Chapter 65: Selecting Disciples

Human Realm

After leaving Shi Hong’s cave dwelling, Qin Sang went to the Yin Sha Abyss, gathered enough Soul Pills, and immediately began his seclusion.

Less than two months later, Qin Sang emerged, having successfully broken through to the sixth level of the Qi Refining stage.

At Uncle Yue’s cave dwelling, Qin Sang knocked and entered, only to find Liang Yan already there.

Upon hearing that Qin Sang had successfully broken through to the sixth level of the Qi Refining stage, even Uncle Yue's face showed surprise. In their eyes, Qin Sang seemed to have the least chance of breaking through among the seven.

Liang Yan's eyes lit up. "Junior Brother Qin's ability to break through to the sixth level of the Qi Refining stage surely means he possesses an exceptionally tenacious will! Uncle Yue, please let Junior Brother Qin cultivate with me."

Uncle Yue glared at Liang Yan, who immediately shut up, looking somewhat embarrassed.

Uncle Yue looked at Qin Sang, pondering for a moment before saying, "Nephew Qin, it's truly remarkable that you, with your five-element spiritual root aptitude, have stood out among so many disciples. The reward of a top-grade spiritual artifact will naturally be yours. However, you'll have to wait four more months for the sect master to personally distribute the rewards to you. For now, you should return to your cave dwelling to cultivate. Also, since you've already broken through to the sixth level of the Qi Refining stage, you can now also cultivate spells. You've asked me about spells before, so I imagine you've had similar thoughts. You may choose one of these spells. If you encounter any problems, feel free to come to my cave dwelling at any time."

With that, Uncle Yue handed Qin Sang a jade slip. Qin Sang took it and saw that it contained not only water-element spells but all five-element spells, densely packed with hundreds of them.

Uncle Yue also reminded Qin Sang that while he could cultivate any spell, his cultivation method was the *Underworld Scripture*, making water-element spells the easiest to cultivate. Otherwise, his efforts would be twice as hard for half the result.

Qin Sang's gaze fell on the water-element spells and he quickly found the Water Condensation Barrier and Cloud Escape Art. After comparing them, he discovered that "Mist Locking the River" was originally called the "Mist Blight Art," which left him speechless for a moment.

Looking at the various powerful and mysterious spells, Qin Sang was almost overwhelmed. But Uncle Yue had said that quality over quantity was key for spells; even with many spells, if one wasn't proficient, they would be useless in actual combat.

After some thought, Qin Sang's gaze settled on a spell called the "癸水阴雷咒" (Gui Shui Yin Thunder Spell).

The jade slip stated that the Gui Shui Yin Thunder Spell was an ultimate yin and extremely potent lightning spell. Furthermore, if the caster could later find a spiritual item imbued with lightning power, they could use it to unleash even more terrifying Yin Thunder.

Upon seeing the Gui Shui Yin Thunder Spell, Qin Sang was immediately delighted. This was precisely the offensive spell he lacked most. Although he didn't have a spiritual item, the Gui Shui Yin Thunder Spell itself was already very powerful. Once unleashed, the Yin Thunder moved like lightning, difficult to dodge, and because it was a lightning spell, it had a certain restraining effect on evil creatures like demons and阴魂 (yin souls).

Once Qin Sang made his choice, Uncle Yue patiently explained the cultivation essentials of the Gui Shui Yin Thunder Spell to him, and then gave Qin Sang the latter half of the *Underworld Scripture* before sending him back.

Back in his cave dwelling, Qin Sang compared the two parts of the *Underworld Scripture* and found no discrepancies.

Early that morning, Qin Sang awoke from meditation. Today was the appointed day. All disciples who had broken through to the sixth level of the Qi Refining stage were to gather at Uncle Yue's cave dwelling to collectively pay respects to the sect master.

*Thump, thump...*

Someone suddenly knocked on the door from outside. Qin Sang opened the door and invited Tan Jie in.

Tan Jie was stuck at the sixth-level bottleneck of Qi Refining and had not yet broken through, so he wouldn't receive a reward.

"Congratulations, Big Brother Qin! With a top-grade artifact, you'll surely become even more formidable and be highly valued by the sect!" Tan Jie said with a look of envy and a jovial congratulations.

Qin Sang repeatedly waved his hands. "Stop teasing me. It was just luck. I heard that Senior Sister Shi Hong is already close to breaking through to the seventh level. Even if the sect values someone highly, it will be Senior Sister. Is Senior Sister still in her cave dwelling?"

"I haven't heard Senior Sister leave, so she should still be there."

After meeting up with Shi Hong, Tan Jie walked part of the way with them. Qin Sang and Shi Hong waved goodbye to Tan Jie, then walked together towards Uncle Yue's cave dwelling.

There were already over a dozen people in Uncle Yue's cave dwelling, but Uncle Yue was not present.

The people in the cave dwelling were all prominent figures, whom Qin Sang had heard about. He had seen some of them a few times during Uncle Yue's lectures. Qin Sang greeted those he knew and quietly waited in a corner.

A few more people arrived later.

Ultimately, only twenty-two people from the entire Kuiyin Sect were qualified to be there.

Once everyone had arrived, footsteps suddenly sounded from outside the cave dwelling. Then, Uncle Yue and Liang Yan entered, leading four others. Among them were Senior Uncles Dong and Wu, and two other Foundation Establishment stage senior uncles whom Qin Sang hadn't met before.

Upon entering, Uncle Yue's gaze swept across the room and landed on Shi Hong. "Shi Hong, come here and stand behind Liang Yan."

Shi Hong didn't understand why, but she obeyed Uncle Yue's instruction.

Then, the other senior uncles also each designated one person, asking them to stand behind them.

"That boy with the scar on his face, and that little girl. Yes, you two, come stand behind me."

Senior Uncle Dong pointed at two people consecutively, but was suddenly stopped by Uncle Yue. "Senior Brother Dong, you can't do that. You can only take one, otherwise I won't be able to explain to Master."

Senior Uncle Dong looked displeased. "Isn't it just one disciple? There are so many left, you can completely explain it to Senior Master Sect Leader! What are you afraid of?"

"Absolutely not!"

Uncle Yue stood firm. "Senior Brother Dong, I believe you know very well what's important. I'm making this concession only out of camaraderie and because there are indeed a few disciples with excellent aptitude, risking punishment from Master Sect Leader. Otherwise, none of these disciples would be allowed to be taken. If Senior Brother has any dissatisfaction, you might as well go and speak directly to Master Sect Leader."

Senior Uncle Dong's face flushed from green to white, and finally, he angrily pointed at the scar-faced boy. "You, boy, come here."

The boy looked at the girl beside him, his expression a little hesitant.

Senior Uncle Dong was already seething with anger, his eyes wide. He pointed at the boy and cursed, "You dog, dawdling around! Are you afraid I'll withhold your top-grade artifact?"

After thoroughly berating the scar-faced boy, Senior Uncle Dong left with him. The other senior uncles also bid farewell to Uncle Yue. Shi Hong left the cave dwelling with Liang Yan, giving Qin Sang a farewell glance as she departed.

Seventeen disciples remained in the cave dwelling, whispering among themselves, their voices filled with envy.

The five chosen individuals all possessed top-tier aptitudes; the worst among them still had a three-element spiritual root.

Qin Sang could roughly guess that those senior uncles intended to take them as disciples. Uncle Yue, in particular, had taken a liking to Shi Hong.

Having been in the Kuiyin Sect for so long, Qin Sang had heard that if someone had good aptitude, they might be taken as a disciple by a Foundation Establishment stage senior uncle, move to the back mountains for cultivation, and become a true disciple of the Kuiyin Sect.

Not only would they have more cultivation resources, but also a powerful patron, elevating their status immensely.

Qin Sang wasn't envious of the excellent resources they would gain after taking a master. As long as he had enough Soul Pills, Qin Sang was confident that his cultivation speed wouldn't be slower than theirs.

What he envied was that they had a master and wouldn't have to worry about Foundation Establishment Pills.