After a while, Yang Zhai and Zuh Qil came to a stop in front of the two figures standing silently ahead. What stretched before their eyes was an endless expanse of water—an ocean so vast and boundless it seemed to swallow the horizon itself. This immense ocean separated the borders of the distant continents from the Suru Continent, marking a natural boundary few dared to cross. The ocean's surface appeared peaceful and tranquil, shimmering gently under the pale light of the sky, as if inviting calm and serenity.
However, beneath this seemingly placid exterior, these oceans concealed dangers far more terrifying and deadly than anyone could ever imagine. Even cultivators of the highest ranks remained vigilant and cautious when crossing these treacherous waters. A cultivator of my level would perish before even realizing the threat is near. I must find a way to join this qafila of the Iron Clad Sect and travel with them, Yang Zhai silently contemplated, though no emotion flickered across his calm, unreadable face.
Besides Li Min and Yu Hao, there were many others gathered here—around twenty young men and women, all approximately around twenty years old or older, their faces filled with youthful determination. Accompanying them were six elders of the sect, and nine servants of the Iron Clad Sect, their expressions stern and wise, carrying the weight of experience.
"Who are you two, and what is your purpose here?" Li Min's voice was firm and commanding, cutting through the quiet air.
"Honored elders, it is a great honor to meet you. My name is Yang Zhai, and this is my master, Zuh Qil. My master is unable to speak, so I have been his constant companion since a young age. We come from the Luo Sect, which was destroyed a few months ago. Since then, we have been running and hiding, surviving by whatever means we could find," Yang Zhai said, offering a flood of information all at once.
Hmm, we only asked who they were and what they wanted, but this boy gave us much more than that. Could it be that… Do they want to accompany us? Yu Hao thought quietly.
"I see. So tell me plainly, what exactly do you want?" Li Min asked again, her eyes sharp and probing as if trying to look through Yang Zhai.
"Honored elders, my master and I humbly request permission to join you on your journey," Yang Zhai answered respectfully.
"By joining, do you mean traveling with us temporarily, or becoming members of the Iron Clad Sect?" Li Min's tone was tranquil, however, behind this tranquility lay an ocean of meanings.
"The Iron Clad Sect. I believe my master's talents are sufficient to join. I am sure he is more than worried enough." Yang Zhai replied confidently.
"I see. But tell me—how did you come to know that we were recruiting cultivators? I don't think my servants ever met you." Yu Hao's eyes narrowed as he stared intently at Yang Zhai, searching for any sign of deception or hidden motives.
Yang Zhai glanced at Zuh Qil, who gave a subtle nod in response.
Li Min and Yu Hao exchanged quiet, thoughtful looks.
"We were in a nearby village when two cultivators appeared, searching for rank 5 body path cultivators. That's when we noticed them. Since then, we have been hiding nearby, watching as they returned with many rank 5 cultivators," Yang Zhai said slowly and deliberately.
"Hmmm, I don't quite understand. How is it that my companions failed to detect you? I am certain they must have used detection methods before making any moves. Given their ranks, you shouldn't have been able to hide from them. So how?" Yu Hao's question lingered in the air.
"About that…" Yang Zhai stopped and looked once more at Zuh Qil. Zuh Qil remained motionless for a moment before nodding faintly.
Twice now he has sought his other kid's permission before answering. It seems he cannot simply respond without Zuh Qil's consent, Li Min considered silently.
"My master and I were born with a rare natural talent to conceal our presence. While I can only hide myself for short periods, my master's presence remains perpetually hidden—almost as if he has no presence at all. It is not related to physiques as he has none, but it surely is something miraculous. It seems the heavens granted him this gift in exchange for his words," Yang Zhai whispered, lowering his voice.
As he spoke, Yang Zhai deactivated the green lines surrounding him, allowing his presence to become visible.
Hmm,
Seeing this, Li Min and Yu Hao exchanged knowing glances.
No wonder we couldn't sense their presence before. That's why Yu Hao and I waited—they could be seen but not sensed, this is something that even managed to deceive my detection methods, Li Min realized and continued, besides, I am impressed both of them managed to reach rank 5 at such a young age. Did they encounter an inheritance or something?
This was also the reason Yu Hao and Li Min stood and waited for Zuh Qil and Yang Zhai—as they were arriving—to approach them.
They then turned their attention back to Yang Zhai. Yu Hao stepped forward.
Placing his right hand on Zuh Qil's shoulder, Yu Hao activated a technique. A radiant light flowed from his palm into Zuh Qil's body, coursing through every fiber before dissipating.
Hmm, I can feel it—he is undeniably a rank 5 cultivator with a formidable foundation. A true talent worth nurturing. But the boy behind him… Yu Hao pondered as he assessed Zuh Qil's strength. Then he shifted his gaze to Yang Zhai.
Approaching Yang Zhai, Yu Hao placed his hand on the boy's shoulder. After a moment,
As expected. Though this kid is a rank 5 cultivator, his foundation is weak. A strong rank 4 body cultivator could easily overpower him. He's practically useless, Yu Hao concluded.
"Well, what's your opinion, Yu Hao?" Li Min asked after the examination.
Yu Hao glanced back and said,
"Well… Zuh Qil is indeed a remarkable body cultivator. As for how remarkable, we'll only know once he fights. But the boy behind him…" He shook his head, casting a dismissive look at Yang Zhai.
Li Min understood Yu Hao's meaning immediately.
"Well, we can take you along, certainly. After all, we are here to seek talent. But…only Zuh Qil may join the Iron Clad Sect. You are far from worthy—worse than even an average rank 5 body path cultivator," Yu Hao rejected Yang Zhai bluntly.
"But I'm the only one who truly understands Master Zuh and what he wants to convey. Besides, I'm not weak either; I simply haven't had enough time to develop in body cultivation," Yang Zhai stepped forward, his voice low and respectful as he argued.
Well, he's right about that. But we can't accept him just because he understands Zuh Qil. Besides, what kind of joke is that he didn't have enough time? Li Min agreed silently, but also mocked Yang Zhai's excuse.
"Fine. I'll give you a chance. Prove your worth to me," Li Min declared. She still acted wisely and didn't just act on impulses.
As expected, they won't accept me so easily. In terms of raw strength, I'm at least four times weaker than other rank 5 body cultivators, Yang Zhai thought, unfazed. He had expected something like this to happen from the very beginning.
One reason for his lack of power was that he had ceased cultivating body path kas, except for the Seraphic Aura Ka, which had been modified twice by the Aurora, and also the one that remained unaffected by the 'Forbidden One' scroll. This was the only Ka he still used.
"Prove my worth? How?" Yang Zhai asked.
"Simple. Here is the Brown Dacite. Let's see how many dents you can leave on it," Li Min said, presenting the challenge. He summoned Brown Dacite and placed it on the ground, "Even if you didn't have enough time to cultivate body path, your body path talent can determine your future."
Sigh. I had intended to focus on mastery path cultivation, which is why I experimented on beasts and even sacrificed my Shadow Leopard. Initially, I planned to join the caravan as Zuh Qil's servant, hoping to avoid scrutiny as a body cultivator. But that's no longer possible. I can't let them think I'm a body path cultivator, or they'll make me fight against a prominent body path cultivator and forbid me from using other cultivation methods during all this, that will end up breaking my bones and cutting my flesh by some young master. That would hinder my progress. Not to mention, I wouldn't be able to use the mastery path openly during all this. Anyway, I am not going to stay in the Iron Clad Sect to begin with.
Therefore,
"Esteemed elders, though I cultivate my body, I never claimed to be a body cultivator," Yang Zhai said firmly, refusing to strike the Brown Dacite.
Though he could easily shock everyone, he held back. He wasn't one to flaunt his abilities and jeopardize his plans.
Yu Hao's eyes narrowed sharply.
"What do you mean? Didn't you say you hadn't cultivated the body path enough? Are you mocking us? Now you are saying you are not even a body path cultivator." Yu Hao's displeasure was clear, but his experience made him offer Yang Zhai a chance to explain.
"Yes, I said I lacked time to cultivate the body path because my main focus is the mastery path. I cultivate the body path only for Master Zuh's sake. Otherwise, I am quite accomplished in the mastery path," Yang Zhai explained calmly.
"Uh… but you do realize we're here for body path cultivators, not mastery path," Yu Hao said, though inwardly he thought: if this boy's body path cultivation is this strong despite being a mastery path, he truly is extraordinary. But in our sect, where the body path is prized, he'll be marginalized despite other path cultivators existing.
Yang Zhai glanced at Zuh Qil once more. Zuh Qil turned, placed a hand on Yang Zhai's shoulder, and nodded before stepping aside.
Li Min and Yu Hao watched silently, curious about what they were doing.
Yang Zhai stepped forward slightly, bowed respectfully, and said,
"Esteemed elders, how about this: send forth your strongest rank 5 body cultivator, and I will compete with them. They may attack me directly if they wish. Let's see if any of them can defeat me. Afterward, you can decide whether I am worthy to join. I don't mind even joining as a mere servant to your disciple, Zuh Qil. If you don't want to, no need to accept me as a disciple." Yang Zhai said with a smile.
Sometimes, showing a little bit is necessary. I will show them a little.
!|!*****!*****!|!