Immortality and cultivation begin with full comprehension.

Chapter 720 Ascending to Immortality, Recruiting New Members (Seeking Monthly Tickets)
Recruiting disciples from such a place now is not a good choice in terms of timeline.

However, as a high-ranking member, Li Yunjing could understand the sect's intentions: to win people's hearts and minds and quickly make the people of Youyue Kingdom feel a sense of belonging to Shenxiao Dao Sect.

After all, transforming a world overrun by demons into a peaceful world of mystical arts is no easy task.

It's very difficult to change the worldview of ordinary people!
The mortals in the "Youyue Kingdom" are influenced by the demonic sect, and are also brave and fierce, and rather cruel. This kind of personality is naturally different from that of the people in the "Ming Dynasty".

This all needs to change!
It may even take one or two generations of change to truly integrate into the Xuanmen system.

The sect is in a hurry, hoping to integrate resources as soon as possible to prepare for the great calamity to come.

“Recruiting new disciples in the ‘Youyue Kingdom’ may seem risky, but it is actually a necessary gamble.”

Li Yunjing muttered to himself, "Years of war have made the mortals of this land both revere and alienate them from the 'immortal sects.' Only by letting them see that their own children can also embark on the path of immortality can we truly break down the barriers in their hearts."

"It seems I need to pay more attention to this matter!"

He thought for a moment, packed his things, left the training ground, and went to the council hall.

"Lin Xuan."

He called out loudly. A moment later, Lin Xuan rushed over: "Teacher, did you call me?"

"The sect plans to open the Ascension Gate in the 'Youyue Kingdom' and recruit new disciples."

Li Yunjing turned around and looked at him. "Go and inform them to clear out the 'City Lord's Mansion' square and set up three testing platforms! Test their physical attributes, temperament, and spiritual affinity respectively."

"Recruiting disciples in the 'Youyue Kingdom'?"

Lin Xuan was taken aback: "The mortals here..."

"It is precisely because it is special that we must do it."

Li Yunjing interrupted him, his tone resolute, "Go and notify all the Supreme Elders and Elders to convene a meeting."

"I'll take care of it right away!"

Lin Xuan's heart skipped a beat, and he bowed in response.

Three days later, the news that the "Shenxiao Dao Sect" was going to open the Ascension Gate at "Shenxiao Pass" spread like wildfire throughout the "Youyue Kingdom".

All sects and families are prohibited from blocking information and preventing ordinary people within their jurisdictions from participating in the assessment.

Not only that, some families even hoped to take advantage of this opportunity to send their descendants into the "Shenxiao Dao Sect".

In previous years, the Shenxiao Dao Sect was in turmoil and under immense pressure, and some families dared not make any bets. However, after the Shenxiao Dao Sect destroyed the Youming Gui Sect, there were no more concerns.

Li Yunjing, the deputy sect leader, was stationed in the "Youyue Kingdom," where he swept away all the demons, stabilized the situation, and gave everyone confidence.

The news spread from the nine provinces to every county and prefecture, and then from the counties and prefectures to the villages and towns, until the whole world knew about it.

The selection process is scheduled for today, three years from now!

Knowing that time was of the essence, some people from afar began to converge on Shenxiao Pass from all directions of Youyue Kingdom as soon as the news arrived.

Almost everyone involved rushed to Shenxiao Pass with a mix of trepidation and anticipation. Even hunters from remote villages brought their own food and children of school age.

Who wouldn't want their child to escape the suffering of the mortal world and become a flying immortal?

This event has become the most important event in the "Youyue Kingdom"!

On the gate tower of Shenxiao Pass, Li Yunjing stood leaning on the railing, gazing at the dusty official road outside the pass.

Although the selection is scheduled for three years later, people from all over the "Youyue Kingdom" have already gathered like a trickle of water. In less than half a month, the city gate will be packed with people.

He lightly tapped the brick wall with his fingertips and said to the group of elders behind him, "Building momentum three years in advance is not only to give people hope, but also to put 'Shenxiao Pass' to a great test."

"Yes!"

Everyone nodded in agreement, never expecting that so many people would have entered "Shenxiao Pass" in just one week.

Aside from the ordinary people who lived nearby, most of those who arrived early were the younger generation of various families, or second-generation cultivators.

Almost every family in the "Great Ming Immortal Cultivation World" sent representatives, as did some families from the "Youyue Kingdom".

In the operation to wipe out the "Youyue Kingdom", the vast majority of demonic cultivators were wiped out, but some survived, and even some small families survived.

These families did not possess powerful magical lineages, which is precisely why they survived.

Since these sects have been forbidden from cultivating demonic arts by the "Shenxiao Dao Sect," they naturally need to find new ways out. Besides seeking refuge with the forces of the "Great Ming Cultivation World," this is also a good opportunity for them.

Once an outstanding disciple emerges among their descendants and enters the "Shenxiao Dao Sect," perhaps in the future, one person's enlightenment will bring prosperity to the entire family, including their relatives and friends.

"Master Liehuo, how are the preparations for the 'Ascension Plaza' going?"

Li Yunjing turned to look at an old acquaintance and asked with a smile.

"Vice Sect Leader Li, I am arranging for people to renovate the venue."

Seeing that the former junior had become the one giving orders to him, Master Liehuo felt a mix of emotions. He composed himself and continued, "The reconstruction of the area from the City Lord's Mansion to the 'Ascension Arena' has already begun. I estimate that everything will be ready within three months."

"Ok!"

Li Yunjing nodded in satisfaction, then looked at an old master of array formations from the Seven Star Palace, "Elder Yue, how are the preparations for the array formations going? Just in case, we must protect all those participating in the assessment and prevent any deaths or injuries."

"no problem."

Elder Yue smiled and said, "My fellow disciples and I personally drew the array diagram and ordered more than a hundred talisman cultivators to bury the array base of the 'Nine Heavens Profound Gang Array' under the city lord's mansion square."

"This formation uses 36,000 high-grade spirit stones as a guide, which can not only resist the surprise attack of Nascent Soul stage cultivators, but also filter the demonic energy in the square."

"After all, the yin and evil energy remaining in the 'Youyue Kingdom's' earth veins is harmful to children's physical constitution."

Elder Yue explained all the problems with the formation.

"very good!"

Li Yunjing nodded as well, then looked at one of the elders and asked, "Where is the testing platform?"

"The materials for the three test stands were repeatedly finalized."

Ling Xiaozi said, "'Root Bone Platform' is made by mixing 'Soul Nourishing Jade' with 'Star Sand'. The jade is warm and can nourish the child's meridians, while the star sand will emit different colored patterns of light depending on the quality of the root bone."

"The Mind Platform is embedded with the Illusion Stone, which is infused with spiritual power by the three of us who are skilled in the 'Heart Purification Technique'. It can create illusions of the three realms of greed, anger, and ignorance. If it wavers even slightly, it will be ejected from the array."

He paused and then said, "As for the Spiritual Affinity Platform, it is the most special one. It is made by grinding the 'Myriad Spirit Coral' of the East Sea into powder and mixing it with the purified spring water of the 'Netherworld Valley'. It can sense spiritual power such as the Five Elements and thunder. The higher the affinity, the brighter the coral powder will be."

"very good!"

Li Yunjing was completely satisfied.

He looked at Fu Chao and asked, "What about the surrounding area's plans?"

"The area surrounding the square is divided into three main zones."

Fu Chao perked up, knowing that Li Yunjing had given him a vision, and he quickly said loudly, "Tens of thousands of temporary sheds have been set up in the waiting area, with affordable dry food and medicine provided by 'Star Moon Trading Company'. Simple 'calming talismans' are drawn on the sheds to prevent participants from becoming agitated due to the noise."

"The registration area is jointly guarded by soldiers of the 'White Tiger Army' and disciples from the inner and outer sects. They use 'image-recording stones' to record the participants' place of origin and age, and then imprint a temporary identity talisman on them."

"This talisman will change color when it encounters demonic energy, making it easier to identify spies."

"As for the medical examination area, the sect's alchemist team is stationed there to examine the participants in advance, eliminate those who have been deeply corrupted by demonic energy, and distribute 'Qingling Pills' to regulate the meridian blockages caused by malnutrition."

"Not bad!"

Li Yunjing smiled and then instructed Fu Chao: "The White Tiger Army should recruit 5,000 men and divide the area into three inner and three outer rings. No one carrying weapons is allowed to approach within 100 feet of the square."

"Another method is to establish covert surveillance, search for strangers who have infiltrated inns and taverns, and focus on monitoring those who 'arrive too early' or whose 'identity is suspicious'."

"Especially the refugees from the Western Regions!"

Li Yunjing issued the order.

"Yes! I will definitely complete the mission!"

Fu Chao said loudly.

With Li Yunjing protecting him, as long as he develops step by step, he may even become a high-ranking member of the "White Tiger Army" in the future!

"Everyone!" Li Yunjing nodded, then looked at everyone and ordered, "At the same time, issue a notice in the name of 'Shenxiao Daozong': If any participant in this selection encounters a monster attack on the way, they can seek help from the nearest branch of 'Shenxiao Daozong' or any other sect or faction. All parties must provide shelter free of charge."

"Yes!"

The men accepted the order, took their leave, and departed.

Nowadays, almost no one dares to challenge Li Yunjing's orders, and obeying them has become the norm.

Even the most powerful and influential elders had to admit their superiority.

Who told Li Yunjing to be so monstrous, able to kill Nascent Soul Realm cultivators multiple times with only Golden Core Realm cultivation!

Such combat power puts immense pressure on the Supreme Elders.

During this period, the people below also started going out on missions.

Lin Xuan led some inner disciples to revise the "New Disciple Guide," explaining the sect's rules and cultivation taboos in plain language, and even including a simple map of the "Shenxiao Pass" to prevent the participants from feeling anxious due to the unfamiliar environment.

At the same time, the Shenxiao Dao Sect also organized several propaganda teams, which were scattered throughout the Youyue Kingdom.

The only task for everyone is to guide public opinion.

To reshape the image of the "Immortal Sect" and promote its doctrines, thousands of notices were posted in every city and town of the "Youyue Kingdom," telling the story in a vivid and graphic way: "The 'Thunder Path' of the Shenxiao Dao Sect is not only a technique for killing, but can also 'sweep away evil spirits and protect all living beings'."

The cultivation after entering the sect is not about "severing ties with the world", but about "strengthening oneself to protect relatives and friends".

This move reassured the people of Youyue Kingdom somewhat.

At the end of the announcement, it was specifically noted that "those who enter the Dao will have their families protected by the Shenxiao Dao Sect and exempted from taxes for three years," in order to dispel mortals' prejudice that "the immortal sects are heartless."

The series of actions taken by the "Shenxiao Dao Sect" were like a boulder thrown into the center of a lake, creating ripples in the "Youyue Kingdom" and even the entire "Great Ming Cultivation World," with various forces reacting with mixed feelings.

The transformation of the people of "Youyue Kingdom" from fear to fanaticism.

Even in the most chaotic western border regions, changes have begun.

Wang Erzhu, a farmer in a village, had witnessed the demonic cultivators massacre the village and always viewed the "immortal sects" with suspicion, considering them as "not of our kind."

But when the propaganda team of Shenxiao Daozong brought "Qingling Dan" into the village to alleviate the pain of his son who was suffering from "demonic bone-corroding disease", and pointed to the clause on the notice that "families of those who enter the Dao are exempt from taxes for three years", he pushed his son in a cart overnight and joined the flow of people heading to "Shenxiao Pass".

Similar stories are unfolding throughout the "Youyue Kingdom". Within a year, the number of registered participants has exceeded 50,000, 70% of whom come from villages that have been ravaged by demonic cultivators.

In the teahouse of Shenxiao Pass, the storyteller adapted Li Yunjing's "Thunder Slaying Demons" story into a script, and the copper coins thrown by the audience could fill the table.

"Back when demonic cultivators collected 'blood taxes,' which family didn't lose a child?"

An old man exclaimed, "Nowadays, the 'Shenxiao Dao Sect' not only doesn't collect taxes, but also provides food and medicine. This is a true immortal sect!"

Even children on the street can recite the sentence from the promotional notice: "Learning immortal techniques is not for flying or escaping into the earth, but so that the road in front of your home can be walked with peace of mind."

The smaller families in the "Youyue Kingdom" also regarded each other as rivals.

The Black Stone Clan, which once relied on the Netherworld Ghost Sect but survived due to its lack of core demonic arts, had its patriarch personally lead the cultivators under the age of fifty to settle in Shenxiao Pass.

The sole purpose is to enable younger generations to participate in the assessment as soon as possible and strive for a better future.

To meet the standards of the "character test," the "Black Stone Family" even abolished the "survival of the fittest" family rule that had been passed down for hundreds of years, and forced its members to memorize the "Basic Precepts of the Mysterious Sect."

In the southern part of the "Youyue Kingdom", the "Valley of Ten Thousand Poisons" has been a place where people have made a living by refining poisons for generations. The valley master secretly sent his eldest grandson to infiltrate among the refugees in order to find out the bottom line of the "Shenxiao Dao Sect".

“If they can truly tolerate ‘poisonous arts,’ then send ten children into the sect; if they only allow the cultivation of ‘thunder and the five elements,’ then we will find another way.”

This wait-and-see attitude is highly representative among the more than fifty remaining minor powers in the "Youyue Kingdom".

As for the various families in the "Great Ming Cultivation World", they were also getting anxious.

The people of the "Youyue Kingdom" are competing with them!
Each family had no choice but to release their most talented descendants to join the "Shenxiao Dao Sect" in order to maintain their current status.

As for the various sects?

Although it was quite uncomfortable, it was still within an acceptable range.

Because the "Shenxiao Dao Sect" has a limit on the number of new disciples it can recruit, it's impossible for everyone to join.

Many other sects, such as the "Yuanyang Dao Sect," "Louguan Dao," and "Beidi Sect," also sent people to "Shenxiao Pass."

They raised their banners, waiting for the "Shenxiao Dao Sect" to recruit disciples before selecting the remaining people.

Maybe I can collect some similar ones?
Even if we can't recruit top-tier individuals, we can just recruit some cannon fodder!

These are all advantages!

The actions of various sects naturally came to Li Yunjing's attention.

He didn't bother with it, after all, the "Divine Firmament Dao Sect" was eating meat and was already stuffed, so there was no reason to stop their ally from having a sip of soup!
Moreover, this period was also the golden age of development for Shenxiao Pass.

To accommodate so many people, a new residential area was even built in the outer city of Shenxiao Pass, capable of housing millions of people.

In this way, Shenxiao Pass completely lost its role as a fortress and became a comprehensive central hub.

As the day drew closer, the disciples of the "Shenxiao Dao Sect" became increasingly nervous.

The "testing site" has already been set up.

Three white jade platforms stand in the center of the square, with a ten-foot-tall stone tablet in front of them. The tablet is inscribed with the rules of the Shenxiao Dao Sect, and the characters are so bright that even illiterate mortals can understand their meaning.

Commanders Fu Chao and Ying Qianqian led the "White Tiger Army" on patrols. The thunder patterns on their armor gleamed in the sunlight, deterring those with ill intentions.

Li Yunjing stood on the "Moon-Viewing Platform," looking down at the dense crowd in the square.

He could see some cold-blooded figures mixed in with the crowd, clearly spies sent by remnants of the demonic path or forces that hated the "Shenxiao Dao Sect".

This is also to be expected.

After all, countless people had died in the previous battles.

Who doesn't have relatives or friends?
It was almost a foregone conclusion that they would become enemies.

It's not surprising that these people entered "Shenxiao Pass" intending to cause trouble.

However, Li Yunjing did not immediately order the elimination of these people. These ants could serve as the first test of the new disciples' character.

Three years later, the auspicious time arrived.

"Teacher, everything is ready."

Lin Xuan ascended the "Moon Gazing Platform" and handed over a roster. "There are over 317,000 registered participants, of whom 73,821 are cultivators!"

Li Yunjing took the roster, his fingertip tracing the names, and suddenly pointed to one of them: "This child named 'Aman' has a 'superior-grade lightning spirit root' in his aptitude test?"

"Yes!"

Lin Xuan nodded, "This child is a refugee from Xizhou. He has superhuman strength and can kill a wild wolf with his bare hands, but he is a bit wild."

"Interesting! We should pay more attention to people like this."

Li Yunjing chuckled lightly. As for being wild and untamed?
In his view, it wasn't a problem at all!
"Disciple understands."

Lin Xuan smiled and nodded.

Having spent many years with his teacher, he understood his teacher's style of doing things, which prioritized the interests of the "Shenxiao Dao Sect".

Under this subtle influence, Lin Xuan began to consider issues more from the perspective of the sect.

"Alright! It's about time, let's go!"

After handing the roster to Lin Xuan, Li Yunjing flicked his sleeves, and a cloud of white rose beneath his feet, carrying him and Lin Xuan towards the square.

In this public setting, Li Yunjing naturally wanted to show off the elegance and unrestrained spirit of the Xuanmen sect and let the masses witness the power of the "Shenxiao Daozong".

Sure enough, as the auspicious clouds flew in, hundreds of thousands of people in the square looked up at the sky, their faces filled with envy.

These are the immortals of the "Shenxiao Dao Sect"!
This esoteric method of travel is far more alluring than the ferocious, blood-soaked methods of the demonic sects...

(End of this chapter)