Chapter 142

“We’ve searched everywhere, but found nothing.”

“Did he truly escape?”

“What method could neutralize even this superior quality late-stage Gathering Qi compass?”

Rumble…

A muffled thunderclap echoed. One man glanced skyward.

“Since when do illusions have weather patterns? This makes no sense.”

His confusion lasted mere moments before resolution came.

CRACK!

A jagged blue lightning bolt struck the earth, swallowing all five figures in electric fury.

When the flash faded, only scorched ground remained.

Yang Lingrui approached the carbonized corpses and rifled through their remains.

The thunder talisman’s might had shattered their storage bags beyond immediate use. He’d need He Shenglai’s royal craftsmen to repair them later.

Disposing of the bodies, Yang Lingrui immediately resumed hunting ghostly soldiers and generals.

Securing Spectator Spots took priority – three days wasted on those fools left only four days to complete his mission.

……

Wanhuamen’s Questioning Platform buzzed with activity. Nearly two hundred youths from Tiger-Chasing regions crowded below for the sect’s Ten-Year recruitment.

All showed basic cultivation aptitude, but required proper assessment of their talent levels and elemental affinities.

Some candidates hadn’t begun cultivation, while others already achieved Condensing Qi Palace and entered the Gathering Qi realm.

These advanced youths mostly hailed from powerful forces, drawing Wanhuamen’s particular interest during testing.

They stood out like herons among sparrows, drawing envious stares simply by existing.

Two fifteen-year-olds from northern and western dynastic families dominated attention, having reached mid fourth-level Gathering Qi – matching Yang Lingrui’s early achievements.

The second tier included five third-level practitioners like Yang Lingshu.

These seven pre-selected direct disciples only underwent testing to help elders choose suitable masters.

While waiting, Yang Lingshu settled into meditative state cultivation.

Lv Fangxuan stood vigilant nearby. When movement approached, he intercepted with clasped hands. “Friend, state your business.”

The visitor mirrored the gesture. “It’s good to see a friend. I’m Pan Qi of Qiulu Pan Family, newly arrived and seeking acquaintance with your young master.”

“Wait here.”

Lv Fangxuan glided to Yang Lingshu’s side, whispering when his master surfaced from meditation.

Yang Lingshu gave a slight nod, ceased cultivation methods, and rose to greet the newcomer.

“Songshan Yang Family, Yang Lingshu, pleased to meet you, Friend Pan.”

“Songshan Yang Family! The one under Wangyue’s rule?”

“Correct.”

Pan Qi’s face brightened with surprise. “My uncle works in a Wangyue-ruled town – your family helped him recently!”

“What perfect timing! I wandered around but chose right by approaching Friend Yang first!”

Yang Lingshu grinned with simple warmth. “Truly a lucky meeting. My pleasure.”

As they spoke, Lv Fangxuan stood silent with lowered gaze.

_Another schemer,_ he thought.

The Pan family held status, and Pan Qi herself had reached third-level Gathering Qi. Impossible she’d lack connections here.

Her “chance meeting” was calculated – she’d targeted Yang Lingshu deliberately.

The reasons were clear: Yang’s round frame and harmless smile made him seem manageable. Coming from a minor Gathering Qi family, he’d be easy to control later.

Lv Fangxuan saw through this, and Yang Lingshu surely did too. Yet the young man didn’t mind – Pan Qi’s scheming held no visible malice, making her worth befriending.

As children chattered below, five elemental lights – gold, wood, water, fire, earth – blazed across the Questioning Platform. From them emerged five twenty-something cultivators, accompanied by a palm-sized clear Treasure Pearl.

_Whoosh!_ Blue smoke streamed down the mountainside, solidifying into a stern-faced elder.

“Greet Elder Gu,” chorused the five Wanhuamen disciples.

“Senior Gu!” cried the children who’d already entered cultivation. Others hurriedly copied their bowing gestures.

“Begin.” Elder Gu levitated the Treasure Pearl. “Cultivation talent shows five ranks through this spiritual treasure: gray, white, blue, purple, gold.”

“Gray enters Servants’ Hall as labor disciples.

White joins Wuxing Peak as outer disciples.

Blue enters Shangqing Peak as inner disciples.

Purple becomes direct disciples under elders.

Gold becomes the Sect Master’s personal disciple!”

The elder eyed seven children. “Pre-selected seven, come forth. But heed this – if you fail blue-tier third rank and gain no elder’s favor, we revoke direct disciple status.”

Two fourth-level Gathering Qi youths stepped up first. As expected, both triggered purple light – one fire-aligned, one water-aligned. They joined respective elemental groups.

Yang Lingshu’s group followed.

Pan Qi pressed her palm to the pearl. Rich blue light flared, then flickered with purple sparks under her intense stare.

“Look! It’s changing!” someone shouted.

Purple glimmers danced briefly before fading. Pan Qi withdrew her hand bitterly – even her family’s secret method couldn’t make her a true genius. Metal-aligned, she joined metal disciples.

Three others showed blue light. Then came Yang Lingshu’s turn.

White light glowed from the pearl, tinged faintest blue.

“White…?”

Elder Gu frowned. The boy hadn’t even reached third-tier talent.