These people are like they’re just messing around.
They’re so boisterous, it doesn’t look like a Cultivation Sect at all.
Anyone who didn’t know better would think it was an elementary School exchange, with the Principal beating up the Head Teacher.
The Grand Elder should already be a very high-ranking person; he ought to have a demeanor befitting his status, right?
But the Grand Elder in front of him looked like an enraged Little Old Man, who started fighting without a word the moment they met.
“You speak! If you can’t make sense of it, I’ll beat your butt into eight pieces!”
The Grand Elder clutched Chen Sheng’s collar, determined to get to the bottom of it.
“High Grade… Spiritual Root, High Grade Spiritual Root!”
Seeing the Grand Elder’s face practically pressed against his own, Chen Sheng’s tongue got tied, and he stammered.
“What about a High Grade Spiritual Root? Can a High Grade Spiritual Root interrupt my secluded Cultivation? If my Cultivation progress falls behind… What the hell did you say?!”
The Grand Elder suddenly froze.
“Say it again?”
“A High Grade Spiritual Root! We found a boy with a High Grade Spiritual Root! He’s… he’s in the carriage!”
Chen Sheng pointed at the carriage compartment. The Magical Artifact inside was gradually dimming, which was why the Grand Elder hadn’t noticed.
“Hmm?”
The Grand Elder yanked open the carriage curtain and looked at the three people inside.
He first ruled out the Disciple in the middle holding the spherical Magical Artifact; he knew this person. He also knew the guy inside who was hugging his knees, looking terrified.
Yesterday, when a Disciple reported detecting a Medium Grade Spiritual Root, he had specifically gone down the mountain to meet this future pillar of the Qingfeng Sect.
Originally, he was going to personally escort this person up the mountain, but he was dissuaded by a group of Disciples.
They said that as the Grand Elder of the Qingfeng Sect, he ought to maintain some decorum. Only then did he return to the School to continue Cultivating, planning to make an appearance a few days later when welcoming the new Disciples.
So… it could only be this little fellow closest to him, who was looking at him with a strange gaze?
Why were this guy’s clothes a bit strange?
It didn’t matter!
The Grand Elder pointed at the Disciple holding the spherical Magical Artifact.
“You, test him again!”
“Yes…”
“Buzz—”
An Chen’s hand was lifted and pressed against the spherical Magical Artifact. Instantly, the Magical Artifact glowed brightly and vibrated continuously. The Disciple almost couldn’t hold it, only able to press it down with his body.
“My Qingfeng Sect has finally stumbled upon a treasure!”
The Grand Elder laughed heartily and enveloped An Chen in a bear hug.
“Mmm…”
An Chen grunted, his body tightly embraced by the Grand Elder, unable to move.
The Grand Elder seemed unsure of his strength, hugging An Chen so tightly that his bones felt like they were about to fall apart.
“Ah…”
An Chen opened his mouth, letting out a small sound from his throat, but he was held too tightly to speak.
“Grand Elder, he’s still a Mortal! Don’t use too much force, you’ll hug him to death!”
“Oh, oh!”
Only then did the Grand Elder realize, and he released the flushed An Chen.
An Chen lay on the carriage, panting heavily, one hand rubbing his chest.
This would count as one of the eighty-one tribulations in Journey to the West.
He felt like he had almost died!
He had generally figured out the current situation.
He hadn’t expected Su Xiaojiu’s words to come true; he really was a High Grade Spiritual Root, with excellent Cultivation talent.
The current Qingfeng Sect not only lacked people but also lacked Cultivation Geniuses with High Grade Spiritual Roots. His High Grade Spiritual Root could actually make this Grand Elder of the Qingfeng Sect so excited.
As soon as he thought about how high his talent was, An Chen felt a bit regretful for having blended into this Qingfeng Sect’s group of boys.
Looking at the Elders and Disciples, this Qingfeng Sect didn’t seem very proper. It was small and weak, and its Cultivation resources probably wouldn’t be abundant.
With his conditions, perhaps he could obtain better Cultivation resources by going to a better Sect?
An Chen clutched the plea Talisman in his hand, thought for a long time, and then let go.
He couldn’t be sure yet if this thing was really effective.
Moreover, right now, it was all Qingfeng Sect Disciples and Elders. What if he was discovered using a Fire Phoenix Sect plea Talisman? What if his butt got beaten into eight pieces?
It was better to wait and see.
However, the next moment, the Grand Elder lifted An Chen out of the carriage. Before An Chen could even react, he practically used an over-the-shoulder throw to “throw” An Chen onto his back.
“Youngster, I’ll carry you up the mountain!”
“Grand Elder!”
Chen Sheng called out to him from behind.
“What now?! So what if I don’t carry the Medium Grade Spiritual Root? A High Grade Spiritual Root Genius has finally arrived, so what if I carry him up the mountain? If the Sect Leader came, he’d want to take turns carrying him!”
This was not an uncultivated Mortal; this was the future pillar of the Qingfeng Sect!
Many unknown small Schools became prosperous because a Cultivation Genius emerged, relying on that person to flourish and even squeeze into the second and third-tier Sect forces in the state. Even the Sect Master and Elders could benefit greatly.
When he ran away from the Fire Phoenix Sect to become the Grand Elder of such a small School, one thing he valued was that he could gain absolute speaking power in a small School. The second thing he valued was the Qingfeng Sect’s development potential.
Once a Genius appeared and the Qingfeng Sect soared, the benefits he would gain would be immense.
He had waited for decades; this opportunity had finally arrived!
“Don’t stop me!”
“That’s not what I meant!”
Chen Sheng said with a fawning smile.
“What I mean is, since you’re already here, why don’t you take all of us? It’ll save us from walking this mountain road. What if some fearless mountain bandits really come? That would also be a loss for my Qingfeng Sect!”
“Let the mountain bandits come! Take this opportunity to optimize the personnel within my Qingfeng Sect and see if there are any rotten fish still lurking around!”
The Grand Elder blew his beard and glared.
These Disciples had been on the mountain for about ten years. Although this period was not long for Cultivator, and even at the Qi Refinement Stage, their Lifespan was still long, roughly more than double that of ordinary people.
However, their Qi Refining seventh or eighth level was a bit inexcusable.
In the end, breaking through to the Spirit Nurturing Stage might be their peak.
“Please calm down, please calm down!”
Chen Sheng continued to flatter, patting the Grand Elder’s back.
Among these people, he was the most adept at social etiquette.
“Look, our carriage is already like this. Even if we wanted to go up the mountain, it’s inconvenient with so many boys! While Geniuses are important, a Sect needs not only a brilliant sun but also a pillar of strength. We should prioritize people!”
This “pillar of strength” was a double entendre, referring to both them, the old Disciples, and these Mortal boys who were still in their physical bodies.
Upon hearing this, the Grand Elder also lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then sighed and nodded.