Chapter 69: Entry into Cultivation

“Greetings, Immortal Elder!”

As soon as the sword-bearing youth landed, the villagers of Blackwood Village promptly bowed and greeted him. Some even knelt down, seeking blessings from the immortal elder.

Without wasting any words, the young man casually tossed out a few small items imbued with spiritual energy, swiftly dismissing the villagers.

“Already on the path to cultivation? Impressive, impressive!”

His gaze fell upon Doude and his companions, revealing a look of evident satisfaction.

“Greetings, Senior.”

Doude and the others also bowed respectfully.

The strength of mid-Qi Refinement warranted their deferential greeting. In their minds, reaching the second level of Qi Refinement was akin to being at their master’s level, let alone this formidable cultivator who had achieved the fourth level. Such a realm was unprecedented among all cultivators in the Yue Kingdom.

“I’m not some senior,” the sword-wielding youth quickly waved off their reverence.

“After entering the sect, our statuses will be equal.”

With that, he retrieved several tokens from within his robes and distributed them individually to Doude and the group.

Each token was shaped like a water droplet.

“As you’ve already embarked on the cultivation path, there’s no need for further assessment. Please accompany me urgently to Shenfeng County, where my sect’s elders are holding a grand disciple recruitment ceremony.” After brief introductions, the young man prepared to depart with them immediately.

Since Chen Luo and his companions were not from Blackwood Village, they had no specific matters to attend to. After gathering some provisions, they swiftly set off with the young swordsman.

His efficient and decisive approach starkly contrasted with the sluggish bureaucracy of the Yue Kingdom’s imperial court.

Chen Luo felt this was truly how cultivators should be. Having embarked on the path of immortality, why bother adhering to mundane worldly rules?

They traveled swiftly throughout their journey.

The young swordsman deliberately slowed down along the way, sharing various insights about the Divine Lake Immortal Sect with Chen Luo and his friends.

Through these conversations, they gained a broad understanding of the sect.

Indeed, the Divine Lake Immortal Sect was a formidable cultivation sect, wielding significant influence over three neighboring countries as its subordinate territories. Each year, it conducted recruitment across these nations, seeking qualified disciples.

With such a large influx of new disciples, the Divine Lake Immortal Sect continually grew stronger. The vast numbers attracted more geniuses, ensuring an unending supply of skilled practitioners.

Concerns about resources were minimal, as admitted disciples did not merely sit idle while cultivating.

For an immortal cultivation sect, population itself was considered a resource.

Disciples with aptitude were particularly valuable! Many materials for cultivation could only be crafted by individuals possessing spiritual energy.

Skills like pill concocting, qi refinement, talisman creation, and array formations all required vast pools of talent to sustain each discipline.

“Great cultivators are built upon abundant resources,” remarked Song Yan, the sword-bearing disciple flying ahead.

His current task was assigned by the Divine Lake Immortal Sect itself. The mission’s issuer was the elder conducting the grand recruitment ceremony in Shenfeng County. Disciples like Song Yan acted as extended limbs, assisting the elder in gathering qualified individuals to fulfill the annual recruitment quota set by the higher-ups of the Divine Lake Immortal Sect.

Half a day later.

The group arrived at Shenfeng County swiftly due to Chen Luo and his companions already having embarked on their cultivation path. When Song Yan led them into the courtyard, it was entirely empty.

“My uncle-master is currently in seclusion, refining pills, so he has entrusted all matters related to disciple recruitment to Elder Brother Fang,” explained Song Yan as he guided Chen Luo and the others towards the registration area.

Contrary to its grandiose name, the “grand recruitment ceremony” was not a lavish event but rather a specific mission, overseen by several disciples who had accepted the task. Elder Brother Fang mentioned by Song Yan was one such responsible individual. As for the supervising elder from the Divine Lake Immortal Sect, they were naturally occupied with their own affairs. Similar to research missions, the elder held the title of overall supervisor while the detailed work was carried out by those beneath them.

Upon seeing this person, Chen Luo and the others felt a sense of awe. Compared to Song Yan, Elder Brother Fang appeared even more formidable.

They could no longer discern his specific cultivation realm but sensed the spiritual energy emanating from him, indicating he was at least in the fifth layer of Qi Refinement, possibly even reaching the sixth layer and nearing the late stages.

“Six people, let’s count as six points.” Without raising his head, Elder Brother Fang swiftly waved his brush across the table. A drop of ink flew out and merged with the water droplet imprint on their tokens. Instantly, the originally gray water droplets turned translucent. On the ledger before Elder Brother Fang, Chen Luo and the others’ names were added.

With this step, they had officially registered.

Upon arriving at the Divine Lake Immortal Sect and receiving mentorship, they would be considered full-fledged members.

“Ensure you keep your identity tokens safe; you’ll need them for the return journey,” Song Yan reminded them as their guide.

“Many thanks, Senior Brother Song.”

Doude and the others promptly expressed their gratitude.

The process went smoother than anyone anticipated.

Whether due to the vastness of the Divine Lake Immortal Sect or indifference to the disciples’ origins, Chen Luo and his companions effortlessly passed through.

Over the next few days, they awaited at the accommodations provided by the Divine Lake Immortal Sect.

Gradually, more individuals arrived during this period.

On the second day, three more individuals arrived.

The third day saw seven newcomers.

This continued until half a month later.

Elder Brother Fang, responsible for registration, collected the roster and announced that it was time to return to the immortal sect.

As the sky began to darken,

a massive flying boat appeared above Shenfeng County. Its pale blue hull was supported by an enormous wooden turtle, with structures layered upon its back like a floating island in the sky - truly an awe-inspiring sight.

This was the Divine Lake Immortal Sect’s flagship, crafted by their renowned equipment forging master at an exorbitant cost.

At this moment, Chen Luo truly grasped the grandeur of an immortal cultivation sect.

Such an extravagant flying boat could never be created by individual cultivators.

After the flying boat emerged, several figures flew out from Shenfeng County, directly boarding the vessel.

Instantly, numerous inscriptions of immortal script illuminated across the boat, forming intricate patterns.

Below, those bearing the mark of the Divine Lake Immortal Sect were enveloped by the glowing symbols, lifted by gusts of wind and carried onto the ship.

“It’s an elder from the Divine Lake Immortal Sect!”

As Chen Luo watched the figure ascend to the top of the flying boat, a hint of longing flashed in his eyes.

Now that was a true immortal cultivator.

“I’ve finally joined the Divine Lake Immortal Sect!” someone exclaimed joyously.

Along with Chen Luo’s group, approximately one hundred twenty individuals who passed the assessments over the past half-month were also brought aboard.

Two among them stood out significantly.

One was a white-robed youth from a cultivator clan in Shenfeng County, while the other was a green-dressed girl accompanied by an elderly nanny.

Both were rare prodigies. According to Elder Brother Fang’s records, they hailed from prominent cultivator clans and would undoubtedly be assigned to Divine Lake Peak upon entry, becoming disciples under the Headmaster’s lineage—distinctly different from the rest.

In comparison, Chen Luo and his five companions seemed quite ordinary.

Neither exceptional nor deficient, neither high nor low.

Their cultivation bases at the first level of Qi Refinement did not give them any advantage among the new recruits. Chen Luo noticed several similarly talented individuals already on their path, with some even reaching the second level of Qi Refinement.

However, the majority remained as commoners.

Including Chen Luo’s group, only thirty-two individuals possessed a cultivation base.

‘Water and Wood dual spiritual roots, second level of Qi Refinement, practicing a decent Qi Refinement Art.’

As Chen Luo observed the three cultivators at the second level of Qi Refinement within the crowd, the mummified brain’s assessment surfaced in his mind.

Upon entering the Divine Lake Immortal Sect, it became evident that the other brains could no longer keep up with their progress. The only one providing valuable insights was the mummified brain.

“So this is a flying boat, I’ve only seen them in books,” Xie Shuang remarked.

“Such exquisite craftsmanship, truly unimaginable,” echoed Doude’s voice nearby.

During their time in the Yue Kingdom, they had learned various immortal techniques under their respective masters. Among them, Doude studied equipment forging, Du Jian focused on pill concocting, Du Zhi mastered array formations, and Du Li specialized in talismans.

Now, witnessing the flying boat, all four began to doubt their own knowledge. The crafting techniques and formation patterns used on the boat far exceeded their understanding.

This was merely a simple flight artifact. Just imagine what divine weapons crafted by the immortal sect would be like?