Chapter 106

Chapter 106: Disciple Selection Competition

The water mirror unexpectedly shifted from showing the dangerous forest to displaying the scene before Zhen Yan Sect’s mountain gate. The gates stood wide open as all disciples who passed the first trial entered. The vision even captured them walking into the main hall and passing through the square where the current spectators sat.

"This is…?" You You blinked in surprise.

"Another illusion," Yuan Qi explained with a gentle smile. "I merely sealed part of their awareness within it, and time flows differently there."

"Oh." You You nodded, watching as the illusion accelerated. Every candidate believed they’d passed the test, happily entering the main hall as official disciples. Scenes unfolded of them beginning Cultivation alongside senior disciples, with Qiu Zhang’s translucent residual soul figure making an appearance.

The white-haired, translucent figure lectured the new disciples: "Memorize this cultivation technique within three days, and I’ll formally guide your Cultivation." He floated away after distributing the manuals, leaving students frantically memorizing unnamed books whose content unmistakably revealed them as—Qiu Zhang Technique!

You You side-eyed the floating residual soul, immediately recognizing who designed this trial.

"Master Qiu insisted this trial test comprehension and dedication to diligent Cultivation," Ling Qui reported quietly. "The Qiu Zhang Technique they’re memorizing is genuine. Those recalling five chapters pass. Others gain opportunity – even ordinary people without spiritual roots might pass this Top-tier Cultivation Technique’s knowledge to descendants."

You You’s cheek twitched. This was blatant legacy-pushing! Qiu Zhang wouldn’t even spare ordinary folk now?

"Interesting!" Qiu Zhang suddenly leaned toward the mirror, eyes blazing at one candidate. "This disciple’s already writing the final chapter! Promising, most promising!"

You You suppressed exasperation. The trial wasn’t over yet! Following his gaze, she saw illusion-time had fast-forwarded to the third day. While others struggled to transcribe the Qiu Zhang Technique, a fifteen-year-old boy in the corner wrote swiftly. His paper bore the name Ning Rui. Though nearing completion, his tense posture and furrowed brow suggested unease belying his age.

"That left-corner candidate shows promise," Feng Yu interjected, pointing at a muscular man with proud eyes. "Superior physique and martial arts training – ideal for Cultivation."

"Indeed," Lin Feng agreed. "He subdued a monster single-handedly last trial." Though illusions made the beasts appear fiercer, even first-tier monsters challenged ordinary people.

"I prefer that water-boy lookalike!"

"No, the herbalist! He’ll never mix up Spiritual Plants!"

"The sturdy one! My sword thirsts for a sparring partner!"

Qiu Zhang’s comment unleashed a flood of opinions. The square buzzed as disciples debated favorites.

"You You’s thoughts?" Yuan Qi inquired.

Startled from observing Ning Rui, she shook her head. "I don’t speculate. We’ll see the results."

The second trial concluded with few eliminations. Subsequent trials designed by Qiu Zhang tested every cultivator virtue – wisdom, ethics, endurance. By the ninth trial’s heavenly ladder climb, fewer than hundred remained. Cheers and groans erupted as disciples’ predictions succeeded or failed.

Both Qiu Zhang and Feng Yu’s picks survived. Feng Yu’s martial artist aced every challenge. Ning Rui, though frail-looking, navigated obstacles like he possessed danger radar – so smoothly that You You suspected cheating if not for confirmed anonymity.

As the ninth trial concluded, Ling Qi rose at You You’s nod. "Zhen Yan disciples," he announced, "these candidates will soon become junior brothers sharing our fortunes. By sect master’s decree, we hold final anonymous vote."

He summoned a formation. "Left side approves. Right side rejects. Use spiritual energy to mark disapproved candidates. Majority votes decide elimination."

Excitement rippled through the square. Disciples eagerly channeled spiritual energy into the formation when signaled. Even Qiu Zhang and Feng Yu participated enthusiastically, voting for their chosen candidates.

In less than half a moment, the left side of the formation had completely lit up, while scattered names appeared on the right. Most were playful votes from brothers testing the process, with none reaching majority. This meant all successful candidates could join.

The illusions in the water mirror finally ceased. Dozens who passed the ninth trial reappeared on the heavenly ladder. The surrounding mist vanished instantly, formations dimming to leave only bare stairs stretching toward the mountain gate.

It confirmed Shui Yan’s words – the final trial was simply climbing up.

The group stood dazed on the ladder now near the mountain gate. The nine previous illusions seemed to have left them paranoid. None dared stride confidently, instead cautiously testing each step multiple times. The straight path twisted into mental switchbacks under their fearful progress.

Square disciples: "…"

"They’re too slow! We’ve more to teach them!" Qiu Zhang blurted, turning to Ling Qi. "Friend Ling, any way to hasten them?"

Ling Qi pondered before nodding. "True, this final trial’s too simple." He formed a spell, altering the ladder’s formation. Crackling sounds erupted as pristine steps began fracturing from the bottom upward.

"What’s that noise?" The trailing Man in Green Robes turned and paled. "The heavenly ladder collapses!"

Ning Rui ahead reacted instantly. "Run!" He grabbed the green-robed man while charging upward.

The crowd startled into motion. Fears of illusions forgotten, they stampeded toward the gate. Wide steps cramped with jostling bodies. As lower steps crumbled faster, runners accelerated – swiftest already reaching the gate while others scrambled.

Cracks spiderwebbed across remaining steps. Feng Yu’s praised martial artist lagged behind, cracks at his heels. The gate loomed twelve steps above. His eyes hardened. Leaping with qinggong, he aimed to vault the gap.

Steps ahead suddenly shattered, creating five-step chasm. Someone tumbled into the gap, clinging desperately. The martial artist didn’t hesitate – he stomped the fallen head, using it as springboard to clear the gap.

"…"

You You’s expression darkened. Yuan Qi’s perpetual smile faded.

Most had reached safety. The fallen man clawed at cracking steps, screaming "Help!" Panicked crowd ignored him. Ning Rui, six steps from safety, wavered before gritting teeth and hauling the larger man up. Miraculously, the ladder held until both cleared it.

"These passed the trials. Brother Lin, have disciples escort them in," Ling Qi said, retracting formations.

Lin Feng moved to obey when You You interrupted. "Wait!"

Both turned. "Sect Master?"

You You studied the voting formation before asking, "Ling Qi, as Sect Master, do I have veto power?"

Ling Qi blinked. "Naturally! You granted their spiritual roots! You designed these rules!"

"Good. While these candidates passed…" She pointed at the burly man in the water mirror, "Except him."

Shocked silence fell. Feng Yu protested first. "Sect Master, why? His Qualifications are best! Is this about not rescuing that man? Everyone panicked – self-preservation’s understandable!"

Ling Qi nodded. "When I slowed the collapse, they didn’t know safeguards existed."

Qiu Zhang added, "Ning Rui’s rescue was exceptional bravery, but avoiding danger…"

"Not about failing to rescue." You You’s brow furrowed deeper. "He didn’t just preserve himself – he actively harmed others."

Yuan Qi waved at the water mirror, replaying the scene. When confusion persisted, You You ordered, "Yuan Dad, zoom on his feet."

The enhanced view revealed truth – the martial artist had deliberately cracked steps ahead with hidden force. His head-stomp wasn’t desperation but calculated brutality, breaking the victim’s protective spiritual energy. Without that safeguard, the kick would’ve been fatal.