"You might believe your position isn't significant, yet you're mistaken. The inner disciples possess Marrow Infusion cultivation, and the core members have undergone a tribulation, reaching the Vital Core realm."
"Unlike them, you have two entire realms to cross. Facing any inner disciple means certain death," he said seriously, looking at a few who wore arrogant expressions.
These youngsters didn't seem to understand what was best for them.
He released a surge of aura, waking up those who had fainted. "If you didn't make it, we can't accept you. Leave," he stated firmly.
Observing that no one voiced objections, he nodded. It was rare for no fatalities to happen this year.
"You have enough time to brew a cup of tea and bid your farewells," Zhang Wei announced. He then settled into crosslegged meditation and waited.
Fang Hao and the others appeared somewhat bewildered. Meanwhile, those who didn't belong to the city rushed to say their goodbyes, mostly individuals from mortal realms.
Among them were clans and cultivators, though their powers were significantly smaller compared to the main cities.
Fang Hao and the rest of the group stood before his father. A few of them knelt down, expressing their gratitude.
"Thank you, City Lord, for this opportunity," they said, acknowledging that their bold actions at the beginning might have played a role. It was important to note that the sect only recruited around 500 members each year.
"Don't let us down," Fang Xiong said with a nod, then he shifted his attention to Fang Hao, motioning for the others to depart.
"Father, when will I have the chance to see you once more?" Fang Hao inquired.
"I'm uncertain, Hao. You can send a message to me through the sect, and someone will come to retrieve you. But remember, your focus should be on cultivating," Fang Xiong replied.
He then erected a protective barrier around them and handed Fang Hao two items: a vial of blood and a green medallion.
"This is the essence blood from the beast. You can now keep it in your spatial ring. Make sure no one sees it. As for this item, it can deflect one attack at my realm, and I can sense your location," he explained.
As he spoke, he had Fang Hao drop blood onto the item and put it on.
Seeing Fang Hao wearing the item, he nodded and instructed, "Now, close your eyes."
Fang Hao followed the instruction, feeling a finger touch his forehead, causing him to let out a painful groan.
Fang Xiong concentrated, extracting a silver light and producing a small lantern similar to the one he had for his daughter. He confined Hao's soul fragment within it.
"Do you sense anything unusual?" Fang Xiong inquired.
"I sense something is gone, but it doesn't seem significant," Fang Hao thought and replied, his gaze fixed on the lantern containing his soul fragment.
"This will be your signal to me, confirming that you are alive," Fang Xiong said regarding the soul fragment. However, their conversation was cut short by the voice of the sect leader.
"Time's up. Follow that path, and someone will guide you to the Soul Brand Tower. There, you'll change into the sect uniforms and be assigned a cave," the sect leader's announcement prompted everyone to start departing, leaving Fang Xiong and Hao behind.
The sect leader's attention was now focused on them.
"Zhang Wei, I extracted a fragment, similar to what we did with my daughter. Refrain from any unnecessary actions," he cautioned, and the sect leader wore an irritated expression.
"Fang Xiong, you've already ventured down this path once. It worked before, and it will work again. Just allow your son to enter the sect without causing any further complications," Zhang Wei retorted, his expression displaying anger.
Certain matters didn't need to be explicitly stated; it was evident that extracting another fragment from Hao was out of the question.
"Take care, Hao. Remember, if you need anything, reach out to us," he said, lightly patting his son's shoulder before flying towards the dragon's head. Long Chen responded by lifting himself up.
"Is this farce finally at an end?" the dragon grumbled, clearly eager to return and rest.
"Let's head back," Fang Xiong said, a smile forming on his lips as he listened to Hao bidding him farewell.
Fang Hao remained next to the Sect Leader, the only two figures left in the arena. Everyone else had either been compelled to leave or had entered the sect.
"Now then, Hao, isn't it?" Zhang Wei addressed him, voicing his hope. "I trust you won't bring about the same troubles your father did."
His words were spoken aloud, accompanied by a scrutinizing gaze that prompted Hao to shake his head.
"Very well. Let's proceed. I'll take you up the mountain since you're a bit behind," Zhang Wei continued, lifting Hao and carrying him into the sect.
From their elevated vantage point, he observed the landscape below.
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The massive mountain was adorned with numerous trees and rocky peaks. At its foot, expansive fields stretched out, tended to by many individuals.
"These are the Spiritual Fields, and the people tending to them are the servants," the Sect Leader explained. Hao nodded in response, feeling somewhat uneasy in the presence of such an influential figure.
As they proceeded flying, they passed by recently recruited disciples. Fang Hao seemed to be receiving special treatment.
Their journey led them past multiple caves and lakes as they ventured deeper. Hao's eyes widened in awe at the sight of magical rainbows and the array of vibrant and unusual colours surrounding them.
"This area consists of the outer sect caves. Once you complete your registration and acquire your new robes, you will live here," the Sect Leader explained as they swiftly passed through the area. Fang Hao could only catch glimpses due to the speed of their movement.
Eventually, they arrived at a massive tower that seemed to stretch up into the sky, standing in an empty plaza.
Hao's mouth dropped open as he took in the impressive formations and the sheer size of the tower.
Its surface was white with small black dots scattered around, while intricate symbols adorned the walls, creating a radiant shimmer when observed closely.
"Stop daydreaming and come along. I'll help you with the registration'' The Sect Leader's voice jolted Hao from his trance.
They walked towards the massive doors, which were wide open, and stepped onto the white marble floor. The echoing sound of footsteps filled the grand hall as they approached a towering statue at the front.
A strange wave of aura washed over Hao as the statue's red eyes seemed to focus on him before relenting. Turning his head to the lifeless statue, he felt a sense of confusion. This time, the sect leader didn't offer any commentary. Instead, he utilized his spiritual energy to create a gentle light, causing Hao to float towards him.
Feeling slightly embarrassed by his momentary lapse, Hao offered a quiet "Sorry" as he looked down. The sect elder halted his steps, examining Hao more closely. It became evident that the young man hadn't fully inherited his father's traits.
The hall was adorned with various lights that flew around, casting shimmering hues of green and white.
Hao's attention was captivated by a particular wall that radiated a brilliant glow. In front of this illuminated wall stood a large desk, catching his eye.
The inner elder wore a bored expression as he rested his eyes, knowing that in a few days, the new sect recruits would arrive, and he could return to his cultivation for another year. The room was filled with the echoing sound of footsteps, prompting him to open his eyes and furrow his brow.
"It's against the rules to enter the Soul Brand Tower. You will be brought to the Discipline Hall," he spoke with authority, his voice carrying a surge of spiritual aura that was abruptly blocked.
"Calm down," the sect leader's voice intervened, accompanied by the arrival of Fang Hao floating behind him. The elder stood up, his confusion evident in his expression as he looked at the sect leader.
"Sect Leader?" The elder's tone carried a mix of bewilderment and curiosity, silently questioning the unexpected presence of the sect leader.
"This is Fang Hao," the sect leader introduced plainly, watching the elder closely for his reaction.
"Fang Hao?" he mused, taking a moment to recall, then nodded slowly. "Fang, right? Fang Xiong, I see." His nod was accompanied by a slightly annoyed expression, and the sect leader agreed with him.
"He wants to skip the soul branding again, just like he did for his daughter," the sect leader remarked, their words sparking anger within the elder. This wasn't the first time Fang Xiong had attempted this, but now it was the second!
Taking a deep breath to compose himself, the elder calmed his emotions and turned his attention to Fang Hao. With a focused expression, he extended his spiritual senses, carefully assessing Fang Hao's aura and intentions before opening a big tome on the desk.
Fang Hao's gaze shifted from the elder to the intriguing sight behind him. His eyes widened as he took in the scene – numerous lamps, their flickering flames casting eerie shadows on the walls.
The chamber seemed almost ethereal, illuminated by thousands of these mystical lights. Some of the lamps dimmed or extinguished altogether as Fang Hao examined them, making him look surprised.
However, the elder simply turned the pages of the massive ancient book and proceeded to erase a name with deliberate strokes of his quill.
"Name," the inner elder inquired, rousing Fang Hao from his contemplation. Though he was aware of the answer, he waited for the reply.
Hao paused briefly before responding, "My name is...''
"Fang Hao," the voice resounded, echoing in the chamber, and the elder's gaze shifted toward the ancient tome. As he noticed the lack of response, he began inscribing Fang Hao's name onto the page.
The quill danced across the parchment, its ink flowing seamlessly, capturing the essence of Fang Hao's identity in each stroke.
Throwing him a set of robes and a token with the number 4050 on it, he closed his eyes, clearly not wanting to talk anymore.
The Sect Leader nodded, satisfied that the registration was complete and the book didn't detect any lies. He then led him out of the tower.