Chapter 43: Chapter 43: Water Dragon Sect Selection
The triennial selection of the Water Dragon Sect is the most significant event in the entire Cloud Rain Marsh.
It’s far more important than any New Year celebration, after all, New Year happens once a year, whereas this selection occurs only once every three years.
For many fishermen, today marks the moment that determines their future.
Because the Water Dragon Sect’s selection isn’t just about recruiting those in the late stages of Qi cultivation, but also importantly... spirit root testing.
The Water Dragon Sect offers free spirit root testing to every child over six years old in the Cloud Rain Marsh.
Ji Yuan once went through this himself back in the day.
The good news was having a spirit root, the bad news was having four spirit roots.
Once he was ready at home, Lin Hu and his wife from next door were already waiting for him, whereas the Wen family had set off early.
"Brother Ji, let’s go too."
Lin Hu said excitedly.
Although today’s event doesn’t really concern him, having some excitement to watch is quite delightful.
"Alright."
If Lin Hu were to go by himself, he would probably have to rely on his small dark boat, but with Ji Yuan there, the Black Wind Boat is not a problem for three people.
"Brother Ji, is this a middle-grade Dharma Ship?"
Feeling the speed of the Black Wind Boat, Lin Hu couldn’t help but ask.
He remembered Ji Yuan’s previous Dharma Ship was a white one, but after disappearing for a few days, the ship turned black.
"Mm."
The aura Ji Yuan inadvertently emitted confirmed this.
Sitting at the back, Wu Qin looked at his upright back and couldn’t help but daydream sometimes. If she were married to Ji Yuan... would her life be different?
Maybe she wouldn’t have to go fishing every day, smelling of fish wherever she went.
The Water Dragon Sect selection in Zengtou City was held at a large open space by the fish cage on the other shore, as it was the only place in the entire Zengtou City that could accommodate so many people.
By the time Ji Yuan arrived, the place was already surrounded by layers upon layers of fishermen.
"Damn it, they must have been waiting here since last night, a bunch of bastards."
Getting off the ship, Lin Hu cursed.
Ji Yuan put away the Dharma Ship and proceeded forward by himself, and Lin Hu wisely chose not to follow.
Amidst the bustling chatter, Ji Yuan slowed his pace slightly, picking out useful information.
"I heard Han Feiyu has returned from the Cloud Rain Marsh. He failed the selection last time, but three years have passed; he should succeed this time, right?"
"He’s already at the eighth level of Qi cultivation, so it’s almost certain. Dong Qian also returned from Jing’an Square, and this time seems to intend to join the Water Dragon Sect as a cultivator from Zengtou City."
"She surely has no problem... I wonder if Elder Qin will try again this year."
"Impossible for someone his age, but I heard from my neighbor who works as a steward in the Qin family that Second Master Qin might join this year."
"By the way, your kid seems talented; maybe he’s got an Earth Spirit Root!"
"..."
Han Feiyu, a character who seemed to live in Ji Yuan’s memory, as Ji Yuan grew up hearing this man’s stories.
Like how his parents were killed by enemies, and he alone escaped into the Cloud Rain Marsh.
The people of Zengtou City thought he was dead, only to find that ten years later, he returned and avenged his parents at the mid-stage of Qi cultivation.
Since then, he had been a chivalrous hero in Zengtou City, always helping those in need whenever asked for help.
And he had been at the late stage of Qi cultivation ten years ago. He tried to join the Water Dragon Sect three years ago but conceded after failing to defeat a late-stage Level 1 Demon Beast.
Similarly, Dong Qian was also at the late stage of Qi cultivation but had married into the neighboring Jing’an Square. When she got married, she was only at the early stage of Qi cultivation, and now in just ten short years, she’s in the late stage.
It’s said that she even personally killed a late-stage Qi cultivator from Jingde Square... rumors say she obtained some kind of Secret Treasure inheritance.
Elder Qin, the Patriarch of the Qin family, is also considered a senior figure in Zengtou City.
It’s said his cultivation had reached the peak of Qi Refining, but due to old eye injuries hindering clear vision, he never joined the Water Dragon Sect.
Second Master Qin, named Qin Long, is the second son of Elder Qin, and his cultivation level has also reached the late stage of Qi cultivation.
"The Qin family..."
Ji Yuan mused, as the Qin family’s late-stage Qi cultivators were not just Elder Qin and Qin Long—father and son—there was also an adopted son of Elder Qin... few knew his real name; he was only known as He, and people called him Master He San.
"Three in the late-stage Qi cultivation, even if both Qiu Qianhai and I reached the late stage, it would still be difficult to deal with them. It’s better to wait until I reach the peak of Qi Refining and handle this grudge before joining the Water Dragon Sect."
Ji Yuan was already laying out the path for his future internally.
There was no doubt about joining the Water Dragon Sect. Without joining this major faction, it would be impossible to obtain the Foundation Establishment Pill.
After joining... he planned to become a nonchalant member, focusing on farming peacefully.
It’s said that joining the Water Dragon Sect allows one to develop their own island upon reaching the Foundation Establishment Stage.
This was the aspect that truly tempted him.
With that in mind, Ji Yuan also found a spot nearby.
The open space had been partitioned, divided into several areas.
Many children were already queuing in the spirit root testing area, while the areas for elixirs, artifacts, and talismans also had cultivators waiting for the start.
Ji Yuan glanced more intently at the Talisman Area but didn’t see Lu Wan’s figure.
Most likely, she hadn’t arrived yet.
The actual strength-based selection for joining the Water Dragon Sect was set inside the Cloud Rain Marsh, overseen by a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Ji Yuan was already late when he arrived and only waited a short while.
A moment later, there was a magnificent sound from deep within the Cloud Rain Marsh.
"The Water Dragon Sect selection officially begins!"
The previously noisy Zengtou City was instantly overshadowed by this voice, falling silent.
Ji Yuan suddenly recalled a saying that each time the Water Dragon Sect’s selection took place, a Golden Core Zhenren was secretly in charge.
Golden Core... with a lifespan lasting hundreds of years, capable of refining Lifebound Magical Treasures and maneuvering Golden Core Escape Light.
For a moment, Ji Yuan’s mind was filled with endless thoughts.
Around him arose a surge of astonishment, followed by cries of "Greetings, senior!"
Looking up, Ji Yuan saw above, a middle-aged female cultivator seated on a lotus-leaf Magical Treasure. She had a deep green Magic Robe on, her hair simply tied with a wooden hairpin, appearing with utmost simplicity but commanding an air of authority.
Foundation Establishment Cultivators... each selection of the Water Dragon Sect has Foundation Establishment cultivators to preside over it.
"Continue." The green-robed female cultivator said blandly and ceased paying attention.
A Water Dragon Sect cultivator ascended in a flying boat, and announced in a resonant voice, "All late-stage cultivators participating in the selection, come with me."
Upon finishing, he piloted the flying boat straight towards the Cloud Rain Marsh.
In the crowd, several flying boats rose, following him closely.
Already at the sixth layer of Qi cultivation, Ji Yuan’s sharp eyes scanned over them, recognizing everyone immediately.
Han Feiyu, Dong Qian, and Qin Long all indeed participated, along with two others: Zhu Longhu, an Artifact Refiner from Zengtou City, and a grizzled middle-aged man Ji Yuan didn’t recognize.
He definitely wasn’t a veteran cultivator from Zengtou City, likely someone who had reached the late stage within these three years.
However, rushing into the selection just after breaking through to the late stage seemed rather hasty.
But it was of no concern to Ji Yuan, who was just an observer this time, quietly enjoying the spectacle.
Finally, he turned his gaze towards the spirit root testing area, coincidentally hearing the Water Dragon Sect cultivator call out with an impassive face:
"Zhang Tie, Metal, Earth, Water, Fire Four Spirit Roots, failed."