C8 Hundred Herb Garden

Within the Three Sects, disciples are categorized into four tiers: Miscellaneous Chores Disciple, Outer Sect Disciple, Inner Sect Disciple, and Core Disciple.

The Miscellaneous Chores Disciples usually hold the lowest rank, yet there is one place within the Star Cloud Sect where this is not the case: the Hundred Herb Garden.

Back when Guu Tianyi was part of the Star Cloud Sect, he had only heard rumors that the disciples of the Hundred Herb Garden, despite being Miscellaneous Chores Disciples, were untouchable within the Outer Sect.

The entry requirements for the Hundred Herb Garden were exceedingly strict, reserved only for the most exceptional talents. To date, the garden boasts a mere three disciples.

For Guu Tianyi, the prospect of joining the Hundred Herb Garden was once an unattainable dream. Now, the chance to become part of it lay unexpectedly before him.

Before he could express his interest, Tang Yun, from his elevated position, addressed the crowd: "Hsing Wenruo, the second assessment isn't over yet. I understood when you stepped into the arena to save someone, but why are you recruiting now?"

"Exactly," chimed in Faang Yunhe with a sneer, "Hsing Wenruo, is it possible that the Star Cloud Sect has never seen a genius before?"

Surveying the scene, Hsing Wenruo realized that it might be premature to invite Guu Tianyi into the Hundred Herb Garden. He clapped Tianyi on the shoulder and advised, "Give it some thought. A spot in the Hundred Herb Garden is highly coveted and not easily secured."

Guu Tianyi nodded, his mind racing with possibilities.

The trials pressed on, and following Guu Tianyi's dazzling display of talent, the subsequent competitors paled in comparison, with few making a notable impression.

Meanwhile, another prodigy, Lo Chenfeng, had managed to resonate the Morning Bell and Dusk Drum eight times with a single punch, powered solely by his Genuine Qi, without even invoking his Martial Soul or a Martial Skill.

As the final contestant left the Morning Bell and Dusk Drum, Elder Tang Yun of the Purple Polar Sect sprang to his feet and pointed directly at Guu Tianyi, proclaiming, "Guu Tianyi, should you choose to join the Purple Polar Sect, I will personally recommend you for immediate admission to the Inner Sect. You will be granted a Profound Level Martial Skill and a Grade Three Spirit Treasure."

Tang Yun's offer sent shockwaves through the crowd, sparking intense discussion.

Only Martial Ancestors could fully harness the might of a Profound Level Martial Skill, a rarity treasured by families and passed down as a sacred heirloom.

Guu Tianyi was well aware that his own Guu family possessed at most three such Martial Skills, accessible only to the clan leader and senior elders.

Regarding Spirit Treasures, these were weapons crafted by Artificers, each imbued with its own awakened spirit.

In Heavenly Fire City, even a Grade One Spirit Treasure commanded a king's ransom, let alone one of Grade Three.

The Purple Polar Sect, known for its vast resources, was prepared to lavish Guu Tianyi with a Profound Level Martial Skill, a Grade Three Spirit Treasure, and the rare opportunity for direct entry into the Inner Sect.

Yet, considering Guu Tianyi's recent feat of achieving the unprecedented Thirteen Chimes with a Level Five Martial Cultivator's prowess, the crowd's awe was unanimous and unfeigned.

Upon hearing Tang Yun's words, Hsing Wenruo was visibly agitated and couldn't help but lash out, "Tang Yun, you're crossing the line. There's an order to these things, even when recruiting disciples. I approached Tianyi first. Are you really going to compete with me for him?"

"Heh, Hsing Wenruo, we are at the Heavenly Fire Competition, as well as the Three Sects Assessment. All three great sects have the right to choose their disciples, and those chosen have the freedom to decide whether to join or not. There's no such thing as first-come, first-served here. We must rely on our own merits to attract disciples!" Tang Yun retorted. Turning to Guu Tianyi, he continued:

"Young Fellow Taoist Tianyi, I admit I had some misconceptions about you earlier. Your recent speech was a wake-up call, resonating with the power of the Morning Bell and Dusk Drum. It seems that they have indirectly aided you."

"The Morning Bell and Dusk Drum are sacred to the Purple Polar Sect, signifying a destined connection between you and our sect. The higher-ups of the Star Cloud Sect failed to recognize your worth, and those in the Punishment Hall couldn't discern right from wrong. Their decision to cast you out was their loss. Join the Purple Polar Sect, and you'll receive unparalleled training, allowing you to one day exact your revenge on those who have wronged you!"

Tang Yun skillfully mixed self-deprecation with flattery towards Guu Tianyi, sowing discord between him and the Star Cloud Sect, effectively quashing Hsing Wenruo's hopes. He even dangled an enticing opportunity before Guu Tianyi.

It was clear that Tang Yun was a master strategist.

On the martial arts stage, Lau Yue and Guu Linyuan's faces darkened. Guu Tianyi was now the center of attention, overshadowing dozens of competitors. It seemed as if the stage was set solely for him.

Before Guu Tianyi could respond to Tang Yun's offer, Faang Yunhe of the Spirit Void Sect, in a fit of rage, grabbed a cup beside him and hurled it onto the stage.

In his hands, the small cup became a divine weapon, smashing a large crater into the stage just inches from Guu Linyuan.

Guu Linyuan, pale and shaking, stammered, "Master, what are you doing?"

"Get away from me, I'm not your master. You vile creature, if it weren't for you badmouthing Tianyi to me, I would never have targeted him," Faang Yunhe bellowed.

Faang Yunhe's formidable power lent his words a special energy that reverberated across the square long after they were spoken.

The Third Elder, unable to remain silent, quickly interjected, "Elder Faang, Linyuan didn't do it intentionally."

But before he could finish, Faang Yunhe, with a single palm strike, reduced the nearby table and chairs to rubble. Pointing at the Third Elder, he shouted, "Silence! You expected a small kindness to buy my favor for your worthless grandson to join the Spirit Void Sect. Worse still, you deceived me, preventing me from seeing Tianyi's true nature, and you spread slanderous rumors about him."

"I have always detested evil, and yet you sought to use me to oppress Tianyi. But now that the truth is out, I see that it was I who was deceived by you!"

Before the watchful eyes of the crowd, Faang Yunhe leapt from the high platform and approached Guu Tianyi. With a respectful fist salute, he said, "Tianyi, I was impulsive and misjudged you earlier. Guu Linyuan's slanderous words against you nearly made me the villain. Now, I'll ensure he pays for his transgressions!"

Faang Yunhe's presence commanded the stage, prompting the onlookers to scatter, all except Guu Linyuan, who remained frozen in place, overwhelmed by the crushing pressure bearing down on him like a colossal hand from the heavens.

"Elder Faang, please, have mercy!" pleaded the Third Elder, rushing to intervene, but Faang Yunhe paid him no heed.

"Let it be," Guu Tianyi finally spoke after a heavy silence. "This is an internal affair of the Guu family. Elder Faang, there's no need for you to trouble yourself."

As Guu Tianyi's voice trailed off, Faang Yunhe gestured dismissively, and his intimidating aura vanished.

He turned to Guu Tianyi with another fist salute, admiration in his tone. "Tianyi, your magnanimity is truly commendable."

Casting a scornful look at the Third Elder, he remarked, "We're both of the Guu family, yet the disparity between us is staggering, isn't it?"

"You're overstepping, meddling in affairs that aren't yours. Tianyi belongs to the Purple Polar Sect; he doesn't need you to seek revenge for him. Step aside and stop interrupting my conversation with Tianyi," Tang Yun interjected sharply.

Ignoring Tang Yun, Faang Yunhe remained on the stage and extended his invitation. "Tianyi, with our misunderstanding now cleared, I wholeheartedly invite you to join the Spirit Void Sect. Should you accept, I will personally take you as my disciple on behalf of my master. Henceforth, you'll be my junior brother, and the renowned Fire Cloud Heavenly Master will be your master."

"By my master's tradition, you'll be welcomed with two Profound Level Martial Skills and two Grade Three Spirit Treasures as gifts."

Faang Yunhe's proposition sent ripples through the audience; his actions towards Guu Linyuan were clearly aimed at currying favor with Guu Tianyi.

In the Three Sects, only esteemed elders of the Inner Sect are honored with the title of Heavenly Master, a position of significant influence within the sect.

With a simple nod from Guu Tianyi, he stood to gain two Profound Level Martial Skills, two Grade Three Spirit Treasures, and the coveted title of a Heavenly Master's disciple.

All eyes were on Guu Tianyi in that moment.

"So that's your angle, Faang Yunhe," Tang Yun said with a narrowed gaze and clenched teeth, turning to Guu Tianyi. "Join the Purple Polar Sect, and you'll receive three Profound Level Martial Skills and three Grade Three Spirit Treasures."

Both powerhouses were vying for Guu Tianyi's allegiance.

The crowd's attention then shifted to Hsing Wenruo, the first to extend an offer to Guu Tianyi. With Tang Yun and Faang Yunhe laying such rich offers at his feet, would he stand down?

In that instant, Hsing Wenruo, with a sweep of his sleeves and an air of confidence, declared, "Guu Tianyi, the Star Cloud Sect may not offer Martial Skills or Spirit Treasures, but the Hundred Herb Garden is a place of great opportunity!"