Just as Lii Xiaolan expected, the Yin Talisman Sect's Great Marsh Hall at the entrance of Mule Street was already crowded with over a hundred martial cultivators dressed in combat gear, each radiating an impressive aura.
In the distance, many spectators had gathered, but these common folk were clearly intimidated by the martial cultivators, not daring to approach and only watching from afar. Lin Xuankong squeezed through the crowd, observing the martial cultivators for a while before walking towards them with a hopeful expression.
"Brother Lin, come quickly!" a voice called from the roadside.
Lin Xuankong turned his head to see Old Zhang, who sold meat pies, on the other side of the street. Old Zhang was quite the shrewd businessman, always setting up shop wherever a crowd gathered!
When Lin Xuankong walked over, Old Zhang whispered, "Brother Lin, those standing over there are fierce martial cultivators planning to join the Yin Talisman Sect. Don't go over there; it'll be trouble if you provoke them!"
Saying this, he glanced at Lin Xuankong's smooth and plump hands, which again reminded him of his own daughter-in-law's hands.
Lin Xuankong smiled, "I'm here to join the Yin Talisman Sect too!"
"What?" Old Zhang was stunned, only to see Lin Xuankong already turning towards the martial cultivators.
What a joke! Brother Lin is seven or eight years older than me; join the Yin Talisman Sect? Joining the Beitian Hall for the elderly might be more fitting! Brother Lin probably couldn't even defeat my own daughter-in-law! Even if my daughter-in-law could join, there's no way he'd make it into the Yin Talisman Sect! Old Zhang watched Lin Xuankong's back with a look of astonishment.
When Lin Xuankong squeezed into the crowd, the martial cultivators watching the announcement at the Yin Talisman Sect's hall were surprised to see an old man pushing through. Their surprise was understandable. Most of these martial cultivators were in their twenties or thirties; even the older ones were under forty. Each exuded a vibrant spirit, with dark hair and robust physiques... Among them, Lin Xuankong stood out with his white hair, nearing sixty!
Lin Xuankong was indifferent to the gazes around him, carefully examining the announcement posted beside the door of the Yin Talisman Sect.
The announcement's general idea was that the Yin Talisman Sect was currently recruiting disciples and talented individuals, welcoming heroes to join. It listed the entry requirements and detailed the benefits for disciples, deputy stewards, and others.
After roughly reading it, Lin Xuankong frowned slightly. According to the Yin Talisman Sect's announcement, to become a disciple, one must pass a talent test.
However, those who had already reached the Transcendence Realm could directly join as disciples!
Nonetheless, Yin Talisman Sect disciples must complete certain sect tasks to receive a small amount of Nine Revolutions Qi Replenishing Soup herbs, and only after several months could they start cultivating the Yin Talisman Technique... The benefits for disciples are quite meager! Lin Xuankong thought to himself.
Looking at the benefits, Yin Talisman Sect disciples could barely gather enough herbs for one portion of Nine Revolutions Qi Replenishing Soup every two days, even if they completed tasks each time. That wouldn't even be enough to maintain my own high-speed cultivation, let alone gather herbs for the Young Lady!
He continued reading. The requirements for deputy stewards were higher, needing to pass a test and compete in martial trials.
However, the benefits were far superior, much better than those for disciples!
External martial cultivators who passed the test and competed in martial trials could become deputy stewards, gaining various privileges and receiving two portions of Nine Revolutions Qi Replenishing Soup herbs daily. Moreover, upon completing three steward tasks, they could immediately start cultivating the Yin Talisman Thunder, without waiting for months!
Lin Xuankong looked at the hundreds of cultivators around him, noticing many impressive experts among them.
These independent martial cultivators usually keep a low profile but are likely immensely skilled; I can't underestimate them. These people are all driven by the herb shortage to join the Yin Talisman Sect, so the competition for the deputy steward positions will surely be fierce! But I am already at the Early Stage of the Second Layer. To advance to the Late Stage of the Second Layer and start cultivating the incredible Yin Talisman Thunder as soon as possible, I must compete with these heroes. It would make all my dedicated cultivation efforts worthwhile! I wonder what the first test for a Yin Talisman Sect deputy steward will be...
At this moment, one person emerged from among the sect's disciples maintaining order near the entrance—it was Gu Beicheng. He looked at the numerous martial cultivators and spoke, "Ladies and gentlemen, Chief Steward Jiang has ordered that those who wish to join our Yin Talisman Sect as disciples can wait for the test in a few days. If you want to apply for a deputy steward position, you can proceed to the training hall for testing and competition now!"
Chief Steward Jiang? Lin Xuankong thought, the image of that pretty Daoist Nun surfacing in his mind, along with her story about the Conical Hat Strange Guest.
While he was pondering, over a dozen independent martial cultivators had already walked towards the hall.
Among them, a burly man cupped his hands towards a martial cultivator with thick eyebrows, large eyes, a square jaw, and a broad nose, saying, "Brother Yang, for the herbs needed for my children's cultivation, I must vie for this steward position. Won't you join?"
The independent martial cultivator called Brother Yang shook his head. "Big brother, you have reached First Layer Perfection and possess extensive combat experience. I'm sure the others also have hidden talents! The Yin Talisman Sect only has six openings for deputy stewards. If I were to go, I would only make a fool of myself."
The man sighed upon hearing this and walked away. As the martial cultivators discussed among themselves, more martial cultivators continuously stepped out from the crowd, making their way toward the hall.
The martial cultivator surnamed Yang sighed and said, "The Black Tiger Gang monopolizing the herbs has truly forced the hidden experts of Great Marsh Prefecture out into the open! Who would have thought there were so many independent martial cultivators in Great Marsh Prefecture!"
The martial cultivator next to him replied, "People usually don't want to join sects and be restricted... But now, with no other options, we can only align ourselves with various sects. However, the Yin Talisman Sect has always had a good reputation. Why are there only about a hundred people here to join today?"
At this moment, a bald martial cultivator stepped out of the crowd, scratching his head, and said, "It's said that the Black Tiger Gang is also broadly recruiting members and offering very good conditions. Probably many martial cultivators have chosen to join the Black Tiger Gang! But the Black Tiger Gang's actions are despicable, monopolizing the herbs so viciously! Even if I, Li Er, can't get into the Yin Talisman Sect and get the herbs, I would never join that damn Black Tiger Gang!"
Many martial cultivators, upon hearing the bald man speak so forthrightly, couldn't help but react. Some smiled at him, saying, "Friend, you are quite straightforward!"
While everyone was talking, Lin Xuankong looked around. Seeing no one else entering the hall, he straightened up and walked toward the entrance.
Seeing this gray-haired old man heading to the entrance, the chattering martial cultivators couldn't help but show expressions of surprise.
Gu Beicheng clearly did not recognize Lin Xuankong. He frowned at the frail-looking old man before him and asked, "Elder, what is your business here? The Yin Talisman Sect is currently recruiting deputy stewards..."
Someone in the crowd suddenly spoke up, "Isn't this Brother Lin who often walks along the street selling his griddle cakes! Brother Lin, why are you here? The Yin Talisman Sect is recruiting disciples; this isn't a place you can just wander into!"
The speaker seemed worried that Lin Xuankong was hard of hearing, so he kindly shouted loudly.
PFFT. A long-faced martial cultivator in the crowd, whose complexion was a sickly crimson, laughed.
This long-faced martial cultivator, who seemed to be about eighteen or nineteen years old, chuckled and said, "So this old man sells griddle cakes. He was just standing beside me, staring at the announcement for a long time. It looks like he didn't understand what was written... But after all our discussion, he should have understood by now. Has his mind gone muddled?"
The martial cultivator surnamed Yang, seeing his mocking expression, couldn't help but say, "He's very old; it isn't easy for him. Friend, don't laugh at him!"
The long-faced martial cultivator was taken aback, his smile stiffening as he muttered, "What's it to you..."
Lin Xuankong ignored the others' discussions and addressed Gu Beicheng, "Daoist, I am here to join your esteemed sect and apply for a deputy steward position!"
Upon hearing this, the surrounding martial cultivators immediately showed strange expressions. PFFT. The long-faced martial cultivator again couldn't help but laugh out loud.
He chuckled, his tone somewhat odd, "An old man selling griddle cakes wants to join the Yin Talisman Sect and even plans to defeat others to become a respected deputy steward? Old man, at your age, you'd probably struggle to push a cart, let alone compete in a fight!"
"Brother Lin, hurry back home. This is the Yin Talisman Sect, not a place for jokes!" someone softly reminded.
Hearing these two speak, many of the martial cultivators burst out laughing, pointing at Lin Xuankong. Some, however, looked at him with a hint of doubt, scrutinizing him closely.
Lin Xuankong stood alone in front of the crowd, with laughter, discussions, and sighs continuously coming from behind him.
He frowned at Gu Beicheng. "Your esteemed sect is broadly recruiting martial cultivators. Is there an age limit?"
Seeing Lin Xuankong's advanced age and how he was being ridiculed by the crowd, Gu Beicheng felt a bit of compassion. He bowed and said, "Elder, there is an age limit for disciple recruitment, but no age limit for the deputy steward position. You just need to pass the test and win against others in the competition. However, during the competition, accidents are inevitable! Fists and feet have no eyes. Elder, at your age..."
Lin Xuankong stepped forward. "If I lack the strength and die, I will have no regrets!"
Gu Beicheng had intended to say more, but seeing Lin Xuankong's resolute tone and his steady, vigorous steps as he walked, he couldn't help but pause. He swallowed the words of dissuasion he was about to utter.
After watching Lin Xuankong's back for a few more moments, he couldn't resist stroking his three strands of long beard. Why does this man's back look familiar, as if I've seen it somewhere before? he thought.