“The Mountain River Martial Soul is powerful, but if you can’t control it, you won’t live past sixteen. Even if you survive that, you saw today—countless people will come for it. This soul has never belonged to one person; it goes to the worthy!”
Master Baiyun explained, “If the wielder dies in battle, the soul transfers to another.”
“So, the person with it becomes a target for everyone?” Lin Ze said, shocked.
“Exactly. Yet, a treasure is a treasure. Despite the risks, people will still fight tooth and nail for it. It’s a brutal elimination game—lose, and you die,” Master Baiyun nodded. “But setting the Mountain River Martial Soul aside, this is an opportunity for you and others. The twelve sects’ return may bring bloodshed, but it also offers more chances to rise.”
“Absolutely, the master is right,” Qi Yuan agreed. “I once dreamed of joining the Moonlight Sect, one of the twelve. It’s my lifelong wish, but my cultivation is too weak to pass their initial test.”
“No way, Brother Qi, you’re a peak Ninefold Martial Vein master, among the best, and you couldn’t pass the first test?” General September asked, stunned.
“Hmph, that’s nothing. I’m just an outer disciple of the Moonlight Sect, and the least impressive one at that,” Master Baiyun snorted. “Think the twelve sects are easy to join? Without reaching the Mortal Realm, don’t even dream of it!”
His words carried deep frustration and helplessness.
At his age, being a mere outer disciple—and the lowest-ranked—stung.
Ling Xiao thought of his days in the Ling Clan, living in fear of being expelled, unable to practice martial arts. Master Baiyun’s time in the Moonlight Sect was likely just as harsh.
“Isn’t the Mortal Realm the pinnacle of martial arts?” Shi Lei asked.
“Pinnacle? Hahaha,” Master Baiyun laughed. “You’re underestimating martial arts. Below the Mortal Realm, you’re all ants. The techniques you learn are watered-down versions. True martial arts—those you can only grasp and learn in the Mortal Realm and beyond.”
“The Ninefold Martial Vein is just the foundation. The Mortal Realm is the start. I’m only at Mortal First Heaven, the lowest tier. If the Sword King Sect hadn’t intervened earlier, that Beast King Palace disciple could’ve killed us like squashing ants.”
His words were a bombshell.
For martial artists who’d toiled their whole lives, this was hard to swallow.
If the Mortal Realm was just the beginning, what was their lifelong pursuit of the Ninefold Martial Vein?
The strongest among ants?
Still an ant.
Ling Xiao recalled the blue-clad woman he’d met in the Fulong Mountains. She was definitely a Mortal Realm martial artist, and now, thinking back, her strength likely surpassed even the Sword King Sect and Beast King Palace experts.
Most martial artists felt despair.
But ambitious prodigies, hearing Master Baiyun, brimmed with anticipation.
They saw hope amid the crisis.
Their next step was clear: strive to join the hidden sects.
Even if not the twelve, a lesser sect would be better than their current state.
Places like the Heavenly Ninja Academy or Hidden Dragon Camp were nothing compared to these sects.
“Qi Yuan, did you learn anything new about the Moonlight Sect on your trip?” Master Baiyun asked. His sect was the Moonlight Sect, but his age and lack of progress had left him effectively abandoned, short of formal expulsion.
The sect had given him one condition to return: find at least one true genius to join.
That’s why he’d been scouring for prodigies.
Only Zuo Leng and Ming Tian caught his eye. Others didn’t measure up.
Ling Yixue had immense talent, but as a soul clan member, she likely couldn’t join, which is why he didn’t focus on her.
“Master, with the Mountain River Martial Soul’s emergence, the Moonlight Sect and others plan to expand, recruiting widely. Standards may be slightly lower. Even without reaching the Mortal Realm, those at Ninefold Martial Vein could pass the entry test,” Qi Yuan replied.
“And you still didn’t pass?” Master Baiyun frowned.
“Embarrassing, but among Ninefold masters, only geniuses pass. I couldn’t even clear the Seven Star Flower test, the basic requirement. Only five-star geniuses or above qualify for further tests,” Qi Yuan said with a wry smile.
“I see. So the sect is expanding?”
“Yes, I saw their announcement. In three months, they’ll hold a large recruitment,” Qi Yuan confirmed.
“Good. I should get notice soon,” Master Baiyun said.
Just then, a red blur shot from a kilometer away.
Master Baiyun caught it—a letter.
The soft paper, thrown with such precision from so far, showed a mastery of true essence only a Mortal Realm martial artist could achieve.
“As expected!”
Reading the letter, Master Baiyun’s face lit with joy. “Three months from now, the Moonlight Sect will expand recruitment. I can recommend three people, who’ll skip the Seven Star Flower test and preliminary rounds, going straight to the entry exam.”
Ling Yixue and Dai Yuling, true disciples, stirred at this.
Master Baiyun would surely recommend Zuo Leng and Ming Tian. The third spot would likely go to either Dai Yuling or Ling Yixue.
Other entry disciples had little hope.
But none would give up willingly.
“Don’t lose heart. This recruitment is open to all of Beihan Kingdom, including the Ninja and Blue-Eye Clans here,” Master Baiyun said with a smile. “I won’t play favorites. Those with five-star potential or above will be chosen based on strength.”
With that, he left swiftly.
His words were polite but hollow. If anyone had five-star potential, they’d already be true disciples, not entry-level.
Still, his words sparked something in Ling Xiao.
He doubted Master Baiyun would recommend him, but if he could defeat Zuo Leng or Ming Tian, Baiyun would likely have no objections to him going.
