The Golden Light Sect stood atop numerous magnificent peaks.
Outside the mountain gate, on the winding long steps of the outer peaks, countless refugees, like ants, slowly ascended the bluestone steps.
Su Hao followed the crowd, his expression numb, completely uninterested in the Golden Light Sect's beautiful mountain scenery; no matter how beautiful the scenery, he would rather stay in his cramped rental room from his previous life.
"Hahahaha, this is the Immortal Sect, a Holy Land! What an Immortal aura!
Old Su, we've struck it rich this time.
Immortals can move mountains and fill seas, destroying nations with a single finger. Forget joining an Immortal Sect, even becoming a servant here, those royal relatives would envy us!
As expected, surviving a great disaster brings future blessings!"
Beside Su Hao, his sworn brother, Zhang Yunfei, was as excited as if he had been injected with chicken blood, having emphasized the so-called Immortal Opportunity more than once.
The internal strife in Qin country had left countless people displaced.
Less than one-tenth of the more than 100,000 refugees successfully reached the Golden Light Sect.
Su Hao's original body and Zhang Yunfei had been sworn brothers for over ten years, and thanks to Zhang Yunfei's care, he was able to survive this escape.
Su Hao's eyes showed a hint of longing as he looked at the several Golden Light Sect Disciples on flying boat-like Magical Artifacts in mid-air. If he could become one of them, it would indeed be a great Opportunity.
His gloomy mood immediately improved quite a bit, even though... these Disciples of the Golden Light Sect, dressed in black robes, each looked eerie and sinister, not at all like good people.
Some nearby refugees, upon hearing Zhang Yunfei's words, felt their hearts surge and were already lost in fantasies of becoming Immortal Sect Disciples.
"Old Su, I'll look after you from now on," Zhang Yunfei said in a low voice, full of confidence, "I will definitely become a formal Disciple, not a servant!"
Su Hao stared at Zhang Yunfei strangely, watching the illusory panel gradually float out.
【Name】: Zhang Yunfei
【Realm】: None
【Talent】: Fire Essence Sword Body (Blue): Intermediate Sword Dao Talent, with good Comprehension Ability and Cultivation efficiency for fire-attribute Cultivation Techniques.
"Hmm, I believe that with your skills and foundation, Brother Zhang, you certainly have a much better chance than us ordinary people."
Su Hao nodded hesitantly.
As long as he concentrated, he could see the target's so-called panel, including his own.
This ability to see others' basic information had suddenly Awakened ten days ago.
【Name】: Su Hao
【Realm】: None
【Talent】: None
Zhang Yunfei was the only one among the many refugees Su Hao had come into close contact with who possessed a Talent, and it was even a blue Talent!
And most of those Golden Light Sect Disciples only had white Talent!
Zhang Yunfei would definitely be able to join the Golden Light Sect!
Su Hao, on the other hand, was worried about his own future, and clinging to Zhang Yunfei's leg was the best strategy.
Zhang Yunfei said excitedly, "No, no, no, skill and Physique are not important at all. To Cultivate Immortality, Talent and Physique are the key!
I once met an old Immortal who tested my Aptitude and said I possessed the Fire Essence Sword Body, making me a Sword Cultivator Talent!
After he finished his business, he would take me to his Sect and make me his Personal Disciple.
Unexpectedly, I didn't wait for him, but instead waited for the war.
Since I'm here, I'll make the best of it. The Golden Light Sect must not be bad! When they discover my Talent, they will naturally treat me as their most cherished treasure!"
The more Zhang Yunfei spoke, the more excited he became, already envisioning himself astonishing everyone and shocking a group of Cultivators!
He then patted Su Hao's shoulder, "I'll look after you from now on!"
"Thank you, Brother Zhang." Su Hao forced a smile.
Tens of thousands of refugees gathered in the mountain-waist plaza, noisy and chaotic.
The Golden Light Sect Disciples were cold and gloomy, until a red-robed old man appeared.
The old man held a Kongming lantern-like Magical Artifact in his hand. As soon as he appeared, many Disciples bowed in reverence.
The plaza instantly fell silent, and an inexplicable fear lingered in everyone's hearts, causing them to subconsciously lower their heads.
Su Hao was no exception; he instinctively avoided the old man's sinister gaze sweeping across the plaza and lowered his head.
Only Zhang Yunfei remained, his eyes bright and his posture proud.
"Oh?"
The red-robed old man looked at Zhang Yunfei, deep in thought, and then a wicked smile slowly appeared at the corner of his mouth.
He flicked his finger, and a drop of essence blood shot from his fingertip, landing on the Magical Artifact. "Blood lantern illuminates the soul, spiritual light appears on its own... Lifeline Lantern, rise!"
The essence blood spread like ink, staining the Kongming lantern red.
It emitted a bloody light and slowly rose, floating eerily above the plaza.
The blood-red light gradually covered the crowd.
Everyone bathed in the light felt a chill throughout their bodies, uneasy and anxious.
Among more than ten thousand people, only four showed unusual phenomena, emitting strange lights.
Especially Zhang Yunfei, whose body was even emitting firelight, like a blazing inferno, the firelight vaguely appearing sword-shaped.
"Tsk tsk, no wonder he's so arrogant, so it's the Fire Essence Sword Body!"
"Not bad, really not bad! Excellent!"
"..."
The light dissipated, and the Magical Artifact returned to the old man's hand.
He floated to Zhang Yunfei's front, holding the lantern, his gaze fervent, making Zhang Yunfei's heart pound. He reached out and touched him, "A pillar of talent, a pillar of talent! Rarely seen in ten years!"
Hundreds of black-robed Disciples were overjoyed. Some of them gathered around, behaving wildly.
Zhang Yunfei's proud confidence melted in this strange atmosphere, gradually replaced by fear and unease. He bowed in panic, "I... I... Immortal Master, this humble one is willing to join the Golden Light Sect and become a part of the Sect. I will serve you diligently, even if it means death!"
"Hahahaha, good, good!
You have an Opportunity to serve right now!
Shine and contribute to my Golden Light Holy Sect, as a pillar and foundation of my Holy Sect's Ten Thousand Souls Pagoda, existing eternally with my Holy Sect, glorious for ten thousand generations!"
The red-robed old man pressed down on Zhang Yunfei's shoulder, his smile radiant, but his voice grew increasingly chilling.
Zhang Yunfei was about to bow and respond humbly when his expression suddenly changed drastically, emitting a shrill scream, his entire face contorted to the extreme.
The old man's hand seemed to possess a terrifying suction force. In an instant, Zhang Yunfei's body locked up, his flesh contracted, blood vessels bulged, his eyeballs protruded and burst, and blood flowed from his seven orifices.
"Ah!"
The scream echoed throughout the entire plaza.
From the translucent mist scattering from Zhang Yunfei, Zhang Yunfei's painfully distorted face appeared, and along with his blood, it was absorbed by the Magical Artifact.
In a few breaths, Zhang Yunfei transformed from a living person into a stiff, gray, withered corpse, his body shriveled, while the Magical Artifact glowed brightly.
While chatting and laughing, that old man had killed Zhang Yunfei.
The tragedy unfolding so close by completely stunned Su Hao. He collapsed onto the ground, staring at the withered corpse. His sworn brother, who had just been full of life, had turned into a dried corpse in the blink of an eye!
Zhang Yunfei's Talent was clearly better than those Disciples, yet he died just like that?
"I will personally make a trip and send him to the Ten Thousand Souls Pagoda... Junior Brother Lin, the remaining matters are left to you. Take good care of those three with some Cultivation Aptitude for now; we'll discuss it in a few days."
...
Su Hao watched in horror as the red-robed old man carried Zhang Yunfei's corpse away.
And where Zhang Yunfei had stood, a faint ball of flame appeared, seemingly unnoticed by anyone, and it suddenly entered Su Hao's body.
"Discovered Talent Power 'Fire Essence Sword Body'. Absorb it?"
Su Hao was startled awake by a cold, emotionless voice in his mind, noticing the Talent Power left behind by Zhang Yunfei.
Should he absorb it?
Zhang Yunfei had just died tragically before his eyes.
Su Hao thought of potentially following in Zhang Yunfei's footsteps and dared not absorb it at all.
"Ten breaths have passed. Automatically absorbing Talent Power 'Fire Essence Sword Body'."
【Name】: Su Hao
【Realm】: None
【Talent】: Fire Essence Sword Body (Blue): Intermediate Sword Dao Talent, with good Comprehension Ability and Cultivation efficiency for fire-attribute sword techniques and Cultivation Techniques.
"It's over..."
Su Hao's face turned pale, and his body trembled uncontrollably. His legs went weak, and he almost fell.
Zhang Yunfei died so tragically precisely because of the Fire Essence Sword Body!
Su Hao's abnormality did not attract anyone's attention.
At this moment, fear spread across the plaza, and screams of madness were everywhere.
Some people wanted to escape. How could this be an Immortal Cultivation Sect? They treated people like pigs and dogs, killing them at will. Staying here would surely lead to death!
Without exception, all those who tried to escape were killed.
"The three with Cultivation Aptitude are temporarily designated as Disciple candidates; take good care of them.
As for the rest, those with abundant Essence Qi and Yang Qi will be sent to Huanxi Peak.
Those with abundant physical strength and Qi and blood will be sent to the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall.
Those who fail both Essence Qi and physical strength will be sent to Dead Man's Peak!"
The middle-aged supervisor allocated with an expressionless face.
A black paper crane emitting black mist floated down three zhang away.
A Daoist with graying temples descended from the paper crane Magical Artifact and politely bowed to the supervisor, "Junior Brother Zhang, I need 30 people as Medicine Slaves."
"Oh? Of course, Senior Brother Lin, shall I pick them for you?" The supervisor flattered him with a fawning smile.
"No need, just pick 30 people from over here." The Daoist pointed to the left side, and Su Hao was among those in the designated area.
"Medicine Slaves should be servants who help manage medicinal fields and cultivate medicinal herbs, right?"
Su Hao, in a muddle, became one of the 30 people.
Compared to going to Dead Man's Peak, being a Medicine Slaves was quite good. If he could choose, going to the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall would also be fine, or Huanxi Peak?
As for Zhang Yunfei's revenge... he was truly powerless!
"Brother Zhang, if I can survive, and if I have the ability someday, I will definitely avenge you! But for now..."