When the first day ended, only ten people had successfully passed the test.
Among those ten, only Su Lingling was a complete novice. Everyone else had at least some prior cultivation experience. One of them had even reached the Divine Transformation stage.
Some were cultivators from Imperial courts, while others were wandering loose cultivators.
It was an unspoken rule that cultivators from Imperial courts were rarely chosen by sects.
As for loose cultivators, most of them had poor aptitude, which was why they had been unable to join a sect. Yet precisely because they had never been sheltered within a sect, many of them had spent years wandering outside, gaining trials and insights. In certain ways, they were more seasoned than sect disciples.
This accumulation of hardship and comprehension was what helped them pass the first test.
Wushuang Sect's legendary elder who had achieved enlightenment in a single day had once been a great scholar, though his aptitude was poor. But with profound knowledge and insight as his foundation, he was able to leap straight into the Law.
Su Lingling, on the other hand, was different. A blank sheet of paper, yet she had touched enlightenment instantly. She was an anomaly.
The passers of the first test were each given a temporary talisman and told to return on the third day, when they would regroup with the others who had succeeded.
As for Su Lingling, Yun Jin thought for a moment. She held her hand and led her back to her mother.
At the same time, Yun Jin quietly probed Su Lingling's mother's body.
A trace of regret flickered through Yun Jin's eyes.
As expected.
No surprises here. Su Lingling's mother had no spiritual root. She was entirely, irredeemably mortal. Which meant her life span would only reach the ordinary hundred years. Yet Su Lingling, as the new heroine, was fated to step onto the grand stage of the world.
After a pause, Yun Jin took out a bottle of pills and handed it over. She spoke gently, "Take one pill each year. It will ensure you live to a full hundred years without illness or calamity."
The Heavenly Dao was merciless. This was the only thing she could do for Su Lingling.
The middle-aged woman seemed to realize what that meant. Her eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you. Thank you, Sect Master."
For her, nothing mattered more than her daughter's bright future. Whether she could remain at her side forever was secondary. To be granted a hundred years of health and peace was already a blessing beyond measure.
Su Lingling, too young to understand the complexity between adults, smiled sweetly at Yun Jin. "Ling Ling thanks Sister too."
The middle-aged woman quickly corrected her, "Don't be rude. Call her Sect Master!"
"It's fine," Yun Jin replied softly, not bothered in the least.
Still, Su Lingling listened to her mother. Though puzzled, she obediently changed her address. "Sect Master, will the pills you gave my mother taste good? Sweet or bitter? My mother hates bitterness. Last time she took medicine, her brow stayed furrowed for so long."
"Ling Ling, don't say such nonsense." The woman flushed with embarrassment.
Yun Jin only smiled, her tone serious. "The pill isn't bitter. It's even a little sweet."
Su Lingling's eyes sparkled. "Then Mother will definitely like it."
Yun Jin patted her head. "Go with your mother now."
The woman, still deeply grateful, took Su Lingling by the hand and left.
Yun Jin discreetly placed a marker on both of them. If anything happened, she could rush over immediately.
Though the capital was crawling with powerful figures and no one would dare cause trouble here, one could never be too careful when it came to the heroine.
Watching the mother and daughter walk away, Yun Jin couldn't help but sigh.
The words "The Heavenly Dao is merciless" were not empty.
Each time Su Lingling entered seclusion, years would pass.
Each time she ventured out on a journey, more years would vanish.
And each time she comprehended a Law, that too would consume years.
Yun Jin herself was an anomaly, but for other cultivators, strength was always forged by the slow grind of time.
The brighter Su Lingling's life became, the less time she would have to spend with her mortal mother.
This was one of the reasons why the cultivation world preached severing mortal ties and abandoning love. If one was constantly held back by worldly attachments, their cultivation would inevitably stall.
Yun Jin did not fully agree with this philosophy, but she understood the truth of it. Once one set foot on the path of cultivation, even if they did not sever love, their time with mortals would always dwindle.
That was why every moment this mother and daughter shared from now on was precious beyond measure.
That night, Su Yu went out of her way to buy meat she normally could not afford, and prepared a full table of dishes.
Su Lingling had never known her father. She had grown up alone with her mother. Her memories were full of her mother working tirelessly, earning money, supporting their household.
Such a feast, she had never seen in her life. Not even during New Year.
Her eyes lit up and drool nearly slipped from her mouth.
"Mother, is this to reward Ling Ling for passing the first test?" she asked happily.
She was sure her mother was overjoyed, and that was why she had prepared so much food.
Su Yu gently ruffled her daughter's hair. "Yes. Mother is very happy. Happier than I've ever been. Tonight, everything on the table is what Ling Ling likes most. Eat all you want."
Without thinking further, Su Lingling dove in, cheeks puffing up as she ate, while praising her mother with clumsy flattery.
"Mother's meat is the best meat in the world."
"Mother's fish is the best fish in the world."
"Mother's vegetables are the best vegetables in the world."
Though her flattery was unimaginative, Su Yu's face glowed with joy as she listened.
When both had eaten until they were full, Su Lingling suddenly looked uneasy. "But Mother, there are still more tests. What if Ling Ling fails the next ones? If I don't make it into Wushuang Sect… should I spit the food back out?"
She patted her round belly in worry.
She would hate to waste it, but what if it held her back?
Su Yu laughed and touched her head, speaking softly. "Don't worry. Eat more good food, and Ling Ling will grow tall and strong faster."
Su Lingling nodded firmly. "Then I'll learn powerful spell soon. One day, I'll be like the Sect Master, saving everyone. Ling Ling will be a great hero."
"Yes, Ling Ling will become a great hero," Su Yu murmured.
Her eyes, which often carried a trace of sorrow, softened. This time, much of that sorrow was gone. From Yun Jin's attitude earlier, she could already guess. Su Lingling would almost certainly be accepted into Wushuang Sect.
And with Yun Jin as Sect Master, her daughter's future would stretch endlessly wide.
Her life would be brilliant. Boundless.
That was more than enough.
Wushuang Sect's recruitment continued until the third day.
Watching from afar, Lin Xiao could only laugh in disdain.
What a pitiful collection of misfits. Only Wushuang Sect would accept such scraps. Yes, the sect had turned waste into treasure before. But such things took tremendous time and resources.
Lin Xiao did not believe these people could make any difference in the coming Grand Sect Ranking Conclave. And besides, this was not the age of a thousand years ago, when Wushuang Sect stood supreme.
Not while he was here.
He would never allow the Wushuang Sect of old to rise again.