Infinite Professions

As they spoke, their words also swept up the two people.

"You still have such a sharp tongue."

The two saw this and could only sigh helplessly: "This time, you are the chief examiner, and you have priority in selection rights. We certainly won’t compete fiercely with you, but if he has no intention of joining your sect, please spare him and don’t force it."

"The way you’re saying it, it sounds like I’m some kind of ravenous beast, needing to ’spare’ him?"

Nine Yang Dance snorted coldly, putting on a domineering stance: "In any case, I’m the chief examiner this time, and I pick first. You can’t snatch, or I’ll report you to the teacher!"

"..."

"..."

Upon hearing this, the two could only smile wryly.

For such a talented new recruit, even among Martial Gods, fierce competition is inevitable.

After all, resources, financial or human, are essential for even the Divine Martial Supremes to strengthen themselves from all fronts.

Disciples and followers are among those resources, their relationships quite close, second only to blood relatives or spouses. Sometimes, they even surpass those relationships.

Therefore, all great Martial Gods love to recruit disciples, similar to how academies strive to enroll new students.

Raising these disciples not only provides labor force but also enhances one’s influence and authority within the Martial Mansion, elevating one to Exoteric Sect status or a Prominent Lineage.

Moreover, there’s professional influence. Fostering large numbers of disciples would certainly cultivate professionalism and gain related advantages, which significantly benefits nurturing disciples and expanding one’s power.

This illustrates the great value of disciples; if the potential is high enough, even Martial Gods would fiercely compete, unwilling to give an inch.

Now, Shen Hex’s potential is undeniable. As long as he doesn’t fall midway, his future to become a Martial God is almost certain.

What improvement, what benefit would it be for oneself, as a "teacher" profession, to cultivate a Martial God disciple?

If there’s a Martial God added to one’s lineage, how much would the influence and authority within the academy grow?

And when stepping onto the battlefield in the future, how important is it to have a close and formidable ally?

All these are advantages and benefits.

Even Martial Gods will be tempted and strive for it.

However, due to the rules of the Martial Mansion and the chief examiner having priority selection rights, they can’t directly compete with Nine Yang Dance.

They can only...

"Indeed, this kid is extraordinary."

"But some things still need consideration."

"According to the information from Yunlan Star, he was influenced by the previous Cangnan Star Realm war, participated in the battle against the Blood God Sect, Ten Thousand Mothers Sect, and Ten Thousand Gates Sect, and achieved great success, earning the qualification to go to the Imperial Capital and enter the Special Bureau Headquarters for further studies."

"But in the end, he chose our Xingyi Martial Mansion, which is indeed curious."

"Besides, his performance has greatly differed from his time on Yunlan Star. Initially, he had to give his all against a Tier Seven Evil God’s Apostle. Yet, less than two years later, he effortlessly slays Tier Sevens like pigs and dogs, even holding his ground against numerous foes."

"Such rapid progress is astonishing!"

"And also..."

The two continue speaking, harboring scheming thoughts internally.

"And what else?"

But Nine Yang Dance grew impatient: "You know the situation at the Imperial Capital and Special Bureau Headquarters. For someone with no background like him to step in, would it not be self-destructive?"

"Retreating amidst surging currents is the wise choice!"

"As for why not Divine Martial Celestial Palace or other academies, compared to the Imperial Capital, what’s so great about Divine Martial Celestial Palace? Our Xingyi Martial Mansion is most suitable for him."

"Therefore, his choice of our Xingyi Martial Mansion is reasonable and without issue."

"As for Yunlan Star, you’re not unaware of that horrible environment. For a newcomer like him, with missing parents and no support, without being cautious or keeping hidden, he would’ve been devoured by those demons and monsters long ago."

"Now that he’s at our Xingyi Martial Mansion, revealing himself and no longer concealing, it signifies trust in us. He’s sincerely contributing, and yet you remain suspicious. Is it not excessive?"

"..."

"..."

Nine Yang Dance’s words left the two speechless once more, finally resigned to say: "Regardless, necessary investigations must be conducted. Better safe than sorry."

Nine Yang Dance remained unfazed: "I’ll certainly do what’s necessary, but it’s hoped that no one will act inappropriately and discourage others. I’ve finally found someone agreeable, and if anyone dares to mess with it, don’t blame me for turning hostile!"

"..."

Thus, outside the Secret Realm.

The special recruitment competition has lasted nearly a month, soon to conclude.

Due to the points system and the unspoken rule of teamwork, the special recruitment competition doesn’t continue until only one participant remains. When the time ends, any student not eliminated will earn a score as a "survival" reward.

Moreover, survival scores can be earned daily in the Secret Realm, considered a base given by the Martial Mansion.

This fostered a phenomenon of pig-raising, with some nurturing until the last few days before reaping, thus boosting scores and setting records.

"Keep going, hold out until the end!"

In the Martial Arts Dojo, Teng Qinglong and a few old friends, through personal terminals connected to the academy’s network, kept checking changes in the score leaderboard.

It’s been a month, the competition is nearing its end, and Shen Hex hasn’t come out yet.

Not only Shen Hex, but his precious daughter Teng Manyun, along with Zhong Qin and others, haven’t been eliminated.

This put Teng Qinglong in a joyous mood!

To recruit talents, Xingyi Martial Mansion established an introduction reward system.

As an introducer, Teng Qinglong can earn academic credit rewards based on Shen Hex and others’ performance in the competition, specifically linked with their achievements.

Within the top ten thousand, he can receive academic credit rewards equal to one percent of their competition scores.

Within the top one thousand, five percent.

Top one hundred, ten percent.

If making it to the top ten, twenty percent.

Winning first place would be even more incredible, directly earning fifty percent.

Teng Qinglong didn’t dare dream of winning, but making it to the top thousand was within reach. Since not being eliminated for a month likely means considerable survival scores, making it into the top ten thousand should be no problem. With some strategic reaping, making it to the top thousand should be a breeze.

By then, as the introducer, he could earn a substantial academic credit reward.

How could he not be happy about it?

Seeing his incessantly uplifted lips, a few old classmates nearby also sighed.

"Seems someone has struck gold this time."

"Such a place as Yunlan Star managing to produce so many special recruits?"

"Indeed, war brings opportunities!"

"You, prepare for a treat later!"

His friends’ teasing remarks made Teng Qinglong’s smile widen even more, and his face, not yet old, bloomed like a chrysanthemum.

Suddenly...

"The competition has ended!"

"Quick, check the scores!"

"Who’s the first this time?"

"Need you even ask? Surely it’s Brother Mingjun, who can resist Tier Seven cultivation!"

"He’s not the only Tier Seven. I’d bet it’s Delia of the Golden Clan. A Mecha Master’s advantage in the early stages is immense. Even without a Tier Seven Mecha, a Tier Six can wipe the field clean."

"You talk as if a Mecha Master’s advantage isn’t as strong later."

"This competition is fierce, with twenty to thirty Tier Sevens, not to mention numerous Tier Sixes, each a new talent from various families. The winner is truly uncertain."

"Why talk so much? Just check the scores!"

In the Martial Arts Dojo, everyone bowed their heads, waiting for the competition results and score leaderboard refresh.

Before long, they saw...

"Shen Hex: 108,950 points!"

"..."

"..."

"..."

When the list refreshed, ranks were decided. At the sight of the ranking leader, all parties were dumbfounded.

"Shen Hex?"

"Who is he?"

"One hundred and eight thousand points?"

"Damn, a hundred thousand points!?"

"Is there a mistake!"

After the shock, astonishment followed. Countless people were taken aback, gazing incredulously at the leaderboard.

"One hundred and eight thousand points, where did all those points come from?"

"A mistake, it must be a miscalculation!"

"The previous highest record was only over fifty thousand points, set by Lord Dongjun. How did he get over a hundred thousand?"

"What did they do in the Secret Realm?"

"How did they accumulate over one hundred thousand points?"

"A miscalculation, it must be a mistake!"

"Could Divine Martial Celestial Secret make a mistake?"

"This..."

Exclamations continued incessantly in great uproar.

Elsewhere...

"Brother Teng, what’s wrong?"

The few turned their puzzled gazes, only to find Teng Qinglong’s entire body tense, trembling like a Parkinson’s patient, uncontrollably elated, corners of his mouth wildly upturned, eyes spinning, muttering dreamily: "I’ve struck it rich, struck it rich..."

"I’ve struck it rich!!!"