Ascension Token!
These three words were like a boulder dropped into a calm lake, stirring up waves that threatened to overturn the sky after the dead silence.
"Ascension Token?! The legendary token that grants direct entry into the Inner Sect without examination?"
"Didn't it go missing long ago? How could it end up in the hands of a kid with a Pseudo Spirit Root?"
"Opportunity! A heaven-sent opportunity! What kind of incredible luck did this kid have!"
Countless gazes were fixed on the ancient token in Ye Chen's hand, filled with shock, fervor, and undisguised greed. If this place were not the territory of the Azure Profound Dao Sect, and if those terrifying elders on the high platform were not guarding it, someone would have already lost their patience and tried to snatch it!
On the high platform, several Inner Sect elders had instantly moved to Ye Chen's front, subtly shielding him and Wang Tiechui in the middle. A powerful spiritual pressure permeated the air, deterring potential troublemakers. All eyes were focused on the token, their spiritual senses repeatedly scanning it, confirming the pure Dao Rhyme of the Azure Profound Dao Sect's Ancestor and the ancient, unforgeable Restriction fluctuations emanating from it.
"It is indeed our sect's long-lost Ascension Token!" said the white-haired elder, Elder Xuanyue, his voice tinged with excitement and emotion. He looked at Ye Chen, his gaze sharp as a knife, "Kid, where did you obtain this token?"
Ye Chen felt the pressure from several Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators, his breath catching slightly, but he maintained a calm expression and recited his prepared speech: "Reporting to the Elder, this junior, in a desperate situation within the Black Marsh, stumbled upon the Cave Mansion of a departed senior. Beside their remains, I found this token and some miscellaneous items. I do not know the identity of that senior."
He spoke half-truth, half-lie, omitting key details like the System and Star Stones, only mentioning a departed cultivator and vaguely locating it in a desperate situation in the Black Marsh.
"Black Marsh? A departed cultivator?" Elder Xuanyue exchanged glances with the other elders, surprise evident in their eyes. A senior holding an Ascension Token had passed away in a remote and dangerous place like the Black Marsh? There must be more to this story.
The stern-faced middle-aged elder, Elder Lie Yang, who contained his Fiendish Energy, snorted, his voice like a thunderclap, "Hmph! Even with an Ascension Token, it only grants you an opportunity! My Azure Profound Dao Sect is not a place to harbor scum, nor a place for mediocre talents to polish themselves! If you are inherently incapable of achievement, even if you enter with the token, you will still be a good-for-nothing!"
His words were blunt, his gaze like lightning, as if he intended to see through Ye Chen completely. He was clearly very dissatisfied with Ye Chen's Pseudo Spirit Root aptitude.
Another elder, a woman in a serene, water-blue Daoist Robe named Fairy Yunmeng, spoke with a gentler tone. Looking into Ye Chen's calm eyes, she said softly, "For young friend to obtain this token is a matter of fate. Our Ancestor established the rule that seeing the token is like seeing the person. Those who hold the token may bypass the preliminary assessments and proceed directly to the final Heart Questioning and aptitude verification. Since you have already passed the Heart Questioning Illusion Array, you now only have this aptitude test remaining..."
Her words were left unfinished, but their meaning was clear. The Ascension Token could bypass the regular selection process, but it could not change the fact of his Pseudo Spirit Root. According to the sect's ancient regulations, the token holder could at worst become an Outer Sect Disciple, but if their aptitude was truly too poor, they would likely have no great future, let alone enter the Inner Sect.
Deacon Qingxu stood to the side, looking at the calm-faced Ye Chen, then at the towering Wang Tiechui beside him with his "Excellent aptitude," his thoughts racing. He stepped forward and bowed to the elders, saying, "Esteemed Elders, although Ye Chen has a Pseudo Spirit Root, his performance on the Dao Seeking stage was steady, his Foundation seems far beyond that of his peers, and he even triggered a subtle Anomaly of 'Primordial Chaos, Dao Rhyme spontaneously sounding' before the Enlightenment Stone wall. His Comprehension is certainly not ordinary! Perhaps... we could consider it?"
"Oh?" Elder Xuanyue's eyebrows shot up upon hearing this. He carefully examined Ye Chen again, "The phenomenon of Primordial Chaos? No wonder I sensed something unusual about his Spiritual Power just now; he actually mimicked a trace of Dao Rhyme on his own?"
Elder Lie Yang's expression also softened slightly, but he still stated forcefully, "His Comprehension is acceptable, but it ultimately cannot change the fact of his shallow Foundation!"
The commotion from below gradually subsided, and everyone held their breath, watching the judgment on the high platform, wondering what kind of fate this Ascension Token would bring to this Pseudo Spirit Root youth.
Ye Chen took a deep breath, knowing that the critical moment had arrived. He cupped his hands again, his voice clear and firm: "Esteemed Elders, please understand! This junior knows his aptitude is dull and dares not aspire to the Inner Sect. I only seek to obtain the status of an Outer Sect Disciple with this token and step into the Immortal Gate! This junior is willing to compensate for his lack of talent with diligence, not to betray the expectations of our Ancestor in leaving this token, nor to waste the opportunity granted by the Sect! If I achieve nothing in the future, I will accept any punishment!"
He adopted an extremely humble posture, with a clear goal: he only sought Outer Sect qualification, highlighting "diligence" and "not wasting the opportunity." This not only aligned with the persona he had displayed but also subtly echoed the principle of "Heaven Rewards Diligence."
The elders exchanged glances again.
Elder Xuanyue pondered for a moment, then finally spoke slowly, his voice echoing across the plaza: "Our Ancestor established the rule that upon the appearance of an Ascension Token, the holder shall receive the Sect's protection and be granted an opportunity. Ye Chen, having undergone the assessment with the Ascension Token, has passed both Comprehension and Dao Heart. Although his innate aptitude is a Pseudo Spirit Root, his Foundation is solid and unusual, further enhanced by the merit of holding the token!"
He swept his gaze across the entire assembly with supreme authority: "According to ancient custom, Ye Chen is specially permitted to be recorded into the Azure Profound Dao Sect's Outer Sect, granted the status of a 'Registered Disciple'! He shall enjoy the basic treatment of an Outer Sect Disciple! I hope you cultivate diligently and do not betray this affinity, nor disgrace the name of the Ascension Token!"Registered Disciple! Although it was the lowest tier within the Outer Sect, with slightly fewer resources than ordinary Outer Sect Disciples, it was still a formal entry into the Azure Profound Dao Sect's Mountain Gate! For a Pseudo Spirit Root, this was already an exceptional act!
"Disciple Ye Chen thanks the Elder for this grace! I will certainly cultivate diligently and not betray the Sect!" Ye Chen bowed, a great weight lifted from his heart. The first step was accomplished!
"As for Wang Tiechui," Elder Xuanyue turned his gaze to the side, "He possesses the lineage of an ancient Battle Body and has excellent innate aptitude. He is directly recorded into the Outer Sect as a disciple under special observation!"
"I... I also thank the Elder!" Wang Tiechui, mimicking Ye Chen, bowed gruffly.
The dust settled!
The crowd watched the outcome with mixed feelings. One entered the sect by sheer luck, holding the Ascension Token, while the other was directly selected due to his heaven-defying aptitude. Envy, jealousy, disdain – various emotions were present.
Elder Lie Yang gave Ye Chen a deep look, uttered, "Take care of yourself!" and turned away with a flick of his sleeve.
Fairy Yunmeng nodded slightly at Ye Chen and departed as a stream of water-blue Flowing Light.
Elder Xuanyue instructed Deacon Qingxu, "Qingxu, take these two to the Deacon Hall to handle the entry procedures and assign them Cave Mansions."
"Yes, Elder!" Deacon Qingxu accepted the order.
The disturbance caused by the Ascension Token had temporarily subsided. Ye Chen had successfully used his greatest trump card to pry open a corner of the Immortal Gate. However, he knew deeply that the real challenge had only just begun. The Outer Sect was not a sanctuary, and the label of Pseudo Spirit Root, the attention brought by the Ascension Token, and the potential covetousness would all be future trials.
He clenched his fist and followed Deacon Qingxu, along with Wang Tiechui, towards the Deacon Hall, which symbolized the core of power and order within the Azure Profound Dao Sect.
The path to the Immortal Gate had taken a solid step. Ahead lay a more vast Heaven and Earth, and also more surging undercurrents.
Volume 2【Ascension Token】, End.