Luo Zeping's words were not impassioned, but they gave the eliminated talents on the steps a glimmer of hope.
They could still enter the Profound Sect and practice the same arts as its Official Disciples. The only difference was that they would be servant disciples rather than Official Disciples.
Many faces lit up again. As long as they could enter the Profound Sect, even being servants was acceptable. After all, if they performed well, they could still become Official Disciples. Li Yunfei and the other two eliminated candidates from Heavenly Strategy Academy were overjoyed. They had never expected to enter the Profound Sect as servants.
Some, however, showed no joy. Even the least gifted among them had perfected bone roots. Across an entire province, they were rare, top-tier talents, and they could not bow their heads and enter the Profound Sect as servant disciples.
Servants? Wasn't that just being beasts of burden and lowly lackeys?
They would be unwelcome in the Profound Sect, but back home, they were still talents admired by all. Better to be a rooster's head than a phoenix's tail. Among the nearly hundred eliminated candidates, quite a few immediately turned, descended the steps, and strode away. They had no intention of entering the Profound Sect to toil like oxen and horses. "Now, anyone willing to enter the Profound Sect as a servant, follow me!" a Profound Sect disciple called from below the dragon.
Those planning to enter as servant disciples stopped hesitating. They turned, descended the steps, and left with that disciple. "I hereby announce that this Dragon Ascension Selection has concluded. You may all disperse," Luo Zeping declared.
At these words, the talents and prodigies who had climbed onto the dragon were astonished. Hadn't this only been the first round? Why was it over already?