On the summit of Mount Da Cang, over three thousand people stood. Among them, Li Xuan and his five hundred companions occupied a position distinctly in front of the other two thousand five hundred.
Above them, Elder Qing Xuan and the ten Saint Sons faced the assembled crowd with varied expressions. Elder Qing Xuan, positioned at the center, stroked his long beard, surveyed the throng, and then spoke slowly, "Firstly, congratulations to all of you for making it into the top three thousand. Next is your test to select a peak."
"Of course, those ranked in the top five hundred are exempt from this. The top five hundred may now choose which peak they wish to join. There is one point I hope you all remember: everything is for the sake of the Xuan Sect."
As Elder Qing Xuan finished, Li Xuan clearly felt the eagerness of everyone present. After all, the Xuan Sect was a dominant power on the Sheng Yuan Continent, alongside the Sheng Sect. The resources and status one could obtain within the top forces of the Ten Directions Continent were naturally exceptionally abundant.
It could be said that everyone present had already one foot in the door.
"May I ask Elder Qing Xuan, will passing the tests of the Saint Sons allow entry into the inner peaks? Are there any other conditions?" At this moment, a man in the crowd inquired.
Upon hearing this, everyone turned their attention to Elder Qing Xuan. Clearly, their concern was more about the conditions and qualifications for entering the inner peaks than for Li Xuan and the other five hundred.
"Heh heh, there's no need to rush. To become a true inner disciple of our Xuan Sect, there is indeed a necessary condition. Later, all participants who pass the test will need to enter the Divine Soul Pagoda to undergo the cleansing of the Divine Soul Heart Lamp and receive our Xuan Sect's imprint."
Elder Qing Xuan chuckled as he spoke.
"The Divine Soul Pagoda?" Everyone present frowned. Even Li Xuan and Xi Chu Yun looked at Elder Qing Xuan with some confusion.
Seeing their reactions, Elder Qing Xuan seemed accustomed to it. With a slight smile, his expression gradually turned solemn as he said, "The Divine Soul Pagoda is the very heart of our Xuan Sect. It can be said that the spirit tablets of all inner disciples are kept within."
Elder Qing Xuan paused before continuing, "Of course, even outer disciples have similar ancestral halls. If a disciple of our Xuan Sect is killed elsewhere, their final moments will be automatically transmitted back to their spirit tablet, serving as evidence to track down the murderer."
"Furthermore, the Divine Soul Pagoda has another function: it will provide a certain degree of nourishment based on the strength of each individual's divine soul. Therefore, to obtain these resources, the prerequisite is that you can pass the tests of the Saint Sons from each peak. Alright, the top five hundred, step forward. Within the time it takes for one incense stick to burn, choose the mountain peak you wish to join."
After speaking, Elder Qing Xuan's gaze fell upon the five hundred individuals at the very front. Even the ten Saint Sons now turned their attention to the crowd. After all, their performances on the spirit path had been observed by the ten Saint Sons.
It could be said that any participant within the top five hundred, regardless of which peak they joined, would add considerable strength to it.
"Heh heh, I seem to have overlooked something. Ming Chi, the six of you, introduce your respective peaks. This will give the new disciples a direction to consider." Seeing the crowd fall silent, Elder Qing Xuan said with a smile.
Yue Ming Chi nodded at this, then stepped forward and said, "I am Yue Ming Chi from Yuan Shang Peak of the Xuan Sect. Disciples of Yuan Shang Peak advocate for acting according to their will. There's no need to follow a strict curriculum, nor to adhere to rigid frameworks. We are broad-minded and follow our hearts."
"I am Ma Kaiyu from An Shang Peak of the Xuan Sect. Disciples of An Shang Peak are primarily sword cultivators."
"I am Wan Yuquan from Hong Shang Peak of the Xuan Sect. Disciples of Hong Shang Peak mainly cultivate their physical bodies."
"I am Fu Yaojin from Lianyi Peak of the Xuan Sect. Disciples of Lianyi Peak focus on the divine soul."
"I am Murong Ye from Jun Shang Peak of the Xuan Sect. Disciples of Jun Shang Peak focus on battle intent."
"I am Xie Yushan from Langya Peak of the Xuan Sect. Disciples of Langya Peak, aside from sword cultivation, are also proficient in other aspects. If there's nothing else to do, you can cultivate on your own."
As six figures stepped forward one after another, the representative Saint Sons of the six peaks of the Xuan Sect each declared the type of disciples their respective peaks sought. Li Xuan and Xi Chu Yun, upon hearing this, gradually gained clarity.
"Now, you should all understand. Although our Xuan Sect only has ten Saint Sons, fewer than the Sheng Sect's two Saint Sons per peak, our Xuan Sect Saint Sons can serve as models for the disciples. Their strength and character are most admired by the disciples."
"Within each peak, aside from the Peak Master and Elders, their status is the highest. After joining, you will cultivate under their guidance. Of course, the cultivation methods of each peak differ, but that's a matter for later. Now, make your choices."
After Xie Yushan finished speaking, Elder Qing Xuan took a few more steps forward. As soon as his voice fell, participants within the top five hundred began to make their choices.
"Jun Shang Peak sounds good, focusing on battle intent. The stronger one's battle intent, the greater the power they can unleash. I choose Jun Shang Peak!"
"I also think Jun Shang Peak is good. But unfortunately, I cultivate my physical body, so I'll join Hong Shang Peak!"
"This young lady is so beautiful, hehe. I bet there are many pretty young ladies in the peak too. I choose to join Lianyi Peak!"
"..."
One voice after another rang out, and the moment a voice fell, a spiritual light would flash, instantly teleporting the speaker behind the Saint Son they had spoken of. Clearly, once a choice was made, they would immediately join the ranks.
"Li Xuan, which peak should we choose?" As the five hundred people quickly appeared behind the six Saint Sons, Xi Chu Yun turned to Li Xuan and asked.
"Physical body, sword cultivation, divine soul, and battle intent are all things we could use. Oh well, I actually feel Langya Peak is quite good. What do you think, Brother Chu Yun? And look, there don't seem to be many people choosing Langya Peak." Li Xuan replied after some thought.
"You want to choose Langya Peak? As you wish. For me, it makes no difference which peak." Xi Chu Yun nodded slightly upon hearing this.
"If that's the case, let's choose Langya Peak. No constraints, that's the best. And what Saint Son Xie Yushan said about being proficient in other aspects also sparks my interest." Li Xuan nodded.
After Xi Chu Yun gave his assent, a spiritual light flashed from both of them, instantly transporting them behind Xie Yushan. At the same time, the selection of peaks for the top five hundred had concluded.
"The selection of peaks for the top five hundred has ended. You shall wait here for now. After they undergo their trials, you will all enter the Divine Soul Pagoda together," Elder Qing Xuan said, nodding slightly as he addressed the crowd.
"We obey your command." The crowd bowed in response.
With a smile, Elder Qing Xuan then turned his gaze to the other two thousand five hundred people and slowly announced, "The peak trials begin!"