Everyone in the Eastern Ridge Mansion knew about the ongoing Imperial War between the Flying Dragon Sect and the Tai Yi Sect. Only those who were in closed-door cultivation or those with very low cultivation bases were unaware of it.

The Flying Dragon Sect and the Tai Yi Sect had lost many Kings of Gods and Lords of Gods due to the Imperial War, which brought huge pressure. Under such circumstances, they began to recruit Kings of Gods and Lords of Gods to replenish their ranks. However, joining the sects when they were in the midst of the Imperial War came with huge risks. Therefore, not many people were willing to join the sects at such a time compared to ordinary times.

However, there were also people who thought this was a good opportunity to improve their strength through the Imperial War. After all, the Imperial War was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to increase one’s strength, especially for advanced Lords of Gods looking for a breakthrough. Similarly, it was also a great opportunity for Kings of Gods and rudimentary and intermediate Lords of Gods. This was especially true for those who were less talented or who were facing bottlenecks in their cultivation. Faced with a life-or-death situation, the chances of a breakthrough were higher. There were many examples of those who were successful. This was also why there were many who risked their lives and traveled far to fight fierce demon beasts or enter realms fraught with dangers just to seek a breakthrough. It was even riskier than the Imperial War. These people were those who were willing to risk death just to grow stronger. Compared to those riskier methods, the relatives of those who perished in the Imperial War would be taken care of by their respective sects. Apart from that, if they survived, they would be able to exchange for treasures with the war points they obtained. Hence, many of these people were eager to participate in the Imperial War and were very willing to join the Flying Dragon Sect or the Tai Yi Sect.

Due to the ongoing Imperial War, the process of recruitment for both sects had also been greatly simplified.

…

Due to the Imperial War, the Flying Dragon Sect had moved its recruitment hall to a floating island outside of the sect’s estate above the nine mountain ranges. One Black Dragon Elder, one White Dragon Elder, and three inner elders were in charge of recruiting new members. Apart from recruiting new members, they were also tasked with patrolling the periphery of the sect’s estate along with another one White Dragon Elder and seven inner elders.

“Hang this identity token at your waist. Someone will lead you in the sect’s estate.”

A blue-clad young man accepted an identity token and looked in the direction of the Flying Dragon Sect’s estate. He asked worriedly, “Elder, are you sure it’s safe for me to enter? I heard that the Flying Dragon Sect’s Guarding Formation is so powerful that even an ordinary Emperor of Gods would have a tough time breaking it. I’m only an advanced King of Gods. I’ll surely die if the Guarding Formation is activated.”

The White Dragon Elder and two inner elders could not help but laugh upon hearing these words.

Finally, the inner elder who had handed the identity token to the blue-clad young man said, “Boy, what do you think the identity token I just handed you is for? The Guarding Formation won’t harm you as long as you possess the identity token. Moreover, there’ll be someone leading you into the estate to a cultivation ground.”

“I see. Elder, what kind of cultivation ground is it? Based on my cultivation, it shouldn’t be a problem for me to become an inner disciple, right? Shouldn’t I be going to the inner disciples’ cultivation ground?” the young man asked.

“Before you’re allowed to enter the inner disciples’ cultivation ground, you’ll have to survive the Imperial War first,” the inner elder explained, “Those who join the sect during the Imperial War will be given an option to leave or stay in the sect after the end of the Imperial War. At that time, you’ll be given proper identities in the sect. As for now, to avoid unnecessary trouble and those with ill intentions, you’ll be staying in another cultivation ground.”

After the Imperial War started, the Flying Dragon Sect had designated an area to accommodate those who joined the sect during the Imperial War. The cultivation ground was located in a valley and was just a mountain away from the entrance to the Imperial War Realm. Those who stayed in that cultivation ground were prohibited from wandering the sect’s estate. A Golden Dragon Elder had been tasked with overseeing the cultivation ground to prevent them from violating the rules.

The young man smiled. “I see. The Flying Dragon Sect is indeed meticulous. This is a good way to weed out those who want to take advantage of the situation.”

The inner elder scoffed. “Those who want to take advantage of the situation will have to suffer the consequences. Alright, off you go. Remember to keep your identity token with you.”

Following that, the blue-clad young man flew in the direction of the Flying Dragon Sect’s estate. Shortly after he entered the estate, an inner deacon showed up and led him to the designated cultivation ground near the entrance of the Imperial War Realm.

The young man’s eyes gleamed with anticipation as he followed the inner deacon. “I’ve heard so much about the Imperial War Realm! I hope it’ll really help me to improve my strength. If I’m able to become a Lord of Gods before the Imperial War ends, I’ll be the first person in the sect to become a Lord of Gods before reaching the age of 10,000!”

…

Back on the floating island.

An inner elder of the Flying Dragon Sect said with a smile, “That boy is quite a chatterbox. Now that he has left, it’s so quiet.”

“That’s right. Over the past two days, he’s the only one to join the sect,” the White Dragon Elder said with a nod.

At this moment, the Black Dragon Elder, who was sitting alone, suddenly rose to his feet, prompting the White Dragon Elder and the other inner elders to follow suit.

The White Dragon Elder looked into the distance while the inner elders looked confused.

“Is someone coming?”

The inner elders did not see anyone, and it took a while before they finally detected someone’s presence.

“Is… Is it a Lord of Gods?”

“We should’ve detected him earlier if he’s just a rudimentary Lord of Gods.”

“This means he’s stronger than a rudimentary Lord of Gods, right?”

While the inner elders speculated among themselves, the Black Dragon Elder finally said, “It’s an intermediate Lord of Gods.”

“An intermediate Lord of Gods?” the White Dragon Elder asked with a solemn expression.

On the contrary, the inner elders’ eyes lit up.

“An intermediate Lord of Gods intends to join us?”

“This is great!”

“So far, we’ve only recruited five rudimentary Lords of Gods. This will be our first intermediate Lord of Gods!”

At this time, a tall and muscular young man finally landed on the floating island. He was dressed in a long black robe and seemed to be carrying a prominent divine sword. His expression was aloof as he said to the Black Dragon Elder, “I want to join the Flying Dragon Sect to participate in the Imperial War Realm.”

The Black Dragon Elder stared at the young man for a moment before a smile appeared on his gaunt face as he said, “Welcome, young man.”

Then, the Black Dragon Elder helped the young man complete his registration. There was not much interrogation since there was not much damage an intermediate Lord of Gods could do even if he harbored ill intentions. Moreover, the young man’s movements in the sect’s estate would also be restricted; they were only allowed to wander the designated cultivation ground and the Imperial War Realm. Apart from that, the entire sect’s estate was off-limits. Only death awaited those who tried to stir up trouble.

When the Black Dragon Elder asked for the taciturn young man’s name, the young man replied curtly, “Yan Zhe.”

After the young man received his identity token and flew to the Flying Dragon Sect’s estate, the White Dragon Elder, who stood near the Black Dragon Elder, shook his head and said skeptically, “He’s quite aloof. Based on his aura, he’s still quite far from a breakthrough. I don’t think he came to improve his strength…”

The Black Dragon Elder said, “Everyone has their own agendas. Even those rudimentary Lords of Gods we recruited previously might not have come for a breakthrough…”