The morning sun cast its golden light over the bustling plaza as hundreds of aspiring warriors gathered for the long-anticipated recruitment. Lin Tian stood among them, his heart steady, his focus on the representatives from each first-rate sect—Heavenly Radiance Sect, Azure Sky Sect, and the Celestial Blade Pavilion. This was no ordinary event; it was a pivotal moment for every young cultivator here.
As the sect representatives stepped forward, the crowd grew silent, and an elder from the Heavenly Radiance Sect raised his hand. Beside him, an assistant placed a large, shimmering stone onto a pedestal. Its surface pulsed with a soft, mysterious glow that caught everyone's attention.
"This," announced the elder, his voice clear and authoritative, "is the Aptitude Testing Stone. It reveals both the age and cultivation potential of a warrior, and will serve as the first test. We will be selecting only those with a suitable aptitude and age, all under 19 years. Your talent ranking will determine your future—remember, a single chance like this can change your path forever."
The crowd murmured in excitement, a mix of eagerness and nervousness rippling through them. Lin Tian focused on the stone, understanding this would be the moment that revealed his efforts and potential.
One by one, the aspiring cultivators stepped forward, pressing their hands to the stone. The stone's glow would pulse and, in seconds, display the individual's age and talent level. Each result was met with reactions from the onlookers—some sighed in relief, others in disappointment.
The talent levels were displayed as one of five ranks: Below Average, Ordinary, Normal Genius, Exceptional, and Top Genius. For those warriors who were deemed to have 'Below Average' or 'Ordinary' potential, the sects immediately denied entry. The requirements were stringent, and only warriors at the Ordinary level or higher were given further consideration.
The first few results disappointed the crowd. The Aptitude Stone glowed faintly as it revealed age after age—18, 17, 19—all deemed ordinary or below average. Only a few were rated as 'Normal Genius' or higher, and even fewer were below the age threshold. Of those who did meet the age and talent requirements, many were either nervous or cautious, eyes wide with amazement at their luck in passing.
Despite the low success rate, some young warriors, who had seen themselves as talented, couldn't accept their results. Angered by the Aptitude Stone's judgment, they raised their voices in protest.
"How can this be? I've trained since childhood! This stone must be faulty!" one young man shouted, his face flushed with frustration. Others joined in, and soon a small group was loudly challenging the results, their voices a chaotic blend of disbelief and indignation.
Before the complaints could escalate, a sudden, powerful presence radiated from the Azure Sky Sect's representative. She took a single step forward, releasing a sliver of her Spirit Core Realm aura. The crowd immediately fell silent, the weight of her presence pressing down on them like a tangible force. The once-protesting warriors froze in fear, the words catching in their throats as they struggled to breathe under the overwhelming pressure.
Her voice, calm yet undeniably commanding, echoed through the plaza. "This is a first-rate sect recruitment, not a playground. If you lack respect for the test or its results, you may leave."
With her words, the atmosphere grew silent, the crowd collectively humbled by her display of strength. The lesson was clear: power commanded respect, and here, only the strong could afford to speak.
The testing resumed, and after a few more applicants, the crowd's whispers picked up again. This time, they watched as Yan Jun from the Yan Clan confidently approached the stone. He placed his hand on its surface, and the stone glowed brightly, displaying his age as 17 and his talent as "Normal Genius." His smug smile widened as he was welcomed into the Heavenly Radiance Sect, the representatives nodding in approval.
Next, Zhou Yin approached. The crowd watched with curiosity, her delicate figure and composed demeanor catching the attention of many onlookers. She pressed her hand to the stone, and it glowed with a soft, radiant light, displaying her age of 16 and a talent level of "Exceptional." Impressed, the Azure Sky Sect representative nodded approvingly, inviting her to join. Zhou Yin accepted gracefully, glancing briefly over her shoulder at Lin Tian, a hint of emotion in her gaze before moving aside.
Finally, it was Lin Tian's turn. He stepped forward, feeling the weight of hundreds of eyes on him. His heart remained calm as he placed his hand on the stone, focusing only on the task at hand. The stone's glow intensified, revealing his age—just shy of 15—and his talent ranking, marked clearly as "Genius."
A ripple of astonished whispers filled the crowd. Even the representatives seemed momentarily surprised, their eyes assessing him with newfound interest. Reaching Level 6 in the Body Refining Realm at his age, combined with his talent rank, marked him as a rare find.
The representatives exchanged glances before addressing him.
"Lin Tian," the elder from Heavenly Radiance Sect began, "we invite you to join us, and I assure you, our Heavenly Radiance Sect will cultivate your potential to its fullest."
The Azure Sky Sect representative spoke next, her tone thoughtful. "Our sect values talent and will train you to exceed your limits. The path ahead will be challenging, but I believe you could thrive within the Azure Sky Sect."
Lastly, the Celestial Blade Pavilion representative, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke. His voice was calm but held a certain weight. "You show potential, Lin Tian. Our Celestial Blade Pavilion has long valued young talents with your aptitude. We are not only a sect but a family, where you would receive guidance from the strongest masters. The choice is yours."
Lin Tian took a deep breath, weighing his options. Each sect had its unique strengths, and all three offered opportunities that few ever received. Yet, his instincts drew him toward the Celestial Blade Pavilion. Its reputation for swordsmanship and cultivating resilient warriors resonated deeply with him. After a moment's thought, he inclined his head respectfully toward the representative of Celestial Blade Pavilion.
"Thank you for this opportunity," he said, his voice steady. "I choose the Celestial Blade Pavilion."
The representative nodded with a satisfied smile, clearly pleased with his choice. "Very well, Lin Tian. I look forward to seeing how you will grow under our guidance."
With his decision made, Lin Tian stepped aside, the realization of what he had achieved finally sinking in. He had secured his place within a first-rate sect, a path that promised not only training and cultivation but a chance to rise among the strongest.
As the testing continued, Lin Tian found himself beside Zhou Yin, who smiled at him, her earlier reluctance at their parting softened by his success. Yan Jun, standing nearby, scowled but said nothing, his frustration clear as he glared in Lin Tian's direction.
The day wore on, the Aptitude Testing Stone continuing to reveal the futures of each hopeful cultivator. As the final results were announced, the crowd dispersed, leaving only those who had passed the test. The representatives gathered the chosen ones, reminding them of the path ahead.
For Lin Tian, the weight of his choice settled on his shoulders, a mixture of excitement and determination filling him. His journey was only beginning, but he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead within the Celestial Blade Pavilion.