Master

Inside the inn, Zhang Tie frowned deeply and fell into profound thought about how he could enter the Hundred Skills Sect.

Based on the information he currently possessed, there were roughly three ways for him to enter the Hundred Skills Sect. The first was the standard Spiritual Root and bone age test; the second was relying on his talent for drawing talismans; and the third was the Body Refining advantage he had just learned of.

In truth, Zhang Tie was extremely unwilling to reveal anything related to his Body Refining. However, within a major sect like the Hundred Skills Sect, it would be almost impossible to conceal such a matter.

This was not some remote place like the Qin Kingdom, where a single Core Formation cultivator could command the wind and rain. Whether in cultivation realms or breadth of knowledge, the difference was as vast as heaven and earth.

The difficulty of the Body Cultivation path was acknowledged throughout the Immortal Cultivation World. That was precisely why Body Cultivators were so rare. Thus, just as the man in the restaurant had said, the Hundred Skills Sect was most likely recruiting those with Body Cultivation talent for the grand sect competition among the major sects.

After all, if the sect spent enormous resources nurturing several low-level Body Cultivators, it would naturally expect a return. To a major sect like this, such Body Cultivators could hardly even be considered basic fighting strength under normal circumstances. At most, they would serve as cannon fodder.

Zhang Tie weighed the matter over and over. In the end, he decided to reveal both his Body Refining and talisman-drawing talents. That way, he should be able to obtain more resources and make up for the shortcomings of his Spiritual Root aptitude.

As for the reason behind his Body Refining realm, he would claim that he had eaten a red, scale-covered fruit in the mountains. Zhang Tie had read about such a fruit in miscellaneous records. It was said to be the legendary Crimson Profound Fruit, which could cleanse one's meridians and marrow after being consumed, strengthening the meridians and body.

Zhang Tie steadied himself. Once he had made up his mind, he closed his eyes and began cultivating.

Time flowed on like a babbling stream. Though it was still early, the square in Hundred Skills Town was already packed with people. It was bustling with activity, and a rough estimate put the crowd at nearly a thousand.

At first, two long lines had formed across the square. This area was mainly for bone age testing. After passing the bone age test, there were three testing areas farther ahead: Spiritual Root aptitude testing, special talent testing, and Body Cultivation talent testing.

Zhang Tie quickly completed the bone age test. Holding a small wooden token marked with the number "twelve," he headed straight for the Body Cultivation talent testing area. After all, there were truly few people there—only a dozen or so.

Soon, it was Zhang Tie's turn. He handed over his wooden token, and the youth responsible for registration recorded his information before returning it. Then, Zhang Tie followed the instructions and walked before a stone stele. The stele was roughly ten feet tall, and beneath it stood a strange stone sculpture shaped like a turtle, carrying the stele upon its back.

"Begin. Use all your strength and strike the stone stele," said the youth recording the results. Zhang Tie nodded, stepped closer to the stele, and took a deep breath. He bent his knees slightly, drew back his fist, then threw a fierce punch at the stone stele. It felt as though he had struck cotton, and not the slightest sound was made.

Just as Zhang Tie was filled with confusion, the stone stele suddenly emitted a white light. The light then turned red before slowly fading away, and the stele returned to calm.

"Mysterious Tier aptitude!" the youth in charge of registration blurted out. He looked at Zhang Tie and continued, "Come over here." He then pointed to his right.

Zhang Tie silently walked over and stood still. The youth took out a yellow talisman from his Storage Pouch, muttered something under his breath, and infused it with spiritual power before activating it. The talisman vanished instantly.

In no more than twenty breaths, a streak of red light flashed past. A middle-aged man in white robes, with the bearing of an immortal, appeared before the youth in charge of registration. The youth pointed at Zhang Tie. The middle-aged man walked over and asked, "What realm is your Body Refining currently at?"

"This junior was fortunate enough to reach the early Meridian Casting Realm," Zhang Tie answered honestly.

"Good, very good. Heaven truly favors our Hundred Skills Sect." The middle-aged man looked Zhang Tie over and continued, "You are very good. This old man is Miao Yu. Others call me True Lord Jing Ling. There is no need for you to remain here any longer. Come with me." With that, he prepared to use a spell to take Zhang Tie away.

"Greetings, True Man Miao. This junior still has one more test he wishes to try," Zhang Tie hurriedly said. However, True Man Miao seemed not to hear him. A breeze swept past and carried Zhang Tie away. In the blink of an eye, the two appeared before a spacious house. True Man Miao waved his hand to open the door, entered the room, and sat down in a chair.

"Come in," True Man Miao said.

Zhang Tie obediently walked inside and stood ten feet away from True Man Miao.

"Take this talisman, then answer my questions," True Man Miao said as he flicked out a talisman.

"Yes, True Man," Zhang Tie replied, reaching out to grasp the talisman and nodding. A faint red glow rose from the talisman. Threads of energy as thin as silk flowed up Zhang Tie's arm and directly into his mind. Yet the moment they entered, they were dispersed by the Undying Pearl.

"What is your name? Where are you from? Why have you come to the Hundred Skills Sect?" True Man Miao asked calmly.

"My name is Zhang Tie, and I come from the Flowing Cloud Sect of the Qin Kingdom. I fled here after being hunted by a senior brother from my sect. I wish to join the Hundred Skills Sect to cultivate and seek protection," Zhang Tie answered woodenly.

"Why have you, with merely a Quadruple Spiritual Root, reached the ninth layer of Qi Refining and the Meridian Casting Realm at such a young age?" The old man nodded and continued asking.

"During one outing, this junior accidentally found a crimson fruit covered in scales inside a cave. After consuming it, I fell unconscious and woke to find my entire body covered in filth.

"After that, cultivation seemed to have no more bottlenecks. Within several years, I reached the ninth layer of Qi Refining and the early Meridian Casting Realm. But after that, I found it difficult to make any further progress," Zhang Tie continued.

At this moment, True Man Miao revealed a puzzled expression. After a brief moment of contemplation, he quickly came to a realization and asked, "Do you have any family or relatives?"

"This junior does not know. Ever since I can remember, I have been alone," Zhang Tie continued answering.

True Man Miao waved one hand, and the talisman in Zhang Tie's hand vanished. Zhang Tie gradually regained his senses as well.

"Zhang Tie, are you willing to take me as your master?" True Man Miao suddenly asked.

"I am willing, I am willing! This disciple Zhang Tie greets Master!" Zhang Tie froze for a moment before being overwhelmed with joy. He immediately dropped to his knees and respectfully kowtowed three times.

"You are my seventh disciple. Once the disciple recruitment ends, you will follow me to my cave abode and meet your senior brothers and sisters." True Man Miao nodded in satisfaction and continued, "Your Qi Refining aptitude is extremely poor. Even after consuming an exotic fruit, reaching Foundation Establishment will require tremendous fortune. As your master, I suggest that you devote yourself fully to Body Refining. In your lifetime, you may perhaps break through to the Aperture Opening Realm and become a mighty expert comparable to a Golden Core cultivator. Cultivate diligently."

As he spoke, True Man Miao took out a pair of gloves from his Storage Pouch. Their surface was covered in black scales, and one glance was enough to tell that they were no ordinary item. True Man Miao held the gloves out to Zhang Tie and said, "This was something I obtained by chance. It is a mid-grade spirit artifact forged from the scales and fascia of a Unicorn Flood Dragon. Since it can only be activated with the power of blood and qi, it has remained in my possession. I will give it to you this time as a gift upon meeting."

"Thank you, Master!" Zhang Tie took the gloves, his heart filled with excitement. These were spirit artifacts—mid-grade ones at that—and more importantly, they were suitable for use by Body Cultivators. This meeting gift was truly perfect for Zhang Tie.