The steward ahead took the token, inspected it briefly, and then, without saying much, nodded, allowing Wu Tao and Hua Chen to pass.
The task of recruiting new disciples had concluded. However, how this newly recruited batch would be allocated to the various outer sect halls was a significant matter.
…
The reason Wu Tao and Hua Chen were here was to handle this very issue.
Currently, on the open ground outside the mountain gate, hundreds of new disciples who had just joined the Taiyi Immortal Sect stood waiting.
These hundreds of newly initiated disciples had naturally divided themselves into several groups, gathering together.
Even though they hadn't been officially assigned to the various outer sect halls yet, simply by being outside, this batch of new disciples seemed to be forming distinct circles.
Those of similar ages formed one circle, while the younger ones formed another.
Those with poor talent grouped together, and those with good talent formed their own circle.
Of course, this wasn't a deliberate action by the newly initiated disciples; it was merely a subconscious behavior.
In an unfamiliar environment, people instinctively huddle together, seeking companions for support.
Therefore, at this moment, disciples who considered their circumstances and conditions to be similar would instinctively form groups and show a subtle rejection towards others.
…
Naturally, the Taiyi Immortal Sect itself also contributed to this.
The Taiyi Immortal Sect had two requirements for recruiting disciples.
One was for those with good aptitude and potential, who were young and promising. The higher-ups of the Taiyi Immortal Sect were very willing to accept them.
These disciples would be designated as seed disciples and receive special training.
The other type was for those who already possessed a certain foundation in cultivation, reaching at least the eighth level of Qi Condensation. In such cases, even if their aptitude was poor, the higher-ups of the Taiyi Immortal Sect would still accept them and assign them to other roles.
After all, the Taiyi Immortal Sect, as the dominant force in the Qingzhou region, ruled an extremely vast territory. Large numbers of outer sect disciples were needed in various places for maintenance and garrison duties to ensure continued stability.
The thirty-seven major halls, including mining, talisman crafting, array formations, alchemy, artifact forging, and herb cultivation, also required a large number of outer sect disciples to operate.
…
In the cultivation world outside, rogue cultivators who had already attained a certain level of cultivation, even if they knew their aptitude offered little prospect of advancement within an immortal sect, and that they might remain outer sect disciples forever, felt that it was better to seek shelter under a big tree for security and safety, thus they eagerly registered.
Every year, quite a few older rogue cultivators managed to pass the selection and join the Taiyi Immortal Sect to live out their days.
"This year, the number of these older rogue cultivators is quite substantial..." Wu Tao frowned, murmuring to himself as he observed the scene.
Standing beside Wu Tao, Hua Chen chuckled disdainfully after observing for a moment and said, "Senior Brother, look at these fools. Do they really think they can seek immortality?"
Meeting his gaze, Wu Tao looked forward.
Within these various circles, one particular group consisted of new disciples whose ages were not insignificant when compared to Wu Tao, Hua Chen, and others who had joined the sect twenty years ago. They were generally around eighteen or nineteen years old.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, entering the sect at this age and embarking on the path of cultivation meant a bleak future.
The ages of three to five were considered the most suitable for entering the cultivation path. Beyond this age, it became rather late to embark on the journey of seeking immortality.
Wu Tao himself had entered the Taiyi Immortal Sect to cultivate from a young age, starting his training at three. Twenty years later, he had finally broken through numerous bottlenecks to reach the thirteenth level of Qi Condensation.
Hua Chen was well aware of this, so he chuckled smugly, appearing quite contemptuous.
Everyone harbors their own hierarchy of disdain in their hearts.
To exceptionally gifted geniuses and prodigies, Wu Tao and Hua Chen might just be ordinary outer sect disciples, not even worth their notice.
However, to these newly initiated outer sect disciples, seasoned outer sect disciples like Wu Tao and Hua Chen were also considered powerhouses and seniors.
Hua Chen had good character and was loyal to his friends, but he also had his flaws. Being lecherous was one, and looking down on those inferior to him was another.
Of course, this was understandable.
With decent aptitude and more than a decade of cultivation since childhood, Hua Chen's difference from ordinary outer sect disciples was quite significant.
At the very least, Hua Chen had a high probability of advancing to the Foundation Establishment stage, something most ordinary outer sect disciples would never achieve in their lifetime.
The difference between Foundation Establishment cultivators and Qi Condensation cultivators was not just in strength and status, but also in lifespan and numerous other aspects.
Qi Condensation cultivators had a lifespan of one hundred years, while Foundation Establishment cultivators had a lifespan of two hundred years.
The disparity was immense, as one could imagine.
"According to regulations, your assigned hall, the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall, is ranked thirteenth in order. Once the first twelve halls have made their selections, you two can pick fifty new disciples."
An outer sect elder, a cultivator at the Core Formation stage, who was overseeing the proceedings, spoke impatiently to Wu Tao and Hua Chen.
Upon hearing this, Wu Tao immediately pulled Hua Chen, bowed, nodded, indicating they understood, and stood quietly to the side, awaiting their turn without any lapse in courtesy.
Within the Taiyi Immortal Sect's outer sect, outer sect elders were beings of immense power and status, not to be offended lightly.
…
Once the disciples from the thirty-seven major halls had all arrived, they began selecting new disciples according to their status. By the time it was Wu Tao and Hua Chen's turn, the remaining new disciples were generally older. Most were around eighteen or nineteen years old, and their aptitude was also mediocre.
The younger, more talented new disciples had long been chosen by others, leaving none for the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall, which Wu Tao and Hua Chen were affiliated with.
However, Wu Tao didn't particularly care about this. Hua Chen's concern was not about these matters either. Hua Chen cared about the gender and beauty of the new disciples.
…
Although many new disciples had already been chosen by others by the time it was Wu Tao and Hua Chen's turn, there were still many remaining new disciples.
As these remaining newly initiated disciples met Wu Tao and Hua Chen's gaze, their hearts were filled with anxiety and unease.
The Taiyi Immortal Sect had a rule: after entering the sect, every outer sect disciple would be assigned a task each month. This task was mandatory and had to be completed.
However, the tasks varied in quality.
The daily treatment of outer sect disciples in the thirty-seven major halls was also different.
There were always some halls where the tasks were relatively easy and the rewards were substantial, and other halls where the tasks were more arduous, involving dirty and tiring labor with low rewards.
…
Halls like Wu Tao and Hua Chen's, which were able to pick people in advance, were generally considered decent. Even if they weren't particularly easy places, they were at least not too terrible, and the treatment was acceptable.
However, if one was left until the very end, not having been chosen by anyone, then there was a significant problem.
At that point, the remaining new outer sect disciples would be unceremoniously shoved into halls responsible for mining spiritual ore, chopping spiritual wood, or burning spiritual charcoal, tasked with the dirty and tiring jobs no one else wanted.
Therefore, for these new outer sect disciples, being chosen earlier was more advantageous.
Those with connections used their relationships, while those without had to spend spirit stones to bribe others or use their charm to seduce others. No one wanted to be the last to be chosen; everyone employed their own methods to achieve their goals.
Looking at the delicate female disciples in the crowd, Hua Chen's eyes lit up. After whispering a few words to Wu Tao, and receiving an affirmative nod, Hua Chen happily picked up his token and went to make his selections.
Wu Tao watched Hua Chen chatting and laughing charmingly amidst the group of women, then shook his head and found a shady spot to close his eyes and rest.
…
After a long while, a familiar voice reached Wu Tao's ears.
"Senior Brother, wake up..."
Hua Chen, leading a group of attractive female disciples, arrived in front of Wu Tao and woke him up.
…
"Senior Brother, we've profited this time. With an offering of one spirit stone per person, each of us has at least twenty-five spirit stones in income," Hua Chen said excitedly.
"Mm, this time, after deducting the bribes for the stewards, at least we haven't lost money; we've even made a bit," Wu Tao nodded in reply.
Wu Tao and Hua Chen, leading fifty newly initiated disciples, walked at the forefront. Their voices were low, almost inaudible to anyone else.
…
The Taiyi Immortal Sect had tens of thousands of outer sect disciples, and within this vast number, there were naturally many levels.
The lowest in status, and the most pitiful, were naturally the outer sect disciples who had just joined and whose cultivation was below the tenth level.
Above these newly initiated outer sect disciples were the seasoned outer sect disciples who could stand on their own two feet, with cultivation at the tenth level or above.
Above the seasoned outer sect disciples were the elite outer sect disciples at the thirteenth level of Qi Condensation, only one step away from the Foundation Establishment stage.
In terms of status, elite outer sect disciples were only second to inner sect disciples, and as long as they broke through to the Foundation Establishment stage, they would directly be promoted to inner sect disciples.
…
Although Wu Tao had not yet reached the peak of Qi Condensation, he had been an elite outer sect disciple for some time.
Among the Taiyi Immortal Sect's outer sect disciples, he still held some sway.
As they walked through the mountain gate, acquaintances greeted Wu Tao from time to time, and gazes were cast upon him, filled with unreadable expressions.
Wu Tao could feel the gazes behind him – some friendly, some angry, some envious, some jealous, and even some filled with murderous intent.
For Wu Tao to have managed to suppress most outer sect disciples, and even become a prodigy in others' eyes, a pride of the sect, despite his ordinary aptitude and orphaned background, the effort he put into this process was undoubtedly considerable.
Besides his own diligent efforts, Wu Tao could not avoid engaging in clandestine activities such as "black eating black" and committing arson.
…
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