Chapter 25: The Old Warhorse Aspires to Journey a Thousand Miles

At this moment, everyone standing at the doorway saw Lin Xuankong stride in quickly with a rather imposing manner, clearly indicating he had some skills, and they all showed expressions of surprise on their faces once more.

The bald Li Er then shook his shiny head. "This old fellow, at such an age... In the Great Thousand Worlds, all sorts of wonders exist. Maybe he really has some strength! HAHAHA!"

He followed closely behind Lin Xuankong, walking in quickly.

The remaining Martial Cultivators started discussing this peculiar old man, Lin Xuankong.

The long-faced Martial Cultivator spoke, "Even this old man dares to go in and compete, what do I, Luu Guanqi, have to fear! I will also go in and compete. Maybe my opponent will be this old man, and I'll win easily, HAHAHA!"

After saying this, he took a few steps, entered the doorway, and headed towards the hall.

The Martial Cultivator with the surname Yang looked at Lin Xuankong's distant figure, suddenly took a deep breath, and said, "Judging by the way that old fellow walks, he seems to have some skills. But at his age, his Qi Blood must have declined greatly. How could he possibly be a match for Martial Cultivators in their twenties or thirties! What's admirable is that such an old and frail man still has the courage to compete with so many experts!"

He thought of Lin Xuankong's decisive tone and steadfast steps, and a heroic spirit surged within his chest. "I, Yang Mountain, will also go in and compete! If that old fellow, at his age, can still harbor the ambitions of an old steed intent on a long journey, how can I, in the prime of my life, lack that heroic spirit! Even if I lose, so what if I lose some face? Competing with experts can still broaden my horizons!"

After saying this, he picked up the tasselled long spear beside him and strode off.

"Well said! Whether old or young, a Martial Cultivator should always possess a heroic spirit!"

"Today, my eyes have truly been opened! Our Great Marsh Prefecture still has heroic figures—young ones and old heroes alike! HAHAHA!"

Upon hearing his words, many Martial Cultivators couldn't help but cheer.

Soon, someone else spoke up, "I'll also join the competition! I really want to see if that old hero truly has some skills. My curiosity is getting the better of me!"

Gu Beicheng stood by the door, looking at the crowd inspired by Lin Xuankong, and couldn't help but be dumbfounded.

The cultivation field of the Yin Talisman Sect covered a vast area, about over ten mu in size.

To the east of the cultivation field stood thirty-six Martial Cultivators who had come to apply for the steward position. These people were clearly the elites among Independent Martial Cultivators, their strength quite impressive. Most of them were in their twenties or thirties, in their prime, each tall and broad-shouldered, with spirited eyes. Lin Xuankong stood among them... conspicuously. Especially his white hair; he was like a single white speck amidst a sea of black, visible even from a hundred zhang away.

At this moment, the beautiful, Daoist-robed Chief Steward Jiang Yuran, accompanied by several Stewards and hundreds of elite disciples, entered the cultivation field. She looked at the upright figures of the Independent Martial Cultivators in the distance and nodded with satisfaction. However, when her gaze fell upon Lin Xuankong in the crowd, her eyes paused involuntarily.

She turned her head in surprise to look at a nearby Grand Chief Steward and frowned, saying, "Why is there an old man applying for the steward position?"

This Grand Steward Jiang Yuran had organized many recruitment activities for sect members, but this was the first time she had seen an applicant in his sixties.

The Grand Chief Steward cupped his hands and said, "Reporting to Chief Steward Jiang, Xiao Cheng already informed me. He said this old man insisted on participating in the application. He had no choice but to let him in!"

Jiang Yuran frowned as she looked at Lin Xuankong for a while. Her eyes darted around a few times, and it was unclear what she thought of, but she suddenly smiled and said, "A hero in old age with a lofty ambition! Regardless of his strength, his courage is worth praising!"

The Grand Chief Steward joked, "I just worry that he might not pass the first test. Even if he does, if he gets killed in the second martial competition, we would have to compensate him with a coffin!"

Jiang Yuran was momentarily stunned. She glared at the Grand Chief Steward, then turned and walked towards the Martial Cultivators.

When she stood before the group of Martial Cultivators and everyone looked at her solemnly, Jiang Yuran said loudly, "Everyone, demons are rampant now, occupying many cities of our Great Xia and harming the populace. The Great Marsh Prefecture is also deeply affected. On behalf of the Yin Talisman Sect, I, Jiang Yuran, welcome all you heroes. I hope you can pass the first test. As for the second, the martial competition, fists and feet have no eyes. I hope that when you reach the second round, you will know when to stop!"

After delivering a lengthy opening speech, as she neared the end, she couldn't help glancing at Lin Xuankong in the crowd.

It wasn't that she had any opinion of Lin Xuankong; it was just a human instinct... Lin Xuankong was simply too special among the crowd, so her gaze naturally fell on him!

Why do I keep looking at him unknowingly?

Jiang Yuran, somewhat frustrated, withdrew her gaze.

She continued, "Next, Steward Ma and Steward Gu will take everyone for the first test!"

After speaking, surrounded by many Stewards, she stepped away. As a Grand Steward whose authority was nearly on par with that of a Hall Master, Grand Steward Jiang Yuran certainly couldn't personally oversee the tests for these First Layer and Second Layer Martial Cultivators. Her presence was merely to show the Yin Talisman Sect's regard for newcomers!

After she left, Gu Beicheng stepped out from among the Daoists and led the numerous Martial Cultivators towards the Heaven-Interpreting Stone for the test.

Lin Xuankong followed the crowd. Once near the Heaven-Interpreting Stone, he looked at the giant rock with some curiosity. This oval giant rock was taller than three men, with a circumference that ten people could barely encircle. It was pale yellow, covered with intricate patterns, and had a handprint-shaped depression in the lower-middle part.

The many Martial Cultivators looked at the giant rock in confusion; only a few showed a hint of eagerness in their eyes.

Gu Beicheng, seeing the confusion in their eyes, explained, "This Heaven-Interpreting Stone is an artifact our Yin Talisman Sect uses to test a disciple's talent and see if they are suited for cultivating Yin Talisman Thunder. Since you are all applying for Deputy Steward positions, you will inevitably be responsible for managing and teaching disciples in the future. Therefore, you must possess the talent for cultivating Yin Talisman Thunder."

"But don't worry. Since you have all advanced to the First Layer of Transcendence, you certainly possess Martial Cultivation talent. Thus, there's a 60-70% chance you can cultivate the Yin Talisman Technique; the only difference lies in the degree of compatibility with the cultivation technique!"

When the crowd heard the beginning of his speech, they showed some concern, but upon hearing the latter part, they felt relieved. After all, a 60-70% chance of passing the first test was fairly high!

Gu Beicheng pointed above the hand seal on the Heaven-Interpreting Stone, where there were nine special symbols. He continued, "Based on the differences in compatibility, our Yin Talisman Sect categorizes talent into nine levels. In a moment, you will channel your Qi Blood into that hand seal, which will light up those symbols! The more symbols you light up, the more compatible you are with the Yin Talisman Thunder Technique!"

Everyone nodded.

Bald Li Er couldn't help but ask, "Steward Gu, this Heaven-Interpreting Stone is so mystical; I'm eager to try it! But I'm curious, within our Yin Talisman Sect, what's the highest number of symbols anyone has lit up?"

Hearing this, Gu Beicheng's eyes showed a hint of pride. He stroked his long beard and said, "Our Yin Talisman Sect has a long and storied history. It has been a thousand years since our founding ancestor established the sect, and he himself lit up nine symbols! Over the past millennium, there have been five sect members who lit up eight symbols. Those five ancestors who lit up eight symbols were all extraordinary geniuses, one in a hundred million! Of course, even lighting up five or six symbols means you're an exceptionally talented match for the Yin Talisman Technique!"

Bald Li Er's eyes lit up. "I wonder, among the current disciples, what's the highest number of symbols lit?"

At this question, Gu Beicheng paused. He carefully chose his words and said, "Among the current disciples... the highest is five symbols! Of course, five symbols are also extremely impressive. One can easily manifest thunder and lightning and has the potential to reach a very High Realm in Yin Talisman Thunder in the future!"

That Junior Sister Jiang Yuran managed to light up five symbols; she's a Yin Talisman Thunder genius, the likes of which are seen once in a hundred years! When I first joined, I lit up four symbols and was praised by my master as an extraordinary talent, one in ten thousand. I was highly regarded by everyone in the sect, and even the Sect Leader had high hopes for me. But my talent is still quite inferior to Junior Sister Jiang's!

At this moment, Steward Ma, standing beside Gu Beicheng, looked sternly at the numerous Martial Cultivators. "As long as you can light up one symbol, you can cultivate the Yin Talisman Technique. Lighting up two symbols gives you a 90% chance of cultivating lightning. You may even be reported directly to Chief Steward Jiang for an exceptional promotion to Deputy Steward without having to participate in the martial competition! When you test shortly, lighting up even one symbol would be very good. Don't aim too high! Alright, everyone, test one by one. Remember to state your name, family heritage, and cultivation level."

Being a Steward clearly indicated strong ability and high status. As soon as Steward Ma spoke, even the genius Steward Gu dared not idle and quickly organized the testing.

From the line, the first man, who had a sallow face, stepped out. He cupped his hands towards Gu Beicheng and said, "I am Li Lu, twenty-three years old. I have cultivated the Three Mountains Fist and am at the Late Stage of the First Layer of Transcendence!"

After speaking, he walked to the Heaven-Interpreting Stone with a hint of anticipation in his eyes, placed his hand on the hand seal, and channeled his Qi Blood into it.

Unfortunately, after several dozen breaths, the sallow-faced man's complexion had turned pale from the significant consumption of Qi Blood, yet the Heaven-Interpreting Stone still showed no reaction.

Seeing this, a hint of regret flashed in Gu Beicheng's eyes. He said, "Scholar Li, you may stop. It seems your constitution is not compatible with the Yin Talisman Technique! However, although you cannot apply for the steward position, you can still join our Yin Talisman Sect as a disciple. By cultivating other cultivation techniques in the future, you may still have a chance to be promoted to an Outer City Steward!"

The sallow-faced man reluctantly withdrew his hand, cupped his hands to Gu Beicheng, and returned to the crowd with a sense of dejection.

Next, the others continued the test. To Gu Beicheng's dismay, five consecutive people failed to light up any symbols. The remaining thirty-odd Martial Cultivators couldn't help but feel anxious.

Standing in the line, Lin Xuankong frowned at the Heaven-Interpreting Stone. Based on the cultivation realms of these people, if I were to compete, I could likely secure a Deputy Steward position with my Early Second Layer realm and Spiritual Crane Finger! But for this kind of test... The Young Lady said my constitution is better suited for cultivating the Pine Crane Longevity Technique. I wonder if I am compatible with this Yin Talisman Technique. If I can't even light up one symbol, like these six people, it would be troublesome! I hope I can at least light up one symbol!