Chapter 46

The recruitment of new members by the Ten Thousand Sects is a major event that stirs the entire Dusty Continent. During this period, even if there are wars between countries, they must cease, or else they will offend the Ten Thousand Sects. When the time comes, no matter how powerful your background, you will be punished by the Ten Thousand Sects and destroyed overnight.

Today is the day of the Ten Thousand Sects' recruitment. The imperial city of Changlong is bustling with people, and everyone has gathered on the open ground in front of the imperial city early in the morning.

The news of the Bai family being raided last night has also spread throughout the imperial city. Everyone is filled with curiosity. The Bai family, once comparable to the royal family, was completely looted overnight, which is a huge loss for them, and a century-old legacy was destroyed in an instant.

However, what many people can't understand is that given the Bai family's character, they would usually be furious in such a situation, but strangely, the Bai family not only did not pursue the matter but also concealed all the news.

On the square for the Ten Thousand Sects' recruitment, a hundred banners of the Ten Thousand Sects stand tall. These banners also have a hierarchy. As the leader of the Ten Thousand Sects, the Vast Heaven Sect is placed in the center. On either side of the Vast Heaven Sect, one banner is a blue iceberg, and the other is a black and white yin-yang symbol.

"That iceberg is the Ice River Sect, currently the second in the Ten Thousand Sects. The yin-yang symbol is the third, the Heavenly Dao Sect," Ye Xun said to Chu Yan.

Chu Yan gave Ye Xun a look: "Are you treating me like a newbie? I've basically met all the sect leaders of the Ten Thousand Sects, no need for your introduction."

"Damn, no good deed goes unpunished!" Ye Xun glared at Chu Yan.

"Brother Chu Yan!" Su Muyan ran up, with Su Hao following closely behind.

Chu Yan and Ye Xun greeted Su Hao politely: "Junior pays respects to Uncle Su."

Su Hao smiled and nodded, then glanced at the recruitment: "Nephew Chu, in the next half month, you must perform well and strive to join a satisfactory sect."

"Half a month?" Chu Yan frowned and looked up at Su Hao. "Isn't it decided today?"

Su Hao was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and shook his head: "It seems you didn't know. This year's recruitment is a bit different from previous years. In the past, the recruitment was directly at the recruitment points, where the Ten Thousand Sects would select people, and those chosen would be admitted immediately. But this year is different. The Ten Thousand Sects have set a requirement that all recruits must go to the Black Forest for half a month. They must cross the ten-thousand-mile Black Forest to reach the Ten Thousand Sects' platform, where the Ten Thousand Sects will uniformly admit disciples."

Chu Yan frowned. The rules for the Ten Thousand Sects' recruitment were established by the ancient savages and had not changed for ten thousand years, so he couldn't understand why there was a sudden change this year.

"Ten-thousand-mile Black Forest?" Ye Xun frowned. The ten-thousand-mile Black Forest is not part of Changlong, so he didn't know about it.

Su Hao said calmly: "The ten-thousand-mile Black Forest is a boundary that divides the world. The Dusty Continent is divided into the inner circle and the outer circle. Our Changlong is in the outer circle, while the Ten Thousand Sects are all in the inner circle. This ten-thousand-mile Black Forest separates the inner and outer circles. Only by entering the inner circle will you see the true Dusty Continent."

Chu Yan said: "Uncle Su, if I'm not mistaken, the ten-thousand-mile Black Forest has the strongest creatures at the Dust-Free Realm, right? Letting a group of recruits under twenty years old enter, if something happens, can the Ten Thousand Sects take responsibility?"

"Nephew Chu, you can rest assured. Three months ago, the Ten Thousand Sects jointly cleared all the Dust-Free Realm creatures from the Black Forest. The strongest creature now is a Dust-Moving Ninth Layer fox. This is also a test for the disciples of the Ten Thousand Sects," Su Hao said.

Chu Yan nodded. If that's the case, it makes sense. After all, the Ten Thousand Sects never admit useless people. An additional test is normal, but he didn't expect the Ten Thousand Sects to unite this time.

"Alright, Nephew Chu, I'm going to organize the recruits and head to the Black Forest. Muyan is in your care. When you have time, remember to come back to Changlong. This place will always be your home," Su Hao said with deep meaning.

"Uncle Su, please rest assured."

Seeing Chu Yan nod, Su Hao smiled and left, heading towards the square.

On the square, there is a high platform. Su Hao stood in the center, and beside him were several dozen figures with the air of immortals. These people were all elders responsible for this year's recruitment from the Ten Thousand Sects.

Standing with them, despite being the ruler of a country, Su Hao seemed very small. After all, Changlong is too insignificant. In the face of these transcendent giants, the so-called country and royal power are fragile.

At noon, when the sun was high, all the recruits had lined up on the open ground. Su Hao then respectfully said to the elders of the Ten Thousand Sects: "Elders, the recruits at our Changlong recruitment point are all here. Next, please give the new recruits some encouragement and advice, and announce the rules for this year's recruitment."

The elders lazily glanced at Su Hao. One of them, annoyed, used his energy to amplify his voice: "All recruits, listen up. I am an elder of the Green Three Sect, the 96th in the Ten Thousand Sects. My advice to you is to stay alive. As long as you can reach the Ten Thousand Sects' platform alive, you can become a disciple of the Green Three Sect."

After the elder of the Green Three Sect spoke, the others also said a few words, mostly useless platitudes.

However, the atmosphere became noticeably strange when it came to the top ten sects. The 9th, the River Luo Ancient Sect, an old man said calmly: "The Ten Thousand Sects are also divided by strength. We, the River Luo, do not admit useless people. To become a disciple of the River Luo Ancient Sect, you must be among the first thousand to reach the Ten Thousand Sects' platform. If you want to join the top ten, it's up to your own abilities."

"A thousand? Old dog of River Luo, your requirements are really low," a beautiful woman beside the old man laughed. "The 8th, the Demon Sect, the first five hundred can join."

"The 6th, the Dao Yan Sect, the first three hundred can join!"

The requirements of the top ten sects became increasingly stringent. When the Dao Yan Sect finished speaking, all the recruits held their breath, because the next ones were the top three of the Ten Thousand Sects. Joining the top three would mean standing at the pinnacle of the pyramid for the rest of their lives.

All the disciples waited quietly. The 2nd, the Ice River Sect, a woman stepped forward: "The 2nd, the Ice River Sect, the first fifty can join."

"The 1st, the Vast Heaven Sect, the first ten can join!" The elder of the Vast Heaven Sect also stated the requirement.

Hearing these requirements, all the recruits sighed. The top fifty? The top ten? These numbers were impossible for them. After all, the recruits participating in the ten-thousand-mile Black Forest were not just from Changlong but from all the recruitment points in the outer circle of the Dusty Continent, numbering in the millions.

To be among the top ten or fifty out of millions was like a dream.

At this moment, a solitary figure suddenly smiled. It was the old man who had been standing on the city wall earlier, representing the Heavenly Dao Sect. He glanced at Chu Yan and smiled: "Young man, the door of the Heavenly Dao Sect is always open for you. As long as you can reach the Ten Thousand Sects' platform, I will welcome you."

Hearing the solitary figure's words, the elders of the Ice River Sect and the Vast Heaven Sect frowned.

"Mo Tu, you are really devious," the female elder of the Ice River Sect snorted, then cleared her throat, maintaining her dignity, but then she also smiled and nodded at Chu Yan: "Young Master Chu, the Ice River Sect is also willing to keep the door open for you."

"Do you not need to be in the top fifty?" Chu Yan smiled.

"Uh, no, no, as long as Young Master Chu is willing to join the Ice River Sect, any rank will do, we will welcome you."

The elder of the Vast Heaven Sect, who had been very dignified, was now in a dilemma. This time, the Vast Heaven Sect had given up many excellent recruitment points to come to Changlong for Chu Yan. He could not let Chu Yan be taken by the Ice River Sect or the Heavenly Dao Sect.

"Boy, the Vast Heaven Sect is also willing to accept you. Even if you are the last, the Vast Heaven Sect will take you!"

The elders of the 9th, 8th, and 6th sects blushed and joined the competition for Chu Yan.

"River Luo Ancient Sect, you 9th, what are you doing here?"

"Damn, you Demon Sect, 8th, what makes you better?"

"Shut up, Young Master Chu is ours, Dao Yan Sect!"

"..."

In an instant, the grand recruitment of the Ten Thousand Sects turned into a scene of elders bickering and arguing.

Seeing this, Ye Xun's mouth twitched. He suddenly remembered Chu Yan's words before, that he could choose from the Ten Thousand Sects.

Su Hao was also embarrassed. He had never seen these usually haughty people lower their standards. He laughed dryly: "Elders, it's about time. Shouldn't we let the recruits enter the ten-thousand-mile Black Forest first, and decide where they go at the Ten Thousand Sects' platform?"

The elders, tired of arguing, each coldly snorted and glanced at the recruits.

"Next, you will go to the ten-thousand-mile Black Forest. We will be waiting for you at the Ten Thousand Sects' platform." The elders flew onto their beasts and left together.

"Our children of Changlong, to become a strong person, you must endure hardships. Next, go to the ten-thousand-mile Black Forest. This is the beginning of your glorious path!" Su Hao shouted loudly. At this moment, the two thousand recruits were solemn, with a hint of excitement in their hearts.

The ten-thousand-mile Black Forest is not far from Changlong. It's only half a day's journey from the imperial city. On the way, there are willow trees and cavalry to protect them. However, all the young people know that once they enter the ten-thousand-mile Black Forest, they will have no support. They will face a bloody trial, and they also know that without experiencing blood and slaughter, one cannot be called a true cultivator.

"Whoosh!"

Just before the recruits reached the ten-thousand-mile Black Forest, a sudden strong wind blew. Chu Yan frowned, looked up, and then turned to Ye Xun: "You go into the Black Forest first, and wait for me at the entrance. I'll be right back."

Ye Xun nodded. He knew someone was looking for Chu Yan, and the strong wind in the sky was the signal.