"What's his name?"
An outer sect disciple quickly went back to gather the information.
"His name is Agis Kexidor, from the Kexidor Clan. It is a famous Clan of cultivators with quite a few branches in our country. It seems like he is the great-grandnephew of Qolizen Kexidor."
One of the elders remembered his name and nodded.
"Ah! So he is from that man's family. Qolizen Kexidor was part of our Sect in the past, but he left to create his own Clan later. Qolizen Kexidor is a Core and Soul Fusion Cultivator and on friendly terms with our Sect."
The Core elders were satisfied with that answer. No wonder this kid was sent in here.
Immediately, one of them stepped forward.
"What about you leave that kid for me? I wasn't here the last two times a Red Color Aptitude appeared."
However, the others immediately snorted.
"Hmph! Aren't you being too greedy, Ranka? The reason you didn't appear was that you left for the empire's capital. As far as I know, you got quite a few nice things there."
The who said that was a Core Elder called Juvian Tarcio.
It was then that a woman stepped forward.
"I think he should come to my side. He has the Fire Element Affinity, just like me. I'm best suited to guide him."
Her name was Tiria Yinsan, one of the two female Core Elders present.
"Tiria, that is not everything. Fire Element might not be my primary one, but I don't lack cultivation techniques and skills for someone like him."
This time, the one who talked was Kassie Galaraz, the second Female Core Elder.
"Hmph! Seems like it won't go anywhere like this. In that case, what about we make a bet?"
The other four Core elders looked at the one who spoke. His name was Ryfon Quilynn, the oldest Core Elder in their group.
"What kind of bet?"
Ryfon smiled before saying.
"Let's bet about how many points his group can make during the last test. What about it? The elder who guesses the number correctly or gets the closest shall take Agis to his or her side. What about it?"
The other core elders' narrowed their eyes.
"It will be hard to guess. After all, it will depend on Agis's group strength as a whole, not on his own alone. Especially on his leadership."
"Isn't that good? That way, none of us will have the advantage. However, let us wait for to make our guesses after he finishes creating his group."
All the Core Elders nodded.
Hulian didn't intervene and simply waited for the Aptitude and Elemental Affinity tests to be over. Others might have gotten fascinated with that Red Color Aptitude, but Hulian didn't give a damn. He particularly disliked those descendants of great clans who had everything on their hands since they were born.
Of the 1736 Kids, only 1587 passed the exam. Those 149 that failed were above 13 years old or had an Aptitude/Elemental Affinity below the acceptable mark.
Hulian then took the opportunity that all the kids were already gathered to announce.
"The last test will start tomorrow morning. It is a practical exam to test your abilities as cultivators and as a group. The group must have at least 5 participants and at most 10."
"If you all remember, there is a board at the entrance of the Sect showing the first 100 kids to finish the Marathon Test. Those who are on the board will have priority on the group selection. All the other kids outside of the top 100 will have to wait until the ranked ones finish building their groups. Of course, those ranked in the top 100 can recruit the kids in the top 100 as well."
"Now, the content of the practical exam is very simple. You will be sent into the Sect's private Demon Beast Forest, which is filled with tens of thousands of Stage One and Two demon beasts. There is also a few Stage Three deep inside, so you better be careful where you are walking to. Your groups' objective is to gather 1000 points. As long as you complete this task, your group will be accepted into the Dalamu Sect."
"However! Keep in mind that this test will be observed by the Sect Elders. If we catch some kid purposely not helping their group, we will eliminate that kid immediately. Our Sect doesn't need parasites, it needs strong cultivators."
"As for the group composition, it must not have more than two Foundation Establishment cultivators. This is to prevent a team made out only of Foundation Establishment Kids."
"Pay attention to how many points the demon beasts will give you. Each Stage One Demon Beast gives your group 1 point. Stage Two gives your group 10 points. If you can kill a Stage Three Demon Beast by some miracle, it will provide you with 1000 points!"
"Now, the ranking. The top 10 groups with the highest scores will receive a reward of 1000 Rank Two Spirit Stones to share between their members. Also, the first place will get double the reward, 2000!"
Rean and Roan's eyes lit up. Only now did this test become interesting for them.
Elder Hulian then continued his explanation.
"We will leave at the end of the afternoon, so use this extra time to mount your team. The test itself will start in the next day morning. If you need help setting up a group or were left out, seek one of the Outer Sect Disciples for help. They will assist you with those and other problems that might appear."
"The top 100 kids, you now have one hour to build your group. After this one hour passes, the rest of the kids are free to start building their groups are well."
Elder Hulian then retreated to his chairs and began to observe the kids with the other Inner Sect elders. As for the Core Elders, their eyes were glued at Agis Kexidor, waiting to see who he would recruit into his group.
On Rean's group side, Rean couldn't help but comment.
"I pretty much like this test. It is very straight forward. But what do we do for the reward? Should we aim for 1000 or 2000 Spirit Stones?"
Roan pondered a bit before saying.
"We already got quite some attention with our Aptitudes and Elemental Affinities. Besides, they all know that we are Foundation Establishment cultivators. So there wouldn't be anything strange if we got first place. Don't forget that each team can't have more than two Foundation Establishment Kids, so it is perfect for us."
Rean laughed after hearing that.
"Very well, let's see if we can get first place then. Well, in the worst-case scenario, I doubt we won't make it into the top 10, which is already worth it."
Roan nodded. That was what he was thinking exactly.
The two of them looked at Julio after that.
"Since you are already here, wanna come with the three of us? You are in the Energy Gathering Realm Advanced Stage, so you will be of great help."
Julio smiled before nodding. As for Malaka, she was already a guaranteed member anyway.
"Now, what should we do for the last member?"
Julio got confused after hearing that.
"Last member? Aren't you going to recruit ten members?"
Rean and Roan shook their heads.
"There is no need."
Julio was quite surprised by the two's confidence.
It was then that Malaka spoke.
"Rean, Roan! Can I chose the last one?"
The twins looked at each other and pondered a bit.
"Oh well, it is not like we know the other kids anyway, so let's leave it to luck. Alright, Malaka, go ahead and chose anyone."
Roan didn't have much to complain about, either.
Malaka's eyes brightened, but just as she was about to look for someone in the middle of the kids, someone called her over.
"Wait!"
Rean, Roan, and Julio, who were just behind her, also looked at who called her.
'Isn't this that kid with a Red Color Aptitude?'
However, he completely ignored them and went to talk directly with Malaka.
"Hey, little girl, don't you wanna join my group? As long as you are with me, you will get the first place in this next test. After all, I have a Red Color Aptitude. I'm also gathering the other Blue Colors. How about that?"
Rean and Roan's expressions went dark. He must have a death wish (or Roan wish) to dare hit on their Little Sister.
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Author's note: If you like the story so far, consider leaving a few Power Stones to help the story.