“Senior Sister Foster, what a skillful move—you went out once and actually brought back four children with talent.” One of the two men said to the woman, his tone full of flattery.

“Take them to the chores department.” The woman’s expression was cold; she didn’t even glance at Ethan Brooks and the other three. With a stride, her whole figure turned into a streak of rainbow light, vanishing into the mountains.

At this moment, Ethan Brooks had regained his composure. He stared blankly at the spot where the woman disappeared, and gradually, a radiance appeared in his eyes—a brilliance he had never shown in his sixteen years. This light made Ethan Brooks’s heart surge with excitement.

“Chores? That means working for immortals. I bet it pays well.” Ethan Brooks began to look forward to it, because he could tell that these people didn’t mean to harm them.

“Senior Sister Foster has already reached the seventh level of Qi Condensation and was granted the Wind Banner by the sect leader. She can fly even before reaching Foundation Establishment—truly enviable.” Another green-robed cultivator sighed, then looked at Ethan Brooks and the others with a lofty air.

“You, and you, come with me to the southern chores department.” As he spoke, he pointed at Henry Smith and the sturdy, tiger-headed boy beside him.

“W-where… where is this place?” Being singled out, Henry Smith trembled and stammered.

“Kao Shan Sect.”

Chapter 0002 Kao Shan Sect

Kao Shan Sect is located on the southern border of Zhao State in the southern region of the Southern Shanze Continent. It was once the foremost of the four great sects of Zhao State, and even throughout the southern region, it was quite renowned. Because of its ruthless sect rules, disregard for disciples’ origins, and its tolerance of infighting among disciples, it was known as the Demon Sect of Zhao State.

In fact, Kao Shan Sect was not originally called this, nor was it a demon sect. But a thousand years ago, a cultivator who shook the entire southern region emerged, calling himself the Old Ancestor Kao Shan. He forcibly changed the sect’s name to Kao Shan Sect, acted tyrannically, plundered treasures from all the sects in Zhao State, and rewrote the sect rules to be cruel and harsh, enjoying a period of unmatched glory.

But now, after a thousand years, things have changed. The Old Ancestor Kao Shan has been missing for over four hundred years, causing Kao Shan Sect to decline. Its status is no longer what it once was, and its former glory is gone. Now, in Zhao State, it can only be considered a minor sect.

If not for the Old Ancestor Kao Shan’s life and death being unknown, which could pose future trouble, the sect would likely have been swallowed up by others long ago. Now, Kao Shan Sect is in decline, and with Zhao State’s limited resources and suppression by the other three sects, even recruiting chores disciples requires sending disciples out to capture people, let alone openly recruiting new members.

Following behind the green-robed man, Ethan Brooks walked along the mountain paths of Kao Shan Sect. Everything around him resembled a peach blossom paradise: strange rocks and exotic trees everywhere, green mountains and clear waters, and luxurious pavilions shrouded in mist, their roofs seemingly tiled with jade. Ethan Brooks couldn’t help but marvel, though the chubby boy beside him sobbed all the way, somewhat spoiling the atmosphere.

“It’s over, it’s really over this time…”

“I want to go home. There are big steamed buns at home, and fish and meat…”

“Damn it, damn it, I was supposed to inherit my family’s ancestral land, become a lord, and have several concubines. I shouldn’t be here doing chores…” The chubby boy shivered as he muttered, his face mournful and tears welling in his eyes.

He grumbled the whole way, until after about half a cup of tea’s time, the green-robed man walking ahead spoke coldly.

“One more word of nonsense, and I’ll cut out your tongue.”

The chubby boy shuddered violently, terror flashing in his eyes. He quickly covered his mouth, trembling even more.

Seeing this, Ethan Brooks suddenly felt that things might not be as wonderful as he had imagined. But he was resolute by nature, so he took a deep breath and said nothing more.

Before long, halfway up the mountain, Ethan Brooks saw several rows of simple houses through the swirling mist. Seven or eight boys in coarse hemp robes sat wearily outside, noticing Ethan Brooks and the others but mostly ignoring them.

Not far away, on a boulder, sat a young man in a light blue robe. His face was somewhat long, almost horse-like, and his clothes were clearly finer than those of the other boys. He looked indifferent, but when he saw the green-robed man leading Ethan Brooks over, he stood up and respectfully cupped his fists in greeting.

“Greetings, Senior Brother.”

“These two are new chores disciples. Arrange their accommodations.” The green-robed man sounded impatient. After speaking, he turned and left without another glance at Ethan Brooks and the other boy.

After he left, the horse-faced youth sat cross-legged again, glancing coldly at Ethan Brooks and the chubby boy.

“This is the northern chores department. Kao Shan Sect does not support useless people. Since you two are here, you’ll serve as chores disciples for thirty years. Only when your term is up can you leave the mountain. If you try to escape, the wild mountains are full of beasts—certain death. Collect your chores robes. From now on, you are cut off from the mortal world. Settle down and do your chores.” The horse-faced youth spoke coldly to Ethan Brooks and the chubby boy.

The chubby boy trembled even more, despair in his eyes. Ethan Brooks, however, remained calm, a strange light hidden in his gaze, which made the horse-faced youth take a second look at him. In all his years here, he had seen many boys brought in as chores disciples, but few as composed as Ethan Brooks.