Chapter 123: Selecting Personnel

Ye Jiuyao slowly opened his eyes, a flicker of brilliance that could startle the mundane world flashing within them. However, with a single blink, the light vanished as if it had never existed.

Cang Sangsang sat before him, her bright, intelligent eyes blinking with confusion, unable to understand why Ye Jiuyao had withdrawn from his meditative state.

"My talent is simply too poor..."

Seeing her expression, the wonderful mood brought by his breakthrough instantly evaporated, and Ye Jiuyao offered a sheepish explanation.

"Young Master, you are free to explore any of the areas opened within the Canglang Painting. There are also the grotto-heavens from your previous cultivation levels; you might find something suitable for you inside," Cang Sangsang said playfully, looking at Ye Jiuyao.

Upon hearing this, Ye Jiuyao was instantly revitalized. He perked up his ears and gazed at the several spots that were glowing. He finally understood the mechanism of the Canglang Painting: as one's cultivation level rises, each major rank—further divided into minor stages—corresponds to a specific grotto-heaven. As his own strength increased, the corresponding grotto-heavens would unlock.

With over a dozen areas currently open, a smile spread across Ye Jiuyao’s face. He nodded and darted away.

"Sangsang, I’m going to give it a try..."

Turning into a streak of light, Ye Jiuyao chose the nearest grotto-heaven and entered it in an instant. Shortly after, he came running out, looking utterly disheveled.

"Sangsang, why are these so powerful? They’re so strong..."

"That one... it was at the Heaven-Man Realm."

"..."

Ye Jiuyao was speechless. How did he manage to pick one that was just as strong as he was?

"And... is there a weaker one?"

"Young Master, now that you have ascended to the Heaven-Man Realm, they are all the same."

"............"

A stampede of ten thousand alpacas seemed to race through Ye Jiuyao’s heart. How could this thing be so sentient? Why did everything upgrade the moment he had a breakthrough? The fact that it had an automatic scaling feature left him completely dumbfounded. In the end, he shook his head and exited the Canglang Painting.

...

Inside his own dwelling, Ye Jiuyao let out a long sigh of relief. Looking around, he felt that the world was full of love once more.

"Good thing I left quickly, otherwise I would have embarrassed myself again. Cang Sangsang... is she really just a spirit tool? Her talent is almost catching up to mine." So said the man who had no idea of his own limitations.

Stepping out of the dwelling, Ye Jiuyao glanced at Cao Sisi’s residence and looked down at the practice arena, which was buzzing with activity.

The disciples were drenched in sweat, their green robes soaked through. Ye Jiuyao’s gaze fell upon a disciple known as "Mad Bear."

"This kid... not bad. He’s diligent enough, just a bit lacking in talent," Ye Jiuyao remarked indifferently.

With a sudden burst of strength, he launched himself like an arrow, sprinting toward the practice arena. He had spotted someone interesting.

"Senior Brother Ning Ling?!"

Ye Jiuyao called out. The figure stiffened and turned around, looking absolutely stunned when he saw it was Ye Jiuyao.

"Ju... Junior Brother..."

Ning Ling was truly terrified of Ye Jiuyao now. His strength was absurdly high, and as the number one disciple of the Inner Sect, Ning Ling couldn't summon a shred of authority in front of him.

"What a coincidence. How about we spar?"

"S-spar?" Ning Ling looked at Ye Jiuyao in shock, his lips trembling. He seemed sensitive to the very word "spar."

"Yes, spar. Just for fun, nothing serious..."

"Nothing serious?"

"Right, nothing serious. After all, I’m known for my gentle temperament—I was famous for it back in my hometown. Don't worry." Fearing Ning Ling might refuse, Ye Jiuyao emphasized his reputation. As expected, Ning Ling was still too young and naive.

"Alright, let's keep it friendly," Ning Ling said with a nod. A flash of sharp light crossed Ye Jiuyao’s eyes upon hearing this.

"Great, let's begin."

By now, a crowd of disciples had gathered. Everyone wisely cleared a circle, and the battle was on the verge of erupting.

"Senior Brother, be careful!" Ye Jiuyao offered a "well-meaning" warning.

However, Ning Ling ignored it. Since it was just a friendly spar, he assumed Ye Jiuyao wouldn't actually go all out, so he didn't take it to heart.

"Starfall!"

Ye Jiuyao unleashed his technique. The sky suddenly grew dim as thirteen stars appeared directly above everyone’s heads. The stars were wreathed in flames, and at a flick of Ye Jiuyao’s finger, they plummeted downward, leaving Ning Ling no time to react.

Yet, in that split second between life and death, Ning Ling managed to react and shouted, "Ye Jiuyao, you shameless scoundrel!"

"Oh, you're scolding me? But I have a gentle temper, so I won't hold it against you. Let's spar a bit more."

Hearing the insult, Ye Jiuyao wore a smile as pure as the goodness of humanity. His vital energy surged, and he exhausted the last of his reserves.

The fourteenth star... appeared!

The crowd’s jaws dropped, and their expressions turned peculiar. So much for the "gentle temper"—he had come out swinging with a lethal move right from the start.

Seeing the even more terrifying star appearing behind the others, Ning Ling felt a wave of despair. The first thirteen stars were already upon him. In his haste, he crossed his arms over his chest, but he immediately regretted it, as the thirteen stars dispersed and surrounded him from all sides, bombarding him.

"That’s enough."

Suddenly, the majestic voice of White-Brow echoed through the air. A powerful force swept away Ye Jiuyao’s fourteen stars.

"The Four Districts Tournament is approaching. I intend to select ten people to participate—five from the Inner Sect and five from the Outer Sect. I plan to let the top five of each group go. If anyone believes they are capable, they need only defeat those five to take their place."

White-Brow’s voice was filled with authority. Below, the Outer Sect disciples all shook their heads. They knew perfectly well that those five were insurmountable; the recent promotion trials had already made that clear. Everyone gave up immediately.

However, Ye Jiuyao was feeling annoyed. "Old man White-Brow, you interrupted our spar—don't you intend to pay for the trouble?"

"Oh, my dear pupil, your master is handling official business. We can discuss that later, alright?"

"Hmph, don't try to butter me up. I don't acknowledge you as my master. And don't bring me into this; I don't intend to participate, unless..."

"My dear... Jiuyao, whatever you want, just name it. Your master will satisfy you."

"..."

The onlookers were speechless. This Elder was truly shameless.

"Pay up first, and then we can talk. If I'm happy, helping you secure that first place isn't impossible." Ye Jiuyao spoke with nonchalance, as if first place were a trivial feat for him.

"Very well, very well! Tell me, I will fulfill whatever you ask. Help me secure that first place, and there will be a heavy reward upon my return."

Watching White-Brow’s eager expression, Ye Jiuyao’s lips curled upward. He had the old man exactly where he wanted him, so he didn't hold back. And so, the crowd watched in stunned silence.