The Immortal Alliance's unified entry-level trial, fully named "The Immortal Alliance's Common Sects Shenzhou Unified Entry-Level Trial," is the only gateway for recruitment of disciples by all sects registered with the Immortal Alliance, with the exception of the special sect "Heavenly Sword Palace," which monitors the world and protects the hidden heavens.
Every year in the first lunar month, branches of the Immortal Alliance across the land dispatch low-level cultivators to impart entry-level knowledge to seekers of immortality. By midsummer, the Immortal Alliance conducts an assessment of all the applicants, determining the disciples' placements in the various sects and their status upon entry based on their trial results and personal preferences.
However, there are some exceptions. For instance, children from noble families and loose cultivator clans who have been studying this knowledge from a young age would hardly have a fair competition if they were assessed alongside ordinary people. Similarly, it wouldn't be fair for genius loose cultivators who independently mastered the Ancient Method or exceptional talents noticed by senior experts, as they learn much faster than ordinary people and studying with them would be a waste of time. Moreover, young prodigies who have already achieved Heavenly Communication have no need to learn the basics. Naturally, these people are treated differently.
According to Immortal Alliance regulations, newcomers falling into the five aforementioned categories are sent to the Immortal Alliance Main Temple or one of the nine major branches such as Lv De and Leiyang for their schooling. After at least a year of training, they join the next year's disciples in entering their respective sects.
When Wang Qi first learned about this system, he was internally devastated—it was just like how top students were concentrated in areas with higher college entrance exam cut-off scores! It was inhumane!
He seriously considered asking Yan Heyi to casually place him in any branch. However, firstly, he fell into two of the "five categories," and perhaps the "achievement through the Ancient Method" could be attributed to the fine teachings of Zhen Chan, but his cultivation level from Modern Qi Cultivation was genuine and undeniable. Secondly, Xiang Qi soon mentioned another situation.
"Usually, the 'Immortal Alliance's Five Paramount Sects,' which are Wanfa Sect, Guiyi Alliance, Tianling Ridge, Burning Gold Valley, and Mysterious Palace, select their True Inheritors only from disciples who entered through the Main Temple or the nine major branches. While the top student from an ordinary branch may only become an Inner Sect Disciple of a second-tier sect like Mountain River City or Liuyun Sect," she said.
Having already crammed some current common knowledge of the Immortal Dao, Wang Qi had some understanding of the current system. Today's sect disciples are divided into four ranks—servant disciples, Outer Disciples, Inner Sect Disciples, and True Disciples.
Servant disciples are responsible for a range of miscellaneous work from sweeping and cooking to clerical tasks, and the sect grants them basic Qi Cultivation Techniques and spells needed for their work, with the resources they receive from the sect corresponding roughly to their salaries. From the perspective of Earth people, this would be akin to vocational and technical college.
Outer Disciples are not burdened with too much miscellaneous work. In addition to the resources provided by the sect, they also can choose tasks freely in the Immortal Alliance in exchange for rewards. To Wang Qi, this seemed equivalent to undergraduate studies.
Inner Sect Disciples have further advantages over Outer Disciples, as they can participate in some research tasks. These tasks are not only relatively easy and well-compensated, but they also help disciples to comprehend the ways of Heaven and Earth. This level is akin to joint bachelor-master's programs.
As for True Disciples who don't have to worry about resources and can conduct their research under the guidance of their masters, Wang Qi referred to them as "joint bachelor-master's programs with guaranteed placement in research institutions," something out of reach for most.
Additionally, the ranks between sects also differ greatly. In the "Five Paramount Sects," Wanfa Sect, Guiyi Alliance, Tianling Ridge, and Burning Gold Valley all built their foundations step by step through their struggles with Ancient Method Practitioners, their Cultivation Techniques and spells refined to perfection; Mysterious Palace, on the other hand, is a congregation of experts and the forefront of the Immortal Alliance's quest for the laws of nature and the universe; the techniques of second-tier sects like Thousand Mechanism Pavilion, Mountain River City, and Liuyun Sect also aim for a carefree state. As for slightly inferior minor sects, reaching the rank of a Great Grandmaster is already defying the heavens, and their True Disciples may not even compare to an Outer Disciple of the Five Paramount Sects besides the Mysterious Palace.
In comparison, Wang Qi felt slightly encouraged: "It's just like a college entrance exam; what's there to fear?"
Although Xiang Qi found the term "college entrance exam" mentioned by the other party strange, she admired Junior Brother Wang's fearless spirit. Having shared hardships together, she promptly patted her chest and offered to guide him.
Five days was neither a long nor short time. Gradually putting aside her sentiments, Xiang Qi began tutoring the newly initiated Junior Brother Wang. Meanwhile, Little Junior Brother Wang consolidated his Qi Cultivation Early Stage cultivation on the ship—not to mention, he personally felt that his biggest gain was that he had finally gotten used to being seasick.
Time quickly reached the fifth day. Wang Qi went to find the head sister for their routine sparring.
Eight green flames orbited Wang Qi. The youth's face was solemn: "Senior Sister, please forgive my offense."
"Come at me."
"Now I am at the Qi Cultivation Late Stage... 'Illusion Demon Hand.'"
Xiang Qi grinned: "You're still too green. 'Illusion Demon Hand' requires a direct hit to be effective. Watch this, 'Yang Flame Protection.'"
"Turn ends..."
"My turn. First, I draw two cards, then place two Cultivation Cards. Now I have four Cultivation Cards on the field, breaking through to Foundation Establishment Stage! Next, I tap two Cultivation Cards to activate 'Heavenly Circulation First Cycle'!"
Two of the ten or more green flames fluttering around Wang Qi suddenly extinguished. He frowned: "Do we really need to be this serious...?"
Xiang Qi shook her head with a sigh: "Who was it that beat me five times in a row yesterday? Who started taking it seriously first?"
Yesterday, I was just a little excited about this Cultivation-version of Magic the Gathering! Besides, that's not even the point. The point is why the supposed remedial class turned into a tabletop strategy game battle of the Cultivation World!