Chapter 391: Chapter 391: The Quotas
Lord Lan smiled at Jingtai’s confused expression.
"Let me give you another hint."
"In the past, those sects in the Land of Hundred Dynasties would recruit once every five years. The quotas were always extremely limited. Our Great Xia Kingdom would typically only get a dozen spots, twenty at the absolute most."
"This time, however, there are many more openings. The Imperial City alone has over forty spots, and even each county below has been given five."
"As long as they can cross the Blood-soaked Land and reach Celestial Martial City, they are practically guaranteed to join a sect!"
Jingtai and the others looked visibly stunned once more after Lord Lan finished speaking.
’Recruiting so many people at once... could the sects be short-staffed?’
"Jingtai, tell me, what was the main focus of the sects’ past assessments in the Imperial City?" Lord Lan asked slowly.
Jingtai paused for a moment, then replied, "They tested for talent, potential, and a certain degree of strength."
Lord Lan nodded. "Then tell me, now that the assessment has been changed to crossing the Blood-soaked Land, what is it testing?"
"Well..." Jingtai frowned in thought for a moment, his expression growing serious. He answered, "It’s testing strength, and... resourcefulness!"
At this, Jingtai seemed to have an epiphany.
’Resourcefulness...’
"Heh, well said. That’s right, it’s resourcefulness."
"Previously, the sects recruited by selecting only the most talented and promising individuals. They wanted to cultivate geniuses, the future experts of the Martial Dao."
"However, a genius or an expert is not necessarily resourceful, and not necessarily useful."
"This change in recruitment rules makes it clear: the sects no longer want top-tier geniuses. They want people who can actually fight, people who can actually go to war and kill on the battlefield!"
"Even those sects have become desperate..."
Lord Lan paused after speaking, giving Jingtai and the others time to fully comprehend the implications. After all, this was something that not even King Realm Experts could process in a moment.
"Lord Lan, those sects are the true rulers of the entire Northern Domain. Who could force them into this corner?" another Human King Realm Chief Steward asked.
Sects were different from dynasties like Great Xia. Their consistent approach had always been to expend vast resources cultivating a small number of top-tier geniuses and experts.
The sects didn’t much care if those geniuses and experts were unsuited for a real battlefield, as long as they could win various competitions and trials. That was enough.
This time, however, even the sects were forced to abandon their customary methods, instead adopting an assessment style more typical of the Hundred Dynasties.
An assessment like this often didn’t select for Unparalleled Geniuses, but it was guaranteed to find true warriors!
"Every county in Great Xia, including the Imperial City, has had conflicts with the Martial Soul Hall to some degree. I imagine you are all aware of this."
"But it’s not just our Great Xia Dynasty. The neighboring Celestial Yang Dynasty, Desert Dynasty, and Black Water Dynasty have all erupted in conflict with the Martial Soul Hall."
"The Desert Dynasty even fought a fierce battle with the Martial Soul Hall in their imperial city for three days and three nights!"
"According to the speculation of some in the Imperial City, the entire Land of Hundred Dynasties is probably already at war with the Martial Soul Hall. And this is likely just the beginning, just a probing attack. The Martial Soul Hall’s true target is very likely... those sects!"
Lord Lan stated, his expression placid.
It had to be said that the Hundred Dynasties were not lacking in insightful individuals. Based on the Martial Soul Hall’s current movements and the sects’ reactions, one could deduce a great deal.
Jingtai and the others were once again plunged into shock.
They had never imagined that the Martial Soul Hall, which they had been fighting for decades, was actually so powerful that it could force those sects to change their rules!
"This sect recruitment is also an opportunity for our Great Xia Kingdom."
"A dynasty’s prosperity depends not only on its own strength; the support of the sects is also indispensable."
"If we can seize this opportunity to send more of our people into those sects, it will bring nothing but benefits to the future of Great Xia."
"Therefore, the Imperial City has decided to select the most elite Martial Spirit Realm experts under the age of twenty-five from all the family factions in the Imperial City and the counties, and from the Great Xia Dragon Guard, to participate in this sect assessment."
"However, since the family factions in Lianshan County have all fled, those five spots will be left to the Great Xia Dragon Guard. You three Chief Stewards and six Military Lords can decide among yourselves. Select five individuals under the age of twenty-five at the Earth Spirit Realm to participate in the assessment."
Lord Lan continued.
At this moment, the Celestial Wind Army Master stood up and said, "Lord Lan, can only those at the Earth Spirit Realm participate in the assessment?"
"Heh, if there were any Celestial Spirit Realm experts under twenty-five, they could naturally participate as well. However, as far as I know, Great Xia doesn’t have any."
Lord Lan said with a smile.
"My Lord, I wish to recommend someone. Although he is not yet at the Earth Spirit Realm, he possesses the strength of one. Furthermore, both his talent and potential are exceptional," the Celestial Wind Army Master continued.
"Are you referring to that Level 3 Martial Spirit, Chu Qingyun?"
"The very same!"
Now, in addition to the Celestial Wind Army Master, Jingtai, the other two Chief Stewards, and the remaining five Military Lords were all looking at Lord Lan with anticipation.
Chu Qingyun’s great contributions during the city’s defense had saved them from being coerced by the Ninth Prince. Therefore, they were also very hopeful of securing a spot for him.
Lord Lan thought for a moment, looked at Prince Duan, and said, "Prince Duan, what are your thoughts?"
Lord Lan also held Chu Qingyun in high regard and wanted to give him a chance. However, since Lord Lan was himself a member of the Great Xia Dragon Guard, he had to ask for Prince Duan’s opinion to avoid any appearance of favoritism.
Great Xia had no one under twenty-five at the Celestial Spirit Realm, but it had quite a few at the Earth Spirit Realm. Therefore, giving a spot to someone at the Small Spirit Realm felt somewhat inappropriate.
After all, whether in the Imperial City or other major County Cities, their spots were all given to Earth Spirit Realm experts.
"I think it’s acceptable. While Chu Qingyun is only a Level 3 Martial Spirit, he managed to slay two Earth Spirit Realm experts. That counts as having the strength of an Earth Spirit Realm expert."
"Furthermore, in the recent battle to defend the city against the Martial Soul Hall, Chu Qingyun’s contribution was paramount. He performed the greatest service and saved millions of citizens."
"Let this spot be his reward. I imagine no one would dare to object."
Prince Duan said with a smile.
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