### Chapter 16: Trials of the Sect Recruitment Grounds
The journey to the sect recruitment grounds had been long and arduous. Ming Yue traveled with a group of hopeful young warriors, all eager to prove their worth. As they walked, he couldn't help but reflect on the vastness and diversity of the Lingxao plane. The five continents, each with their unique characteristics, shaped the lives and destinies of its inhabitants.
The **Arcturius Continent** in the north, with its freezing temperatures, was known for its hardy warriors who could withstand the harshest conditions. In the **Valendia Continent** to the south, the climate was temperate, producing balanced cultivators skilled in various arts. The **Istrana Continent** to the west was a vast desert, where fire and earth cultivators honed their skills under the blazing sun. The **Yulliana Continent** in the center was the largest, a melting pot of all qi types, its energy the most potent and chaotic. Lastly, the **Vivisteria Continent** in the east, where Ming Yue lived, was known for its beautiful weather and diverse spiritual roots.
Vivisteria was divided into four regions:
- **Qi Luminar Region**: Focused on cultivating qi energy, home to powerful qi masters residing in towering pagodas.
- **Yin Nyxian Region**: A shadowy realm of secretive assassins and hidden agendas, emphasizing the cultivation of yin energy.
- **Yang Fulgurous Region**: Where practitioners honed their yang energy in vibrant and intense environments.
- **Dao Nebular Region**: Dedicated to the cultivation of the Dao, the natural order of the universe, with serene landscapes and profound sages.
Each one of these where ruled by the strongest family in the region, like the Qi Luminar Region it was ruled by a military family named Ye.
Ming Yue's village was located in the Qi Luminar Region, one of the many villages arranged in a huge circular formation where less popular sects came to recruit disciples. The top sects, however, preferred to visit the biggest cities or the capital of Vivisteria, where the cost of entry was exorbitantly high.
As Ming Yue and the others approached the sect recruitment grounds, they were greeted by a breathtaking sight. The area was meticulously designed with intricate jade carvings, golden statues, and lush vegetation. It resembled a grand forest, with towering trees and shimmering streams that reflected the light of the sun. Despite its beauty, Ming Yue couldn't shake the feeling of disappointment that settled in his heart.
At the center of the grounds, ten people sat on floating pillars of stone, exuding an air of arrogance. These were representatives from the ten sects that had come to recruit from the Qi Luminar Region. Ming Yue frowned as he observed them. "These are probably the most shitty sects ever!" he muttered to himself. "So these are the only sects from the Luminar region that come here, they must be the worst , and they look so arrogant!"
The ten sects were:
1. **Xintrea Sect** - Known as the "Falling Star" sect, once one of the greatest in the Vivisteria continent years ago.
2. **Azure Sky Sect** - Famous for its mastery of wind and sky techniques.
3. **Crimson Flame Sect** - Renowned for its powerful fire cultivators.
4. **Emerald Earth Sect** - Experts in earth and nature qi.
5. **Silver Moon Sect** - Specializing in illusions and moonlight techniques.
6. **Golden Sun Sect** - Known for its radiant yang energy cultivators.
7. **Shadow Veil Sect** - A sect of assassins and spies.
8. **Thunderstrike Sect** - Masters of lightning and thunder qi.
9. **Celestial Harmony Sect** - Focused on balance and harmony within the Dao.
10. **Mystic Water Sect** - Renowned for its water and healing techniques.
These sects Ming Yue knew to well of, only the Xintrea Sect was the best for him as they have a deep history since latest 5 eras ago. They were the 10 most shitty sects in the Qi Luminar Region.
The ten representatives were likely not high-ranking members, probably outer or inner sect disciples, yet they acted as if they ruled the place. Their smug expressions and condescending glances made Ming Yue's blood boil. He couldn't believe that these sects where acting like this considering how bad they were.
Ming Yue's initial excitement had turned into frustration. "I should have gone to the capital city," he thought. "Spending money would have been better than joining some third-rate sect that would be looked down upon."
As the villagers gathered around the recruitment grounds, Ming Yue's determination grew. He might not have the opportunity to join a top-tier sect, but he was resolved to make the most of whatever chance he got. He would prove himself, no matter which sect he ended up in.
The representatives began their speeches, each one trying to outdo the others in boasting about their sect's prowess and glory. Ming Yue listened with half an ear as they where just..., his mind already set on showing his true potential.
The first trial was a test of spiritual root. Each participant was to step forward and place their hand on a crystal orb that would measure their spiritual root. The orb would glow in different colors depending on the element of the spiritual root: Earth, Fire, Water, Wood, and Wind.
As Ming Yue approached the orb, he felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. He placed his hand on the cool surface and watched as the orb began to glow. The orb started blank for a while then it flashed, but instead of immediately assorting his spiritual root like the others it flashed all the colours then ended on green.
Ming Yue frowned and so did the representatives, "Is it a Wood element? That's more plausible no way he can have both right?" Crimson's Flame Sect's representative said. The other representatives looked confused as well but they just decided on wood element to not delay their schedule. Ming Yue knew that having more than one spiritual root was not impossible but rare, but all spiritual roots was just stuff of the novels although with the Chaos Tree it could be possible he would have to check.
There were gasps and murmurs from the crowd. A Wood root was known for its versatility and potential in both offensive and defensive techniques.
Next, the participants were to test their aptitude for qi. One of the representatives from Mystic water waved his hand, and a sphere of blue water appeared, hovering in the air. Each participant was required to hold the water in their palms for as long as they could. This trial was designed to test their body's ability to withstand high-quality qi, an indicator of their aptitude for qi cultivation. This method was likely devised as a result of lack of materials.
One by one, the participants took their turns. Some struggled to maintain their hold on the water, their arms trembling with the effort. Others managed to hold it for a few moments before the water slipped from their grasp. When it was Ming Yue's turn, he stepped forward confidently. He reached out and took hold of the water sphere, feeling its cool, smooth surface against his skin. He concentrated, channeling his qi to stabilize the water. Time seemed to stretch as he stood there, his focus unwavering. The crowd watched in awe as he held the water for a much longer duration than most.
The next trial tested their qi pool. Each participant had to channel their qi into a special crystal that measured the capacity of their qi pool. The larger the qi pool, the greater the reserves of qi one could draw upon in battle or cultivation.
Ming Yue watched as others took their turns. Some crystals glowed dimly, indicating small qi pools. Others shone brighter, revealing more substantial reserves. When it was his turn, Ming Yue placed his hand on the crystal and began to channel his qi. The crystal glowed brightly, a testament to his substantial qi pool. There were impressed murmurs from the crowd, and the sect representatives took note of his potential.
Finally, it was time for the trial of the Dao heart. Assistants moved among the participants, offering them a chance to quit if they wished. Many had already dropped out, fearing the dangers of this trial. Those who remained were given a small pill, the size of a nail, to swallow. This pill would reveal their deepest fears and test the strength of their Dao heart.
Ming Yue swallowed the pill and closed his eyes. When he opened them again, the world around him had changed. He found himself in the forest where his mother had died. The memories of that day flooded back, vivid and painful. He saw his mother's lifeless body, the blood-stained ground, and felt the crushing weight of his helplessness.
His heart pounded in his chest as he relived the trauma. "Not again," he muttered, his voice trembling. "I won't let this happen again." His eyes widened, and his whole body shook with fear and rage. He felt a surge of determination, a fierce resolve to overcome his past and grow stronger.
The sect representatives watched closely, their eyes scanning the participants for signs of struggle. In each Dao heart trial, there lived an inner demon, a manifestation of one's deepest fears and regrets. Many would falter, unable to face the pain. The representative of the Mystic Water Sect sneered, "Look carefully if any of them show signs of struggle. We don't want their filthy blood on our hands now, do we?"
Suddenly, a boy with jet-black hair began to bleed from his nose, his body shaking violently. Medicinal doctors rushed to his side, muttering, "These kids can't just give up, can they? Why don't they just quit instead of insisting on continuing? We did warn them about the dangers."
Ming Yue saw the scenery around him and knew what was happening. He was reliving his worst memory ever. He clenched his teeth, his resolve hardening. "Not again," he repeated, his voice growing stronger. His eyes, filled with fear, began to blaze with determination.
The trial was far from over, and many other participants were also struggling with their inner demons. The atmosphere was tense, filled with the collective fear and resolve of the young cultivators. Ming Yue knew he wasn't alone in this trial, but he also knew that he had to face his own demons if he wanted to succeed.
The other participants around him were fighting their own battles, each one facing their deepest fears. Some cried out in anguish, others stood silent and resolute. The air was thick with tension and determination, each young warrior striving to prove their worth and overcome their past.
Ming Yue's journey was just beginning with his unyielding spirit and unwavering resolve, he was ready to carve out his destiny in the world of cultivation