Chapter 2: The Sacred Academy Takes Disciples

Before long, Li Tianyuan soared through the air and arrived at the Hall of Sacred Learning. This place was close to the mountain gate and served as the site where the sacred land recruited disciples.

Whenever the Lingxiao Sacred Land held its grand opening ceremony to accept new disciples, talented youths from all over Lizhou would flock here, gathering in droves to compete in the assessments. Those who passed would become disciples of the Lingxiao Sacred Land, with boundless prospects ahead.

At this moment, the vast square outside the Hall of Sacred Learning was truly packed with a sea of people.

As soon as Li Tianyuan landed, a disciple from the Hall of Sacred Learning approached him at the main gate.

“Greetings, Chief Li! Are you here to select disciples?” The disciple cupped his hands respectfully and bowed.

“Exactly. Take me to the viewing platform,” Li Tianyuan replied calmly.

Though Lingyun Sword Peak had declined and he was the last remaining member, Li Tianyuan was still the chief of the peak, holding a lofty position within the Lingxiao Sacred Land.

Ordinary disciples had to show him due respect upon seeing him.

“Yes! Chief Li, please follow me.” The disciple nodded and led Li Tianyuan into the Hall of Sacred Learning.

The hall was divided into five floors, each clearly distinguished by rank. The first floor was the viewing area for ordinary disciples; the second floor was reserved for core disciples.

The third floor was the place for the Holy Maiden and the Divine Child.

Above that was the viewing platform for the chiefs of the thirty-six peaks and other dignitaries. The highest, fifth floor, was the exclusive seating for the chiefs of the top nine peaks, the Sacred Lord, the Sect Leader, and the Supreme Elders.

Li Tianyuan arrived at the fourth floor, where about a hundred people had already gathered, chatting among themselves.

Most of these cultivators were chiefs of the first peaks, discussing whether any promising candidates would stand out during this year’s disciple recruitment ceremony.

Li Tianyuan’s arrival did not attract much attention. After all, among the many main peaks, Lingyun Peak was rather insignificant, even on the verge of being dissolved.

He casually found a corner to sit and gazed down at the square below.

In the square, hundreds of jade pillars were arranged, each covered with densely engraved runes emitting a faint glow.

In front of each pillar stood a person, enduring tests.

To Li Tianyuan’s eyes, these individuals appeared as countless system panels, so dense and overwhelming they made his head spin.

As his gaze swept across the crowd, a sudden brightness caught his eye.

Yes!

A Golden Legend!

A young man with a dignified bearing appeared, radiating a dazzling golden light like the sun.

[Name: Xiao Huo]

[Cultivation: Qi Refinement, Stage Ten]

[Talent: SS]

[Comprehension: Outstanding]

[Gift: Blue Lotus Eternal Flame]

[Physique: Great Sun Spiritual Body]

[Summary: A cultivation prodigy one in ten thousand, destined to become a great power in the cultivation world.]

Reading the system’s evaluation of the youth, Li Tianyuan couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.

This boy’s talent was extraordinary, and with a special physique to boot—truly a favored child of heaven.

Unfortunately, he lacked a fate mark, seemingly unable to meet the system’s requirement for accepting disciples.

“System, what happens if I accept a disciple without a fate mark?” Li Tianyuan asked silently in his mind.

[Ding dong! If the host accepts a disciple who does not meet the system’s requirements, they will only be considered an ordinary disciple, unable to complete system tasks or receive system rewards.]

Li Tianyuan clicked his tongue in frustration. Even such a heavenly talent fell short of the system’s standards.

This was somewhat disappointing.

[Host, do not lament. While such a prodigy is one in ten thousand, they still do not qualify as your disciple.]

[As the host with a cheat system, you should have a broader vision and greater ambitions.]

“...” Li Tianyuan was momentarily speechless at the system’s teasing.

But upon reflection, it made sense. With such an advantage, there was nothing to fear. He could have any disciple he desired.

Someday, he could even cultivate several empresses to pamper him and warm his bed, enjoying this cheat-filled life.

As he contemplated this, the young man named Xiao Huo’s test results came out.

Immediately, several figures flew out from the fifth-floor viewing platform, surrounding the youth and arguing excitedly.

These men were chiefs of the top nine peaks of the Lingxiao Sacred Land, evidently attracted by the youth’s revealed talent, all eager to take him as their disciple.

Li Tianyuan shook his head helplessly at the scene.

The youth deemed unworthy by the system had become a coveted prize in others’ eyes, the center of everyone’s attention.

Such a contrast was hard not to sigh over.

Without lingering further, Li Tianyuan continued to search for someone who met the system’s requirements.

However, despite the bustling square, not a single person qualified according to the system’s standards.

This left Li Tianyuan feeling somewhat melancholic.

It seemed those blessed with the so-called “fate mark” the system spoke of were truly as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.

Still, he was in no rush, continuing his search. After all, the disciple recruitment ceremony had just begun, and those in the square were only about one-tenth of the total candidates.

“Chief Li, what brings you here?”

At that moment, a surprised voice rang out, and a familiar face approached him warmly.

“Chief Zhao!” Li Tianyuan nodded with a smile.

The middle-aged man before him was Zhao Wu, chief of the Tianxing Peak among the thirty-six peaks of the Lingxiao Sacred Land, just like Li Tianyuan.

“Chief Li, long time no see! You look refreshed—your wounds must be nearly healed,” Zhao Wu said with a smile, his eyes scanning Li Tianyuan.

“Thank you for your concern, Chief Zhao. My injuries have fully recovered. I have come to the Hall of Sacred Learning specifically to select disciples and continue the legacy of Lingyun Sword Peak,” Li Tianyuan replied with a bow.

Zhao Wu shared a deep bond with Li Tianyuan’s late master, Sword Daoist, and had been heartbroken when his friend perished.

Since Li Tianyuan took over Lingyun Sword Peak, Zhao Wu had taken good care of him.

“Ha ha, that’s excellent. Over the years, you shut yourself away due to your injuries, and I watched the legacy of our old friend’s lineage gradually decline—it pained me deeply! Now seeing you rise again, I finally feel at ease,” Zhao Wu said, laughing heartily and patting Li Tianyuan’s shoulder with sentiment.

He had always held high hopes for his late friend’s disciple. Back then, Li Tianyuan was a prodigy, having reached the Golden Core Dao at a young age.

If not for the accident nine years ago, he would have likely become a Nascent Soul cultivator by now.

“Chief Zhao, rest assured. With the Sword Daoist entrusting Lingyun Sword Peak to me, I will never let its legacy fade away,” Li Tianyuan said with a faint smile.

Given the original owner’s circumstances, Lingyun Sword Peak was indeed on the verge of extinction.

But now, the situation had completely reversed. Having transmigrated with a cheat system, Li Tianyuan naturally intended to revitalize Lingyun Sword Peak.

Moreover, this matter was tied to the resources he could obtain within the sacred land—how could he not care?

As the two exchanged pleasantries, an untimely sneering voice interrupted.

“Ha ha, you won’t let Lingyun Sword Peak’s legacy die out?”

“Chief Li, if your master were still alive, maybe those words would carry weight. But now…”

“Who gave you the courage to spout such nonsense?”

The mocking tone drew the attention of those nearby.

Following the voice, everyone looked toward a middle-aged man approaching leisurely, his face radiating arrogance and disdain.

This was Han Fengchen, chief of the Shangqing Peak.