Three days later, all those scheduled for testing had finished.
On the second and third days, the number of participants grew steadily.
In the end, fifty-five people passed the first trial.
From among these fifty-five, the very first batch of disciples for Wushuang Sect would be chosen.
Yun Jin took out the Sect Master's ring, channeling energy into it to open a spatial passage. "This passage leads directly to Wushuang Sect. The following tests will take place inside the sect itself."
As her voice fell, several figures descended from the sky.
Ji Wusi and the others had also arrived.
"I would like to invite you seniors to serve as witnesses as well," Yun Jin said calmly.
This was already agreed upon in advance. Yun Jin had notified Ji Wusi and the rest beforehand and taken the opportunity to invite them to Wushuang Sect for a visit.
Within the bounds of Wushuang Sect, Yun Jin feared no one.
As Sect Master, she alone controlled the opening and closing of the spatial passage. With but a thought, even Lin Xiao could be instantly expelled.
After all, in this world, only the Wandao Saint had once touched upon the mysteries of space. To everyone else, this kind of dimensional suppression was utterly insurmountable.
Ji Wusi and the others, curious about the newly rebuilt sect, naturally accepted with ease.
Yun Jin handed each of them a talisman and then stepped into the passage first.
After a moment's thought, she turned back and took Su Lingling's hand. The little girl looked nervous. At only five years old, her courage was limited, and Yun Jin instinctively gave her extra care.
Watching Yun Jin's last gesture of consideration, Su Yu finally felt relieved. Even without her mother by her side, Ling Ling would surely live well in the future.
Yun Jin led Su Lingling inside, and the rest soon followed.
Passing through the spatial passage was like an instant, yet also like an eternity. When they regained their senses, they were already standing before the grand gates of Wushuang Sect.
An Tong was waiting for them.
Seeing the many fresh disciples, satisfaction welled in his heart.
Good.
The revival of Wushuang Sect begins here.
"An Tong, take them for the Heart Trial," Yun Jin ordered.
"Yes," An Tong responded with a smile, then turned to the group. "Everyone, this way, please."
Yun Jin bent down to Su Lingling. "You'll go too. There's a stairway. Just keep climbing, step by step."
"Mm-hm!" Su Lingling nodded with determination.
Yun Jin then glanced at Gao Jingxuan. "You'll also go."
She did not doubt Gao Jingxuan's resolve, but the rules of Wushuang Sect were clear. Every new disciple must take the trial.
Without hesitation, Gao Jingxuan accepted. He already knew the purpose of the Heart Trial Stairway. Even if Yun Jin had not called him, he would have volunteered.
"As for the rest of the testing, An Tong will handle it. Seniors, why don't you join me for tea?" Yun Jin invited.
Lin Xiao sneered, his smile sharp and false. "Sect Master Yun dragged things out for three whole days, only to gather such a bunch of worthless scraps. When the rankings are evaluated, Wushuang Sect will hardly achieve a high grade. Sect Master Yun still has the leisure for tea? And really, what tea have we not tasted? Is this not an unnecessary gesture?"
Yun Jin arched a brow. "How considerate of Pavilion Master Lin to worry on my behalf. Since you clearly disdain my tea, then so be it. We'll drink, and you can simply watch."
She had no intention of sparing Lin Xiao any face. The mask between them was already torn. Even if she were polite, Lin Xiao would still strike at her from the shadows. So why not bring the conflict into the open?
She, Yun Jin, simply looked down on Lin Xiao and saw no need to be pleasant to him. What could he do about it?
At worst, he would still plot against her behind the scenes.
And publicly? She was only a sixteen-year-old girl. Lin Xiao had lived for centuries. How could he possibly justify quarreling with a child?
Yun Jin leaned fully into her reckless, unrestrained stance.
Lin Xiao's face darkened.
It wasn't about tea.
But the sheer humiliation gnawed at him.
Yun Jin ignored his mood and led the guests to the river of enlightenment.
Along its banks grew rows of tea trees.
Nurtured by the river's waters, the leaves were called Enlightenment Tea, a unique treasure of Wushuang Sect.
One tree towered above the rest, immense and ancient.
Beside it, stone tables and stools had already been prepared.
Yun Jin carefully brewed tea for the group.
Lin Xiao's expression improved slightly when he noticed she had even prepared a cup for him. At least the girl knew her place.
After all, he was the Pavilion Master of Qingxiao Pavilion. Could she truly dare slight him?
Yet when she reached his turn, Yun Jin placed no tea leaves in the pot. Instead, she set down a new teapot filled with plain water.
"Pavilion Master Lin, since my tea is beneath you, here is a pot of ordinary water. Please help yourself," Yun Jin said lightly.
Lin Xiao's head snapped up, fury blazing in his eyes. "Yun Jin, how dare you be so disrespectful!"
"Pavilion Master Lin," Yun Jin blinked innocently, "you said yourself my tea was unworthy. As a junior, how could I force my elders into discomfort? I am simply obeying you. How is that disrespectful?"
Her expression was the very picture of guileless sincerity.
Lin Xiao's face twisted with rage.
Ji Wusi chuckled, stepping in. "Pavilion Master Lin, do not bicker with a child. I'll be sure to discipline Yun Jin later. She's still young, after all."
Lin Xiao's beard quivered.
Young. Always young.
How long could they keep using this excuse?
And then despair struck him.
With Yun Jin's age, they could keep using it for a very, very long time.
Lin Xiao forced a snort. "It's fine. Tea or water, I care little."
Feigning indifference, he sat back. Yun Jin did not push further, focusing instead on hosting Ji Wusi and the others.
The Enlightenment Tea nourished by the river was unparalleled. That great tree had first been transplanted by the Wandao Saint, then left to grow in tranquility for thousands of years. Now, it was over ten thousand years old.
Ji Wusi took a slow sip, a flicker of nostalgia in his eyes. How long had it been since he last tasted this tea?
An ache of time's passage filled him. It had been a millennium since his friend's passing. Now, at last, Wushuang Sect had returned to the world. If his departed friend could see this, surely he would be gratified.
As they drank leisurely, An Tong returned with results from the Heart Trial. Every candidate had passed.
Yun Jin was unsurprised.
After all, she had personally cut down the Xue Daoren before the masses. Anyone bold enough to apply to Wushuang Sect now surely understood her temper.
If they still came, it meant their hearts aligned with hers.
"Since this is our first recruitment, the sect needs to grow lively quickly. An Tong, give these disciples some Enlightenment Tea leaves, at least a century old. Anyone who can grasp even a minor Intent with them will be considered to have passed."
The tea would offer them a rare chance, a true fortune.
An Tong happily agreed.
Only Lin Xiao's face darkened further.
What did this mean?
She was willing to give valuable Enlightenment Tea to raw recruits who weren't even proper disciples yet, but not a single leaf to him?
This Yun Jin…
She was doing it on purpose.
Absolutely on purpose.