Quite perceptive!

Master Xuanji’s expression remained unchanged, but his heart secretly rejoiced. He had discovered two promising seedlings through the "Observation Candle Technique": Bai Qilang, who exhibited an outstanding nine-inch purple glow, and his younger brother Bai Ming, who was slightly less impressive with a glow of about seven inches.

Generally, a white glow of over three inches is considered to have crossed the minimum threshold for cultivation.

With enough diligence and effort, completing the process of eating elixir and avoiding grain, reaching the First Realm Perfection would not be an issue.

If one exhibited a green glow exceeding six inches, it signified mid to high aptitude, capable of achieving introductory meditation visualization in a hundred days, with the hope of nurturing and solidifying the divine soul.

A purple glow, however, was exceptionally rare; even after several rounds of selection and recruitment, it was not guaranteed to find anyone with such a trait.

This was why Master Xuanji was so unexpectedly surprised.

In an impoverished and remote place like Black River County, two promising seedlings suddenly emerged, both from the same family.

It was indeed a rare occurrence!

Taking these two brothers under his wing, their performance in the subsequent major evaluation would surely warrant higher scores.

"Since Daoist Chongxu is willing to part with them, I would be discourteous to refuse. In the future, if any outstanding seedlings appear, Yuanyang Temple shall have the first opportunity."

Master Xuanji squinted slightly, summoning the Fish Scale Atlas again, and closely examined Bai Qi and Bai Ming:

"Natives of Black River County, originally from a farming family. Their family fell into poverty, becoming a lowly household, making a living by fishing... Originating from humble beginnings, they must have endured much of life’s hardships. Reaching this point is truly not easy."

He nodded in approval, a sense of empathy evident in his eyes.

This Daoist official from Zhi Xin Temple himself was not from any high family; both his parents were poor peasants, people who toiled the fields for a living.

Yet, from a young age, Master Xuanji showed extraordinary talent, not only having photographic memory and literacy skills but also mastering the art of poetry without a teacher.

At the age of six or seven, tales of the child prodigy spread far and wide.

He was later selected by a prominent family in the county and purchased to serve as a scholar’s attendant, greatly expanding his horizons.

Soon after, during the Daoist official’s selection of promising seedlings, he stood out and successfully embarked on the path of cultivation.

Therefore, he felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity with Bai Qilang’s experiences.

Looking across the entire Yihai Prefecture, any young student who could cross the threshold of a Daoist school invariably hailed from the Thirteenth Branch’s direct lineage.

Not to mention families of the sixth tier or lower, even ordinary merchant families without some official background connection couldn’t hope to get involved.

If one were to speak of the Eight Pillars of the Realm, the pinnacle of nobility, forming the largest "powerful clan" in the Red County Divine Land.

Then those who would break their heads trying to squeeze into Daoist schools to earn a spot in the top three Daoist registers would barely count as a "clan."

"Because of his proficiency in water activities, frequently catching rare fish, he escaped the lowly household status, becoming a merchant, owning several shops, a fish stall, and several docks.

Hmm, he’s apprenticed before? Tongwen Hall... I see, Bai Qilang is the one people from the Thirteenth Branch speak of? Ninghai Zen’s apprentice?

I remember hearing quite a commotion about this, even with a bounty listed in the Hidden Pavilion."

Master Xuanji frowned slightly, as he typically refrained from managing affairs, spending years in secluded meditation in the mountains, absorbing spiritual energy.

Now, seeing this record, he suddenly remembered that Bai Qilang was not a neglected talent but one that had long been recognized.

"What? Bai Qilang has already taken a master? Truly unfortunate! Such an outstanding seedling, yet it was Ninghai Zen, an uncouth martial artist, who first grasped it... it’s a case of having fate but no destiny!"

Daoist Chongxu exaggerated his expression, almost wanting to beat his chest and stomp his feet.

"What do you mean, fate but no destiny. The selection of students by Daoist schools, teaching and solving doubts, is a rule set by the Dragon Court.

Even though Bai Qilang was personally taught by Tongwen Hall, I’m not unlawfully taking someone else’s beloved disciple, but rather recruiting talents for the court. Would Ninghai Zen dare utter a ’no’?"

Master Xuanji’s demeanor was cold, unlike those from the Thirteenth Branch in Yihai Prefecture, who spoke of Ninghai Zen with apprehension.

As a legitimate Cyan Register Daoist Official, he could command a territory of three thousand miles on Fulong Mountain without fearing a Four Cultivation Grandmaster nestled in Black River County.

"Daoist brother..."

Daoist Chongxu hesitated, although he also believed that no matter how arrogant Ninghai Zen was, he couldn’t possibly be brazen enough to act against a Daoist official granting talismans for the Dragon Court.

Moreover, with Master Xuanji stationed in Yihai Prefecture, adorned with the Golden Seal and equipped with a magical artifact, he could mobilize the roots of mountains and water meridians with a single thought.

An ordinary Four Cultivation Grandmaster might not even come close!

Along with bearers of the tripod protecting and guarding at every step!

"No matter how skilled Ninghai Zen is, he can’t even step into Yihai Prefecture, so what trouble could he stir up?"

With this thought, Daoist Chongxu’s heart settled, and he changed his words:

"Master Xuanji’s words are so true. We select talents for the Dragon Court, and we’re not forcibly taking other people’s disciples. With Bai Qilang’s nine-inch purple glow aptitude, granting the Child Talisman is guaranteed. He might even fill the vacancy of a Daoist official, thus being registered as a Daoist official, which is a matter of great honor for his ancestors."

Master Xuanji nodded heavily, with a wave of his wide sleeve, he instructed:

"Tomorrow morning, have Bai Qilang come and see me. Let’s see what this young man with the best cultivation aptitude in Yihai Prefecture looks like!"

The joy of finding a promising seedling greatly diminished the disappointment of not discovering truly powerful individuals from the White Sun Sect.

"It requires a wise person like myself..."

Daoist Chongxu had a nimble mind and thought thoroughly.

A nine-inch purple glow seedling, indeed hard to give up.

But Bai Qilang, being such a hot potato, whoever takes him will suffer.

Better to have one bird in hand than ten in the bush, it’s best to secure his younger brother Bai Ming.

Once Daoist Chongxu left the government office riding the wind, Master Xuanji’s eyelids drooped, and he turned to ask the bearer of the tripod hidden in the shadows:

"Xu Da, what do you suggest we do with the Lu Family?"

The bearer of the tripod, clad in a Daoist robe, was named "Xu Zhen," a member of the Forbidden Army of the Dragon Court, specifically trained in the "Hundred Meridian Skill of the Golden Barrier and Jade Lock" bestowed by the royal family.