Xiao Ling'er, Who Talks to Her Necklace

"Delicious!"

"So fragrant!"

"Wow, I can't stop eating!"

Everyone devoured their food, practically wolfing it down.

The spirit beasts, which absorbed the essence of the sun and moon and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, had flesh nurtured by this energy. Even the lowest-level spirit beasts had meat incomparable to ordinary livestock in taste and texture.

Most of those who came to the Moon Grasping Sect to seek apprenticeship came from humble backgrounds and had rarely, if ever, tasted spirit beast meat.

Moreover, the spirit beasts were hunted by the elders themselves. These were creatures of the second and third realms, and the 'essence' in their flesh was overwhelmingly potent for ordinary people.

They couldn't get enough, almost swallowing their tongues in the process.

In the end, they all had their bellies bulging, yet they were still craving more.

"Is this what an immortal sect is like? Such generosity."

Once they could eat no more, they were full of admiration.

"It's probably only the Moon Grasping Sect. I've heard that other sects are very arrogant, treating us like ants and not caring at all...

But the Moon Grasping Sect not only feeds us but also gives us spirit beast meat. I feel a lot stronger already!"

"Indeed, if that's the case, the Moon Grasping Sect is truly a paradise for immortals! This is the demeanor of immortals."

"I wonder if I will have the chance to be admitted. If so, it would be the luck of a lifetime."

"Even if I can't get in, when I return, I will tell everyone back home about how great the Moon Grasping Sect is, so they can try their luck too."

"Yes, who knows what might happen?"

Listening to their conversations, Fifth Elder Duan Qingyao couldn't help but smile. "Just now, I didn't understand why the Sect Master insisted on feeding them and specifically demanded hunting spirit beasts. Now I see, I was too shortsighted. By treating them well, we win their hearts. With their support, we will have many more coming to seek apprenticeship next year! Perhaps few of them are exceptionally talented, but with large numbers, there will always be a chance."

Lin Fan shook his head. "It's not about being shortsighted."

Duan Qingyao thought Lin Fan was about to comfort her.

But the next second. 

"It's about having a narrow perspective."

Duan Qingyao's smile froze.

The other four elders couldn't help but chuckle.

"Hunting second and third realm spirit beasts is an easy task for the elders, but it earns their gratitude and spreads our good reputation. Why not do it? Large sects don't need to worry about these details because they have plenty of talent to choose from. But our Moon Grasping Sect doesn't have that privilege."

Details determine success!

In Lin Fan's view, the Moon Grasping Sect had no other choice.

And what's wrong with common folk from the countryside? As long as they have the 'fate', right?

Moreover, their lack of knowledge means they won't see the Moon Grasping Sect's shortcomings. Compared to their hometowns, the Moon Grasping Sect is still a 'land of immortals.'

Reputation is a valuable asset.

"Details, huh?"

The elders fell into deep thought.

Before this, had they ever really paid attention to such things?

No, they had merely followed the rules.

Isn't this how everyone does it?

Test for talent, assess core qualities, then accept them into the sect.

The only difference is that each sect has slightly different assessment methods, nothing more.

Who cares about these details?

But over the years, they hadn't taken the time to think about it. Major sects have the luxury of arrogance because they have the qualifications for it. Even if they did nothing, families and talented individuals would still flock to them.

But what about the Moon Grasping Sect?

Seeing their silence, Lin Fan sighed inwardly.

Barely surviving, and still concerned about prestige...

It's like a community college trying to recruit with the same process as Harvard or Yale University.

Who's going to succeed like that?

But it's not entirely their fault. Cultivators naturally have pride, and all sects have followed this path for generations. They simply adhered to tradition.

But Lin Fan would not allow this to continue.

Otherwise, in less than a year, their sect would be finished!

***

"Have any of the elders found anyone who meets our new criteria?" 

After observing for a while, Lin Fan quietly spoke.

The five elders began to loosen up. Although they didn't understand the purpose of Lin Fan's seemingly bizarre rules, they had agreed to work together and would not hold back.

"No one with a mysterious smile on their lips."

"No one being targeted."

"No one who has been severely injured or on the brink of death."

"No timid or overly cautious individuals. Most are trying their best to stand out, and while a few are somewhat reserved, they aren't exactly timid."

"No one with a capricious personality."

"..."

Just as Lin Fan thought he was destined to be disappointed, the second elder, Wu Xingyun, quietly spoke up. "There is one. Someone who likes to talk to herself. She doesn't have a ring, but she does have a necklace. I don't know if she's talking to the necklace."

"Who?" Lin Fan's eyes lit up.

"The girl in the back left, covered in mud, wearing clean but well-worn hemp clothes."

Following Wu Xingyun's words, Lin Fan and the other elders focused their gaze on the girl.

Wu Xingyun continued, "I observed her for a while. She occasionally talks to herself, but it seems like she is conversing with someone. She has opened three meridians, but her body is in a peculiar state. It appears she had opened more meridians previously, but for some unknown reason, her cultivation fell back, leaving only three."

"Oh?"

"In that case, she probably has a secret!"

The elders exchanged hushed comments.

Lin Fan's eyes sparkled. "She has regressed in cultivation due to special reasons, currently has three meridians open, and seems to like talking to a necklace? Not only that! Her three thousand strands of hair are clean and neat, her clothes are old but spotless, yet her face is covered in mud. This is clearly to conceal her identity..."

This girl is definitely something!

Good or bad?

Lin Fan didn't know! But with Moon Grasping Sect in such dire straits, how could they not accept someone who seemed to have the fate of a protagonist?

Just then, Elder Li Changshou added, "If I'm not mistaken, this girl seems to be from one of the Xiao, Lin, Shi, or Ye families?"

"Indeed," Wu Xingyun nodded.

"Then she's the one!" Lin Fan immediately decided.

Someone who met so many conditions simultaneously—who else would they choose? Although it wasn't certain, the probability was high enough!

They had to take the chance.

The elders exchanged glances but didn't object, merely asking, "What about the others?"

"We said three days, so three days it is. We wait." Lin Fan had already thought this through: "For these three days, we'll serve them spirit beast meat once a day. It's a way of showing our appreciation. After three days, we'll announce the results."

"Yes, Sect Master."

"Sect Master, why don't you rest while we keep an eye on things?"

"Very well."

Lin Fan nodded.

***

On the third day.

Lin Fan appeared in the square again and walked up to the girl. "You have a fate with our sect. What is your name, and would you be willing to join our sect?"

The girl's face lit up with joy, and she hurriedly bowed, "Disciple Xiao Ling'er, greets the Sect Master."