“Heh heh heh, old chap, you’re at least a Half-Step Heavenly Venerable, yet that young lad doesn’t think much of you, does he?”
Just after Ling Xiao left, the little dog astonishingly spoke in human tongue, clearly mocking Elder Yang.
“Half-Step Heavenly Venerable, eh? The master this lad wants to apprentice under is a Heavenly Human Realm Heavenly Venerable-level expert!”
Elder Yang sighed and said, “What a pity. His comprehension is truly remarkable—he could have answered at least the seventh question. Yet, in the end, he deliberately didn’t answer it. I reckon he must have some enemies, so he didn’t dare draw too much attention.”
The little dog nodded and said, “Hmm, that’s likely the case. And his enemies are probably Heavenly Human Realm experts from our Moonlight Sect.”
“Why don’t you take him as your disciple?”
Elder Yang suddenly turned to the little dog and said.
“Forget it. My standards for taking disciples are quite high. Though he performed impressively and has great comprehension, I still need to observe him for a while. You know I value character most when choosing disciples.”
The little dog adopted the air of a lofty expert, its words carrying considerable authority.
“Fair enough. There’s plenty of time ahead—no rush, no rush!”
Elder Yang smiled and glanced towards the door.
At that moment, Ling Xiao had already walked into the outer hall, where everyone’s gazes upon him were somewhat peculiar.
This was because he had spent the longest time inside but didn’t achieve a perfect score.
According to Elder Bai’s announced scores, Ling Xiao only got 6 points.
Though it was currently the highest, how could it have taken so long?
Ling Xiao couldn’t care less about their opinions. He roughly shared his experiences inside with Leng Mei, naturally omitting certain details.
He hoped it would help Leng Mei in some way.
However, when Leng Mei came out, she told him the questions had all changed. Still, Ling Xiao’s words had been somewhat useful.
In this round, Leng Mei scored 4 points, which was decent.
Among the others who performed well, Xu Ying and Zhao Zhi both scored 6 points, indicating their comprehension was quite good.
Zhao Ci got 3 points.
Elder Yang didn’t offer to take Xu Ying or Zhao Zhi as disciples, which made Ling Xiao a bit uneasy.
This suggested Elder Yang had noticed he deliberately avoided answering the seventh question.
But unease aside, he had no enmity with Elder Yang, and their earlier interaction had been quite pleasant. The elder likely wouldn’t spread the word.
Besides, Elder Yang wanted to take him as a disciple, so he certainly wouldn’t blab about this secret—otherwise, wouldn’t his disciple be easily snatched away?
With the fourth test concluded, the Moonlight Sect’s expanded recruitment examination was officially over.
According to Elder Bai, in previous years, the Moonlight Sect only admitted ten people each time. But due to the expansion this time, they directly took the top thirty.
Even with Dai Yuling and Leng Hao occupying two spots, there were still twenty-eight left.
Ling Xiao shrugged helplessly. He had been worried about not being admitted, but with twenty-eight spots, there was no issue.
While he was at ease, more than half of those present were trembling with anxiety.
There were still sixty-eight people remaining here.
“First place, Ling Xiao, 56 points!”
Though Ling Xiao took first, his score mostly came from combat skills, so no one thought he was particularly remarkable.
Instead, second-placed Zhao Zhi and third-placed Xu Ying drew the most attention.
His first place was probably the least prestigious first place ever.
Leng Mei came in fourth, and Zhao Ci was fifth.
Ling Xiao didn’t pay attention to the others, so he didn’t care much about their rankings.
For Master Bai Yun, having all three of his recommended candidates admitted to the sect was a genuine surprise.
He had been worried that Dai Yuling and Leng Mei wouldn’t make it, but Dai Yuling had her own fortunate encounter.
Leng Mei’s potential was far greater than he had imagined.
As a master, he felt a bit inadequate.
“Not bad, old man Bai Yun. Your disciple actually took first in the entrance exam. Shall we celebrate with a feast?”
Xu Ling laughed heartily.
Clearly, his words were laced with sarcasm.
Though only one of the three he brought, Xu Ying, was selected, and she only placed third, in terms of potential, Xu Ying had an Immortal Treasure Body, far superior to Ling Xiao’s Rare Treasure Body. She was the true talent.
In other words, regardless of current rankings, his daughter would become a sect elite in the future, while Ling Xiao would gradually fade into obscurity, unnoticed.
Master Bai Yun merely smiled, not responding.
He knew Ling Xiao’s true potential was absolutely no less than Xu Ying’s.
The list of twenty-eight names was soon announced.
Including Leng Hao and Dai Yuling, there were thirty in total.
Some were dissatisfied with Dai Yuling, but no one else present had a healing-type martial soul, and Dai Yuling’s martial soul remnant had already been refined to eighty percent.
So they had no grounds to complain.
This was the final result.
Among these thirty, the most dazzling was Leng Hao.
Next were Zhao Zhi and Xu Ying, both with Immortal Treasure Bodies. Barring any surprises, they would soon stand out among the outer disciples and advance to the inner sect.
Following them were Ling Xiao, Zhao Ci, and Leng Mei.
However, most people overlooked Ling Xiao—not out of dislike, but because he was male.
Zhao Ci, the princess of the Northern Han Kingdom, was elegant and beautiful, evoking affection.
Leng Mei, strikingly beautiful and aloof, though not fond of dressing up, had a unique charm and was still highly admired.
After all, the Moonlight Sect had far more men than women.
That day, the Moonlight Sect gave the thirty newly admitted disciples one hour to bid farewell to the elders, masters, or others who had accompanied them.
Ling Xiao, Dai Yuling, and Leng Mei parted reluctantly with Master Bai Yun, who promised Ling Xiao he would seek out the Divine Sword Sect upon his return and help protect it.
This was something he had previously agreed to do for Ling Xiao.
Since the Blue-Eyed Clan invaded Bai Yun Province, Ling Xiao had been constantly worried about the Divine Sword Sect, his home where his family resided.
Afterwards, Leng Hao returned to Golden Light Heavenly Venerable, and Dai Yuling went back to Medicine Mountain, but that’s another story.
The remaining twenty-eight followed Elder Bai to the outer sect’s main hall to register.
Elder Bai was one of the outer sect elders.
Ling Xiao hadn’t realised that the outer sect held significant weight within the Moonlight Sect.
The sect’s daily operations relied heavily on the outer sect, including procuring food, herbs, equipment, and even managing secular affairs. The outer sect was indispensable.
Besides cultivating, outer disciples were responsible for these chores, especially now that the Twelve Sects’ taboo had been lifted.
With increasing external connections, the outer disciples’ tasks would likely grow.
After registering at the outer sect’s main hall, Elder Bai explained the sect’s rules to the new disciples one by one.
Gone was the cold demeanour from before; Elder Bai now resembled a capable shop manager.
“You must especially remember that the Moonlight Sect has many forbidden areas, all marked in your entry manuals. Do not go near those places, or at best, you’ll be expelled from the sect; at worst, you’ll be killed!”
