Chapter 9

The recruitment of Qian Baizong has begun.

Initially, the martial arts field was occupied only by martial artists. Soon, it was flooded with a mountain of young girls and boys.

They carried their dreams of becoming warriors and strong men and actively inquired about the various factions.

The qualifications of the young people participating in the recruitment were undoubtedly present. Choosing the right martial art would significantly impact their lives, so they had to be careful.

Gradually, the crowd grew larger and larger.

The faces of the various factions at the martial arts field were either bustling or crowded, making the scene lively.

In stark contrast to this was the Ironbone Sect, sandwiched between Changdaomen and Hu Xiaozong. No one approached them, not even a fly.

Passing teenagers would curiously glance their way, but upon seeing the words "Ironbone Sect," they quickly hurried off, not wanting to get involved.

Recently, the Ironbone Sect had been the subject of much ridicule in Qingyang City. Hearing about this reputation, teenagers would certainly avoid consulting such a hopeless, self-destructive faction.

"Hey," Jun Changxiao sighed helplessly. "Is our reputation that bad?"

"Very bad," Lu Lu said bluntly.

Jun Changxiao hugged his chest, feeling weak and defeated. "Can you not crush my fragile soul?"

"Sure," Lu Lu said. "Head, since no one is consulting, let's pack up and go back."

Jun Changxiao felt like crying. This woman must have been sent from heaven to deliberately undermine him!

Meanwhile, the members of Long Knife Gate and Hu Xiaozong were bragging about their martial arts to the consulting teenagers, occasionally glancing at the Ironbone Sect with more disdain and sneers.

"Boy, recognize the reality, right?" they seemed to say.

...

No one consulted at the Ironbone Sect's front door. Compared to the lively nearby factions, they seemed to exist in two different worlds.

"Head," Lu Lu said, "should we pack up and leave?"

"No," Jun Changxiao replied, continuing to sit. He couldn't believe that not a single young person would come to consult.

"Li Qingyang of the Li family is here!" someone shouted loudly, causing all the disciples and high-level officials to look up.

One sentence caused such a huge reaction.

Jun Changxiao muttered to himself, "I'd like to see this rare genius in a century. Is he handsome?"

"Brush!" He stepped forward and looked towards the entrance.

Barely able to see through the gap left by the crowd, he saw a man in white approaching the martial arts field.

"Wait a minute," Jun Changxiao said. "This guy looks familiar."

Lu Lu followed his gaze and whispered, "Head, he's the injured person we helped in the wild who didn't even thank you."

With her reminder, Jun Changxiao confirmed, "Yes, it's him."

...

Li Qingyang, who possessed top-quality spiritual roots, caused a huge sensation upon his arrival.

The qualifications of warriors in the Starfall Continent were determined by their spiritual roots, categorized as low grade, ordinary grade, medium grade, top grade, holy grade, and divine grade.

A high level of spiritual roots indicated strong martial arts potential and high future prospects.

In a city like Qingyang City, a young person with medium-grade spiritual roots at the age of sixteen would already be exceptional.

Half a year ago, during his martial arts test, Li Qingyang was discovered to have top-quality spiritual roots. He immediately became the most celebrated figure and was hailed as the top talent of Qingyang City.

The city lord publicly praised him, saying, "Li Qingyang is the future hope of Qingyang City. With diligent cultivation, he will undoubtedly become a King of Wu!"

Li Qingyang's emergence caused a sensation in all the counties. Thus, this year's recruitment of the 100 sects saw participation from many other schools in the county as well.

Any school would urgently seek a genius with such outstanding spiritual roots.

As Li Qingyang appeared, the warriors of all factions gathered around, extending their invitations.

"Li Gongzi, join Iron Eagle Gate. You can become our top disciple!"

"Why settle for that? Li Gongzi, join the Qingyun Sect, and you'll be an elder!"

"Nonsense, Qingyun Sect has 190 elders. How can you even think of recruiting Li Gongzi?"

"Li Gongzi, join our Giant Whale Gang. You can enjoy all our martial resources!"

"Li Gongzi, join Ruyifang. Our sisters will welcome you with open arms!"

Various factions tried to win over Li Qingyang.

However, Qingyang City's top talent chose to ignore them all and walked across the martial arts field, where the various sects were stationed.

For him, these eight or nine-tier sects were not worth considering.

"Li Gongzi," an elder from the Cangshan Sect approached and smiled, "Are you interested in joining the Cangshan Sect?"

"Cangshan Sect?"

The teenagers exclaimed.

Jun Changxiao asked, "Is the Cangshan Sect very powerful?"

Lu Lu nodded, "The Cangshan Sect is a fifth-tier sect in Qingyang County, with many disciples and a strong heritage."

"A fifth-tier sect?" Jun Changxiao said, "That's impressive."

In the Starfall Continent, the lowest tier was nine, and the highest was super first-tier. The fifth-tier Cangshan Sect was a behemoth for Qingyang City.

Moreover, a sect could only be called a "sect" if it was fifth-tier or higher.

"If the Ironbone Sect were fifth-tier, why would we worry about recruiting disciples?" Jun Changxiao thought.

Lu Lu added, "With his top-quality roots and talent, joining a fifth-tier sect is the best choice."

"So, I have no hope of recruiting him," Jun Changxiao shook his head with a smile.

Deacon Sun from Long Knife Gate approached and said lightly, "A genius like Li Gongzi will aim for a top-tier sect. Don't delude yourself."

"Deacon Sun," a disciple from Hu Xiaozong laughed, "don't forget our bet."

Deacon Sun joked, "It's been a while since the recruitment started, and no one has consulted with the Ironbone Sect. It seems like you're about to lose."

As the two mocked Jun Changxiao, Li Qingyang made his decision. "Sorry, I'm not interested in joining the Cangshan Sect."

Oh my God! He refused the invitation of a fifth-tier sect!

Everyone's eyes widened in shock at the willfulness of the top talent of Qingyang City.

The Cangshan Sect elder didn't expect such a decisive refusal. "Li Gongzi, the Cangshan Sect is one of the best sects in Qingyang County. Are you sure?"

"I'm sure," Li Qingyang replied and continued walking.

Ignoring the Cangshan Sect, Li Qingyang also dismissed the thought of joining any other sect.

He continued walking through the recruitment venue, with every move drawing the attention of all factions and young people.

The highest level among the 100 sects was fifth-tier. Since he didn't want them, who else could he possibly join?

Eventually, Li Qingyang walked to the front of Long Knife Gate.

Deacon Sun and Hu Xiaomen disciples eagerly anticipated his approach.

A genius like him wouldn't join their sect, but getting close to him was a rare opportunity.

Li Qingyang glanced at Long Knife Gate, then stopped abruptly. He first looked at Jun Changxiao, then at the sign above his door, and said, "Are you the leader of the Ironbone Sect?"

There was a collective gasp from the surrounding martial artists.

Since arriving at the martial arts field, Qingyang City's top talent had spoken to no one. But now, he was addressing the head of a supposedly trash sect!