The 25th Episode: Entry and Crisis

  A patch of green pines and willows, on the boundless plain, stands a tall mountain peak!

  This place is extremely far from the town, so generally very few people appear. Even if some hunters pass by, they usually detour because someone once formed a team to go around that lonely peak, but ultimately got lost and almost couldn't leave this place.

  In the end, this strange mountain peak and a vast area around it became a forbidden place. As time passed, it was passed down from mouth to mouth, and no one inquired about its origin.

  But if someone can walk near the mountain peak, they will be amazed, because from a distance you can only see one mountain peak, but up close you can see a different view.

  The mountain peak is surrounded by many buildings of various sizes, with the outermost layer forming a wall that encloses all the buildings, making it look more like a small castle.

  There is only one exit here, and on the mountain gate hangs a long-standing plaque with three large characters in ancient copper color - Tianxuan Sect!

  Ordinary people may not know this name, but within the Xiangyang Prefecture and even the entire Mingzhou, some cultivators will not be unfamiliar with this name. Even some of the high-ranking officials in Xiangyang Prefecture have had some contact with the sect.

  At the entrance of Tianxuan Sect, there were several disciples guarding, but unlike the legend of the fairy cave, they did not fly around, but stood still with a solemn expression.

  Whoosh!

  In the distance, a green light appeared on the horizon and shot towards the Tianxuan Sect. A moment later, it whizzed past above the mountain gate, bringing with it a strong gust of wind that caused the disciples below to stumble.

  The last green light transformed into a flat boat, descending onto the mountain gate of Tianxuan Sect. The protective light shield disappeared with a flash, revealing Shi Sheng and others' figures.

  "Wan Kun, arrange their accommodations!" The old man in red robes slowly spoke.

  "Yes, Elder Xiao!" The young man in white led the way, taking Shi Sheng and the others down from the flying boat and heading towards an ordinary building.

  "Xiao Changlao, this task is complete, so I'll take my leave first. There's still something I need to check on at the Medicine Garden!" The middle-aged man in yellow robes smiled and said.

  "All right, Elder Feng can go ahead and attend to his business. I'll just report back to the Grand Elder," said Xiao Lao Shuai, before leaving the place. Elder Feng then put away the One-Leaf Flat Boat and departed in the opposite direction.

  ……

  Wan Kun led the crowd in a zigzag pattern, entering an ordinary three-story building. He then arranged rooms for everyone, but nearly twenty young men were squeezed into two rooms.

  The room is not big, about two or three zhang in size. On both sides are laid out bedding, it seems that when sleeping, people have to squeeze together to sleep. Except for the wooden board and bedding, the room is empty.

  Shi Sheng looked at the simple conditions and couldn't help but frown, originally thinking that within the sect there would be a majestic aura, grand buildings, comparable to a paradise on earth, a place of beauty beyond the mundane world.

  It didn't occur to me that this place where ordinary people live would seem so unremarkable, but of course it's still much better than my own grass hut.

  "Everyone listen up, I'll give you a brief introduction." Wan Kun looked around at the crowd: "The four main halls surrounding Tian Xuan Peak are 'Scripture Pavilion', 'Alchemical Refining Pavilion', 'Artifact Refining Pavilion' and 'Tian Yuan Pavilion'."

  The first three buildings don't need me to say more, you should understand what they are. The last one, Tianyuan Pavilion, is the residence of all the elders and some core main disciples. Of course, it may be empty, but that's also personal property, outsiders can't enter.

  Don't think that with some foundation, you can cultivate by relying on your intuition and willpower. Cultivating the mind requires great perseverance to go further. Some people may have a good foundation and high intelligence, but ultimately fall into evil ways due to insufficient perseverance.

  So tomorrow you will take the Sect's trial, those with poor perseverance will be assigned as Outer Disciples, handling some mundane tasks outside of the sect, using their free time to cultivate. If they truly make progress in their cultivation, they may also be taken in as formal disciples later on.

  Formal disciples can stay and focus on their cultivation, without having to worry about mundane matters. They are also provided with a dedicated place of residence. Once they reach the stage of "Sea of Transformation", they will be allocated an independent residence and can take in two ordinary disciples to help them manage their daily affairs.

  Of course, if you have enough silver or a crystal jade, you can also buy your own personal residence here. The sect is still very open, and learning various abilities depends on the contribution to the sect as well as individual ability. However, having a certain amount of silver or crystal jade can also be exchanged for purchases.

  According to your level, the location of the dwelling you purchase corresponds to it. Like you can only buy a dwelling in the primary disciple area, while intermediate and advanced disciples are divided into two other areas, and they rarely move around during normal times, so you hardly see them, so don't worry about being bullied."

  "Is the school so free? Doesn't that mean that as long as you have money, you can learn whatever you want?" asked a sturdy youth wearing a hemp garment.

  Wan Kun nodded slightly: "I suppose so, but skipping levels is useless, everything has to be learned from the corresponding foundation bit by bit. Rather than saying this is a sect, it's more like an academy, where masters bring in disciples and cultivation depends on the individual."

  "What I teach you may be the same, but it still depends on your own repeated review and study. In the end, whoever can rank among the best will have a great reward from the sect. It's too early to tell you now, but you'll understand these things slowly."

  "An academic institution? It seems like another era of bookworms!" Shi Sheng sighed quietly, it seemed that this place was completely different from the sect he had imagined.

  Here, it's all about comparing grades. If your grades are good, you'll naturally get better resources. Secondly, it's about comparing family backgrounds. Whoever has a better condition and more money will naturally gain more advantages. It's almost like the schools on Earth. No matter how good your qualifications are or how smart you are, if you don't study hard, you'll be eliminated.

  "Master Wan Kun..." Just then, a young man came to Master Wan Kun's side and whispered a few words in his ear before turning around and leaving.

  Wan Kun's eyes narrowed slightly, flashing a hint of doubt. He scanned the crowd with two glances before fixing his gaze on Shi Sheng: "Youngster, follow me to Tianxuan Peak!"

  "What?" Shi Sheng was somewhat taken aback.

  "Not bad!" Wan Kun nodded naturally.

  "What's going on?" Shi Sheng was most worried that someone would discover something, it's best if no one looked for him, he just blended in with the crowd.

  "Hmph, the elder is looking for you, how would I know what's going on? You'll find out when you get there, let's go!" Wan Kun seemed somewhat impatient, Shi Sheng could only reluctantly follow him, while the others looked at Shi Sheng with some curiosity as he left.

  ……

  Tianxuan Peak, inside a large hall at the foot of the mountain!

  An old man with a grey robe, ordinary in appearance, sat upright on the main seat. Although he looked quite aged, his face was radiant and full of vitality, his eyes were bright and spirited, seemingly more energetic than young people. However, his expression was like an iceberg, looking as if it had not changed for thousands of years.

  This man is precisely Tian Xuan Sect's Great Elder - Leng Yuan!

  Below sat a red-robed Xiao Changlao, the two seemed to be chatting about something. Before long, a figure flashed at the entrance of the great hall, and Wan Kun brought Shi Sheng in.

  "Wan Kun has seen the Great Elder, and also saw Xiao Lao, and his disciple brought Shi Sheng here!" Wan Kun said respectfully, and Shi Sheng also greeted him.

  "You can go, there's nothing for you to do here!" Xiao Lao Shou waved his hand casually, without even looking at Wan Kun, who hastily bowed and left. The only one left standing in the great hall was Shi Sheng himself, feeling a somewhat oppressive atmosphere.

  "Shi Sheng, 16 years old, his foster parents were killed by bandits in the village, leaving behind his unmarried wife Lin Wan'er to rely on each other for survival. Can I be wrong?" said Lao Lao, cold and expressionless, without showing any joy or sorrow.

  "Returning to the great elder, it is indeed so!" Shi Sheng replied respectfully.

  "Is there anything else you'd like to add?" asked the elder with a puzzled expression.

  "Supplement?" Shi Sheng furrowed his brow: "The junior doesn't quite understand the Great Elder's meaning!"

  "Oh? Since you don't understand, the old master can only find a way to make you understand!" As he spoke, Cold Yuan Dazhang raised his hand and made a grasping motion towards Shi Sheng from afar.

  Shi Sheng felt the space around him tighten, and he was lifted up by an invisible force. To be precise, it should be said that he was dragged up, and his neck was tightly grasped, making it difficult for him to breathe. However, his body seemed to be frozen in place, and even if Shi Sheng wanted to struggle, he couldn't do so. He could only stare at the Great Elder with wide eyes, finally closing them reluctantly as he waited for death.

  "You're not Shi Sheng at all, that person is already dead, who are you exactly?" Just then, the elder's eyes flashed with a cold light, and he said something that made Shi Sheng's heart skip a beat. (To be continued in the next chapter!)

  (PS. Seeking recommendations, seeking collections, seeking all kinds of help!!!!)