In the study.

After returning from Stone Statue City, Jun Changxiao fell into contemplation.

Xiao Zuiji’s resurrection gave him a bold idea—if he let disciples inducted into the Hall of Lingering Smoke die then resurrect them, could they break through to Tianji Realm?

“You’re dreaming,” the System ruthlessly mocked.

How could such a low-level bug be exploited to farm disciple levels?

Moreover.

Resurrection had conditions—for example, pooling others’ contribution points.

All disciples inducted into the Hall of Lingering Smoke, regardless of how much they had before, were completely zeroed out after resurrecting Xiao Zuiji.

“Not a big problem.”

Jun Changxiao said: “They can continue accumulating.”

“This resurrection function might be once per lifetime. Using it wastefully to break through Tianji Realm—doesn’t Host think that’s a loss?” the System said speechlessly.

“…”

Jun Changxiao fell silent.

Indeed.

Using the resurrection chance wastefully to reach Tianji was truly not worth the cost.

“Also,” the System added, “Xiao Zuiji sacrificed himself righteously and broke through to Tianji after resurrection because it matched his opportunity. Having other disciples die unnaturally may not align with their own triggers—the result might still leave them stuck in place.”

“Good point.” Jun Changxiao abandoned the thought.

Resurrection was too precious to waste casually.

“Then…”

Jun Changxiao leaned back in his chair, murmuring: “Need to properly plan the remaining slots.”

Since the Hall of Lingering Smoke also had resurrection functionality, he naturally needed other disciples to enter quickly.

Twenty-four slots.

Currently only nine disciples inducted.

Respectively: Lu Qianqian, Ye Xingchen, Xiao Zuiji, Su Xiaomo, Liu Wanshi, He Wudi, Li Fei, and Shangguan Xinyao.

“Who to give them to?”

Jun Changxiao fell into thought.

There were too many outstanding disciples in the sect. The remaining fifteen slots clearly weren’t enough.

Initially, he could measure by contribution points. Now, any random disciple met induction conditions, so he could only evaluate from multiple aspects.

“Tian Qi.”

“Long Ziyang.”

“Long Aotian.”

“These three can be inducted.”

Jun Changxiao made his choices in his heart, matching names to corresponding scrolls.

“Buzz!”

“Buzz!”

Instantly, images continuously appeared on three blank scrolls, finally outlining lifelike disciples each in absolutely mighty and majestic poses.

Tian Qi was indispensable.

Among the earliest to enter.

Though recent screen time might not compare to Jing Zhixiao, he was absolutely a veteran-level disciple who witnessed the sect’s growth all along. His own strength also didn’t lose to Su Xiaomo, Li Fei and others, so he definitely deserved a place.

Long Ziyang.

Outstanding among the second batch of disciples—his induction was well-deserved.

As for Long Aotian, as Jun Changxiao’s former contract beast who long became a disciple, his induction was reasonable.

After portraits were completely outlined, they were respectively imprinted with the characters ‘Loyalty,’ ‘Spear,’ and ‘Dragon.’

“Zhong Yi.”

Jun Changxiao said: “Should also have a place.”

This disciple didn’t enter too early, but whenever war-like battles occurred, he always led War Cavalry Hall members charging forward, contributing great merit to the sect.

“Buzz!”

Zhong Yi’s portrait was outlined—the classic leaping horse brandishing blade, as if shouting “Determined to break through enemy lines, willing to die without return!” The text effect given was also—General.

“Zhou Hong.”

After brief consideration, Jun Changxiao said: “How could he be left out?”

“Buzz, buzz—” Soon, a figure standing in the inner courtyard training grounds holding a sword gradually took shape. The text effect given was Sword.

Thus far.

Among inducted disciples, four represented weapons: Xiao Zuiji’s Shield, He Wudi’s Door, Long Ziyang’s Spear, and Zhou Hong’s Sword.

“Damn!”

The System roared: “How the hell can a door count as a weapon!”

“And Mengying, this girl.”

“Whoosh!”

On the fifteenth scroll, Yao Mengying was gradually outlined.

She sat on a throne constructed of skulls, like a lofty Demon Queen. Even the atmosphere was exceptionally sinister, so the text effect given was Demon.

“With Demon present, how can we lack Buddha?”

Jun Changxiao waved his hand grandly, selecting Du Nan on the sixteenth.

That guy’s portrait was interesting—holding a broom sweeping fallen leaves and dust in the courtyard, exactly like an enlightened monk in the Scripture Pavilion. The effect also corresponded to Buddha—after all, the sect’s only Buddhist cultivator.

Even Gou Fugui who swept floors could enter the Hall of Lingering Smoke—wouldn’t Jing Zhixiao who cleaned toilets also have a chance? After all, as Wangu Sect’s chief mecha engineer, he had real skills.

Unfortunately.

Jun Changxiao never considered it.

“Blade cultivator Ma Yongning qualifies for induction,” the System said.

“Right.”

Jun Changxiao agreed, immediately selecting this uncle who cut vegetables in the kitchen year-round yet could still comprehend higher blade intent, obtaining the text effect Blade.

Weapons category—added another.

This showed entering the Hall of Lingering Smoke didn’t absolutely follow entry sequence, but their own distinctive characteristics.

Since so.

Chief mecha engineer Jing Zhixiao should be inducted.

Too bad, Jun Changxiao still never considered this disciple.

That was heartbreaking.

“Still seven short.” Dog Surplus’s head hurt slightly: “Who should enter?”

Actually there were many outstanding disciples—like second tank Yang Yuhua, or Song Xuanzhou, even Li Shangtian. But precisely because too many were outstanding, he found it difficult to choose in the short term.

Good thing the Hall of Lingering Smoke was limited to disciples. If leadership also qualified, a mere twenty-four slots could agonize Dog Surplus to death.

“I think we can give to female disciples,” the System suggested. “Currently among seventeen inducted disciples, only Shangguan Xinyao, Liu Wanshi and Yao Mengying are female—a bit yang-heavy, yin-light.”

Jun Changxiao said: “How many named female disciples can we find?”

“Ling Yuanxue and Mu Honglian.”

“And?”

“…”

The System fell silent.

None left, really couldn’t think of any!

“Right, there’s Sun Bukong!”

Jun Changxiao finally remembered the disciple proficient in medicine, decisively inducting him into the Hall of Lingering Smoke. The text effect naturally was Medicine.

“Let’s reserve six slots for disciples who perform outstandingly in the future.”

This time, Jun Changxiao added nine people total—powerful veteran disciples and skilled specialists, completely without repetition. The feeling was like Jiang Taigong conferring divine positions at the Investiture Platform.

After inducted disciples’ portraits were outlined one by one, they all sensed something as text successively appeared on the backs of their hands.

If Ye Di knew, he’d definitely be depressed.

Among nineteen inducted disciples, only his text was imprinted on his forehead—compared to them, truly out of place!

“What’s happening?”

Tian Qi, who was playing soccer with fellow disciples, suddenly stopped, looking at the Loyalty character that flashed across his hand’s back, his gaze filling with bewilderment.

Su Xiaomo and Li Fei saw it. As veterans, they walked forward: “Congratulations, Junior Brother!”

Long Ziyang and others were initially confused too, but after learning from senior brothers that this was the Sect Master’s recognition and regard, they all swore in their hearts: “For Sect Master, for the sect, through fire and water, no hesitation!”