Night was falling as Zhu Wu returned to his living quarters.
Just as he was wondering how to bring up the subject with Zhu Pingping, a knock sounded at the door.
Zhu Wu opened it to find Zhu Pingping standing right outside.
"Xiaowu, here, these are for you." Zhu Pingping picked up a small box containing five Grade 4 Qi Gathering Pills.
"Pingping Sister, you..."
"I've reached the Qi Condensation 8th Layer, so I don't have any use for these. The Grade 1 Qi Gathering Pills I gave you before didn't work, so try these instead," Zhu Pingping said eagerly, her eyes filled with anticipation, not waiting for Zhu Wu to invite her in.
Zhu Wu took the box and muttered a thank you. "Come inside and have a cup of water."
Ever since his cultivation had stagnated, Zhu Pingping had frequently brought him food and, from time to time, medicinal pills.
Normally, the family issued Qi Condensation disciples one pill per month. Ever since Second Uncle Zhu took charge, the amount of pills Zhu Pingping received had multiplied several times over, allowing her to secretly save a portion of them for Zhu Wu.
"Pingping Sister, I've broken through," Zhu Wu said, pouring a cup of water for Zhu Pingping as she sat by the table.
"Ah? Really? Let me see!" Zhu Pingping stood up excitedly.
Zhu Wu channeled his true qi to his fingers, causing them to emit a dazzling glow.
"Qi Condensation 5th Layer? That's wonderful! Take one right now, I'll watch you." Zhu Pingping pointed at the Qi Gathering Pills she had just brought over.
"This... alright." Remembering how he had stagnated again after reaching the 5th layer, Zhu Wu picked up a Qi Gathering Pill, sat on the edge of the bed, and consumed it to begin cultivating.
Half an hour passed.
"Maybe the amount you need for a breakthrough is larger. Eat all of them and see what happens," Zhu Pingping urged, handing over the remaining four pills.
"Mhm." Zhu Wu took the pills, swallowed them with a puzzled look, and resumed circulating his qi.
An hour later, the medicinal power had been mostly absorbed, yet there was no sign of his cultivation level loosening. By all logic, he should have broken through long ago.
"Strange, how did you break through last time?" Zhu Pingping asked, yawning in confusion.
"Last time... oh right, I broke through inside the mine shaft. Could it be that I need to cultivate inside the cave for it to work?" Zhu Wu replied, unable to figure it out either.
"It's getting late. Pingping Sister, you should head back first. I'll try again tomorrow."
"Alright, I'm heading back then. I'll come see you tomorrow night." Zhu Pingping stretched lazily and walked out the door.
Inside the mine shaft.
It was raining today, so the laborers hadn't come to the mines.
The left fork was colder, while the right fork was somewhat cold.
At the exact spot of his previous breakthrough, Zhu Wu sat cross-legged, feeling the currents of qi from the two passageways, and began to cultivate.
"Qi Condensation 6th Layer."
Zhu Wu suppressed the excitement in his heart and cultivated for a little longer, but he could no longer break through.
"So, I'm different from others. I need an environment where yin and yang are balanced in order to cultivate."
"No, it's for breaking through. If I don't cultivate regularly, even such an environment won't allow me to break through."
Zhu Wu felt the power of the Qi Condensation 6th Layer and summarized the reasons behind his previous inability to break through.
"If that's the case, can I only break through here from now on?"
"No, the reason this place allowed me to break through is because my current realm is low. In the future, I probably won't be able to break through here either."
"I need to find a similar environment..."
Before dinner time arrived that evening, Zhu Pingping came over carrying a box of pastry-like treats.
"How was today? Did you break through?"
"Mhm." Zhu Wu smiled slightly.
"Really? You went to the mine shaft to break through?" Zhu Pingping asked happily.
"Yes. I might be a bit different from others; it seems I can only break through in specific environments. Now that I'm at the 6th layer, going back to the mine probably won't allow me to break through anymore." Zhu Wu explained.
"Is that so? Then it might be very troublesome in the future! Does it have to be a mine shaft?" Zhu Pingping asked.
"Not sure. It might need to be a special kind of mine shaft."
"As long as you can break through, that's what matters. Try a few more times and figure out what kind of cave is actually needed, and I can help you look for one later," Zhu Pingping said.
"Alright, Pingping Sister. Oh, by the way, is your Fire Spirit Technique book still around? Can you lend it to me to read?"
"Sure, I'll go back and look for it." With that, she hurried off.
Zhu Wu went to the main hall to greet his father.
"Dad, do you know of any places nearby where yin and yang are balanced, or where yin and yang intersect?"
"Nearby? The mine shaft is one. Inside the mine is yin, and outside is yang..." Zhu Tianwei sat at the desk flipping through some papers as he spoke.
"No... I should say a place that has both yin qi and yang qi," Zhu Wu said.
"If you put it that way, there isn't anywhere nearby—neither inside nor outside Moonfall City. What are you looking for a place like that for?" Zhu Tianwei looked up at Zhu Wu and asked.
"I might only be able to break through in a place like that." Zhu Wu looked at Zhu Tianwei, who seemed busy.
"Hmm? Break through?" Zhu Tianwei looked at Zhu Wu in confusion.
"Yes, I'm at the Qi Condensation 6th Layer now. I broke through right in the nearby mine shaft, but I can feel I've reached my limit. I need to find other similar places."
"That's great!" Zhu Tianwei stood up excitedly, grabbed Zhu Wu, and said, "There's nothing nearby, but back when I used to travel outside, I heard there's a place like that near the Dead Sea..."
Zhu Tianwei paused and said, "You can forget about the Dead Sea. Even those in the Nascent Soul Stage go there and never return. But since it exists near the Dead Sea, other places certainly must have it too. I'll ask someone to keep an ear out for you later."
"Let's not do that then. It's not even certain yet, we can talk about it later," Zhu Wu said, figuring that having his dad ask around everywhere wasn't a good thing.
"You've reached the Qi Condensation 6th Layer, eh? We missed it this time, but strive to enter a sect ten years from now—by then, all sorts of opportunities will open up," Zhu Tianwei said before returning to sit behind his desk.
"Don't rush. I've heard that the more solid a foundation in the Qi Condensation Stage is, the more advantageous future cultivation will be. I still have some matters to attend to; you just need to practice regularly with your older brothers."
"Alright, understood. I'll head back to my bedroom then."
One month later.
The day for various sects to recruit new disciples had arrived.
The martial arts arena in Moonfall City was surrounded by people from the vicinity.
Under the tall veranda in front of the martial arts arena, dozens of people sat or stood. Aside from the City Lord, the City Lord Manor's guards, and the steward, there were over a dozen elders and stewards from nearby sects who had come to handle the recruitment.
"As everyone knows, today is the day the various sects recruit new disciples. Seated before us are the Bright Moon Sect, Green Woods Sect, Clear Feather Sect, Dustless Sect, and Sword Washing Sect."
The steward of the City Lord Manor, instructed by the City Lord, spoke with infused qi.
"This year, just like past years, the test is divided into three rounds: Questioning the Body, Questioning the Heart, and Questioning Skill. Anyone under twenty-five years old at the Qi Condensation 8th Layer and above may participate."
"Questioning the Body tests physical fitness. For this round, contestants simply need to run ten laps around the martial arts arena."
"Questioning the Heart will involve Elder Wei of the Bright Moon Sect casting an Illusion Technique to observe everyone's performance within the illusion."
"Questioning Skill requires the participating youths to draw lots and take the stage for one-on-one duels to determine victory or defeat."
"The evaluation is based on comprehensive results. The winner is not guaranteed entry into the immortal sects, and the loser may also ascend in a single bound. Please simply perform at your normal level."
"..."
The City Lord Manor steward gave a lengthy explanation and looked toward the seated elders and the City Lord to see if they had anything to add.
On the stage, an atmosphere of swords drawn and bows bent hung in the air.
Joining a sect would cause a family's status in the city to rise with the tide.
Therefore, every family tried their best to concentrate resources on the few talented individuals in their midst, hoping they would soar to great heights.
There were three from the Zhang Family, five from the Zhang Family—correction, five from the Zhang Family, four from the Wang Family, four from the Li Family, two from the Lu Family, and one each from the Hong, Bai, Lin, Wei, and Liu families, all observing one another.
"Let's begin directly," Elder Wang of the Clear Feather Sect said, glancing at the other elders before turning his gaze to the twenty-plus young men and women on the stage.
The steward glanced at the elders, nodded, and said, "Then, let us begin with Questioning the Body. Everyone, please start running from the right side of the martial arts arena."
The elders and stewards of the various sects stared at the people running on the stage, occasionally whispering to one another.
"As expected of the number one family in Moonfall City, the Zhang Family. Running in first place is Zhang Qiwen of the Zhang Family."
"That little girl from the Zhu Family is not bad, actually coming in second."
"Wang Qi is third."
"Liu Yue is fourth."
"Li Mingjing is fifth."
"Zhang Qiwu is sixth, Bai Ling is seventh, Zhang Qijin is eighth, Lu Qianqian is ninth..."
The spectators cheered while watching everyone finish their run.
"Rest for a quarter of an hour. Next will be conducted by Elder Wei of the Bright Moon Sect," the City Lord Manor steward announced to the panting group on the stage.
After a moment, everyone found a spot on the stage and sat down.
Elder Wei of the Bright Moon Sect stood up on the veranda and began to cast his spell.
Before long, various expressions began to appear on the contestants' faces—some laughing, some crying.
A moment later, some began to stand up and shout angrily, some cast Fireballs, and others made slashing motions.
Elder Wei stopped casting, sat back down, and spoke quietly to the sect steward.
"Next, after a quarter of an hour of rest, we will hold the Questioning Skill duels. Please come to the front of the stage to draw lots."
"The duels will stop at the point of yielding; as soon as one party concedes defeat or the elders call a halt, it ends," the City Lord Manor steward announced. Already, other stewards were carrying a box on stage, and the participants began drawing lots.
"Number One draws against Number One, Number Two against Number Two, and so on in order. The leftover person will be decided last."
"The first match is Li Mingjing versus Hong An."
"The second match is Zhu Ming versus Zhang Qiwu."
"The third match..."
Two hours later.
"Wang Qi is the last one left with a bye, awaiting the elders' decision."
"Next, each sect will list the roster of prospective disciples and post it in front of the martial arts arena. For those accepted by multiple sects, prospective disciples may choose freely."
As soon as the City Lord Manor steward finished speaking, the stewards of the various sects carried a roster forward and posted it at the front of the stage.
The twenty-odd people swarmed over, first checking the roster of their primary target sect, and if they weren't on it, turning to the rosters of other sects.
Zhu Pingping saw her name on the rosters of all four sects: the Bright Moon Sect, Green Woods Sect, Clear Feather Sect, and Sword Washing Sect.
The Bright Moon Sect's main cultivation technique was water-attribute, and it was also proficient in Illusion Techniques.
The Green Woods Sect's main cultivation technique was wood-attribute, primarily skilled in healing.
The Clear Feather Sect's main cultivation technique was wind-attribute, with speed as its advantage.
The Dustless Sect's main cultivation technique was earth-attribute, with advantages in body refining.
The Sword Washing Sect's main cultivation technique was swordsmanship, with no restrictions on attributes.
Zhu Pingping possessed a fire spiritual root, but since there was no sect with a fire-based main technique this time, her primary target was the Sword Washing Sect.
Zhu Pingping walked over to the Sword Washing Sect's roster, bowed to the steward standing nearby, and asked, "Senior, if I join your noble sect, would I be permitted to bring one other person along?"
"No. May I ask who you wish to bring?" the steward asked in return, maintaining politeness.
"My younger brother... If it's not possible, I'll ask other sects. Thank you."
"Apologies."
Zhu Pingping looked around and turned to the Clear Feather Sect steward.
"Senior, may I join along with my younger brother? My younger brother is at the Qi Condensation 6th Layer; he could work as a handyman or something," Zhu Pingping said after a moment's thought.
"Apologies, no. Handymen in our sect are all designated by the sect's Great Elders."
Zhu Pingping turned to the Green Woods Sect steward.
"Senior, may I bring my younger brother along? My younger brother can do odd jobs and things like that."
"I need to ask our elder," the steward said, walking over to the Green Woods Sect elder, bowing, and speaking with him.
After a moment, the steward returned and said to Zhu Pingping, "I'm sorry, our sect requires handymen to have a Level 3 wood spiritual root or higher. May I ask what grade your brother's spiritual root is?"
"We haven't tested that, so I'm not sure yet," Zhu Pingping replied.
"In that case, we're afraid we can't accept him. Spiritual root testing can only be done after entering the sect..." the steward said with a hint of helplessness.
"Ah, thank you. I'll consider it further." Zhu Pingping turned to the final option, the Bright Moon Sect.
The Bright Moon Sect steward was somewhat surprised to see Zhu Pingping approach, as he knew from the earlier duels that she possessed a fire spiritual root.
"Senior, may I bring my younger brother into the sect with me? My younger brother can work as a handyman," Zhu Pingping asked, holding onto a sliver of hope.
"Oh..." The steward immediately understood what was going on. "Wait a moment, let me ask the elder."
The steward walked over to the Bright Moon Sect elder to speak with him, then turned back. "Can you tell me a bit about your brother's situation?"
"My brother broke through to the 6th layer just a few days ago, and he has already learned all the foundational Five Elements spells. He's very smart—he understands things the moment he looks at a book. His realm dropped because he took a bad fall, but ever since he was little, he was a genius in our family just like me..." Zhu Pingping spoke excitedly, feeling hope, her sentences tumbling out in a jumble.
"Hmm... Is he here right now?" The steward interrupted Zhu Pingping.
"Yes, he is! I'll go get him right now." Zhu Pingping ran toward the Zhu family's seating area and spotted Zhu Wu.
"Xiaowu, hurry up here!" Zhu Pingping shouted loudly, causing everyone, including the Zhu family members, to turn their heads.
Zhu Wu was stunned for a moment, then walked over to Zhu Pingping. Zhu Pingping grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the Bright Moon Sect steward.
"Uh, can you really bring me into the sect?" Zhu Wu asked hesitatingly.
"It should be fine. He asked me to call you over, so we just need to go take a look," Zhu Pingping said, already standing before the steward.
"Zhu Wu pays his respects to Senior!" Zhu Wu still knew some basic etiquette, cupping his fists and bowing.
"Mm, mm, mm, good. I heard your realm was delayed due to an injury. Are you truly willing to be a handyman?" the steward asked Zhu Wu.
"This disciple is willing!" Zhu Wu hurriedly replied. He had heard that handymen could collect one spirit stone a month, whereas the severance pay for a mortal dying in a mining accident was only a single spirit stone.
"Very well. But we cannot just bring you into the sect like this. Coincidentally, one person had a bye in the third round today; spar with him and let us see," the steward said, before walking off to explain the situation to the elders and the City Lord Manor steward.
"Next, we will hold one more duel between Zhu Wu of the Zhu Family and Wang Qi," the City Lord Manor steward announced from the veranda.
"Eh? Another duel? Can't someone who got a bye enter directly?"
"Zhu Wu of the Zhu Family? Who is that?"
"Isn't that the one whose realm stayed stuck at the 3rd layer?"
"Can someone at the Qi Condensation 3rd layer even get on stage?"
The crowd surrounding the martial arts arena burst into discussion.
"You're at the 6th layer and I'm at the 8th; I won't hold back," Wang Qi said solemnly to Zhu Wu. "However, I can let you make three moves as a courtesy for your lower realm."
"Thank you, Brother Wang. I ask that you show mercy, Brother Wang." Zhu Wu cupped his fists.
"Begin."
"Ah? He reached the 6th layer after all?! No, the 6th layer still isn't high enough—is his spiritual root strong instead?"
"Haven't heard anything about that. Third Uncle Zhu's branch separated from the main family ages ago, and they never tested his spiritual root."
"I just saw that little girl from the Zhu Family drag him up there. Can she really bring people into the sect just like that?"
"Probably not, otherwise there wouldn't need to be a duel."
"..."
"Tianwei, what's going on with your Xiaowu? Didn't you say his realm couldn't improve? When did he advance?" a member of the Zhu family asked Zhu Tianwei.
"He broke through just a few days ago. Pure luck, pure luck," Zhu Tianwei replied.
"What a pity. If he had broken through a year earlier, there might not have been a need to split the family."
"Alas, even with the breakthrough, he's still slower than others. Whether we split the family or not doesn't make much difference."
Meanwhile, Zhu Pingping's father had worn a gloomy expression from the very beginning, casting sideways glances at Zhu Tianwei.
After a dozen moves on stage, Zhu Wu was already panting heavily, while Wang Qi remained completely at ease.
"Alright, that's enough," Elder Wei of the Bright Moon Sect called out toward the stage, then exchanged a few words with the steward.
The steward beckoned the two of them over, then said to Wang Qi, who had arrived before him, "I don't know if other sects have chosen you, but you may choose our sect."
"Thank you, Senior," Wang Qi bowed.
Then, turning to Zhu Pingping and the panting Zhu Wu, he said, "Our elder agrees to let you enter the sect as a handyman. If you work hard enough, you can still transition to an outer disciple before long."
The two of them hurriedly bowed to the steward.
Once the stewards finished confirming the new disciples, they accompanied the elders back to the City Lord Manor to rest temporarily.
Three days of waiting in the city followed, allowing the new disciples to bid farewell to their families and settle their affairs, after which the new disciples were led away to their respective sects.
Inside the main hall of the Zhu family main branch, Zhu Pingping knelt in the center, biting her lower lip.
Second Uncle Zhu had handed the position of family head to his eldest son—Zhu Pingping's father, Zhu Quanli.
Zhu Quanli sat at the desk, his clenched fists tightening and loosening repeatedly.
His daughter was currently the most talented individual in the family; the stronger she grew, the more advantageous it would be for the family's standing in the city in the future.
Although his daughter had joined the Bright Moon Sect, he knew the Bright Moon Sect's main cultivation technique was water-attribute. Even with her outstanding talent, achieving success in cultivation would take twice the effort for half the result, filling him with anxiety about the family's future.
After half an hour passed, he turned his head away, waved his hand dismissively at his daughter, and said in a deep voice, "You may leave."
At Zhu Wu's home.
His older brothers and sisters were all at the Qi Condensation 7th Layer, just shy of having a chance to participate in the sect recruitment.
The next opportunity would be ten years away, by which time they would be older and their realms low; even if they managed to join a sect, they would likely spend their entire lives lingering as mere outer disciples.
Never had they expected Zhu Wu to actually be brought in by Zhu Pingping.
Though he was only a handyman, how could a handyman in the world of immortal cultivation truly be considered a mere servant!
Everyone was happy for Zhu Wu and offered their farewells one after another:
"Cultivate diligently. Pingping Sister brought you good fortune, so you must take good care of Pingping Sister in the future as well."
"Luck is also part of strength. Once you're in the Bright Moon Sect, you might encounter other good fortunes, so make sure to seize them."