The Invincible Sect Leader

After humiliating the Bloodfang Sect (again), Chan Li decided it was time to expand the Heavenly Mystical Sect.

His disciples were talented, but if he wanted his sect to be legendary, he needed more fresh meat ahem, promising cultivators.

Thus, he announced the first-ever Sect Recruitment Event.

The moment the news spread…

Chaos erupted.

A Flood of "Geniuses"

The next morning, Chan Li stood at the sect's main gate, watching a long line of potential disciples stretching all the way down the mountain.

Yan Rui rubbed her forehead. "Master, why does it feel like half the continent showed up?"

Xie Yun frowned. "I have a bad feeling about this…"

Chan Li yawned. "Let's see what we've got."

The first applicant stepped forward, a young man with sparkly robes and an arrogant smirk.

"I am Bai Hao, the Young Master of the Bai Clan! I have a Heaven-ranked cultivation technique! Accept me, and your sect shall rise!"

Chan Li raised an eyebrow. "Show me your talent."

Bai Hao struck a dramatic pose and activated his spiritual energy

PFFFFFTTTT!

A tiny spark of Qi fizzled out like a candle in the wind.

Silence.

Xie Yun blinked. "That's… it?"

Bai Hao coughed awkwardly. "I-I was just warming up!"

Chan Li flicked a pebble at him.

BAM!

Bai Hao flew off the mountain like a shooting star.

"AAAAAHHHH"

SPLASH!

He landed in the river below.

Yan Rui sighed. "Next."

The Next Batch of "Talent"

A second recruit stepped up.

"I am Zhang Wei, a once-in-a-millennium alchemy genius! Accept me, and I shall craft legendary pills for the sect!"

Chan Li nodded. "Show me."

Zhang Wei pulled out a cauldron, threw in random herbs, and began refining.

The cauldron shook violently.

Then

BOOM!

It exploded, covering him in black smoke.

The wind blew away the smoke, revealing Zhang Wei… charred, smoking, and missing his eyebrows.

Chan Li sighed. "Next."

The "Invincible" Body Cultivator

The next applicant was a muscular man with arms bigger than his head.

"I am Wu Shan, an invincible body cultivator! No weapon can harm me!"

Chan Li stroked his chin. "Oh? Let's test that."

He picked up a wooden chopstick from his sleeve

And lightly tapped Wu Shan's shoulder.

CRACK!

Wu Shan screamed. "MY BONES! MY BONES!"

He collapsed, twitching.

Chan Li sighed. "Next."

The "Heavenly Beauty" Cultivator

The next recruit was a stunning young woman with dazzling eyes and an enchanting smile.

"I am Liu Mei, a Dual Cultivation prodigy. If you accept me, I can ensure our sect's growth through… special means."

She winked seductively at Chan Li.

Yan Rui's expression darkened.

Xie Yun gulped.

Chan Li raised a hand. "Pass."

Liu Mei smiled sweetly. "Oh? I passed?"

Chan Li nodded. "Yes. Pass… down the mountain."

Before she could react, he flicked his sleeve

WHOOSH!

She flew off the mountain like a graceful kite in the wind.

"KYAAAAAA!"

Yan Rui smirked. "I like Master's judgment."

After 1,000 Applicants…

After hours of nonsense, Chan Li pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Yan Rui… are there any normal applicants?"

Yan Rui checked the list.

"Um… No. It seems all the good ones went to the larger sects first."

Chan Li sighed.

Then, a voice called out.

"Wait! I'm not late, am I?"

The crowd parted, revealing a young boy covered in dirt.

His clothes were ragged, his shoes were barely holding together, but his eyes burned with determination.

Chan Li stared at him.

"Oh? What's your name?"

The boy bowed deeply.

"This one is Fang Yu! I am untalented and weak, but I swear I will work hard!"

Chan Li smirked.

"Now this… is interesting."