Taixu Spirit Realm, Shenxuan Sect.
Ask-Immortal 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 could become Outer Sect Disciples, and those who passed could become Utility Disciples, while those who failed could only seek other paths.
After all, the Shenxuan Sect does not raise waste.
At this moment, thousands of youths gathered in a plaza, whispering amongst themselves, their hushed voices reaching Han Xuanji's ears.
Han Xuanji looked at the surrounding young men and women, dressed in various clothes; some were elegantly dressed, from noble Families, with extraordinary temperaments and confidence, while others wore ordinary cloth, their eyes revealing apprehension.
"Transmigration?"
Han Xuanji, like the others, was slightly nervous, though the reason wasn't on the same wavelength.
Having read novels for so many years, he found the fact of his Transmigration quite acceptable, even feeling a little excited.
After the Fusion of memories from two lives, Han Xuanji was even more thrilled, because this was a world of Cultivation, where the strong could live forever, wield powerful Spells, ride clouds and fog, and be omnipotent.
However, the world of Cultivation was not a fairy tale; incidents of Yao Beasts and demonic cultivators slaughtering cities were not uncommon, and even upon arriving at Ask-Immortal City, Han Xuanji had heard some people say they were attacked by demonic cultivators on their way to Ask-Immortal City and almost died.
While Han Xuanji was still sorting through his memories, the entire plaza suddenly quieted down.
Countless gazes converged overhead.
Han Xuanji looked up and saw a handsome young man flying on a sword, heroic and dashing, with his robes fluttering; although he didn't know the other party's Cultivation level, he looked like a powerful Sword Immortal.
Han Xuanji's eyes showed a longing expression; 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 have come out. Thirteen of you 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 thousand can be Utility Disciples. The rest are unqualified; come again next year."
As soon as his words fell, many people eagerly took out their jade tokens to check their scores.
"I got in, I got in! I'm an Outer Sect Disciple!"
Someone shouted, holding their jade token high.
Others knelt, wailing and pounding the ground with their hands:
"Damn it, I was just a little short, just a little 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, and his ranking was pushed down.
Han Xuanji nervously took out his jade token.
Whether he could enter the Immortal Sect depended on this one moment.
Come on!
This was a turning point in destiny.
The jade token clearly stated:
"Number 987, Origin: Yong Province, Great Xia, Name: Han Xuanji."
"Spiritual Root: Yellow-grade High, Affinity: Wood-Fire, Rating: C-plus."
"Heart-Nature: Endured the Heart-Questioning Bridge for one hour, Rating: C-mid."
"Comprehension Ability: Mastered the Qi Condensation Cultivation Technique to a 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 for Cultivation.
But that didn't mean Cultivation had no barriers.
Comprehension Ability, background, Physique, and Spiritual Root talent were all barriers.
Among them, Spiritual Root Aptitude, as a universally possessed Aptitude, was divided into five levels: Heaven, Earth, Profound, Yellow, and Mortal. The difference at each level was significant, and it could be said to determine one's upper limit to some extent.
His Yellow-grade High Aptitude was considered good, much stronger than those with Mortal Spiritual Roots.
His Heart-Nature and Comprehension Ability were also not bad; they didn't hold him back, and his Comprehension Ability was even stronger than many others, making him a standout among Utility Disciples.
"I'm content. To be able to join a major Sect is like reaching the shore."
Han Xuanji was not disheartened by only becoming 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 tried desperately 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 and were not treated as mere beasts of burden, though their benefits and treatment were indeed somewhat inferior.
For Inner Sect Disciples, it was not difficult to find a Master after entry, and they would also be allocated a separate Dao peak.
Utility Disciples, however, were either assigned to the Utility Peak within the Sect or to external areas like the Medicine Valley, Spiritual Fields, or Spirit Beast Mountain. Whether they found a Master depended on their luck; some older Disciples might take on apprentices, but they couldn't give them too many resources.
After the results were announced, some rejoiced, while others despaired.
"Damn it, 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 fawn over them. One of the A-grade Disciples, clearly from a common background, seemed a bit overwhelmed by being surrounded.
Before the results were announced, he was just an unknown poor boy, but now, he had transformed into a favored son of Heaven.
Some from Cultivation Families, seeing that they were only Utility Disciples, also changed their expressions.
Because once assigned as Utility Disciples, the allocation of Family resources would also be significantly reduced.
Han Xuanji, being unknown, was quite peaceful.
At the same time, he also 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 young men and women, 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 of the Inner Sect, thus ascending to prominence. Even some B-grade Disciples had caught someone's eye.
Han Xuanji didn't feel any injustice, as in the Cultivation world, talent was too crucial. Changing one's destiny against Heaven sounded simple, but in reality, only a few out of 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 mist, he could see the undulating peaks, with countless palaces, courtyards, and Immortal Caves situated on each summit.
Although Han Xuanji had long known that the Shenxuan Sect was a major Sect, seeing such a magnificent scene firsthand was still extremely shocking.
After disembarking the flying boat.
The group, led by a young man, proceeded to the Sect plaza.
Newly admitted Disciples would all take an initiation oath on their first day.
And after the oath, it also meant you officially joined the Shenxuan Sect.
At this moment, all new Disciples 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 it possessed a spirit.
Beside the statue, some people had already arrived early; these were the A-grade Disciples who had disappeared earlier. They were now wearing Inner Sect Disciple robes, full of vigor, and came to the center of the plaza. Some had Spiritual Artifacts hanging from their waists, each exuding an extraordinary aura and radiant glow.
"That's Ye Ping'an. I didn't expect him to have already broken through to the third layer of Qi Condensation. I saw him with only the second layer of Cultivation before."
Someone seemed to recognize one of the A-grade Disciples, their eyes filled with envy.
"No need to think; it's likely his newly recognized Master gave him resources."
"Having a backer is good."
"It's because others have good Aptitude."
Han Xuanji remained calm, but deep down, he also felt some envy for such treatment. After all, who wouldn't want such a start?
"Disciples of the Shenxuan Sect, hereby swear.
Disciples shall take it as their duty to slay demons and devils, and protect all living beings.
Disciples shall harbor great love, first eradicate evil, then seek eternal life... Should there be any violation, they shall be subject to Sect rules.
Disciples... remember this oath, sworn here."
It was only after these Inner Sect and Outer Sect Disciples finished their oath that it was the turn of the Utility Disciples.
Soon.
It was Han Xuanji's group's turn. A group of people gathered around the statue and began to swear their oath.
Suddenly, a voice echoed in Han Xuanji's ear.
"Host detected in a Dao-infused area, conditions met. Sign in?"
"Sign in... System?"
Han Xuanji's mind 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-infused energy in this world, the Host can sign in, but only once per day."
"Dao-infused area?"
Han Xuanji pondered secretly, not dwelling on it. While taking the oath, he silently chanted in his mind:
"System, sign in."
"Congratulations to the Host for successfully signing in before the Ancestral Master statue, obtaining the entry 'Immortal's Aptitude'."
"The Dao-infused energy in this place has been depleted and cannot be signed in again."
"Host: Han Xuanji"
"Cultivation: Unranked"
"Cultivation Technique: Shenxuan Qi Condensation Method"
"Entry: Immortal's Aptitude."
"Immortal's Aptitude: A term 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 Aptitude, suitable for cultivating any Cultivation Technique."