With the textbook issue resolved, the recruitment of students for the Zhenyan Sect naturally needs to be put on the agenda. In addition, this is the first batch of disciples selected since the sect's founding, so the selection criteria and regulations need to be finalized as soon as possible in preparation for future recruitment.
"Sect Master, several years ago, when our sect was first established, we received a request from the Fengtian Kingdom to open its gates. Over the years, we've also received requests from neighboring countries, but in total, there are fewer than ten, and none of them are particularly powerful or populous. Most of them are hoping we'll open our gates and accept disciples because there are no other immortal sects nearby. This means there are even fewer outstanding disciples from aristocratic families." Ling Qi frowned, somewhat troubled, and said, "I'm afraid that this time, we won't receive many outstanding new disciples from these aristocratic families alone. The key is to see if any independent cultivators are interested..."
"Wait!" You You couldn't help but interrupt him, "Why only accept disciples from aristocratic families? Can't ordinary people do it?"
Ling Qi was taken aback, and even Feng Yu and the others beside him were stunned. They subconsciously asked, "Sect Master, it has always been the aristocratic families that are more likely to produce outstanding talents in cultivation. Others... I'm afraid it's very difficult for them to produce talented people, or they are all extraordinary individuals!"
"What's wrong with being an 'Outsider'? Many of our brothers in the sect are 'Outsiders'!" You You said directly. "The aristocratic families can't find good ones, but there are a lot of 'Outsiders' among them, and many of them are certainly talented. Aren't they easier to find?"
"Absolutely not!" Before Ling Qi could reply, Feng Yu anxiously said, "Sect Master, the various immortal sects have never recruited extraordinary individuals. Even those with exceptional talent are only accepted into the sect by those with special affinity. No immortal sect has ever openly recruited extraordinary disciples before. Moreover, even if they are not cultivators, most mortals look down on those of lowly birth. If our sect sets such a precedent... I'm afraid we will be ridiculed and looked down upon by the other sects."
"Then let them look down on us! Just because of other people's opinions, are we going to abandon a large number of talented people?" You You frowned and said in a deep voice, "I don't care how others discriminate against people with supernatural abilities, but my True Transformation Sect will never allow this to happen. Once you join my sect, we are all brothers who will live and die together. Why should we distinguish between people with supernatural abilities from different families? Think about it yourselves, in what way are the people with supernatural abilities in our sect inferior to others?" Prejudice is the real obstacle to the development of a sect.
Everyone was taken aback. Upon reflection, they realized that the sect did indeed have many extraordinary disciples, especially the brothers who had come with Lin Feng and his group. They already had a foundation in martial arts, making their cultivation of immortality even faster. Not only were they no worse than others, but each of them now possessed top-tier aptitude.
“But what about the other immortal sects…” Feng Yu was still somewhat worried.
"Are the opinions of other sects really that important?" You You continued to ask rhetorically. "The strength of a sect depends on its own power, not on the opinions of others! And our strength lies in our outstanding disciples! Do you think that if we don't accept people with extraordinary abilities, they will stop discriminating against and mocking us, and treat us as honored guests?"
"..." Everyone was speechless. Indeed, regardless of whether they accepted people with supernatural abilities or not, as a newly established sect that had only been around for a hundred years, the other immortal sects still looked down on them. Even when the sect leader destroyed the Demon Cave, although it shocked people for a time, the other sects still did not take them seriously.
"As the saying goes, you have to be strong yourself to forge iron. As long as we improve the strength of our sect, what does it matter what other immortal sects think of us?" You You continued, "When they can't stand us but can't kill us, we'll have to swallow all their discrimination and ridicule!"
Feng Yu: "..."
Ling Qi: "..."
Everyone: "..."
Why does it suddenly seem so reasonable?
●﹏●
Ultimately, their concerns stemmed from the fact that the disciples in the sect generally possessed relatively low cultivation levels. If they were like a first-rate immortal sect, with five or six Nascent Soul cultivators guarding the sect, who would dare to underestimate the True Transformation Sect?
"Sect Master is right!" Ling Qi reacted, as if he had put something down, and said, "Our sect was founded to select talents. Since that's the case, why be so particular about background and status and exclude people? I will inform the capitals of all countries that they don't need to care about background. Anyone with good aptitude can be recommended to give it a try."
“I think since we’re going to notify everyone, we might as well notify more people.” You You thought of Lin Feng’s situation back then. If we just let each country choose its own people, who knows how much behind-the-scenes manipulation there would be? “Why don’t we have all the disciples who are out on training and business keep an eye out? If they encounter anyone with good aptitude, we can let them come and select them directly. We should also spread the news that we will be opening our mountain to accept disciples in a few months.”
“But wouldn’t that result in too many people?” Ling Qi asked. Although the surrounding countries were all small, their populations were enormous.
“Then let’s set some criteria, such as age or physical condition.” Youyou thought for a moment, then looked at Yuan Qi next to her and said, “Father Yuan, could you set up some formations on the grassland below the sect so that only those who meet the criteria can enter?”
“Of course!” Yuan Qi nodded with a light laugh.
“Alright, then thank you for your hard work! As for how to select them…” She thought for a moment and continued, “Doesn’t Qiu Zhang know a lot of methods for selecting successors? He didn’t use them at the previous site, but now he can put them to good use. Ling Qi, why don’t you talk to him about lowering the difficulty a bit and just make sure it’s safe?”
"Yes, Sect Master!" Ling Qi nodded.
And so the matter was settled.
In less than half a month, news of the Zhenyan Sect's first acceptance of disciples spread throughout the surrounding countries.
Ling Qi and Qiu Zhang discussed for a whole month before finalizing the selection criteria. However, due to the large number of participants, the requirements for formations became even more stringent, and they were only able to complete the selection with Yuan Qi's help.
When Youyou decided to conduct the preliminary selection herself instead of having countries recommend talents, she had already anticipated that there would be a large number of people. However, on the day of the official selection, she was still taken aback by the dense crowd on the grassland below the mountain.
"So many people!" This number is almost as large as the Spring Festival travel rush!
"These are only those who meet the requirements and can enter the formation," Ling Qi explained. "There are also some who don't meet the age or physical requirements and are kept outside the formation." After all, this is a chance for ordinary people to rise to the top in one step, and even though the standards have been clearly stated, some people still want to try their luck. Some even waited below for a month in advance.
"Sect Master, the time has come. Shall we begin the opening ceremony now?" Ling Qi asked earnestly.
"Okay, let's begin!" You nodded.
Ling Qi then raised his hand and made a hand seal, activating the sect's protective mountain formation.
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