The morning sun rose slowly above the towering mountains surrounding the Ji Xia Sect.
Golden rays spread across the ancient stone buildings, illuminating the quiet courtyards and training fields that had once been abandoned ruins. Now, however, the sect was no longer silent.
A new era had begun.
Inside the main hall, Yan Fu stood calmly before the gathered disciples. Behind him stood the three guardian beasts—Vorath, Aetherion, and Tianlong.
Even when standing quietly, their presence alone filled the hall with overwhelming pressure.
The disciples below stood straight, none daring to act casually in front of the sacred guardians of the sect.
Yan Fu's voice broke the silence.
"Today marks a new beginning for the Ji Xia Sect."
The disciples listened attentively.
"Our sect was once powerful but fell into ruin. However, from this moment onward, the Ji Xia Sect will rise again."
His gaze swept across the hall.
"But a sect cannot grow with only a handful of disciples."
Li Fei stepped forward respectfully.
"Master… do you mean…"
Yan Fu nodded.
"We will begin recruiting new disciples."
A murmur of excitement spread through the hall.
Many of the current disciples had once been wandering cultivators or poor villagers with no opportunities. The idea that their sect would soon grow into something great filled them with pride.
Yan Fu continued.
"However, Ji Xia Sect will not accept just anyone."
Vorath snorted lazily behind him.
"Only the strong or talented deserve to stay."
Yan Fu raised a hand slightly, signaling the disciples to calm down.
"The recruitment will begin tomorrow."
He paused before adding,
"Anyone who wishes to join Ji Xia Sect must pass the Three Trials of Talent."
The hall immediately became silent again.
Li Fei asked respectfully, "What are the Three Trials, Master?"
Yan Fu replied calmly.
"Spirit Root Test."
"Combat Potential Test."
"Dao Heart Test."
The disciples nodded slowly.
These were common methods used by powerful sects to determine whether someone possessed true cultivation talent.
But Yan Fu had something more in mind.
Inside his mind, the system interface appeared once again.
---
System Feature Activated
Sect Recruitment Formation.
Function: Automatically analyze and evaluate cultivator potential.
Evaluation Rank:
Common Talent
High Talent
Heavenly Talent
Divine Talent
---
Yan Fu smiled slightly.
This will make things interesting.
He turned back to the disciples.
"Prepare the outer courtyard," he ordered.
"We will welcome visitors tomorrow."
---
By midday, the news had already begun spreading across the nearby villages and towns.
The once-forgotten Ji Xia Sect was recruiting disciples again.
At first, many people doubted the rumor.
After all, Ji Xia Sect had been considered a dying sect for many years.
However…
Everything changed when travelers reported seeing three divine beasts guarding the mountain.
The news spread like wildfire.
"A storm dragon protecting the sect!"
"A giant black lion stronger than any spirit beast!"
"And a celestial creature capable of healing injuries!"
The entire region was shaken.
If such powerful beasts truly served Ji Xia Sect, then the sect must have gained an extraordinary master.
By nightfall, groups of hopeful cultivators had already begun traveling toward the mountain.
---
The next morning.
The entrance gate of Ji Xia Sect had never been this crowded before.
Hundreds of people had gathered outside the massive stone gates.
Some were young cultivators from nearby villages.
Others were wandering martial artists.
There were even a few rogue cultivators who had heard the rumors and came to test their luck.
Li Fei stood near the gate, observing the crowd.
"Master… there are far more people than we expected."
Yan Fu stood calmly beside him.
"That is good."
He raised a hand slightly.
"Open the gates."
The massive stone doors slowly creaked open.
The crowd immediately fell silent as they stepped inside.
What they saw shocked them.
The once ruined sect had completely changed.
New spiritual formations glowed faintly around the buildings.
Training grounds had been rebuilt.
And most shocking of all—
Three divine beasts stood calmly behind the main courtyard.
Vorath stretched lazily, his massive black body radiating terrifying pressure.
Tianlong coiled gracefully in the air like a living thunderstorm.
Aetherion stood calmly near the courtyard fountain, his glowing mane shining under the sunlight.
Several people in the crowd gasped.
"Those beasts… they're real…"
A rogue cultivator whispered nervously.
"That black lion alone could destroy a small sect."
Yan Fu stepped forward.
His calm voice carried across the courtyard.
"Welcome to Ji Xia Sect."
Everyone quickly bowed respectfully.
Yan Fu continued.
"Those who wish to join must pass the Three Trials."
He pointed toward the large stone platform in the center of the courtyard.
"The first trial will begin now."
A glowing formation circle slowly appeared on the ground.
Golden runes lit up as the Spirit Root Test Formation activated.
Yan Fu gestured toward the crowd.
"Step forward one at a time."
The first person nervously walked onto the formation.
Light rose from the ground and scanned his body.
After a few seconds, the formation dimmed.
Yan Fu's system displayed the result.
Low Talent.
Yan Fu shook his head slightly.
"You may leave."
The young man lowered his head and walked away disappointed.
The next few candidates produced similar results.
Some had weak spirit roots.
Others had no cultivation potential at all.
But after about twenty people—
Something finally changed.
A young girl wearing simple village clothes stepped onto the formation.
The moment the light scanned her body—
The formation suddenly shined brightly.
Even the disciples nearby looked surprised.
Yan Fu's system displayed the result.
High Talent Detected.
Yan Fu looked at the girl carefully.
"What is your name?"
She bowed respectfully.
"Lin Mei, Sect Master."
Yan Fu nodded.
"You may stay."
Her eyes widened with joy.
"Thank you, Sect Master!"
The trials continued for hours.
By midday, about ten people had passed the first trial.
However, Yan Fu was still waiting for something more.
Then—
A young man wearing travel robes stepped forward.
Unlike the others, he carried himself with calm confidence.
His eyes were sharp, and his aura was surprisingly steady.
Li Fei frowned slightly.
"This one feels different."
The young man stepped onto the formation.
The moment the light touched him—
The entire formation suddenly exploded with brilliant golden light.
The courtyard gasped.
Even Vorath lifted his head with interest.
Yan Fu's system flashed a message.
---
Divine Talent Detected
Rare cultivation genius discovered.
Potential Rank: Celestial Level.
---
Yan Fu's eyes narrowed slightly.
This was the first Divine Talent he had seen.
The young man bowed respectfully.
"My name is Zhao Tian."
Yan Fu looked at him calmly.
"Interesting."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Very interesting."
The rise of Ji Xia Sect had truly begun.