Chapter 377 - 222: Reporting This Too?

The Lingyue Sect’s main gate was built into the mountainside. The silhouettes of its gray-blue halls were faintly visible amidst the clouds and mist, wreathed in the faint halo of Spiritual Qi. It truly had the bearing of an immortal sect.

The large characters above the main gate exuded a powerful and intimidating aura, discouraging any disrespect from those who viewed them from afar.

Jiang Man looked at the gate and compared it to the Wuyun Sect.

He found they were only similar in form.

In all other aspects, there was naturally no comparison.

But this was, after all, a Sect established by ascetic cultivators who had fallen behind the times. A lack of resources was to be expected.

To have achieved this much was already extraordinary.

As Jiang Man drew closer with the crowd, he saw many people heading into the gate.

Most were middle-aged men leading a few children.

But there were also some fourteen- or fifteen-year-olds mixed in.

Loose Cultivators like Jiang Man were in the minority.

"Has the Innate Qi of those kids not faded yet either?" Jiang Man asked, pointing to the fourteen- and fifteen-year-olds.

The middle-aged man shook his head. "They need to be tested. Just showing up doesn’t guarantee entry into the Sect. You’ve practiced heretical arts for many years; you might not be able to enter our Lingyue Sect either."

Jiang Man nodded and continued to inquire, "Are you testing for Spirit Roots?"

’Most people don’t have one.’

’If it’s about Spirit Roots, then among the people from the Foundation Establishment Courtyard, I’m afraid only those who obtained a Secret Technique would have one.’

’Like Wei Ran.’

’I wonder what his Cultivation level is now.’

’And then there’s Shangguan Liuyun. He’s also far from simple.’

"Spirit Root is one thing. After that comes comprehension, and finally, disposition and physique," the middle-aged man said.

"If I’m able to enter the Lingyue Sect, what kind of disciple will I be?" Jiang Man wanted to know if he would have to do chores.

"The Lingyue Sect has Direct Disciples, Inner Sect Disciples, Outer Disciples, and Servants. Normally, everyone starts as a Servant. But if you can get in, you’ll probably be in the Outer Sect. If you’re a bit more outstanding, it’s not impossible for you to have a chance to enter the Inner Sect," the middle-aged man said as he led them to a plaza.

He paused, then continued, "Wait here for arrangements. Whether or not you can enter the Sect is all up to your own ability."

After the middle-aged man left, the children he had brought with him came over to Jiang Man’s side.

It seemed they felt safer closer to Jiang Man.

After all, they didn’t know anyone here. Jiang Man was a fellow traveler and seemed to be on familiar terms with the Immortal.

’So, it’s best to stick with him.’

Regarding this, Jiang Man just asked curiously, "Are you all from the same village?"

The oldest-looking boy shook his head. "We’re all from different villages. That Immortal picked us out."

Jiang Man asked another question. "Did you give a cultivation fee?"

A girl asked curiously, "What’s a cultivation fee?"

"It’s like a gift," Jiang Man said after some consideration.

"We did," a little fatty said. "My daddy said he took out all the silver taels we had at home."

Jiang Man nodded.

’So that’s how they select people.’

’And here I thought all five of them were geniuses with Spirit Roots.’

"Everyone, stand properly." At that moment, a Fairy on a high platform began to speak slowly. "Form a line, then come up one by one to have your Spirit Root tested. Those who pass will enter the Sect directly. Those who don’t will proceed to the next test of comprehension."

"If you fail that, you’ll move on to the final test of physique and disposition."

"The Sect widely accepts those with an affinity for immortality. Your chances are high."

Jiang Man glanced around and saw there were over a hundred people.

’That’s not a small number.’

Soon, it was his row’s turn.

He went up with the children.

"You first," the presiding Fairy said.

Hearing this, Jiang Man looked at the stone pillar in the middle of the platform.

’So this is the thing that tests for Spirit Roots.’

’I wonder what kind of Spirit Root an Unparalleled Celestial Pride like me will have.’

Jiang Man reached out and touched it, expecting the stone pillar to light up brightly.

To his surprise, there was no reaction at all.

"No Spirit Root. Next," the woman said.

’This thing must be broken,’ Jiang Man thought, but he didn’t say anything.

Of the five children with him, only Xiaopang was found to have a Spirit Root. The others had none.

An hour later, out of more than a hundred people, only nine had Spirit Roots.

"Those who passed can consider which peak to join. Once you enter, you will be Inner Sect Disciples. The next test is for comprehension. Passing it will make you Outer Disciples," the woman said.

The so-called comprehension test involved listening to a segment of the Array Profound Sound.

Being able to understand it quickly meant you had good comprehension.

Jiang Man wasn’t in a hurry.

He noticed that quite a few people passed this time.

Surprisingly, there were three.

The group of five with him was suddenly reduced by four.

Only one skinny... boy or girl?... was left.

"Are you going to give up?" Jiang Man asked kindly. "From the looks of you, the physique test ahead won’t be easy to pass."

The child’s gaze was firm.

They chose to continue.

Jiang Man also chose to continue.

"The final test is for physique and disposition. Passing allows you to become a Servant," the presiding woman said.

The so-called physique and disposition test was to climb a mountain.

It was a steep peak. Anyone who could make it to the top could become a Sect Servant.

Jiang Man looked at the peak and sighed with emotion, "The path to immortality is truly difficult."

"You can do it, Big Brother," the skinny child said earnestly.

Jiang Man didn’t say much more and simply started climbing with the others.

After the time it takes to burn an incense stick, they had climbed five meters.

The child didn’t look down, just kept climbing up.

An hour later, the ground was no longer visible.

The child’s hands were rubbed raw and bleeding, but they didn’t give up.

Jiang Man just watched and followed.

’I’m curious how high they can climb.’

Another hour later, the child was exhausted, running on sheer willpower.

But the pain in their arms prevented them from moving forward.

In a moment of inattention, their hand suddenly slipped, and their whole body began to fall.

A dazed look filled their eyes.

But suddenly, Jiang Man grabbed their hand.

He found a stone ledge and set the child down on it, but they still seemed to be in shock.

Jiang Man asked, "How old are you?"