Clouds parted, giving way to sunlight that glistened across Immortal Phoenix City. The city was awash in the beauty of cherry blossoms, their delicate petals fluttering in the breeze. Children laughed and played, adding to the harmonious scene.

 

 

The air was filled with excitement as cultivators from all over the world began to arrive in the city. With only two days left before the recruitment examinations, the big shots of the cultivation world—along with their descendants—finally began to make their appearances one by one. Several rogue cultivators eagerly made their way to the city square, hoping to catch a glimpse of these renowned figures.

 

"Look, it's the Wang House!" a cultivator exclaimed as soon as he saw a giant carriage with the insignia of a crown on it. As the people watched, the doors to the carriage creaked open and a strong, mighty aura surged out, followed by the appearance of an old man in neat purple robes.

 

 

Hidden behind his wrinkled visage was a presence of immense vitality. "I-it's Elder Wang Fei That old man is still alive!" an ancient cultivator gasped in shock.

 

 

"Elder Wang Fei? Who is he?" a disciple who had never heard the name before asked his ancestor.

 

 

The ancestor pondered for a moment before speaking slowly. "He is the second oldest cultivator in the Wang House, after the Wang Patriarch. Rumor has it that when the patriarch was young, he was challenged by Elder Fei and defeated. It was only through some lucky encounter that the patriarch was able to defeat Elder Fei later on. Otherwise, the next person to most likely become the Wang House patriarch would have been Elder Fei. His cultivation backs up his reputation as well. A thousand years ago, the elder was already a late immortal. Only heaven knows how strong he has become since then."

 

 

 

The nearby people who were listening to the ancestor took a deep breath simultaneously. The Wang Patriarch was already known to be one of the strongest people in the Immortal Realm, so someone who could defeat the young him couldn't be ordinary. Only now did they realize what kind of prestigious person they were seeing.

 

Suddenly, a deafening laugh rang out in the square, making everyone's ears ring with pain, "Hahahaha, if it isn't Elder Fei. This old man has long heard of your fame."

 

"THUD!" A middle-aged man in a dragon robe landed on the ground, along with many young cultivators who followed him. 

 

"The Long House! " Exclamations of horror resounded. This sort of reaction could only be manifested in the presence of the Long House. Although the cultivators present here greatly respected the six great immortal sects and renowned eight immortal houses, it was only to the extent of admiration for the strong. The only time they felt horror and fear was whenever they faced the Long House.

 

TThis reputation was based not only on the great strength of the Long House, but also on a particular incident that occurred 1,800 years ago.  A direct disciple of the Long House had been killed by another immortal house. Rumor had it that the Long Patriarch took two of the elders and flew to the enemy's palace. In just two days, everyone living inside the palace and the surrounding region had been brutally murdered without exception. Even the children and mortals were not spared. From that day onwards, there had only been eight immortal houses instead of nine. Since then, no one had dared to provoke the Long House.

 

 

 

The Wang House disciples accompanying Elder Fei suddenly turned pale as they felt a mighty divine sense sweep over them. "I had heard that Fellow Daoist Deming is known for being straightforward, but I didn't expect you to be one who bullies younglings," Elder Fei said, waving his hand. The disciples heaved sighs of relief as the oppressive aura suffocating them vanished.

 

 

 

"Oh?" The middle-aged man named Long Deming let out an exclamation of surprise before saying, "It seems like the elder is even stronger than the rumors."

 

 

"Ohohoho, I don't know much about the rumors. It is only recently that this old man has achieved a small breakthrough," the elder smiled amiably in response.

 

 

Long Deming narrowed his eyes after hearing this. 

 

 

For him to be able to scatter his divine sense just like that, it seemed like the patriarch was right after all; this old Fei had already broken through to the peak of the Immortal Realm. 

 

 

He was not someone he could take on with his late-stage Immortal Realm cultivation.

 

 

Although they were both from the Eight Immortal Houses, the Long family had always had an edge over the other houses. It was only in recent years that the Wang House had been showing signs of trying to overtake that position. This development was not something the Long House wanted to see.

 

 

Humph, I will let you stay happy for now. Just wait until our patriarch leaves his seclusion. When that happens, kekeke. It won’t be long. 

Hiding such thoughts in his heart, Long Deming cupped his hands towards the elder and nodded, "I see. Deming congratulates the elder. It seems like both the old generation and young generation of the Wang House are in good hands." He raised the tone of his voice as he neared the end of his sentence, his eyes glancing at a particular young, beautiful girl standing right behind Elder Fei.

 

If Taiyang was here, he would have immediately recognized her as the same girl who had broken the queue before. It was precisely Wang Hua, one of the five great beauties of the Immortal Realm. When Long Deming released his divine sense earlier, she was the only disciple who withstood it with her late Spirit Realm cultivation. This greatly surprised Deming as he himself knew how much willpower one would need to face it head-on.

 

 

"Hahahaha, Fellow Daoist Deming is too polite. The younger generation of the Long House also seems full of crouching tigers and hidden dragons. This year's examinations are going to be full of surprises hahaha," Elder Fei remarked with a meaningful smile as he gave a nod to two male disciples standing at the rear of Deming's entourage.

 

 

The two disciples were startled for a moment when they sensed his gaze, but they quickly returned to their normal expressions and bowed towards the elder. However, their eyes still exuded an extreme arrogance that was a trademark trait of the members of the Long House. 

 

 

"Elder Fei’s praise is too much. These bastards still have a lot to learn," although Deming said this, one could easily notice the pride in his eyes.

 

 

"By the way, why is Fellow Daoist Deming representing the Long house this time? I had heard a rumor that your esteemed Patriarch would be gracing this year's recruitment session?"

 

 

"Indeed, Fellow Daoist Fei had heard correctly. However, our Patriarch encountered a hurdle and injured himself while cultivating. Hence, I had no choice but to accompany these youngsters on his behalf," he answered without missing a beat.

 

 

Injured himself while cultivating?

 

 

Elder Changpu couldn't help but feel startled. Although not much was known about the Long House Patriarch in recent years, he refused to believe someone with his cultivation would get injured while cultivating.

 

 

Do you expect me to believe that? Only ghosts could believe such a bold-faced lie!

 

 

Elder Changpu narrowed his eyes and looked at Elder Deming, but the latter kept smiling with a thick face.

 

 

This shameless bastard.

 

 

Just as he was about to question the latter further,

 

 

"Look, what's that?"

 

"WHAT?! IS THAT A FOUR-HEADED BIRD?!"

 

 

All the people in the plaza turned to gaze at the sky. One could spot a giant crimson bird in the sky, measuring a great five hundred li in length.

 

 

"Woah, there are people sitting on its back!"

 

 

Everyone was stunned. Such a great bird had a cultivation of at least early Immortal Realm and was known for being extremely arrogant. Just who was mighty enough to tame such a beast?

 

 

Just as they were discussing the identity of the people on the four-headed bird, the latter landed on the ground with a large thud and its wings flung out, sending various bystanders flying.

 

 

"UGHHH MY ARM!"

 

"GAAAAHHHH, I CAN'T SEE!"

 

 

Screams resounded as people who got thrown started getting up. One person, in particular, stood up and looked down towards his private region and let out a ghastly scream, "M-MY LITTLE SON...WHAT HAPPENED TO MY LITTLE SON?!" The pain was so intense that the man fainted.

 

 

"Hopefully, we are not too late, everyone!" As some rogue cultivators started getting furious, a sweet, gentle voice echoed throughout the square as the figures standing on the giant bird emerged in front of everyone.

 

 

Much to their surprise, the two figures seated atop the four-headed bird were strikingly beautiful women. The woman in the forefront appeared to be in her late thirties. Her skin was as white as milk and her curvaceous figure seemed to invoke primal desires in every man.

 

 

Behind her stood a young woman whose beauty elicited gasps from all who beheld her. She boasted a tall frame, and her vibrant red dress glistened as though aflame. Beneath her slender, curved brows, her eyes sparkled, enhancing her allure. Her beauty was on par with Wang Hua's, but the nature of it had a distinct essence. If the latter could be compared to a welcoming lily, then the former was akin to a cactus ablaze - intriguing, yet unapproachable.

 

"I-it's the Flowerpot House," someone exclaimed as he noticed the pink embroidery on the two women's white robes.

 

 

Another one of the 8 Immortal Houses, Flowerpot House was known for its disdainful attitude towards others. Different from the rest of the houses, it didn't focus much on maintaining bloodlines. It recruited people from all over the world. Most of its members were mortals talented in cultivation. In fact, some even claimed that the Flowerpot House was like a sect for females.

 

 

Every member was a female, as the Flowerpot House didn't allow male to become its members.

 

 

"Hahaha, Fairy Ming isn't late at all," Elder Deming went up to them and flashed them a smile.

 

 

"I had long heard about the Flowerpot House's unique way of doing things and it seems like your reputation isn't for naught," Elder Fei said helplessly as he looked at the mess created by the four-headed bird.

 

 

"Please forgive us, you two. Jiejie never listens to my commands," the beautiful woman named Fairy Ming smiled as she looked down at the four-headed bird, who let out a snort in response.

 

 

But anyone with a discerning eye could see that she wasn't sorry at all, just by the way she patted the beast.

 

 

"By the way, Fairy Ming, who is the young disciple behind?" Elder Deming inquired.

 

 

"Oh, Mei’r, come here and greet the two elders," the woman smiled and beckoned the girl.

 

 

"Disciple Mei greets the two elders," the tall girl came forward and cupped her hands in response.

 

 

"Mei'r is the only one who will be taking part in this year's recruitment session from the Flowerpot House."

 

 

"The only one?!"

 

 

"Yes, it was on our Patriarch's order. She said there would be no point in bringing others," Fairy Ming answered with a mysterious smile on her face.

 

 

Elder Deming and Elder Fei looked at each other in shock. Both of them knew about the Flowerpot Patriarch's character. She was a demoness who didn't put anyone in her eyes and for her to say something like this...

 

 

They couldn't help but glance at the young girl once again. The girl's cultivation was at the mid Spirit Realm, which, although impressive, wasn't heaven-defying enough for her to dominate others.

 

 

What other trump cards does she possess?

 

 

Elder Fei furrowed his brows in contemplation.

 

 

As the esteemed individuals conversed, a loud cry rang out.

 

 

"WHAT DID YOU SAY? YOU DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY?!"

 

 

Everyone turned to look and saw three people standing in front of a stall. The shopkeeper, a heavily wounded fat man who appeared to have been through hell, was shouting at a young man. The young man had one hand on a boy's head and the other held broken pieces of something. He had a troubled expression, as if unsure how to respond.

 

 

"It's that guy again?!" Wang Hua grumbled inwardly. She recognized him as the mysterious young man who had confronted her at the city gates and had also caused a commotion at the Phoenix Restaurant earlier. She couldn't help but think he was a troublemaker.

 

 

Lost in her thoughts, she saw him turn around in her direction and their gazes met. He seemed startled, but then his face lit up, and he smiled broadly. Under everyone's watchful eyes, he started making his way toward her.

 

 

"Hey, it's you!" he said. "Can I borrow some money from you?"