Throughout the city of Emerald Breeze, a festive air enveloped every corner. It was the most anticipated day of the year, the day when the Lunar Palace Sect opened its doors to recruit future cultivators who aspired to achieve the prestigious status of sect members. The streets were adorned with silk banners fluttering in the wind, and the lights shone with a nearly magical intensity, reflecting the collective excitement and fervor.
From early in the morning, families had gathered around the majestic Emerald Pavilion, the symbolic heart of the sect, which stood proudly in the center of the city. The pavilion, adorned with intricate jade carvings and vines of luminous flowers, seemed to emanate a soft glow that contrasted with the intensity of the emotions in the air.
The massive lines forming around the pavilion were filled with fifteen-year-olds, dressed in their finest garments, and their families, whose faces reflected a mix of pride, anxiety, and hope. The anticipation was palpable; each passing minute seemed to stretch endlessly, heightening the nerves of the future candidates and their parents, who murmured words of encouragement and offered advice with a blend of excitement and concern.
The young people, their gazes fixed on the pavilion, tried to hide their fears behind nervous smiles. Some adjusted their clothing anxiously or mentally reviewed the techniques they had learned, while others exchanged looks of camaraderie and encouragement.
The general murmur suddenly fell silent when a middle-aged man, dressed in a ceremonial white and blue robe reflecting the dignity of his rank, stepped to the edge of the platform in front of the pavilion. His imposing presence and firm demeanor captured the attention of everyone present.
"Welcome, everyone!" His deep and resonant voice cut through the plaza with a clarity that brought everyone to silence. "As every year, we have arrived at the pivotal moment when our future cultivators will take a step towards the destiny that awaits them. Today, we will begin the recruitment trials for the Lunar Palace Sect."
The man's words seemed to infuse the air with a new wave of nerves and excitement. The young candidates tightened in their lines, their hearts beating in rhythm with the echo of the speaker's words. The families, in turn, leaned forward, eager to discover the fate of their children on this crucial day.
Before the man could continue his speech, a growing murmur began to spread through the crowd. People at the back of the plaza started to part, creating a corridor that revealed a procession of luxurious carriages. Each carriage was decorated with jade and gold details, its wheels adorned with intricate carvings reflecting the sunlight.
"They are the Four Greats!" exclaimed a young man, his voice filled with admiration and awe. He gazed spellbound at the carriages, his face lit up with the excitement of witnessing such a significant occasion.
"Shhh. Don't speak about them aloud," his father scolded him sternly, glancing around to ensure no one overheard. The presence of the Greats commanded respect and a certain degree of fear, and etiquette was to be upheld in such moments.
Four figures descended from the carriages—three men and one woman—each exuding an air of respect and admiration. The crowd bowed slightly in respect, their eyes fixed on the distinguished visitors.
The first to disembark was a tall and sturdy young man, his posture exuding confidence and a natural arrogance. He walked with firm steps, as if the plaza pavement were his own realm. His face, marked by harsh features and a challenging gaze, left no doubt about his character. "The young master of the Sablerh family seems as arrogant as they say," someone whispered among the crowd, the comment traveling from ear to ear.
The second carriage came to a graceful stop, and from it emerged a man and a woman. Both were of the same age and had been born on the same day, sharing a remarkable resemblance that made them stand out among the present company.
The young Helix, with his tall stature and athletic build, stood out with an imposing presence. His jet-black hair cascaded in waves to his waist, marking a clear distinction. Beside him, his sister Ellera stood with a grace that captured the attention of all the young people in the city. Despite her youth, her developed figure and confident demeanor made her the center of admiration and envy. The murmurs of the crowd grew more intense as the youths observed her, some with a mix of admiration and desire.
"The young masters of the Sablerh and Wherht families have appeared. We are still waiting for the second son of the Astaroths and the third son of the Forthe family," a boy remarked to his friend, pointing with a mixture of curiosity and expectation at the carriages that remained stationary.
"The second son of the Astaroths—wasn't he considered a failure?" the friend responded skeptically. "From what I've heard, he hasn't been able to cultivate and remains stuck at Spiritual Refinement Rank 1."
The conversation quickly spread through the crowd. Many knew of the problem afflicting the Astaroth clan. The first son of Aerith Astaroth, the patriarch, had shone with exceptional talent from a young age, promising great things. However, the second son had been a subject of lament and whispers. Ethel Astaroth, despite being the son of such a respected patriarch, was viewed by many as a disappointment due to his inability to advance in cultivation.
As the murmurs continued, a new carriage came to a halt at the edge of the plaza. From it emerged the last of the patriarchs' sons born that year. The young man who stepped out was of medium height, with long blonde hair that shone under the morning sun. His presence immediately drew the attention of everyone present.
He was the third son of the Forthe family. Unlike the other young people, his arrival was met with a whisper of admiration. Since his birth, the young man had been a remarkable phenomenon. His body contained a rare and special energy—a light element that set him apart from others. This unique energy not only gave him an almost celestial aura but also provided him with a significant advantage in his cultivation journey.
The golden shine of his hair and the innate grace in his movements caused the crowd to bow slightly in respect. His confident demeanor and imposing presence contrasted sharply with the other young people present. The young man seemed to epitomize what a promising cultivator should be, and his arrival heightened the sense of anticipation that hung in the air.
The eyes of the crowd followed the young man as he made his way toward the Emerald Pavilion, each step resonating with the expectation of what his presence could mean for the event. His ability to attract attention and his reputation as one of the most promising youths of his generation only served to elevate the tension and excitement in the already charged atmosphere of the plaza.
"Now that everyone is present, I will explain the first test," the elder master announced, resuming his speech with a clear and authoritative voice that echoed across the plaza. Silence fell immediately as the crowd awaited attentively.
"Shortly, one by one, you will enter the Emerald Pavilion, where a thorough examination of your spiritual purity and cultivation rank will be conducted," the master continued, gesturing toward the imposing building behind him. "This process is essential to ensure that only the most deserving and prepared aspirants are selected."
The elder master paused to let his words sink in, his expression reflecting the seriousness of the moment. "Those who have not reached at least the intermediate level of Spiritual Refinement may withdraw now. This is the minimum threshold required to participate in the test, and we will only accept those who demonstrate an intermediate or higher level of spiritual purity."
There was a murmur among the crowd. Some young people appeared tense, while others remained determined. The parents watched with a mix of anxiety and hope, knowing this was the crucial first step for their children's future.
"However," the master continued, raising his hand to call attention, "if any of you, despite not meeting the spiritual purity requirement, are in the Foundation rank, you will also be accepted. This requirement is due to the fact that Foundation level indicates notable potential, which could compensate for a lack of spiritual purity."
The master turned to the three noble youths already present and gestured broadly. "I invite the sons of the Sablerh, Wherht, and Forthe families to proceed to the pavilion for the review. This is an opportunity to demonstrate your worth and potential."
One by one, the noble youths stepped forward, heading towards the Emerald Pavilion with a mix of determination and nervousness. The crowd watched with anticipation as the youths crossed the pavilion's threshold, aware that the outcome of this test could define their future in the Lunar Palace Sect.
The elder master looked at the crowd with a solemn expression of authority as the plaza filled with murmurs and whispers again. The process had begun, and the fate of the aspirants was about to be decided.
As the other young people underwent the first test in the Emerald Pavilion, Ethel Astaroth ventured into the vast and mysterious Emerald Forest. His steps sank into the layer of crunchy leaves covering the ground as he moved with determination through the dense foliage.
"I must find the Eternal Chrysanthemum petals," Ethel murmured to himself, his words tinged with a mix of hope and nervousness. "According to the clan masters, it's a flower that only grows deep within the forest. It's the final ingredient I need to create the Opening Pill."
The Emerald Forest was known for its splendor and mystery. Its towering trees, with deep and vibrant green leaves, intertwined in a canopy that allowed only a faint filtering of sunlight. In its depths, the flora and fauna were as exotic as they were enigmatic. Despite the beauty of the surroundings, the forest was also filled with dangers, from poisonous plants to wild creatures, making Ethel's quest even more challenging.
Ethel was determined to find the Eternal Chrysanthemum, a legendary flower that bloomed only once every ten years. For him, this was his last chance to repair his blocked spiritual veins, a problem that had marked his life since birth. Over the years, he had been relegated to the background within his family, overshadowed by his older brother, who shone with exceptional talent.
Despite the adversity, Ethel never let disillusionment defeat him. He had spent countless hours in the clan library and the city library, devouring ancient texts and records about possible remedies. His dedication led him to discover an ancient recipe for the Opening Pill, an elixir that promised to unlock spiritual veins and enable cultivation. However, the recipe was incomplete without the petals of the Eternal Chrysanthemum, the rarest and most elusive ingredient.
The sounds of the forest grew increasingly unsettling for Ethel. For several hours, the environment had been relatively calm, but now the young man heard more frequently the unsettling noises of the beasts inhabiting the forest. These creatures, evolved and capable of drawing spiritual energy from their surroundings, posed a constant threat.
"Fortunately, I haven't encountered any of these beasts yet," Ethel thought, remaining alert as he moved cautiously. "Perhaps not having spiritual veins is an advantage in this case. These beasts are only attracted to those capable of cultivation; ordinary animals or normal humans don't catch their attention." As he observed his surroundings, his senses were heightened, and the young man tried to stay as stealthy as possible to avoid alerting the creatures.
Soon, Ethel arrived at a clearing in the forest, where the scene before him made him stop in his tracks. In the center of the clearing, several Eternal Chrysanthemums bloomed, their golden petals swaying slowly in the breeze. However, the young man soon realized he was not alone. Two figures were in the midst of a fierce battle, clashing swords with an intensity that made the air tremble.
The two combatants were so focused on their fight that they did not notice Ethel's presence. It was uncommon for a non-cultivator to venture into the forest willingly, so his presence went unnoticed. Ethel watched with awe and concern as the two men exchanged blows.
One of the men, dressed entirely in a red robe that billowed with every movement, appeared to be dominating the fight. His fire energy manifested in flames that erupted from his sword and were hurled toward his opponent. "Abandon the idea of getting the chrysanthemums," the man in the red robe shouted with a voice laden with authority and threat, "and my clan, the Abyssal Fire Clan, will reward you. Understand that you do not belong to any important clan, and I am already offering you much by making this offer."
The other combatant, who seemed to have been partially stripped of his clothing from the intense exchanges of blows and the heat of the flames, did not immediately respond. His clothes were scorched, leaving only his pants as evidence of his resilience. Ethel watched in amazement at the skill and ferocity of both fighters. Their movements were swift and precise, and each exchanged strike charged the air with vibrant energy.
Gradually, the man from the Abyssal Fire Clan began to gain the upper hand. His mastery of fire provided him with an overwhelming offensive, and his opponent's attacks became increasingly disorganized and desperate. Ethel stayed at a safe distance, his mind racing with thoughts of how he might take advantage of the situation to obtain the Eternal Chrysanthemum petals he so desperately needed.