"A beautiful name indeed, lad."
A soothing voice filled with laughter spoke as a young man had appeared behind them holding a jar of wine.
"Greeting, Immortal."
Both of them quickly reacted and gave a respectful bow. Lixin marveled at the immortal's method in his heart as he looked at this young man.
His presence was even more profound and deep than that of Elder Han; he could tell that this elder was even stronger than Elder Han.
"No need for formality, children. Just call me Elder Lin for now."
Elder Lin said with a smile on his face as he chugged down the wine from the jar, even after several gulps, the wine in the small jar didn't seem to end.
"You two lads are the ones I believe in most."
"If you are talented enough, would you mind being my disciple?"
He asked as he looked toward Lixin, waiting for his reaction. He wondered what this child would choose. He has already made it clear that he was stronger than Elder Han from his presence alone.
Hearing Elder Lin's words, Lixin couldn't help but freeze; he knew this was an opportunity he couldn't afford to miss. This elder was clearly stronger than Elder Han, and it was more beneficial to be his disciple.
After a moment of thought, he finally spoke.
"Please forgive me, Elder Lin."
"I have already created a fate with Elder Han. Elder Han had helped heal me when I was at my lowest. Even if I may be just a small mortal, I still would like to fulfill this fate with him."
Hearing his words, Xia looked at him with a smile on her face. She had a deeper understanding of what kind of person his friend was.
"Oh~"
Hearing his words, Elder Lin smiled as he rubbed his chin, and he looked at Lixin up and down before continuing.
"Are you sure, child?"
"I am thousands of times stronger than he is; the resources he can give you will pale in comparison with what I can give you."
"The path I can give you is broader than he can ever."
"So, child, tell me your answer once more."
After saying that, Elder Lin's face became serious as he looked at Lixin, and he seemed to release a pressure that weighed on Lixin's heart.
Hearing his words, he felt tempted, who in this world wouldn't like more opportunity? If he followed Elder Lin, he might reach greater heights in the future.
"I am sorry, Elder Lin."
"Although it may be laughable for me to say it. Although following you may give me a better future, I can't forget Elder Han's kindness."
"He helped heal an orphaned child like me. There was no reason to do so, but he still did. For such a kind elder, how can I, who is deprived of kindness by the world, not fulfill this promise?"
After saying that, he became silent. Elder Lin also remained silent. Xia moved closer to him as if to say they are together, even if Elder Lin punished Lixin.
"HAHAHAHA"
But to their suprise, Elder Lin started to laugh, his laugh shaking the clouds in the sky as he looked at Lixin with appreciation in his eyes.
"Such a good lad, it would be a crime for me not to pouch you from Little Han."
After saying that, he disappeared, leaving both of them bewildered. Seeing that there was no punishment, they both released a sigh of relief.
Lixin looked at Xia and smiled.
"Thank you for that."
He said, after all, few will dare ruin their future for others. If Elder Lin had chosen to punish Lixin, then due to Xia's stance, even she may have been punished.
"Hmm~, There is no need for that. After all, I am your friend."
Xia said as she smiled back at Neo, both of them looked at each other as they started to share stories.
It was mostly Lixin talking and Xia listening, although he was just ten years old, his last life had read many stories.
Those stories were more than enough to fascinate a child like Xia.
In the distance, Elder Han and Elder Lin stood sharing wine. Elder Han had heard the conversation between Elder Lin and Lixin, and he couldn't help but smile.
"Such a good child."
Elder Han muttered as he looked at Lixin with kindness, the kindness shown by a grandfather toward his grandchild.
"Yes, he is perfect for our lineage."
"It seems I will really have to poach him from your grasp."
Elder Lin said with a smile, feeling satisfied with Lixin, he was the current leader of the Purity Sword Peak, and a child with a heart like Lixin's was perfect for his peak.
That girl Xia wasn't half bad, standing with her friend, even if facing the chance of ruining once future or even death.
He couldn't help but grin; his peak had gotten such a perfect candidate. Having taken in five disciples, he liked nothing more than to nurture people who could move toward the future.
His path was forged with purity, and his sword will always protect the righteous and slay the demonic.
This is the philosophy followed by his peak, and having reached a cultivation as high as his own, this philosophy has been ingrained into his very being.
"Hey, Basta#d, why are you grinning from ear to ear?"
A hoarse voice spoke as a burly and muscular man appeared next to him, the man's Taoist robe was torn in his hands, showing his cultivated muscles.
A greatsword was strapped to his back as a scar ran down his face. By every definition, he looked scary, but his presence was a serene as a quiet lake.
"Those two children."
Elder Lin said as he looked at his friend, the leader of the Furious Sword Peak, following the path of the rage-filled sword.
His sword is ruthless and powerful, but this sword is filled with rage toward the demonic and would never harm an innocent.
Although the cultivators of this peak seem the fiercest, they are in fact the kindest in the sect, for the righteous, they can be considered gentle giants.
Though if you are from the demonic side, then these gentle giants will become the most furious ausura, cleaving through the battlefield.
"Oh, they got quite the will."
"And from the look on your face, they must have great personalities."
Elder Mu muttered as he massaged his beard, hearing his words, Elder Lin started to tell what had happened.
Hearing his words, Elder Mu couldn't help but nod his head. The more he looked at these children, the more he liked them. He couldn't help but want to poach them from his friend.
As if aware of his thought, Elder Lin glared at him.
"Don't even think about poaching them."
"Ok, Ok."
Elder Mu quickly surrendered as he raised his hands, although he would have liked to poach them; there was no need to anger his friend.
Plus, he feels that these children will grow better with his friend than with him. Although after they grow, they may change the ranking, he doesn't mind it much.
Competition is good for growth, so just because of the fear of falling behind, he couldn't bear to take the future of these new seeds.
At the end of the day, no matter how much competition there is inside the sect, they are still a righteous sect.
In the courtyard, as the children were mingling with each other, the sound of a divine gong was heard silencing everybody inside.
They looked for the source of the sound as golden, auspicious clouds rose, giving the courtyard a divine feel.
From the clouds, a jade-like hand reached out as a fairy dressed in green came into view, her presence akin to an ancient peach tree carrying both beauty and majesty.
"Peak Master of Peach Blossom Sword Peak"
"Inner Elder Ning"
A voice sounded from the cloud as the veiled beauty took her seat, representing her entire peak.
The golden cloud turned crimson as a rage-filled roar was heard, but this roar didn't fill their heart with fear but a sense of peace.
A burly man broke out as he sat on his throne with an unruly look, but contrary to his look, his presence was akin to a kind Buddha.
"Peak Master of Furious Sword Peak"
"Inner Elder Mu"
"Hahah"
Just after the introduction, a laugh broke out as a sword light filled with the essence of purity flew into the sky.
A young man laughing heartily with a sword in one hand and a jar of wine in another, walked out. He sat on his throne, looking at all the children below.
His presence was mighty, but kindness within it wasn't hidden.
"Peak Master of Purity Sword Peak"
"Inner Elder Lin"
The voice sounded as if all the children looked above in awe.
"You really like to make an entrance."
A steady and calm voice spread as a feminine man walked out of the golden clouds with steady steps.
His steps were light but filled with the power and steadiness of the sea; his presence was akin to a mighty but calm river.
He gently sat on his throne as he looked at all the children below him while nodding his head. He was quite pleased to see such a number.
"Peak Master of Mystic Water Sword Peak"
"Inner Elder Jing"
With that, all the introductions finished as the ground just in front of their throne started to shake as a jade monument rose.
It was filled with various inscriptions and gave a majestic feel.
"Your test shall begin."
"Those with no spirit root can leave or be taken as a servant of the sect."
"Those with the Five Elemental Spirit Root shall be taken as Servants with the chance of promoting into the position of Director or even Department head."
"Those with the Four Elemental Spirit Root shall be taken as Outer sect Disciples with a high chance of being promoted into Department Head."
"Those with the Three Elemental Spirit Root shall be taken as Outer sect Disciples with a high chance of being promoted into Inner Sect Disciples. If a Peak Master takes a fancy to them, then they can be promoted to a Inner Sect Disciple of that peak. They may even be promoted to True Disciples of the sect."
"Those with the Two Elemental Spirit Root shall be taken as Inner Sect Disciples with a confirmed promotion to a True Disciple of the Sect. They can also choose a peak they want to join, and as long as they don't violate any sect rules, the sect will give them full protection."
"Those with the One Elemental Spirit Root/ True Spirit Root shall be taken in as a True Disciple and will also become a direct disciple of the Sect master, they enjoy the privilege of a Supreme Elder, and as long as they don't do evil things with this privilege, they shall be protected by the sect."
The voice spoke one more time, explaining all that they needed to know, so the test finally began as Lixin watched the jade monument with fiery eyes.