The confirmation from the Grand Elder sent the crowd into a frenzy, as the news was almost too good to believe. All the disciples didn't even know of the existence of the realm just minutes prior, but the description and tone from the Grand Elder was enough to let them know that this matter was an incredible one.
Even John felt his blood heat up a bit upon hearing that they would be able to enter the training land of the Jade Dragon Empire. There were obviously many opportunities to be found within, or else the Honorable Alliance wouldn't bother with the cost of opening it.
Only if the opportunities were absolutely incredible, and were able to raise the talents of the disciples to completely new levels would the alliance bear the cost of such a thing.
"However," the Grand Elder spoke up once again, causing the crowd to fall silent after a brief moment. "There are a limited number of spots that each sect from the Alliance can send."
The boisterous atmosphere instantly turned heavy, as the disciples finally understood why only Inner Disciples and above were summoned. The outer disciples instantly felt dejection, although they were not too surprised by such a thing.
"Each power within the alliance has been given free reign on how they select their disciples to enter. Our Sect has been given three hundred slots, and we have decided how we will allocate those slots. Firstly, all Direct Disciples will be given entry, regardless of cultivation level. Secondly, all Direct Disciples are allowed to bring along two aides of their choosing, granted they are at the Inner Disciple level or above. There are twenty Direct Disciples within this sect, so that brings the total number to sixty," the Grand Elder explained.
The preferential treatment for the Direct Disciples put a sour taste in the mouths of many of the weaker disciples, but they couldn't argue against it. All the Direct Disciples were the pillars of the youths of the Heavenly Lightning Sect, and so some preferential treatment was to be expected.
"The remaining two hundred and forty slots will be allocated to the rest of the disciples via a series of talent and combat prowess tests. The talent tests will test for special non-combat talents deemed worthy of admission, while the combat prowess tests will be strictly based on combat talent."
The Grand Elder's words both raised the morale of some in the crowd, while it dampened the hopes of others. There were roughly one hundred thousand disciples in the sect, and they were vying for two hundred and forty spots. Only the most incredible of disciples would be able to enter, and most knew they would not be one of those lucky few.
While listening to this, John's face remained relaxed and calm, while Adam and Chase breathed out a heavy sigh of relief upon hearing about Direct Disciples being allowed two aides. A large smirk appeared on Adam's face as he glanced at Iris, as John would clearly choose him and Chase.
Iris noticed this smirk, and couldn't help but become irritated. "What's that smirk for? You don't think I can qualify by myself? How about I cripple you right now, and then John will have no need to bring you in," she said to Adam.
"You wouldn't dare," Adam replied quickly, his smirk vanishing instantly.
"Hmmph, I'll enter by myself, so I don't need any handouts like you," Iris spoke up once more as she looked away from Adam. Her insult didn't go unnoticed by Adam, who quickly insulted Iris once again.
Sitting between the two of them was John, who couldn't help but glance from one to the other as they argued back and forth.
"When did you two become such a bickering couple? Can't you just play nice?" John asked.
"Couple? As if anyone would be interested in such a buffoon," Iris harrumphed, insulted by the suggestion.
"Buffoon? At least I'm not- '' Adam's reply was cut off as the Grand Elder spoke out once more, his voice calling for silence. Iris stuck her tongue out at Adam's angered glance, as she had gotten the last word in.
"The Formations Grandmasters employed by the Alliance to open the realm will take three months to construct their formations, and so the realm will open in three months time. We will hold the entrance trials in two weeks, so for those who wish to enter, prepare as much as possible before then. The three hundred who qualify to enter will set out in two months' time, as the Honorable Alliance Headquarters is a month's travel by flying ship from our sect. That is all."
After giving all the information necessary, the Grand Elder left the stage, leaving the stunned crowd behind. The auditorium erupted into a frenzy of discussion shortly after, as everyone within began to discuss everything they had heard, from the Talent Testing Steps developments, to the Jade Dragon Empire realm.
John and the rest quickly left the building and found themselves standing outside shortly after. They gathered together to discuss their plans before the realm opened.
"What are you going to do during the next two months?" Chase asked John.
"I'm not sure yet, but I need to focus on obtaining new battle arts, pills, and raising my cultivation," John replied.
An excited expression appeared on Chase's face upon hearing about the pills.
"Oh, I can focus on making us pills for the realm, from healing pills to poison neutralizing pills," Chase replied, but his offer was quickly refused by John.
"No, you need to focus on raising your cultivation as much as possible before the realm opens. You're still only in the Early Meridian Foraging Realm, and you need to raise your strength to protect yourself if I'm not there to protect you," John replied.
Chase became slightly downcast upon hearing John's refusal, but eventually nodded his head in agreement at John's words. He had neglected his cultivation training ever since leaving the Bloodfiend Sect, as he was allowed to explore the Pill Dao freely, unlike before. However, he knew John was right, and so he didn't argue against his suggestion.
"I'll be focusing on creating some defensive and offensive formations for the realm," Adam spoke up shortly afterwards. A stern glance from John caused a wry smile to appear on his face, as he knew what John was going to say. "And…I'll also focus on raising my cultivation."
"Good. Make sure you do that," John replied with a head nod. "If you're not solidly in the Middle Meridian Forging Realm by the time we leave, I'll leave you behind."
Adam's expression instantly turned heavy upon hearing this, as he knew John was not joking. A self-defeated sigh escaped his lips shortly afterwards.
"Ahhh, fine," Adam replied dejectedly.
"As for you," John said to Iris as his gaze shifted to her. "Good luck in the trials. Make sure you qualify, as I'm sure your eye talents will be incredibly useful within the realm."
"I have no doubts at all," Iris replied with a confident smile on her face. She was the second most talented youth other than John to enter from the branch sects, and her unique talents and high combat prowess gave her a good chance to qualify.
"Good," John nodded his head in approval.
"What are you going to do?" Chase asked John. "Get battle arts from the sect? I already checked out such things, and they all require contribution points to get them. None can be purchased for money for some reason. There isn't much time between now and the realms opening, so how are you going to go about getting those battle arts and pills?" Chase asked.
John was slightly surprised to hear about the contribution point issue, but it made sense to him after thinking about it momentarily. The Heavenly Lightning Sect was not in need of money, and requiring the disciples to spend contribution points on such things ensured that they remained active within the sect, and provided a positive service in return for the sect training and nourishing them.
However, John was not too concerned about this, as money was able to solve almost everything if one had enough.
"I'll make something work," John replied. "If I can't get them here, then I'll obtain the battle arts elsewhere. Which reminds me of something…"
John quickly remembered the deal he had made with Lilian, who still owed him a sizable amount of spirit crystals.. The time to collect the one hundred and twenty million spirit crystals from her had arrived.