114: Luoyun Sect

The Southern Continent, Xi Country, Cloud Dream Mountain Range.

Today was the day Falling Cloud Sect, one of the three major Sects in Xi Country, opened its doors to recruit Disciples.

Outside the mountain gate, a long line snaked from the archway at the entrance all the way down to the foot of the mountain, bustling with people and incessant noise.

Most of these people were simply dressed and had low cultivation, coming from various parts of Xi Country as Loose Cultivators.

“No pushing from the back! Line up properly!”

A steward responsible for maintaining order wiped the sweat from his forehead and shouted loudly.

“As long as you are of suitable age and your cultivation is at the eighth level of Qi Refinement Stage or above, our Falling Cloud Sect will accept you! One by one!”

His voice was a bit hoarse, but there was no sign of impatience on his face.

Falling Cloud Sect’s recruitment standards were considered unusual throughout the entire Southern Continent.

They had extremely low requirements for Spiritual Root Aptitude; even a pseudo-Spiritual Root with all Five Elements, as long as their age and cultivation met the standards, would be accepted into the Sect.

Additionally, the Sect was famous for its Alchemy, which made it highly attractive to Loose Cultivators.

This also led to such a crowded scene outside the mountain gate every time they opened it to recruit Disciples.

…

Deep within Falling Cloud Sect, in an ancient and simple grand hall for discussions.

All Elders above Core Formation were present.

At the head seats, two old men with White hair and youthful face (white hair and youthful faces) sat side by side, precisely the two Nascent Soul Old Ancestors of Falling Cloud Sect.

An Elder at the Late Stage of Core Formation rose and bowed to the head seats, his face filled with worry.

“Grand Elder, Elder Lu. I have something to say, but I’m not sure if I should speak.”

The Grand Elder on the left, a thin-faced old man surnamed Cheng, slowly opened his eyes.

“Speak freely.”

That Core Formation Elder took a deep breath and said, “May I ask, Grand Elder, will we still accept Disciples with pseudo-Spiritual Roots this year? In the past fifty years, the overall quality of our Sect’s new Disciples has fallen far behind Ancient Sword Sect and Hundred Skill House.”

“If this continues, the Sect’s strength might…”

Before he finished speaking, the other Core Formation Elders in the hall also showed worried expressions.

Chief Elder Cheng, who was at the head seat, did not answer immediately after hearing this, but fell into contemplation.

The hall became quiet for a moment.

After a while, he slowly spoke: “Our Falling Cloud Sect has been established for hundreds of years, and our recruitment has always been inclusive, not emphasizing Spiritual Root Aptitude. This is already our Sect’s Foundation. What meaning would there be in changing it now?”

He looked around, his voice calm.

“Besides, six years ago, didn’t White Phoenix Peak also accept a female Disciple with a Heavenly Spiritual Root? It shows that Opportunity is predestined.”

“We established our Sect with Alchemy, and we are famous throughout the Southern Continent. We must not put the cart before the horse and forget the Sect’s root.”

Upon hearing this, the worried expressions on the faces of the Elders in the hall dissipated considerably, and they all nodded.

“Grand Elder is absolutely right.”

Beside Chief Elder Cheng, the slightly shorter Elder surnamed Lu also stroked his beard and smiled, “Senior Brother Cheng is right. If we want to encourage Disciples to cultivate diligently, we just need to hold a few more internal Sect competitions. Offer some Medicinal Pills and Talismans as prizes, and they won’t dare not to work hard.”

He looked at everyone.

“This matter is settled then. If there are no other matters, you may all disperse.”

“Yes, two Elders.”

All Core Formation Cultivators rose in unison, bowed respectfully, and then successively left the grand hall.

Soon, only the two Nascent Soul Old Ancestors remained in the hall.

Chief Elder Cheng sighed softly, a hint of weariness showing on his face.

“Brother Cheng, still worrying about the Sect’s future?” Elder Lu asked.

Chief Elder Cheng shook his head.

“Our Falling Cloud Sect appears stable, but in reality, it lacks Cultivators who can Breakthrough to Nascent Soul. Currently, only the two of us are supporting it, and we can last for another two or three hundred years. But if we pass away, who will protect this Falling Cloud Sect?”

The smile on Elder Lu’s face also receded.

“How about I go out more often in the future and see if I can find some Opportunities and treasures for the Sect?”

“No need.” Chief Elder Cheng flatly refused, “Junior Brother Lu, if you were to encounter an accident outside now, Falling Cloud Sect would truly be in danger.”

No sooner had he spoken than his expression suddenly changed.

The two Nascent Soul Old Ancestors simultaneously stopped their conversation, abruptly turned their heads, and looked towards the outside of the mountain gate.

They exchanged glances, both seeing the astonishment in each other’s eyes.

“A powerful figure has arrived.” Chief Elder Cheng said in a deep voice.

“Let’s go, let’s go together and see.” Elder Lu stood up.

Before his words finished, the two Elders had already flown out of the grand hall, heading straight for the mountain gate.

…

Outside the mountain gate of Falling Cloud Sect, high in the sky.

Lin Feng and Nangong Wan stood side by side, hidden within the clouds.

They overlooked the endless line of Loose Cultivators below, and the busy yet still polite Disciples of Falling Cloud Sect.

A hint of surprise appeared in Nangong Wan’s beautiful eyes.

“Lin Feng, this Falling Cloud Sect… is truly a wonder in the Cultivation world.”

She sighed softly, “The Disciples here are so amiable to those Loose Cultivators, and they don’t treat them differently just because their cultivation is higher. I have never seen such a Sect.”

Lin Feng nodded, his eyes also showing approval.

“Treating others with sincerity is the only way to gain true hearts. The two Nascent Soul Elders of Falling Cloud Sect must be broad-minded individuals to have led the entire Sect to have such a demeanor.”

No sooner had he spoken than he sensed something, and his gaze turned towards the Formation within Falling Cloud Sect.

The next moment, two streaks of light soared from deep within the mountain range, moving at extreme speed, arriving above the mountain gate in an instant.

The light faded, revealing the figures of Elders Cheng and Lu.

The stewards below, who were responsible for checking cultivation, were immediately in an uproar when they saw their two Elders, and then bowed one after another.

“Greetings, Grand Elder! Greetings, Elder Lu!”

The appearance of the two Nascent Soul Old Ancestors also excited these low-level Loose Cultivators.

Cheng and Lu smiled gently at the crowd below, waved their hands, and signaled them to continue.

Immediately, their expressions became solemn, and they cupped their hands towards the empty space in front of them.

Chief Elder Cheng said loudly, “May I ask which Fellow Daoist has traveled so far? I am Cheng Tiankun of Falling Cloud Sect. I apologize for not welcoming you sooner, and I hope Fellow Daoist will reveal yourself for a chat.”

His voice carried out, polite in tone, but his heart was stirring.

The person was nearby, but he and Junior Brother Lu, at such a close distance, were completely unable to pinpoint the other party’s location.

This indicated that the other party’s Divine Sense and cultivation were far above theirs.

Could it be a Cultivator at the Middle Stage of Nascent Soul!

Why would such a figure descend upon their Falling Cloud Sect?

A hint of vigilance rose in the hearts of the two Old Ancestors.

“Two Elders, I have long admired your names.”

A gentle laugh echoed in the air.

Following the sound, Lin Feng and Nangong Wan slowly revealed themselves.

The two also cupped their hands and returned the bow to Elders Cheng and Lu.

When Cheng Tiankun and Lv Luo saw the two figures appear, their pupils constricted slightly.

Too young.

This pair of man and woman before them, the man extraordinarily handsome, the woman of unparalleled grace, looked so young, yet both were Nascent Soul Cultivators!

Especially the man, his aura was as deep as the sea, making it impossible for them to discern his true depth.

However, seeing that the other party’s demeanor was friendly and without ill intent, the two Old Ancestors felt a little relieved.

Cheng Tiankun cupped his hands again and asked, “You two Fellow Daoists look unfamiliar. May I ask why you have graced our Falling Cloud Sect with your presence?”

Lin Feng smiled.

“I am Lin Feng, and this is my Dao Companion…'s Revered Master.”

He spoke halfway, then suddenly felt the soft flesh at his lower back being fiercely pinched and twisted by a jade hand.

Nangong Wan, behind him, had a blush on her face and was glaring at him with a slight pout.

This old girl, still too shy!

Lin Feng endured the pain, his expression unchanged, and continued, “The two of us have long admired your esteemed Sect, and now we wish to bring some low-level Disciples to join your Sect. What do you two Elders think?”

Upon hearing this, it was as if a thunderbolt exploded in the minds of Old Ancestors Cheng and Lu.

Both of them simultaneously widened their eyes, their faces filled with disbelief.

Cheng Tiankun even suspected he had misheard. He took a step forward, his voice urgent as he confirmed:

“Fellow Daoist, is that true?!”

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

It is known that when Old Devil Han returned to the Southern Continent at 200 years old, Song Yu, who had a Heavenly Spiritual Root, was at the Late Stage of Core Formation.

Now Old Demon is probably around 90 years old, so Song Yu being in the Qi Refinement Stage should be reasonable~

By the way, are there any other Core Formation Elders in Falling Cloud Sect that I can't recall? If anyone finds any, please feel free to add them~