The Wu convoy parked their carriages and mounts on encampments outside the gate. There were carriages from other cultivator clans and small sects parked on each private encampment.
Wu Feng gets out of his carriage, then looked the kids that just got out from the last carriage.
"I thought I was the only one sent here, but it seems we still have to stick together for a long time." He said with a grin.
Right, he saw the tied in two buns haired girl Wu Mei, Wu Fei Yan in white long dress with her silky long hair, the calm and collected book worm Wu Leng Jing, and the valiant Wu Yong.
"Hmph, what bad luck." Wu Yong retorted.
Wu Leng Jing looked at the sky, while the girls looked everywhere full of curiosity, ignoring Wu Feng.
"Hahaha, all of you must be happy, right? We really are fated together, brothers in thick and thin! From now on all of you can count on this big brother in this new place!"
Of course, Wu Feng was thick-skinned enough to ignore the small details.
Wu Mei and Wu Fei Yan gritted their teeth. "Who are you called brother?!"
Meanwhile Wu Yong felt all the resentment in his chest boiled up. He took a deep breath before pointing at Wu Feng with a trembling finger. "Count on you? Count on you?!"
"Alright, let's go register your names." Wu Hao cut their bickering.
He walked out from the encampment towards the gate on the foot of the mountain. Behind him, Xu Yue and three Wu Clan elders followed.
"Let's go." Wu Leng Jing chased eagerly.
Among the kids, he was the most eager to learn in this new place. He was already full of anticipation to find out what kind of new books he will be able to read here.
Above the majestic azure gate was a wide signboard. On it was written "Pilgrim Mountain Sect" in bold but elegant characters.
Wu Feng was filled with questions upon reading it. Pilgrim mountain? Was it supposed to be filled with long white-bearded old men, wearing straw sandals that were going on a journey climbing mountain peaks, treading on the footprints on ancient wise sages on their pursuit of immortality?
"Hey, do you think we will become monks or hermits here?" He whispered to other kids. Somehow the solemn atmosphere that filled the place makes him lowered his voice subconsciously.
The face of the two girls went pale. Only Wu Leng Jing looked at him strangely. "Uncle Wu did not tell you?"
"No."
"Anything?"
"Nothing."
"Hehehe." Wu Leng Jing wore a strange smile on his face.
"If you know anything quickly spat it out." Wu Feng hissed. He felt his friend did not any good intentions at all from his smile.
"Leng Jing, they will not make us nun, right?" Wu Mei and Wu Fei Yan asked nervously.
"It's alright. Do not listen to his nonsense." Wu Leng Jing replied.
"Uncle Wu and Aunt Yue must not have told him anything so he will not run away when he knew what awaited him." Wu Leng Jing suddenly has some gossipy mood.
Wu Feng snorted. "Hmph. Nonsense. Fine, if you do not want to say it do not say it."
"Hmm. I can feel heroic auras from the mountains ahead. It must be the calling of kindred spirits. Heroes meet heroes on their path of conquest to claim the number one title under Heaven. Only this is worthy being called the aspiration of a real man."
Beside him, Wu Yong gazed towards the high peaks beyond the gate with a dignified demeanor. His chin lifted not too high nor too low, hands clasped on the back.
Wu Feng gave him a sidelong glance in disgust then kicked him on the buttock. "What are you acting cool for? You are still a crybaby not long ago."
"Aiyo. Endure, endure." Despite being angry, Wu Yong did not dare act recklessly because at this time Wu Hao and the elders already greeted a middle aged man that previously sat behind a reception table.
The middle aged man stands up when he saw the group approached. He clasped his hands in front of his chest with a slight bow.
He said with a friendly smile, "welcome to our humble mountain, honored guests. It was rare to see Young Master Wu personally came. It seems that the disciples you bring this time are quite special."
Wu Hao returned the gesture. "Greetings, brother Chu. It's been a while since we've last met, brother Chu has become more and more formidable. Congratulations, congratulations."
"Hahaha, it was just some luck. Compared with brother Wu, I am still lacking." The middle aged man's smile became wider.
After some pleasantries, Wu Hao introduced the Wu disciples.
"Oh, the only son of brother Wu Hao and sister Wu Yue? He must be a young dragon among men. Rest assured, brother Wu. Our sect will take good care of them."
The middle aged man name Chu Han then instructed a disciple beside him. "Li Wei, guide them to the entrance trial area."
He then turned to Wu Hao. "Brother Wu, sister Wu, and respected elders, please come with me. Sect master and the elders were overseeing the entrance trial. They will be glad to meet you. The other clans and sects elders also there."
"Alright. Brother Han, please." Wu Hao and the other adults followed Chu Han.
Meanwhile, the disciple called Li Wei guided the Wu disciples to a large arena packed with young kids. It seems that they were the last to arrive.
In the middle of the arena there were small altars.
Wu Feng looked around. He saw small pavilions on the north, west, and east of the arena. Some of them were filled with figures that emitted strong auras, while some still empty. It seems they were the higher ups of some clans and small sects, coming here to accompany their disciples to participate in the entrance trial to the Pilgrim Mountain Sect.
After waiting for an hour, all of the pavilions were filled with guests. Wu Feng saw his father, mother, and the elders entered one of the pavilions.
Right at this time, an old man with a sharp gaze and long gray beard walked to the middle pavilion on the north. He took a seat and nodded to an old man at his side.
The old man walked to the middle of the arena and saluted towards the guests that occupied the pavilions in three directions. Then with a loud voice he spoke.
"I, the South Pilgrim Hall Master Qin Huo, on behalf of Pilgrim Mountain sect welcomed the honored guests from various clans and sects, also the various aspirants and wandering Daoists that came today to participate on our entrance trial. All of us are from the same big family that takes Jing province as our home. Today, our Pilgrim Mountain Sect pledges to guide the disciples that passed the entrance trial in the path of Dao until they can soar by their own wings like immortal white cranes to wide skies. Free and unfettered, to seek immortality that lasts until eternity."
The audiences clapped their hands moderately to show their appreciation.
After the noises had subsided, Hall Master Qin Huo continued, "I will now supervise the entrance trial. For the group of disciples that is called, go to the altar to conduct the first trial, spiritual roots examination. Begin!"
A disciple of Pilgrim Mountain Sect that was standing outside the arena stepped forward. He unrolled a scroll then start to read the list in his hands aloud, "Li clan disciples."
Seven young kid walked forward to the altar. Wu Feng skimmed them then muttered, "the strongest among them is fourth level qi condensation. I wonder how old is he?"
Li Wei which still stood with them said proudly, "that was junior brother Duan. He was only ten years old. His cultivation is the fastest among the same generation in our clan."
"Uwah, a big shot has appeared right off the bat." Wi Feng said jokingly.
Meanwhile, the name list being read nonstop until all ten altars were occupied.
At their respective altars, the disciples take turns to place their palms on a crystalline stone that was placed on the altar one by one. Behind each altar stood a screen divided into five rows and five columns that looked like thin glass stacked on top of each other.
Suddenly there were surprised murmurs.
"Who is that kid from the Li clan? The Root Examination Screen glowed four bars and four columns in red. A superior quality pure fire spirit roots! A very talented disciple!"
Wu Feng has seen the same examination tool at Wu clan. Every clan will have them to examine their children. It can be said that this first stage trial is just a necessary formality for disciples of various clans and sects.
But it was a different story for vagrant cultivators. In fact, there were many vagrant cultivators here that participate in this entrance trial. They come with high hopes to reach a bright future. For them that do not have the support of a clan or sect, this chance was like a chance for a carp to jump the dragon gate, to become a true dragon.
The trial continued. There were already a few rounds of disciples being called. Once in a while, the crowds will make a ruckus when a high quality spiritual root talent appeared.
The appearance of high quality spiritual roots among cultivators can be said as a rarity, but also can be said as common as pearls found inside clams. After all, which clans or sects lacked high quality spiritual root talents among their elders and protectors line up?
The quality of spiritual roots affected the cultivation speed, the power of their magic arts, and to some degree, their achievement limit. But it was not the most important for a cultivator. There are many important aspects for cultivators it can be researched as a side study field.
For the Pilgrim Mountain Sect, as long as a disciple can fill three bars of the Root Examination Screen, or having normal quality spiritual root, he or she is acceptable. The rest is to pass the next trial stages.
Suddenly the crowds exploded in gasps and murmurs. Some cheered.
Wu Feng tiptoed to look for the phenomenon that becomes the source of the commotion.
A Root Examination Screen has glowed brightly in blue color, filling all five bars.
Wu Feng's eyes opened wide.
"Supreme quality water spiritual roots! Moreover all five columns were blue! Pure water spiritual roots!" Beside him, Wu Leng Jing's astonished voice can be heard.
At the pavilions, the elders of many clans and sects rose to their feet. The Pilgrim Mountain Sect Master and elders maintained their calm, but everyone can see their faces glowed red and the unerasable wide smiles on their faces.
"Who is she? She is very beautiful! Very ideal as a wife!" Wu Yong jumped up to get a better look.
Wu Mei and Wu Fei Yan shot him a disgusted glance.
Someone shouted loudly, "She is the little goddess of the Song clan, Song Shui Lian!"
The young girl indeed was very beautiful. Her face sculpted perfectly without blemish, her brows arched in crescent moon above her phoenix eyes. Her straight nose was high. Her small lips bloomed in a bright smile.
For just a moment, Wu Feng's and the girl's eyes met. It was just a coincidence without meaning. But Wu Feng felt a slight attraction that he looked at the girl a little longer.
"Wu clan disciples!" At this time the slightly trembled voice of the disciple in the task of reading name list that still carried excitement that has yet to be abated woke Wu Feng up from his daze.
"Come on, it is our turn!" Wu Fei Yan walked spiritedly to the front.
"No need to be so hasty, it is not like we have not examined our spirit roots yet." Wu Feng who tailed reluctantly at the very end of the group spoke up.
"Did I heard a great someone suddenly lose confidence?" Wu Fei Yan replied cheerfully. She knew that Wu Feng's spiritual roots are five element roots at the third level, which were called normal spiritual roots.
"Who loses confidence? I have the peerless spiritual roots! Unmatched under Heaven, the rarest in the world!" Wu Feng declared. His dwindling confidence came back after he finished speaking his words.