Watching the earnest expressions of the two Saint Masters, Mu Qianning and Fire Spirit both wore complex looks.
Even the Saint Masters themselves wanted to become apprentices.
"Two seniors... Senior Li didn't specify his requirements for disciples. He only mentioned that everything is up to fate."
Fire Spirit said, "However, I think, perhaps, since you both are already renowned leaders in your own right, this might not be quite appropriate..."
Hearing this, the two Saint Masters also gave a wry smile.
In fact, they were well aware in their hearts that they no longer had such a destiny.
After all, even someone like Jiang Xue, who wanted to take on a master, didn't get permission from Senior Li.
Instead, it was Nan Feng and Zi Ling from the Three Absolutes Holy Land who had such good fortune.
"Besides, Senior Li's intention is to keep a low profile and he doesn't want to make a big fuss known to all."
The Yuanyang Holy Lord and Saint Lord Lingchao exchanged glances.
"It seems we'll have to confide in the Saint Masters of the various Holy Lands privately."
Saint Lord Lingchao spoke up, "Senior Li's disciples must be true geniuses, so let's limit our search within the elite of the various sects!"
The Yuanyang Holy Lord nodded, "We don't need to notify them with too much formality, which might only arouse the curiosity of other sects and disturb Senior Li's cultivation… Let's spread some subtle rumors instead. If there is someone with true destiny, I believe they will seize this opportunity."
The others all nodded.
Soon, a rumor started to circulate.
"Hey, have you heard? It's said that there's an exceptional hermit hidden on the outskirts of the Cangli Mountain Range!"
"What exceptional hermit? Isn't that just more idle speculation?"
"They say it's true and that he's hidden in a small mountain village with cultivation even higher than on the Immortal Path."
"Haha, you believe such nonsense? In the Xuantian Realm, are there even any immortals? Being Almost Immortal is the peak."
This sparked a small flurry of discussion, but most people didn't really believe it.
In the Cultivation World, countless legends always circulated about reclusive experts, heaven-sent treasures, exceptional cultivation techniques, and such, but the majority were simply distortions of the truth.
Each cultivator knew a basketful of similar rumors, and adding one more didn't make it any more credible.
"Saint Master, a rumor has emerged recently. It says that on the outskirts of the Cangli Mountain Range, there exists a being who surpasses immortals. Were one to go there and be accepted as a disciple, one might find a supreme destiny..."
In the Luofu Holy Land, an elder was reporting to the Luofu Holy Master, "Such a trivial rumor normally wouldn't be worth disturbing the Saint Master with, but there seem to be signs indicating the message originated from the two major Holy Lands of the Southern Territory... Therefore, I felt it necessary to report to the Saint Master."
However, upon hearing this, the Luofu Holy Master let out a scoff, "There's no need to bother with it."
"If there really were an exceptional hermit looking for disciples, would those two Holy Lands from the Southern Territory let such news escape?"
At these words, the elder suddenly had an epiphany.
"Sect Master, on the outskirts of the Cangli Mountain Range, it is rumored there's an opportunity related to an exceptional hermit. If a young person has the fortune, they might have the chance to become his core disciple..."
The same message came to the Divine Sword Sect.
But the Sect Master let out a scoff and said, "Only you would believe in such ghost stories."
"The Cangli Mountain Range, such a place is known as a forbidden land filled with dangers. If there truly were an opportunity, Taiyan Holy Land and Ziyang Holy Land would have already seized it; they wouldn't leave it lying around."
"In my view, it is more than likely someone is trying to muddle the waters, or perhaps there's some kind of horrific trap there. And the person behind this is trying to use it to weaken the seedlings of the various sects, making it easier for them to dominate, isn't it?"
With this, he had a look of someone who had seen through everything.
Everyone nodded, that could be the only reasonable explanation.
In the Xuantian Realm, there was never such a thing as a free lunch. If a great opportunity really existed, it would be fought over tooth and nail; why would it be left untouched for others to discover?
So, when many major forces learned about this, they consequently gave the order not to allow their elite disciples to go to the periphery of the Cangli Mountain Range. Instead, they dispatched some less important disciples to investigate.
"Damn it, what kind of lousy opportunity, it's obviously just a whimsical tale, yet they had to send me to check... what a load of crap..."
A young man was cursing as he gradually neared the outskirts of the Cangli Mountain Range.
His name was Lu Rang, from the Divine Sword Sect, and he was a marginal outer disciple.
When the Divine Sword Sect relocated to the Southern Territory, not every disciple was qualified to follow, as the Yu Kong Flying Ship and teleportation arrays were limited.
As a marginal figure, the reason he was brought along was that he had a somewhat unique skill—cultivating spiritual plants.
For a sect to develop, it's essential to cultivate materials such as medicinal herbs, so he was fortunate to be included.
However, after arriving in the Southern Territory, the Divine Sword Sect's spiritual medicines couldn't find a place with sufficient spiritual energy for cultivation; after all, the resources here were limited, and there were far too many people.
His skill suddenly became useless.
Now the sect had somehow learned about a legendary supreme hermit recruiting disciples in the outskirts of the Cangli Mountain Range and sent him to investigate.
Lu Rang knew in his heart that this was just sending him to fend for himself.
He had heard too many rumors about the Cangli Mountain Range.
Just recently, it was said that the demise of the Three Absolutes Holy Land had something to do with these mountains.
Who knows what great terror lies within.
"Damn it, the Divine Sword Sect doesn't treat me as a person. I can't stay any longer. Might as well just leave..."
The closer Lu Rang got to Cangli Mountain Range, the more fearful he became, feeling it might be better to just leave.
In fact, in the Xuantian Realm, almost all major forces had this problem—marginal disciples had a low sense of belonging, leading to weak loyalty to their sects.
Suddenly, a magnificent Yu Kong Flying Ship appeared in the sky.
The Yu Kong Flying Ship was lowering its altitude steadily, descending, which was why it came into view.
Before long, the Yu Kong Flying Ship landed, and Lu Rang saw the Howling True Dragon Banner fluttering atop it!
"Howling True Dragon... Is, is this someone from the Sacred Dragon Imperial Family?!"
The Sacred Dragon Imperial Family was originally a Holy Land-ranked force in Central Province, ruling over its vast territories.
"I didn't expect this force to come to the Southern Territory... What are they doing here?"
Confusion was written all over Lu Rang's face.
By this time, the group had already stowed the Yu Kong Flying Ship.
Lu Rang looked and saw a young man in a bright yellow robe, accompanied by four guards wielding swords.
The young man in the yellow robe turned to look at Lu Rang and said,
"I am Long Zixuan of the Saint Dragon Dynasty. May I ask if you are from the Dugu Family?"
Lu Rang paused for a moment, then shook his head and said, "I am not from the Dugu Family. I am an outer disciple of the Divine Sword Sect from the Northern Region. My name is Lu Rang..."
Hearing this, Long Zixuan's eyes revealed a hint of slight disappointment.
He had been flying when he saw someone down below carrying a sword, and he had thought it was a Sword Cultivator from the Dugu Family, so he had landed to greet them.
After all, the might of the Dugu Family was well-known throughout the entire Xuantian Realm; they had produced not just one, but several Sword Immortals, and had Almost Immortals in each generation!
To have the company of a Sword Cultivator from the Dugu Family would make the journey much safer.
But to his surprise, it was only someone from the Divine Sword Sect, and moreover, just an outer disciple...
However, although the situation was less than ideal, it was certainly better than nothing. As someone who was not well-regarded in the dynasty and had only four not-so-powerful guards, having one more person meant more strength. So he said,
"Brother Lu Rang, may I ask if you're here for the legendary superior being said to be taking disciples in this place?"
Lu Rang nodded and said, "Yes... but where can there be any such person here? I've heard it's a place of terror. Only those who are not well-regarded get sent here to be cannon fodder..."
Stopping mid-sentence, he quickly closed his mouth, feeling a bit embarrassed, and said, "Brother Long, I mean myself."
But Long Zixuan just gave a wry smile and said, "Brother Lu speaks plainly what's true. Why would I mind?"
—Although he was a legitimate imperial prince, he was born with an incomplete Dragon Soul, making cultivation difficult, thus being labeled useless in the Imperial Dynasty. Many people wished he would just die.
This time, wasn't it just those same people going with the flow? Saying that they let him seek a great fortune, but the intent was all too obvious. Even the guards they provided were only at the Golden Core Realm. In the current Southern Territory, such strength was no different from sending him to his death.
Lu Rang coughed, changing the subject, and said, "Brother Long, do you also think there's no superior being here?"
Long Zixuan shook his head and said, "Not necessarily. Anything is possible."
"Brother Lu, how about we travel together? Approaching the outskirts of Cangli Mountain Range, danger abounds. One more person means more strength."
Hearing this, Lu Rang immediately nodded with joy and said, "Sure!"
Being a worthless one at the Foundation Building Realm, how could he not latch onto a big thigh when the opportunity arose?
Long Zixuan smiled and said, "Then let's be on our way."
They continued to advance.
Before long, they saw the Cangli Mountain Range, which had collapsed long ago.
"My goodness... What on earth happened to this Cangli Mountain Range? It is said to be a forbidden area, but looking at it now, it seems to be thoroughly ruined..."
The mountain range had collapsed, and the whole land seemed extremely chaotic.
It was as if it had suffered a terrible disaster.
"Let's go and take a look ahead."
Long Zixuan took the lead and delved deeper in.
Now that they were here, there was no reason to turn back.
As they ventured deeper, Lu Rang suddenly pointed to something in the distance with shock and said, "Brother Long, look, what is that?"
Long Zixuan looked up to see that there was actually a small mountain village ahead!
That village was nestled amidst the collapsed mountains, serene as water, yet untouched and undamaged!
It was like a Pure Land!
Situated on the cracked earth, it was strikingly conspicuous.
"This... what Holy Land is this?"
Long Zixuan exclaimed in shock!