Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 714 - 714 713 Turning the Tables Seeking Guaranteed Monthly Tickets

714: Chapter 713: Turning the Tables [Seeking Guaranteed Monthly Tickets] 714: Chapter 713: Turning the Tables [Seeking Guaranteed Monthly Tickets] Hou Niao began to understand, it seemed that the Heavenly Heart Pavilion’s predicament was that they could not find a completely fair and just method to differentiate between the abilities of cultivators, or perhaps they had such a standard but could not make it public?

However, they must give an explanation to the various Daoist sects of the Jinxiu Continent, otherwise, they could not justify themselves; what kind of standard would be convincing for everyone?

Nothing else, only through battle.

This was quite embarrassing, as the Heavenly Heart Pavilion clearly looked down upon using combat power to measure a cultivator’s future potential, and this might also be true; but now they were forced into a situation where they had to use combat to be persuasive, which was somewhat of a joke.

Even if the Heavenly Heart Pavilion and the Taihao Sect were extraordinary and stood aloof from the world, they could not withstand the joint pressure from the majority of the Daoist sects of the Continent, so they could only resort to a method they once despised.

The choice of a candidate was quite troubling.

If they used an existing Constellation True Inheritor, it would inevitably lead to favoritism, retaliation, soft-pedaling towards acquaintances, and targeting of enemies; even those famous individuals from major Daoist sects could not be used.

However, scouring the Jinxiu Continent, with countless Loose Cultivators, where could they find someone with the strength and no desire for fame or profit?

Therefore, the ancestor of the Heavenly Heart Pavilion had to turn to the blind elder, who then found him and gave him a treasure to change his appearance, precisely for him to play this villainous role.

These twists and turns, upon a little analysis, could lead to a rough guess, not far from the truth.

The reason they chose him was simply that his strength was adequate, and he wasn’t a True Disciple, without even the qualification to compete.

This was a bit of an ego blow.

He hadn’t expected to have such a day when he was still a junior student; instead, he had become an invigilator first?

“As a disciple of the Heavenly Heart Pavilion, do I need to familiarize myself with certain things?”

“No need, your task is to be an enforcer; you don’t need to worry about anything else.”

Well, just like a dog, barking at whoever he was told to.

It was quite a blow to his self-esteem, but it suited him just fine, as he had no interest in getting entangled with a Daoist sect as secretive as the Heavenly Heart Pavilion, considering the troubles he had himself.

“Regarding skills, are there any special requirements?”

“No reservations needed, you can use whatever you have learned; the Heavenly Heart Pavilion is very open when it comes to skills and does not impose restrictions.”

In fact, this meant that the Heavenly Heart Pavilion didn’t have any mainstream Divine Technique Secret Skills to its name, more resembling a hodgepodge; put nicely, it meant drawing on the strengths of various schools, but less kindly, it lacked its own unique ultimate skills.

That such a sect could continue its legacy was quite moving to him.

Perhaps they still had some ace techniques up their sleeve, related to those elusive and mysterious aspects.

“Do I need to stay here?”

“Not necessary, you can stay anywhere in Sui Mo City, just ensure that you can come whenever summoned.”

Hou Niao’s last question was, “When does it start?”

Daoist Qiu Shi was also uncertain, “We’re still in preparation; you know that we never host such events at the Heavenly Heart Pavilion, not even festivals, so we lack experience in this area and need to deliberate further to prevent any potential issues.

Approximately half a month later, I’ll send you a message with the specific time.

You should ensure that you’re within a hundred miles of Sui Mo City.”

“I’ll be in Sui Mo City, not going anywhere.”

Daoist Qiu Shi breathed a sigh of relief; when he received this task, he was actually a bit nervous.

Since the person was brought in from outside through an ancestor’s friend, he feared that they might bring in someone reckless and ruin a good thing.

In the Cultivation World, there are many cultivators who don’t understand social interactions and just focus single-mindedly on cultivation, which can make dealings very troublesome, often leading to unexpected incidents, and they would still have to manage them.

But after this contact, he found that aside from being somewhat arrogant, the cultivator in front of him didn’t have too many other faults.

He was sensible, considered things thoroughly, didn’t have much curiosity, and did not take the opportunity to probe too much into the inner workings of the Heavenly Heart Pavilion.

The reason he refused to let this cultivator stay here, to provide the Pavilion’s basic Daoist skills, or to interact with the Pavilion’s disciples, was out of fear of causing too many accidents.

Within the Heavenly Heart Pavilion, those who knew about this external enforcer were few, limited to the ancestor and a few Golden Core brothers.

Most people were not aware and truly believed that this person was indeed Hao Ren, who left the sect decades ago.

Too much contact might risk exposing the truth.

But now it seems that he does not have much curiosity about the Heavenly Heart Pavilion.

People are like this; before they come, you worry that they have curiosity, and when you find that they are indifferent, you start to wonder where exactly this person came from, what his background is?

He remembered the ancestor’s order not to inquire into this man’s past, but as a sign of his satisfaction with him, he decided to show some kindness as a host.

“If you have any requests, you can make them.

Although the Heavenly Heart Pavilion is not wealthy, not good at Artifact Making or proficient in Alchemy, and not accustomed to drawing Talismans, there must be something we can help you with?”

Hou Niao chuckled inwardly, thinking how stingy the Heavenly Heart Pavilion was, pre-emptively blocking any requests.

It was as if they were saying, don’t bother asking for Spirit Stones, we have no treasures, no Elixirs, no Talismans…

What requests could you possibly have?

“I have no requests, but if it’s convenient, I’ve heard that the Heavenly Heart Pavilion has the richest collection of books among the Daoist sects of the Continent, so could I perhaps widen my horizons within the limits you allow?”

Daoist Qiu Shi laughed, he appreciated cultivators with a strong thirst for knowledge, willing to read books, indicating a willingness to enrich themselves, with broader prospects for the future, not being dogmatic, and more open-minded.

People who read a lot rarely lack reason.

“Of course, apart from skills, I will grant you the same access as my Heavenly Heart Pavilion disciples; you’re free to read whatever you like.”

Hou Niao expressed his thanks.

As he left the stilted building, he asked a question he had always wanted to ask, “Using martial power to measure the level of True Disciples, I won’t be the only one, right?”

Daoist Qiu Shi smiled, “There are three of us, including two of the most outstanding disciples from the Natural Realm of my Heavenly Heart Pavilion, both of whom have abilities that are not inferior to the True Inheritors of the Daoist sects.

The ancestor probably felt it wasn’t quite secure enough, which is why he found you as well.”

Looking at the ocean of flowers before him, Hou Niao reflected, “Indeed, this place is suitable only for flowers and grass; it really shouldn’t be tainted by strife and conflict.

But as a brute like me, that’s all I’m good for, which seems quite out of place.”

Daoist Qiu Shi replied, “Once this hurdle is cleared, whenever you visit Shangyu again, you will be an honored guest of the Heavenly Heart Pavilion, and we will surely receive you with great hospitality.”

The sky began to drizzle again, and after bowing, Hou Niao floated away; in the eyes of Daoist Qiu Shi, he seemed to meld with the surrounding sea of flowers, harmoniously blending in.

Daoist Qiu Shi felt a chill in his heart; the cultivator’s perfect harmony with nature revealed his unfathomably deep strength.

In the Jinxiu Continent, hidden dragons and crouching tigers can be found not only among the major Daoist sects.

…

Falling flowers and flowing water acknowledge the Heavenly Platform, half a song whispered leisurely on a solitary visit.

Melancholy tonight, where shall I go, as the courtyard blooms with red apricots and green peaches.