When Xiao Fei walked out of the training room, Huang Feifei also happened to emerge from hers.
"Young Master, your cultivation has advanced again!"
Huang Feifei exclaimed, knowing that Xiao Fei's aptitude was inferior to hers. She had initially thought that it wouldn't be long before her cultivation surpassed Xiao Fei's. Then, she could spread her wings and experience the feeling of protecting Xiao Fei. However, after three years of cultivation, she had reached the eighth level of Qi Condensation, while Xiao Fei had already reached the tenth level. Not only had her cultivation not surpassed Xiao Fei's, but the gap between them had widened.
"Mm! A little bit of progress."
"Cultivation is like sailing against the current; if you don't advance, you fall back. Aptitude is not the only determining factor. Diligence can compensate for lack of talent. My current cultivation is entirely due to hard work and diligent practice. You must also strive harder. Ordinary people only live for a hundred years; you cannot waste your precious youth."
Xiao Fei patted Huang Feifei's shoulder, like a wise elder offering guidance. Hearing his words, Huang Feifei felt ashamed and clenched her fists, realizing she still wasn't working hard enough. Xiao Fei naturally wouldn't tell her that his progress was entirely due to being showered with spiritual pills and elixirs.
"Young Master, are you planning to come out of seclusion?"
"Three years have passed. I will go out and gather some information first."
Xiao Fei instructed Huang Feifei, donned a human-skin mask, and left the cave dwelling. When he returned to the central area of Star Moon City, he noticed an increase in disciples from various sects walking the streets, including those from the Scarlet Sun Sect. He wondered if the major case from three years ago was still ongoing, or perhaps had escalated.
Xiao Fei cautiously eavesdropped on conversations and discreetly questioned stall owners in the market. He eventually learned what he wanted to know. The major case from three years ago had been investigated by disciples from the Scarlet Sun Sect for half a year, but no results were found, and it was eventually dropped. As for the current situation, disciples from various sects were coming to Star Moon City because the decennial sect recruitment had begun.
There were four major sects within the territory of Lu Country: the Ziwei Sect, the Scarlet Sun Sect, the Danxin Sect, and the Zixia Sect. These four sects recruited new disciples in Star Moon City every ten years. At the foot of Lingquan Mountain, there was a plaza where the four major sects had set up reception points. Upon receiving the news, Xiao Fei immediately headed towards the foot of Lingquan Mountain, where a large number of cultivators were gathered.
In the center of the plaza stood four plaques, each over ten feet high, detailing the profiles of the four major sects. Xiao Fei read each one carefully. It was much like a job fair; each sect had slightly different recruitment criteria. However, one aspect was remarkably consistent: anyone under the age of 25 with a single spiritual root aptitude exceeding 50 could be directly recruited into the sect. Furthermore, they would be admitted as inner disciples and taken in as disciples by Foundation Establishment cultivators. This was something he and Huang Feifei couldn't qualify for.
For those with spiritual root aptitude below 50, a registration fee of 10 spirit stones was required. They would then need to complete certain sect missions and pass an assessment to be accepted into the sect. Registration fees would not be refunded for those who failed to complete the assessment missions. Xiao Fei inwardly cursed, thinking that these major sects, already rolling in wealth, still wouldn't let go of the few spirit stones in the pockets of rogue cultivators. Disciples who passed the assessment would only be outer disciples. With outstanding performance or significant contributions, they could become inner disciples.
The assessment missions assigned by each sect varied, but there were many similarities overall. About three days' journey outside Star Moon City was a place called the Dragon's Fall Abyss, which was controlled by the four major sects, and outsiders were forbidden to enter. During the assessment, registered cultivators would be sent into the Dragon's Fall Abyss to search for spiritual items such as spirit herbs or spirit ores. Passing meant gathering the required items within the specified time.
In addition to mission-based recruitment, each sect also had special recruitment. This special recruitment was a shortcut that many cultivators were unwilling to take. Each sect had its own specialized industries that required a large labor force. Having disciples spend all day on these tasks would inevitably affect their cultivation, leading to a decline in the sect's overall strength over time. These specially recruited disciples were, in essence, recruited to work for the sect. The requirements for these working cultivators were naturally not high. For example, the Ziwei Sect excelled in talisman crafting; anyone who could craft talismans could be recruited. Talismans made by cultivators before joining the sect belonged to them, but those made after joining belonged to the sect. The Scarlet Sun Sect recruited those skilled in artifact refining, the Danxin Sect recruited alchemists, and the Zixia Sect recruited those skilled in formations.
Of course, specially recruited disciples, besides doing a lot of work, also had many benefits. Firstly, the title of a disciple of the four major sects sounded impressive and offered protection from bullying outside. Secondly, specially recruited disciples were also eligible to learn the sect's cultivation techniques and purchase resources offered internally by the sect. These conditions were also highly desired by many rogue cultivators.
Based on the above conditions, Xiao Fei, who had achieved a three-tenths success rate in refining Qi Gathering Pills, was eligible to join the Danxin Sect. After reviewing these introductions, Xiao Fei rushed back to the cave dwelling and shared this news with Huang Feifei. Having been rogue cultivators for many years, they had both experienced the hardships of such a life. Even cultivators from minor families could act arrogantly in front of them. As for the transcendent existence of the four major sects, they had always been an unattainable dream for ordinary rogue cultivators. Any rogue cultivator yearned to join the four major sects. The decennial sect recruitment was an opportunity for rogue cultivators to leap over the dragon gate, like a carp.
Without much discussion, they both decided to go and register. A moment later, Huang Feifei emerged from her training room, carrying a large backpack, even bigger than herself, giving her a rather unladylike appearance.
"I made some robes in my spare time during seclusion and sold them in the market. This should be enough to cover our registration fees, and we can buy some supplies as well."
Huang Feifei's robes could sell for one to two spirit stones each, but the cost of various raw materials was also high. After deducting costs, each robe yielded about two spirit stones in profit. Making robes was a way of life for many female rogue cultivators, but with widespread competition, profits were kept very low. Xiao Fei still had over 500 spirit stones left from the 1000 he had before going into seclusion, which was actually enough. However, he didn't say anything. There were still six months until the Dragon's Fall Abyss assessment, so he could make more preparations. He heard that it was very dangerous inside, so the more preparations, the better.
Huang Feifei's ancestral medical texts recorded two formulas for first-tier spiritual pills. Besides the Qi Gathering Pill, there was also the Black Jade Pill, a healing medicinal pill. Xiao Fei planned to refine this pill as well, as it could be useful if he got injured outside.