All the youths who were to participate in the Awakening Baptism that day had completed the baptism. A somber atmosphere hung in the hall. Nearly a thousand children had entered the baptism, but only three among them possessed talent. The mournful and gloomy expressions of the talentless filled the hall.
Agent Pergron announced the end of the baptism, addressing the entire hall. "This year's baptism is concluded," he said, pulling the hall out of shock and despair. Everyone came to themselves and slowly began to leave the hall. Only Agois's family and Grey's family remained. In addition, the Princess's mother and father—King Saron Pergron and Queen Astaria Pergron—and the King's brother were present.
The King resembled his brother, Agent; with his yellow hair and handsome features, he carried the authority and nobility of the King. The Queen had long yellow hair, blue eyes, and elegant features; she looked just like her daughter.
Agent was excited. The reason he personally conducted the Baptism this year was that powerful individuals had come here. They had also come to inspect the Nel Stone deposit they found in a mine, which they were competing for with the Kingdom of Rolan. Therefore, he personally oversaw the baptism.
Suddenly, six figures appeared in the hall. No one, not even Agent, understood where or when they had emerged. Agent immediately knelt. The King, Queen, and everyone in the hall, even Agois's family, knelt as well. Just as Agois and the other two talented youths were about to kneel, one of the Cultivators, a gentle and cheerful old man with a white beard, gently and irresistibly prevented everyone from bowing and raised them with a simple wave of his hand.
All six figures looked extraordinary; they exuded an untouchable and ethereal, celestial aura. Two of the six figures were women; they possessed great beauty and mature charm. Combined with their otherworldly presence, they looked like fairies who had descended to the mortal world.
But no one dared to look at them directly. The white-bearded Cultivator, Old Senfu, looked at Grey and the Princess and nodded his head. But when he came to Agois, he began to examine him with his eyes, as if wanting to see into his deepest being. The other five also began to examine Agois. Agois felt a great pressure he had never experienced before; cold sweat trickled down his back. They were only looking at Agois; they weren't releasing any aura or pressure, but even this was enough for an ordinary person to feel immense stress.
The more the six figures looked, the more pleased they were with Agois. He had a very strong body at this age, having reached the Iron Body. Although it was a somewhat redundant practice when one became a Cultivator, starting cultivation this way was fundamentally sound.
The handsome young-looking Cultivator with sharp black eyes, Ji Xalan, began to speak: "We don't have much time, let's get to the point. Although our Five Elements Clan is not among the best clans and sects in Askaraf, it possesses considerable power and resources. Our clan is the best environment for your development, Agois," he said, boldly praising his clan and presenting the opportunities, thus extending an invitation.
"Ji Xalan, you must be forgetting that the rest of us are here. My Scarlet Lotus Valley is no less than your clan. Son, we have a unique technique. If you want to quickly grow strong, you must choose the Scarlet Lotus," interjected the Bald Monk Jang. He had a red mark on his forehead, his muscular chest was exposed, and he wore a bright red necklace. He looked provocatively at Cultivator Ji, but the latter continued to smile indifferently.
"Monk Jang, don't forget us either," continued Loras, slowly interjecting, "Our Dark Lord Cult is also a force not to be underestimated. In our Cult, we promise the freedom you won't find in those clans and sects. However, I can't promise more than them in terms of resources," he said, smiling warmly at Agois, though it didn't match his frightening appearance with messy long hair, dirty robes, and a poor physique.
The attractive and mature women, Fairy Lousa and Fairy Lansu, sighed with regret. This was because the sects they belonged to only accepted female disciples. They could only focus on Princess Samantha. Although her talent was not bad, it was not enough for either Fairy to act upon.
Finally, the white-bearded Cultivator, Old Senfu, began to speak: "Although I don't want to compete with you, the best development opportunity for Agois is at the Heavenly Sun Sect. That is enough, let's leave the choice to the young man," he said with a smile.
The others shrugged their shoulders when they heard this. When this cunning old man spoke, did they have any other choice or chance in the competition? He was both pressuring them with the name of the Heavenly Sun Sect and sending the message, "We chose this young man."
Seeing this, Grey was raging with jealousy inside. Why was everyone arguing over Agois? Even these supreme beings were speaking for him. Yet, he was supposed to be the protagonist of this scene. But now, no one cared about him. He also possessed rare talent in the kingdom. Why weren't they interested? It was all because of this commoner. He cursed Agois internally but couldn't show it outwardly. At least he wasn't stupid.
Samantha had complex feelings. Agois was genuinely handsome; he was the most handsome peer she had ever seen, and very talented as well. But she was an open-minded and intelligent girl. To these Cultivators, their kingdom was nothing. Agois would also reach such power one day with this talent. Therefore, even though she was a Princess, she understood the vast gap between them and decided not to harbor such fantasies only to be disappointed later.
Agois was very excited. He understood that his talent had made a huge impact, and he grasped the significance of this talent. He could make a good start, and join a good sect or clan thanks to it. The scene before them confirmed this, but he had no idea which one to join, as he had no previous knowledge of the power centers of this world. He was just about to ask when…
Cultivator Agent provided them with information about these sects and clans, but this was very strange for Agois. Although the others were surprised, they had some prior knowledge about this because Agent was communicating with them via spiritual communication. Agois heard the voice of Cultivator Agent in his mind.
Agent immediately got to the point: "It's a great stroke of luck that these sects sent people here this year, son. Normally, the smaller clans and sects in Zou would select talents from the kingdoms here. No matter how talented you are, it's not easy to make contact with these great sects. That's why these smaller sects would easily and comfortably select among these talents. But this year, due to an incident, the paths of these Cultivators crossed with ours. That's why you are lucky. It will be very easy for you to enter any sect with this talent, but I recommend the Heavenly Sun Sect to you. Although the others are powerful, the Heavenly Sun Sect is among the best sects in Askaraf. And the old man leading this group is from there," he said and then fell silent.
Agois sank into thought. Although, there wasn't much need to think; as Agent said, the Heavenly Sun Sect was among the best in these lands. Although he thought the internal competition of this sect would be very high, this was a good thing for Agois. And he immediately made his decision.
He took a deep breath and began to speak, calming himself: "I respect every sect and clan here, but I choose the Heavenly Sun Sect," he concluded.
Hearing this, Old Senfu smiled. "You have good eyes, son," he joked.
The others were annoyed by this small taunt, but they were not surprised by Agois's choice. This was what they expected anyway.
They immediately looked at Grey, but no one spoke; their enthusiasm was gone. But Monk Jang looked carefully at Grey and thought, "He might have the potential to become a Monk." He immediately gave Grey a chance.
"Hey son, are you interested in our Scarlet Lotus Valley?" he asked in a calm and imposing manner.
Hearing this, the others felt a moment of pity for the boy named Grey but said nothing; they didn't care anyway.
Grey was very happy and excited to hear this. Finally, there was a major sect that chose him too. He felt as if no one would be interested in him. So, he immediately said with excitement: "This youth is ready to join the Scarlet Lotus Valley, Sir," and knelt down.
Seeing this, Agent felt sorry for the boy. He had heard the reputation of the Scarlet Lotus Valley; according to the rumor, one had to be barren and impotent to practice cultivation there. He sighed and pondered…
But his beautiful niece came to mind. He immediately thought, I hope she can also join one of these sects.
Then Fairy Lousa looked at Samantha and interjected: "If you are interested, you can join our Hundred Flowers Clan," she offered gently to Samantha. She understood that Lansu would not make a move. She wanted to give this girl a chance; perhaps she saw her own childhood in her.
Samantha replied: "This young lady is willing to join the Hundred Flowers Clan, Madam."
Lansu did not show any reaction to this situation. Her own clan's conditions were not very good, and they didn't feel they were in a position to take on new disciples.
Lousa smiled at Samantha. When she smiled, her face, as clean and clear as jade, seemed to light up, making her look even more ethereal with her fairy demeanor.
"Alright then, now that everything is settled, it is time to depart," said Old Senfu. He immediately turned to Agois and asked, "Are you ready, Agois?"
Agois immediately interjected and knelt before Old Senfu: "Sir, I don't have much to prepare, only my family. If I leave them behind, I will be unable to focus on my cultivation due to worry and anxiety," he said, immediately stating his desire to bring his family along.
He truly couldn't bear to leave his family behind. In this world where their fate was uncertain, he could only relax if he could bring them to this powerful sect.
Crone and Mina were very touched to hear this, and their hearts warmed. Just as they were about to speak and say it wasn't necessary…
Old Senfu spoke with a smile: "Very well, let's take them along too. We will make arrangements for them when we return to the sect."
The loyalty and love of this young man towards his family pleased him. He thought that such a youth would be better attached to the sect and view it as his home. Therefore, he granted Agois's small request.
Agois was very happy, and so was his family. The entire family immediately knelt before Old Senfu, but Old Senfu gently raised them up with a subtle gust of power.
He continued: "Your son is now a disciple of our sect, so there is no need for such formalities," he said.
Grey and his family were very envious of Agois and his family. Their faces looked as if they had eaten dirt; it was as if these ordinary commoners had reached heaven in a single step. Even the King and Queen were no different; they were envious.
Together, they exited to the garden through the back door.
With a wave of his hand, a small bottle-like object flew from Old Senfu's hand into the sky, slowly lengthening and expanding, transforming into a massive flying object. And with a movement, Old Senfu vanished along with Agois and his family. Agois and his family suddenly felt the world turn upside down.
When they came to and opened their eyes, they found themselves in a spacious, comfortable, and luxurious room with simple, comfortable sofas and a table laden with beautiful flowers and fruits. Old Senfu said to Agois, "Your family can rest here for the duration of our journey for now," and then left. Agois understood; he told his family they could be comfortable here and followed the old man.
As Old Senfu and Agois watched the scenery outside from the forefront of the flying ship, the old man asked Agois: "What do you know about cultivation, or the Cultivator world?"
Agois couldn't find anything to say; he was momentarily embarrassed. He was truly far removed from these topics. Old Senfu had already realized that this youth came from an ordinary populace and background. He immediately began to explain with a smile.
"Cultivators first open their first meridian and step onto the path of cultivation. There are 12 meridians in our bodies. The realm from the first meridian up to the 3rd meridian is called the Silver Realm. When you open the 4th meridian, you step into the Gold Realm. Then, when you open the 7th meridian, the Violet Realm comes. After that, the person who opens their 10th meridian steps into the Saint Realm," Old Senfu slowly explained, waiting for Agois to digest this information.
Agois was astonished. He was very curious about the path of cultivation; he was stunned when he heard the cultivation levels. The fact that there were 12 meridians in the human body and one could advance further on the path of cultivation by opening them... All of this was new to him; it was as if he was meeting a new world.
Agois understood but was curious about what came after the Saint Realm and asked: "So, what lies beyond the Saint Realm?"
Old Senfu, as if teasing his curious disciple, replied: "Little brat, that realm is too far away right now. You don't need to know now; you will learn when the time comes. Your current goal should be the Silver Realm. Wait until we reach the sect; you will receive your cultivation technique with the official disciple ceremony," he said, leaving Agois in suspense. He didn't elaborate further.
"For now, this is enough for you to know. You will learn more with time. For now, you should rest here too. I am going to cultivate. If anything urgent happens, just call my name loudly," he said and disappeared. Agois was left alone there.
Looking at the scenery, he clenched his fists and whispered to himself: "The Silver Realm…"