Chapter 168: 168. Talent recruitment campaign begins

The senior members of the Heavenly Sword Sect began discussing fervently, using Fang Zhou’s expanded thoughts, centered around the Heavenly Sword Daily, to devise various strategies for boosting reputation and influence.

At first, no one took the Heavenly Sword Daily seriously, thinking it was just a trivial tool for manipulating public opinion.

It is only now that they realize the true potential of the Heavenly Sword Daily, which could become a supreme magic treasure akin to a legacy treasure.

Thus, every senior member was earnest in their discussions, and two elders almost quarreled during the debate.

These old folks, who usually appeared like celestial beings before disciples and subordinates, only revealed their true nature before familiar peers.

If the disciples were to witness this, their worldview would surely shatter, realizing these senior masters were just like them, with emotions and unique personalities.

Cultivation does not turn one into an emotionless stone, except for certain special techniques.

True Master Yu Jian watched the seniors debate, sighing inwardly. Ling Xiaoyue was indeed lucky, possibly having saved the Cultivation World in a past life to find such a good disciple.

That boy, only fifteen years old, must be either a reincarnated prodigy or a powerful entity reborn, otherwise how could he have such astonishing ideas?

True Master Yu Jian reminisced about Fang Zhou controlling ten thousand swords at Buried Sword Ridge, harboring an incredulous thought–could he indeed be the reincarnation of the Wuji Sword Saint from six hundred years ago?

Legend has it that the Wuji Sword Saint failed her ascent and perished, but perhaps a fragment of her soul escaped to reincarnate.

Though Wuji Sword Saint was female, reincarnating as a male infant is quite possible.

True Master Yu Jian regrets, now thinking he should have taken bold action a month ago to poach Fang Zhou from Ling Xiaoyue.

Having such a disciple is worth living a century less, and if he’s truly the reincarnation of the Wuji Sword Saint, it would be a blessing beyond measure.

It’s not too late now; isn’t he close to Yu Qing? Maybe Yu Qing could bring him over someday.

But Yu Qing is still naive, unaware of matters between men and women; it might be necessary to enlighten this clueless disciple who only understands cultivation.

While True Master Yu Jian daydreams, the seniors’ discussions continue.

Qin Yunzhu, typically annoyed by these meetings, found today’s discussion intriguing, eagerly listening to the suggestions which filled her with anticipatory excitement, wishing to implement them immediately.

A whole night almost passed before the discussions ended, with countless detailed strategies formulated, far clearer and more comprehensive than Fang Zhou’s initial suggestions.

The core still revolved around Fang Zhou’s two main ideas–formalization and market expansion–to enhance the Heavenly Sword Sect’s reputation and influence across the entire Cultivation World.

Finally, Qin Yunzhu made the decision to officially designate these strategies for promoting the Heavenly Sword Sect’s noble virtues and spreading its righteous ideology as an important strategic plan for the sect.

After the meeting ended, Qin Yunzhu and Chang Kong returned to Thousand Swords Palace.

Back in her quarters, Qin Yunzhu immediately removed her robe, slumping onto her throne, and grabbed a newspaper but found it unreadable.

She suddenly spoke to Chang Kong, “Chang Kong, what do you think about snatching Ling Xiaoyue’s disciple?”

Chang Kong’s cold and charming face finally showed a hint of shock, “Sect Master, please reconsider!”

Qin Yunzhu waved dismissively, “I’m just saying, why are you so nervous?”

Chang Kong remained silent; having followed Qin Yunzhu for over two hundred years, she knew her demeanor well.

Serious words might be a joke, while jokes might be serious.

…

On Xuanjian Peak, in the Jade Bamboo Forest.

This seemingly ordinary bamboo forest deep within Xuanjian Peak serves as the secluded cultivation place of True Master Xuan Jian.

After the senior meeting concluded, True Master Xuan Jian returned to the bamboo forest, not immediately engaging in secluded cultivation but instead made two cups of bamboo leaf tea.

She remembered today was the day Xuan Ling was returning to the sect, and Xuan Ling should be back soon.

By noon, Xuan Ling’s figure appeared in the bamboo forest, arriving at True Master Xuan Jian’s dwelling.

One month ago, she had gone out to handle matters for True Master Xuan Jian, staying away and unaware of sect-related events.

“Master, I’m back,”

Xuan Ling entered the bamboo house, flopping onto a chair, “I’m exhausted.”

True Master Xuan Jian handed her a cup of tea; the tea brewed in the morning still emitted a faint warmth at noon.

Xuan Ling took it, drank it in one gulp, and let out a long breath, “Master’s tea is the best; the tea outside tastes like foot wash.”

True Master Xuan Jian scoffed, “Can you find another way to flatter me? I’ve grown tired of hearing the same praise.”

Despite her words, True Master Xuan Jian smiled.

True Master Yu Jian and Yu Qing’s relationship was like that of a typical master and disciple, while True Master Xuan Jian and Xuan Ling’s interaction was more casual.

Looking at her disciple, True Master Xuan Jian suddenly asked, “Xuan Ling, have you met with the young boy from Moon Viewing Peak again?”

Xuan Ling became nervous, “What is it, Master?”

She hadn’t expected her master to know about this, could it be that Yu Qing reported it?

True Master Xuan Jian moved closer, patting her disciple’s shoulder, “Don’t worry, I support you in snatching him from Yu Qing! Bring that boy to our Xuanjian Peak.”

Xuan Ling was dumbfounded, “What?”

…

On Thunder Valley, Thunder Strike Valley.

True Master Lei Jian walked through the valley, surrounded by jagged rocks, with occasional flashes of lightning.

Upon encountering disciples, whose faces were cold, they greeted True Master Lei Jian with a salute, which she returned with an equally cold nod.

Everyone on Thunder Peak wore a cold expression, not due to inherent personality, but because of their cultivation of thunder skills.

Extended cultivation of thunder skills results in facial paralysis; the more paralyzed one’s face, the deeper their skills.

True Master Lei Jian arrived at the depths of Thunder Strike Valley, where a crack appeared as if split by thunder, below which numerous lightning arcs roamed.

The Heavenly Sword Sect has three true disciples: Yu Qing of Yujian Peak, Xuan Ling of Xuanjian Peak, and Lei Ting of Thunder Peak.

Lei Ting had been in seclusion, cultivating in the crack at Thunder Strike Valley’s depths since early this year and had yet to emerge.

Among the three true disciples, Lei Ting’s cultivation was the most rigorous, even more so than Yu Qing’s, and consequently, the least known, with few in the Heavenly Sword Sect having seen her.

True Master Lei Jian reached the crack and called down, “Lei Ting.”

After a long while, a cold voice rose from below, “What’s the matter?”

True Master Lei Jian took a moment to gather her words, forcing herself to speak more, “Exit seclusion, seduce a young man, bring him back.”

She waited even longer before the cold voice echoed, “Do it yourself!”

True Master Lei Jian turned to leave, sighing inwardly.

The two senior sisters would definitely send Yu Qing and Xuan Ling to use their beauty to entice the young man suspected of being a reborn powerful entity.

Ah, how come no promising disciple emerged from her Thunder Peak?

According to Ling Xiaoyue’s description, each had a face like a Sima.

Does this mean she must act personally?

An old cow eating young grass, couldn’t bear the shame.