Chapter 719: Rich Harvest

Battles between Half-Immortals are notoriously difficult to decisively conclude. It’s not uncommon for an Immortal to self-detonate for ten days, or for the Second National Master to be caught in such an explosion for the same duration. Likewise, if Dao Lord Vast Ocean and Dao Lord Myriad Laws were left to fight, their battle could easily stretch on for eight or even ten days.

However, Immortal Fairy discreetly intervened, allowing this battle to conclude much sooner. Dao Lord Vast Ocean, however, remained unaware of these interventions.

Dao Lord Myriad Laws attempted to struggle, but it was futile. The spatial confinement had completely trapped him within this area; he couldn't possibly escape without Dao Lord Vast Ocean's explicit permission. He never imagined he would encounter a High-Ranking Dao Fruit Immortal at Wen Dao Sect. Could it be the legendary Immortal of Time, or an Immortal who wielded the "Immortality" Dao Fruit, present here? Either scenario suggested Wen Dao Sect possessed an unfathomable power.

At this moment, his gaze towards Lu Yang utterly changed. With an Immortal at Wen Dao Sect, the immortal sword Lu Yang possessed could not have escaped the Immortal's discerning gaze. Why would an Immortal disregard such a peerless immortal sword and allow a mere Nascent Soul stage cultivator to wield it? The answer was obvious: the Immortal held Lu Yang in exceptionally high regard, even entrusting him with an immortal sword!

Lu Yang, however, found Dao Lord Myriad Laws' gaze towards him peculiar, though he couldn't quite put his finger on why.

The Great Yu Alliance attempted to flee, but Wen Dao Sect had no intention of allowing them. Their long-standing principle was to relentlessly pursue a cornered foe. Child Grandmaster Tang Shengyi, in particular, fought with extreme ferocity. Seeing this, the elders couldn't help but be reminded of unpleasant childhood memories.

“Master’s combat skills seem significantly stronger than before,” the First Elder telepathically commented to his junior brothers and sisters, all while striking down opponents with his Yellow Millet Pillow.

“Absolutely, he looks like he could easily take on two opponents single-handedly.”

“When did Master become so formidable?”

Unbeknownst to the elders, Child Grandmaster, in his role as custodian of Prisoner Peak, frequently sought advice on combat techniques from the imprisoned cultivators during his downtime. The prisoners apprehended in the past two years included figures of immense stature: the Sixth Emperor of Yu, peak Tribulation Transcenders, Half-Immortals, and the National Master from the later Great Yu period. These were all legendary, battle-hardened veterans. When Child Grandmaster consulted them, they dared not conceal anything and naturally divulged all their knowledge. Consequently, Child Grandmaster's combat techniques improved at an astonishing pace.

“Spatial Prison!”

Dao Lord Vast Ocean activated the nascent form of his Dao Fruit, trapping all Great Yu Alliance cultivators within the bamboo forest, ensuring not a single one could escape. “Hahahaha, trying to run? Do you truly believe you can escape?!” After successfully capturing Dao Lord Myriad Laws alive, Dao Lord Vast Ocean’s confidence soared! Within this region of Wen Dao Sect, he was now the strongest, second only to Yun Zhi!

“Finally, it’s all resolved,” Senior Brother Dai remarked, ending his own battle and letting out a long sigh of relief. This ordeal, though alarming, had concluded without true disaster. Who could have predicted that what began as a routine disciple entrance examination would swiftly escalate into a battle involving Half-Immortals, with two Half-Immortals even participating in the test itself?

“It seems a great era is dawning, with all manner of powerful and unusual beings emerging,” Senior Brother Dai mused internally. “Perhaps Junior Brother Lu and Junior Brother Meng weren't simply unlucky to stumble into high-level conflicts; it might just be the new normal.”

“Junior Brother Lu, Junior Brother Meng, prepare to handle the concluding tasks for the entrance examination.” Due to the emergency, all participants of the third round of the examination were brought to Wen Dao Sect. Among them, only Zhuang Ping, Zhou Xing’er, Gu Junye, and Innate Daoist successfully passed.

Aside from Gu Junye and Innate Daoist, all other participants of the third round appeared visibly shaken. Witnessing Wen Dao Sect's profound power and a Half-Immortal battle firsthand was an experience so terrifying that it would unnerve even cultivators, let alone ordinary mortals.

Wen Dao Sect disciples escorted the eliminated candidates out. Their elders, upon seeing their juniors safe and unharmed, became visibly emotional. They were astute individuals. When the battle erupted, their younger relatives were at the heart of the conflict, and they had prepared for their demise. It was beyond their expectations that none of them were injured. The joy of survival far outweighed the disappointment of being screened out by Wen Dao Sect.

The four newly recruited by Wen Dao Sect had no elders accompanying them, so there were no farewells to consider. Zhuang Ping’s mother was incarcerated and could not leave the prison. Zhou Xing’er’s elders had always disdained her and wouldn’t bother to come. Gu Junye had come by himself. And as for Innate Daoist, it went without saying that Wen Dao Sect was already his home.

In the bamboo forest, all Great Yu Alliance cultivators had been apprehended. Innate Daoist also spotted two familiar Integration Stage cultivators: the very individuals who had invited him to join the Great Yu Alliance. After his refusal, they had informed True Lord Guan Qi about his possession of the Golden Cicada Exuviae. “So they were from the Great Yu Alliance all along,” Innate Daoist realized with a jolt. He hadn't anticipated the Great Yu Alliance's capture would be so swift.

The handling of the Great Yu Alliance's affairs was not the responsibility of the elders; Child Grandmaster would personally take charge. Having observed the entirety of the three examination rounds, they were now telepathically discussing the new cohort of disciples.

“This Gu Junye is promising; he can become my disciple,” the First Elder chuckled. This was also Senior Brother Dai Bufan’s suggestion, as both shared the Water Spirit Root. In the future, Dai Bufan could instruct him, making things convenient for the First Elder as his master.

“Zhou Xing’er shows considerable talent in cultivation. It just so happens I haven’t taken a disciple in many years; perhaps I should nurture one to help me manage my herb garden?” Old Man Ba suggested.

“Then Zhuang Ping shall be mine. This young man has a connection with Hong Wen; it was Hong Wen who originally assessed his qualities,” the Fourth Elder laughed, unconcerned that Zhuang Ping only possessed a three-spirit root.

Of course, it was still too early to decide who would apprentice under whom. Apprenticeship is a two-way process, requiring agreement from both the master and the disciple. As these three had just arrived at Wen Dao Sect and were unfamiliar with everyone, they would be given a month to acclimate. After this period, they would decide whom to apprentice under.

“What about the Patriarch?” the Eighth Elder eagerly suggested. “Perhaps he could apprentice under me?” This was despite Innate Daoist's own wish to be treated as an ordinary disciple.

“You truly aren’t afraid of Master breaking your legs,” the Third Elder sighed, taking off his armor. At the mention of their Master, even the Eighth Elder, who was cunning and resourceful in every way, looked apprehensive.

The placement of Innate Daoist was a thorny issue. After inquiring around, none dared to take him as a disciple, fearing their Master might casually send them to Prisoner Peak as a consequence. While the eight elders hesitated, one individual did not.

That individual strode towards Innate Daoist and asked, “Qi Tong, are you willing to cultivate under my guidance?” The speaker held immense authority within Wen Dao Sect: it was none other than Dao Lord Vast Ocean.

The eight elders were speechless.

Those unaware gazed at Innate Daoist with immense envy, as being accepted as a disciple by a Half-Immortal was an extraordinary stroke of fortune. Meanwhile, those who were privy to the truth harbored much more complicated thoughts. They were astonished that the Ancestor of Revival was still alive, and even more so by the remarkably clear motives behind his decision.

“I am willing!” Innate Daoist replied. He didn't particularly care who his master was, as long as he had a peaceful environment for cultivation.

In summary, Wen Dao Sect had a truly fruitful day. They not only recruited four new disciples but also gained one Half-Immortal, five Tribulation Transcenders, and over twenty Integration Stage cultivators who joined Prisoner Peak. It was a joyous and commendable outcome for all involved.