Chapter 2: The Celestial Insight
"What just happened?"Zhang Yun stood in a daze. Moments ago, he had been in that white void, touching a glowing orb, only to be abruptly ejected. Was it all an illusion?"The recruitment ceremony begins now!"As the announcement echoed, the proceedings commenced below."First candidate: Xia Dong!"A green-robed youth stepped forward. Zhang Yun glanced casually at him, then froze. Suddenly, a flood of information materialized in his vision:**[Xia Dong]****Talent:** Medium (Mid-grade Spiritual Root)**Realm:** Qi Refining Stage, First Layer**Cultivation Method:** Low-grade Spirit Gathering Scripture**Combat Skills:** Spirit Fist**Flaws:**1.Impure spiritual energy with excessive impurities.2.Chronic overuse of the right arm has congested meridians.3. ...**Recommendations:**4.Disperse current spiritual energy and restart cultivation with the High-grade Spirit Gathering Art.5.Purge meridians in the right arm through three months of spiritual tempering…Zhang Yun rubbed his eyes, but the text persisted. He tested his gaze on others nearby:**[Ning Qiang]****Talent:** Medium**Realm:** Qi Refining Stage, First Layer (unstable)**Cultivation Method:** Fragmentary Spirit Gathering Scripture…**[Huang Lan]****Talent:** Medium…The more he looked, the clearer it became—this was no hallucination. "The Celestial Insight! That orb granted me this ability!" Realization dawned, and Zhang Yun nearly laughed aloud. A golden finger! With this power to dissect talents and flaws, recruiting disciples would be effortless!He recalled the ethereal voice mentioning the next activation after accepting a disciple. If each orb in that void held a unique ability, recruiting a disciple might unlock another!Eagerly, he scanned the crowd.**[Huang Yong]****Talent:** Medium-High**Special Trait:** Mid-grade Fire Spiritual Root ConstitutionAn elemental spiritual root! Such disciples, if nurtured, could reach the Golden Core Realm. Zhang Yun marked him as a target.Below, the first candidate's results were announced: "Xia Dong, Mid-grade Spiritual Root!""This disciple joins my Fifth Peak," declared. Others remained silent—a tacit rule: the first elder to claim a Mid-grade candidate secured them, barring exceptional talents.Zhang Yun waited patiently. After a dozen candidates, his moment arrived."Next: Huang Yong!""Huang Yong, Mid-grade Spiritual Root!"Zhang Yun spoke swiftly, "This disciple joins my Ninth Peak!""Huang Yong joins my Tenth Peak!" Meng Zhong's sneering voice cut in. The Tenth Elder leaned back, disdain dripping from his words. "A Foundation Establishment cultivator has no right to take disciples."Zhang Yun glanced at the other elders, but their cold indifference confirmed their stance—he was no longer their equal.Huang Yong bowed to Meng Zhong without hesitation. "This disciple honors Tenth Elder!"Murmurs erupted among the crowd:"The Ninth Elder really is at Foundation Establishment…""Pathetic. Choosing him would ruin any disciple's future…"Zhang Yun clenched his fists but held his tongue. Patience. Revenge comes later.The ceremony continued. After dozens of Mid-grade candidates, the pillar finally dimmed:"Nie Zhi, Low-grade Spiritual Root!"A white-robed youth trembled before the pillar. Low-grade meant rejection—no elder would waste resources on such talent."Nie Zhi joins my Ninth Peak," Zhang Yun declared.The hall fell silent. Even the sect master glanced over, intrigued.Meng Zhong snorted. "Even trash isn't beneath you?" He turned to Nie Zhi. "My Tenth Peak will take you too. Choose wisely."Nie Zhi hesitated, eyeing Zhang Yun's infamous reputation, then bowed to Meng Zhong. "This disciple thanks Tenth Elder!"Zhang Yun's expression darkened, but he forced calm. "Take him. A Low-grade disciple means little to me."Meng Zhong scowled, frustrated by Zhang Yun's composure."Next: Xu Ming!"The crowd stirred as a cloaked figure shuffled forward. Whispers spread:"Xu Ming? The one crippled by the Lin Clan?""How dare he show his face here…"**[Xu Ming]****Talent:** Saint-rank (Dragonblood Saint Physique—sealed; Twin Saint Spiritual Roots: Dragon Root [shattered], Mutant Crimson-Gold Dragon Root [dormant])**Realm:** Qi Refining Stage, First Layer (fallen from Fifth Layer)**Cultivation Method:** Cloud Rolling Art**Flaws:**1.Mutant Crimson-Gold Root remains dormant.2.Dragon Root forcibly extracted, crippling physique…**Recommendations:**3.Activate mutant root with dragon's blood to restore physique.4.Temporary solution: Implant gold-element materials to stimulate root monthly…Zhang Yun's breath hitched. A sealed Saint Physique! This "cripple" was a dormant titan!The pillar flickered: "Xu Ming—Saint-grade Spiritual Root… [shattered]."Pitying sighs filled the hall. The elders shook their heads—a shattered Saint-grade was worthless.Xu Ming collapsed to his knees, voice trembling. "Elders… I beg for a chance! Let me cultivate… I'll pay any price!"Meng Zhong scoffed. "The sect isn't a charity. Leave before you embarrass yourself further."Xu Ming swayed, his face ashen. The world seemed to crumble around him—until Zhang Yun's voice pierced the silence:"Xu Ming. Join my Ninth Peak."All eyes turned. Even the sect master raised an eyebrow.Xu Ming looked up, a flicker of hope in his hollow gaze. "Y-you… accept me?"Zhang Yun nodded. "Your past means nothing here. Rise."As Xu Ming staggered to his feet, Meng Zhong's mocking laughter rang out. "A cripple and a has-been—perfect matches!"Zhang Yun ignored him, studying his new disciple. Let them laugh. In three months… the world will see what a Saint truly is.