Chapter 5594

“No, that’s not how it used to be. It was based on talent and ability; you could be added by passing an assessment.”

“However, later on, some people started to use back channels and pull strings, and gradually they started charging for immortal stones, so you still needed to pull strings.”

“Basically, those who can be added to the Sword Sect, especially those who directly enter the Sword Guard through the examination, have all gone to great lengths to find connections and have been pre-selected.”

“I can tell you’ve only been in the Fifth Heaven for a short time, so you don’t have many connections. Don’t waste your time.”

“That’s what the man said.”

“I’ve only been in the Fifth Heaven for a short time, it seems I need to build up my connections.”

Kai said, feigning some disappointment.

“Fellow Daoist, don’t be too disappointed. Since you’ve come to Sword Saint City, even if you can’t join the Sword Sect, you can still learn something by participating in the assessments and sparring with others.”

The man patted Kai on the shoulder and said.

“Hmm!” Kai nodded. “May I ask your honorable name, fellow Daoist?”

“My name is Fang Xiang, what’s yours?” Fang Xiang asked.

“Oh, my name is Chen Chen Dali!”

Kai almost let it slip.

“Judging from your name, your strength can’t be that high!” Fang Xiang said with a smile!

Just then, a middle-aged man dressed in a coarse cloth shirt walked over. The man was not tall and his eyes were squinted.

“Fellow Daoists, I’ve been listening to you talk for a while now. Are you thinking of adding the Sword Sect?”

The man in the short shirt asked. (The rest of the text appears to be a list of search terms or keywords, possibly related to a website or online forum. A direct translation wouldn’t be meaningful without further context.)

Fang Xiang nodded: “That’s right, but we don’t have anyone to introduce us, so we can’t add anyone.”

“I can help you find a referrer. You only need to spend some immortal stones to find one.”

The man in the short-sleeved shirt said in a low voice.

“How many immortal stones are needed?” Fang Xiang immediately became interested upon hearing this.

The man in the short shirt looked around, then waved his hand: “Come with me, this isn’t the place to talk!”

Fang Xiang and Kai followed the man in the short-sleeved shirt into a house on the side of the street!

The man in the short shirt led Kai and Fang Xiang into the room, which was dimly lit and filled with a musty, rotten smell.

He closed the door, turned around, a mysterious smile on his face, and said in a low voice, “Finding an introducer is both difficult and easy, but you have to spend some immortal stones to grease the wheels, no more, no less, exactly 30,000 immortal stones.”

Upon hearing the man in the short shirt’s words, Kai immediately realized that this was a scalper.

Upon hearing this, Fang Xiang’s face turned deathly pale, like a wilted eggplant, and he completely wilted.

He sighed helplessly, “Where would I get 30,000 immortal stones? I can only scrape together a little over 10,000. The difference is too big.”

As he spoke, he sat down dejectedly, his eyes filled with disappointment and helplessness.

Kai felt a pang of pity seeing Fang Xiang’s state. He gently patted Fang Xiang’s shoulder, then looked at the man in the short shirt and said firmly, “I’ll help Fang Xiang get his immortal stones.”

Fang Xiang suddenly raised his head, his eyes filled with surprise and gratitude. His lips moved, but he didn’t say anything. He just stared at Kai with his grateful eyes.

The man in the short shirt’s eyes lit up, and the corners of his mouth curved into a wider smile. He nodded hurriedly and said, “Okay, that’s great! Let’s get started right away.”

With that, he led Kai and Fang Xiang out of the room, and after several twists and turns, they arrived at a secluded courtyard.

Upon entering the courtyard, one sees a disciple dressed in the robes of the Sword Sect sitting arrogantly on a stone bench, legs crossed, looking utterly conceited.

The man in the short shirt approached with a beaming smile, bowing and scraping as he said, “Sir, these two fellow Daoists wish to join the Sword Sect. They have prepared all the immortal stones. We would be grateful if you would take good care of them.”

The Sword Sect disciple glanced at Kai and Fang Xiang, slowly stood up, crossed his arms, and said arrogantly, “Whether you can join the Sword Sect depends entirely on my word. I have noted down your information. Tomorrow is the day of the assessment. Whether you pass or not depends on your tribute.”