In the eyes of high cultivators, the Qi Refining Stage does not truly count as having entered the Immortal Path.
Several Mountain Masters stepped forward with large strides, bowing collectively:
"Greetings, several Senior Uncles, all eligible Daoist disciples of the Cyan Pine Daoist School at Little Cang Mountain are here, totaling ninety-six."
The leading cultivator had a head full of white hair, adorned with a jade hairpin, his long beard reaching his chest, exuding an aura of immortal grace.
He nodded slightly and said indifferently:
"Exempt the courtesy, Junior Nephews, and begin the assessment immediately."
Little Cang Mountain was their last stop, and the sooner it ended, the sooner they could report back to the sect.
The concentration of spiritual energy outside was much more sparse compared to that within the sect's grotto mansion.
"We heed Senior Uncle's decree."
The Mountain Masters responded loudly, leaving one person outside to maintain order, while the others escorted the Senior Uncles into the main hall.
Aboard the flying ship, many young men and women poked their heads out, pointing and whispering about the crowd below.
The Mountain Master called out loudly: "Silence, you must quickly form lines and enter the main hall in sequence for talent testing."
The crowd quickly parted, family members stepping back, while those participating in the assessment formed a line and proceeded into the main hall one by one.
Soon it was Ji An's turn; he calmly stepped into the main hall.
In this world, there is no concept of spirit roots; the human body's five elements are complete, allowing the cultivation of any Five Elements Technique or Magic Technique, including variant magics like wind, thunder, or ice.
As long as the Immortal Vein is opened, one is considered talented; the difference is only in the level of talent.
The sect has imposed age restrictions to select the best of the best.
Talent is categorized into five levels based on sensing power towards spiritual energy: Lower, Middle, Upper, Earth Grade, and Celestial Grade.
The stronger one's sensing power towards spiritual energy, the higher the efficiency in absorbing nature's spiritual energy and refining spiritual power.
The cultivators whom heaven seemingly feeds are of at least Earth Grade talent.
"Place your hands on top and execute the Meridian Walking Technique."
The Foundation Establishment Female Cultivator pointed at the white jade pillar on the table, speaking calmly.
The talent testing was also known as the Spirit-Sensing Pillar; Ji An followed the instructions, placing his hand on the white jade pillar, closed his eyes, focused his mind, and began executing the Cyan Water Meridian Method.
On the white jade pillar, five colors of light—blue, red, yellow, white, and black—flashed one after another.
The heights of the five colors were uneven, but not greatly different, with black being the tallest.
"Alright, you may go now."
Upon hearing this, Ji An stopped the Meridian Walking Technique, bowed, and stepped out.
This was routine documentation; no one had ever heard of someone being refused entry into a sect due to talent reasons. If so, it would definitely be due to age exceeding the limit.
After everyone had tested their talent, they waited for a while before being led by the Mountain Master to a side hall.
A Magic Array had been arranged here to test the mind and will of the Immortal Cultivators.
Three Foundation Establishment cultivators sat to the side, the leading high cultivator nodded:
"Begin."
The Mountain Master lit a stick of incense, and the group entered the magic array, sitting down cross-legged at intervals.
The hazy white spirit light enveloped them, and everyone fell into an illusion realm...
Ji An suddenly awoke and instinctively licked his lips.
The illusion realm was very realistic, indistinguishable from reality in terms of touch and smell, but to him, it seemed slightly unreal.
Within the illusion, he had passed the Golden Spirit Sect's assessment and successfully reached Foundation Establishment through his efforts.
Later, when he ventured down the mountain, he encountered a Fox Demon. As a Human Race cultivator, he felt obliged to slay demons and eliminate evil, but ended up falling into the Fox Demon's illusion realm.
The Fox Demon transformed into a seductive young lady in a white gauze dress, enticing him, and he instinctively took out his phone to capture the moment.
When the "click" sound echoed, he snapped awake immediately.
"Not bad, the first to awaken in the Illusion Heart Array—strong will."
The Foundation Establishment Female Cultivator was quite surprised; it was quite rare for someone to awaken so quickly.
The Mountain Master quietly muttered: "Ji An, seventeen years old, First-Layer Qi Refining, Middle-Grade Talent, first in the Illusion Heart Array, assessment passed."
Ji An clenched his fist slightly and walked out of the magic array.
He saw those still trapped in the illusion realm with expressions either of excitement, fear, or lewd smiles, and couldn't help but twitch his mouth and look away.
With a stick of incense burned through, the white-haired cultivator stood up:
"Assessment concluded. Give me the list of those who awoke."
The Mountain Master acknowledged, then said:
"With Senior Uncles traveling from afar, the sect cultivators from the Immortal City at the foot of the mountain admire the elegance of our Upper Sect and wish to seek guidance from the Senior Uncles.
The side hall has already been slightly prepared with light refreshments; I wonder if the Senior Uncles have the time?"
The white-haired cultivator stroked his beard with a smile: "Junior generation with ambition; it's certainly no issue to provide some guidance."
After the banquet dispersed, Ji An boarded the flying ship with his small bundle.
He glanced back; originally nine passed the assessment, and now sixteen.
The bad news was that all three creditors passed the assessment.
...
Aboard the flying ship.
"Senior Brother Zhang, Senior Sister Zhao, Senior Brother Chu, henceforth we are all sect cultivators. If there's anything you need, feel free to ask."
Ji An patted his chest and continued boisterously:
"Junior Brother will do everything in his power."
Creditors should be kept happy.
Debt relief is impossible, but delaying for a few more days is always advantageous.
When he first awoke, he felt uncertain about the future, but now, ambition began to grow within his heart.
With the insight of the Meridian Walking Technique's Divine Intent and help of a 'Golden Finger', if this is the start and he achieves nothing, he might as well find a tofu to hit himself.
To him now, the debt of nine spirit stones seemed substantial. But if he were a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator, it wouldn't be a major difficulty.
Zhao Mengyao chuckled lightly:
"Junior Brother must keep his word. Should we come seeking assistance and Junior Brother doesn't respond, it would be quite unbecoming for us."
"Of course not; Senior Sister is too serious."
Chu River snorted coldly, speaking discontentedly:
"Once we enter the sect, a considerable amount of spirit stones will be needed for cultivation. How about returning the spirit stones you owe me now, Junior Brother?"
Seeing Ji An enter the First-Layer Qi Refining, the three were utterly shocked.
The strategy to force him to return the spirit stones in exchange for the Beast Taming Secret Skill, initially planned, was postponed by Senior Brother Zhang, citing a desire to observe whether he had truly gained enlightenment.
If enlightened, he would certainly reveal high talent in magic cultivation; at least, it should be so for Water Magic.
This decision was agreed upon by Zhao Mengyao. With a two-to-one vote, Chu River reluctantly agreed.
Ji An bowed deeply: "Not that Junior Brother is being petty, but if I had spirit stones, or anything to pay off the debt, I would certainly give it to Senior Brother and Senior Sister.
Alas, my father... sigh..."
His words were sincere, his eyes reddened, and tears shimmered.
This was truly not acting, but a genuine outpouring of emotion.
The previous self and his soul had already perfectly merged together.
He was both a visitor from the Blue Star and the current Ji An.
Collecting herbs in the deep mountains, not returning for three months, he understood that his father was most likely really gone.
Zhang Yuanshan stepped forward, helping him up:
"We understand Junior Brother's predicament, but our spirit stones weren't blown by the wind.
Let's compromise: we'll give you another half year, and then we'll discuss the spirit stones again. How does that sound?"
He had achieved what he wanted; the Beast Taming Secret Technique could indeed offset the debt!
If he can delay for one more day, that's one more day gained, Ji An cupped his hands:
"Thank you, Senior Brother and Senior Sister, for your leniency."
Zhang Yuanshan waved his hand: "Remember today's promise, Junior Brother. We'll discuss this matter again in half a year."
Zhao Mengyao asked:
"How much do you know about the sect, Junior Brother?"
Ji An furrowed his brows slightly, smiling wryly:
"I only know the sect is overseen by a Golden Core Ancestor, excelling in artifact refining and beast taming. I'm unaware of other information."
The primary reason for being sent to the Golden Spirit Sect's Daoist School was its proximity to the Immortal City where he originally lived.
In Xilan Continent, Immortal Cities are far apart, separated by vast mountains.
Cultivators without flight capabilities, trying to traverse the wilderness, is hardly different from suicide. Lower-level cultivators and mortals can only live around Immortal Cities.
Golden Spirit Sect and other sects are said to have migrated from other continents.
The strongest force here isn't the Human Race, but the Demon Race in the mountains.
The relationship between the Human Race and the Demon Race has always been tense; the Demon Race wants to eat humans, especially Immortal Cultivators, as they are considered highly nourishing.
The Human Race spares no effort to hunt the Demon Race, skin them, extract their tendons, and use Demon Race flesh for cultivation.
Conflict between foreign and local cultivators is also intense, with blood battles often occurring.
He really knew nothing.
Zhao Mengyao shook her head almost imperceptibly, speaking softly:
"Upon entering the sect, we can only start as Outer Disciples.
If new disciples cannot advance to Qi Refining Fourth Level within three years, they will be expelled from the sect.
If they cannot advance to late-stage Qi Refining by thirty, they'll also be expelled.
Only by becoming Foundation Establishment cultivators will they be recognized by the sect. If they cannot reach Foundation Establishment by sixty, they'll be expelled as well.
Once inside the sect, we'll be randomly assigned to places; entering the Beast Taming Hall or Artifact Refining Hall would be ideal...