Competition is the only way to achieve greater improvement. Survival of the fittest—this is an eternal truth.
The West Mansion also championed this truth, which was how it had remained a dominant force in the Western Domain.
Competition was a constant presence within the West Mansion, and its leaders were happy to see it.
The House Entrance Examination was a competition among the candidates.
Once the House Entrance Examination was over, the competition shifted to the Palace Masters of the Outer Mansion’s various palaces.
Even the higher-ups faced competition!
If you didn’t fight for your place, you would be left behind by the times. Others would grow stronger and stronger while you stagnated. If you weren’t the one to be cast aside, who would be?
Take the North District, for example, or Dui Palace. As you grew weaker and others grew stronger, you would inevitably be phased out.
At this moment, over one hundred candidates had survived the fierce competition among more than ten thousand others to pass the House Entrance Examination. They were the cream of the crop. The next stage of competition, now unfolding among the Eight Palaces, was to see who could recruit the most of these outstanding candidates into their respective factions within the Outer Mansion.
The top ten candidates, in particular, were the primary targets that all Eight Palaces vied for.
However, aside from Tang Yi, Tang Piaomiao, and their group, who had not yet chosen, the other candidates in the top ten seemed to have already been in contact with the Eight Palaces and made their choices immediately.
After regaining consciousness, Yuh Jili walked over to the Qian Palace’s area without any hesitation and officially joined them.
Some of the other top-ranking candidates followed Yuh Jili into Qian Palace, while others joined Lii Palace or Xun Palace. It was clear they had already made their decisions beforehand; the Eight Palaces must have made them certain promises that led them to join without a moment’s hesitation.
"Any candidate who joins our Kan Palace will receive one Cyan Cloud Pill, three Body Storage Pills, and ten Qi Cultivation Pills!"
The Palace Master of Kan Palace announced, enticing the candidates who were still on the fence.
The Cyan Cloud Pill was a known quantity. Tang Yi had seen one before and knew it could raise a Martial Artist’s Level, making it an absolutely priceless Pill.
Body Storage Pills strengthened the physique, and a stronger body was conducive to raising one’s Martial Artist Level. Qi Cultivation Pills could accelerate cultivation speed, making them also incredibly useful.
With the Palace Master of Kan Palace offering such a generous reward right off the bat, how could the candidates not be tempted?
On the spot, several of the wavering candidates began walking toward Kan Palace.
Even the candidates from the North District were extremely tempted and wanted to head over. However, when they saw that Tang Yi hadn’t moved an inch, they all hesitated, gritted their teeth, and stayed put.
The candidates from the North District weren’t fools. Who was Tang Yi? He was their idol, their god. They believed that as long as they stuck with him, they would gain unimaginable benefits. Naturally, they planned to follow his lead. Wherever Tang Yi went, they would go.
Seeing the candidates from the North District looking at him, torn between temptation and hesitation, Tang Yi smiled faintly. "You don’t have to follow me," he said. "The path I choose might not be right for you, and I’d hate to hold you back. If you see a path that you think suits you, then go and choose it without fear. Don’t worry. We’ll all be disciples of the West Mansion from now on. No matter which palace in the Outer Mansion we end up in, we’ll look out for one another. Plus, since we all come from the North District, I’ll definitely take better care of you than others."
"But..."
Someone still hesitated.
"There are no ’buts,’" Tang Yi interrupted. "Listen to me. My choice really might not be right for you. Following me will only hold you back, not help you. Go choose the Outer Mansion palace that you like."
"Alright!"
Since Tang Yi had put it that way, the candidates from the North District no longer hesitated. A good number of them immediately ran toward Kan Palace.
After all, just as Tang Yi had said, they would all be disciples of the West Mansion. And since they all came from the North District, he would surely support them no matter which palace they joined.
Aside from those who went to Kan Palace, some other candidates from the North District headed toward Lii Palace, Qian Palace, and other powerful palaces of the Outer Mansion.
They had been tempted by those palaces before but had held back, wanting to stick with Tang Yi. Now that he had assured them he would look after them regardless, they no longer needed to hesitate and boldly headed toward the palaces they preferred.
And just like that, all the candidates from the North District began to move, except for the three from the Tang Family, Mu Xianling, and Bai Ye.
"Every disciple who joins my Lii Palace will receive a Profound Tier Middle Grade Treasure Sword! Outstanding disciples may even have the chance to obtain a Profound Tier Upper Grade Treasure Sword!"
Seeing that Kan Palace’s tempting offer had worked wonders and drawn in many candidates, the Palace Master of Lii Palace also began to entice the crowd.
"Heh. When it comes to Weapon Equipment, how can any compare to the quality of my Gen Palace?" the Palace Master of Gen Palace chimed in. "Any candidate who joins us can choose the weapon and equipment they need. We will custom-forge one weapon and one piece of equipment just for you!"
"You!"
The Palace Master of Lii Palace was so furious he nearly coughed up blood, pointing an enraged finger at the Palace Master of Gen Palace.
At that moment, it seemed some candidates felt Gen Palace’s offer was better, and many of them immediately ran toward Gen Palace.
This made the Palace Master of Lii Palace even angrier.
’Damn it, he’s stealing my recruits!’
"Aside from the Profound Tier Middle Grade Treasure Sword, we at Lii Palace will also give a Profound Tier Upper Grade Sword Skill! Its power is guaranteed! You can get it as long as you join Lii Palace right now!" the Palace Master of Lii Palace shouted again, his face flushed red.
With a great RUSH, a large number of candidates finally ran toward Lii Palace’s area.
Sword Skills were inherently rare, and their power was incomparable to that of ordinary Martial Techniques.
Generally speaking, a Profound Tier Upper Grade Sword Skill was far more powerful than other Martial Techniques of the same grade. So when the candidates saw the Palace Master of Lii Palace actually offering one as a gift, how could they possibly refuse to go?
"Candidates, don’t be fooled by the Palace Master of Lii Palace! Once you enter Lii Palace, you get to learn Upper Grade Sword Skills anyway! He’s tricking you!"
The Palace Master of Gen Palace had intended to expose his rival, hoping the candidates would see his "true colors" and back off.
But his words had the opposite effect. As soon as he spoke, another great RUSH of people ran toward Lii Palace.
’Damn! So if we join Lii Palace, we’re guaranteed to learn a Profound Tier Upper Grade Sword Skill? With a deal that good, why wouldn’t we join?’
Initially, everyone had been tempted when the Palace Master of Lii Palace promised a Profound Tier Upper Grade Sword Skill. However, they had also worried it might be an empty promise. What if they joined and he didn’t deliver?
Now that they heard they would get to learn a Profound Tier Upper Grade Sword Skill regardless, their worries naturally vanished.
The Palace Master of Gen Palace never expected his words to backfire so spectacularly. Not only had he failed to slander Lii Palace, but he had actually provided them with free advertising. His face turned ashen, a truly ugly sight to behold...
The scene of fierce competition continued...
Each palace was desperately trying to woo the candidates, making one tempting offer after another. The candidates gradually made their choices, entering their preferred palaces within the Outer Mansion. Slowly, the number of people in the square began to dwindle.
In the end, only Tang Yi, the others from the Tang Family, Bai Ye, and Mu Xianling were left without having made a choice.

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