The sun had just begun its ascent, casting golden rays over the vast expanse of the Celestial Empire, when Feng Yao and his companions approached the grand capital city.
As they crested a hill, the city came into view, its massive walls looming like an unassailable fortress against the horizon.
The walls were a marvel to behold, towering over a hundred feet tall, their surfaces etched with intricate runes that shimmered faintly in the morning light.
These runes were part of a massive protective formation, an ancient barrier that shielded the city from harm.
The walls themselves were made of a rare, nearly indestructible stone, their pale silver hue giving them an otherworldly appearance.
As they drew closer, the full scale of the capital became apparent. The walls stretched for miles in either direction, encircling a city so vast it seemed to extend endlessly.
At intervals, colossal watchtowers jutted out from the walls, each manned by vigilant guards dressed in gleaming armor, their sharp eyes scanning the roads for any sign of trouble.
Feng Yao could hear the distant clamor of the city even from this distance—a bustling hub of life and activity, the beating heart of the Celestial Empire.
The road leading to the city gates was wide and well-maintained, lined with ancient trees whose gnarled roots intertwined with the stones beneath them, a testament to their centuries-long existence.
The air was filled with the scent of pine and the distant murmur of a nearby river, its waters reflecting the sky's deep blue.
As they neared the gates, the city guards' voices became audible. Two guards stood near the entrance, their conversation drifting to Feng Yao's ears as he approached.
"Did you hear? The Celestial Sovereign Sect is recruiting again this year. It's said they're looking for extraordinary talents to bolster their ranks," one guard remarked, his tone a mix of curiosity and concern.
"Yes, and not just them. The Radiant Dawn Sect and the Azure Cloud Pavilion are also holding their recruitment drives.
Rumor has it that the tension between the sects is growing. The Celestial Empire hasn't seen this kind of competition in decades," the other guard replied, shaking his head.
"With so many geniuses emerging, who knows what the future holds? I just hope the city remains peaceful through it all."
Feng Yao listened intently, his heart beating faster at the mention of the sects.
These were the most prestigious sects in the empire, each with a long and storied history, their disciples renowned for their power and influence.
To be accepted into one of these sects was a dream for many, a chance to rise above the mundane and reach for the heavens.
As they reached the gates, the guards took notice of Feng Yao and his companions. One of the guards, a tall man with a stern expression, stepped forward, eyeing the carriage with suspicion.
"State your business in Shanggu," he commanded, his voice firm.
Feng Yao, though slightly nervous, met the guard's gaze with a calm demeanor. "We are here for the sect recruitment," he replied, his voice steady.
He produced a finely crafted jade token from his robes, the symbol of his invitation to the Celestial Sovereign Sect inscribed on its surface.
The guard's eyes widened slightly at the sight of the token, recognizing its significance.
He nodded respectfully, the suspicion in his eyes replaced with understanding. "I see. My apologies for the delay," the guard said, stepping aside to allow them passage.
"Welcome to the capital. May fortune smile upon you in the recruitment."
With a nod of gratitude, Feng Yao urged the carriage forward, and they passed through the massive gates into the city.
The moment they crossed the threshold, the noise of the bustling city enveloped them. The streets were wide and paved with polished stone, reflecting the sunlight like a river of light.
On either side of the road, towering buildings of intricate design and vibrant colors lined the streets, their architecture a blend of ancient tradition and modern innovation.
The city was a tapestry of life, filled with people from all walks of life.
Merchants hawked their wares from colorful stalls, the scents of exotic spices and freshly cooked food wafting through the air.
Scholars in flowing robes debated philosophy and cultivation techniques in shaded courtyards, while children ran through the streets, their laughter echoing off the walls.
Everywhere Feng Yao looked, there was something to marvel at—the beauty of the city was truly breathtaking.
Above them, the sky was clear and bright, but Feng Yao knew that the city was protected by more than just its walls.
A powerful formation, nearly invisible to the naked eye, covered Shanggu like a protective dome.
This ancient formation had been crafted by the empire's greatest formation masters and infused with the Qi of countless cultivators over the centuries.
It was said to be impenetrable, capable of repelling even the most fearsome of attacks.
As Feng Yao walked through the city, he could feel the faint hum of the formation's energy, a constant reminder of the city's might.
Guided by a map given to him by Chen Po, Feng Yao made his way through the labyrinthine streets, heading towards the Celestial Sovereign Sect's recruitment grounds.
The map was detailed, marking every major landmark and street in the city, yet the sheer size of Shanggu made the journey longer than expected.
As they traveled, Feng Yao couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and trepidation.
This city was the center of the cultivation world, a place where countless dreams had been realized or shattered.
And now, it was his turn to step into the unknown.
Finally, after what felt like hours, they arrived at the gates of the Celestial Sovereign Sect's compound.
The entrance was grand, with towering pillars of white jade and a massive gate adorned with the sect's emblem—a radiant sun flanked by two celestial dragons.
Disciples in elegant robes stood guard at the gate, their expressions calm and composed, though their eyes held a sharpness that suggested they missed nothing.
Feng Yao approached the disciples, his heart pounding in his chest. He handed over his invitation letter, the jade token still clutched in his hand.
The disciple who took the letter glanced at it briefly before nodding in approval.
"Your identity has been verified. You may proceed to the recruitment grounds," the disciple said, gesturing towards a large courtyard beyond the gates.
Feng Yao thanked the disciples and stepped through the gates, his nerves momentarily forgotten as he took in the sight before him.
The courtyard was immense, large enough to hold thousands of people, and already it was filled with potential recruits.
The air buzzed with anticipation as the young cultivators, all eager to prove themselves, clustered in groups, their voices a mix of excitement and anxiety.
Feng Yao noticed immediately how the social hierarchies played out even here.
The descendants of wealthy clans and influential families stood in the center of attention, surrounded by sycophants trying to curry favor.
Their fine robes and confident demeanors marked them as the elite, and they seemed to carry themselves with an air of entitlement.
Feng Yao, not wanting to draw unnecessary attention to himself, slipped to the back of the crowd and found a quiet corner to sit down.
He crossed his legs and closed his eyes, focusing on his breathing as he tried to calm his nerves.
The sounds of the crowd faded into the background as he meditated, centering himself for the challenge ahead.
Time passed, and soon a hush fell over the crowd. Feng Yao opened his eyes to see what had caused the sudden silence.
A group of disciples had emerged from the main hall, followed by a tall man whose presence seemed to command the very air around him.
His aura was heavy, a palpable pressure that made the air feel thick. He wore the robes of an elite court elder, and his gaze swept over the crowd with a mixture of pride and sternness.
"I am Elder Han," the man announced, his voice carrying effortlessly across the courtyard.
"Welcome to the Celestial Sovereign Sect. You are here today because you have been deemed worthy of a chance to join our ranks."
"However, receiving an invitation does not guarantee your entry."
"Only those who prove themselves in the aptitude test will be accepted as disciples of our sect."
As he spoke, dozens of figures appeared around the courtyard, each one a disciple of the sect holding a glowing sphere.
These were the aptitude testers, and their presence signaled the beginning of the examination.
"The test is simple," Elder Han continued.
"You will each place your hand on one of these spheres. The sphere will measure your innate talent and potential. The brighter the sphere glows, the higher your talent. There are five levels: no talent, low talent, intermediate talent, high talent, and supreme talent."
"Those with no talent will be escorted out immediately, as they will never be able to advance beyond the Qi Gathering stage."
"Those with low talent will be given a decade to reach Foundation Establishment."
"Intermediate talents will have fifteen years, while high talents will be given twenty years."
"Supreme talents, however, are rare—almost mythical in these times. The last one seen was centuries ago."
The crowd shifted uneasily as the gravity of the situation sank in.
Feng Yao could feel his heart pounding in his chest, a mixture of fear and hope coursing through his veins.
The testing began, and one by one, the recruits stepped forward to place their hands on the glowing spheres.
Some left the stage with joy on their faces, their spheres glowing brightly, while others walked away dejected, their hopes dashed as the spheres barely flickered.
It was a sobering sight, a reminder that the path of cultivation was not for everyone.
Feng Yao watched as the line of hopeful recruits slowly moved forward.
The atmosphere was thick with a tense mix of anxiety and anticipation.
The once lively courtyard, filled with idle chatter, had fallen into an eerie silence as each candidate focused intently on the glowing spheres held by the sect disciples.
Though the test seemed simple, its significance was monumental—this moment would determine their future as cultivators.
Finally, it was his turn. Feng Yao took a deep breath and stepped up to the disciple who would administer his test.
The disciple, a young woman with a serene and unreadable expression, nodded for him to place his hand on the sphere.
The cool, smooth surface felt reassuring beneath his palm, and he closed his eyes, trying to calm the storm of thoughts swirling in his mind.
For what felt like an eternity, there was nothing.
But then, slowly, the sphere began to emit a faint glow.
Feng Yao opened his eyes and watched as the light grew stronger, shifting from a soft gleam to a bright, steady radiance.
The sphere shone with the intensity of intermediate talent, and Feng Yao felt a surge of relief.
Intermediate talent was a solid foundation—one that would grant him a place in the Celestial Sovereign Sect and the resources he needed to cultivate.
The disciple observing the test smiled faintly and nodded in approval.
"Intermediate talent," she announced, her voice carrying over the heads of the other recruits.
"Congratulations, you have passed."
Feng Yao let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
He had done it—he had secured his place in the sect.
He bowed slightly to the disciple in thanks, and she gestured for him to step aside so the next recruit could take their turn.
As he rejoined the crowd of successful candidates, Feng Yao glanced around at the other recruits.
Most of them wore expressions of relief or quiet satisfaction, though a few seemed disappointed with their results.
Still, the fact that they had passed at all meant they would have the chance to cultivate and grow stronger within the sect.
Once the last recruit had been tested, Elder Han stepped forward again, his imposing presence commanding the attention of everyone present.
"Those of you who have passed the aptitude test, follow the disciples to your new quarters."
"There, you will receive further instructions on the path ahead. Remember, this is just the beginning."
"Your journey will be long and arduous, but if you persevere, the rewards will be beyond your imagination."
The elder's words hung in the air, heavy with meaning.
Feng Yao felt a sense of determination settle over him as he prepared to follow the disciples to the next stage of his journey.
This was it, the beginning of his life as a cultivator in the Celestial Sovereign Sect.
The challenges ahead would be great, but he was ready to face them head on.