Zhao Yu, on his way back to his room, suddenly noticed the medallion in his hand lighting up, accompanied by a voice ringing in his ears.
It was a commanding tone that brooked no defiance, yet it resembled the voice of the master of this manor, Noah Drake.
"You have been assigned the task of recruiting new members for the manor. The group of new recruits is currently waiting outside. You are to act as the examiner and oversee their evaluation. Do you accept this task?"
Zhao Yu thought for a moment.
"A task issued directly from the medallion… Is this the will of the Manor Lord? But I've only been here for less than a day..."
He glanced toward the manor lord's room.
"The Manor Lord has shown me such kindness… I must carry out this task well."
"I accept the task."
The medallion shone brighter, and a flood of essential information regarding the task poured into Zhao Yu's mind.
Following the medallion's guidance, Zhao Yu made his way to the gate. As he opened it, he saw five groups of people waiting outside.
Immediately, he sensed something amiss.
"This group… there's something unusual about them."
---
Outside, after witnessing a scene so overwhelming up close, it took the group a long time to recover their composure. But as soon as they did, everyone became highly vigilant. Then the gate slowly creaked open, and a figure stepped out.
The person's demeanor was composed and regal, yet their entire being was shrouded in mist, making it clear only that the figure belonged to the human race.
"…But why can we only see a blurred silhouette?"
Among the group were two renowned scholars of their time: Elliot Royce from the Great Prosperian Dominion and Wu Ding Xi from the The Land of the Ancestors. They were the most astonished of all.
At their level of cultivation, anyone who stood before them could be perceived with complete clarity. Nothing could conceal itself from their gaze—this was a natural law as immutable as flowing water or drifting clouds. There had never been an exception.
The Path of Confucianism is divided into seven stages: Student, Scholar, Teacher, Master, Confucianist, Great Confucian, and Sage.
The person before them could only be a Sage—only a Sage could conceal themselves even in the presence of Great Confucian. A Sage, the pinnacle of Confucian cultivation…
In the entire world, there were only two Sages: one from the Great Prosperian Dominion and the other from the Domain of Chromatica. Yet, this Sage was neither of them.
Looking toward the sole military general present, Bui Tuyen, they noticed him trembling uncontrollably as he stared back at them, disbelief written all over his face.
The three of them exchanged glances and silently came to the same conclusion.
"This is a Sage."
Without hesitation, the two Great Scholars and the general stepped forward, bowed deeply, and spoke with the utmost respect.
"Greetings, venerable Sage."
After those words, the entire group fell silent.
A Sage was a figure of unparalleled significance. The five great dynasties were split into two factions, solely because each was supported by one of the two known Sages.
A Martial Emperor could reign supreme in their domain, wielding boundless power capable of moving mountains and filling seas. A Sage, however, was different. Each Sage could rally countless heroes to their cause. Their words held the weight of law, inspiring reverence from thousands. The emergence of a Sage always heralded a new era. The impact of those two words, "Sage," on the balance of power was monumental.
And now, here, a mysterious Sage had appeared.
The princes and princesses immediately grasped the implications.
'If a Sage has come forward to meet them, it means the times are about to change.'
Just as First Prince Luna Victor and the other princes and princesses stepped forward to perform their courtesies, the Sage raised a hand and asked:
"You must be the group preparing to join the manor, correct?"