flared, flooding his mind with essential details.
Followed its guidance, strode to the gate, opened it, and surveyed the five groups waiting.
This group… something's off.
Outside, the group reeled from the overwhelming phenomenon witnessed up close. Took ages to regain composure. Instantly, all turned wary. Then the gate opened. A figure emerged, poised and dignified, shrouded in mist—only discernible as human.
Why just a silhouette?
Among them, two eminent Confucian scholars—Su Qing of the Great Prosperian Dominion and Wu Dingxi of the Land of the Ancestors—stood most astonished.
At their realm, no one could hide their true nature from their piercing gaze, no secret could elude their scrutiny.
Confucian cultivation spanned seven stages: Apprentice, Scholar, Teacher, Grand Teacher, Confucian, Great Confucian, Saint.
This figure… a Saint? Only a Saint could stand before Great Confucians without revealing a trace. Saints, the pinnacle of Confucian cultivation, numbered just two in the world—one from the Great Prosperian Dominion, one from the Domain of Chromatica. This Saint is neither.
Glanced at the sole martial general, Pei Xuan, trembling uncontrollably, staring at them in disbelief.
"A Saint…"
Immediately, the two Great Confucians and the general stepped forward, bowing respectfully.
"Greetings, Saint Senior."
Silence fell. A Saint? In the five empires, split into two factions, the divide hinged on these two Saints.
Martial Emperors, invincible, could shift rivers and seas with raw might. Saints, however, commanded legions with a word, their decrees shaping reality, revered by millions. A Saint's appearance heralded a new era. Their title alone swayed the world's balance.
Now, in this wilderness, a hidden Saint emerges…
Crown Prince Luna Victor, alongside the leading princes and princesses, moved to pay respects, but the Saint waved a hand, asking.
"You're the group seeking to join the manor, correct?"