Taixu Spirit Realm, Shenxuan Sect.
Immortal Seeking City.
A new batch of Immortal seedlings were brought from various cities, then underwent trials, and were assigned to different parts of the Sect.
Based on their scores, some could become Inner Sect Disciples, some Outer Sect Disciples, and anyone who passed could become a Utility Disciple; those who failed could only find another path.
After all, the Shenxuan Sect does not raise trash.
At this moment, thousands of youths gathered in a square, whispering among themselves, their hushed voices reaching Han Xuanji's ears.
Han Xuanji looked at the surrounding boys and girls dressed in various styles; some were elegantly dressed, from prestigious families, with extraordinary temperaments and self-assurance, while others wore ordinary cloth, their eyes revealing apprehension.
“Transmigrated?”
Han Xuanji, like everyone else, felt a slight nervousness, though the reason was on a different channel.
Having read novels for so many years, he found the fact of his Transmigration quite acceptable, even feeling a little excited in his heart.
After the Fusion of memories from two lives, Han Xuanji was even more thrilled, for this was a Cultivation world where the strong could live forever, Master powerful Spells, ride the clouds and mists, and be omnipotent.
However, the Cultivation world was not a fairy tale; incidents of Yao Beasts and demonic cultivators slaughtering cities were not uncommon, and even upon arriving at Immortal Seeking City, Han Xuanji had heard some people say that they were attacked by demonic cultivators on their way to Immortal Seeking City and almost died.
While Han Xuanji was still organizing his memories, the entire plaza suddenly quieted down.
Countless gazes converged overhead.
Han Xuanji looked up and saw a handsome young man arriving on a sword, heroic and dashing, his robes fluttering; although he didn't know the other party's Cultivation, he looked like a powerful Sword Immortal.
A look of yearning appeared in Han Xuanji's eyes; this was too cool.
What level of cultivator was this?
The young man landed on the platform, his voice steady:
“The results for your batch are out. Thirteen individuals passed the A-grade line and can be Inner Sect Disciples. Two hundred forty-nine are B-grade and can be Outer Sect Disciples. The next one thousand can be Utility Disciples. The remaining are unqualified; try again next year.”
As his words fell, many people eagerly took out their jade tokens to check their scores.
“I made it, I made it! I’m an Outer Sect Disciple!”
Someone shouted, holding their jade token high.
Others knelt, wailing and slapping the ground:
“Damn it, I was just a bit short, just a bit short of qualifying.”
According to previous years' standards, he would have been able to enter the Sect.
Unfortunately, the Aptitude of this batch of Disciples was significantly higher on average, pushing his ranking down.
Han Xuanji nervously took out his jade token, as this determined whether he could enter the Immortal Sect.
Come on!
This was a turning point in his destiny.
The jade token clearly stated:
“Number 987, Origin: Great Xia Yong Province, Name: Han Xuanji.”
“Spiritual Root: Yellow-grade Upper, Affinity Wood-Fire, Rating C-plus.”
“Heart-Nature: Endured one hour on the Heart-Questioning Bridge, Rating C-middle.”
“Comprehension Ability: Mastered Qi Condensation Cultivation Technique to proficient level in half a month, Rating B-minus.”
“Special Talent: None.”
“Overall Rating: C-plus; Overall Ranking: 478th, eligible to be a Utility Disciple.”
“Not bad, I passed the Utility Disciple line.”
Han Xuanji breathed a sigh of relief.
The Spiritual Qi in this world was abundant, and everyone had the potential to cultivate Immortality.
But that didn't mean there were no thresholds for Cultivation.
Comprehension Ability, background, Physique, and Spiritual Root talent were all thresholds.
Among them, Spiritual Root Aptitude, which everyone possessed, was divided into five grades: Heavenly, Earthly, Profound, Yellow, and Mortal. The difference between each grade was significant, and to some extent, it determined one's upper limit.
His Yellow-grade Upper Aptitude was considered decent, much stronger than those with Mortal Spiritual Roots.
His Heart-Nature and Comprehension Ability were also not bad, not dragging him down; in fact, his Comprehension Ability was even stronger than many others, making him one of the outstanding Utility Disciples.
“I'm content. Being able to join a major Sect is like reaching safe shores.”
Han Xuanji was not disappointed just because he only became a Utility Disciple.
The Shenxuan Sect was one of the four great Immortal Sects of Great Xia, with a long history and profound heritage. Even just entering as a Utility Disciple was many times better than being a Loose Cultivator. Many people fought tooth and nail to get in, with Spiritual Root Aptitude, Comprehension Ability, and Heart-Nature all being assessment points.
Han Xuanji had long understood that Utility Disciples of the Shenxuan Sect could also cultivate, not just be treated like cattle, though their benefits and treatment were indeed somewhat worse.
For Inner Sect Disciples, it was not difficult to find a Master after entering, and they could even be assigned a separate Dao peak.
Utility Disciples, however, were either assigned to the Utility Peak within the Sect or to external areas like Medicine Valley, Spiritual Fields, or Spirit Beast Mountain. Whether they found a Master depended on their luck; some older Disciples might take them in, but it was unlikely they would give them many resources.
After the results were announced, some were happy, others sad.
“Damn, you’re an A-grade Disciple!”
“As expected of the Prodigy from the Zhao Family of Lintian!”
The A-grade Disciples in the crowd were particularly eye-catching, and many had already begun to curry favor. One A-grade Disciple, clearly from a common background, was somewhat overwhelmed by the attention.
Before the results were announced, he was just an unknown poor boy, but now, he had suddenly transformed into a Heaven's Chosen.
And some from Cultivation Families who found themselves only as Utility Disciples also changed their expressions.
Because once assigned as a Utility Disciple, their Family resource allocation would be significantly reduced.
Han Xuanji, being unknown, found some peace.
At the same time, he felt a bit lost. Although Cultivation was good and wonderful, how could a genuine country bumpkin like him compete with others?
The next day.
Han Xuanji, along with the qualified boys and girls, boarded the Sect's flying boat. He clearly noticed that some A-grade Disciples were not with them.
He learned from others that the previous night, these A-grade Disciples had already been noticed and taken as Disciples by important figures within the Inner Sect, thus beginning a smooth ascent. Even some B-grade Disciples were valued by someone.
Han Xuanji didn't feel any unfairness, after all, in the Cultivation world, talent was too crucial. Changing one's destiny against the heavens sounded simple, but in reality, few among ten thousand cultivators could achieve it. The Sect would certainly prioritize cultivating those Disciples with high talent.
Two days passed, traversing mountains and lakes, and the flying boat finally docked on a platform of a mountain peak. Surrounded by swirling clouds and mist, one could see the undulating peaks, with countless palaces, courtyards, and Immortal Caves nestled on each summit.
Although Han Xuanji had long known that the Shenxuan Sect was a major Sect, seeing this scene with his own eyes was still quite shocking.
On their first day, newly admitted Disciples would all take an initiation oath.
At this moment, everyone arrived at the Sect plaza.
In the center of the plaza, stood a colossal Ancestral Master statue. The statue depicted a handsome young man, lifelike, as if imbued with spirit.
Beside the statue, some people had already arrived early. These were the A-grade Disciples who had disappeared earlier. Now, dressed in Inner Sect Disciple robes, they strode majestically to the center of the plaza. Some had Spiritual Artifacts hanging from their waists, each exuding an extraordinary aura and radiant divine light.
“That’s Ye Ping'an, I didn’t expect him to have already achieved a Breakthrough to Qi Condensation third layer. I saw him at the second layer Cultivation before.”
Someone seemed to recognize one of the A-grade Disciples, their eyes filled with envy.
“No need to think, it’s most likely the resources given by his new Master.”
“It’s good to have a backer.”
“They just have good Aptitude, that’s all.”
Han Xuanji remained calm, but deep down, he also envied such treatment. After all, who wouldn't want such a beginning?
“Disciples of the Shenxuan Sect, hereby swear.
Disciples shall take slaying Yao Beasts and demonic cultivators, and protecting all living beings, as their responsibility.
Disciples shall harbor great love, first eliminate demons, then seek eternal life…
Should there be any violation, we are willing to accept punishment according to Sect rules.
Disciples…
Will remember this oath, and swear it here.”
Only after these Inner Sect and Outer Sect Disciples finished their oath did it become the turn of the Utility Disciples.
Soon.
When it was Han Xuanji’s batch, a group of people gathered around the statue and began to take the oath.
Suddenly, a voice echoed in Han Xuanji's ear.
【Detected that the host is in a place of Dao Essence, fulfilling the conditions. Do you wish to sign in?】
“Sign in… System?”
Han Xuanji's heart trembled, and he subconsciously looked around, but found nothing unusual.
Could it be that this was the Golden Finger that came with Transmigration?
Han Xuanji tentatively asked in his mind:
“Are there any conditions for signing in?”
【Wherever there is Dao Essence in this world, the host can sign in, but only once per day.】
“Place of Dao Essence?”
Han Xuanji pondered silently, not dwelling on it. While taking the oath, he mentally chanted:
“System, sign in.”
【Congratulations to the host for successfully signing in before the Ancestral Master statue, obtaining the term “Immortal Aptitude”.】
【The Dao Essence in this place has been exhausted and cannot be signed in again.】
【Host: Han Xuanji】
【Cultivation: Unranked】
【Cultivation Technique: Shenxuan Qi Condensation Technique】
【Term: Immortal Aptitude.】
【Immortal Aptitude】: 【A term used in the Cultivation world for those with top-tier talent. You possess an Immortal Spiritual Root far surpassing a Heavenly Spiritual Root, with full-attribute compatibility, suitable for cultivating any Cultivation Technique.】