Yun Ze's brow furrowed.
A Core Formation stage formation!
Yesterday, at the final auction of the Immortal Gathering, the last item was a set of Foundation Establishment stage formations.
Even a defensive formation alone had been bid up to three hundred thousand spirit stones!
If it were a Core Formation stage formation, the price would have multiplied by at least ten times!
Three million top-grade spirit stones... just to have Gui Wu Jian Sect refuse him?
Wasn't this price far too steep?
"Old Xu, I may be leading a team to the Ascension Assembly for the first time, but don't try to fool me here."
The person in charge of Gui Wu Jian Sect did not agree, merely smiling, "The Immortal Mansion clearly stipulates that selection must be strictly based on merit, with no other factors allowed to interfere.
If I were to accept your Core Formation stage formation today, I fear I wouldn't be able to return to Gui Wu Jian Sect."
"Hahaha, I was just joking!"
The old man also chuckled a couple of times, then turned to look at Yun Ze again, "Young fellow, I'll ask you one last time.
Do you truly not wish to join my You Zhen Sect?"
"I still request your前辈's fulfillment!"
Yun Ze bowed and clasped his hands again, a sliver of hope rising in his heart.
Without the Immortal Mansion's regulations, his revenge plan might have been doomed.
"Heh."
The old man sneered, saying no more, but turned to look at Bu Bu, "Girl, you..."
"I've said it,"
Bu Bu knew what the old man was about to say and interrupted him, "After my brother's assessment is over, I will leave with you.
If you say another word, I can find someone else to take me to the cultivation world myself."
"Hey! Girl, don't get agitated, I won't say another word! I won't say it, alright?"
The old man panicked. He turned and returned to the eighth high platform, only leaving behind one last sentence, "I'll be waiting for you up there."
The surrounding onlookers also dispersed, only the person in charge of Gui Wu Jian Sect lingered. He glanced at Yun Ze but said nothing.
He was merely a Yellow-grade mid-tier three-element spiritual root, not enough to warrant his attention.
Those extra glances were merely out of curiosity due to the Immortal Mansion envoy.
The assessment continued.
Yun Ze brought Bu Bu to the second high platform.
There were also three sects on this platform, all named with "Sect" at the end. This test was also very simple.
Soul measurement!
Regardless of mortal or immortal, the body contained three souls and seven spirits. These, like spiritual roots, were innate.
Without immense fortune, it was difficult to improve them.
In the path of cultivation, besides spiritual roots being crucial, soul strength also determined how far one could go.
Similar to spiritual roots, soul strength was also divided into four grades: Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow, each with twelve levels.
Some individuals had excellent spiritual roots but insufficient soul strength, making further progress impossible after reaching the Golden Core stage.
However, if one had mediocre spiritual roots but extremely high soul strength, and specialized in certain unique cultivation techniques, they might even glimpse the scenery beyond the Nascent Soul stage!
Yun Ze had also heard from Yu Xian that there was a cultivator in this Eastern Profound Heaven with a Heaven-grade soul.
He only possessed a Yellow-grade mid-tier spiritual root. Before achieving Golden Core, he was unremarkable. During Qi Refining, he reached the Qi Sea stage, and his Foundation Establishment was merely by consuming a Foundation Establishment Pill, a human-path Foundation Establishment.
Yet, when he formed his Golden Core, nine dan patterns naturally appeared on the core. He reached Nascent Soul in one day and could leave his body in ten days!
In less than half a month, he crossed two major realms! This was the terrifying power of soul level!
However, it was a pity.
When Yun Ze was tested, his soul had barely passed the passing mark, only Yellow-grade upper-tier.
Bu Bu did not undergo the test, merely following silently beside Yun Ze.
The two proceeded to the third high platform, which also housed three sects with the suffix "Sect."
Within the same realm, they would fight each other. The victor would proceed to the next level, while the loser would remain here and choose a sect to join.
There was never a shortage of geniuses in the world; what was lacking were geniuses who could survive and become powerful!
If there were no opponents of the same realm, then those of lower realms would be allowed to challenge those of higher realms.
If the lower-realm challenger won, they would receive an additional reward of ten spirit stones!
Just before Yun Ze, a cultivator at the third level of Qi Refining had also ascended to the second level. He did not overestimate himself, choosing his opponent and winning with ease.
He was currently at the third level of Qi Refining with a Qi Sea. If he couldn't even defeat a rogue cultivator of the same realm, he might as well find a piece of tofu and end it all.
The fourth high platform!
The sects on this level were all suffixed with "Sect," and... there were six of them!
Besides You Zhen Sect and Gui Wu Jian Sect, there were four others!
They were Dan Xuan Sect, Wen Dao Sect, Mi Fu Sect, and Xi Qi Sect.
From their names alone, one could discern their primary focus.
However, it was strange that while the other five sects had three-character names, Gui Wu Jian Sect had four characters.
Even stranger was... wasn't the elder of You Zhen Sect on the eighth level? Why did You Zhen Sect's name appear on the fourth level?
Just as Yun Ze was pondering this, a very familiar voice came from ahead.
"Those who have just arrived, step aside. Once thirty people are gathered, the rules will be announced."
That was... Chen Xiao!
He was here too!
Yun Ze's brow furrowed, but he quickly adjusted his emotions, restoring a normal expression, and quickly moved towards the crowd with Bu Bu.
After he reached the back of the crowd, he immediately saw that familiar face!
This was a face he would never forget in his lifetime!
Chen Xiao was now sitting under the banner of Gui Wu Jian Sect, wearing a daoist robe, meditating with his eyes closed, as if he paid no mind to the crowd before him!
Yun Ze's gaze involuntarily shifted downwards, landing on his waist.
He noticed that besides a long sword, there was nothing else.
It seemed he hadn't brought those two waist drums with him.
That made sense. Elder Xiao had said they were demonic artifacts. As a cultivator, how could he carry them with him in such a setting?
Just as Yun Ze was observing him, Chen Xiao also opened his eyes and looked at him.
Their gazes met. Just as Yun Ze was about to withdraw his gaze, he saw Chen Xiao smile slightly, "Esteemed fellow daoist, I know you are determined to join my Gui Wu Jian Sect, but there's no need to be so hasty.
Once everyone has arrived, I will explain how you can join Gui Wu Jian Sect."
With that tone and expression, if Yun Ze hadn't known his true nature, he might have truly believed him to be a very approachable person.
He truly wished he could lop off his head with a single sword strike!
Yun Ze suppressed his nausea, forced a smile, and clasped his hands in greeting, "Yes, thank you, Senior Brother, for your guidance."
"Hahahaha!"
Chen Xiao laughed heartily, "You brat, you're already calling me Senior Brother before the test has even begun?"
"I have confidence, I will definitely be able to join Gui Wu Jian Sect!"
Yun Ze said this with his mouth, but in his heart, he thought... I also have confidence that I will definitely send you to the Yellow Springs!
"Good!"
Chen Xiao praised, "I appreciate you. Wait a little longer. When you are truly qualified, it won't be too late to call me Senior Brother Chen!"
Yun Ze said no more, merely smiling and clasping his hands.
He feared that if he spoke any longer, he might truly lose control and vomit!
Yun Ze scanned the crowd. Including himself, there were now thirteen people. Seventeen more were needed before the rules could be announced.
They waited for two hours.
Only when the thirtieth person stepped onto the fourth high platform did Chen Xiao slowly rise and begin to read the rules...
"This is the fourth high platform, the entrance to the final test, and the place where you will make your final decision."
Chen Xiao swept his gaze over everyone and reread the names of the six sects, "Six sects, you can only choose one of them for the test.
There will be fifth, sixth, and seventh high platforms, with a total of three tests. As for what the tests will be... I will not tell you.
I can only tell you that if you fail any of the tests on any of these high platforms, you will lose the opportunity to enter any immortal sect! Even the immortal sects below are the same!
If you wish to join a sect again, you will have to wait another hundred years. After a hundred years, a new Ascension Assembly will be held!"
Chen Xiao casually threw down six flags of different colors. Each color had only four flags, all bearing the names of the respective sects.
"Don't blame me for not giving you a chance. If anyone wishes to withdraw, you can step down now and choose to join one of the lower immortal sects!
And you will only have the time it takes for an incense stick to burn to consider. Whoever has made up their mind, come and draw a flag and ascend the platform!"
The crowd immediately fell into deep thought!
Only one chance!
If they failed, they wouldn't even be able to enter an immortal sect!
A hundred years later? If they didn't reach Foundation Establishment, where would they find a hundred years! If they didn't join an immortal sect, where would they find Foundation Establishment?
They would likely be stuck at the Qi Refining stage for their entire lives!
If they withdrew...
"Oh! I forgot to tell you."
Chen Xiao's voice rang out again, "Each sect is only allowed to have four participants per test. And for this Ascension Assembly, each of our sects will only accept three disciples!"
"First come, first served!"
Four participants, only three selected!
There were thirty people here, and with six sects, it wouldn't be enough to go around! No wonder he had thrown down six flags just now!
They had to seize the initiative!
Yun Ze dared not hesitate. He stepped on Zhu Ying and rushed forward, intending to snatch a flag for Gui Wu Jian Sect!
But in the next instant, all four flags of Gui Wu Jian Sect were swept away!
By the time he came to his senses, a woman in red was standing before him!
Such speed!
He saw her, holding twenty-four flags alone, handing one of the Gui Wu Jian Sect flags to Yun Ze.
"Do you want it? I'll give it to you for one hundred spirit stones."