Seeking Disciples

The old man immediately released a wave of spiritual power, knocking the girl unconscious on the spot, then swiftly dropped to his knees before Han Ming.

"I beg your pardon for her rudeness! This lowly one never intended to offend you! The Hong Clan will surely prepare a proper apology to the Holy Land of the Immortal River!"

The moment the old man spoke, the faces of the surrounding cultivators went pale.

"The Holy Land of the Immortal River!"

Their bodies trembled, cold sweat pouring down as though they had been cast into the depths of hell.

There was not a single soul in this world who had not heard of the Holy Land of the Immortal River one of the most powerful lands under the heavens. No one would dare provoke them unless they were backed by a supreme-level Great Emperor.

In the blink of an eye, the arrogant airs of the cultivators vanished, replaced by expressions of utter reverence. They all bowed low and prostrated themselves, their heads striking the ground as they begged for forgiveness. Terrified, they abandoned their former arrogance and made a hasty retreat.

But Han Ming didn't lift a finger against them. He simply stood and watched, as though the entire incident meant nothing to him. If he had wanted, he could have wiped them all out along with the airship that had crashed earlier. But he chose to spare them, because he already had a plan in mind.

He would leave the clan intact for the sake of his disciples. He wanted them to settle their own grudges. After all, vengeance taken by one's own hands is far more meaningful than relying on others. As the saying goes, it is always better to breathe with your own nose than through someone else's.

Su Baining and Hao Yang looked at their master in stunned silence.

"Master… are you truly from the Holy Land of the Immortal River?"

The two of them had heard of that sacred land before. Even Great Emperors had to show respect before it. It was one of the strongest and oldest holy lands in existence. Su Baining in particular was well-acquainted with its reputation. Meanwhile, Rong Lixian, who stood quietly at the side, showed no surprise. She had little knowledge of the outside world to begin with.

Several hours passed.

High in the sky above the sacred lands, Han Ming was piloting a massive flying ship of his own making, constructed from the remains of the Hong Clan's wrecked airship. Its frame was reforged with sacred metal and infused with light energy, powered by nine radiant dragons pulling it forward. Its speed far surpassed any ordinary vehicle.

Though he had already traveled through many places, the Heavenjade Continent was simply too vast to explore in a short time. At this point, he had only covered about five percent of its territory.

During his journey, Han Ming used his power to search for individuals with the highest potential. He found quite a few with Emperor-grade physiques or ten-star comprehension. After careful selection, he chose eight individuals who caught his interest, each one tested in both heart and identity. All of them possessed extraordinary talent and unique destinies. However, he didn't accept all eight as disciples he merely brought them back to the sect.

[Name: Jin Tian][Age: 18][Identity: Orphan of Cloud Village, Former Half-Emperor 10,000 years ago, Child of Destiny][Cultivation Level: Qi Control Stage 9][Special Physique: Ancient Sacred Body (Emperor Grade)][Potential: 10 Stars][Comprehension: 10 Stars][Luck: Gold][Loyalty: 85]

......…..

[Name: Zhao Yueling][Age: 16][Identity: Third Princess of the Drifting Snow Dynasty][Cultivation Level: Golden Core Stage 3][Special Physique: Snow Emperor Body (Emperor Grade)][Potential: 10 Stars][Comprehension: 9 Stars][Luck: Red][Loyalty: 60]

......…..

[Name: Long Hei][Age: 15][Identity: Heir of the Black Dragon Tribe][Cultivation Level: Qi Control Stage 9][Special Physique: Immortal Black Dragon Body (Emperor Grade)][Potential: 10 Stars][Comprehension: 8 Stars][Luck: Red][Loyalty: 75]

......…..

[Name: Xie Lanyi][Age: 17][Identity: Daughter of the Xie Clan Chief from Skyiron City][Cultivation Level: Qi Control Stage 9][Special Physique: Divine Water Spirit Body (Emperor Grade)][Potential: 9 Stars][Comprehension: 10 Stars][Luck: Red][Loyalty: 85]

......…..

[Name: Yang Fanzhi][Age: 18][Identity: General of the Drifting Snow Dynasty][Cultivation Level: Golden Core Stage 8][Special Physique: Shadow Night Body (Emperor Grade)][Potential: 10 Stars][Comprehension: 9 Stars][Luck: Red][Loyalty: 95]

......…..

[Name: Song Lingtian][Age: 17][Identity: Eldest Son of the Song Sacred Clan Head][Cultivation Level: Golden Core Stage 8][Special Physique: Five Element Sacred Body (Emperor Grade)][Potential: 10 Stars][Comprehension: 9 Stars][Luck: Red][Loyalty: 98]

......…..

[Name: Song Lingsu][Age: 17][Identity: Second Son of the Song Sacred Clan Head][Cultivation Level: Golden Core Stage 8][Special Physique: Five Element Sacred Body (Emperor Grade)][Potential: 10 Stars][Comprehension: 9 Stars][Luck: Red][Loyalty: 88]

......…..

[Name: Song Lingya][Age: 17][Identity: Youngest Daughter of the Song Sacred Clan Head][Cultivation Level: Golden Core Stage 8][Special Physique: Five Element Sacred Body (Emperor Grade)][Potential: 10 Stars][Comprehension: 9 Stars][Luck: Red][Loyalty: 90]

As Han Ming stood at the prow of the flying vessel, gazing far into the distance in search of his fifth disciple, he couldn't help but reflect on what had transpired just hours earlier.

Among all the candidates he had selected, only Xie Lanyi had successfully awakened her innate special physique on her own. The remaining seven had all required Han Ming's power to forcefully awaken the Emperor-grade physiques that lay dormant within them. Even Jin Tian, the boy blessed with golden luck and extraordinary talent, a reincarnated emperor no less, had needed Han Ming's help.

Initially, Han Ming had intended to take Jin Tian as a disciple. However, his tests were not limited to talent and special physiques alone. Mindset, intellect, and perseverance were just as important. And when Jin Tian failed to meet those standards, Han Ming chose not to take him in, despite his perfect qualifications in all other aspects.

He held firmly to his own principle: "A solid foundation leads to rapid ascension."

Meanwhile, on the flying ship, Han Ming's seven newly selected disciples and his three official disciples were gathered around, playing a card game that Han Ming had created himself. Jin Tian, however, remained seated in meditation, training in silence. Amid the relaxed and joyful atmosphere, Rong Lixian, Hao Yang, and Su Baining laughed freely—like ordinary children tasting true happiness for the first time in their lives.

But suddenly, as the flying ship passed over a dense forest, Han Ming sensed something was off. His eyes narrowed slightly before he dove down toward the ground without hesitation.

"Master just jumped down!" Hao Yang was the first to notice, immediately rising to his feet. The others rushed to the edge of the ship, peering downward.

What they saw was a young man collapsed beneath a tree, his body covered in wounds, face twisted in pain, his eyes clouded and blind, overflowing with despair.

Information about the young man appeared before Han Ming's eyes.

[Name: Feng Huangjun]

[Age: 17]

[Identity: Core Disciple of the Poison Blossom Sect, ???]

[Cultivation Level: None]

[Special Physique: Sacred Void Bone (Excavated) (Emperor Grade), Void Phoenix Bloodline (Extracted) (Emperor Grade)]

[Potential: 10 Stars]

[Comprehension: 10 Stars]

[Luck: Black]

[Loyalty: 0]