An Old Steed in the Stable, Still Aspiring to Roam a Thousand Miles

At that moment, the people standing at the entrance saw Lin Xuankong stride in with considerable presence. It was obvious he had some skill, and surprise once again appeared on their faces.

Bald Li Er rubbed his shiny head. "At such an advanced age, this old brother... the world is vast, and nothing is too strange. Perhaps he really does have some ability! Hahaha!"

He followed behind Lin Xuankong and hurried away.

The remaining Martial Cultivators began discussing the strange old man, Lin Xuankong.

The Long-Faced Cultivator spoke up:

"Even this old man dares to go in and have a match. What do I, Lu Guanchi, have to fear!

"I'll go in and compete too. Maybe I'll get matched against that old man—then I can win with a casual gesture, hahaha!"

After saying that, he took several quick steps through the entrance and headed into the hall.

Cultivator Yang watched Lin Xuankong's retreating figure in the distance. He suddenly took a deep breath and said:

"Judging by the way that old brother walks, he seems to have some skill.

"But at his age, his qi and blood have probably declined beyond recognition. How could he possibly be a match for Martial Cultivators in their twenties or thirties!

"Yet it truly stirs the heart—such an aged and frail elder still has the courage to enter a combat tournament against so many experts!"

Thinking of Lin Xuankong's decisive tone and steadfast strides, a surge of heroic spirit rose in his chest.

"I, Yang Shan, will go in and compete as well.

"That old brother is already so old, yet like an old steed in the stable, he still aspires to roam a thousand miles. I am in the prime of my youth—how can I lose that breath of heroism in my chest!

"Even if I lose and embarrass myself a little, so what? Matching myself against experts will broaden my horizons!"

With that, he picked up the Tasseled Long Spear at his side and strode away.

"Well said! Whether old or young, Martial Cultivators should all carry a breath of heroism in their hearts!"

"I've truly had my eyes opened today. Our Great Marsh Prefecture still has heroes—young heroes, and old heroes too! Hahaha!"

After hearing his words, the many Martial Cultivators could not help but cheer in agreement.

Soon, someone else said, "I'll participate too. I want to see whether that old hero truly has some skill. I'm terribly curious!"

Gu Beicheng stood by the gate, watching the crowd's heroic spirit being stirred by Lin Xuankong. His face was full of astonishment.

The Yin Talisman Sect's training ground covered an enormous area, roughly more than ten mu in size.

On the eastern side of the training ground stood thirty-six Martial Cultivators who had come to apply for the position of manager.

These people were clearly the cream of the crop among the Rogue Cultivators, each with considerable strength. Most were in their twenties or thirties, at the height of their vigor. They were broad-shouldered and powerfully built, their eyes bright and spirited whenever they looked around. Lin Xuankong stood out like a sore thumb among them, especially with his head of white hair. He was like a single point of white amidst ten thousand blacks; even from a hundred zhang away, one could spot him in the crowd at a glance.

At this moment,

Manager Jiang Yurán, beautiful in appearance and clad in a Daoist robe, entered the training ground with several stewards and over a hundred elite disciples.

She looked at the upright Rogue Cultivators in the distance and nodded in satisfaction.

But when she saw Lin Xuankong among the crowd, her gaze paused.

Somewhat taken aback, she turned toward a Great Steward beside her and frowned. "Why is there an old man applying for a manager's position?"

Manager Jiang Yurán had organized many recruitment events, but this was the first time she had seen someone in his sixties.

The Great Steward cupped his fists. "In reply to Manager Jiang, Gu Beicheng informed me earlier. He said this old gentleman insisted on applying, and there was nothing he could do, so he let him in."

Jiang Yurán frowned as she looked at Lin Xuankong for a while. Her eyes shifted a few times, as though she had thought of something. Then she suddenly smiled and said:

"Though a hero may be old, his lofty ambitions never cease. Regardless of his strength, such courage deserves praise!"

The Great Steward joked, "I'm only afraid he won't pass the first test. Even if he does, if he gets beaten to death in the second combat tournament, we'll have to pay for a coffin!"

Jiang Yurán was startled by this. She glared at the Great Steward, then turned and walked toward the Martial Cultivators.

Once she reached the line of Martial Cultivators and everyone solemnly turned their attention toward her, Jiang Yurán spoke aloud:

"Everyone, demons and monsters now run rampant, occupying many cities of Great Xia and bringing calamity upon the people. Great Marsh Prefecture has suffered deeply as well.

"On behalf of the Yin Talisman Sect, I, Jiang Yurán, welcome all of you outstanding talents to join us. I also hope that you can pass the first test. As for the second combat tournament, fists and feet have no eyes. When you reach that stage, I hope you will stop at the proper point!"

After delivering her lengthy opening remarks, she could not help glancing at Lin Xuankong in the crowd when she finished.

It was not that she had any opinion of Lin Xuankong. It was simply human instinct—Lin Xuankong was far too distinctive within the crowd, so of course her gaze kept falling on him unconsciously!

Why do I keep looking at him without meaning to?

Jiang Yurán gloomily withdrew her gaze.

She continued, "Next, Steward Ma and Manager Gu will lead everyone through the first test!"

After saying that, she departed amid the escort of the many stewards.

As the chief manager, whose authority was little different from that of a Hall Master, Jiang Yurán naturally could not personally lead these first- and second-layer Martial Cultivators through testing. Showing herself was merely a display of the Yin Talisman Sect's regard for newcomers!

After she left, Gu Beicheng stepped out from among the Daoists and led the Martial Cultivators toward the Heavenly Derivation Stone used for testing.

Following the others, Lin Xuankong arrived near the Heavenly Derivation Stone and looked curiously at the massive rock.

The oval boulder was over three men tall and wide enough for roughly ten people to encircle. It was pale yellow, covered in intricate patterns, with a handprint-shaped indentation near its lower middle.

The Martial Cultivators all stared at the boulder in confusion. Only a small number had a trace of fervor in their eyes.

Seeing the doubt in everyone's eyes, Gu Beicheng said, "This Heavenly Derivation Stone is a tool used by our Yin Talisman Sect to test disciples' talent and determine whether they are suited to cultivating Yin Talisman Lightning. Since you are applying to become Deputy Managers, you will certainly be responsible for supervising and instructing disciples in the future. Therefore, you must possess the talent to cultivate Yin Talisman Lightning.

"However, there is no need to worry. Since all of you have already entered Mortal Transformation Layer One, you certainly possess talent for martial cultivation.

"That means you have a sixty to seventy percent chance of being able to cultivate the Yin Talisman Art. The only difference lies in how well you match the technique!"

When they heard the first part, concern appeared in everyone's eyes. Only after hearing the latter part did they relax.

After all, a sixty to seventy percent chance of passing the first test was not low at all!

Gu Beicheng pointed at the nine special patterns above the handprint on the Heavenly Derivation Stone.

He continued, "Based on differences in compatibility, our Yin Talisman Sect divides talent into Nine Grades. In a moment, circulate your qi and blood and pour it into that handprint. You will then light up those marks! The more marks you light, the more compatible you are with the Yin Talisman Lightning technique!"

Everyone nodded one after another.

Bald Li Er could not help asking, "Manager Gu, this Heavenly Derivation Stone is so marvelous that I'm eager to give it a try! But I'm curious—within our Yin Talisman Sect, how many marks has the most talented person ever lit?"

At his question, a trace of pride surfaced in Gu Beicheng's eyes. He stroked his long beard.

"Our Yin Talisman Sect has a long and ancient lineage. Since our Founding Ancestor established the sect a thousand years ago, the Founding Ancestor himself once lit all nine marks!

"In the past thousand years, there have been exactly five sect members who lit Eight Seals.

"Those five ancestors who lit Eight Seals were all heaven-sent geniuses, one in a hundred million!

"Of course, even those who light Five or Six Seals are still geniuses exceptionally compatible with the Yin Talisman Art!"

Bald Li Er's eyes lit up. "I wonder how many marks the most talented disciple of this generation can light?"

At that question, Gu Beicheng's expression paused. He considered his wording before saying, "Among the current generation of fellow disciples, the highest is Five Seals! Of course, Five Seals is already extremely astonishing. Such a person can easily cultivate lightning and may enter exceedingly high realms of Yin Talisman Lightning in the future!"

Little Martial Aunt Jiang Yurán lit Five Seals. She is a Yin Talisman Lightning genius rarely seen in a hundred years!

When I entered the sect, I lit Four Seals. My master praised me as a genius found once in ten thousand, and I was highly regarded throughout the sect. Even the sect master thought highly of me—but compared to Little Martial Aunt Jiang, my talent falls far short!

At that moment,

Steward Ma beside Gu Beicheng looked sternly at the Martial Cultivators.

"As long as you can light one mark, you can cultivate the Yin Talisman Art.

"If you light two marks, you have a ninety percent chance of cultivating lightning. You may even report directly to Manager Jiang and be exceptionally promoted to Deputy Manager without participating in the combat tournament!

"When you test later, lighting even one mark will already be quite good. Do not aim too high!

"Alright, test yourselves in order. Remember to report your names, family traditions, and cultivation levels."

Anyone who could become a steward was clearly powerful and held in high status.

Once Steward Ma spoke, even Gu Beicheng, the genius manager, did not dare continue chatting. He hurriedly began organizing the test.

The sallow-faced man at the front of the line stepped out and cupped his fists toward Gu Beicheng. "I am Li Lu, twenty-three years old. I once cultivated Three Mountains Fist and am at Late Mortal Transformation Layer One!"

After saying that, he walked before the Heavenly Derivation Stone. With anticipation in his eyes, he placed his hand on the handprint, then activated his qi and blood and poured it inside.

Unfortunately, after several dozen breaths,

the sallow-faced man had expended so much qi and blood that his face turned from yellow to white, yet the Heavenly Derivation Stone remained completely motionless.

Seeing this, regret flashed through Gu Beicheng's eyes. "Layman Li, you may stop. It seems your constitution is not compatible with the Yin Talisman Art! However, although you cannot apply to become a manager, you may still join our Yin Talisman Sect as a disciple. By cultivating other techniques in the future, you may still have a chance to be exceptionally promoted into an Outer City manager!"

The sallow-faced man unwillingly withdrew his hand. He cupped his fists toward Gu Beicheng, then returned dejectedly to the crowd.

The testing continued. To Gu Beicheng's regret, five people in a row were unable to light even a single mark.

The remaining thirty-odd Martial Cultivators could not help feeling anxious.

Standing in the line, Lin Xuankong frowned at the Heavenly Derivation Stone and thought to himself, Judging by these people's cultivation levels, if it comes down to fighting, with my Early Second Layer cultivation and Spirit Crane Finger, securing a Deputy Manager position should not be much of a problem!

But this kind of test... the young lady said my constitution is better suited for cultivating the Pine Crane Longevity Technique.

I wonder whether I am compatible with the Yin Talisman Art. If I am like these six people and cannot light even one mark, that will be troublesome! I hope I can at least light one mark!