Lu Ping noticed Tang Zhixian, observing that his face occasionally showed signs of conflict, as if he was struggling with a decision and unable to make up his mind.
Tang Zhixianâs gaze occasionally darted left and right.
Beside Tang Zhixian at this moment, there were two young boys in green robes who looked to be about eleven or twelve years old.
These two boys were at the first layer of Qi Cultivation, evidently just beginning their journey on the path of cultivation, in the starting phase.
It seemed Tang Zhixian was bringing his clan members, intending to join the Cyan Mountain Sect.
While Lu Ping was observing this, the two young boys beside Tang Zhixian could not help but look around and began to converse.
"Sixth Uncle, I heard from the clan leader grandfather that you were once a disciple of the Cyan Mountain Sect, even the head disciple of an Elder, thatâs quite something."
"But why did you leave the Cyan Mountain Sect back then?"
As the boy finished speaking, the other boy chimed in agreement.
"Yeah, yeah! Such a great sect, look at how many people here are eager to join, but Sixth Uncle, you didnât want to stay, thatâs really strange."
At this, the young boy sighed like an old spirit in a young body, shaking his head, feeling that Tang Zhixianâs decision was truly too reckless and thoughtless.
Tang Zhixian didnât expect these little fellows to be so astute, saying such things, seeming as if they were reprimanding him.
For a moment, his face showed a stern look, glaring at the two boys.
"Shut up, be quiet."
The two boys, under his glare, shrank back and didnât say anything more.
Occasionally around them, disciples of the Cyan Mountain Sect appeared, maintaining order.
Song Minghui also appeared in the plaza at this time, accompanied by Zhang Nianchuan and Lin Han.
Their aura was without restraint; instead, they were taking advantage of this disciple recruitment event to show the power of the Cyan Mountain Sect, proving that joining it was the best choice.
"Look, they are disciples of the Cyan Mountain Sect!"
With the appearance of Song Minghui and the others, their unrestrained aura drew many eyes upon them.
"Such strong auras, at least at the Foundation Establishment Stage!"
"Wow, theyâre so young!"
"Yes, reaching the Foundation Establishment Stage at such a young age is truly remarkable!"
"Foundation Establishment StageâIâve been struggling on my own in cultivation for over thirty years, yet Iâm still at the sixth layer of Qi Cultivation. Now these young people, really are amazing!"
Seeing Song Minghui and the others appear, Tang Zhixianâs gaze was also drawn towards them.
"Foundation Establishment Stage... Song Minghui, this..." Noticing Song Minghuiâs aura, Tang Zhixianâs expression showed clear astonishment.
He remembered the last time he saw Song Minghui was during the resistance against locust plagues in Pingyuan County.
Back then, Song Minghuiâs cultivation was merely at the late-stage Qi Cultivation.
How could she be at the Foundation Establishment Stage now upon todayâs meeting!
The clan leader of the Tang family was only at the early-stage Foundation Establishment now.
Looking at Lin Han and Zhang Nianchuan, these former fellows now, their cultivation had reached the Foundation Establishment Stage as well.
Heavens!
The gap between him and them was growing ever larger.
For a moment, Tang Zhixian felt deep regret, thinking that he shouldnât have left the Cyan Mountain Sect.
Otherwise, his cultivation today would surely be above those three, also reaching the Foundation Establishment Stage.
At this time, Song Minghui and the others also quickly noticed Tang Zhixian.
"Senior Brother Tang?"
Zhang Nianchuan spoke first, slightly surprised, greeting him.
He soon smiled bitterly.
He had forgotten, Tang Zhixian left the Cyan Mountain Sect over a decade ago and was no longer a disciple there.
Being called âSenior Brotherâ by Zhang Nianchuan, Tang Zhixianâs expression was complex.
This title, he hadnât heard in so long, causing him to recall scenes from life and cultivation in the Cyan Mountain Sect more than ten years ago and feel time had flown by with myriad sentiments.
"Itâs you."
Song Minghui also spoke, her beautiful eyes showing surprise, soon replaced by anger.
"Tang Zhixian, what are you doing here?"
She still remembered how Tang Zhixian insisted on leaving the Cyan Mountain Sect during its toughest times, disregarding its fateâback then, she told him, "Tang Zhixian, if you leave, donât come back."
Now why had he returned?
Was it because seeing the Cyan Mountain Sect stronger than before, he wanted to return now?
How could there be such easy things in this world!
Leaving when the sect faced hardships and not staying to share coming and going.
Waiting for the sect to grow stronger and more promising, then wanting to join.
"Song... Elder Song."
Once hesitating several times with calling her Senior Sister, Tang Zhixian finally opted not to say it, bitterly referring to her as Elder.
Song Minghuiâs cultivation made Tang Zhixian dare not slacken, addressing her as Elder was natural.
Upon hearing him, Song Minghui rolled her eyes at Tang Zhixian but didnât pay him more attention, shifting her gaze to the two young boys beside him.
"Greetings, Elder."
"Greetings, Elder."
The two boys were bright, quickly greeting her.
Song Minghui nodded slightly, noting the cultivation of the two boys, then did not pay further attention.
Zhang Nianchuan and Lin Han smiled bitterly towards Tang Zhixian but said nothing more.
Ever since Tang Zhixian left the Cyan Mountain Sect, their relations were basically like strangers, with no engagement.
Now Tang Zhixian was bringing family members wanting to join the Cyan Mountain Sect, but whether allowed wasnât theirs to decide.
It depended on the Sect Leaderâs thoughts, also on the two boysâ qualifications.
Lu Ping observed Song Minghui and the othersâ conversation with a bitter smile, without any intention of intruding.
As time passed, more than ten people successfully passed the entrance examination, reaching the recruitment standard, each showing excitement.
This drew envy from many around.
Because more had not passed the test, showing helplessness.
Soon, it was Tang Zhixian and the two boysâ turn.
Lu Changfeng had recently finished a retreat, reaching the Crystallization Stage, becoming the third Crystallization Cultivator of the Cyan Mountain Sect.
At this moment, he and Lu Zhiwei were receiving these individuals, registering their identity information at Li Daoxuanâs place before entering the Spirit Testing Array to check spirit roots.
Upon seeing Tang Zhixian bringing two boys to line before them, Lu Zhiwei initially froze her expression.
"Changfeng."
She softly called.
Lu Changfeng was focused on the situation by the Spirit Testing Array, hearing his sisterâs call, he raised his head to take a look, immediately seeing Tang Zhixian.
Instantly, Lu Changfeng frowned slightly.
Seeing Lu Changfeng frown, Tang Zhixian instinctively stepped back, prompting a sudden exclamation from behind.
"Ow, Sixth Uncle, you stepped on my foot!"
"Why are you stepping back, Sixth Uncle?"
The two boys spoke consecutively.