“Immortal master, please stand up for me!” The Golden-Haired Youth, beaten senseless with a bruised face and dazed expression, immediately turned to complain to Tang Xuan the moment he regained his senses.
That slap had not been light. If he hadn’t trained in mundane martial arts, it wouldn’t have just been a concussion—he might have been killed on the spot.
“That bastard was clearly trying to slap me to death.” Recalling the incident, the Golden-Haired Youth still felt a lingering sense of fear and relief at surviving.
“It was just a few words, and yet you struck with the intent to kill?” Tang Xuan questioned sternly, having clearly seen how much force Qin Tian had used.
Qin Tian’s strength was terrifying, practically at the Peak Mortal Martial Strength. In the mortal martial world, there was likely no one who could match him.
“Cut the crap. He was about to kill me, so of course I struck back to kill him first,” Qin Tian crossed his arms, utterly fearless.
He did want to join an immortal sect, but if there were too many rules, he wasn’t interested. If he couldn’t act freely and live however he pleased, what was the point of cultivation? Wouldn’t that be just like living as an ordinary person?
“This guy’s crazy. The immortal master already spoke, and he still won’t admit he’s wrong?”
“He’s far too bloodthirsty. He doesn’t match the ideals of the Absolute Righteous Sect. He should go to the Profound Underworld Sect instead.”
Tang Xuan frowned deeply. This kind of person, who tried to kill at the slightest provocation, absolutely couldn’t be allowed to join the Absolute Righteous Sect. “Leave the mountain. You’re too murderous. You’re not fit for the Absolute Righteous Sect.”
“Fine, I’ll leave,” Qin Tian replied indifferently and turned to go. Now that he had the System, he could thrive anywhere.
“Wait, he’s seriously leaving? Isn’t he a bit too carefree?” the honest-looking youth couldn’t help but comment. This guy really did whatever he felt like.
They had traveled across countless mountains, some for half a month, others for two years, all for the Fate of Immortality. And this guy just walked away without hesitation?
“Great Elder, go and stop him,” the Sect Master’s voice came from within the clouds.
“Sect Master, this boy is too ruthless. He doesn’t suit our Absolute Righteous Sect’s path of scholarly virtue. Why keep him?” the Great Elder replied.
“That may be so, but have you forgotten? In recent years, our sect disciples have been tricked and scammed again and again when they descended the mountain. We need someone to break the cycle. This boy is decisive in battle, thick-skinned, and black-hearted—he might just change the atmosphere of our sect.”
“That…” the Great Elder fell silent.
The Absolute Righteous Sect was at least a Holy Land-level force and a major power in the Southern Mountain Region. But the behavior of its disciples… was best left unsaid. There were even cases of disciples being swindled out of everything they owned by mortals. And the scammers specifically targeted disciples from the Absolute Righteous Sect, clearly seeing them as gullible and honest.
“Fine.” After considering it, the Great Elder agreed.
“Young friend, please wait,” the Great Elder reappeared.
Everyone once again greeted him respectfully.
“You’re talking to me?” Qin Tian pointed at himself.
“Yes, you.”
“Great Elder, this person is cruel and ruthless. He should not be allowed to stay. And he acted violently in public, violating the Absolute Righteous Sect’s rules,” Tang Xuan quickly spoke up.
He believed one should behave properly and follow rules. One should not cross boundaries. Qin Tian’s methods were vicious and his actions impulsive—he should not be allowed into the Absolute Righteous Sect.
“This young man may be decisive in his actions, but as for the rules—he hasn’t yet become a disciple of the Absolute Righteous Sect. Young friend, would you like to continue participating in the Sect Selection?”
“Then I’ll reluctantly stay,” Qin Tian replied. The journey to the next immortal sect was too far, and he couldn’t be bothered.
Reluctantly stay? Many people felt Qin Tian was being too arrogant.
But no one dared speak up. After all, Qin Tian bore grudges and struck hard. It wouldn’t be worth it to offend him.
“Then continue the test,” the Great Elder said, then disappeared.
Though Tang Xuan felt unhappy, now that the Great Elder had spoken, he couldn’t argue.
“Cang Feng, mid-grade talent, qualified.”
“Great! Mid-grade talent is not bad at all,” the honest youth said excitedly. Then it was Qin Tian’s turn.
Qin Tian placed his hand on the Talent Stone.
“Qin Tian, supreme-grade talent, qualified.”
“Another supreme-grade talent!”
“Junior brother, please wait to the side,” a few female disciples quickly stepped forward. With a supreme-grade talent, entry into the sect was guaranteed.
And with a Great Elder backing him, there was no doubt.
Tang Xuan’s expression turned cold. A person like this, gifted with talent, could be a blessing or a curse for the cultivation world.
“Supreme-grade talent, huh? I knew I was extraordinarily gifted,” Qin Tian felt great.
Mid- and low-grade talents were the norm. High-grade was rare. Supreme-grade? Almost unheard of.
“This makes no sense. That vicious guy actually has supreme-grade talent. He’s already arrogant and ruthless. We better keep our distance from now on.”
The one most upset by Qin Tian’s test result was the Golden-Haired Youth. If Qin Tian didn’t have talent, he’d eventually fall into his hands. But now, with supreme-grade talent, he wouldn’t even have a chance.
The testing continued nonstop.
The talent assessment alone took three days. Of the tens of thousands who came, only 420 were selected. 80% of them had low-grade talent.
High-grade and supreme-grade talents were mostly concentrated among those who arrived early.
After all, those who could reach the top ahead of time were usually exceptional, with physical abilities far beyond the norm.
As for supreme-grade talent, besides Jiang Xiyue and Qin Tian, there was one more—an unusually small-framed youth with blue eyes.
“Haha, this year’s results are amazing. Three supreme-grade talents! In past years, even one would’ve been rare,” the Sect Master said with delight.
Aside from the three supreme talents, there were over a dozen high-grade talents. A true bounty!
“The talent testing is now complete. Those without talent may leave. Cultivation is not an easy path, and it isn’t meant for everyone,” a female disciple announced gently.
Her words served as both dismissal and comfort.
Though many were unwilling to leave, without talent, they had no fate with the immortal path. There was no point forcing it.
“Those who passed will now face the second test—Wisdom.”
“We’ll trouble Lord Sacred Turtle,” Tang Xuan respectfully bowed toward the sky.
The 420 qualified disciples instantly vanished from their original spots.
Tang Xuan was only responsible for the first test. Others would handle the rest.
The scene before Qin Tian’s eyes changed, and he found himself inside a massive bamboo house.
Beneath the house was a lotus pond.
All 400+ disciples appeared within the bamboo structure at the same time.
At the front of the house was a grinding-stone-sized turtle, pitch black, covered in water grass, and staring at them with glowing green eyes.
[Hint! A wild turtle that has lived a long time, lost all its teeth, decaying, and reeking of foul odor.]
[Mission issued: Clean it thoroughly.]
[Reward: Strength of Nine Bulls.]
“Oh ho! Another mission!” Qin Tian was thrilled. Though he hadn’t figured out how the System issued missions, it was always a good thing when they came.
Strength of Nine Bulls!
This wasn’t something mortal martial artists could compare to. With that, Qin Tian’s strength would likely surpass even ordinary cultivators.
The old turtle looked at the confused faces of the many young men and women, and the corners of his mouth couldn’t help but curl upward.
This was his favorite part—testing new disciples.
Originally, the Absolute Righteous Sect didn’t even have this test. It was something he created a thousand years ago just for fun.
After all, what proper sect actually tests intelligence?
“I’ve collected quite a few interesting riddles over these past three years. I’m really looking forward to seeing their confused expressions.”
The old turtle moved slowly, opening his toothless mouth as if he couldn’t wait any longer, “The second trial, Wisdom Test, will be handled—”
“Hey, hey, what are you doing?”
The old turtle froze mid-sentence, suddenly realizing he was suspended in mid-air—someone had grabbed him by the tail.