After arriving at the recruitment plaza, Yasenia spread her aura across the multitude of people, making her presence feel all-encompassing.
Before, at the first level of the Unification Realm, she could already make low- and mid-Epoch core feel her presence while being able to overpower almost everyone in the Ethereal Soul Body realm.
When Yasenia had achieved the fusion of body and soul at the seventh level, her aura had transformed into something incomparably more powerful.
Therefore, as Yasenia descended and her aura spread, people mistook her for a mighty senior, creating an aura of respect.
Not to mention, Yasenia's current beauty was otherworldly because, for the first time in decades, she had bothered to adorn herself.
The dragoness voice was like a wave that spread everywhere for all to hear.
"Welcome to the first recruitment of the Astral Sky Sect. We spread the news far and wide, and cleverly, all of you thought of coming to participate."
Yasenia looked at the more than a million cultivators indifferently. "Today is the day I open the [Astral Sky Sect]. Opportunity, wealth, cultivation methods, training spaces, a system for everyone from mortals to Epoch Core cultivators to gain treasures, and many more things have been built."
"Creating the entire sect has been a trial for my forces, and clearing the mountain basin of dangerous beasts that could raze main cities was also done."
Yasenia looked around and squinted. "The area surrounding our force is a perfect space to temper our disciples, and there are facilities you have never heard about anywhere else."
Her words sounded like the song of a siren, enchanting those hearing and making many greedy hearts sprout. Something Yasenia aimed at.
After allowing people to digest her words, Yasenia deployed her [Monarch Intent Level Two] and said coldly. "However, do not be mistaken. My power already has people that can join it from the Astral Sky Clan, and thus, you should not think that we are desperate to accept you."
The imposing voice swept everyone with a strange pressure, making many who had evil intentions become stiff.
It was just the coercion of the Monarch's Intent, but Yasenia's bloodline was a natural deterrent for beast humans.
Yasenia explained slowly. "There is an initial evaluation, a bare minimum you must pass to even think of trying the tests to see if you are worthy of entering our sect."
Yasenia swept everyone with her draconic gaze, and although her size was not imposing in front of more than a million people, everyone felt her gaze.
After that, the dragoness continued the explanation. "Of the hundreds of thousands here, if five thousand overcome the challenges ahead, I would be satisfied. If fifteen thousand do so, I would be content. And if more than that number manage to overcome our trials, it would be miracle-worthy."
"As a reminder, our sect exam will be done yearly for the first ten years. After that, it will be done every three years. There is no limit on how many times you want to try our tests. We don't discriminate unless you do something stupid. After all, tenacity and resolve are important qualities for a cultivator."
Yasenia stopped speaking and landed on an elevated platform with the others.
Their long skirts flowed behind them, making them appear otherworldly.
The maids were not wearing their homely white and black uniforms. Instead, they all wore white flowy dresses and veils, looking like an entourage of fairies accompanying our girls.
Yasenia took out a hundred Purple Crystals from her ring, the coin used in Sky Continent, and placed it in a few places as an energy battery. "Now, the first test begins. This is our filter and the bare minimum. We'll allow people to leave the plaza if you don't want to take part in it."
Yasenia explained. "The plaza where you are standing is coated in a Heart Demon Formation. Those with frail heart demons are bound to be corrupt sooner or later. Hence, I want a minimum of will and determination for my future disciples. The formation has four levels of intensity. The longer you endure, the more rewards you will receive when entering the sect."
Yasenia continued and warned coldly. "This formation is lethal and can kill you. So, remember to have enough strength to utter the word "Sky" when you want to stop being afflicted by the formation. We won't take responsibility for any deaths, and those dissatisfied are welcome to complain to us. However, don't blame us for being ruthless!"
The maids behind Yasenia unfurled a part of their aura, making the atmosphere heavy as Yasenia's declaration thundered in everyone's hearts.
Nobody dared speak, and those who dared, for now, didn't have complaints.
Yasenia spoke aloud. "Those who want to leave are welcome to. I'll give you an hour. In the meantime, I'll explain what happens after you manage to overcome the [Heart Demon Formation]."
She activated a few of the energy stones, and the stage she was standing on shone with complex formation lines.
Ten identical rows, each with five different locations, appeared.
The maids flew to each location, occupying the stage.
Yasenia informed them. "We will repeat this one more time, but after the end of the first trial, I want to see ten orderly lines. The recruitment will last until everyone is tested, so remember not to push or cut lines, as you risk being expelled."
Yasenia walked toward one of the lines and stopped in the first of the five different tests. "The evaluation method will be with stars. Zero stars means that you have zero potential in that aspect. Ten stars mean that your future is bright in that aspect. Twenty stars means your future is limitless."
"You can score up to one hundred stars in this test. The tests measure Bloodline, Constitution, Soul, Potential, and Comprehension."
"To be accepted in our sect, you need at least forty-five stars. After all, scores from sixty stars and above are reserved for super geniuses with extremely high potential, who will naturally be favored. Then, you'll receive the entire sect's support if you score eighty stars or more. Finally, if somebody scores one hundred stars by some miracle, you'll become my direct disciple and be nourished personally by me."
Yasenia said so, but even she couldn't score one hundred stars. This test was made to Core disciples in the Rita Academy, Tatyana's power back in the Sky Continent. Usually, a minimal score to be accepted as a Core Disciple was seventy stars or achieving twenty stars in one of the tests.
Therefore, after discussing it with the seniors, Yasenia lowered the requirements to forty-five. With the Heart Demon formation and this minimal requirement, Yasenia would effectively slice the rotten and untalented out of the batch. Moreover, even if she left in the future, they were tests with extremely long perpetuity, ensuring the sect's longevity.
After all, the entry tests were what kept a sect going for many years and avoided making it rot from the inside.
When Yasenia was about to explain how each test functioned, a mighty aura spread from the horizon as five people arrived one after another.
Yasenia looked over and measured their strength. "Low-level Epoch Core Cultivation."
The dragoness internally smirked as her eyes showed contempt. 'Do they think that this level of cultivation can still deter me? Even without Alaia and the others, I would be fearless before them.'
The man from an avian race with four green feathered wings flapping on his back thundered, making the air quake with his voice. "Sect Leader Yasenia, with what authority have you dared to occupy this land?"
Another woman with shark features also spoke aloud. "You are not part of any major power. Hence, you have no authority to govern these lands!"
The cultivators around began whispering. "Those are elders from the top five Thirty-Three clans."
"Really!?"
"That man who spoke is from the [Jade Thunderbird Clan]!"
Yasenia ignored the crowd and took a step forward.
Star energies gathered in her step as she activated [Heavenly Constellation Steps]. Her body disappeared and appeared before them, floating at the same level with a cold expression one hundred meters apart.
The five elders were startled. 'So fast!?'
Yasenia looked at them with an indifferent expression and asked back while unfurling her [Empyrean Regal Dragon Aura]. "What power has given you the guts to interrupt my Sect's inauguration!?"
Her voice was like a clap of thunder in their ears, and their souls felt a squeezing power far beyond what they expected. Their faces became solemn, and quickly counterattacked.
The woman with serrated teeth and bluish skin unfurled her aura and stated. "I'm from the [Deep Sea Shark Clan]!"
A furry man with ape characteristics stated and supported the shark woman. "I'm from the [Devil Smashing Ape clan]."
Their two auras managed to push slightly against Yasenia's one, but the dragoness still had clear superiority.
The other three followed closely behind.
An elegant man with dragon wings said. "I'm from the [Sky Scale Dragon Clan]."
Next, a beautiful woman with a fishtail stated. "I'm from the [Ocean Swallowing Mermaids]."
Finally, the man who spoke first crackled with lightning as his four jade-colored feather wings flapped. "And I'm from the [Jade Thunderbird Clan]. Is that enough, Sect Master Yasenia?"
Yasenia internally lifted an eyebrow. 'Ho? The top five ranked clans between the Thirty-Three clans appear. Why are they here so suddenly? Maybe the existence of the mine somehow entered their ears? Or have they discovered the dense aura created by the nourishment from the Sky Continent's energy pouring here?'
Either way, it didn't matter for Yasenia.
Once the five auras combined and pushed against Yasenia's, slowly gaining terrain, the dragoness snorted. "Impudent. Just five low-level Epoch-Core cultivators think they can act as the masters in my territory? Reel back your auras."
[Monarch Intent] activated.
BOOM!
The five of them took a step back as the presence of Yasenia magnified in their eyes a thousand times while transforming into a phantasmal gargantuan Empyrean Dragon.
The primordial gaze of the illusion made them all feel horrified.
Subconsciously, they all stopped using their aura and almost lowered their heads.
Yasenia followed suit, dissipating the illusory self.
Although her strength wasn't enough to fight against the most powerful people on the continent, her fear of Epoch Core Cultivators had greatly diminished.
In the weeks after her breakthrough, she had asked Tengliu to fight her seriously. Yasenia was naturally defeated. However, she wasn't beaten down in just a single, like in the past.
She could last a few seconds against the Harpy Matriarch before Tengliu finally made a decisive blow.
Tengliu was one of the strongest in the Continent, and this gave her enough confidence because, during those precious seconds, Yasenia could now use life-saving items.
Before, she might have been killed before reacting because the distance between realms was that exaggerated.
Now, things were different.
As Tatyana had said previously, Yasenia had already built a foundation, and she only lacked time.
Plus, her fifty personal maids were like a giant tree, giving her a calming shade.
The top powers of Distancia? Yasenia already considered herself equal as long as she didn't act like a rabid animal and didn't lose her cool.
In short, it was the end of Yasenia's passive approach. With the sect's opening, the dragoness was ready to unfurl her wings and soar.
After they all dissipated their auras, Yasenia spoke slowly. "Now that you know I'm no pushover, we can talk. Your backing is enough to be able to ask, after all. Do you want to know who gave me permission to build my sect here? This is my answer."
Yasenia looked at them coldly and stated. "I built my sect here because I wanted to. If you have any complaints, tell your superiors to come and speak with me. You five are not qualified."
*************************************************
Angel: Wow~.
Evelyn: Hahaha, finally. Time to counterattack!
Andrea: It feels refreshing!
Cecile: When is Tengliu's punishment happening, my love?
Yasenia: I don't know. Is there any haste? She is our current ally, so offending her is not necessary at the moment.
Cecile: I see.
Author: Well, let's summon today's dear. I summon you!
Dante: Yo!
Yasenia: Welcome. Who do you want to ask today?
Dante: I want to ask the fifty maids or their leaders and Yassy's personal maid twins.
Author: Okay… Summoned!
Eve: Hm?
Anna: What's this place?
Fifty maids: Where are we?
Yasenia: Hello~.
Eve/Anna: Young miss!
Yasenia: Hahaha, can you answer this friend's question?
Anna: Sure.
Dante: Why are you guys so devoted to Yassy? And what made you devoted to her?
Anna: Many things but…
Eve: At first, our training.
Alaia: Yes. But then, seeing Young Miss grow up.
Flora: Taking care of her.
Selene: Seeing her become a gorgeous lady.
Leila: Observing her good and bad qualities.
Clara: Recognizing her nature…
All: Our devotion to young Miss stems from our love for her after getting to know her!
Dante: I see. Thanks for answering.
Author: And that's all for today! Bye-bye, little lurkers.