The day of the Imperial Sect entrance examination had arrived, and the tension was palpable among the group. Jack paced back and forth, his frustration evident.
"Are we really going to give up on entering the Imperial Sect?" he asked, his voice tinged with desperation.
"Yes," Janice replied simply, her face calm but resolute.
Jack turned to her, incredulous. "You too, Janice? I mean, this is our dream we are talking about here!"
Jessica put a calming hand on Jack's shoulder. "Calm down, boy. It isn't like it's the end of the world."
Jack shook his head, his eyes filled with determination. "But it is for me. This is the dream for many."
Linda sighed, rubbing her temples. "Just shut it, will you? Besides, looking at what he could do, it's better to follow him."
John nodded in agreement. "Linda is right. On the first day of our meeting, he knew our names before we told him. He reversed time, making our conversation feel like it never happened in the first place. Then he brought Jessica and Linda with the snap of his fingers. And till now, he has treated us nicely despite your bickering. I'll say we follow him."
James chimed in, his voice firm. "Agreed."
Jessica added, "He might surprise us after this sect exam."
Jack grumbled, feeling abandoned by his family. The Imperial Sect was the foundation of the Lovigary Empire. Almost all famous human cultivators, seventy percent of them, were from the Imperial Sect. Jack had always dreamed of being a disciple, and now that dream was slipping away.
While Jack was lost in his thoughts, Anderson and an unknown man approached the group for their departure to the sect.
"Are you guys ready?" Anderson asked, his voice steady.
John nodded. "Yes, we are ready, Sir Anderson."
Janice, blushing slightly, nodded as well.
Jack, still in a sour mood, spoke up. "Why are we even taking part in the entrance examination if you guys are going to interfere? And why are you so fixed on interfering in the exams? And who the hell are you?"
"Oh, don't you recognize me anymore, Jack?" said the unknown man with a grin. This man was none other than Adams, who had taken the appearance of a young Tom Ellis. In his previous world, he had been a die-hard fan of the Lucifer series, and Lucifer was his favorite character played by Tom Ellis. That's why he wanted to use the Lucifer persona.
Jack's eyes widened in surprise. "You are Adams?"
Adams laughed, a devilish smile playing on his lips. "Yes, it's me."
Jack gulped, muttering under his breath, "God, I hate his smile."
Adams clapped his hands together. "Alright, since everyone is ready, let's go. And since only Jack, Janice, and I will be taking part in the exams, I might as well give you guys something for the time being before actually giving you what I promised."
He took out four necklaces and handed them to John, James, Jessica, and Linda. "These are for protection when things go south."
Jack, seeing this, wanted to voice his opinion but was silenced by his mother's glare.
"Jack and Janice, I know what the Imperial Sect means to you," Adams said, his tone serious. "So after this, I promise to make it up to you."
Jack, seeing Adams' serious face, smirked to lighten the atmosphere. "You better. And I would have liked it better if you said it with your own face."
Adams laughed. "Haha, now let's go. We don't want to miss the first round, do we?"
---
The journey to the examination grounds was filled with a tense silence, punctuated only by the occasional nervous comment from Jack. As they neared the grand gates of the Imperial Sect, the sheer magnitude of the event became clear. Thousands of hopeful cultivators crowded the grounds, each one radiating determination and ambition.
The Imperial Sect, revered as the pinnacle of cultivation academies in the Lovigary Empire, stood as a testament to human ambition and mystical prowess. Its sprawling grounds were encased by towering walls, adorned with intricate runes and ancient symbols that shimmered with latent power. The gates, massive and imposing, were crafted from a rare, indestructible metal and decorated with carvings of mythical beasts and legendary warriors, signifying the strength and heritage of the sect.
As the group moved closer, the gates swung open to reveal a breathtaking courtyard that seemed to stretch infinitely. The cobblestone path, lined with statues of the sect's most illustrious figures, led to a grand staircase that ascended to the main hall. This hall, a colossal structure, was crowned with golden spires that reached for the sky, glistening in the sunlight.
The air was thick with the energy of thousands of hopeful cultivators. The examination grounds buzzed with anticipation, the murmur of excited voices blending with the rustling of robes and the clinking of weapons. Tall, ancient trees provided shade, their leaves whispering secrets of centuries past. Training arenas and sparring rings dotted the landscape, each one meticulously maintained and equipped with enchantments to ensure fairness and safety.
The main hall's entrance was guarded by elite sect members, their presence a stark reminder of the power and discipline that the Imperial Sect demanded. Beyond the entrance, an expansive hall opened up, its walls lined with banners and tapestries depicting epic battles and the sect's founding. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a warm, ethereal glow that illuminated the faces of those who dared to seek entry.
The outer grounds of the Imperial Sect were a blend of natural beauty and architectural grandeur. Lush gardens with exotic plants from all corners of the empire provided serene spaces for meditation and study. Serpentine paths wound through groves of ancient trees, their leaves whispering secrets of centuries past. Ponds and streams, filled with crystal-clear water, reflected the sunlight and the towering spires above.
Every corner of the sect's outer grounds spoke of its long and storied history. Intricate mosaics and carvings adorned the walls, each telling tales of legendary battles, great leaders, and the sect's role in shaping the empire. As the group made their way through this awe-inspiring landscape, the true magnitude of the Imperial Sect and its legacy became strikingly clear.
Adams, still in his disguised form, led the group confidently. Anderson walked beside him, his expression as stoic as ever. The J's followed closely, their eyes wide with awe and apprehension.
As they entered the registration area, Adams turned to the group. "Remember, we're here to make a statement. Stick close, and don't let the crowd intimidate you."
Jack, despite his earlier bravado, felt a shiver of anxiety. "What exactly is the plan, Adams?"
Adams grinned, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "You'll see soon enough. Just follow my lead."
They registered without incident, Adams' false identity raising no suspicions. As they moved towards the examination area, Jack couldn't help but notice the other contestants giving Adams a wide berth, sensing the power radiating from him even in disguise.
Elsewhere
"Sigh, this year's sect entrance examination is going to be a headache," muttered an old man exuding the aura of a peak great sage cultivator.
"Since the founding of the Imperial Sect, there hasn't been an inclusion of other races, so why now?" asked an older man with white hair and a long white beard. This man was the Sect Master of the Imperial Sect.
"We just have to make sure that everything goes well," said the first man, the Grand Elder of the sect.
"Then let's begin the entrance examination," said the Sect Master. After issuing the command, there was a loud bang signaling the start of the exams.
---
Jack looked around, his eyes wide with awe. "So this is it, right?"
"Yeah," Janice replied, her voice steady but filled with excitement.
Adams nodded, a confident smile playing on his lips. "Yes."
Adams, under the alias of Lucifer Morningstar, and the twins went to take the exams, fully aware of the outcome.
Jack shook his head, still in disbelief. "I still can't believe this."
"Get used to it," Janice said, nudging him slightly.
Adams just smiled, amused by their reactions. As they walked, whispers and glances followed them.
"Wow, look at that young man, he is so handsome," said a female cultivator, her eyes fixed on Adams.
"Tsk, what's so special about him? Look at him, he's just an ordinary human trying his luck," grumbled a jealous male cultivator.
Jack, hearing all this, threw a pitying glance at the young man. Little did they know, they were badmouthing a monster in disguise. Adams acted indifferent, ignoring the comments as they went on their way.
Several males tried to strike up conversations with Janice, but Jack, being the protective brother, blocked them. He didn't mind provoking even a young master of any family if they had any thoughts about his sister.
Time passed as they waited for the examiner to announce the rules of the exams. Suddenly, a big commotion erupted.
"Damn, what's a demon doing here?" someone exclaimed.
"Didn't you hear?" another voice chimed in.
"Hear what?" asked a third.
"My grandfather told me that there are going to be other races taking part in this year's entrance exam."
"What?"
"Yes, he said even some of the human cultivators will be going to the empires of different races."
"But why?"
"I don't know. He never told me why."
The J's heard this and looked at Adams, who raised his brows as if asking, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Jack couldn't contain his curiosity. "Is this your doing?"
Janice didn't stop her brother because she too was looking for an answer.
Adams simply shook his head. "No."
Jack ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident on his face. "Damn, what's going on? First, you want to disrupt the exam, and now other races are going to join this year."
Adams sighed. "First of all, I wanted to make a dynamic comeback, and the exam was the only way. Secondly, I'm here to meet someone and take them with me."
Jack, hearing this for the first time, asked, "Who is this someone?"
Adams' face turned into a grin as he looked in a certain direction. Jack and Janice followed his gaze, and Jack's eyes widened in realization. "NOOOOOOO!" he screamed, drawing everyone's attention to their direction. The person he saw was none other than the famous Imperial Jade Beauty of their empire, Princess Mabel Lovigary.