Chapter 163 - 158: Possession

Ding Huan and Lou Buzhi, along with a monkey, slept at a street corner, which wasn't at all out of place. In the entire Daye City, there were outsiders everywhere. Almost every street side would be filled with people at night. The lucky ones could find a corner, the less fortunate had to sleep right on the main road. Ding Huan and Lou Buzhi were quite lucky, they found a street corner as soon as they arrived. Ding Huan knew this place might have talisman pens for sale, but with very little money on him, he couldn't be bothered to wander around the market and decided to squat at the street corner studying the Big Calculation Skill. Lou Buzhi was naturally restless, only staying put for half a day, then after greeting Ding Huan, he wandered off throughout the city. Few were like Ding Huan, staying motionless by a wall corner. That didn't mean there were none; next to Ding Huan, there was a fellow also standing guard at another corner, facing Ding Huan from a distance. The reason Ding Huan didn't want to move from the wall corner was that he had no money and going out wouldn't afford him any purchases. The reason that the fellow opposite Ding Huan didn't move, it seemed, was truly not wanting the hard-won wall corner to be taken by others. Ding Huan arrived a few days early, and it was not surprising that he could occupy a wall corner at that time. When there was only one day left for the Taoist Realm sects to select disciples, a wall corner became precious. Ding Huan saw people fighting over wall corners everywhere and thought to himself, what's there to fight over? If you huddled on the roadside for the night, surely you wouldn't be prohibited from participating in the disciple selection the next day? Perhaps it was the sense that Ding Huan had two people on his side, but no one came to take his wall corner. Not only was Ding Huan's corner not taken, but no one took the spot occupied by the young man opposite him either. The next morning, after Ding Huan performed a Dust Removal Technique upon rising, he found that the young man opposite him had also gotten up. Seeing Ding Huan look over, the young man smiled and said, "Friend, good morning." Ding Huan nodded, "Morning." "Ah, you're not one of us from Changjue Village, and yet you've managed to snag a good spot here." An abrupt voice interrupted Ding Huan's conversation with the young man. Ding Huan turned to see a teenager, staring at Ding Huan and Lou Buzhi with some displeasure. "Ku Yue, you mustn't speak nonsense; this friend came here first." The young man immediately scolded the teenager. After scolding the teenager, the young man said apologetically to Ding Huan, "My name is Ku Qi, and this is my younger brother, Ku Yue. My brother spoke without considering his words; please don't mind him." "Oh, it's fine." Ding Huan waved it off, already seeing the group of people behind Ku Qi. At that moment, he realized the spot he had taken up belonged to Changyu Village; no wonder no one had tried to take his spot. Ku Qi was not wrong in one aspect; indeed, Ding Huan had arrived before him. After he had taken up the place, Ku Qi arrived later. "Friend, you're here for the Daoist Sect disciples selection as well, right? Why don't we go together?" Ku Qi seemed quite friendly towards Ding Huan, extending another invitation. Ding Huan agreed as well, "Sure, let's all go together then. My name is Ding Huan, and this is my friend, Lou Buzhi." Though it was called going together, in reality Ding Huan and a large group behind Ku Qi comprised at least a dozen people. Was the whole village turning out to attend the Daoist Sect disciple selection? ... Daye City was the capital of the True Industry Empire, and Ding Huan had never walked through it and didn't know how big it really was. However, the Immortal Fate Square in Daye City was truly vast; Ding Huan hadn't dared to sweep it with his Divine Will. A rough estimate suggested that even with several million people, the square wouldn't seem crowded, and could even feel empty. The order within the square was very good; Ding Huan speculated that it wasn't just because the official City Patrol Guards were constantly on patrol, but more importantly because the Daoist Sects were there to select disciples. Involved with the Sects of the Taoist Realm, who would dare cause trouble? The official authorities of Daye City might still have to use the law to restrain you, but once you offend a Taoist practitioner, getting killed without reason would be your own fault. The signs of the various sects were all erected. Ding Huan looked around; the situation was somewhat similar to a job fair on Earth. Those sects with a large area were probably Great Sects, while those with less space might be smaller sects. "Mr. Ding, do you have any sects in mind?" Ku Qi saw Ding Huan looking around aimlessly, guessing he hadn't decided which sect to choose yet. Ding Huan shook his head; Lou Buzhi wanted to join an Alchemy Sect and had purchased introductions to some sects from various shops. Ding Huan had briefly looked at them but knew nothing about these sects. However, he wasn't particularly concerned; the final choice of entering a sect didn't lie with them, but with the sects themselves. He might choose a sect, but if the qualifications didn't meet the standard, it was also meaningless. For him, it was enough just to enter a sect; as to which one, he wasn't picky. Even just entering the Taoist Realm would satisfy him. Lou Buzhi, seeing the expression on Ding Huan's face, knew he hadn't given it much thought and took the initiative to explain, "Mr. Ding, the biggest sect recruiting disciples here this time is said to be the Yanyue Sect. This sect has very high requirements for one's qualifications, and ordinary people can't get in." I wouldn't recommend joining that sect either, because even in Great Sects, disciple training might not necessarily be good. In this place, the sect that is best at disciple training is Dual Soul Sect. Once you join them, they will do their utmost to train you. That's why I plan to join the Dual Soul Sect." Before Ding Huan could speak, Lou Buzhi on the side chimed in: "Right, Brother Huan, I've seen it too. The sect introduction that I bought mentioned that this sect spares no effort in cultivating new disciples. The most famous example is that they trained a new disciple to become a Sect Elder within one year." Is there really such a loving sect? Isn't it said that even if a newcomer has high talent, after joining a sect, they must also perform sect tasks? Why would they go all out to cultivate newcomers? Do the sect resources come from the old folks while the newcomers reap the benefits? That doesn't make sense. Ding Huan was quite puzzled in his heart and subconsciously used the Prediction Technique on Ku Qi. What shocked Ding Huan was that it seemed like he saw Ku Qi's future struggles, as if his body was being contested by others. How strange. Naturally, one's own body is under one's control, so why would others vie for it? However, he was now facing significant difficulties with his Prediction Technique; he could barely make out Ku Qi's situation, while everything else was incredibly blurry. Possession? Ding Huan suddenly realized the truth. Ding Qi had previously reminded him that those powerful individuals were recruiting talented disciples in the Four-direction Star Land for the purpose of possession. Clearly, Dual Soul Sect was targeting possession. Thinking about this, Ding Huan could not help but say: "Ku brother, I'm somewhat skilled in physiognomy. If you believe me, then do not join the Dual Soul Sect..." "Why?" Ku Qi looked at Ding Huan in surprise. Ding Huan patted Ku Qi's shoulder without answering, and turned to leave with Lou Buzhi. He had made things quite clear. If he explained further, he might very well put himself in danger. "Brother, what did that guy say just now?" Ku Yue caught up and asked, watching Ding Huan's retreating back. Ding Huan had spoken in a soft voice, and being at the back, Ku Yue had not heard it. Ku Qi shook his head: "He didn't say much, just hoped that we could find a good sect." But in his heart, he was thinking about why Ding Huan would say not to join Dual Soul Sect if you believe him. Honestly, his and his brother's goal was Dual Soul Sect. He didn't understand in his heart but felt there was no need for Ding Huan to lie to him. "Brother Huan, I think Dual Soul Sect seems pretty good. Why..." Lou Buzhi's words were cut off by Ding Huan: "This sect is indeed good, and you have a chance to enter. My modest talents probably don't qualify me for it." This guy, discussing Dual Soul Sect publicly in front of so many people. If someone from Dual Soul Sect overheard it, that would be courting death. After speaking, Ding Huan quickly left; he didn't want to associate with idiots like Lou Buzhi. Seeing Ding Huan leaving, Lou Buzhi hurriedly followed. He felt that what Ding Huan said was somewhat sarcastic. However, his first choice was the Medicine Sect. A pretty girl looked at the backs of Ding Huan and Lou Buzhi, a slight curve appearing at the corners of her mouth. It seemed that their Dual Soul Sect was still quite reputable; many people were eager to join. Of course, this kid was quite discerning. The Dual Soul Sect isn't for just anyone to join. To join Dual Soul Sect, you've got to meet two criteria. The first is naturally to have first-rate talent, the higher the better. Secondly, you've got to be good-looking. At that moment, from the direction of Hall City in Daye City, three sounds of ceremonial cannons thundered. This signified that the selection of disciples for the Daoist sects had officially begun. The first step to participate in sect selection is to obtain a qualification certificate. Obtaining a qualification certification is quite simple; just hand over a thousand True Industry coins at the Immortal Fate Detection Hall at the edge of Immortal Fate Square for qualification assessment. After the assessment, you will receive a certificate of qualification. Just bring this certificate to the sect of your choice and take part in the selection. This creates a distinction, like if you want to participate in the selection of disciples for a Great Sect like Yanyue Sect, the prerequisite is that your talent meets a certain minimum requirement. If Yanyue Sect requires a minimum of Double Spirit Roots and a purity of eighty and above, but you only have Triple Spirit Roots and a talent of sixty, then you don't even qualify for the Yanyue Sect disciple selection. Ding Huan and Lou Buzhi entered the Immortal Fate Detection Hall. Many people were there for qualification testing, and there were numerous testing stations. After waiting in line for half an hour, it was their turn. The Magic Artifact used for testing Spirit Root qualification was nearly the same as the one Ding Huan had used for prediction in Four-direction City; the only difference was that this testing Magic Artifact was higher, reaching three zhang. When it was Lou Buzhi's turn, he stood upon the Magic Artifact, placing his hands on the indentations of the device. As the Magic Artifact activated, a beam of light shot up two zhang high. This light was composed of two colors spliced together, one blue and one red. The staff handed over a piece of testing paper to Lou Buzhi and then called out: "Next one."