Chapter 3: The Test

Wang Zhuo was also stunned by the sight before him, and only recovered after a long time, his inner arrogance unconsciously receding significantly.

At this moment, several streaks of rainbow sword light arrived. After each streak of sword light dissipated, Disciples of the Heng Yue Sect appeared, and without exception, they were accompanied by several youths aged fifteen or sixteen.

These people, both male and female, all stared blankly at the scenery before them the moment they landed, just like the three people including Wang Lin, their expressions varying.

The Heng Yue Sect Disciples who brought the crowd here stood scattered not far away, chatting amongst themselves while sizing up these youths. After waiting a little longer, all the youths recommended to this place had finally arrived. At this moment, the middle-aged man in black robes glanced at everyone and said in a voice devoid of emotion, "Only a very few of you will be selected to become Disciples of my Heng Yue Sect."

The youths were all struck dumb with fear, and Wang Lin felt even more uneasy. He counted, and there were 48 people being tested in total.

"Cultivating Immortality prioritizes innate talent. The first test will be to check if your Spiritual Root is sufficient. Now, whoever I call, step forward." The middle-aged man was expressionless as he casually pointed to a youth.

The youth's legs trembled slightly as he cautiously walked over. The middle-aged man placed his hand on the youth's head and said indifferently, "Unqualified. Go stand on the left side."

The youth seemed to suddenly lose all his strength. With a dimmed expression and a look of confusion in his eyes, he walked to the left side and remained silent.

Next, another youth was called, and he stepped forward nervously.

"Unqualified."

"Unqualified."

"Unqualified."

More than ten people consecutively were all unqualified. To this point, there was not a single person standing on the middle-aged man's right side.

Wang Zhuo was called. His arrogance completely vanished from his face, which was now somewhat pale, as he stepped forward.

After the middle-aged man placed his hand on Wang Zhuo's head, he suddenly looked delighted and asked in a gentle tone, "What is your name?"

Wang Zhuo quickly replied respectfully, "Reporting to Immortal Senior, this junior is Wang Zhuo."

The middle-aged man nodded and smiled, saying, "So you are the Wang Zhuo mentioned by Junior Martial Uncle Daoxu. Good, go stand on the right side."

Wang Zhuo was overjoyed. Under the envious gazes of everyone, he walked to the right side, his arrogance reappearing in his eyes as he looked down upon the crowd with an air of absolute superiority.

"Damn it, he just got incredibly lucky." Wang Hao curled his lip and whispered to Wang Lin.

Wang Lin felt even more nervous. The expectant looks of his parents flashed before his eyes, and he clenched his fists.

"Not bad, you also go stand on the right side." The middle-aged man's voice, full of pleasant surprise, came through. Standing before him was a young girl.

Not long passed, and most of the youths had been tested, but there were only two people standing on the middle-aged man's right side. Next, Wang Hao was called.

Wang Hao jogged over and stood before the middle-aged man. Before the man could test him, Wang Hao immediately knelt down and heavily kowtowed several times, saying loudly, "Immortal Senior, may your immortal blessings last forever and your lifespan rival the heavens! This junior, Wang Hao, knows you must be very tired testing so many people. Why don't you take a break? I'm not in a hurry, it's fine."

The middle-aged man couldn't help but laugh. Everyone he had tested looked nervous, but only this youth before him was clumsy yet quick-witted, even resorting to flattery. Placing his hand on Wang Hao's head, he shook his head and said, "Your Aptitude is a bit poor, not…"

As soon as Wang Hao heard his Aptitude was lacking, his heart immediately sank to rock bottom. Before the man could finish speaking, he immediately took out a Jade Box from his bosom, presented it with both hands, and cleverly said, "Immortal Senior, my father obtained this in the mountains by chance. He tried many times but couldn't open it. I specifically brought it from home to offer it to you, Immortal Senior."

The middle-aged man chuckled and shook his head, about to refuse, but when he glanced at the Jade Box, his pupils suddenly contracted. He grabbed it for a closer look and immediately looked delighted, saying, "Excellent, this is actually a 300-year-old Spirit Ganoderma. Judging by the appearance of this Jade Box, it must have been Sealed inside by a Cultivator. No wonder your father couldn't open it." He paused, pondered briefly, and smiled, "I need an Alchemy attendant. I think you are quite quick-witted. Are you willing to be my attendant?"

Wang Hao was immediately overjoyed. The dramatic fluctuation of emotions made him extremely excited, and he shouted, "Willing, Immortal Senior, I am willing!"

The middle-aged man nodded with a smile and said, "As my Medicine Attendant, you won't be treated unfairly. You can Cultivate the sect's Immortal Arts just like the other Disciples. Go stand on the right side."

Wang Hao was excited internally. He ran to the right side and smugly glared at Wang Zhuo.

All the failures looked crestfallen, one after another lowering their heads in defeat. Some were even crying, tears streaming down their faces.

The middle-aged man frowned and shouted, "Those who cry will be sent away immediately!"

Several Heng Yue Sect Disciples standing not far away immediately walked out, grabbed the crying youths, and swiftly disappeared on streaks of careless sword light.

The middle-aged man casually pointed, calling Wang Lin.

Wang Lin took a deep breath and walked to the middle-aged man, extremely nervous. His mind was blank, and he silently prayed, unable to stop recalling his parents' expectant gazes.

"I must be selected!" Wang Lin thought firmly.

The man pressed his hand down and expressionlessly uttered three words that made Wang Lin feel as if he had plunged into an ice cellar.

"Unqualified!"

Wang Lin didn't know how he walked to the left-side group. He only felt that his ears were roaring like spring thunder, and echoing within the reverberations were those three words.

In a short while, everyone had been tested. There were only three people standing on the right side. In the eyes of the failures, these three were like the favored children of heaven, incomparably tall and grand.

Wang Zhuo looked at Wang Lin with undisguised scorn and mockery in his eyes.

"While Aptitude is important in Cultivating Immortality, perseverance is even more crucial. If you youths with ordinary Aptitude possess perseverance, you might still be able to become Named Disciples! This second test is perseverance!" The middle-aged man was expressionless. He paused, then continued, "Go up the steps here. Those who reach the summit will be considered qualified. If you haven't completed it by the third day, you fail. Failures will be sent back to your respective Families. If you can't hold on halfway or encounter danger, loudly shout 'I give up,' and someone will take you away."

After speaking, the middle-aged man smiled as he looked at the three people on the right side and said, "The three of you will follow me to see the Sect Leader, and Masters will be arranged for you. Wang Hao, you don't need to go. Follow me to the Pill Room to familiarize yourself with the procedures."

After giving his instructions, the middle-aged man led the three favored children of heaven up the mountain peak and disappeared.

Wang Lin took a deep breath, his gaze firm. He stepped onto the stone steps without hesitation to undergo the second test, perseverance.

Excluding the three favored children of heaven and the six youths who were sent away for crying, 39 people remained.

Among these 39 people, some were crestfallen, some had resolute expressions, and others were hesitant and fearful. They gradually stepped onto the steps at different times, walking toward their respective futures.