Chapter 453 - 236: The Dust Settles, Choosing a Sect

He and Xiong Tong were both strength-focused cultivators, whereas Nalan Ruoshui cultivated her Divine Soul. This meant there was no direct competition for resources, and he would have been treated well had he joined.

The fifth and sixth ranked cultivators both chose the Prajna Zen Sect, which had the most profound foundation.

The seventh chose the Haotian Sword Sect.

...

It wasn’t until the tenth-ranked contestant, a handsome Young Master from a Central State Noble Family, that someone chose the Myriad Phenomena Dao Sect.

Daoist Wu Wei, who had been growing anxious, finally let out a secret sigh of relief.

’At least we got another one from the top ten. With him and Long Yu’er, we’ve saved some face. It won’t be too embarrassing now.’

However, the events that followed made his expression darken once more.

Eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth...

These prodigies were, without exception, all snatched up by the Prajna Zen Sect and the Haotian Sword Sect.

The Myriad Phenomena Dao Sect’s esoteric and incomprehensible Cultivation Technique, coupled with its waning prestige, had indeed deterred many.

Until...

"Fourteenth place, Jiang Che!"

As the official called his name, Jiang Che slowly walked onto the high platform.

At that moment, the eyes of the three Elders lit up with fervor once more!

Although Jiang Che’s final overall ranking was fourteenth, in the minds of the three Elders, the young man’s true potential was absolutely on par with a seed-level newcomer, second only to the top three!

They found themselves particularly coveting his perfect fusion of Divine Soul and physical body, as well as his unfathomable combat prowess!

"Jiang Che!"

Su Wuming was the quickest to react this time. He shot to his feet and spoke first,

"Come to my Haotian Sword Sect! I know you’ve never trained with a sword, but that’s unimportant! Your killer’s heart is a perfect fit for my Sword Sect! If you join us, not only will you be allowed to enter the Sword Pool for a baptism, but I will also bestow upon you a Spirit-level Treasure Sword!"

The price he offered was even higher than what he’d proposed when trying to recruit Xiong Tong!

On the one hand, after three rounds of assessments, he had genuinely come to admire Jiang Che.

On the other hand...

He shot a glance at Daoist Wu Wei, a hint of provocation flashing in his eyes.

’I know this old Daoist values Jiang Che, but I’m going to fight for him anyway!’

Although the Three Major Sects were allies, their clandestine competition had never ceased.

Master Xuan Kong also began to speak with a smile, "Donor Jiang, my Prajna Zen Sect..."

"Thank you for your generous offers, Elders."

However, before Master Xuan Kong could finish, Jiang Che calmly interrupted. He cupped his hands toward both of them in a gesture of apology.

Then, he turned to face Daoist Wu Wei, whose expression was a mixture of nervousness and anticipation, and bowed solemnly.

"Disciple Jiang Che wishes to enter the Myriad Phenomena Dao Sect!"

Without the slightest hesitation!

He had made this decision long ago.

The first reason was the Myriad Phenomena Dao Sect’s Sect’s Ultimate Skill, the Myriad Phenomena Infinite Dao.

Legend had it that this Cultivation Technique was all-encompassing and could manifest all the world’s myriad techniques. Once mastered, it was the strongest among the Three Sects!

However, the technique was exceptionally difficult to cultivate; an ordinary person could spend their entire life and still fail to reach the Entry Level.

’But for me, with my Skill Proficiency Panel, that’s not a problem at all!’

’Not to mention, thanks to my years of practicing and then Dissipating Skill, my mind is a repository of hundreds of different Martial Arts. I’m practically a walking library of martial knowledge!’

Furthermore, having received the legacy of True Master Xuan Yang’s True Intent, his Comprehension had been significantly enhanced.

’It’s safe to say that if even I can’t master the Myriad Phenomena Infinite Dao, then no one can.’

The second reason was to repay a debt of gratitude.

He had learned from his master, Xu Qingshan.

When an Elder from the Divine Moon Sect had made trouble before, Daoist Wu Wei had spoken up for them and protected the Cangyun Sect.

Jiang Che was deeply grateful for this act of providing help in a time of need.

"Good! Good! Good!"

Upon hearing this, Daoist Wu Wei’s face split into a wide, joyous grin. He repeated the word "good" three times, the heavy weight in his heart finally lifted.

He looked at Jiang Che, growing more and more pleased. "To join my Sect is a matter of fate. Rest assured, I will definitely not treat you unfairly!"

Jiang Che bowed again. "Thank you, Elder. In addition... this disciple, on behalf of the entire Cangyun Sect, thanks you for your previous protection."

Daoist Wu Wei waved his hand dismissively. "It was a trivial matter, not worth mentioning," he said with a laugh.

Nearby, Su Wuming pouted and sat back down with a sense of resignation.

He wasn’t surprised, though.

After all, Daoist Wu Wei had stuck his neck out for the Cangyun Sect.

Providing help in a time of need is indeed more impactful than adding to one’s success.

...

With Jiang Che’s choice settled, the selection process continued.

The lower-ranked disciples had significantly fewer options.

Qin Xuange, ranked sixty-third, chose the Prajna Zen Sect without hesitation. Its fiercely powerful style suited the iron-willed disposition he had forged in the military.

Soon, the Prajna Zen Sect’s thirty-three spots were the first to fill up!

Shortly after, the Haotian Sword Sect also had very few spots left.

Meanwhile, the Myriad Phenomena Dao Sect had the most spots remaining, due to the high difficulty of its Cultivation Technique and its comparatively scarce resources.

This was simply a regrettable reality.

For most ordinary geniuses, stability was the top priority.

The Myriad Phenomena Dao Sect’s Cultivation Technique—one that made you a god upon success but left you useless upon failure—was simply too great a risk.

Moreover, its resources were not as plentiful as the other two Sects.

It was hardly an ideal choice.

"Seventy-eighth place, Qin Wuya!"

By the time it was Qin Wuya’s turn, the Haotian Sword Sect was already full.

He had no choice but to select the Myriad Phenomena Dao Sect, his expression complicated.

’After all that, I’m actually going to be cultivating in the same Sect as Jiang Che!’

For these lower-ranked disciples, there was naturally no such treatment as Elders fighting over them and promising benefits.

Everything was handled impersonally and by the book.

Yet even so, none of them showed the slightest bit of resentment.

Compared to those who hadn’t been selected at all, just being able to enter one of the Three Top Sects was a stroke of incredible fortune.