512 Disciple Recruitment Ceremony (1/2)

”Throughout the Celestial World, all, regardless of background, are welcome.”

This was the first time such a Disciple Recruitment Ceremony occurred within Heaven, the first time cultivators of all sides, lineages and ranks gathered without discrimination to attend the same event. Millions of prospective disciples swarmed the Sea Dream City, cramming their way toward the temple's Second Celestial Mountain now occupied by the Myriad Dreams Valley.

But they weren't the only ones. Honored guests from the various Divine and Cardinal Sects now filled the Sea Dream Temple's halls, awaiting the Ceremony's start. But while the rogue cultivators and disciples of low-level sects saw this as the opportunity of a lifetime, high-ranking sect tycoons scoffed at the riffraff this event gathered.

”This move reeks desperation. How could a reputable sect welcome anyone? Clearly, this - High Elder - wishes to use quantity to make up for nonexistent quality.”

A short, brown-haired man scoffed at the Myriad Dreams Sect's move. He was Kubera, Tara's elder brother, and the Divine Earth Temple's new master. Most high-ranking deities agreed. Although their previous recruitment practices indeed discriminated against other lineages and left many talents unable to carve out a future for themselves, at the very least, they maintained high standards.

Among the Devas and Spirits filling their sects, talentless peons didn't exist. The majority could, in a given time, reach the limit of their bloodline. But with that Rudra's system, even good for nothings with minimal cultivation talents and no hope to reach godhood dared show themselves!

Waves upon waves each bringing in millions of prospective disciples cluttered those high-ranking deities, filling them with surging waves of contempt. One, however, disagreed.

”You misunderstand. Those millions of prospective disciples are the pool. A pool that represents unimaginable potential. Now you look at those with low talent, but ignore the ones with sky-high comprehension abilities. Without witnessing Rudra's recruitment process, how can you make a judgment?

I wager that across this pool of tens of millions, he might not pick more than 1%.”

A golden-haired youth replied while his eyes, as scorching as the sun, stared at the incoming contestants. He was Pandu, Surya's eldest son, and the new Great Elder of the Primal Sun Sect.

Leaders such as Kubera and Pandu didn't appear during the auction; therefore, Konrad had yet to take control of them. Not that it mattered. Right now, from prospective disciples to guest deities, all eyes stared at the clouded mountain behind which Heaven's new hot topic lay.

That mist alone proved that the new Myriad Dreams Valley possessed the backing of top Formation Gods. Some believed that Rudra handpicked one from his Moon Refining Palace slaves while others pointed fingers at Rati.

Only Pandu, who received Kama's intel, knew Rudra to be the Formation God behind this sublime work. If only for those skills, the Primal Sun Sect would have been willing to offer him an elder position. A pity that his name now echoed humiliation for Kama, Pandu's very own uncle.

And thinking about the incoming play, he couldn't help but sneer. The mist dispersed, revealing a pearl-white mountain soaring with vast celestial energies. Dazzling magenta rays shafted through the clouds, coalescing in a magenta orb that seized all eyes and eclipsed Heaven's beauty.

From that orb, Konrad - in his Mara disguise - descended alongside his ” male Nagas and Moon Spirit servants,” dropping with peerless elegance and suspending himself one-hundred feet above the mountain's highest tower.

”Ladies and gentlemen, deities from all sides, welcome to my Myriad Dreams Valley's inauguration. Though my Myriad Dreams Valley may have hundreds of Recruitment Ceremonies, there will only be one inauguration. As Valley Lord, it is my delight to see so many friends gather to honor it. Thank you.”

Konrad began with a polite bow, a bow the gathered elites and leaders immediately returned. Although many of them hid treacherous motives, this wasn't the proper time to give no consideration for face. Inwardly Konrad sneered.

”The rules are simple. My Myriad Dreams Valley prepared nine passes for you to cross. All lead to the Valley's inner court. Whoever can reach it shall become my Myriad Dreams Valley's new disciple. You have three hours.”

Konrad declared, and waved his hand, causing a surge of magenta light to split the contestants into nine groups to challenge the passes.

”That simple?”