A Daoist couldn’t hold back and spoke up: “Taoist Li, could it be… ahem… that you also… think so highly of the National Preceptor of Da Xia?”

Daoist Li smiled at the speaker and said, “It’s not just thinking highly.”

The Daoists breathed a sigh of relief, but their expressions froze the next second when they heard Daoist Li’s words.

“It’s surrender. I will lead the Shenxiao Sect to relocate to Da Xia.”

The Daoists: !!!

What?! You’re going this far?!

Daoist Li continued, “I’m here to reassure all of you. Even if you don’t switch sects, as long as you sincerely wish to join Da Xia, I welcome you all.”

The Daoists: …

Someone asked unwillingly, “What if we don’t join?”

Daoist Li said gently, “Then I wouldn’t know. I only practice Daoism and don’t involve myself in the bureaucratic affairs of Da Xia.”

The Daoists: …

So, those who don’t join will stay here and play with the Imperial Guards?

Wouldn’t that mean being imprisoned for life?!

Daoist Zhou suddenly interjected, “Let me give you some advice. Instead of clinging to useless sects, why not join our Shushan Sect? I was the first to pledge allegiance to Da Xia, so I’ll definitely receive more attention and resources from them.” He then listed some of the benefits and treatment of coming to Da Xia.

Some of the Daoists were swayed, while others hesitated and looked at the smiling Daoist Li.

Half an hour later, except for a very few Daoists, most of the Daoists, who were tired of being imprisoned, walked over to Daoist Zhou and Daoist Li, following them out of the Imperial Prison.

Once they left the prison, maids and servants led these Daoists, who were starting to smell, to the nearby bathhouse to wash up.

Left behind, Daoist Zhou and Daoist Li, who had been cold-faced, suddenly exchanged a smile.

Daoist Zhou clasped his hands and said, “Daoist Li, that was a brilliant move!”

Daoist Li waved his hand gently and said kindly, “It was Daoist Zhou’s initial intimidation that set the stage.”

The two of them were in perfect harmony.

At that moment, the chief eunuch walked over with a smile, clasped his hands, and said, “Congratulations to both Daoists on your success. Additionally, His Majesty has decreed that the sect with the most Daoist disciples joining Da Xia will become the National Preceptor’s direct lineage.”

Daoist Zhou and Daoist Li’s expressions froze for a moment.

The chief eunuch continued, “His Majesty also said that to fully support the Little National Preceptor, Da Xia will provide additional resources, but only to those Daoists who join before entering Da Xia.”

At this point, the chief eunuch handed them a bamboo scroll filled with benefits and said, “I’ve said my piece. I hope both Daoists will make the most of this opportunity.”

Daoist Zhou and Daoist Li opened the scroll simultaneously. Within seconds, their pupils contracted, and their breathing grew heavier.

So wealthy!

Absolutely extravagant!

The abundance of resources listed was something no cultivator could resist!

Da Xia’s regard for the Little National Preceptor was extraordinary!

Daoist Zhou and Daoist Li struggled to maintain their composure, smiling as they bid farewell to the chief eunuch.

Daoist Li maintained a kind smile: “Fellow Daoist, rest assured. This humble Daoist is solely devoted to the Dao and does not involve himself in such mundane matters. However, I am concerned that the acolytes may not properly tend to the alchemical furnaces, so I shall take my leave first.”

Daoist Zhou also said gently: “Not at all, I dare not compete with Daoist Li. Ah, in that case, I shall also return.”

The two of them smiled as they parted ways, but as soon as they turned their backs, their expressions changed, and they practically sprinted away.

Gold and silver may be worldly possessions.

But top-tier cultivation and alchemical resources are worth fighting for!

Charge!

…

The Daoists, having bathed and changed into fresh clothes, stepped outside and were immediately stunned.

Red banners fluttered, drums and gongs resounded, and the Daoists outside were overwhelmingly enthusiastic.

On the left, at the Shenxiao Sect registration desk, acolytes chanted: “Register now and receive a fine alchemical furnace! The top three alchemists each month will have the chance to learn Daoist Li’s secret thunder techniques!”

On the right, at the Shushan Sect registration desk, acolytes waved flags: “No need to worry about qualifications! Join now and receive the art of telekinesis!”

This made many Daoists take a step back, looking around in confusion, wondering if they were dreaming.

And every Daoist who stepped out of the bathhouse was immediately dragged by both sides toward the registration desks.

By the end, the Daoists were trembling, clinging tightly to nearby trees, doorposts, and other objects, shouting hoarsely: “I’ll join! But I won’t switch sects! I can walk on my own! Stop dragging me!”

…

A few days later, the frenzy of recruiting Daoists spread to other nations.

The common people were utterly astonished.

After all, the image of Daoists in the minds of the people had always been one of flowing robes, an air of immortality, solitary and aloof, disliking crowds—and, of course, the occasional exploding alchemical furnace.

This was the first time the people had seen groups of Daoists walking shoulder-to-shoulder on the streets, pulling and tugging at each other.

Whenever a wary Daoist was pulled in, the two would exchange words like, “What?! Really, such good treatment?” “Yes!” “Let’s go!” Afterward, the previously cautious Daoist would often show a satisfied expression, and the two would walk off together.

After watching this for a while, curious commoners couldn’t help but ask, and this time, the Daoists were anything but aloof. Instead, they enthusiastically explained the various benefits of being a Daoist in Da Xia, urging them to recommend it to any wandering cultivators they knew.

This made the commoners wildly excited. If not for the high threshold—requiring a deep understanding of Daoist classics—they might have rolled up their sleeves and signed up themselves.

From this day on, the Little National Preceptor of Da Xia once again became a household name.

What kind of magic did this less-than-one-year-old National Preceptor possess?

First, she inspired the common people of Da Xia to promote her voluntarily.

Now, she had the upper echelons of Da Xia investing heavily to recruit for her!

While the common people were eagerly consuming the gossip, the leaders of other nations grew restless. They sent urgent letters to the Longhu Temple.

What’s going on? Is the Longhu Temple about to shut down?

Why are all your Daoists defecting to an eight-month-old National Preceptor?

If you can’t control your people, arrest them! If you need guards, ask us for help!

The barrage of questioning letters left the Longhu Temple utterly baffled.

Who could have imagined?!

The group led by Daoist Fang, had marched out with great fanfare, vowing to expose the National Preceptor of Da Xia as a fraud and regain the trust of Da Xia’s royal family.

In the end, not a single one returned. Not only did they not return, but they also sent back two messages via courier.

The gist was:

—The Little National Preceptor is amazing! I’m defecting to her!

—Da Xia is the land of enlightenment, watched over by the heavens. Come quickly, join our Shenxiao Sect, and together we’ll create glory. I wouldn’t tell just anyone.

The elders of the Longhu Temple: ???