Compete with the great cultivation families!
The Fang Residence disciples were alarmed, and even Fang Hanyu subconsciously tightened his grip on his sword sheath.
Zhou Xue did not elaborate further and took the lead onto the street, with Fang Wang and the others closely following her.
As they walked, Fang Wang sensed the energy of those around him. Not everyone could conceal their aura like Zhou Xue, and he detected several fluctuations of spiritual power.
Many people, including the Fang Family Disciples, had cultivated spiritual power, so they did not stand out. It seemed that among the so-called cultivation families, strength varied significantly. Having a cultivator among one's ancestors might be enough to gain that status.
While pondering this, Fang Wang noticed a figure whose spiritual power was remarkably strong, nearly matching his own. The person wore a bamboo hat and black clothes, carried a bookcase on his back, and had a gourd hanging from his waist. This peculiar attire attracted many curious glances.
Taiyuan Town had a main street leading straight to a large lake at its end. Surrounded by towering mountains, the lake was over a hundred zhang in diameter, with greenish water shimmering brilliantly under the sunlight.
A row of men and women stood on the lakeshore, all dressed in matching robes. The men were handsome, the women beautiful, resembling descendants of immortals. They appeared to be Taiyuan Sect Disciples, judging by their white robes with black sleeves, waistbands, and boots, adorned with intricate patterns.
Zhou Xue halted, and Fang Wang and the others stopped nearby, taking in the sight of at least five hundred people gathered, with more arriving.
Fang Wang was astonished; having lived in Southern Hills City, he had been unaware of the Cultivation World. Now, far from the secular world, so many pursued the path of immortality.
Southern Hills City, one of the richest cities in Da Qi with many past martial arts masters, had no mention of cultivation, highlighting the vast gap between immortals and mortals.
Zhou Xue remained silent while the others from the Fang Residence whispered among themselves. Fang Hanyu, though seemingly calm, clenched his sword sheath tightly, revealing his nervousness.
After about half an hour, the crowd at the lakeside had grown to over a thousand, with some whose cultivation Fang Wang could not discern at all.
Boom—
The same bell from earlier rang out again, silencing everyone by the lake.
Fang Wang focused his gaze and saw a male disciple striking the bell. Despite its small size and brass material, a light tap with an iron pin created a thunderous effect.
Another male disciple, appearing to be in his early thirties with a refined demeanor, stepped forward.
"I am Guan Linfeng, a fifth lineage disciple of the Great Abyss Gate, and I will oversee the entrance examination today. The examination has two parts: first, summon the spirit. One by one, you will come before me and place your hand on the spirit stone I hold. Those who make the spirit stone glow can proceed to the next part."
"The second part involves crossing this lake and mountain beyond it. Follow the guidance of the cranes in the sky, and press forward. The road will be rough. If you shout out that you give up, someone will rescue you. The further you travel, the higher your score. Do not stray from the direction pointed by the cranes. If you die, it will be your own responsibility."
Guan Linfeng spoke without arrogance, but his words carried an undeniable weight.
Fang Wang looked up and saw cranes circling above the mountain peak. More cranes formed a line in the sky.
The Fang Family Disciples felt panic. Aside from Zhou Xue, Fang Wang, and Fang Hanyu, the others, though skilled in martial arts, were not prepared to cross the lake or scale the hundred and fifty zhang high mountain.
Zhou Xue reassured them, "As long as you can make the spirit stone light up, you will be admitted. The second part is for those with a cultivation foundation to compete in."
This brought relief to everyone.
Fang Hanyu turned to Fang Wang and asked, "Can your Ariel Sword Art fly over that mountain?"
Fang Wang raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Why? Want me to carry you?"
Fang Hanyu rolled her eyes and said impatiently, "No, I was just asking. I don't need your help, and don't help anyone else either. Flying with someone using the Ariel Sword Art consumes a lot of spiritual power. Strive to bring honor to the Fang Residence."
Meanwhile, people had already started approaching Guan Linfeng, and a long queue soon formed. Zhou Xue led the group to line up.
"Pass!"
Guan Linfeng's voice rang out, and Fang Wang saw a man leap into the air. A flying sword emerged from his storage bag, expanded rapidly, and carried him swiftly toward the horizon.
The sight drew murmurs of admiration from the onlookers, heightening their anticipation for the Great Abyss Gate.
A young man from the Fang Residence, Fang Mo, remarked, "If one can master the Ariel Sword Art, couldn't they achieve the highest score?"
Zhou Xue glanced at him and replied, "It's not that simple. How do you know the journey's length or if there are magical beasts or spirit demons obstructing the route?"
Fang Mo scratched his head, offering a sheepish smile.
The first part of the assessment progressed quickly, averaging ten breaths per person. Fang Wang and his group waited patiently, as Zhou Xue had arranged for Fang Wang to go first and herself to be last to oversee everyone.
This meticulous planning made Fang Wang question whether Zhou Xue was truly a demonic cultivator. Could such a cultivator attain the status of an Immortal Venerable? Was she bluffing him?
Fang Wang found himself increasingly puzzled by Zhou Xue. Since her rebirth, she had become enigmatic, like when he heard her footsteps disappearing at night, not knowing her intentions.
He had considered flattering Zhou Xue to gain more cultivation methods but quickly dismissed the idea. He doubted whether it would succeed and did not want to demean himself.
Additionally, he could not follow Zhou Xue's path entirely. Her rebirth suggested she had failed in her previous life, and he needed to forge a stronger path for himself.
As time passed, Fang Wang's turn for the assessment approached. He had noticed that the light each person could evoke from the Spirit Stone varied, with many failing to light it up at all.
With his Spiritual Power cultivated, he wasn't worried but curious about the light's brightness, suspecting it indicated talent.
He approached Guan Linfeng and placed his right hand on the Spirit Stone. A cool sensation penetrated his palm, and a pulling force drew his Spiritual Power into the stone, causing it to burst into light.
"Pass!" Guan Linfeng announced, his expression unchanged.
Fang Wang was slightly disappointed; while the light was brighter than others before him, it seemed not to reflect his aptitude, perhaps only his cultivation level.
After a fist salute to Guan Linfeng, he walked toward the lake, leaping onto its surface and swiftly skimming away.
This performance did not attract much attention from the Tai Yuan Sect Disciples, as many had done similar feats, and not everyone knew the Sword Control Technique.
Guan Linfeng called over another Disciple to take his place and watched as Fang Wang glided over the lake like a swan, then ascended the cliff face with ease as if walking on level ground.
Fang Wang's performance uplifted Fang Hanyu and the others. Despite their lack of reputation, Fang Wang's display brought them a sense of pride.
"Impressive," Guan Linfeng murmured to himself, his eyes filled with appreciation as he watched Fang Wang reach the summit.
"This group of Disciples is extraordinary; there might emerge someone on the level of a Direct Disciple. Who knows who will seize that Superior Grade Spiritual Weapon and command the winds and clouds."
Meanwhile, Fang Wang stood atop the mountain, the breeze fluttering his fitted white garb, with the locks of hair beside his temple flying backward, revealing his handsome face.
Looking at the magnificent plains ahead, Fang Wang was awestruck by the scenery that unfolded behind the mountain, with two rows of towering mountains stretching to the horizon, and a vast plain between them as if cleaved by an Immortal's sword.
Fang Wang did not have long to admire the view; he leaped down, the wind roaring past him as he plummeted. Just before hitting the ground, he drew his Treasured Sword, twisting in mid-air to stab it into the mountainside. As the Sword Blade cut through the rock and debris flew, his descent slowed significantly.
The Treasured Sword he had spent a fortune on was deservedly hard!
Less than five feet from the ground and nearly stopped, he immediately pushed off the cliff, pulling the Sword Blade free from the mountain, flipping in the air, and landing steadily on the grass.
He sheathed his sword and ran in the direction pointed out by the crane in the sky.
Although the Aerial Sword Art at Great Perfection could allow him to fly on this sword, it was a huge drain on energy. Since this wasn't a magic sword and couldn't channel Spiritual Power, only being enveloped and manipulated by it, he didn't plan to use it prematurely.
He had a premonition that there might be a battle at the end of this road.
If it were simply about who could run the furthest, it would be just a simple test of Spiritual Power. The Great Abyss Gate would not be so hasty.
Fang Wang sprinted across the plains, employing the Shadowless Step with the support of Spiritual Power, which consumed far less than flying on the sword. His speed surpassed that of a swift horse, and at first glance, it looked as if his feet barely touched the ground, people passing and grass flying.
Before long, Fang Wang saw two figures; they were fighting near the mountain wall ahead on the left side, their movements extremely agile—one wielding a scimitar slashing out like lightning, the other holding a folded fan, unleashing fiery winds that set the grass in a ten-foot radius ablaze.
Fang Wang took only a quick glance, without stopping.
Indeed, such a lengthy path for an assessment surely wasn't as simple as it seemed on the surface.
A whoosh cut through the air above Fang Wang's head. He looked up to find a woman in yellow, wearing a Bamboo Hat and a white veil, with three scabbards on her back, the outfit of a wandering heroine. Most crucially, instead of flying on a sword, she was riding on a bright red gourd.
Fang Wang envied her; that was definitely a Magic Artifact, and her cultivation level must be quite high, probably in the eighth or ninth layer of the Qi Cultivation Realm.
After just a few glances, he continued at speed on his way, in no rush to catch up.
In the sky, Gu Li stood atop her precious gourd, gazing into the distance with a distracted look. Even behind the veil, her eyes were capable of sparking wild thoughts.
Suddenly, she seemed to perceive something, turning her head to see a man in black, also wearing a Bamboo Hat, approaching quickly on a Flying Sword. He soon passed by her at an amazing speed.
"Qi Cultivation Realm, Layer Nine. Father was right; the Great Abyss Gate is on the rise. But I have no intention of losing to my peers!"
Gu Li snorted coldly and began to accelerate.