"Fengdu City is a place where Underworld Veins converge, making cultivation inside remarkably efficient, hence permanent residence quotas are always scarce."

Elder Ren casually explained, then continued:

"However, as a teacher of outstanding disciples, one may enter Fengdu City along with the disciples."

"The more outstanding the disciples, the better the teacher’s treatment, even qualifying to learn the complete Yama Heart Sutra."

Fang Zheng’s eyes shifted.

"Look."

Elder Ren did not notice his emotional change, pointed behind him, and said:

"Our journey this time is to escort these gifted children into Fengdu City, though we’ve encountered the Yin Wind Tide on the way and were ambushed by a group of Underworld Beasts in the Valley of Evil Fate, resulting in heavy losses."

He sighed and continued:

"Especially the adults, many died protecting these children, leaving some now without a master."

"Brother Fang, could you..."

"Choose a few as apprentices?"

"If taught well, you could even earn a permanent spot in Fengdu City."

Fang Zheng raised an eyebrow.

......

Dozens of children, mostly thin and frail.

Closer inspection.

They are generally divided into two groups, one with adult supervision, the other curled up and unattended.

These children had hair matted, skin and bones showing, with even a faint smell.

No idea how long they hadn’t bathed.

Fang Zheng’s eyes flickered, pondering.

The territories under Fengdu’s rule are vast, but Fengdu City is not large, so not all people can live within the city.

Most people gather at nodes where Underworld Veins converge, forming towns akin to Ghost Head Town.

Or villages.

Every four years, locals select the outstanding young folks to send to Fengdu City.

Fengdu City selects the best among the chosen and cultivates them.

The most exceptional can stay in Fengdu City as permanent residents and gain opportunities to learn High Tier cultivation methods.

Secondary,

would stay in the outer city.

Those in the outer city who progress to Mage or Martial Artist Realm or achieve significant merits can be exceptionally admitted to the inner city.

Again,

after a period of teaching, they may be sent back to avoid wasting resources.

The process is lengthy and unsafe, so everyone hopes to stay in Fengdu City.

Preferably the inner city.

As Elder Ren mentioned, if one’s apprentices excel, the master benefits as well.

"Hmm..."

After thorough observation, Fang Zheng touched his chin, frowning inwardly.

Intentional or not, most children without masters lack great talent or have damaged foundations.

In his eyes, they’re almost impossible to cultivate!

"Brother Fang."

Ding Li smiled and spoke:

"Have you decided, you can choose two, more is okay too, just fear it’s hard to manage."

This means.

At least choose two!

"These two!" Fang Zheng pointed randomly among the crowd.

"Brother Fang has good insight." Ding Li’s eyes lit up and said:

"They are Ma Ning and Ma Chao, siblings from the Ma Family. Ma Ning is gifted in Magic cultivation, Ma Chao practices Martial Arts."

"Sister is nearly ten, brother just eight."

"By coincidence, Ma Ning recently captured two Underworld Souls in Valley of Evil Fate, which can assist her in cultivation."

Fang Zheng nodded.

He chose these two partly because of those two Underworld Souls, which led him into this Secret Realm.

Mysteriously,

perhaps it’s fate.

"Come!"

Ding Li beckoned to the Ma Family siblings:

"Quickly greet your master!"

The siblings initially huddled for warmth, upon hearing they looked up, faces showing ecstatic joy.

Other children looked envious, regretful.

Having a master to guide makes a significant difference for them.

Without a master, they can only attend general lectures, learning depends on themselves, it’s hard to get guidance on confusions.

After all, each practices different Magic, the lecturer can’t address everyone’s situation.

Sometimes.

Today’s teachings may differ from one’s cultivation method, wasting time listening.

With a master it’s different.

A master offers personal guidance, answers cultivation queries, and provides benefits for cultivation.

Ultimately.

If an apprentice enters Fengdu Inner City, the master benefits too.

It’s known that some masters provide special guidance or Spiritual Medicine to apprentices.

Just to help the apprentice lead their master into the inner city.

*

*

*

"Ma Ning!"

"Ma Chao!"

"Greet your master!"

The two children kowtowed together, nine times in total, performing the apprenticeship ceremony.

Here, the master-apprentice relationship is sometimes more significant than blood ties, defined by mutual support and companionship.

A master can enter Fengdu Inner City with the apprentice.

Parents are not dependable.

This is the reality.

Ma Ning’s complexion was pale, with visible red veins underneath, and her frail body didn’t seem like she was almost ten years old.

In contrast.

Ma Chao’s physique was more robust, as if he were the elder brother, and his voice was hoarse like an adult man.

"Stand up."

Fang Zheng sat on a stone, lifting his hand as if to lift them up:

"Tell me about your cultivation skill."

"Yes."

The siblings stood up, and Ma Ning suppressed her excitement as she said:

"I’ve been practicing the Ghost Control Technique. Mother gave me a Hundred Ghosts Banner, and I currently control three Underworld Souls."

Saying this, her voice carried a hint of pride.

For her age and cultivation base, controlling three Underworld Souls was considered above average.

However, Fang Zheng was well aware that of the three Underworld Souls she mentioned, two were only recently captured a few days ago.

She could truly control only one.

Ma Ning pursed her lips and continued, "I am also close to reaching the second layer of the Yama Heart Sutra."

Close?

Fang Zheng shook his head slightly.

He didn’t blame Ma Ning for exaggerating her abilities; after all, humility and introspection weren’t encouraged here.

Revealing a bit more of oneself often garnered more attention.

"I don’t have the talent for magic, and my cultivation base in the Yama Heart Sutra isn’t as good as my sister’s," Ma Chao said:

"I’ve been practicing the Five Paths of Evil in martial arts, currently focusing on the Evil Essence Claw, my physique... is somewhat stronger."

At this point, his face showed shyness.

Throughout the journey, his sister Ma Ning frequently shared her food with him, allowing him to temper his physique.

Naturally, it was a bit stronger.

Yet, among a group of children, he still ranked towards the middle or lower.

Fang Zheng sighed softly.

The Yama Heart Sutra First Layer, which represents a low-tier Warlock and basic Blood Exchange, only signifies the beginning of the cultivation path, and it’s hardly possible to stay in Fengdu City.

Most likely, they would be sent back.

To remain in the outer city, one usually had to break through to the second layer of the Yama Heart Sutra.

To stay in the inner city.

One must possess the strength of a high-tier Warlock.

"Ma Ning."

"Yes."

"Let me see your magic."

"Yes."

Ma Ning nodded emphatically, then took out a palm-sized small banner from her chest pocket and gently waved it in her hand.

Hundred Ghosts Banner!

This banner could capture ghosts, refine them for defense, and it could even aid in cultivation using the Underworld Soul Ghosts within.

In terms of grade, quite ordinary.

But it still made Fang Zheng’s eyes light up.

"Come out!"

Ma Ning shouted low, and an eerie glow appeared from the surface of the Hundred Ghosts Banner, followed by three Underworld Souls drifting out from it.

One of them was relatively lively, while the other two stood dumbly in mid-air, appearing somewhat foolish.

Ma Ning’s face flushed red, and she again used a finger technique, simultaneously taking out a handful of ash-like substance and tossing it out from her body.

"Yin Soul Umbrella!"

"Woo..."

The three Underworld Souls wobbled and slowly transformed into a Yin Soul Umbrella, rotating slowly in front of Ma Ning.

This umbrella had a certain level of defensive capability.

"Go!"

Ma Ning gave another low shout.

The Yin Soul Umbrella collapsed inwardly, turning into a long spear and piercing forward into the ground, disappearing from sight.

"Return!"

Along with a low shout.

Three Underworld Souls slowly drifted up from the ground, successively entering the Hundred Ghosts Banner.

Ma Ning was panting, sweat beading on her forehead, and her wrist trembling as she presented the Hundred Ghosts Banner to Fang Zheng.

"Master, please look."

Sigh!

Fang Zheng sighed helplessly.

They were merely two low-tier spells, and she had to rely on external objects to perform them, and their power was lacking.

Additionally, the time to gather and exert force...

Never mind!

Warlocks are not naturally adept at magical combat.

Fortunately, this Hundred Ghosts Banner has an acceptable grade; if it could refine more Underworld Souls, there would be some combat strength.

"Ma Chao."

After inspecting the Hundred Ghosts Banner, he returned it to Ma Ning, and Fang Zheng turned his head:

"It’s your turn."

"Yes!"

Ma Chao responded affirmatively.

Then, flipping his body, he began chanting, performing the Evil Essence Claw from the Five Ghosts Evil Essence, launching an attack at the empty air.

His face turned bright red, eyes wide open, and shouted loudly, exuding an impressive aura.

Yet...

The whiffs of wind dispersed without gathering.

His techniques seemed forceful but were rigid and inflexible with no room for maneuver.

His face was grim, but his energy and spirit fought independently, unable to unify, barely stronger than children fighting.

Ha...

Fang Zheng tilted his head and sighed, expressionless.

When Fang Ping’an and Fang Heng were six or seven years old, they were stronger than you two!