Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant

“Yes! Rest assured, master! I shall not let you down!”

Ning Daohuan managed to force a smile.

Since he was willing to accept the punishment, the atmosphere, previously tense as drawn swords, suddenly became much more relaxed.

Ning Daohuan’s look fluctuated before he finally adjusted to his changed status.

Then, with a courteous demeanor, he moved closer to the blue-robed cultivator, stopping a short distance away, and bowed saying:

“I am Ning Daohuan; I’ve yet to learn the master’s name…”

“I am known as Tang. As for my first name, you need not know.”

The blue-robed cultivator replied indifferently: “Is there anything else?”

Ning Daohuan was momentarily taken aback, feeling a profound sense of mortification. Ever since he ascended to the position of Sect Hierarch, he had never been so humiliated.

Yet, he managed to force another smile on his face, gesturing an invitation with an outstretched hand:

“Since Master Tang is here, please do not rush to leave. Please join me for some spirit tea. I recently acquired an excellent third Class spirit tea cake…”

“Not needed. I only drink Class IV.”

Tang Ji said indifferently.

Hearing this, Ning Daohuan choked.

Class IV spirit tea… That’s too extravagant!

He initially thought he spared no expense, but now, he seemed stingy.

Seeing Ning Daohuan couldn’t provide any useful information, Tang Ji responded impatiently:

“If there is nothing else, I will leave.”

“Wait, Master Tang, we have some unique spirit items here. Please take a look.”

Ning Daohuan hurriedly responded.

His knowledge about Jin was limited. Now that a man who obviously has a certain status within Jin had presented himself, if he were to gain his protection, surely navigating through Jin would be much easier.

Determined to cling to this lifeline, he would do anything to keep Tang Ji here, to build some rapport.

“Spirit items?”

Tang Ji sneered upon hearing this.

He was familiar with all the spirit items produced within the borders of Jin, and even those from the surrounding Chu and Qi realms, he understood quite well.

As for the unique spirit items of Chen State, he wasn’t really interested.

However, as his eyes scanned over the cultivators below, an idea crossed his mind.

There is one thing different everywhere.

“Does your sect have anyone with outstanding talents? Whether in cultivation, combat or the Hundred Arts, anything goes.”

Tang Ji asked after a moment of consideration.

Yes, in comparison to the mundane spirit items, he was much more interested in people.

Selecting young talents of exceptional genius was his main focus.

This was the true purpose of his journey through the nations.

Upon hearing Tang Ji’s words, Ning Daohuan was both startled and thrilled.

He has finally shown an interest!

People with outstanding talent?

That would be geniuses then.

Although he had no idea why Tang Ji, who hailed from Jin, full of geniuses, was interested in youths of future prospects, the talents that would catch Tang Ji’s attention must have extremely high standards.

But, he had no fear of high requirements but no requirements at all.

Ning Daohuan quickly took a census within his heart.

The first person that popped up in his mind was Lu Yuansheng.

More than twenty years ago, when he first met him, he was just a Qi refining cultivator at the peak stage X.

Within a mere span of twenty years, with his support, he has already become a Golden Core Craftsman.

Even if it was owing to Blood Bone Dao’s extreme compatibility, along with a wealth of resources, it couldn’t be denied that his talent in cultivating and fighting methods was, indeed, astonishingly brilliant.

If there were anyone to be considered the first genius within the Tianmen Sect, it was undoubtedly Lu Yuansheng.

However, Ning Daohuan instantly dismissed this idea in his heart.

This man, he had great plans for him.

After some contemplation, he quickly wrote down a list of names in his mind.

He immediately said:

“Master Tang can rest assured, our sect is full of geniuses. There will definitely be someone who can satisfy you.”

Tang Ji responded noncommittally, his face barely concealing his contempt for Ning Daohuan.

With his temper, he would never want to associate with these shameless Demon Cultivators.

But on the other hand, finding more prodigious young talents was his utmost priority.

Therefore, he suppressed his discomfort and said:

“You list them first, if they meet my requirements, then call them over.”

“Yes, yes, yes!”

Ning Daohuan quickly responded with a smile.

Immediately, a sharp-eyed Golden Core Craftsman led the two of them to sit in a pavilion at the highest point of the East Saint’s residence and brewed some spirit tea.

However, to Ning Daohuan’s dismay, Tang Ji showed no intention of drinking the tea.

Not allowing his displeasure to show, Ning Daohuan proceeded to list the talents within Tianmen Sect:

“To report to Master Tang, on the talent of cultivation, Jiang Yi of our Fairy Dao has cultivated from a mere mortal to the late-stage Foundation Establishment… all in barely thirty years.”

Tang Ji’s expression remained impassive, seemingly unimpressed by such progress.

Ning Daohuan felt a momentary sinking feeling in his heart. However, he also knew that Tang Ji, who was from a Jin sect, must have encountered countless speedy cultivators, hence he wouldn’t be too impressed.

Immediately, he mentioned talents in the fields of Artifact Refining, Alchemy, and Talisman.

“Yan Chi… He might be worth meeting.”

“The others are all quite ordinary.”

Tang Ji said shaking his head slightly.

Noting that someone had finally elicited Tang Ji’s approval, Ning Daohuan instantly felt a surge of adrenaline, and he hurriedly said:

“By the way, in terms of combat, among our younger generation, the two most notable are ‘Yan Yun’ and ‘Zhu Ziji.’ One excels in Sword Dao, the other in the Blood Method. The former hasn’t lost a single battle, the latter ensures his own survival even in defeat and can retreat easily.”