Others' Ideals, the Paths Others Walked

The crowd erupted in uproar!

"Are you kidding me?! I've been queuing here for half an hour!"

"Exactly! What happened to the selection process? It ended without even a test?"

"Actually... actually, I also lost my beloved, I should have stood over there!" Someone belatedly realized and tried to make amends.

However, just as the man was about to take a step, he was pinned to the spot by a force.

The disciple who had previously announced the end remained calm, yet his voice carried clearly throughout the square:

"He didn't step forward earlier, but changed his tune when he saw there was profit to be made. Such a fickle and opportunistic person, even if the conditions are met, is absolutely unnecessary for my Wen Dao Palace!"

He changed the subject, his tone softening somewhat:

"Of course, we won't let you all come for nothing."

"Except for the one just now, everyone else in line can go over there and receive a Third-Rank Foundation-Nourishing Pill as a token of our apology."

Everyone turned their heads and saw a cute junior sister sitting there, waving to them.

"Third-Rank Foundation-Nourishing Pill?!"

"Really? Free?"

In this remote border town of Middle Thousand Provinces, while third-grade elixirs may not be considered priceless treasures, they are certainly not cheap.

Upon hearing that there were free pills to be claimed, most people's dissatisfaction immediately vanished, and they flocked to the collection point, their faces now showing delight.

On one side of the square, Wu Zheng looked at the four specially selected new recruits in front of him, especially Qin Wangchuan and Ye Jianwei, rubbed his hands together, and his smile became even brighter.

"Gentlemen, welcome to the Wen Dao Palace... uh, the reserve assessment point."

"Next, we need to conduct some simple character verification."

"Please wait here for a moment."

After saying this, Wu Zheng turned and left, leaving the four of them to wait there.

Qin Wangchuan calmly swept his gaze over the other two candidates.

One of them had restless eyes, while the other Deathly Stillness and numb. Although they had come here for various reasons, they did not seem to have a deep attachment to or understanding of the Wen Dao Palace itself.

He spoke casually, breaking the silence:

"Why choose the Dao Wen Dao Palace? There seem to be quite a few sects and forces surrounding it."

The man with the Deathly Stillness expression glanced at Qin Wangchuan, seemingly unwilling to acknowledge this pampered Young Master.

But in the end, he still sighed and said:

"I just randomly chose a sect, anyway, everyone'll be able to..."

The following words were not spoken clearly, but Qin Wangchuan heard them.

It is destruction.

"I have a blood feud. I've heard that the Wen Dao Palace is very powerful; perhaps... they can help me take revenge!"

Another boy, his eyes darting around, suppressing his anger, answered in the same way.

However, upon hearing this, Qin Wangchuan shook his head, his tone resolute:

"The Wen Dao Palace will not help you."

"What?" The boy frowned, thinking the other person was deliberately contradicting him, and his tone became slightly angry. "What do you mean?"

Qin Wangchuan's gaze fell on his face, as if penetrating him to see something deeper. His voice remained steady. "The Wen Dao Palace will not help anyone."

"It is home, a final refuge, but not a weapon for revenge."

"The only one who can help you is yourself."

The words were not spoken, but like a pebble thrown into a stagnant pond, they created a violent ripple in the boy's heart.

Even the numb young man next to him trembled slightly. In the depths of his lifeless eyes, it was as if a tiny crack had been pried open by those words, revealing a bewildered yet sharp light.

The only one who can help you is yourself.

There are no lengthy explanations or empty encouragements, just the simplest and most genuine truths.

It easily ripped through the fog they used to comfort themselves or escape.

The boy stared intently at Qin Wangchuan, his breathing quickening.

"Who... who exactly are you?"

This almost ruthless clarity and insight is something one shouldn't have at this age.

Qin Wangchuan met his gaze and said calmly, "Just like you, a disciple waiting to be accepted into the sect."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a series of slightly noisy footsteps approached from afar.

A group of people were walking briskly towards them.

The leader was tall, with dark skin, a rugged face, and a solid, steady aura. He exuded a capable and valiant air as he walked.

As he walked, he frowned and complained to the people following behind him:

"Only four in this batch?"

"Damn, your efficiency is incredibly low."

Wu Zheng followed behind, explaining in a low voice, "Brother Yu, there were originally five, but the Palace Master instructed that we can't just recruit without selecting anyone..."

"That kid only jumped in when he saw there was something to gain, how could we possibly accept it?"

Is this what I meant?

The dark-faced man, known as Brother Yu, glared and asked, "I'm asking if you've done a good job of advertising?"

"Only once every two years, and this is all the people?!"

"At this rate, when will our Wen Dao Palace be able to ascend to the Upper Thousand Provinces?"

"Shouldn't it be in place by now?" Wu Zheng scratched his head.

"The main problem is that this city is no good, and I feel that the group of people Returnees next door are a bit crazy, which scared away a lot of people."

"How about next time..."

"Shh!"

The dark-faced man immediately interrupted, looked around, and then lowered his voice, "Don't say anything that's detrimental to unity."

"However... next time, I should definitely keep my distance and not sit next to them."

Clearly, even he found the group of people next to him shouting slogans about ascending to heaven to be too peculiar.

As they spoke, the group approached.

The dark-faced man cleared his throat, preparing to give his routine instructions, when his gaze swept over the four candidates in front of him.

Then, his gaze suddenly fixed on one of them.

He instinctively took half a step forward, his voice trembling:

"Young... Young Master?!"

Qin Wangchuan nodded slightly.

The person who arrived was Meng Yu, who had joined the Wen Dao Palace when it was first established.

He was one of the elders who was respectfully called "Brother Hei" by his subordinates for striking the First Feather with a stick.

"Young Master?!"

The disciples following Meng Yu, including the one in black from before, were all stunned.

They certainly knew that the Young Master was the mysterious and unpredictable controller behind the Wen Dao Palace, and also the one who regarded Palace Master Yin Qiyue as his own.

But they never saw the True Person.

There were a few blurry stone statues, but... those majestic statues were so different from the young and handsome Young Master before them.

The next moment, before the disciples behind him could fully react...

Without hesitation, Meng Yu knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in a salute, and spoke in a loud voice:

"Meng Yu greets Young Master!"

His disciples, as if waking from a dream, immediately knelt down and cried out in unison:

"Greetings, Young Master!"

"Get up," Qin Wangchuan said casually, raising his hand slightly.

He felt a slight pang of regret; the fun of this incognito visit had come to an end.

However, the overall impression of this trip was indeed quite good.

The fact that a veteran like Meng Yu would personally come to this remote town to examine new disciples demonstrates that the Wen Dao Palace has strict management in recruiting disciples and is not blindly expanding.

Yin Qiyue has managed this place very well, which is commendable.

The two candidates behind him were now frozen in place.

They stared blankly at these important figures from the Wen Dao Palace kneeling so respectfully before this young man.

Who is this person?!

The Palace Master of the Wen Dao Palace?

Qin Wangchuan proceeded amidst the throng of people from the Wen Dao Palace.

After taking a few steps, he suddenly stopped and turned his head to look back.

His Golden Eyes, sharp as lightning, cleaved through the clamor, landing directly on the two astonished eyes, before uttering four words:

"The strong save themselves."

Having said that, he turned and left without lingering.

This is a stark contrast to his previous state of being somewhat ordinary, blending in with the other candidates.

Although his aura remained restrained.

But at this moment, Qin Wangchuan's steps were steady and swift, his posture upright like a pine tree. Although he did not deliberately release any pressure, he naturally exuded an indescribable sharpness and demeanor.

It wasn't an aggressive display, but rather a deep-seated confidence and dignity.

Even just a glimpse of his back seemed to pierce through the mundane, making people afraid to look directly at him and inspiring awe.

As they walked, Qin Wangchuan suddenly asked:

"Who's behind this city? They've got some nerve."

"Reporting to Young Master, it is a man named Wang Qiming, rumored to be from Upper Thousand Provinces."

"Wang Qiming?" Qin Wangchuan was slightly surprised upon hearing this.

He recognized the name.

I once fought against this person in the Upper Thousand Provinces Arena.

I still remember his ideal was to embrace all Demon Race, break down racial barriers, and practice the principle of equality for all beings.