The alchemist's spirit stones were not windfalls, so there wouldn't be many spare ones to hire a large number of sect disciples.
The employer ultimately decided to select five temporary guards with exceptional combat strength through a screening process.
As evening approached.
Wu Tao, without delay, arrived at the designated meeting point and headed towards the Lan Zhi Medicine Garden.
In front of the Lan Zhi Medicine Garden at this moment, it was quite lively. Dozens of 'young men of distinguished bearing' were gathered at the entrance, including both males and females, young and old, totaling over twenty people.
Lan Zhi Medicine Garden.
Lan Zhi Medicine Garden was the residence of the master alchemist Zhou Shenxin, and the employer, Zhou Yuyan, was his daughter.
Within Lan Zhi Medicine Garden, the focus was on cultivating a wide variety of common spirit herbs, though rare and precious ones were also present.
In Lan Zhi Medicine Garden, there was also an elixir shop, stocked with countless elixirs, where transactions were typically completed on the spot after negotiations.
Still a distance from the garden, Wu Tao could already sense a faint fragrance.
This fragrance was not merely a captivating floral scent but also a vibrant, natural spiritual aura.
It possessed a different kind of fragrance than the green grass in the forest.
Upon smelling this overflowing aroma, the circulation of spirit energy within Wu Tao's body quickened by a fraction.
He now had some understanding of how wealthy alchemists truly were.
In the cultivation world, establishing such a medicinal garden would undoubtedly cost hundreds of thousands of spirit stones.
After a while, a green-clad maiden attendant approached gracefully.
As she swayed, countless jade ornaments clinked, making tinkling sounds, and her hair was adorned with a floral crown.
At first glance, she appeared as beautiful as a painting, as if she were an immortal maiden.
The green-clad maiden attendant smiled, bowed to everyone, and then said, "Esteemed friends, welcome to Lan Zhi Ling Cui Garden. My young master will be entering the Tuo Yi Mountain Range tomorrow morning."
"Therefore, the five temporary guard candidates will be decided before this evening. Those who are regrettably not selected will not be treated unfairly by my young master; a bottle of healing elixir will be gifted for free, which will surely satisfy you."
Upon hearing this, an inner disciple among the crowd inquired, "Beautiful lady, may I ask about the screening criteria? Please enlighten us so we can prepare accordingly."
The green-clad maiden attendant smiled charmingly and replied softly, "Since the destination this time is the very dangerous Tuo Yi Mountain Range, the screening criteria will naturally be a test of your actual combat prowess."
She paused, then continued, "As there are quite a number of people here today, it's not practical for everyone to compete against each other individually."
"Therefore, my young master has adopted a free-for-all screening rule. You see that arena over there? A simple defensive formation has been set up within the combat arena."
"Later, all of you will enter the arena for a free-for-all. Those who exit the formation first will be disqualified. The remaining five individuals will be the young master's temporary guards."
Clearing her throat, the green-clad maiden attendant further stated, "For fairness, my young master has stipulated that during the free-for-all, no one is to gang up on individuals. It must be one-on-one. When others are engaged in combat, you can only seek out another opponent; you cannot interfere. I hope everyone keeps this in mind."
...
Following the green-clad maiden attendant's gesture, everyone looked in the indicated direction.
Indeed, on the combat arena, a grand formation had been constructed using numerous spirit items, spirit materials, and other components.
This formation was approximately forty zhang in size, capable of accommodating over fifty people in a free-for-all.
However, when so many people were truly fighting, the clashing of magic artifacts, spells, and talismans would inevitably affect others.
...
"Good, a challenge. I like it."
An inner disciple nodded, looking down at the others with an air of arrogance, as if he were superior.
Another inner disciple, not to be outdone, declared, "I, Yang Jiang, love such chaotic battles the most, hahaha..."
"I, Luo Dijie, am not afraid of anyone."
"Hmph, count me, Pang Bo, among the five temporary guard spots."
The inner disciples of the Taiyi Immortal Sect present were all full of spirit and confidence, none willing to concede to another.
Wu Tao, naturally, was also confident that he was not inferior to anyone, even though he was the last to arrive, a latecomer.
However, capable individuals naturally possessed certain privileges.
...
Given the vastness of the Taiyi Immortal Sect and the large number of inner disciples, Wu Tao was not a benevolent person by nature.
During his daily cultivation, he had offended several fellow disciples with whom he had a strained relationship.
Coincidentally, two of these individuals harbored strong dislike for Wu Tao.
...
Upon seeing Wu Tao, who had arrived a step late, Zhao Yang began to mock him sarcastically, "Oh, isn't this our great hero, the God of Slaughter whose name resounds among inner and outer disciples, Wu Tao?"
"Heh heh, in my memory, Wu Tao has always been extremely arrogant, looking down on others."
"I didn't expect that this fellow would still put on airs even when participating in an ordinary mission, deliberately arriving last to show off his status."
Another inner disciple, Li Chen, chimed in, playing along.
The other dozens of people present subtly shook their heads, adopting a 'not my business' stance, and tacitly chose to watch from the sidelines.
However, in their hearts, they couldn't help but feel a little sympathetic towards Wu Tao.
Wu Tao's brow furrowed upon hearing this. He let out a cold laugh and retorted to Zhao Yang and Li Chen, "You two scoundrels, how dare you utter such words? Are you not afraid of becoming dead rats?"
"Wu Tao, you're seeking death." As soon as these words were spoken, the hot-tempered Zhao Yang could no longer hold back, and a scorching aura emanated from him.
Zhao Yang, like a moving flame giant, advanced step by step, pressuring Wu Tao, seizing the initiative with unparalleled dominance.
Concurrently, Li Chen did not hesitate to employ a pincer attack, flashing forward and stopping within three steps of Wu Tao.
The lightning attribute spiritual energy within Li Chen surged, containing unfathomable power.
Zhao Yang and Li Chen stood on Wu Tao's left and right, glaring at him menacingly, hoping to provoke him into an embarrassing display and lose face.
"Heh heh, Wu Tao has angered Zhao Yang, who is at the late stage of Foundation Establishment, and Li Chen, who is at the middle stage of Foundation Establishment. He's unlikely to get off easily. These two are not to be trifled with."
"Indeed. Zhao Yang cultivates the top-tier technique, 'Nine Burn Divine Endowment Secret,' coupled with his two top-tier offensive and defensive magic artifacts. Ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators are no match for him."
"As for Li Chen, although he is only at the middle stage of Foundation Establishment, he is a practitioner of the lightning attribute technique 'Five Thunder Tribulation Heart Skill.' When he fights, his combat power is even stronger than that of cultivators at the same realm."
"With Zhao Yang and Li Chen joining forces, anyone within the Foundation Establishment realm would likely feel a prickling sensation on their scalp."
"It probably won't escalate into a fight. This is the territory of a master alchemist. How could the employer stand by and watch such a thing happen? Besides, Wu Tao is not someone to be underestimated, with his reputation."
"That's true. Alas, what a shame, we won't get to see a good show."
As the other inner disciples chattered, Zhao Yang and Li Chen intensified their aura, their spiritual energy surging forth, challenging Wu Tao.
...
Zhao Yang is a disciple heavily cultivated by the Zhao family of Longnan. The Zhao family holds significant influence in the Taiyi Immortal Sect, and Zhao Yang himself is a bully among the inner disciples.
He is at the late stage of Foundation Establishment and has united six or seven equally strong fellow disciples to form a small clique.
Relying on his own strength and the influence of the Zhao family, his mastery of the 'Nine Burn Divine Endowment Secret' is profound, and within the inner disciples of the Taiyi Immortal Sect, only a few hundred are dared to provoke him.
When Wu Tao had just entered the Foundation Establishment stage, he had several encounters with Zhao Yang and suffered significant losses.
It was only with the support of his friends that he managed to retreat safely from Zhao Yang.
Li Chen, while not as formidable as Zhao Yang, is also no simple character and is very troublesome.
They had clashed several times before, with each gaining victories, neither able to completely overpower the other.
...
If, before this, facing the combined force of Zhao Yang and Li Chen, Wu Tao would have only retreated, covering his face and enduring the silent grievance.
However, today's Wu Tao is not yesterday's Wu Tao; he has undergone a significant transformation.
Hmph!
Wu Tao, who had recently obtained the inheritance of an ancient sword cultivator, was about to retaliate and teach Zhao Yang and Li Chen a lesson when the green-clad maiden attendant stepped forward.
"Wait a moment. The screening is about to begin. For the sake of my young master's face, please refrain from fighting for now." The green-clad maiden attendant felt a headache arising from the situation.
These inner disciples of the Taiyi Immortal Sect were all arrogant and hot-tempered, making them very difficult to manage.
"Hmph, defeated opponent. Today, I will give the employer some face. After this screening is over, I will make you kneel on the ground, lick my boots, and beg for mercy."
...
Zhao Yang spat on the ground, glared fiercely at Wu Tao, then retracted his aura and returned to his original position.
On the other side, Li Chen said chillingly, "I must admit, you are very lucky. If this were elsewhere, your life would have been forfeit by now."
"I will spare your life for now. When we get onto the arena, I will deal with you properly. For now, I will let you go."
Swish!
Li Chen's figure flashed like lightning, and the next second, he also returned to his original spot.
Wu Tao, who had been ready to make a move, stopped his actions.
At this moment, his expression was grim.
To be honest, he was completely enraged by the attitude of Zhao Yang and Li Chen.
Wu Tao felt a wrath named humiliation.
He was not a timid or cowardly person; those who dared to provoke him would all pay with their lives.
"Ling'er, has the screening begun?" Amidst the tense atmosphere, a soft and light voice drifted over, as melodious as a bluebird, a wind chime, or a phoenix's cry, exceedingly pleasant to the ear.
The green-clad maiden attendant turned her head in surprise and replied helplessly, "Young master, didn't the master instruct you to stay inside and only come out after the screening is over?"
...