Ma Liang instructed Lu Chengqing to keep working hard. "You think you're exceptional, Lu Chengqing? You're still far from meeting Senior Brother Xinghe's expectations. You need to learn from me, Ma Liang. The reason I've become Senior Brother Xinghe's top confidant is because of my relentless progress. Even so, I feel I'm getting further away from him. So what do you have to be proud of, Lu Chengqing?"
After sending off Lu Chengqing, who was determined to improve, Chu Xinghe thought Ma Liang really lived up to his name. Haven't you heard the story of Divine Dagger Ma Liang? It's about a guy named Ma Liang who one day stumbled upon a dagger given by an immortal. At first, he didn't know what it was for... until one day, he accidentally stabbed Senior Brother Xinghe in the back. Goodness... that stab was a dream come true. Then, Divine Dagger Ma Liang went on a stabbing spree on Senior Brother Xinghe's back. Eventually, he accidentally offended the Thunder God, who struck him with a purple lightning flash, reducing Ma Liang to ashes. That's the story of Divine Dagger Ma Liang!
Putting aside the story of Divine Dagger Ma Liang, Chu Xinghe started contemplating his next move. Although Lu Chengqing came to curse him out, his words actually provided a new perspective. Why do the sects go to such great lengths to have Lu Chengqing advertise for them? It's all because of the revival of spiritual energy; everyone genuinely wants to recruit more and better disciples.
Speaking of recruiting disciples, Chu Xinghe was teary-eyed. The first big issue this year was because of disciples, but Chu Xinghe felt the problem last time wasn't his fault. Think about it... his strategy was flawless. Was there anything wrong with wanting to create a "waste cultivator" trend? Muyue Nation is an exception; in most cases, waste cultivators have no chance of a comeback. Normally, if all the recruited disciples are waste cultivators, the sect would suffer huge losses!
But look at the disciples from Grand Sky City—what are they? They all score above eight in assessments... how am I supposed to pick out waste cultivators from them? So it's not that Chu Xinghe has a problem recruiting disciples; it's that the disciples available for selection are the problem.
Now, with everyone recruiting disciples, the number of disciples going for assessments is overwhelming. But the most sought-after is undoubtedly the Grand Sky Sect. During the Millennium Grand Festival, Gu Mingchao broke through to become the first Martial God in a thousand years, causing a sensation. The Grand Sky Sect, the number one sect, is now as steady as a rock. A Martial God... which young girl doesn't dream of romance, and which young boy doesn't aspire to become a Martial God? Even if they can't become a Martial God, seeing one up close is a dream for many.
So I've heard the ones in charge of the first round of disciple selection are almost going crazy with work. Talented individuals from all over the world are desperately trying to get into the Grand Sky Sect. I've heard Deacon Yang has crazily raised the first-round selection score to nine. Those who don't score nine can't even qualify for the second round in Grand Sky City. Can you believe this is something a person would do?
With Deacon Yang's approach, if the Sect Master asks me to recruit disciples again this year, how am I supposed to pick out waste cultivators from a group of nine-point disciples? After much thought, Chu Xinghe decided he needed to head north and change the current disciple selection process. To start the waste cultivator trend, you first need waste cultivators to choose from. With Deacon Yang's method, won't next year's disciple selection explode on the spot? So I must nip this problem in the bud—hence, the Waste Cultivator Selection Technique!
I'm going all out; I must arrange for a large batch of waste cultivators to pass the first round. Only with more waste cultivators passing the first round can we hope to select waste in the second round. Life is just unbearable... why is it so hard to pick out some waste?
He shared his plan to go north to check the disciple selection situation with Ma Liang and An Lan. An Lan didn't mind; he was naturally not much of a talker. However, as far as Chu Xinghe knew, An Lan had a strong desire to perform. Just as Lu Chengqing was leaving, An Lan even asked if he could perform a three-stab self-kill on the Grand Sky Mirror for everyone to see... Fortunately, Lu Chengqing ran fast, or who knows what new ideas An Lan might have come up with.Ma Liang immediately nodded in agreement with Senior Brother Xinghe's idea. "Senior Brother Xinghe, your idea is brilliant. From what I know, Deacon Yang's recruitment isn't exactly clean... He often uses personal connections to get some unqualified people into the second round. I, Ma Liang, despise such abuse of power!"
Hearing this, Chu Xinghe covered his face, almost crying. Ma Liang, oh Ma Liang, do you have any shame? Have you forgotten how you recommended Muyue Nation to me? Is there anyone more excessive in using personal connections than you? And your connections even come with hidden daggers. Look at what Muyue Nation has become... they're almost defying the heavens!
So what gives you the courage to criticize others for abusing power and using personal connections?
Without lingering in Rong City, Chu Xinghe, under the watchful eyes of Xu Wei and many stewards, activated the teleportation array and headed directly to the northern Ice City. The teleportation array landed outside Ice City. For convenience, Chu Xinghe immediately donned a fox-patterned mask to alter his appearance and aura.
Does that even sound human? A Martial Emperor specializing in assassination... but there's no helping it. The Dark Moon Clan's abilities are all dark-based, perfectly suited for this. For a moment, Chu Xinghe even considered... maybe taking out that Tian guy first?
In the end, Chu Xinghe decided against it. Tian Qingquan should be left for Ma Liang to deal with personally later. As for others... Chu Xinghe thought about it and realized he didn't really have any enemies. This realization pained Chu Xinghe... Oh, Chu Xinghe, look at you... not even a single enemy.
How does that saying go? Every successful person grows through countless villains sending themselves to their deaths. No wonder my progress is so slow; it's because I don't even have a single villain to deal with. Isn't that frustrating?
Just as Chu Xinghe was lamenting his lack of enemies, someone brushed past him. As they passed, an almost imperceptible mark was cast from the person's hand, landing silently on Chu Xinghe's back. But as soon as the person acted, Ma Liang, using the Feng City Order, immediately noticed and got furious!
Where did this scoundrel come from, daring to lay hands on Senior Brother Xinghe? Tired of living, are you? Ma Liang was about to unleash the Feng City Formation to blast the person to pieces when An Lan, already holding a sharp blade, followed the one who cast the mark. Without a doubt, if the Saint gave the word, An Lan would demonstrate the beheading technique in the next second.
"You stay quiet, and An Lan, come back!" Chu Xinghe gestured to An Lan, who sheathed his dagger and returned to his side. At this moment, Chu Xinghe suppressed Ma Liang and An Lan, feeling a surge of joy inside.
You see, this marking technique is typically used by high-level thieves. They mark you, then track you down later to steal everything you have. Although Chu Xinghe and Ma Liang were dressed in plain clothes, their status meant the sect provided them with the finest attire. Being targeted by thieves was only natural.
But what truly excited Chu Xinghe was the timing of this thief. You see, his Space Ring was filled with other Space Rings. The southern industries had handed over all their spirit stones to him, asking him to take them back to the Grand Sky Sect. Along the way, he pondered whether losing these spirit stones would cause significant losses to the sect.
However, losing things had become a shadow over him, thanks to Feng Yuzheng. Chu Xinghe worried that if he lost the Space Ring, Feng Yuzheng would show up with a teleportation array, saying, "Senior Brother Xinghe, is this your lost Space Ring?" Then, without warning, he might comprehend the Divine Engraving Technique on the spot—how terrifying would that be?
But now, this sudden thief had Chu Xinghe thrilled. Can't lose it, right? But being stolen is fine... The renowned young talent Chu Xinghe getting robbed by a petty thief—never mind the sect's losses, wouldn't the sect's reputation take a hit if this got out?
So this thief was truly considerate, jumping out to help without a word. Rest assured, I won't remove this mark. I'll even help you by keeping An Lan and Ma Liang out of your way. Come and steal; I, Chu Xinghe, won't resist. I promise to be the most cooperative prey you've ever encountered. You have no idea how many spirit stones are in my Space Ring. Once you steal them, you're set for life, retiring in luxury!
I've got my posture ready for the theft—tell me how I can lose!