After receiving her master’s approval, it took Mu Zixiao several days before she reluctantly went to the Outer Sect to select helpers.
As a True Disciple, Mu Zixiao hadn’t felt much about her status before, but when she stepped into the Outer Sect disciples’ courtyard and saw rows upon rows of people kneeling, she was genuinely startled. She even instinctively withdrew the foot she had just stepped into the courtyard with.
The courtyard steward, an old man with a white beard, hurriedly blocked Mu Zixiao’s path and performed a deep bow. “Fairy Mu, please wait.”
Being addressed as “Fairy Mu” made Mu Zixiao extremely uncomfortable. Seeing such an elderly man bowing to her also made her uneasy, so she quickly helped him up. “This is too much, please don’t be so formal.”
The white-bearded old man said excitedly, “I am Li Dan, steward of the Jia Courtyard for Outer Sect disciples. Greetings, Fairy Mu. I heard you need people. Do you need maids for cleaning or servants for rough labor?”
Mu Zixiao looked at the pairs of eager eyes and couldn’t speak for a long while.
Seeing her silent, Li Dan, to avoid an awkward silence, quickly explained, “Outer Sect disciples who fail their assessments within five years must leave the mountain. Among them are some with Spiritual Roots, though many have various ailments or difficulties that prevent them from cultivating properly. Still, they are more than capable of serving tea and water for you, Fairy.”
Feeling uncomfortable with the kneeling crowd, Mu Zixiao turned her face away and said, “Let everyone stand up first.”
“Of course, of course. How gracious of you, Fairy.” Li Dan turned to the crowd and said, “All of you, stand up now.”
Then, Mu Zixiao fell silent again.
Her attitude made Li Dan nervous, so he tried to make conversation: “Our Kunlun Sect is considered lenient. Other sects require disciples to leave if they fail their assessments within three years. The Outer Sect disciples are divided into four courtyards: Jia, Yi, Bing, and Ding. The Jia Courtyard disciples are the best among the Outer Sect. Nowadays, the mortal world is in great turmoil, with wars raging and people suffering. Even with the determination to make the long journey to the Immortal Sect, one must also have some Immortal fate to break through the mountain’s protective formation and register. Although the selection for Outer Sect disciples isn’t as strict as for Inner Sect Disciples, it’s still incredibly difficult.”
Mu Zixiao glanced at the crowd. “Why are all the people in the Jia Courtyard men?”
Li Dan sighed softly. “With the world in chaos, few men can reach the Immortal Sect, let alone women.” Suddenly remembering that Mu Zixiao was also a woman and would understand the hardships, he could only speak honestly. “When Inner Sect Disciples select servants, female attendants are naturally the first choice. Women are meticulous and thorough in their work, making them more convenient for fairies and immortals to use. So not just in the Jia Courtyard—there are no women left among the Outer Sect disciples now…”
In short, the women in the Outer Sect had been picked over, batch after batch, until none remained.
Seeing her fall silent again, Li Dan grew anxious.
Because the Inner Sect Disciples had not only taken all the women but had also selected all the good-looking ones. What remained were ordinary-looking commoners.
Generally, the higher a Cultivator’s cultivation, the more striking their appearance and the more outstanding their demeanor. Compared to them, mortals seemed unremarkable.
But today’s visitor was a disciple of Immortal Venerable Yuan Ze. Not to mention how stunningly beautiful Immortal Venerable Yuan Ze’s face was, this Fairy Mu was a True Disciple, her status far surpassing that of ordinary Inner Sect Disciples. In terms of seniority, she was on equal footing with the Sect Master. If she were to punish him, how could he possibly bear it?
“The enrollment period is coming up again, perhaps the Immortal could…” Before the words “wait a moment” could be spoken, Mu Zixiao spoke.
“Those knowledgeable in agricultural matters, step forward.”
After she spoke, everyone exchanged glances. Some looked pleased, while others hesitated. Eighteen people stepped forward.
Li Dan felt a surge of joy—this seemed promising.
Mu Zixiao nodded. “Those who can read and write, step forward.”
Being skilled in farming and literate was a demanding requirement, but three people still stepped forward.
“Those who can manage people and affairs, with some knowledge of arithmetic, step forward.”
As soon as she finished speaking, a dark-skinned man with a bright smile stepped forward. In Mu Zixiao’s eyes, his appearance wasn’t unattractive—he was quite the rugged type.
Li Dan breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed one person had been chosen. “This man is named Xing Luo. He comes from a noble family in the mortal realm, but his family fell into decline due to war. He is proficient in farming, management, and calculations.”
“Good.”
“Then Xing Luo is the chosen one?”
Mu Zixiao glanced sideways at Li Dan, who was beaming with joy, and said, “All eighteen of them are hired, to be managed by Xing Luo.”
Li Dan was nearly overwhelmed by this incredible news. Steadying himself, he asked, “Immortal Venerable Yuan Ze has always preferred tranquility. Should the Immortal consult him about these eighteen people?”
“No need. Xing Luo, tomorrow you will bring these eighteen people to report to the Fenghuang Peak Agricultural Talent Training Base.”
Training base… what kind of training base?