Selection

Although the selection of household retainers by a core disciple was not a major event for the entire Blackstone Mountain Range, its unique nature was enough to draw the attention of all outer sect disciples in the range.

Naturally, it could not be handled carelessly.

According to longstanding custom, this kind of selection was conducted in two stages.

The first stage was a preliminary selection, choosing the five best candidates from all those taking part.

In the second stage, the five would be given a period of time to prepare before competing again to determine the very best among them.

The household retainer Ji Kongling, the uncrowned Crown Prince, intended to select this time would manage the refining workshop in his residence. Thus, the requirements were limited to outer sect disciples who worked odd jobs in the refining workshops of Blackstone Mountain Range.

There were a total of one hundred and fifty disciples who met the requirements, but not all one hundred and fifty would take part in the selection.

In the end, thirty-five people registered for the first-stage selection.

In Wu Jing's words, these thirty-five were the cream of the hundred and fifty. Even she did not know which five would ultimately prevail and earn the chance to enter the second stage.

Jialuo, naturally, would be participating. The lackeys under her, on the other hand, had the good sense not to enter.

Presumably, they knew their own capabilities. Besides, even if they wanted to participate, they probably would not dare compete face-to-face with Jialuo.

Thirty-five cauldrons were arranged neatly in five rows of seven across Central Square. The thirty-five contestants each stood before a cauldron, waiting solemnly for Ji Kongling to announce the rules for the first stage.

Jiang Feng stood on the outskirts with the spectators. The crowd