"It seems like they are disciples of the Ancient Divine Sect."
Gu Chenfeng observed the disciples, thinking to himself, "The disciples guarding the mountain gate are at the Early Stage of Fasting and Late Stage of Foundation Establishment. It appears the Ancient Divine Sect is more powerful than I imagined."
The leading disciple sternly reprimanded, "Who dares to forcibly enter the Ancient Divine Sect?"
Five young men hurriedly stood up and saluted. One quickly explained, "Brother Yang, it's me, Xiao Chen. We are not forcing our way in; we came to participate in the examination to join the Ancient Divine Sect."
"So it's Young Master Xiao Chen and the others." Brother Yang's anger dissipated, and he indifferently replied, "But you are late. The examination for recruiting disciples of the Ancient Divine Sect is already underway. You should go back."
"Brother Yang, we dream of joining the Ancient Divine Sect. We were delayed because of some matters. Please give us a chance."
"If I go back now, my father will definitely beat me to death. Please let us in, Brother Yang. Even if we fail, I will have no complaints."
"Brother Yang, if we miss this opportunity, we will never be able to enter the Ancient Divine Sect in this lifetime."
The five pleaded bitterly, hoping for a chance.
Brother Yang solemnly said, "I understand your feelings. Honestly, I don't like the rules of the Ancient Divine Sect either, but rules are rules."
"The Ancient Divine Sect is an Immortal Cultivation Sect with a heritage spanning tens of thousands of years. Its rules have their own reasoning, which neither you nor I can change. It seems you are not destined for the Ancient Divine Sect. Better try another sect."
One disciple slightly smiled, "With the foundation of your family, Young Master Xiao Chen, joining another Immortal Sect would be quite easy."
Upon hearing this.
The five faces were filled with remorse and despair.
Rules are rules; they cannot change just for them.
"Young Master Xiao Chen, you all should return." Brother Yang said blandly, about to turn and enter the mountain gate.
"Wait!" Gu Chenfeng hastily stepped forward.
The leading disciple glanced at Gu Chenfeng, saying indifferently, "Young man, forgive my bluntness; your age does not meet the requirements of the Ancient Divine Sect. If I guess correctly, you should have completed the coming-of-age ceremony."
Gu Chenfeng replied, "I completed the coming-of-age ceremony a month ago."
Brother Yang shook his head, saying, "Having passed the coming-of-age ceremony, yet your cultivation is only at the Foundation Establishment Stage, your age and talent are far below the requirements of the Ancient Divine Sect. You should go back too."
"Passing the coming-of-age ceremony while still at the Foundation Establishment Stage, your talent is too poor. I don't know how you dare to come to the Ancient Divine Sect."
"In the Ancient Divine Sect, geniuses are as numerous as clouds. Even with our talents, we might not succeed in the examination, so you better stop dreaming."
"Not everyone can become a disciple of the Ancient Divine Sect, and you should forget about it. Leave quickly and avoid losing face here."
Their words of disdain were unmistakable.
Gu Chenfeng remained silent, paying no attention to the young men, instead retrieving the Fire God Feather from his storage ring and handing it to Brother Yang.
Upon seeing the Fire God Feather offered by Gu Chenfeng, Brother Yang's face changed dramatically, exclaiming, "This is... the Fire God Feather!"
"What? The Fire God Feather?"
"Blood-red feather, golden flames, aura of the divine, this is identical to the Fire God Feather within the sect!"
"This must be the Fire God Feather, no doubt. Is he the genius mentioned by the senior?"
The disciples behind simultaneously exclaimed, their eyes nearly popping out.
Staring blankly at Gu Chenfeng, they were extremely shocked he possessed the Fire God Feather.
"They all recognize the Fire God Feather?" Gu Chenfeng was slightly surprised, wondering internally, "Does the Eternal Celestial Emperor have some connection with the Ancient Divine Sect?"
"Fire God Feather? What's that?"
"What Fire God Feather, isn't it a chicken feather?"
"I think it looks like chicken feathers too. Why is this guy bringing chicken feathers?"
The young masters looked at Gu Chenfeng in confusion, as if seeing an idiot.
Suppressing the shock within, Brother Yang's face showed a smile, his attitude transformed instantly, asking respectfully with a smile, "How should I address you, junior brother?"
"Junior brother?" The young masters widened their eyes at Gu Chenfeng, shocked and incredulous.
"Gu Chenfeng." Gu Chenfeng answered softly.
"Junior Brother Gu, please come inside." Brother Yang smiled politely, gesturing him to enter.
"Thank you, Brother Yang." Gu Chenfeng clasped his fists gratefully.
Brother Yang returned the Fire God Feather to Gu Chenfeng, promptly instructing a disciple, "Lu Junior Brother, quickly escort Junior Brother Gu to see the Great Elder."
Lu Ming clasped his fists politely, "Please follow me, Junior Brother Gu."
Seeing this, the young masters, including Xiao Chen, were utterly dumbfounded.
Xiao Chen's heart ignited with anger, his face full of dissatisfaction, asking, "Brother Yang, this isn't fair. He uses a feather to enter, yet we are rejected for being late?"
"Feather?" Brother Yang slightly frowned, rebuking, "You have quite the nerve, daring to treat the Fire God Feather as chicken feathers. I say you're tired of living!"
Seeing Brother Yang angry, Xiao Chen and his group were fearfully silent.
"Scram!" Brother Yang fiercely scolded.
Xiao Chen and the young masters fled in panic.
...
The Ancient Divine Sect.
After entering the invisible barrier, Gu Chenfeng realized that the originally empty Divine Sect hall was now very lively.
Gu Chenfeng also sensed the overwhelming aura emanating from the multitude of halls.
Looking at the halls atop the eighteen main peaks, Gu Chenfeng was shocked, thinking, "I can sense such terrifying auras, is it due to the Celestial Emperor's Blood?"
Moreover, Gu Chenfeng was astonished to find he could discern the cultivation realm of numerous disciples at a glance.
Glancing at the disciples undergoing examination, Gu Chenfeng was secretly amazed, "As expected of geniuses, most of them have reached the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment, and even three are at the Fasting Stage."
These disciples under examination were a few years younger than Gu Chenfeng, which showed how formidable their talent was.
Observing Gu Chenfeng's shocked expression, a nearby disciple smiled, "Junior Brother Gu, the Ancient Divine Sect has eighteen main peaks. This is the Ancient Peak, and today is the examination for disciples of the sect, so the majority have come."
Gu Chenfeng nodded, asking, "Lu Senpai, what does the Ancient Divine Sect's examination entail?"
Lu Ming replied with a smile, "The Ancient Divine Sect seeks only geniuses, with very high standards for evaluation. It not only considers cultivation talent and comprehension but also temperament, and most importantly, the spirit root, which is fundamental for a cultivator."
"Of course, even with top-grade spirit roots, if one is of dubious character, they cannot pass the examination. Junior Brother Gu, if interested, you can also participate."
"Having integrated with the Celestial Emperor's Blood, perhaps there will be unexpected surprises." Gu Chenfeng pondered internally before nodding, "I happen to want to give it a try."
"If that's the case, should we visit the Great Elder and then have a try?" Lu Ming asked cautiously.
"That sounds good." Gu Chenfeng nodded.