However excited the Elders were at the moment, it was all rapidly replaced with despair shortly after. Because Lin Fan was very serious about following his created rules. Testing talent, like all the other Sects? Sorry, but no. He even asked Fourth Elder Chen Erzhu to move all the talent stone tablets away.
What made them despair the most is that even if they see that some of these prospect disciples have good talents, Lin Fan would not accept if they didn't meet the conditions. They were created for a reason, and Lin Fan intended to continue on this path.
Even if the Elders hinted or even expressed their willingness to accept those people as personal disciples, Lin Fan would not agree. They were truly distressed. How many years had it been since the Moon Embracing Sect had been so lively? This is also the first time in the past hundred years that so many people have come to worship the mountain. The large number of people means that at least some among them will have a good talent.
Seeing that they couldn't help but say something, Lin Fan whispered. "Elders, we have agreed that since I am the leader of this sect, then I make the decisions! If something goes wrong, I will take the blame! We have gotten this far, please don't hold me back. You can pay attention to the people you like for the time being. If you don't receive disciples who meet the new regulations later, you can recruit them to start. But if there are people who meet the conditions... They alone are enough!"
Lin Fan's eyes bore them down with seriousness. If they could really get a disciple with the template of the protagonist, what good are other disciples? Wouldn't they just be a waste of resources? The Moon Embracing Sect was still poor, needing to manage their resources smartly!
After hearing this, the Elders could only nod and endure. Seeing more and more people coming to the square and getting more and more noisy, Lin Fan coughed lightly and said. "Fifth Elder, please help calm down the place."
"Yes, Sect Master." Duan Qingyao bowed with cupped hands. "Enough!" Elder Qingyao's light voice shook the square, catching the people's attention. The mountain worshipers, who were still ordinary people, suddenly became confused and no longer dared to make any noise.
The eyes looking at the Fifth Elder were full of horror and admiration.
"Is this an immortal?"
"Amazing!"
"I will definitely join the Immortal Sect."
At this moment, Lin Fan looked at the Supreme Elder and nodded lightly. Su Xinghai took a step forward and declared lightly, his voice still booming across the square. "Welcome, prospective disciples! The Sect Master has a good heart and is willing to give all living beings in the world a chance of life. Therefore, starting from this year, our sect will no longer recruit disciples based only on talent, but on fate!"
"Those who are destined, even if they have no talent, can join our sect and practice. Those who have no destiny, even if they are extremely talented, will not be accepted by our sect. Some people may already know this, and some may not. But at this moment, I need to make it clear to you. Therefore, this year's assessment is also different from ordinary assessments.
"You need to stay in the square for three days. After three days, there will be results. Our sect will be responsible for bringing you food, drinks, and housing during this period. Is this understood?"
The crowd suddenly became noisy. Everyone was shocked.
"It is true!"
"Then, then I also have a chance to join the Immortal Sect?"
"Quiet, be careful of the immortal's anger."
"···"
Seeing this, the Supreme Elder spoke up. "During this period, you can move freely and talk. As for how to identify the destined ones, you don't need to worry about it."
"Yes, Lord Immortal." Everyone was making a fuss, some were responding, and some were talking nonsense excitedly.
At this time, Second Elder Wu Xingyun stepped forward and asked. "Anyone with the surnames Xiao, Ye, Shi, and Lin, please step forward."
Everyone was stunned for a moment, but then they came to their senses, and more than ten of them quickly stepped forward. Several of the Elders smiled bitterly. According to the rules set by the sect leader, these surnames must be given priority for admission, but now, we cannot accept so many. However, priority does not necessarily mean admission, right?
Then Second Elder Wu Xingyun added. "If you have survived more than three catastrophes, or you have a mysterious wife, please step forward."
Everyone fell silent, but no one came forward.
"Those whose engagements have been broken off, whose parents have mysteriously disappeared, and those who were once geniuses but have fallen since. Step forward."
Still, no one came forward. Apparently, no one qualified. But these questions left them confused.
When she was about to ask further questions, Wu Xingyun said again. "That will be all."
Everyone was confused. That was all there was to it? They were puzzled, but still had hope. And, with no other directives, everyone started doing their own things. Some people had trouble staying calm, some are trying their best to restrain themselves, some are deliberately expressing themselves, and some are pretending to earn some performance points.
The Supreme Elder waved his hand to set up a soundproof barrier, looked at the bustling crowd, and said with emotion. "I have never observed such a prospective disciples this close before. All these different personalities, it is just..."
"It's unsightly." Duan Qingyao sighed: "Originally, I was interested in two talented disciples, but their characters and personalities are just…" Duan Qingyao sighed, shaking his head.
The disciples who he originally wanted to accept no longer interested him. Talent was important, but if your character was not good enough, it would be best if you never started cultivation. Lin Fan said nothing, but he was paying attention to the dozen or so people with the 'four major surnames'.
'Sure enough, there are too few protagonist templates. From these tens of thousands of people, only ten individuals with the 'four major surnames' appeared. Trying to find a protagonist template is like buying a lottery ticket. I hope they can give me a little surprise.'
Time passed by quickly. No one showed impatience or complained. Seeing the sun going down, Lin Fan turned to the Elders and asked. "May one of the Elders go to the back mountain and hunt down some food for the disciples?"
"I'll go." Third Elder Li Changshou immediately jumped into the air and turned into a stream of light and disappeared, causing bursts of exclamations.
·····
At the same time.
The Elders of the surrounding sects such as Peach Blossom Sect and Five Elements Sect all frowned.
"Why has the number of disciples who have come dropped significantly this year?"
"I don't know?"
"Investigate for me!!!"
Soon, they find out why.
"The Moon Embracing Sect has slogans written all over our mountain. They don't look at talent, but only fate?!"
"They are so brave; they even dare to rob our people."
"I think they are desperate!"
"Should we take action and teach them a lesson?!"
"Hmph, let's let them live happily for a few days. When this group of new disciples gradually adapt, we can bring them to the door together so that they can learn that not just cats and dogs can be called a sect."
"That's right. Let's take a few days off and let them go back to their hometowns and spread the word about the power of our sect. Naturally, there will be more disciples coming next year."
"Wonderful~!"
Many sects were unhappy. Who gave the Moon Embracing Sect the confidence to steal their prospective disciples? They would obviously go seek an explanation later. However, for now, they were unwilling to engage in a major war. They have decided to wait until the end of this period of recruitment to deal with the Moon Embracing Sect.
On the side of the Moon Embracing Sect, a bonfire had been set up by the people where a large beast was being roasted. The sounds of the meat being cooked and the absolutely amazing aroma was so fragrant that they were losing their minds while waiting. Their mouths drooling as they looked at the large beast being roasted.