Chapter 80: Ranking

Before long, ten young and handsome cultivators had gathered in the main hall, including Liu Xiaolou. It seemed everyone invited to the banquet had arrived. Then, from behind the hall, an elder with a flowing beard stepped forward. He looked to be in his fifties or sixties, yet still carried a striking presence. His dignified appearance commanded instant respect. As soon as he appeared, the young cultivators all bowed deeply and greeted him in unison, “Greetings, Lord Zheng!” Liu Xiaolou followed suit, offering a respectful bow of his own. He moved his lips slightly, wondering to himself. Could this be the head of the Zheng family? Lord Zheng smiled. “It’s rare to have so many of you gathered here today. You are all rising stars from around Luoshan. Talented young cultivators, each one of you. That you’ve all come to Luoshan is a great honor for us. I’m truly delighted. Tonight’s feast may rightly be called a grand occasion.” In just a few short sentences, Liu Xiaolou felt deeply seen. To be counted among such outstanding young talents. It warmed his heart. Of course, he was overjoyed. He bowed again, humbly joining the others in saying, “We don’t dare accept such praise.” Lord Zheng took his seat at the head of the hall and nodded to the steward beside him. “Let’s begin.” The steward stepped forward and announced loudly, “All young talents, prepare to take your seats by rank!” Liu Xiaolou perked up. So this was how the competition would start. He just wasn’t sure exactly how the ranking would be decided. Right away, someone stepped forward and cupped his hands. “This junior has reached the seventh layer of Qi Refinement!” Another followed. “This junior is at the sixth layer!” A third added, “I’m also at the sixth level.” “Fifth layer!” “Seventh layer!” “Fourth level…” “Third layer… I’m ashamed, truly…” “Second layer…” Voices overlapped as everyone reported their cultivation levels. The one who claimed to be “ashamed” wasn’t Liu Xiaolou. Though he was also at the third layer, and clearly ranked toward the bottom among the group, he didn’t feel the least bit embarrassed. On the contrary, he was pleasantly surprised. Turns out he wasn’t dead last after all. Finding someone else also at the third level was already more than he’d expected. But someone at the second level? That was rare. Who has the nerve to show up for a recruitment like this with just second-layer Qi Refinement. And not even bother to say 'I’m ashamed'? Just how big was his head? The audacity. Liu Xiaolou glanced at the second-layer guy a few times, unable to help himself. His eyes were full of disdain. Sure, the kid looked decent enough on the outside, but he was all fluff and no substance. A fancy pillow stuffed with straw. Once everyone had finished reporting their levels, the steward announced, “Young talents, please arrange yourselves in order of cultivation. Highest to lowest.” The young cultivators began sorting themselves accordingly. At the front stood the two with seventh-layer cultivation. Next came the two sixth-layers. Namely, the White-Robed Swordsman and the Scholar in Blue. They were followed by two at the fifth layer, then one at the fourth. Behind them stood the two third-layer cultivators, including Liu Xiaolou. And finally, at the very end, was the one who had declared himself at the second layer. Liu Xiaolou glanced over at the other third-layer cultivator standing beside him. He figured he probably had the edge. After all, he was just one meridian away from completing the third layer, wasn’t he? The other young man turned to look at him as well and said, “I’m Yuan Ziqi, from Yuanjia Bay. May I ask your name, brother?” “Liu Xiaolou, of the Sanxuan Sect,” replied Liu Xiaolou. Yuan Ziqi blinked, clearly unfamiliar with the name. He cupped his hands politely. “An honor.” Liu Xiaolou hadn’t heard of Yuanjia Bay either, but simply smiled and nodded in return. Just then, the steward pointed to one of the cultivators. “Young Master Zhang, I heard last month that you failed to break through your bottleneck. And now, in just over half a month, you’ve advanced?” The young man known as Zhang turned red. “It’s true I didn’t quite succeed in breaking through… but I was close. I can just about be considered fifth level.” The steward shook his head. “Your level is what it is. There’s no room for exaggeration. Please leave.” Young Master Zhang looked toward Lord Zheng, clearly flustered. “Lord…” Lord Zheng sighed. “Go on back to the mountain, nephew. I’ll speak to your father myself.” With that, the young man who had inflated his cultivation level could only leave in defeat, his expression hollow and dazed. Liu Xiaolou was speechless. If you're here to compete for a spot as a sect retainer, your cultivation level is bound to be revealed sooner or later—how could you possibly fake that? Still, with one less rival in the mix, he was quietly pleased. Even so, he couldn’t help but wonder, That Zhang fellow is apparently close with the Zheng family, so why is he even trying to get recruited as a retainer? And why does he care so much? The steward spoke up again. “Some of you, I already know. Others I’m unfamiliar with. Please, introduce yourselves and state your background.” The young cultivators stepped forward one by one to announce their origins: “I’m from White Cloud Manor of Yunxi. My father is Yun Conglong.” “I’m a disciple of the Imperial Summit Palace. My master is Master Chongyang.” “I come from the Three Sovereigns Sect. My father is Elder Peng Qingyun of the same sect.” “I’m from the Chen clan of Jiebei…” When it was Liu Xiaolou’s turn, he said, “I’m from the Sanxuan Sect… the sect master.” Everyone looked stunned. In an instant, Liu Xiaolou became the center of attention in the hall. Even Lord Zheng turned to look at him. The steward couldn’t help but ask, “Young man, may I ask… what kind of immortal sect is this ‘Sanxuan Sect’?” There was no getting around this part. If he actually got selected, people would definitely look into it. So Liu Xiaolou had no choice but to answer honestly, “The Sanxuan Sect… is a local sect based on Wulong Mountain.” The steward pressed further, “Mount Wulong… would that be Wulong Mountain in western Xian?” “Yes.” The single word drew reactions all around. Several of the young cultivators shook their heads, and a few quiet chuckles could be heard. The steward didn’t bother with Liu Xiaolou any further. Instead, he turned to the young man in the last row. The one at the second layer of Qi Refinement gave a simple answer: “I’m from the Ding family of Shuanglong Town.” To everyone’s surprise, the steward straightened up and said respectfully, “Honored guest, please step forward to the front three ranks.” The young man from the Ding family smiled and walked forward, passing Liu Xiaolou and Yuan Ziqi to stand in the row with the sixth-level cultivators. Then the steward continued, “The guest from the Three Sovereigns Sect, please move up two ranks. The guests from White Cloud Manor and the Imperial Summit Palace, move up one rank each.” Once everyone had rearranged themselves accordingly, the steward paused, then looked toward Liu Xiaolou and Yuan Ziqi, who were still standing side by side. He said, “The honored guest from the Sanxuan Sect. Please step back one position.” When it came to family background, this was clearly Liu Xiaolou’s weakest point. There was no contest. He had no choice but to accept his fate and quietly move to the very end of the line. Then the steward spoke again. “Now, I ask each of you to report the cultivation technique you practice.” One after another, the replies came in: “My sect passed down the Six Desolations Infinite Art!” “I cultivate the Three Sovereigns Mystic Method!” “My family's own White Cloud Sword Technique!” “I cultivate…” “I…” When it was Liu Xiaolou’s turn, he was already prepared. He reported two techniques: “This junior practices the Three Mysteries Arts and the Thousandfold Formulas.” The Three Mysteries Art needed no explanation, and while the Thousandfold Formulas was really just a catalog of formation materials, not a real cultivation method, he figured it couldn’t hurt. The more skills the better, right? The steward leaned over and conferred quietly with Lord Zheng. After a short discussion, a few people's rankings were adjusted. But Liu Xiaolou remained exactly where he was. Clearly, neither the Three Mysteries Arts nor the Thousandfold Formulas had impressed Lord Zheng in the slightest. Suddenly, the steward asked another question: “Among you young talents. Has anyone studied dual cultivation techniques?” Some of the cultivators glanced around uncertainly. Others stared straight ahead, stone-faced. A few blushed and looked down. The atmosphere in the hall shifted. It became tense and quiet. No one answered. Only Liu Xiaolou felt a flicker of opportunity. He had no idea what dual cultivation had to do with being recruited as a retainer, but now wasn’t the time to hold back. He raised his hand and said, “One of the Three Mysteries Arts techniques I practice is called the Yin-Yang Scripture. It’s a dual cultivation method.” At this point, he had to go all in. Though his declaration drew several looks of disdain, the effect was immediate. The steward promptly announced, “The cultivator from the Sanxuan Sect, step forward three ranks.” Grinning from ear to ear, Liu Xiaolou happily moved up to the sixth position. Lord Zheng stroked his beard and chuckled. “Excellent. Dual cultivation is a fine thing. Let’s hope for strong sons and many children.” Liu Xiaolou was completely caught off guard.