As soon as the names were announced, a buzz of discussion immediately erupted among the crowd.
Most of the Cultivators looked indignant, then revealed expressions of extreme unwillingness and even defiance.
To Yang Che's surprise, the burly man from the black tower, Niu Rong, was actually ranked third.
And Yang Che heard his own name, precisely ranked sixth.
Although it was the last spot, which kept his heart in suspense, it still made him let out a long sigh of relief.
As for the elderly Shi Yizhu and the petite Mo Wenyue, both were eliminated.
Standing in the crowd, Shi Yizhu looked at 'Zhang Gu,' who stood calmly beside the jade table, enjoying a moment of infinite glory, and a surge of extreme indignation and resentment towards the unfairness of fate suddenly arose in his heart.
His Lifespan was already limited, and with his financial resources, repeated attempts to break through to Foundation Establishment Late Stage had failed. He had originally intended to start with Talisman Making, to see if he could find a glimmer of hope.
Who knew that not only was his own hope shattered, but he also witnessed with his own eyes a 'wealthy' young Cultivator reach the position he had yearned for.
Both were Cultivators, so why was the disparity so great?
Was it just because of the difference in Immortal Root?
And the difference in background?
At this moment, the elderly Shi Yizhu suddenly became confused, and his whole person instantly appeared even older.
At this moment, he even recalled the admonishments of his elders, 'Cultivate diligently and painstakingly; the harder you work, the luckier you get,' wondering if it was true or false.
The more Shi Yizhu thought about it, the more unwilling he became, his heart being increasingly filled with negative emotions...
At this moment, there was another person in the arena who was even more unwilling than Shi Yizhu.
This person was Mo Shaotian, Young Lord of Dark Abyss City.
"Grandmaster Shentu, you said my sister could be ranked seventh? Isn't that a bit too deliberate?"
Mo Shaotian's handsome features appeared somewhat gloomy and terrifying due to his forced suppression of anger.
"Young Lord Mo, I just said that if there are any doubts about the results, I will explain them clearly."
Shentu Yun's expression did not change. She found two Jade Slips on the jade table in front of her, then tossed them, and they flew towards Mo Shaotian.
"Young Lord Mo, these are the answers of the sixth-ranked Zhang Gu and your sister, Mo Wenyue, to the ten questions. Please examine them carefully."
After Shentu Yun finished speaking, she picked up the jade cup in front of her and lightly sipped the spiritual tea.
Mo Shaotian's expression remained gloomy, but after receiving these two Jade Slips, he quickly covered them with his Divine Sense and soon understood the contents of both Jade Slips clearly.
After reading them, the gloom on Mo Shaotian's face gradually eased, but he still showed a very unwilling expression.
The answers inscribed by this Cultivator named Zhang Gu were indeed far more exquisite than his sister's.
After Mo Shaotian's expression changed repeatedly, he suddenly remembered that this Cultivator named Zhang Gu's Soul Power seemed a bit weak, only ranking eleventh.
His sister Wenyue, however, was ranked seventh, even stronger than the Soul Power of one of the Core Formation Cultivators.
Thinking of this, Mo Shaotian snorted coldly and said, "Grandmaster Shentu, Zhang Gu's answers to the ten questions are indeed superior to my sister's, but his Soul Power is much weaker than my sister's. If we consider the principle of give and take, it seems that my sister ranking sixth and Zhang Gu ranking seventh is not impossible, is it?"
As soon as Mo Shaotian uttered these words, the entire audience was surprised and fell silent.
After all, this was a Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator; his questioning carried far more 'power' than anyone else present.
Upon hearing this, Yang Che's expression also began to turn serious.
Clearly, Mo Shaotian, for his sister's sake, was starting to 'play dirty,' and even trying to be forcefully 'Ba Dao.'
Shentu Yun smiled faintly, then suddenly her expression turned serious, and she said in a deep voice, "Young Lord Mo, I want to ask, am I taking Disciples, or are you taking Disciples?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Mo Shaotian was instantly as if his throat was choked, unable to utter a single word for a long time.
Shentu Yun's words, gentle yet firm, immediately made those present who harbored resentment and defiance feel as if a basin of cold water had been poured over them, instantly sobering them up.
Subsequently, Cultivators continuously cupped their hands in farewell and left the ancient house one after another.
Yang Che saw that the elderly man, Shi Yizhu, the shopkeeper of Xiaoyao Pavilion, looked at him with a very strange and complex expression, then left directly without saying anything.
This made Yang Che slightly surprised, but considering that his mood might not be good, he didn't dwell on it.
Mo Shaotian was stunned for a long while, his face still grim. He said with great confusion:
"Grandmaster Shentu, this Cultivator named Zhang Gu is merely a Foundation Establishment Loose Cultivator, while my sister Wenyue is the apple of my Mo Family's eye, with my Mo Family standing behind her. Their Talisman Making talents are almost identical, so how to choose, isn't it obvious?"
Shentu Yun's expression showed displeasure upon hearing this. She seemed not to fear Mo Shaotian's Nascent Soul Stage cultivation and status, and she snorted lightly, "Is Young Lord Mo threatening me? Your Mo Family indeed has immense power in Dark Abyss City, even covering the sky with one hand. What, you want to forcefully interfere even with me taking a Disciple?"
"You..."
Mo Shaotian was furious deep down but still forcefully restrained himself.
He vaguely noticed that Shentu Yun today seemed somewhat different from her usual self.
Offending his Mo Family in Dark Abyss City was not a wise move, and Shentu Yun usually had a good relationship with the City Lord's Mansion. Why was she suddenly so unyielding today regarding the matter of accepting Named Disciples?
Thinking of this, Mo Shaotian couldn't help but look at the young Foundation Establishment Cultivator named 'Zhang Gu.'
But no matter how he looked, this young Cultivator appeared as ordinary as could be. If there was anything that left an impression on him, it was the faint sense of dark gloom emanating from Xiushi.
"Could this person be a mutated Dark Immortal Root?"
Mo Shaotian speculated in his heart.
If this person was a mutated Dark Immortal Root, then Shentu Yun's insistence on taking him as a Disciple could barely be justified.
However, Mo Shaotian had come specifically for his younger sister today.
Currently, the entire Family had considerable opinions about his younger sister due to her involvement with Su Liang of the Su Family.
And if his younger sister could become a Disciple of Shentu Yun and become a true Talisman Maker, then its significance to the Family would immediately change.
But Shentu Yun was extremely strict and harsh in accepting Disciples and never showed favoritism.
Furthermore, Shentu Yun was the only Grandmaster-level Talisman Maker in Dark Abyss City.
Thinking of this, Mo Shaotian suddenly realized that he had been a bit too hasty because of his sister, and even his words were slightly inappropriate.
Strictly speaking, Shentu Yun, as a Grandmaster-level Talisman Maker, truly wasn't afraid of offending the Mo Family.
Thinking of this, Mo Shaotian sighed helplessly. Seeing his sister's despondent look, his heart softened, and he lowered his posture, saying to Shentu Yun:
"Grandmaster Shentu, I was a bit too impatient just now. How about this, consider it me, Mo Shaotian, begging you, please add one Disciple spot and accept my sister. I, Mo Shaotian, will be eternally grateful."
"Big brother..."
Mo Wenyue, who had been silent all this time, saw her older brother, whom she had always considered incomparably proud, speak like this for her, and her heart warmed, her eyes slightly red.
And Yang Che, who had been silently observing all of this from the side, was also startled, a trace of solemnity flashing deep in his eyes.
He hadn't expected Mo Shaotian to be able to set aside his so-called 'pride' for his sister, lowering the posture of a Nascent Soul cultivator so much.
It seemed that Mo Shaotian was truly not an easy enemy to deal with.
Yang Che immediately made a judgment.
However, vaguely, he also felt that this might also become Mo Shaotian's weakness?
A thoughtful expression appeared deep in his eyes.
As for Shentu Yun's insistence on choosing himself as a Named Disciple and giving up on Mo Wenyue of the Mo Family, it equally puzzled Yang Che.
And now that Mo Shaotian had made such a request, how would Shentu Yun choose?
Yang Che looked at Shentu Yun and saw her lightly sipping the spiritual tea, still appearing calm and unruffled.