The next two stages of entrance trials were very easy for most clans and sects disciples.
The trials for qi condensation disciples were just formalities to confirm that their talents passed the minimum requirements of Pilgrim Mountain Sect and to show off to other clans and sects. Kind of like social debut. Basically the sects and clans that sent their disciples already selected them carefully, minimizing the number of participants failing the entrance trial.
After all they were just kids in Qi Condensation realm. Their abilities were not worth mentioning in front of the Golden Core elders, what is there to check? They can look with just a glance whether someone is worth nurturing or not.
Only the trials for Foundation Establishment participants were stricter. They have to fight each other for the limited available quotas.
After the entrance trials ended, the newly admitted disciples that pass were being gathered once again at the arena.
The sun was already low in the west.
The Pilgrim Mountain Sect Master stood on a podium. The old Sect Master's long hair had already greyed. But he still gave an imposing feeling even with his aura restrained. It was like looking at a great tree. It was just calmly rooted there, battered by wind and rain for thousands of years. Yet the tree still stood there in eternal tranquility.
The noises quietened down. Everyone looked attentively to the Pilgrim Mountain Sect Master that still stood without any word.
After perceiving that everyone has paid attention, the Pilgrim Mountain Sect Master said slowly,
"You are now the disciples of Pilgrim Mountain Sect. We are pilgrims. I hope that you never forget that you are pilgrim no matter what tribulations or fortunes you meet in the future.
We are not just cultivators. We are not just fighters. We are not just alchemists. We are merely pilgrims on the path of Dao.
If you did not walk until the end and reach Dao, then you will just be cultivators, fighters, or alchemists.
You can be arrogant towards others, but you can not be arrogant towards yourself. Believing that you are already great is the same as taking a break in your journey. It means that you are already tired. And tired in the path of Dao means that your resolution to walk until the end is weak.
Being a pilgrim is to continuously walk in solitude. To lit our own torch. To find our own path.
Remember this, no matter what, before reaching the Dao, you are a pilgrim."
After finishing his speech, the Pilgrim Mountain Sect Master walked away from the podium. The disciples below still maintained silence, in a daze from the sect master's words that lingered in their ears. They did not even react when the sect master walked away.
They have never listened to such a speech before. It almost shattered their belief. Their elders and masters always told them to cultivate diligently, to become stronger, and to aspire high.
They always believed that they were seeds of mighty cultivators that will look down upon the masses when they grew up. Now the sect master told them that they are just pilgrims. Ordinary and common as long as they have not achieved Dao.
Then one by one they snapped out of their daze. Some wore thoughtful looks, the others seemed to comprehend something, while there were some that secretly sneered.
"Alright, don't just stand there. Remember sect master's words. You have until tomorrow morning to bid farewell to your family and friends. At noon tomorrow gather again in this place." South Pilgrim Hall Master Qin Huo instructed loudly.
The young disciples cheered while the older ones just calmly left.
The Wu Clan disciples went to look for Wu Hao and the others.
Tonight the disciples of various clans and sects rested in guest buildings. The loose cultivators were also given resting places in the caves each protected with decent defensive formations on a mountain that was designated for guests.
It is not The Pilgrim Mountain Sect looking down on them, but loose cultivators prefer to rest while cultivating in private caves because of trust issues. If they stayed in a building shared with strangers, who knows what kind of problem would brew.
When morning came, Wu Feng bid farewell with his parents in reluctance.
"Feng'er do not show your bow arrows to others. They are not a qi condensation cultivator can have. Do not show your wealth carelessly to avoid disaster." Wu Hao strictly reminded him.
"Do not worry, father. I know. I will only use it as last resort."
"Goodbye, Feng'er. We will visit again in three years." Xu Yue pulled him in an embrace.
Wu Feng quickly broke away with red faces. "Mom! It is embarrassing!"
On the side his friends looked at him with a grin. They were envious inside by they will not admit it even if they were beaten to death. It was a pity that their parents could not accompany them to avoid having too large convoy. But they already experienced similar scenes back at their respective homes at Wu Clan so it is alright.
"Alright, it is late already. Go on." Wu Hao instructed them.
The Wu Clan disciples then go to the large arena. It was already crowded. After waiting for a while, some Pilgrim Mountain Sect outer and inner disciples appeared.
The outer disciples led Qi Condensation disciples to their new caves, while the inner disciples led Foundation Establishment disciples to the inner hall.
Li Wei who previously led them appeared again with a smile.
"Junior brothers and sisters, follow me."
For convenience purposes, a disciple led a group of clan and sect disciples that have yet to blend in with others.
Li Wei produced a palm sized green leaf. He blew on it gently. The leaf flew in the air. It became bigger then hovered twenty centimeters above the ground.
"Get up." Li Wei boarded first and took position in front.
The leaf was big enough for ten people.
Wu Fei Yan beamed upon seeing the treasure. "Will we get a treasure like this, senior brother Li?"
Li Wei smiled wryly before replying. "No, the sect lent us this Flying Leaf for this occasion. We have to return it later. All disciples will get flying treasures, but they were small. Only have barely enough room for two people."
"What a pity. I thought I can bring my friends to travel around with a treasure like this." Wu Fei Yan would have clicked her tongue if Li Wei did not present here.
"But everyone will have their own treasure later. Won't you still be able to bring them by then?" Li Wei asked in puzzlement.
"Ah, you are right, senior brother Li. How foolish of me." Wu Fei Yan laughed elegantly, her long sleeves covered her small mouth.
Li Wei got a good impression from her. Inwardly he thought, "as expected from a Wu Clan disciple. So refined even though she was still very young."
The other Wu Clan disciples wanted to laugh but they did not dare.
Only Wu Feng blatantly laughed. "Hahaha, if they get their own treasures I bet there will be no one that dared to follow our demoness here."
Wu Fei Yan covered her mouth. "Hohoho, what are you saying? I apologize on behalf of our rude behavior, senior brother Li. Please do not mind us."
She covertly spread a chilling aura to lock on Wu Feng.
Li Wei did not notice anything amiss. He was better impressed by Wu Fei Yan.
He nodded gently, "it is alright. All of you are very energetic. That was good."
Wu Feng on the other hand felt surprised. Wu Fei Yan has broken through to fourth level of Qi Condensation without anyone knew. Among the five she was the fastest.
Even though he felt that his cultivation already fast, it seems that there are many others who were faster. He already saw many young kids at his age reached fourth level of Qi Condensation at the arena.
If he was already behind at Qi Condensation realm, how far behind he will be when others reached Foundation Establishment? Inwardly he felt some crisis.
"I have to cultivate more seriously", he thought.
"We have arrived." Li Wei's voice stopped his thought.
Below, they can see a mountain peak covered with white mists.
The mists were the condensations of thick spiritual energy. They can feel their pores opening wide and their whole body relaxing.
There were paddy fields in the valley at the foot of the mountain.
Caves were filling the slopes, while on its peak that was covered with snow there was a majestic building.
Li Wei turned to Wu Clan disciples behind him. Then with a smile, he said with a dignified tone,
"Welcome to the Outer Hall of Pilgrim Mountain Sect. Let us pay our respects to the Hall Master Qin Huo and other elders first."
The Wu Clan disciples nodded in reply. Wu Feng said while saluting, "we will follow senior brother's guidance."