World's No. 1 Swordsman-Chapter 449: Recruiting Time!

"Making sect rules is easy," the sect master declared. "I can finish them in two hours."

Since Qing Yanzi was already on top of the problem, the others divided into their respective groups and set out to expand the Pure Yang Sword Faction, beginning the first round of recruitment.

Compared to Wang Sheng's group, whose task was to recruit off-heritage sect members from among the unaffiliated practitioners gathered outside the mountain gate, Mu Wanxuan and Xiaomiao faced a far more difficult mission: finding a cook for the Pure Yang Sword Faction.

Young disciples still had to eat until they entered fasting cultivation. Since it was a crucial stage for both physical growth and foundation building, being particular about food was perfectly reasonable.

Moreover, Xi Lian, Xiaomiao, and Mu Wanxuan had no intention of neglecting their taste buds even though they no longer had to eat to survive. The cook they sought had to have mastered not only ordinary cuisine but also the special techniques required to prepare spirit beast meat and rare ingredient dishes.

"Should the cook be an ordinary person or a cultivator?" Xiaomiao asked.

Ordinary people usually had families, and cultivators devoted to culinary arts were rare.

After some discussion with Mu Wanxuan, Xiaomiao came up with an idea. She found a wooden board, wrote a few lines, and placed it on the left side of the mountain gate archway.

Pure Yang Sword Faction is now recruiting a head chef(one or two positions available). Generous pay and benefits. Contact if interested."

Requirements: skilled in multiple cuisines, can stay at the sect, no bad habits, and great attention to food hygiene. Those who truly love the art of cooking will be prioritized.

Once she set the sign down, Xiaomiao quickly slipped away.

The cultivators guarding the gate and those waiting on the mountain immediately sprang into action. Several unaffiliated Golden Core Realm cultivators even flew over. However, upon reading the sign, most looked disappointed.

After all, they wanted to join the Pure Yang Sword Faction as off-heritage sect members, not as cooks.

Off-heritage sect members would get to enjoy the benefits and resources of a major sect. Moreover, they'd be training with Qing Yanzi and his two disciples, which was a perk in itself. They found the shade of such a great tree to be the most promising environment for their cultivation. The Pure Yang Sword Faction had only just been founded, too. It still offered many opportunities and chances for fortune.

Once Wang Sheng and Mu Wanxuan had sent out invitations and the opening ceremony was announced, many well-known unaffiliated practitioners from across the cultivation world swiftly made their way over to try their luck. Joining Qing Yanzi's sect would be ideal, but even if they failed, they still wouldn't be at a loss. After all, they could still attend the ceremony and get acquainted with the era's leading sword cultivator.

"A cook..."

"I didn't expect them to start looking for a cook first."

"What's wrong, Old Zhao? Why don't you give it a try? The food you served the last time I ate at your place wasn't bad."

"Don't joke around. Whoever gets hired will be cooking for Sword Cultivator Fei Yu and Fairy Bu Yu. I'd rather not embarrass myself."

"You're mistaken, Daoist friend. Recruiting a cook means they're preparing to take disciples. Look, it even says they want multiple cuisines and food hygiene. The Pure Yang Sword Faction will probably start accepting new disciples soon."

The cultivators surrounding the sign voiced their opinions and speculations, but no one stepped forward to apply.

Waiting by the mountain gate, Xiaomiao fell speechless.

The kitchen had already been prepared, with stoves and ingredients ready. Anyone who volunteered could be tested immediately. Unfortunately, even after thirty minutes, not one of the unaffiliated practitioners had taken the opportunity.

"How's it going?" Xi Lian asked from behind as she walked over with Wang Sheng, who carried another wooden signboard. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Xiaomiao sighed and turned to look at her. Her eyes swiftly widened as she muttered in surprise, "Wow."

Xi Lian was in a proper Daoist robe, and her hair was styled in an elegant cloud bun. The plain white robe was loose, yet it still couldn't fully hide her alluring figure. It did give her an ethereal air, at least. Since she had subdued her natural charm, she now exuded the poise of a reclusive expert.

"Big Sister, you look so... immortal-like!" Xiaomiao gave a big thumbs-up.

Xi Lian's lips curved into a faint, mysterious smile. Before she could even say anything, Xiaomiao brightened up. She already knew what her big sister's smile meant.

Ah, the cultivators outside the gate are going to suffer...

Wang Sheng smiled. "Has anyone applied yet?"

"No. They just came to look. I don't think any of them can cook," Xiaomiao answered. "They'll probably only consider it once you're done accepting off-heritage sect members. I'll go down the mountain later with Senior Sister to visit some restaurants and see if we get lucky."

"Good luck," Wang Sheng encouraged.

He then gazed at the mountain gate. Noticing the wooden board in his hand, the unaffiliated practitioners' eyes immediately lit up.

Calmly, he said, "Let's begin."

Xi Lian nodded softly. A white cloud rose under her feet and lifted her gracefully into the air.

The unaffiliated practitioners watched her in surprise. They immediately recognized her as Xi Lian of the Ziyan Temple, the famous fox fiend and former ancient devil. Now, she was known as Wang Sheng's confidante. After all, it was the most widely spread rumor in the cultivation world.

The day Wang Sheng slew fifteen ancient cultivators in anger had earned him not only fame but also a romantic legend. His feat was remembered as "an act of rage for beauty," a tale that many still eagerly discussed.

In the air, Xi Lian swiftly formed signs with her slender hands. The primal qi within ten li gathered and formed clusters of white clouds around the mountain. With a light press of her palm, she made one descend to the cliff edge before the mountain gate. Another followed behind it at a slightly lower altitude, like two cut steps. More floated down afterward, forming a winding stairway that spiraled from the mountaintop to the base.

The crowd below her was stunned. Her level of cloud control far surpassed the ordinary cultivators' imaginations.

The array held a deeper meaning as well. It was essentially declaring that before one could enter the gate, they first had to walk through clouds and ascend to the heavens, reflecting the Pure Yang Sword Faction's confidence.

Moreover, it showed that their sect would not judge candidates based on their cultivation realm alone. After all, they now offered a literal path up the mountain for those who could not yet ascend on their own.

By the time the crowd regained their senses, Wang Sheng was already placing down a wooden sign to the right of the mountain gate.

The Pure Yang Sword Faction is now recruiting four to six off-heritage sect members. Accepted candidates will be given the same treatment and benefits that our direct disciples receive.

Primary duties include patrolling inside and outside the sect's territory and upholding the sect's reputation. Those with deep potential will receive focused resources and training. Once you're accepted, you will be considered family. We will support each other through fortune and hardship. Apply now.

The handwriting was unmistakably Wang Sheng's.

Wang Sheng cupped his hands toward the cultivators before him, drawing all eyes to him. He then imbued his voice with enchanted power, making his instructions echo across the mountainside and the valley below.

"Greetings, everyone. Please refrain from quarreling at the gate. All Daoist masters who are looking to join the Pure Yang Sword Faction may register with me. Since our sect has just been founded, we still have a lot to build and develop. We are also earnestly seeking Daoist masters to walk the cultivation path with us.

"However, my master's orders are strict. Anyone who has committed crimes, acted improperly, or harbors ill intent will not be permitted to enter the mountain gate. If you attempt to deceive us, please be prepared to face the consequences."

Wang Sheng gave them a Daoist bow. He then took out a long table, three wooden stools, and a blank book from his storage artifact.

Xi Lian descended slowly from the sky and sat beside Wang Sheng. She took charge of grinding ink and writing in the book before her. After all, Wang Sheng found no reason to embarrass himself with his calligraphy.

Xiaomiao sat next to her brother and called out, "Anyone who wants to apply as a cook, come register with me!"

As though she had just signaled the start of a race, the cultivators outside grew restless. Over ten from the front row swiftly approached the table, but they all stopped before reaching the gate. Unaware of what awaited them, they refused to be the first to rush in.

"I'll go!" A young cultivator with a sword on his back stepped forward and met Wang Sheng's gaze with firm determination. "I am—"

Perhaps from nervousness, his tone came out sharp and high. He coughed twice and stepped through the gate, his momentum already fading a little.

"I am Hua Jinwei, a twenty-two-year-old unaffiliated practitioner! I haven't made a name for myself yet, but I have been practicing the Shadowless Mirage Sword Art and Flowing Frost Sword Art under Daoist Master Wang Feng of the Zhongnan Mountains. My sword arts come from the Qingcheng Mountains' lineage."

Wang Sheng brushed his hand across the air, making a stool appear before the table.

With a light tap of her right hand, Xi Lian formed a thin light barrier over the mountain gate, cutting off sound from inside and outside. She then picked up the brush in front of her and wrote the person's name.

Wang Sheng gestured at the stool politely. "Have a seat."

The young man's eyes shone as he looked at Wang Sheng. His voice trembled with excitement. "Senior! Can I get your signature first? I'm your loyal fan! I might not qualify to join since my cultivation is weak and my aptitude is poor. Still, if I can get your autograph, I'll count this trip as worthwhile."

Wang Sheng looked him over. The man had a square and upright face and sharp eyes beneath thick eyebrows. His Dao Rhythm had a hint of grace, and his aura was calm, steady, light, and clear. His Dao of the Sword clearly leaned toward agility and flow.

"Sure. Where do you want it signed?"

Hua Jinwei drew the longsword from his back. Wang Sheng assumed he wanted him to sign it, but Hua Jinwei suddenly pulled down his Daoist robe, turned around, and revealed his muscular back. He looked over his shoulder with a completely serious expression.

"Senior! Use your sword to carve it on my back! Just write 'Sword Cultivator Fei Yu'!"

Wang Sheng was rendered speechless. Xi Lian and Wang Xiaomiao burst out laughing beside him.

Outside, the cultivators exchanged confused looks. They couldn't hear anything, but they could see what was happening.

Why is he taking off his clothes? And why did he turn his back toward Sword Cultivator Fei Yu? Is something strange going on inside?