Qingyi Jianxian Tuoba Yang laughed heartily, completely ignoring the intentions of others in the main hall. He grabbed Wu Tao's body and turned to leave.
Judging by his demeanor and his words, his intention was clear: to directly take Wu Tao away and make him his personal disciple, without even seeking Wu Tao's consent.
The Supreme Elders, who were still in shock due to Wu Tao's sudden outburst of innate sword qi, snapped back to their senses upon hearing Qingyi Jianxian Tuoba Yang's words.
Especially seeing Qingyi Jianxian Tuoba Yang about to drag Wu Tao away from the main hall, Lü Liang could not hold back and spoke up.
"Brother Tuoba, you are too hasty. This child has not yet agreed to be your personal disciple..."
The path of cultivation is vast and arduous, and not everyone can tread upon it. Only those with suitable aptitude have a sliver of chance to attain immortality.
This aptitude is classified by spirit roots. The world has many types of spirit roots. Most mortals possess all five elements, but their balance renders them mere mortals.
In the pursuit of cultivation, aptitude is paramount. Four-element spirit roots are the lowest, three-element are passable, two-element are good, and one-element are excellent.
Beyond these, there are many constitutions that are favored by heaven, making the path of cultivation twice as effective. For instance, the Innate Thunder Body allows one to borrow the power of heaven and earth when practicing thunder techniques, resulting in unmatched attacks.
As for Wu Tao's Innate Sword Body, it is achieved when sword qi is refined to its absolute extreme. This physique allows one to cultivate the Way of the Sword several times faster than ordinary cultivators, drawing closer to the essence of the Way of the Sword, and promising greater achievements in the future. It can be said that he is a child of the Way of the Sword.
"Old man Tuoba, you're being unfair. Are you trying to hoard all the benefits for yourself?"
As soon as Lü Liang finished speaking, another powerful voice rang out. It sounded like thunder, causing Wu Tao's ears to buzz and his body to sway unsteadily.
"Brother Lei Hong, can you refrain from using your domain suppression when speaking like this? This young man has just entered the Core Formation stage and cannot withstand your domain suppression."
Just as Wu Tao was on the verge of collapsing from the domain suppression, a gentle female voice, like that of a clear spring, counteracted the suppression.
Wu Tao looked again at the dozen or so people seated on their chairs. Each of them was protected by a domain, and as their eyes opened, the power of laws flowed, leaving Wu Tao, who observed this, deeply shaken.
These were the true top-tier cultivators in the immortal world.
"Innate Sword Body, what excellent aptitude! Among the younger generation in our Tongguan City, only a select few can compare to him. The human race has produced another heaven-blessed prodigy..."
City Lord Xie Yunsheng nodded with a smile, saying with satisfaction, "He remains calm in the face of adversity. This temperament is indeed good. Fellow Daoists, what do you think of this child?"
"Not bad. This young man has just advanced to the Core Formation stage, and he is already quite composed facing over a dozen of us... "
The previous voice spoke again. It seemed to belong to a somewhat thin middle-aged Daoist, with faint traces of lightning flickering around him, indicating his extraordinary nature.
"... "
"How about this, my Surveillance Department is already short-handed. This time, why don't you let this child join my Surveillance Department? I also know some sword techniques, and it won't tarnish the Innate Sword Body."
"Daoist Lei Hong, what you said is not quite right..."
An old man in a yellow robe shook his head, looking dismissive, and retorted, "Although the Surveillance Department has few people, each member is powerful. Your disciples are also very accomplished, rarely rivaled among the eighteen departments of Tongguan City..."
"Why don't you give this newly advanced junior with the Innate Sword Body to my Intelligence Department? My Intelligence Department is lacking in elites. If you give him to me, it will boost our prestige!"
"... "
"Cough, cough, cough. My Logistics Department has many personnel, but not a single young cultivator of prodigy level. In the past, I obtained an ancient and extraordinary sword technique inheritance that would be perfect for this child. Would you all be willing to let me have him..."
The one speaking last was a very, very fat man, who stood there like a mountain of flesh.
"... "
Following this, several more Nascent Soul stage cultivators spoke. Only a few remained silent.
"Young man, you must consider carefully. You have the Innate Sword Body, so naturally, the most suitable cultivation method for you is a sword technique. Coincidentally, I have a set of formless sword techniques. If you become my disciple, you will definitely not lose out..."
Seeing that Tuoba Yang had started the ball rolling, seven or eight people on their chairs, whose auras were no weaker than Tuoba Yang's, all began to speak.
Just as everyone in the main hall expected a scene of elders vying for a peerless prodigy, someone suddenly spoke again. It was none other than Hong Tongtian, who harbored great animosity towards Wu Tao.
Unlike others, his gaze towards Wu Tao from the very beginning was filled with intense killing intent.
As soon as he spoke, the faces of others showed surprise.
"Hold on, fellow Daoists. Since this child possesses the Innate Sword Body, he truly has the aptitude of a peerless prodigy. However, his origins are unknown, and he might be a spy sent by the alien races. How can you easily accept someone who might be a spy as your disciple, given the sensitive nature of your departments in Tongguan City?"
Upon hearing Hong Tongtian's words, the first reaction of others was surprise. Wu Tao, however, shrugged. He did have an unknown origin, but he was certainly not a spy from the alien races.
In the center, on his chair, City Lord Xie Yunsheng's amiable smile lessened slightly. He narrowed his eyes and turned his gaze to Hong Tongtian, his inquiry evident.
"Unknown origin? Hong Tongtian, what do you mean by that? Could it be that because your son lost to him, you are deliberately framing him?"
The gazes of others also shifted from Wu Tao to Hong Tongtian.
Those present were all influential figures in Tongguan City and naturally understood the implications of Hong Tongtian's mention of an alien spy.
Even Qingyi Jianxian Tuoba Yang, who had been smiling proudly, now restrained his smile and stared intently at Hong Tongtian.
Judging by his expression, if Hong Tongtian did not provide a satisfactory explanation, he would not remain so amiable.
With the gazes of so many Supreme Elders, and even the City Lord, fixed upon him, Hong Tongtian showed no sign of distress. His eyes remained fixed on Wu Tao, his gaze sharp to the extreme.
"... "
"City Lord, fellow Daoists, it is not that I, Hong Tongtian, am slandering him due to personal grievances. I have already ordered an investigation into this child's background. In the major cities nearby, there has never been any prodigy named Wu Tao..."
At this point, Hong Tongtian paused, a cold sneer flashing across his face. He then continued, "I dare to say this, naturally, because I have evidence. This black sword qi was extracted from my own son's body. Perhaps this young friend can explain the origin of this black sword qi?"
If his previous words had thrown Wu Tao into a state of fear, Hong Tongtian's presentation of the destructive sword qi now brought Wu Tao a sense of relief.
But he immediately discovered with despair that before this thought could even be acted upon, his body completely lost control.
"... "
A look of shock appeared in his eyes, and at the same time, Qingyi Jianxian Tuoba Yang's voice echoed in his ears.
This voice was still benevolent, yet it contained an extremely terrifying killing intent.
"Rest assured, as long as you confirm that you are not a traitor or spy of the human race, you can still become my personal disciple."
There was no anger in his words, but this voice, entering Wu Tao's ears, made him instantly understand the true meaning conveyed within.
In other words, if he truly were a traitor and spy of the human race, Wu Tao would have to face not a situation where numerous Nascent Soul cultivators vied for him.
Moreover, it was evident that the other Nascent Soul stage cultivators also cared greatly about this matter.
In the hearts of these Nascent Soul cultivators, no matter what a heaven-blessed prodigy of the human race did, it could be forgiven, except for the act of being a traitor to the human race.
The atmosphere in the main hall of the City Lord's mansion took a sharp turn, causing Hong Tongtian to chuckle inwardly. His scheme was so insidious because, regardless of whether Wu Tao could clarify his origins, he would be forced to reveal his own secrets.
Wu Tao had already been confirmed to possess the qualifications of a peerless prodigy, with the Innate Sword Body.
Unexpectedly, the situation changed drastically. Hong Tongtian, who harbored malice towards Wu Tao, suddenly spoke, suggesting Wu Tao might be a traitor and spy of the human race.
As soon as these words were uttered, the gazes of over a dozen Nascent Soul cultivators towards Wu Tao were no longer filled with the previous surprise.
While a peerless prodigy was highly valued, if that prodigy were a traitor and spy of the human race, then no matter what, he deserved to die.
Facing over a dozen Nascent Soul cultivators, what else could Wu Tao say? He could only reveal some of his secrets regarding the destructive forbidden chapter sword techniques in person.
After explaining everything, Wu Tao clenched his fists tightly. In his extreme anger, his body trembled uncontrollably, and his expression turned cold and cruel.
"It seems I was too lenient that day. Why didn't I kill Hong Bai completely then!"
Wu Tao thought resentfully to himself, directing all his fury towards Hong Bai. At this moment, he yearned for more power.
If he were a Nascent Soul cultivator now, he wouldn't have to harbor concerns and reveal his secrets.
Wu Tao was fully aware of Hong Tongtian's strength, so even though he was furious, he suppressed his anger, and his expression returned to normal after a few seconds.
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