"Indeed." Zhuo Tingqin replied with a smile.
"However, the two disciples that Azure Dragon Temple recruited this time are quite impressive, especially the one named Zhao Ya. He nearly counter-killed a Meridian Opening expert with Fifth Realm strength. I heard he also has some connections with Azure Dragon Temple, so he is worth keeping an eye on."
Nan Liangyu glanced at Zhuo Tingqin on the opposite side, "Since when did Purple Swallow Forest Pavilion start taking such an interest in the new recruits of various sects?"
"Sigh, I have no choice. It’s just that during the recent opening ceremonies, we haven’t received particularly suitable disciples. Unlike Senior Brother Nan’s Celestial One Pavilion, where you have a plethora of talented disciples to choose from." Zhuo Tingqin said helplessly.
"Alright, stop pretending to be pitiful. Everyone knows that your Purple Swallow Forest Pavilion has extremely high requirements for successor disciples. Not only must their Martial Dao aptitude be good, but they must also be attractive and remain pure before reaching the sect’s standards. With so many conditions, where can you find suitable candidates?" said Nan Liangyu.
Purple Swallow Forest Pavilion is one of the only two female cultivation sects among the Thirteen Sects Beyond the World. The other being Pure Zen Temple, but that is a purely Buddhist nunnery and cannot be compared.
Purple Swallow Forest Pavilion is known for its Lightweight Body Technique and also trains in Swordsmanship and Sleeve Skill. It is a renowned sect even Beyond the World.
The only drawback is that it has relatively few disciples.
This is because Purple Swallow Forest Pavilion has extremely strict requirements for recruiting disciples. Not only must they have excellent Martial Dao aptitude, but they must also be attractive.
As the ancestral founder who established the Purple Swallow Forest Pavilion once said, to navigate the Jianghu as a woman, one must not only be skilled in martial arts but also attractive; neither can be lacking.
Thus, this rule has been passed down to this day.
"But there’s nothing that can be done. Many of the disciples competing for selection this time are indeed attractive, but either their aptitude is lacking or they fail in other aspects. For example, the woman from the Nangong family who caused the dispute between Azure Dragon Temple and Wanghai Tower came to me. After examining her, I found that she was no longer pure, so I had to reject her." Zhuo Tingqin sighed.
At this moment, Nan Liangyu placed a stone on the chessboard and smiled, "Junior Sister Zhuo, you lost again."
Zhuo Tingqin leaned in for a look and indeed found she had lost. She smiled wryly and said, "I won’t play anymore. This time at the opening ceremony, not only did I not recruit suitable disciples, but even after three years of diligent chess practice, I still can’t match you. It’s really meaningless. I’m leaving."
Saying this, she stood up and walked to the window.
Nan Liangyu didn’t stop her but sat there, clapped his hands slightly, and said, "See you in three years!"
"See you in three years!"
As she finished speaking, a gust of night wind blew, and Zhuo Tingqin had already disappeared.
Nan Liangyu couldn’t help but marvel, "As expected of the most gifted person in the Purple Swallow Forest Pavilion for a century. Her Body Technique can’t just be described as Divinity; it’s simply incredible."
After saying this, he also stood up and quietly departed.
That night, Azure Dragon Temple was frequently mentioned among various sects and martial artists.
Some martial artists had a sudden realization, finally understanding that although Azure Dragon Temple had declined considerably, it was still a top-tier sect. So they secretly resolved to visit Azure Dragon Temple the following morning to become disciples.
But when they arrived at Azure Dragon Temple’s residence in Jade Dragon City the next day, they found it had long been abandoned.
It turned out that after resting for a night, Qin Jianji had left Jade Dragon City at the crack of dawn with Zhao Ya, Gui Xuanqing, and others, returning to Azure Dragon Temple.
For Qin Jianji, the harvest from this opening ceremony was already generous enough. There was no point in staying any longer.
Moreover, after a dispute with Wanghai Tower, Qin Jianji didn’t mind, but if Wanghai Tower targeted Zhao Ya or Gui Xuanqing, it would be troublesome.
In addition, people like Luo Congkuan from North Canglong also needed to be guarded against.
For these reasons, Qin Jianji left early with Zhao Ya and the others.
Azure Dragon Temple isn’t far from Jade Dragon City, only about six hundred miles.
For Qin Jianji, Zhao Ya, and the others, this distance was merely half a day’s journey.
However, Gui Xuanqing was in a bit of a bind.
Although he was also Fifth Realm, it was a realm forcefully achieved through his powerful family’s resources.
So, comparatively, his martial arts and body techniques were rather crude.
This was why he had ridden a horned horse on the journey before.
But now that his father had left with the group, he could only grit his teeth and follow behind.
Fortunately, after the Fifth Realm, no matter how inferior one’s skills, it wouldn’t impede much.
Thus, after traveling for most of the day, they finally returned safely to Azure Dragon Temple.
The Azure Dragon Temple is built on a high mountain, the towering entrance visible from afar.
Upon approaching the entrance, Zhao Ya found most of the Azure Dragon Temple shrouded in clouds and mist, appearing ethereal and mysterious.
But before the mountain gate lay numerous fallen leaves, and some paths were overgrown with weeds, appearing rather desolate.
After entering the mountain gate and traveling upward, they quickly arrived before the temple gates of Azure Dragon Temple.
Only then did Zhao Ya finally see living people.
Two young disciples were sweeping the area before the temple gates.
Upon seeing the returning Qin Jianji, the two young disciples quickly halted their work and bowed in salutation.
"Elder Qin, you’re back!"
"Hmm, has the Grand Elder returned?" Qin Jianji asked.
"Not yet."
Qin Jianji sighed helplessly upon hearing this, "Alright then."
Then he turned to glance at Zhao Ya and the others.
"I had intended to take you to see the Grand Elder first, but since he’s out traveling and hasn’t returned, we have to wait for his return."
"Let’s go, I’ll first arrange accommodations for you."
Azure Dragon Temple covers an extensive area, and many of the visible buildings date back to the founding of the temple, meaning they are at least a thousand years old.
However, because most of the buildings are made of stone, this long history hasn’t made them appear dilapidated; instead, they’ve gained a sense of historical depth and timelessness.
After passing through the first three halls and arriving before the central main hall, Zhao Ya saw a breathtaking scene.
On a towering cliff was carved a lifelike giant dragon.
This cliff stood approximately tens of meters high, and the Azure Dragon’s total body length was at least a hundred meters, spanning the entire cliff.
Because the stone had a general gray-brown color, from a distance, it resembled an Azure Dragon.
Zhao Ya finally understood why this place was called Azure Dragon Temple.
Because this cliff carving was indeed awe-inspiring.
It’s unknown how the craftsmen of old achieved this, with each scale appearing real. The coiled form of the dragon seemed ready to spring forth from the cliff at any moment.
But Zhao Ya also noticed a scar on the Azure Dragon’s head, missing one of its horns.
Moreover, the mark seemed fresh, presumably not of long-standing.
"This was caused by the historical battle during the split of Azure Dragon Temple, leaving a permanent flaw on the Cliff Dragon Painting!" Qin Jianji said softly, a complex expression on his face.
There was resentment, but there was also a trace of nostalgia.
It seemed he was reminiscing about Azure Dragon Temple’s heyday when it commanded respect throughout Beyond the World.
Neither Zhao Ya nor Gui Xuanqing spoke up.
Gui Xuanqing was overwhelmed by the grandeur of the Azure Dragon Map.
Zhao Ya was pondering on the cause of that historical battle.
"Let’s go, I’ll arrange living quarters for you."
Azure Dragon Temple had many rooms, and most were vacant, so Zhao Ya and Gui Xuanqing each luxuriously occupied a courtyard.
Once the rooms were arranged, a young disciple brought bedding, clothing, and other necessities.
Thus, Zhao Ya was finally completely settled at Azure Dragon Temple.
The night passed without event.
The next morning, Zhao Ya was awakened by the crisp sound of ringing bells. After getting up and washing, he followed Tian Yixin to the dining hall.
The dining hall of Azure Dragon Temple was large, but there weren’t many diners. After quickly finishing breakfast, Zhao Ya immediately inquired of Tian Yixin.
"Senior Brother Tian, where is our Azure Dragon Temple’s Library?"