Over the past few years, Dugu Qingshao and the others had also inquired about Xu Taiping's news, but the responses they received were all vague and unclear.
There was even one time when they heard a bad piece of news, saying that there were ghosts and wolf demons appearing near the Green Bamboo Residence, and even the spring used as the array eye had been destroyed.
If it weren't for Qingshao's restraint, Zhao Linglong would have almost violated the sect's order and gone down the mountain that time.
It was from then on that the two began to feel that Xu Taiping might have met with misfortune, after all, for outer sect disciples, it was quite normal not to survive more than three years in the mountains where demons roamed.
"Yes, it's him, Senior Brother, look!"
Zhao Linglong nodded vigorously, then threw the scroll in her hand in front of Qingshao and continued:
"Little Taiping is not only still alive, but he has also signed up for this Seven Peaks Selection!"
Qingshao unfolded the scroll upon hearing this and indeed found Xu Taiping's name on the list.
"The little guy is quite ambitious."
Qingshao's lips curled up, his face filled with relief.
"It's been three years, Little Taiping must be taller than me by now."
Zhao Linglong smiled and gestured with her hand.
"Yes, it's been three years already."
Qingshao put away the scroll and nodded with a smile.
"Senior Brother, even if Taiping doesn't pass this Seven Peaks Selection, I want to ask Father to bring him up the mountain. Even if he can't become a formal disciple, helping to manage the herb garden and spirit beasts would be good."
Zhao Linglong suddenly looked at Qingshao with a serious expression.
This boy, whom she had personally guided up the mountain and severed his ties with the secular world, she had to do something for him!
Qingshao thought about it seriously after hearing this, then nodded:
"Taiping was brought up the mountain by both of us, we can't just leave him alone. When the time comes, I'll go with you to ask our Master."
In his view, being able to survive in the outer sect mountains for three years, Xu Taiping already had the qualifications to stay in Qingxuan Sect. Even if he couldn't become a disciple, being a servant would ultimately not be a problem.
"That's great, with Senior Brother by my side, Father will definitely agree!"
Zhao Linglong was very happy upon hearing this.
The two were not underestimating Xu Taiping; they just knew that with Bai Linggu's talent, he could at most break through to the Opening Gate Realm within three years. Among the outer sect disciples, those who could break through to the Opening Gate Realm were not few. Many outer sect disciples had already been in the mountains for more than ten, even twenty or thirty years!
In their Seven Peaks, there was a disciple who passed the Seven Peaks Selection at the age of fifty and eventually became their junior brother.
To stand out from thousands of outer sect disciples and become one of the final seven disciples was not an easy task.
More importantly, there were even former formal disciples who had been expelled from the mountain for violating the rules.
This was why the two were already considering a backup plan for Xu Taiping.
"By the way, Senior Brother, the Seven Peaks Selection is still held at the Sword Town Plaza on the First Peak, right? How about we sneak down the mountain to take a look?"
Zhao Linglong looked at Qingshao with anticipation.
Qingshao shook his head and then explained to Zhao Linglong:
"The Seven Peaks Selection, due to the large number of participants, is divided into four regions: South Mountain, West Mountain, East Mountain, and North Mountain. Each region selects 28 people from several hundred, which is called the Four Mountains Meeting."
"After the Four Mountains Meeting, the 112 selected people will be arranged to compete in the Dragon Gate Hall for the second round, and 28 people will be selected from them, which is called the Dragon Gate Meeting."
"After the Dragon Gate Meeting, the final 28 selected people will be arranged to compete on the Sword Town Platform on the main peak, under the witness of the Sect Master and the Seven Peaks' leaders, for the final round. The seven strongest disciples will be selected for the Seven Peaks to choose from, which is called the Seven Peaks Meeting."
Because he had been assigned to handle the Seven Peaks Selection by the sect before, Qingshao was very familiar with the selection process.
"This whole process will take at least a month."
Zhao Linglong usually didn't care about these things, often only watching the final round for the excitement, never realizing how complex the Seven Peaks Selection was.
She, who was eager to see Little Taiping, couldn't help but feel a bit melancholic.
"Wait, does that mean we can only plead with Father when Little Taiping reaches the Seven Peaks Meeting?"
Zhao Linglong suddenly became worried again.
Qingshao shook his head and continued:
"As long as he can make it to the Dragon Gate Meeting, even if he fails there, I can find a way to have our Master keep him."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Linglong secretly sighed in relief and then said excitedly in a low voice: "Little Taiping, you must do your best. As long as you can win in the Four Mountains Meeting, we can meet again!"
"You must not cause any trouble during this period. If you are put under house arrest by our Master, you won't be able to watch Little Taiping's competition."
Seeing Zhao Linglong so excited, Qingshao was a bit worried that she might sneak down the mountain again.
"But Senior Brother, I really want to see Little Taiping's competition. Can you think of a way?"
Zhao Linglong pulled on Qingshao's sleeve, pleading.
Qingshao sighed and then thought for a moment:
"I'll see if I can borrow the Mountain Patrol Mirror from our Master. During the Dragon Gate Meeting, the Mountain Patrol Mirror should be able to show the competition. As for the Four Mountains Meeting, we can only wait for the reports from the responsible senior disciples after the competition."
"Senior Brother, you are really too good!"
Zhao Linglong hugged Qingshao.
"Don't disturb my sword cultivation!"
Qingshao pushed Zhao Linglong away with a look of disgust.
Today is the first day of the Four Mountains Meeting.
"These people seem much older than me."
When Xu Taiping arrived at the West Wind Pavilion training ground, he found himself out of place among the crowd. The cultivators on the field were either tall and robust young or middle-aged men, or elderly men with a sage-like demeanor. Only he was a young boy.
"Green Bamboo Residence, Xu Taiping."
He held a bronze mirror and approached the desk of the West Wind Pavilion steward responsible for registration.
"Green Bamboo Residence, Xu Taiping, take this, number 27 in Group C."
The steward glanced at Xu Taiping's bronze mirror and then handed him a bamboo slip with "27 in Group C" written on it.
"Find your number on the notice board in front, and you will see which arena you will compete in and the number of your opponent."
The steward pointed to a large notice board at the entrance of the training ground without looking up.
Xu Taiping nodded and then walked toward the notice board with the bamboo slip in hand.
"Hey, little boy, could it be that you are also here for the Seven Peaks Selection?"
Before Xu Taiping could reach the notice board, a bald, bearded, and muscular man suddenly grabbed him.