Northern Derivation Chapter Thirty-Five: The Disciple Recruitment Ceremony??

A thunderous roar echoed through the surroundings. From within his room, Mo Hao felt the boundless hatred contained in that shout. Having cultivated the "Pseudo-Divine Art," he perceived a surge of spiritual sense sweeping through the area. Ever since mastering this art, he had become highly sensitive to the spiritual sense of Foundation Establishment cultivators. Mo Hao grimaced, realizing that Zhang Kunyang’s late-stage Foundation Establishment master had likely come knocking. He had not expected this person to be so bold as to confront him openly in front of Ren Feng and the other Foundation Establishment cultivators.

He had assumed it would take a few days for the man to arrive, but with Lian Chen having just departed, the confrontation had come sooner than anticipated. Mo Hao realized he had miscalculated, though he reasoned that since he was currently in Han Qing’s quarters, the attacker would likely refrain from violence. He rose, pushed open the door, and took to the skies on his flying sword.

"Good, very good. You actually dare to show yourself?"

Mo Hao finally saw his adversary clearly: a burly, imposing man wielding dual axes. Mo Hao nodded slightly; it was clearly Zhang Kunyang’s master.

"Spare me the nonsense. What do you want with me?"

Having assessed his opponent’s strength, Mo Hao felt no need for pleasantries. Even when facing a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he felt no fear. The man let out a cold snort.

"You brat, your tongue is as venomous as your methods. Do you know that Zhang Kunyang was my only disciple, my chosen successor? You slaughtered him just like that. Today, I shall let you die with a clear conscience, so you may accompany my disciple into the afterlife. Listen well: I am Zheng Dang, master of Zhang Kunyang. Prepare to die!"

Mo Hao quickly assumed a defensive posture. "You are mistaken. On the Sword Platform, life and death are governed by fate. Your disciple was slain because his skills were inferior to mine; his death was deserved. If you insist on seeking revenge, are you not afraid of the sect’s punishment?"

Zheng Dang burst into loud, mocking laughter upon hearing this. "Ha! Strength is the ultimate authority. What punishment could the sect possibly impose on me for killing a piece of trash like you? Don’t think that just because you placed in the top five of the grand competition—or even if you were the top ranked—it matters. I’ve killed you, and that is that!"

Zheng Dang glared at Mo Hao with contempt, but Mo Hao felt more than just malice; he sensed a probe of spiritual energy striking toward him, forcing him to reflexively employ the Pseudo-Divine Art.

The surge of energy in Mo Hao’s mind neutralized most of the attack. He felt only a slight twinge in his soul before recovering. Seeing that his spiritual attack had failed, Zheng Dang let out a surprised cry before unleashing a massive wave of spiritual pressure. Mo Hao sneered, standing his ground without a hint of panic. Suddenly, a figure blocked his path. It was a woman of graceful bearing, holding a sword.

"Break!"

The massive wave of spiritual energy vanished in an instant. Zheng Dang, however, was struck by a backlash, spitting blood and staggering backward. Mo Hao was astonished; this was a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. Even caught off guard, he should not have been injured so severely. It seemed Ren Feng was indeed full of hidden talents.

"Zheng Dang, your disciple signed a life-and-death contract. Let it be; I will pretend I did not see today’s events, and I shall not report this to Heaven Peak. Withdraw at once. Furthermore, this boy is someone personally favored by my master. If anything were to happen to him, I would have a hard time answering to my master. Let this matter end here."

The voice was soft and sweet, yet carried an undeniable authority, giving Zheng Dang a graceful way out. Zheng Dang was shocked when he recognized the woman.

"Meng Xin? Why are you here? If you insist on protecting this brat, I suppose I cannot harm a hair on his head. But you cannot protect him forever! Hmph, I take my leave!"

Zheng Dang turned and fled, disappearing a hundred feet away in the blink of an eye.

"Stop. Did I give you permission to leave? Are you threatening me?"

The cultivator named Meng Xin let out a cold hum. The fleeing Zheng Dang suddenly plummeted from the sky. Meng Xin reached out, grabbed the stunned Mo Hao, and flew toward where Zheng Dang had fallen. Mo Hao gulped, his skin crawling, thinking to himself, *Is he just a little chick? A single hum knocked him out of the sky? Is this woman’s strength already at the False Core stage?*

Zheng Dang lay dazed, covered in dust and looking utterly wretched. Seeing Meng Xin approach with Mo Hao, his face flashed with panic, yet he still spoke with forced severity.

"I have already spared this boy. What more do you want? If you kill me today, even if your master protects you, I am a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. How will you answer to the Golden Core elders of the Nineteen Peaks?"

Seeing Zheng Dang like a wounded dog, Meng Xin spoke softly:

"Answer? Do I need an explanation for killing a Foundation Establishment cultivator? However, whether you live today depends on him."

Meng Xin pointed a slender finger at Mo Hao. Before Mo Hao could react, Zheng Dang seemed to understand, glaring at him immediately. "Brat, if you say one wrong word, I will make you suffer, even if it costs me my entire cultivation!"

Mo Hao grinned. It seemed this female cultivator was handing him the power to decide Zheng Dang’s fate. What Mo Hao couldn't understand was whether Zheng Dang was truly dim-witted or just terrified; with his life in Mo Hao’s hands, he chose to threaten him even more aggressively. Since that was the case, Mo Hao, who was never one to fear offending others or being threatened, replied:

"Since Senior Sister Meng has entrusted me with such a great responsibility, how could I not cherish it? I must trouble you, Senior Sister, to slay him and eliminate any future trouble."

Upon hearing this, Meng Xin did not hesitate. Wielding her sword with one hand, a majestic aura erupted as a bolt of lightning descended from the heavens into her blade. She swung the sword downward. Mo Hao looked at the ground to see that the once-alive Zheng Dang had been reduced to a pile of charred remains.

Mo Hao was startled again, but he dared not speak, waiting quietly by Meng Xin’s side for further instructions.

"Did you know I was nearby all along?" Meng Xin asked, turning to look at him. Mo Hao nodded slightly. What Meng Xin didn't know was that Mo Hao had expected Zhao Muxi, as Han Qing had warned him that Senior Sister Zhao held a grudge against Zheng Dang. He had not expected this "Senior Sister Meng."

"Very good. The Five Elements Spirit Veins are indeed extraordinary. Is the technique you are cultivating called the 'Heavenly Remnant Divine Scroll'?"

Mo Hao looked at her in astonishment. How could she know of that? But given her formidable strength, he could only answer truthfully.

"Indeed. Since you have learned that divine art, that is excellent. I can now report back to my master. For my third question: are you willing to become my master’s disciple? Oh, you have met my master—he is Jiang Jianfeng, the Sect Master of the Void Sword Sect. If you agree, you will be my junior brother."

Mo Hao had expected her to take him as a disciple herself, not to act on behalf of her master. He pondered for a moment and nodded, but then, as if remembering something, he shook his head.

Seeing this, Meng Xin asked with confusion, "Are you willing or not?"

Mo Hao felt a bit guilty, thinking of his promise to Lan Heng. "It would be my great honor to join the Sect Master’s sect, but I must ask for one favor."

Meng Xin was slightly surprised. "Speak. If it is within my power, it can be done."

Mo Hao looked at her beautiful face—half obscured by long hair, yet still breathtaking under the moonlight. When he didn't answer, her expression cooled. "Hmph, if you don't speak, I shall assume you have accepted!"

Mo Hao shivered and quickly regained his composure. "Senior Sister Meng, I have two friends. I promised them that if I placed well in the competition, I would find them a master. Senior Sister, could you..."

He watched her nervously, knowing he had no right to bargain. Being the disciple of a Golden Core cultivator—let alone the Sect Master—was an incredible opportunity. Yet, Meng Xin didn't even hesitate.

"Ha! For the sake of you calling me 'Senior Sister,' I agree to take them as nominal disciples. If they perform well, I will consider making them full disciples. By the way, have I seen you somewhere before, Junior Brother? You seem very familiar."

Mo Hao didn't dare delay. "I had the honor of seeing you once at the Task Hall."

Meng Xin recalled and nodded. After a few more words of small talk, they parted ways. Before leaving, Meng Xin instructed Mo Hao to tell his friends to come to Ren Feng within ten days; if they didn't, the promise would be void.

After she left, Mo Hao slumped. The conversation had seemed normal, but he had been terrified. If he had said the wrong thing, he would have been dealing with someone capable of slaughtering a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator as easily as an ant.

He had promised Lan Heng a Foundation Establishment master in exchange for the "Ten Thousand Thunder Ice Soul Talisman." He knew Lan Heng had staked everything on that talisman, and seeing Mo Hao survive it with only minor injuries, Lan Heng had realized Mo Hao would place well.

Reflecting on the events, he realized that if his Pseudo-Divine Art hadn't detected Meng Xin early on, he would have fled in disgrace. The fact that Meng Xin knew of the "Heavenly Remnant Divine Scroll" suggested the sect might possess a copy—perhaps the second volume he needed.

Mo Hao felt confident about his own Foundation Establishment prospects. Though he hadn't yet reached the peak of the Qi Condensation stage, he had obtained three Foundation Establishment Pills from a half-step Foundation Establishment cultivator, and his top-five placement guaranteed him access to the Fluorescent Mist Holy Land. If he could trade for enough contribution points to obtain the Fluorescent Mist Pill, his chances would be even higher.

He reached Lan Heng’s residence and explained the situation. Lan Heng was overjoyed and insisted on a celebration, keeping Mo Hao until they had finished several rounds of drinks.

The next day, Mo Hao was awakened by a sense of movement. He opened his eyes to see a sound-transmission talisman hovering before him. As he reached for it, the talisman dodged away, and Meng Xin’s voice emerged:

"Junior Brother, come to the Heaven Peak Sword Platform immediately."

"That's it?" Mo Hao was speechless. She hadn't explained what was happening, just ordered him to hurry. He quickly packed, said goodbye to Lan Heng, and flew toward Heaven Peak. He hadn't traveled far when a white blur rushed toward him.

Mo Hao dodged, and the person, also panicking, swerved. They collided, sending Mo Hao’s head spinning. He looked up to see a young boy in Daoist robes, his hair tied in a bun. The boy, equally shaken, started to berate him. Mo Hao, pressed for time, quickly cupped his hands.

"I apologize, friend. I am in a great hurry and must be going!"

The young Daoist seemed to be on an errand himself and let out a huff, but then, as if realizing something, he pulled a portrait from his storage bag. He gasped, turning to call out to Mo Hao, but Mo Hao was already long gone. The chase continued, a comical sight, until they neared Heaven Peak.

"Can't you wait? Are you Junior Uncle Mo Hao? Finally! Senior Sister Meng told me to find you and bring you to a specific place on Heaven Peak. You were flying around like a headless chicken!"

The Daoist boy grabbed Mo Hao’s wrist and dragged him toward the peak. They arrived at the Sword Platform, where the boy used a talisman to open a downward passage. Mo Hao followed, grumbling about why the boy couldn't have just waited for him.

They descended dozens of feet into a natural cavern illuminated by glowing pearls. Eighteen cultivators sat on chairs, and in the center stood a statue of an old man sitting on a celestial sword. Sect Master Jiang Jianfeng was speaking to the group. He pointed to the last row of seats, signaling for them to sit.

"Today, my disciple-recruitment ceremony officially begins!"

Mo Hao stared at Jiang Jianfeng in bewilderment. "A recruitment ceremony?"