Yang Jie made her assertive passage through the throng to position herself near Chen Zhiyuan, her commanding voice slicing through the ambient whispers sharply. "Make way," she demanded, her authoritative demeanor leaving no room for contention as her eyes swept across the assembled disciples.

Following closely behind her, another figure emerged, her striking presence and rustic brown hair setting her apart amidst the sea of black-haired cultivators. She radiated a unique blend of robust elegance, her well-built stature speaking volumes of her capability. "Gather here, initiates," she called out with a voice that resonated with clarity and command, directing the new initiates to form a group. "It's our responsibility to lead you to Circle Leader Jin for your cadre assignments."

Murmurs swelled among the crowd, sparked by intrigue and envy. "Cadre Leader Jiang seems particularly interested in that one," whispered an onlooker, their comment fueling a collective undercurrent of sighs and muted frustration.

The cadre formed a protective circle around the initiates, shielding them from the scrutinizing stares. The woman with brown hair took the opportunity to outline the sect's structure for the initiates. "Each of you has been placed within one of five circles, based on the divisions you've chosen. Today, Circle Leader Jin will determine your specific cadre."

Proudly, she introduced herself. "I'm Jiang Shuying, a 6th-grade disciple, and I hold the twelfth rank among all Outer Disciples," she declared, emphasizing the prestige of her position and the excellence her cadre embodied.

Yang Jie added, with evident pride, "Cadre Leader Jiang is the highest-ranked Outer Disciple in our division. Her leadership has led us to numerous accomplishments."

Jiang Shuying then offered Chen Zhiyuan guidance on how to navigate his upcoming meeting with Circle Leader Jin. "Should he ask about your cadre preference, I suggest you choose mine. It's a decision you won't regret," she advised confidently.

Chen Zhiyuan's acknowledgment was cautious yet respectful, "Understood, Cadre Leader," despite the obvious pressure from the surrounding scrutiny.

At that, a voice full of challenge broke through the crowd. "Really, Jiang Shuying? Calling dibs already?" The accusation was clear, yet Jiang Shuying faced it head-on, her smug smile unyielding. "And why shouldn't I?" she countered, unabashed by the criticism.

Observing the dynamics, Zhang Liwei realized the complexities of the sect's internal society—a network of alliances, rivalries, and unspoken rules. This understanding cemented his resolve to navigate this new world with care, recognizing the importance of allies and the subtleties of sect politics in his journey forward.

The group, under the close escort of senior disciples, moved with a unified pace towards a pavilion that stood taller than the surrounding Resting Pavilions. A dignified wooden sign heralded their destination: "Circle Leader's Office."

Jian Shuying led the procession into the office, her stride full of confidence, with the initiates trailing behind. Her cadre, including Yang Jie, remained outside, presenting an impassable boundary.

Upon entering, they were greeted by the sight of scholarly dedication. The room's central figure, engrossed in scrolls, was surrounded by the trappings of a learned cultivator: brushes, an inkwell, and towering piles of scrolls and books. The air, heavy with the scent of ink and parchment, seemed to thicken with tradition and wisdom.

Jian Shuying, with a slight bow and her fists clasped in a formal salute, announced their arrival. "Circle Leader Jin, as requested, the new initiates are here."

Circle Leader Jin Sun, his attention momentarily diverted from the scrolls, greeted them with a smile that, despite its warmth, carried an undertone of weariness. His youthful visage, framed by the loose robes that hinted at a strong, disciplined physique underneath, was a testament to his extensive cultivation journey. "Welcome, initiates," he began, his voice carrying the weight of experience and authority. "I am Jin Sun, Circle Leader of the Division of Natural Harmony and an Inner Disciple of our esteemed sect. Your arrival marks a new chapter in the saga of our tradition."

Whispers of admiration rippled through the initiates, each keenly aware of the honor in standing before an Inner Disciple, a true pillar of their community.

As the moment of cadre assignments drew near, Circle Leader Jin Sun carefully unrolled a scroll across his desk, the names of the new initiates inscribed upon it. "We will now determine the cadres for each new initiate," he announced, his voice steady and resonant in the quiet of the pavilion.

It was at this critical juncture that Jian Shuying, with a grace that belied her urgency, stepped forward. "Honorable Circle Leader, if I may," she began, her voice a blend of respect and conviction, "I wish to request that Chen Zhiyuan be considered for inclusion within the Jade Unicorn Cadre. Our cadre could greatly benefit from an initiate of his caliber."

This unexpected request momentarily paused the proceedings. Jin Sun, with a raised brow, sought clarification. "Would Chen Zhiyuan kindly present himself?" he asked, a hint of intrigue coloring his tone.

"I am here, Circle Leader," Chen indicated, with a calm lift of his hand, his demeanor quiet yet alert, as he attracted the attention of all present.

The Circle Leader's scrutiny of Chen was palpable, a moment stretched in contemplation. Then, turning towards Jian Shuying, his expression morphed into one of mild amusement. "Jian Shuying, what is this special interest in Chen Zhiyuan? Can it be that his mere appearance suggests a mastery of the arts we hold dear?"

Jian Shuying remained steadfast, her reply imbued with unwavering confidence. "Circle Leader Jin, my advocacy stems not from mere observation but from the legacy of my family's 'Spirit Eye Physiognomy.' It is through this lens that I discern Chen Zhiyuan's inherent potential and suitability for the Jade Unicorn Cadre."

Jin Sun's skepticism was evident as he contemplated her words, his eyebrow arching in question. "Is this so? I wonder, since when have we begun to equate physical appearance with a disciple's aptitude in geomancy and formations? You wouldn't be trying to sway your Circle Leader with such unorthodox methods, would you?"

Yet, Jian Shuying's composure did not waver; her gaze met the Circle Leader's squarely, her conviction clear. "This technique has been a guiding light for generations within my family. I do not speak lightly when I say that Chen Zhiyuan's visage is a mirror to his potential—a potential that harmonizes with the essence of the Jade Unicorn Cadre."

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Jin Sun, after a moment's consideration, nodded slowly, the edges of his lips curling into a knowing smile. "Very well, Jian Shuying. If your intuition, guided by such an ancient art, sees fit to place Chen Zhiyuan within the Jade Unicorn Cadre, then so it shall be."

Zhang Liwei, observing the exchange, couldn't help but feel skeptical of Jian Shuying's claims. Despite her confident assertion, there was a playful undertone that suggested she might be stretching the truth for her own ends.

The pavilion, usually a place of tranquility and scholarly pursuit, was suddenly awash with the clamor of dissent. Voices, laden with indignation and disbelief, surged from outside, their protests seeping through the open windows to disrupt the solemn proceedings within.

"It's a scam!" The accusation, sharp and biting, cut through the air, leaving a trail of tension in its wake. The new initiates exchanged bewildered glances, unprepared for the vehemence of the outcry.

Another voice, shrill with outrage, pierced the relative calm of the office. "Circle Leader Jin, you must not be deceived by Jian Shuying's audacious fabrications! We insist on fairness! Such a technique does not exist!" The fervor of the crowd outside seemed to crescendo, a chorus of discontent challenging the very foundations of the discussion within.

Yet, amid the uproar, Jian Shuying stood resolute, her voice rising above the din with a commanding presence. "Circle Leader, pay no mind to those ignorant and insignificant voices," she declared, her tone laced with disdain for the dissenters. "They are mere frogs in a well, oblivious to the wonders of the world and the ancient techniques passed down through generations."

Circle Leader Jin Sun, his interest piqued rather than deterred by the unfolding drama, regarded Chen Zhiyuan with a mixture of amusement and curiosity. "Chen Zhiyuan," he began, his voice calm yet laden with the weight of the moment, "the choice is yours to make. Do you wish to align your path with the Jade Unicorn Cadre under Jian Shuying?"

The room fell into a hush, the cacophony from outside momentarily forgotten as all eyes turned to Chen Zhiyuan. After a brief moment of contemplation, where the gravity of his decision seemed to weigh heavily upon him, Chen Zhiyuan offered a nod, his expression serene yet resolute. "Yes," he affirmed, his voice steady and imbued with a quiet confidence, "I believe joining the Jade Unicorn Cadre is the correct path for me."

This declaration only fueled the discontent outside, with a chorus of female voices protesting the perceived favoritism. "That's unfair!" they shouted, hinting at the Circle Leader's amiable nature, which seemed at odds with the typical hierarchical authority figures.

Jian Shuying, smiling broadly, praised Chen Zhiyuan. "You've made a wise decision. We'll wait outside for you," she said, making her exit with her cadre members amid ongoing disputes about her 'thick-skinned' tactics.

As the room settled, Circle Leader Jin, chuckling, called for silence. "Let's proceed with the assignments. I have other matters to attend to," he said, bringing the room to order.

He began to read names from the scroll, distributing initiates to their respective cadres. Zhang Liwei and Zhou Yu were both assigned to the Emerald Tiger Cadre, while Chen Zhiyuan was officially placed in the Jade Unicorn Cadre under Jian Shuying.

As Circle Leader Jin Sun concluded the ceremony with a final roll of the scroll, he looked upon the initiates. "Your cadres within the sect are now set. Go forth with diligence and honor," he announced, offering a nod of dismissal.

The initiates bowed deeply, their fists clasped in a gesture of gratitude and respect. "Thank you, Circle Leader," they chorused before they turned to leave the pavilion.

Stepping outside into the fresh mountain air, Zhang Liwei and Zhou Yu found themselves amidst a bustling scene. Senior disciples of various cadres were already there to welcome them, each group signaling their new members to follow.

"This way to the Emerald Tiger Pavilion," a stern-faced disciple beckoned Zhang Liwei, Zhou Yu, and three others, leading them down a path lined with whispering trees to their new home.

The pavilion, a structure of wood and ancient design, stood before them, its interior divided into sleeping quarters on either side and a communal area in the center. The walls were adorned with maps and bookshelves brimming with scrolls and books.

As they gathered in the communal area, Zhang Liwei couldn't help but notice the palpable shift in atmosphere from the welcoming warmth of the Circle Leader's office to a tension that seemed to saturate the air of the Emerald Tiger Cadre.

The atmosphere in the Emerald Tiger Cadre's gathering room was thick with tension as Zhang Liwei, Zhou Yu, and the three other initiates found themselves under the scrutinizing gaze of their senior disciples. Some of these glares were oppressive, almost hostile, setting a somber tone that was abruptly punctuated by heavy footsteps emanating from the male dormitory.

Heavy footsteps resonated from behind, heralding the arrival of five male cultivators whose presence immediately filled the room with a palpable sense of authority. The most formidable among them, a figure exuding strength and authority, locked his gaze on the initiates.

"Have the new recruits to our cadre arrived?" his voice boomed across the room, each word underscored by a natural command.

Beside him, a disciple responded with deference, "Yes, Leader. These are the initiates assigned to the Emerald Tiger Cadre."

Stepping forward, the imposing figure introduced himself, "I am Liang Feng, your Cadre Leader." His scrutiny of the initiates was piercing, his presence alone a test of their resolve. Dark-skinned, with purplish lips set in a stern expression, Liang Feng's visage was as memorable as it was intimidating, particularly to Zhang Liwei and Zhou Yu, who felt the weight of his gaze most acutely.

"Welcome to the Emerald Tiger Cadre," Liang Feng stated, his voice deep and resolute. "Here, we are bound by strength and discipline. Your path with us will not be easy, but it is designed to mold you into true disciples of our sect." The brevity of his welcome did little to ease the tension, signaling the challenges that lay ahead.

He then commanded the initiates to introduce themselves, a request met with a mix of nerves and determination. Following their responses, Liang Feng summoned five disciples forward, each assigned as a mentor to the new members. "These will be your guides," he announced, marking the end of the assembly.

As the crowd started to thin out, a new figure approached Zhang Liwei, breaking through the dissipating groups. "I'm Wang Lei," he introduced himself with a friendly nod. "The Cadre Leader has assigned me as your mentor."

Liwei's gaze momentarily shifted to Zhou Yu, engaged in a lively discussion with another senior disciple. Noticing Liwei's distraction, Wang Lei commented, "You're looking at Zhou Yu? Her mentor is Gao Li, known for her compassion and prowess. Zhou Yu is in capable hands."

Liwei turned back to Wang Lei, his smile reflecting his reassurance. "Thank you, Senior Brother Wang. It's comforting to know she'll be well-guided," he expressed, his gratitude evident.

With introductions behind them, Wang Lei guided Liwei away from the pavilion's remnants of tension, stepping into the serene pathways that crisscrossed the mountain's landscape.

Settling under a tree on a stone bench, as Wang Lei inquired about Liwei's past experiences and cultivation journey, he ventured into a less encouraging topic regarding their cadre. "It's a bit of tough luck ending up in the Emerald Tiger Cadre," Wang Lei remarked with a hint of solemnity. "Our cadre's leadership is known for being particularly strict. It's important to always be mindful of how you speak and act around the seniors here. Even a small slip-up could have serious consequences."

Liwei, taking in the advice, responded, "I appreciate the warning, Senior Brother Wang. It seems like acclimating to this cadre will be quite the endeavor."

Wang Lei offered a comforting smile, "Don't worry, I'll be by your side throughout. Yes, it's a challenging environment, but together, we'll navigate it."

"Thanks, Senior Brother," Liwei replied, visibly reassured by the support.

In that moment of shared resolve, they both acknowledged the hard path ahead but felt prepared to face it as a team.