Chapter 209: Chapter 209 Recruiting_l
Translator: 549690339
“Brother Chen.”
On the platform, Zhuo Ming respectfully saluted Chen Mobai.
“Who would’ve thought my first round opponent would be Sister Zhuo. It’s been a long time.”
The girl who left Southstream Market with him to join the Divine Wood Sect, had lost contact with him after they left the Bud Hall.
Being able to meet during the massive sect competition with thousands of participants was quite a coincidence.
“I hope Brother Chen can progress courageously, so that he can become a true successor in this competition.”
Zhuo Ming knew that she was no match for Chen Mobai. Once she stepped on the platform, she didn’t waste any of her talismans and spiritual power, and after saying a courteous phrase, she directly admitted defeat.
“Sister, we haven’t seen each other in two years, if by chance let’s have a drink together.”
After stepping off the platform, Chen Mobai invited Zhuo Ming, who was excited to hear this and immediately came over.
Due to his excellent performance in last year’s competition, Chen Mobai had gained a certain prestige in the entire Divine Wood Sect.
Many people believed that once the next batch of Jade Marrow Golden Mushrooms matured, he was likely to become one of the true successors.
And Zhuo Ming had the most confidence in Chen Mobai becoming a true successor.
After all, at the Southstream Market back then, Yuan Chiye had determined that he had the most top-notch True Spirit Root.
“Brother Chen, long time no see.”
But before the two of them had a chance to sit down, another acquaintance came to greet them.
It was another three-spiritual-root prodigy from Southstream Market, Liu Wenbo.
“It’s you, since you’re here, join us for a drink.”
The three of them sat in a restaurant overlooking some of the platforms and began recounting their experiences in the Divine Wood Sect over the past two years.
Out of the three, Zhuo Ming’s career was the most simple. The difficulty of her transformation into the Art of Immortality was extraordinary, and she barely achieved Qi Cultivation level six.
She usually apprenticed in a talisman shop in Divine Wood City. The owner was a disciple from the Talisman Division, and a rank-one Talisman Master.
However, Zhuo Ming didn’t learn anything from him. The Master closely guarded his talisman creation techniques, only allowing her to handle some talisman paper and ink work.
“I have average talent. If I want to reach the Qi Cultivation level nine before the age limit of sixty, I might have to join the team exploring the Cloud Dream Lake.”
After Zhuo Ming finished speaking, her face showed bitterness. Joining the sect-wide competition was essentially a chance to showcase her abilities.
She had originally saved two top-quality rank-one talismans in hopes of winning the first round and finding an opportunity to trade her life for a good price.
Who could have expected such bad luck, encountering Chen Mobai – a true successor candidate – in the first round, and losing the courage to compete.
“Indeed, it’s a bit miserable.”
After hearing Zhuo Ming’s account, Chen Mobai couldn’t help but empathize.
If he hadn’t stumbled upon the turtle shell, his situation in the Divine Wood Sect probably wouldn’t be much better than Zhuo Ming’s.
“How about you, Brother Liu? Weren’t you following Yuan Chiye to explore the Yun Meng Ze?”
“Sigh, I had several close brushes with death. Most of the brothers and sisters who came with me didn’t make it, though there’s now a glimmer of hope for the future.”
While Liu Wenbo was speaking, he did not hide his cultivation level, which had actually reached Qi Cultivation level eight.
Chen Mobai took a closer look at him and compared to when he was at Bud Hall, Liu Wenbo, who was originally gentle, had gained a bit of tenacity. It seemed that the life-and-death battles had really shaped him, giving him a total transformation.
“Well, not bad. After Brother E Yun “Foundation Establishments”, Brother Yuan will take over. By the time Brother Yuan “Foundation Establishments”, you should be at Qi Cultivation level nine. With their support, you’ll surely rank among the top of the True Successors in the future.”
Chen Mobai’s words left Liu Wenbo feeling flabbergasted, he never expected himself to receive such praise from a senior brother as sublime as an exiled Immortal.
“I wouldn’t dare to entertain such extravagant hopes, I would be grateful just to be listed among the direct disciples.”
The three of them chatted for a while, more so it was Chen Mobai asking questions, and the other two answering respectfully.
Although Chen Mobai had already let go of his position as the leader of the disciples at Southstream Market when he left Bud Hall, the two still held great respect for him.
This respect deepened even more when last year Chen Mobai made it to the top 48. He was merely a round away from becoming an official disciple.
In the eyes of Zhuo Ming and Liu Wenbo, Chen Mobai was already seen as an official disciple.
They firmly believed that it was only a matter of time.
“I have quite a few medicinal and spirit fields in my Small Yang Ridge that need tending to. If disciple sister Zhuo doesn’t mind, would you be willing to help me?”
Looking at Zhuo Ming, Chen Mobai suddenly remembered that she too completed her chores by chopping logs at Bud Hall. Thus, fostering those farming skills should be more useful than training under Liang Xinhuo.
“So, what would be the remuneration for this?”
Zhuo Ming, coming from a Loose Cultivator background, was quite pragmatic and asked the most crucial question straight away.
“For now, it will be 30 spirit stones per year. If disciple sister agrees, you’re welcome to watch me preparing talismans and ink sketches. If you don’t understand some part, you can write it down and ask me after I finish.”
Hiring a 6th layer Qi cultivator of the Divine Wood Sect at this price could not be considered high. However, upon hearing the latter half of his sentence, Zhuo Ming’s eyes brightened and she immediately agreed.
In the Tianhe Realm, the legacy of the Hundred Arts of Cultivation Immortal is even more precious than the books on cultivation techniques in some aspects.
Without officially being a master and disciple, it’s impossible to receive the teachings.
Although it was possible to purchase these from the Book Pavilion of the Divine Wood Sect using spirit stones, it was only limited to disciples in the Talisman division.
Zhuo Ming had already spent years of savings in the Fang Market to buy the legacy of a rank-1 Talisman Master, but due to her weak foundation, her learning was severely hindered.
While in Southstream Market, she had known that Chen Mobai was an exceptional talisman maker. His glyphs were concise with intricate constructions, much better than the items sold in the large sect establishments.
If she could learn under him, she might be able to make up for her weak foundation and there’s a chance she might become a bona fide Talisman Master in the future.
So, the moment Zhuo Ming heard that Chen Mobai was willing to instruct her, she immediately agreed enthusiastically.
“Secluded in the mountain, free from the disturbance of carriages and horses, if possible, I really wish to learn from Brother Chen how to farm and brew wine leisurely. Unfortunately…”
As Liu Wenbo spoke, his face fell as if he remembered the brothers who died in Cloud Dream Lake. He sighed woefully.
Carrying the expectations of his family and being responsible for many junior brothers and sisters, he has no way to retreat now.
“Liu Wenbo, with great power comes great responsibility.”
Chen Mobai consoled him briefly and then left with Zhuo Ming.
“First, resign from your apprenticeship at the rune store, then wait until the grand sect competition ends and come back to Small Yang Ridge with me.”
“Yes, senior brother Chen.”
The sect’s grand competition ended quickly today, and both Qi Rui and Xi Jinghuo advanced to the next round successfully.
The three agreed to meet for a drink in the evening. Zhuo Ming, who had already packed her things, came over and quietly sat pouring wine for them.
“Brother Chen, you’re a bit unfortunate. If you pass the fifth round, you’re to face senior sister Ding Ying.”
The match-up list for everyone came out today.
After looking at his match-up, Qi Rui also arranged Chen Mobai’s and found this weird coincidence.
“On the contrary, I think I am very fortunate..”