After Liu Yunan introduced the elders of the Lingxian Sect one by one, each elder stepped forward, and the new disciples respectfully saluted them.
Then, a large wild chicken, as tall as an adult, proudly strutted onto the stage with its puffed-out chest and giant chicken feet, walking with an air of authority.
Although the disciples below remained silent and respectful, Liu Yunan couldn't help but feel a momentary pause in the atmosphere.
When Xiaoluan, the massive chicken, stood among the other elders, it didn't simply nod or smile like the rest. Instead, it took a deep breath and then...
"Cock-a-doodle-doo—!"
A thunderous crow echoed in the ears of the new disciples, as loud as rolling thunder.
Afterward, Xiaoluan proudly lifted its right wing and patted the identity token hanging on its chest before standing still, without making any further moves.
The new disciples below: Though they didn't understand what this "Elder Chicken" was saying, they felt an overwhelming sense of intimidation. What if they upset this elder? Would they be eaten?
When Yang Jinshu, the head of the Discipline Hall, stepped onto the stage, an old woman in the crowd suddenly gripped the arm of the young man beside her, trembling with emotion.
As she gazed at the calm, confident figure on stage, her eyes filled with tears. Her dry lips moved, but she held back from speaking.
Seeing her was enough. Just knowing she was doing well was enough.
The old woman gently touched the pouch at her waist, where her husband's ashes were stored, and whispered in her heart:
"Husband, our daughter is doing just fine. She's doing very well."
Not far from the elderly woman, Xuan Yuan Haoyue glanced at Mo Yuanjiao on the stage and lowered her head, smiling softly.
Among the crowd of over a hundred new disciples were those Lin Xiao had met during his travels, students of Sun Yigao, and many more drawn to the sect by its reputation for aiding the common people.
They stood below, excited and expectant, watching as one immortal elder after another was introduced—some familiar faces, others new.
From this day on, their lives as cultivators would begin!
After introducing all the elders, Liu Yunan, satisfied with the quiet attention of the new disciples, moved on to the next step in the process with ease.
"Next, please follow me to the General Affairs Hall to collect your sect items."
He had meticulously planned every detail of this recruitment event.
First, introductions. Next, the distribution of basic supplies and identity tokens to give everyone a sense of belonging.
Liu Yunan organized the new disciples into four teams, each consisting of thirty-three people, and led the grand procession toward the General Affairs Hall, located on a mountain peak just beyond the residential area.
Meanwhile, the senior members of the Lingxian Sect returned to their respective posts, as previously discussed. Since many facilities, such as the Finance Hall and Discipline Hall, had been relocated to the floating islands, the General Affairs Hall had recently been expanded.
The hall was divided into a front and back section. The front was split into three areas: the central area was for exchanging contribution points. There was a counter where identity tokens could be placed to display the items available for exchange and the required contribution points.
By selecting an item, the counter would automatically deduct the corresponding amount of contribution points from the identity token, and the selected item would be dispensed from the counter below.
On the left side of the hall, sect missions could be accepted, while the right side handled regular stipends and other routine matters for the disciples, such as job applications, resignations, and travel reporting.
While other sect members distributed the new disciples' supplies, Liu Yunan took the opportunity to explain the functions of the General Affairs Hall.
When they handed out the identity tokens, he even demonstrated how to use them at the exchange counter.
The new disciples, holding their newly issued tokens, watched Liu Yunan's demonstration with fascination. Knowing that their daily needs within the sect would be managed by these small tokens, they listened to Elder Liu's explanations with extra care.
After the introduction to the General Affairs Hall, Liu Yunan led the group of newcomers, who ranged widely in age, to visit other important locations within the sect.
At each stop, the disciples couldn't help but express their amazement. Aside from the initial introduction to the identity token system, nearly every place they visited brought exclamations of surprise from the new disciples.
Knowing that today was the tour for the new recruits, every department, from the Alchemy Room to the Forge Hall, was in full operation, regardless of whether they had pressing tasks or not.
Even the normally calm Sun Yigao was in the Alchemy Room, refining batch after batch of low-tier pills at the urging of the others.
Why low-tier pills, you ask?
Because they could be refined quickly!
For these newcomers, who were still clueless about many things, what could be more impressive than watching batch after batch of perfectly round pills being quickly produced?
The new disciples stood wide-eyed in awe, watching as Sun Yigao lightly waved his sleeve over the steaming pill furnace, causing the lid to rise. A moment later, dozens of smooth, translucent pills flew out of the furnace.
With perfect coordination, the freshly made pills obediently landed on a jade tray in front of Sun Yigao.
This jade tray was specifically designed for collecting freshly refined pills, preserving their potency for a short period. However, for long-term storage, they would need to be kept in specialized jade bottles.
Without missing a beat, Sun Yigao gestured again, and a set of pre-prepared herbs floated into the air, enveloped by his spiritual energy. The herbs were swiftly refined mid-air and then added to the pill furnace one by one, beginning the next round of pill refining.
The new disciples stood there, slack-jawed, completely mesmerized by Elder Sun's smooth and efficient process, forgetting even to blink.
At just the right moment, Liu Yunan spoke up:
"This is the Lingxian Sect's Alchemy Room. You've already met Elder Sun, who oversees the pill refining here. The pills that our sect disciples use are all produced here in the Alchemy Room. Not only that, but our pills are also sold throughout the cultivation world…"
Since all the new disciples had passed the rigorous Heart Trial Road, Liu Yunan had already confirmed with Lin Xiao that there was no need to hide any of the sect's operations from them.
"If any of you are interested in alchemy, you're welcome to come to the Alchemy Room to learn and work here when you're not cultivating. The sect provides stipends based on the number and quality of the pills you produce. Not only can this improve your alchemy skills, but it's also a good way to earn extra spirit stones."