Xian's heart raced with excitement and anticipation at the opportunity to join the Mount Hua Sect. Despite his initial fear, he knew this could be his chance to elevate his status and strength in this new world. With determination burning in his chest, Xian made a silent vow to himself that he would do whatever it takes to pass the recruitment and become a disciple of the prestigious sect.
...
After spending his last money for another day at the inn, despite his initial excitement, Xian still felt fear looming over him. But, he still steeled himself for tomorrows recruitment test.
In the morning, Xian quickly washed up and got down the inn for the recruitment test. As he was going down, a long line of people immediately entered his sight. It seemed that he was not the only one excited for the test.
Xian joined the line, his heart pounding with anticipation as he waited for his turn to take the recruitment test for the Mount Hua Sect. Surrounded by others filled with the same determination, he felt a sense of camaraderie amidst the nervous energy pulsating through the crowd.
Xian waited until afternoon. A few more minutes passed, and he was then called for the aptitudes test. As Xian walked into the room, the examiner asked for his name before instructing him to place his hand into the crystal ball. Upon complying, Xian felt a warm sensation course through his body. Suddenly, the examiner exclaimed, "Stage 2 body constitution!"
Knowing that a stage 2 body constitution held the potential to reach the Foundation Realm, Xian accepted the outcome with calm resolve. He understood that the final test would ultimately determine his future within the sect.
For the soul strength test, he was instructed to sit inside an array designed specifically by the academy to measure one's soul strength. As he settled into position, the array was activated, and a sharp pain pierced his mind. Recognizing this as part of the test, he remained still and resolute, enduring the sensation without flinching.
A few seconds later, the pain subsided, signaling the end of the test. Upon reviewing the results of his soul strength, the examiner's astonishment was evident. "S--Soul strength at Stage 4!" he exclaimed, his words stuttered in disbelief. The crowd erupted into murmurs of surprise and astonishment. "Stage 4?" someone from the crowd exclaimed. Another voice chimed in, "How is that possible? How can someone with low aptitude possess such formidable soul strength?"
Xian, too, was taken aback by the results, but he quickly rationalized that his exceptional soul strength was likely a result of his transmigration. While he briefly became a sensation, the excitement soon waned as he was only accepted as an outer disciple due to his low aptitude. Nevertheless, Xian felt a renewed determination fueled by his newfound strength and opportunity. As the long day drew to a close, the two moons hung high in the sky, signaling the end of the test. Out of the 256 test takers, only 63 were deemed worthy to join the sect, with 2 admitted as inner disciples and the rest as outer disciples. This shows how hard it is to be admitted to the mount hua sect. They were told to return to the sect tomorrow for the allocation of their dormitory and monthly allowance provided by the sect.
As the day passed, the 63 successful candidates gathered outside the gates of the Mount Hua Sect. Suddenly, the gates opened on their own, revealing a man dressed in a white robe adorned with the Mount Hua Sect symbol—a lotus—on his chest, along with the number 2 indicating his status as a second-year student. He is also known as, Kaiser Feng. Handsome and poised in his white robes, he exuded an air of authority. Alongside two others, he had been tasked with guiding the new disciples to their dormitory.
Kaiser guided them one by one to their own dormitories, also explaining the rules of the sect and how things work there. Xian arrived at his dorm and acquainted himself with his roommate, Ken Zarra. They got along well, both having taken the test yesterday.
...
In the blink of an eye, 5 years had passed. Xian had begun cultivating and had already reached level 4 of the Qi foundation realm. However, he felt a sense of stagnation at this level. Then, the sect issued him his first mission: a G-rank task to assist a villager in gathering herbs. The reward for this simple task was 10 contribution points.
The sect missions were categorized into 8 ranks: G, F, E, D, C, B, A, and S-Rank, each representing varying levels of difficulty and danger. Contribution points served as currency within the sect, exchangeable for necessities such as food and accommodations, as well as for more advanced benefits like Sect techniques, Informations, and access to knowledgeable teachers who could further instruct disciples in these techniques.
Xian arrived at the designated meeting spot, ready to embark on the mission. As he strode forward with his white Taoist robe adorned with a lotus symbol, his black curly hair and brown eyes captured the attention of passersby, drawing admiring glances and inquiries about his identity. Soon, the villager spotted him and waved, signaling the beginning of their journey. "Good morning, esteemed Taoist," the villager greeted with a bow. "are we ready to commence our quest?" Xian nodded affirmatively, and together they set off toward the eastern forest of the kingdom.
Finally reaching their destination, the villager wasted no time in getting to work, and xian followed suit. Crouching down to mimic the villager's actions. Suddenly, a beast resembling a bear charged towards them, its aura indicating it was at mid-level stage 1.
Xian quickly entered a fighting stance. As the demonic bear charged towards him, Xian's years of training at the Mount Hua Sect's Plum Blossom Sword techniques and breathing techniques served him well. Remaining composed, he focused intently on the rhytmic dance of the Plum Blossom Sword techniques. With a swift flourish, he unleashed the [Dancing Petals technique], sending a flurry of razor-sharp strikes toward the oncoming beast. Each movement was precise, which also surprised xian. He just shrugged it off and attributed it towards his soul.
Xian's swift attack met fierce resistance from the formidable bear. As their weapons clashed, sparks erupted at the point of contact. The razor-sharp edge of Xian's sword sliced through the metal-like claw of the demonic bear, cleaving it in half. A low growl escaped the beast, indicating its vulnerability to the attack.
Sensing the bear's momentary distraction and weakened state, Xian seized the opportunity without hesitation. With unparalleled speed and precision, he executed the [Dancing Petals technique] once more, aiming for the creature's exposed neck. In a flash of steel, the bear's head was severed from its body, tumbling to the ground while the once-menacing Beast slumped lifelessly.
Dead silence descended upon the forest as Xian stood victorious, his breath steady and his gaze unwavering, a testament to his skill and determination.
After dissecting parts of the demonic beast that could be exchanged for contribution points in the sect, he quickly made his way towards the Mount Hua sect. His fellow sect members looked at him in shock and disgust. They're shocked that someone was actually holding a head of demonic bear in its horn. They're also quite disgusted at the sweat, dirt, and blood of the young man in front of them. But it was quite normal, so they already ignored it and did their own things.
He claimed his 10 contribution points reward and exchanged the body parts of the demonic beast for 25 contribution points. He was quite happy for his now 45 contribution points.They were all transferred to his sect card that was issued by the sect.
...
A few months later, everything went smoothly... Or not. Just as he was going to get lunch at the cafeteria, someone intentionally bumped with him. "Hey, watch where you're going, kid! Do you even know who I am?", the blonde man said. He was cedrick mesia, an inner disciple and a disciple of one of the sect inner elders. He also had three lackeys with him that were from the inner sect. Xian just stared at him and didn't say anything as he knows who cedrick is. He just walked away and pretended nothing happened. But, the quadro wouldn't let him be that easily.
Xian sat at one of the tables, and they followed after him. Cedrick sat in front of Xian with a devilish smile as he said, "This is the start of your life as a living hell." Xian was left in wonder as he didn't really know how he had offended Cedrick.
...
It had been 10 years since Xian was transmigrated into the cultivation world. Cedrick stayed true to his word, as he and his lackeys made it hard for Xian in the past four and a half years. Xian is already at the Level 1 foundation stage. He would have been at level 2 or 3 if Cedrick hadn't made it harder for Xian to access cultivation resources.
Every 5 years, the sect will hold an exam for the outer disciples for a chance to promote their status from outer disciple to inner disciple. Xian naturally didn't participate in the exam 5 years ago because he did not meet the requirement that one must first be in the foundation stage realm to join.
In 3 days' time, the exam will take place at the arena in the outer sect. Xian quickly signed up, as this could be his chance to elevate his status.
Just as Xian was walking to register himself, Cedrick and his three lackeys bumped into him intentionally. Xian bit his lip in anger and just walked away. Cedrick bullying him for 5 years made Xian's life a living hell. Almost all the resources he could get were blocked by Cedrick through his master, who just ignored what his disciple did. And most of the time they would beat him up just because they wanted to.
Xian was close to the registration office when Cedrick said, "Oh hey, pipsqueak! If I were you, I wouldn't waste my time taking the test." Cedrick said with a cold smile that sent a chill down Xian's spine.
Xian knew something was wrong. He knew, but he also knew that he couldn't do anything about it. He still registered himself despite Cedrick's threat. He somehow believed that if he were to become an inner disciple, Cedrick's bullying and threats would lessen.
Three days passed smoothly. 'This is it,' Xian thought. 'Maybe I can find more opportunities as an inner disciple and get rid of Cedrick and his lackeys.' Xian knew that his hard work would pay off. He was quite strong, thanks to his powerful soul. His strong soul made his inner qi purer than that of ordinary people, and it also made techniques easier for him to learn. In the past 10 years, Xian's proficiency in the high mortal rank, [Plum Blossom Sword Technique] had been elavated from Novice(Low) to Proficient(Low).
Xian made his way inside the arena. He saw his peers, who ranged from foundation realm stage 1 to foundation realm stage 3. The students taking the test numbered from 30 to 40 people. It was quite a lot, but to be expected as the test was held every 5 years.
Xian observed the other examinees, and he found three of them who could be a threat to him.
One was a girl with twin tails, wearing a white robe with the number 1 on her right chest, indicating that she is in her first year, just like Xian. She also carried a sword with a beautiful white scabbard.
The second guy was a muscular individual with a silver gauntlet in his hand, also a freshman. However, Xian felt threatened by his refined aura. It was as if Xian was looking at a soldier who had been shaped by the battlefield.
Last but not least, the third guy was a frail-looking boy with glasses. The boy was not holding any weapons, so Xian assumed that he doesn't use weapons. If not for the scary and cold aura that Xian sensed, he would have thought that the boy was a normal and weak participant.
Thirty minutes passed, and a loud bell rang at the top of the stage, causing all of the examinees to fall silent and looked at the stage above.
At the stage stood a man in black Mount Hua Sect robes with an 'O' sign on the right side of his chest, indicating that he was an outer elder of the sect.
The man looked at the students below, and he simply nodded before beginning to speak. "Good morning, students of Mount Hua Sect! I am an outer elder in the sect; you can call me Elder Jiang. I will be the one in charge of overseeing your exam. I believe you all know the rules, as they were explained after you registered. That's it; good luck to all of you. May the exam begins!!"