Chapter 164: Playing with Fire Failed to Burn?

Hua Beiqian gave a hearty laugh and said, "That is a fine question. I believe many of you have been harboring doubts, especially those of you from sect backgrounds, am I right?"

Looking at Hua Beiqian, the true authority figure of the Wind and Cloud Guard, the initial curiosity and awe on the inquiring youth's face had largely faded, replaced by deep reverence and admiration.

At this moment, under Hua Beiqian's gesture, not only were the group of youths sitting directly on the ground, but even Ling Qinghe was forced to reluctantly follow suit. After all, since even Hua Beiqian sat there so unconstrainedly on the earth, it would not do for him to remain standing.

He certainly couldn't let Hua Beiqian look up at him, could he?

Ling Qinghe knew he did not yet possess that qualification.

"Yes, Commander!"

"Indeed!"

Several sect disciples answered in unison.

Within the Wind and Cloud Guard, addressing deputy commanders like Ling Qinghe or Han Mingfeng by appending the title of Commander to their surnames was a sign of respect. However, when referring simply to "the Commander," there was only one, and that was Hua Beiqian.

"Since Commander Ling has already explained the existence of the Five Elements Sect to you just now, I shall not repeat it."

Hua Beiqian cast a slight nod toward Ling Qinghe, then gazed intently at the youths and said, "An existence like the Five Elements Sect stands like a pillar propping up the heavens, commanding the awe of all. Yet, even so, they still require a steady supply of fresh blood."

Hearing the phrase "fresh blood," the youth who had just asked the question felt his heart beat faster, the rhythm of his pulses quickening considerably.

He had merely inquired about the relationship between the sects and Windchill City; could this somehow be connected to the Five Elements Sect again?

"However, how vast is the Primordial Saint Continent, and how countless are its inhabitants—numbering in the untold billions? Under such circumstances, even the most powerful sects find it impossible to scour this vast expanse entirely on their own to select the people they need."

Hua Beiqian said in a deep voice, "Thus, the Yunfeng Empire shoulders the responsibility of selecting talent for the sects. Even so, the imperial territory is exceptionally expansive, which is why it is divided into ten commanderies, with the various cities under each commandery managing the affairs of their respective regions."

"Then the relationship between the sects and the cities..."

The youth spoke up once more, though not purely out of confusion; rather, it sounded more as if he had formed a guess in his heart and wished to obtain confirmation from Hua Beiqian.

"Some cities are dominated internally by clans, regularly holding clan ranking tournaments and distributing rewards according to placement, making the competition exceedingly ruthless. Other cities establish academies in the name of the city lord, where any youth meeting the minimum requirements can enter to study, though the elimination rate is far more frequent. After all, with so many people, resources cannot possibly stretch to cover everyone, so those who perform too poorly are cast out directly."

Hua Beiqian swept his gaze across the gathering. "As for our Windchill City, it is far more lenient. We have internal clans, and independent cultivators with sufficient strength are permitted to establish their own sects externally and widely recruit disciples. Despite facing different environments, everyone is treated equally. Whenever talented individuals emerge and join the Wind and Cloud Guard, massive rewards are issued, and their regular resources are largely supplied by the City Lord's Mansion."

So... that was how it was?

The youths from sect backgrounds all wore blank expressions, having never imagined that the relationship between the sects and Windchill City could be of this nature.

"Perhaps you still feel it is somewhat unfair? That there are many grievances to be had?"

Hua Beiqian shook his head slightly, though an unreadable nuance lingered in his tone. "There is no fairness in this world, nor will there ever be. The only thing you can rely on is your own strength. Although I have not witnessed it with my own eyes, I have heard that the darkest cities recruit vast numbers of youths much like raising venomous insects in a jar; all are given cultivation resources and secret manuals, but they must use true life-and-death battles to stimulate their potential, and only the strongest are permitted to survive."

Such places actually existed?

Jin Xishan felt a spasm in his stomach; it was simply... too sickening.

"Every once in a while, the empire organizes the various commanderies and cities to gather their outstanding youths to participate in imperial selections. Only by passing can one have the opportunity to enter the sects."

Hua Beiqian's voice was filled with encouragement. "And in our Windchill City, our primary strength is the Wind and Cloud Guard. Naturally, other channels might also recruit outstanding youths, but most of them are independent cultivators who have wasted far too much time."

The Wind and Cloud Guard!

When the time came, participating in the imperial selection would grant the opportunity to enter a sect!

"I must cultivate diligently and enter the Five Elements Sect!"

"Yes! That is the place truly worth striving for!"

No one truly understood the Five Elements Sect, yet everyone knew that this place gathered the most elite talent, concentrated the highest quality resources, and provided the most formidable secret codes and cultivation methods.

How could anyone not want to go?

"Hmph, stop dreaming!"

Jiang Zihe let out a sneer. "Do you even know what kind of place the Five Elements Sect is, yet you still want to go there? It would already be a blessing if a sect is willing to take us in. You are utterly ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth, yet you still set your sights on the Five Elements Sect?"

"Are there... other sects?"

Jin Xishan asked doubtfully. The sects he referred to were naturally not places like his own Golden Light Pavilion, but rather behemoths akin to the Five Elements Sect.

Now, who didn't know that their own sect was, to put it bluntly, merely a place for cultivating talent.

If one failed to enter the Wind and Cloud Guard, they would be doomed to remain at that level for the rest of their lives, never again able to witness the scenery further in the distance.

"To put it accurately, our Yunfeng Empire lies within the sphere of influence of the Five Elements Sect. However, beyond the Five Elements Sect, there are other sects allied with it, forming a massive coalition. The Five Elements Sect takes only the absolute best; whatever scrap left over is for the other sects."

Jiang Zihe gave a cold laugh. "If we are destined to be the scraps, entering those true sects is already the best fate we can hope for. To harbor extravagant hopes for the Five Elements Sect—aren't you afraid your ambitions are so big your head will burst?"

"You..."

A trace of hidden anger stirred in Jin Xishan's heart. Jiang Zihe's words were truly harsh to the ear, yet they were not without reason. Furthermore, the man wasn't just targeting everyone present—he had included himself in that assessment as well. What could Jin Xishan possibly say to that?

"Eh? Luo Tian is back?"

A disciple of the Han family murmured in a complex tone.

However, those present were all Pulse Flow realm young cultivators. Let alone such a lowered voice, even whispers within ten meters could not escape the perception of Pulse Flow cultivators. Therefore, no one failed to hear it.

As the champion of this Wind and Cloud Guard assessment, Luo Tian's appearance naturally commanded attention. However, although he had changed into a fresh set of clothes, Luo Tian's current state still appeared exceedingly strange.

If it were merely some unusual facial expression, that would be one thing; no one would care about that. Having entered the Enlightenment Chamber, gaining insights would bring joy, while gaining nothing would naturally lead to depression—shifts in mental state were entirely normal.

However, when even his clothes had been completely changed, something was definitely amiss.

"So this is the champion of this session?"

Hua Beiqian's gaze naturally shifted over. He had long since noticed Luo Tian, but was in no rush, only beginning to size him up as the youth drew close.

Seeing the bastard who had snatched his own position, Jiang Zihe naturally felt a surge of fury. "Heh, what? Did you play with fire and fail to burn yourself to death?" (To be continued.)