The Art of Subduing Dragons

Chapter 19

However, this thought was quickly dispelled. She forgot that she was the female lead and that she was her enemy. What use is being attractive?

With this thought, Luo Qingci sighed heavily. The sixteen years of dull and peaceful life had come to an end.

The fifth annual disciple recruitment conference of the Tianyan Sect had concluded successfully. For the first time since Gu Zhichao, Luo Qingci, and the others had crossed the 900 steps a hundred years ago, four people had successfully ascended to the 900th level of the Heavenly Stage.

Although not absolute, reaching this stage meant that in a hundred years, these four individuals would at least reach the Divided Spirit Realm, and some might even enter the Minor Transcendence Realm by their centenary. This is a rare sight in the entire Immortal Sect and is enough to ensure the prosperity of the Tianyan Sect for hundreds of years.

After carefully reviewing the records, Gu Zhichao and Luo Qingci finalized the list of this year's inner disciples: Ruan Li, Xu Mushan, Hua Xuwan, Ye Kong, Yue Wuxin, and Bai Jing, who stopped at the 890th step.

Everything was as per the original text.

Luo Qingci was unsure whether to feel gratified or resigned.

Three days later, all the selected disciples were tested for their spiritual roots on the Lingshan Platform. At that time, they would perform the rite of apprenticeship and officially join the Tianyan Sect.

After the Heavenly Stage test, Dao heart and enlightenment were already up to standard. The quality of the spiritual root was merely an additional factor that decided which cultivation method suited them and which elder they should be apprenticed under.

However, if the spiritual root quality was too poor, it could only be a regretful matter.

After the spiritual root testing, Ruan Li fainted for two days and nights. During this time, Gu Zhichao and the others visited her, but Luo Qingci remained aloof and indifferent, as if she had never taken Ruan Li back that day. This made Jiang Yuebai and others suspicious.

On that day, Luo Qingci, Gu Zhichao, Jiang Yuebai, Qin Jian, the peak masters of the Moonlight Peak, Star-picking Peak, and Sunset Peak, took their seats in front of the Lingshan Platform, looking down at the eighty-nine selected individuals.

In the first row stood the six people chosen as inner disciples. Luo Qingci's gaze involuntarily fell on Ruan Li, who stood in the middle.

Today, the six wore the unified combat robes of the Tianyan Sect disciples. Inside was a light blue narrow-sleeved long robe, and outside was a layer of white gauze, neither cumbersome nor lacking in an ethereal quality.

Though the outfits were the same, Ruan Li stood out in the crowd. She had a straight posture, dignified manner, a youthful vitality on her face, and a tranquility that seemed incongruous with her age.

Especially her eyes, like black jade, were clear and focused when looking at her, making it hard not to be drawn into their depths.

Luo Qingci nearly couldn't help but make eye contact with her. Her gaze drifted, carefully turning cold, pretending to be unfazed.

Having spent months interacting with her in disguise, Luo Qingci knew she had to remain cautious, despite her feelings.

However, while Luo Qingci restrained herself, Ruan Li did not. When the elders and sect masters appeared, she locked her gaze on Luo Qingci, though her expression was not enthusiastic, her eyes never left.

Sitting in the central position, Gu Zhichao raised his hand, and Wan Che, the peak master of Star-picking Peak, stood up and walked slowly to the new disciples, announcing in a clear voice, "Vast divine traces, invisible and untraceable, spiritual transformation is hidden, riding the profound purity."