Chapter 865
Blue Light!
After walking for another three days, they finally saw the outline of Xuantian Mountain.
Xuantian Mountain is a majestic and magnificent mountain, with its peaks soaring into the clouds and its terrain steep and precipitous. The mountain is shrouded in mist and clouds, resembling a fairyland. Looking into the distance, one can see some buildings on the mountainside and summit; these are the locations of the Xuantian Sect.
"We've arrived," Guo Shouzhen said. "That's Xuantian Mountain, the headquarters of the Xuantian Sect."
Guo Mingxuan looked up at Xuantian Mountain, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
“Such a high mountain,” he murmured.
"Mount Xuantian is the highest peak in the central part of the Tianyuan Domain," Guo Xiong said. "The mountain is rich in spiritual energy, making it an excellent place for cultivation. The Xuantian Sect has been stationed here for thousands of years, cultivating countless experts."
“Let’s go up the mountain,” Zheng Yi said.
The group walked up the mountain path.
The mountain path on Xuantian Mountain is much easier to walk than that on Qingyun Ridge. The path is wide and flat, with pine and cypress trees planted on both sides, clearly indicating that it has been carefully maintained.
The road was crowded with pedestrians, mostly young people who had come to participate in the apprenticeship ceremony. They walked in twos and threes, their faces filled with excitement and anticipation.
"So many people!" Guo Mingxuan said, somewhat surprised.
“What’s so strange about that?” Guo Xiong said. “The Xuantian Sect is the largest sect in the central part of the Tianyuan Domain, and tens of thousands of people attend its disciple recruitment ceremony every time.”
"Tens of thousands of people?" Guo Mingxuan exclaimed in astonishment.
“But only one hundred people will pass the assessment,” Guo Shouzhen said. “The competition is extremely fierce. Mingxuan, are you mentally prepared?”
"Yes!" Guo Mingxuan said firmly, "I will definitely work hard!"
After walking for about two hours, the group finally arrived at the gate of the Xuantian Sect.
The mountain gate is a huge stone archway with the three large characters "Xuantian Sect" engraved on it. The characters are vigorous and powerful, faintly revealing a sharp sword intent.
Several disciples dressed in blue Taoist robes stood on both sides of the archway, their expressions serious and their eyes sharp, clearly indicating that they were highly skilled practitioners.
"Who goes there?" a disciple stepped forward and asked.
"The Guo family of Hongyun City has come to escort their disciple into the family," Guo Shouzhen said, bowing respectfully. "We had already made prior arrangements."
"Please show me the documents."
Guo Shouzhen took out a letter from his pocket and handed it to the disciple.
The disciple took the letter, read it carefully, and then nodded.
"So you're from the Guo family. Please wait a moment while I inform them."
He turned and walked into the mountain gate, and soon came out with another person.
The man was a middle-aged man dressed in a gray Taoist robe, with a thin face and deep eyes. His aura was deep and restrained, clearly that of a master at the Mahayana realm.
"Friends of the Guo family, it's an honor to meet you all." The middle-aged man bowed to Guo Shouzhen. "I am Liu Qingshan, an outer sect deacon of the Xuantian Sect, sent to greet you on orders."
"You're too kind, Deacon Liu," Guo Shouzhen returned the greeting. "I'm sorry to have troubled your clan this time."
"Not at all," Liu Qingshan said with a smile. "The Guo family and our Xuantian Sect have always been on good terms; this little matter is nothing. Please follow me."
The group followed Liu Qingshan through the mountain gate.
Upon entering the mountain gate, a bright and open view suddenly appeared before us.
A wide plaza stretched out before them, bustling with people. Surrounding the plaza were rows of neat buildings, including halls, pavilions, and kiosks, arranged in a harmonious and imposing manner.
"This is the outer plaza of the Xuantian Sect," Liu Qingshan explained. "Outer sect disciples usually cultivate and live here."
Zheng Yi looked around, secretly admiring the sights.
As expected of the Xuantian Sect, the largest sect in the central part of Tianyuan Domain, its outer gate plaza alone is larger than the entire Guo family mansion.
"You must all be tired from your long journey," Liu Qingshan said. "I'll take you to your guest rooms to rest first, and I'll let you know when the apprentice-acceptance ceremony begins."
"Thank you for your trouble, Deacon Liu," Guo Shouzhen said.
Liu Qingshan led the group across the square to a row of guest rooms.
"These are VIP rooms, please settle in here," Liu Qingshan said. "If you need anything, please feel free to contact me."
"Thank you, Deacon Liu."
After Liu Qingshan left, everyone went to their guest rooms to rest.
Zheng Yi's guest room was spacious and elegantly furnished. It contained a large bed, a desk, several chairs, and a coffee table with tea sets and snacks.
He sat down by the window and gazed at the scenery outside.
Outside the window is a lush green bamboo forest, the bamboo leaves rustling in the wind. Behind the bamboo forest is a towering mountain peak, shrouded in mist, with the outlines of some buildings faintly visible.
"That must be the inner sect of the Xuantian Sect," he murmured.
"Sir, what are you looking at?" Guo Mingxuan's voice came from outside the door.
"Come in," Zheng Yi said.
Guo Mingxuan pushed open the door and walked in, his face showing excitement.
"Sir, the Xuantian Sect is so huge!" he exclaimed excitedly. "This outer gate plaza alone is bigger than our entire Guo family mansion!"
"It is indeed very large." Zheng Yi nodded. "The Xuantian Sect is the largest sect in the central part of the Tianyuan Domain, so it's not surprising that it has this scale."
"Sir, do you think I can pass the assessment at the apprenticeship ceremony?" Guo Mingxuan asked nervously.
“I can’t say for sure,” Zheng Yi said, “but I believe that as long as you’ve done your best, you won’t have any regrets.”
"I will do my best!" Guo Mingxuan said firmly.
"Okay." Zheng Yi nodded. "Go and rest, make sure you're well-rested, the apprentice-acceptance ceremony starts tomorrow."
"Yes, sir." Guo Mingxuan bowed and left the room.
Zheng Yi continued to gaze at the scenery outside the window, lost in thought.
The next morning, a long, drawn-out bell rang out from Mount Xuantian.
The deep, resonant sound of the bell echoed through the valley, as if summoning everyone to rise. Zheng Yi opened his eyes, sat up in bed, and looked out the window.
As dawn broke and the first light of day appeared on the horizon, the soft glow of the morning sun bathed the peaks of Xuantian Mountain, tinging the clouds with a pale gold hue. The mountain air was fresh and cool, carrying the fragrance of pine and cypress trees, which invigorated the spirit.
"The apprentice-acceptance ceremony is about to begin," Zheng Yi murmured.
He got up, washed up, changed into clean clothes, and then left the room.
In the corridor outside the guest room, Guo Shouzhen, Guo Xiong, and Guo Mingxuan were already waiting. Guo Mingxuan had changed into a brand-new cyan outfit, with a long sword at his waist, making him look dashing. However, there was a hint of tension on his face, and his hands were slightly clenched.
"Mingxuan, don't be nervous." Guo Shouzhen patted Guo Mingxuan on the shoulder. "Just treat it as a normal competition and do your best." "Yes, Third Uncle." Guo Mingxuan took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down.
“Let’s go see what the apprenticeship ceremony is like,” Zheng Yi said.
The group left their guest rooms and headed towards the outer plaza.
The square was already packed with people, a sea of black, easily numbering in the tens of thousands. Most of these people were young people who had come to participate in the apprenticeship ceremony, ranging in age from fifteen or sixteen to their early twenties, and each of them wore an expression of excitement and anticipation.
In the very center of the square stood a high platform, upon which were placed several chairs and a long table. Below the platform were dozens of arenas, each about ten feet square, paved with bluestone.
"So many people," Guo Mingxuan said nervously.
"This is nothing," Guo Xiong said. "The Xuantian Sect holds a disciple-acceptance ceremony every three years, with tens of thousands of people attending each time. This year's number is relatively small."
"Tens of thousands of people are competing for just one hundred spots," Guo Mingxuan swallowed hard. "The competition is indeed fierce."
"Don't worry," Zheng Yi said. "Your abilities are already outstanding among your peers. As long as you perform normally, passing the assessment shouldn't be a problem."
"Thank you for your encouragement, sir," Guo Mingxuan said gratefully.
At that moment, a commotion arose from the high platform.
Everyone looked up and saw several people dressed in magnificent Taoist robes walking towards the platform. Leading them was an elderly man with white hair, wearing a golden Taoist robe and holding a whisk. He had a dignified and imposing demeanor.
“That’s the sect leader of the Xuantian Sect, True Man Xuantian!” Guo Shouzhen said in a low voice.
Zheng Yi carefully examined the old man.
Master Xuantian appeared to be in his seventies or eighties, with a gaunt face and deep-set eyes. He exuded a profound aura, as vast as the sea, making it impossible for anyone to look directly at him.
"A master of the Tribulation Transcending Realm." Zheng Yi was secretly surprised.
Although he had long known that True Person Xuantian was a Tribulation Transcending Realm expert, this was the first time he had seen him in person. Tribulation Transcending Realm experts were extremely rare in the entire Tianyuan Domain, and their strength was unfathomable.
Master Xuantian sat down in the chair in the center of the high platform, with the other elders sitting on either side.
"Everyone," Master Xuantian began, his voice not loud, yet clearly carrying throughout the entire plaza, "Welcome to the Xuantian Sect's Disciple Acceptance Ceremony. Today, you will have the opportunity to become disciples of the Xuantian Sect and embark on the righteous path of cultivation."
"The apprenticeship ceremony consists of three rounds of assessment. The first round is a aptitude test, assessing your spiritual roots and talents. The second round is a practical combat test, assessing your martial arts skills and fighting abilities. The third round is a test of character, assessing your temperament and moral integrity."
"Only those who pass all three rounds of assessments can become official disciples of the Xuantian Sect. Now, the first round of assessments begins!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a commotion broke out in the square.
Dozens of disciples dressed in blue Taoist robes stepped forward and began to organize the participants in the assessment into a line.
"All participants, line up alphabetically by surname!" a disciple shouted. "After lining up, come forward one by one for the aptitude test!"
The crowd began to move, slowly forming dozens of long queues.
Guo Mingxuan was in the back of the line with the character "Guo" in his name; there were already twenty or thirty people ahead of him.
"Mingxuan, don't be nervous, just perform normally," Guo Shouzhen instructed.
“Yes, Third Uncle.” Guo Mingxuan nodded.
Zheng Yi and the two elders of the Guo family stood aside, watching quietly.
The qualification test method is very simple. Each person taking the test must place their hand on a white stone tablet, which will emit different colors of light according to their spiritual roots and talents.
White light represents ordinary qualifications, green light represents good qualifications, blue light represents excellent qualifications, purple light represents outstanding qualifications, and gold light represents exceptional qualifications.
Only those with a qualification level of "good" or above can pass the first round of assessment.
The procession moved forward slowly, and one young person after another stepped forward and placed their hands on the stone tablet.
Most of the stone tablets emitted white or green light, while a few emitted blue light, which immediately drew gasps of amazement.
"Blue light! Excellent qualifications!"
"This person has good potential."
"I've heard that very few disciples can emit purple light during the apprenticeship ceremony, let alone golden light."
As Zheng Yi watched, he secretly calculated the time. At this rate, Guo Mingxuan would probably have to wait another hour before it was his turn.
Just then, he noticed a group of people cutting in line next to him.
The group consisted of about seven or eight people, led by a young man in a brocade robe who looked to be around twenty years old. He was accompanied by several guards, each with an arrogant and haughty demeanor.
"Make way! The Han family is here, make way for me!" a guard shouted, shoving the people in front of him.
"Hey, what are you doing? We've been waiting in line for ages!" a young man who had been pushed aside said irritably.
"Who do you think you are? Do you need to approve the Han family's line-up?" the guard sneered. "If you know what's good for you, get out of the way, or don't blame us for being impolite!"
The young man wanted to argue, but his companion held him back.
"Forget it, we can't afford to offend the Han family, we'll just give way."
"Hmph." The guard snorted coldly and led the young man in the brocade robe to the front of the line.
Zheng Yi frowned and asked Guo Shouzhen, "What is the background of the Han family?"
"The Han family is one of the nine great families of Tianyuan Domain," Guo Shouzhen said in a low voice. "They have a very close relationship with the Xuantian Sect; it's said that several elders of the Xuantian Sect are from the Han family."
"No wonder he's so arrogant," Zheng Yi sneered.
“Sir, this kind of thing is very common in sects,” Guo Shouzhen sighed. “People from powerful factions always enjoy certain privileges, while those of us from smaller factions can only swallow our anger.”
Zheng Yi didn't speak, but a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes.
The group continued forward, and soon it was Guo Mingxuan's turn.
Guo Mingxuan stepped forward, took a deep breath, and placed his hand on the stone tablet.
The stone tablet began to glow, first white, then green, and then blue.
"Blue light!" someone in the crowd exclaimed.
But the light didn't stop; it continued to change upwards. The blue light grew brighter and brighter, gradually tinged with a hint of purple.
"Look, it's turning purple!"
"Purple Light! Exceptional Qualification!"
Everyone stared wide-eyed at the stone tablet.
However, just as the light was about to turn purple, it suddenly stopped. The light on the stone tablet froze at the point where blue and purple met; it was neither blue nor purple, but a strange mixture of colors.
"What's going on?" Guo Mingxuan asked, puzzled.
The disciple in charge of the test frowned, glanced at Guo Mingxuan, then at the stone tablet, and shouted, "Blue Light! Excellent aptitude! Passed the first round of assessment!" (End of Chapter)