Wang Duanwu checked Baili Bing's injuries, then asked Mo Qi to pick up two wooden sticks. He sprinkled medicinal powder on the wound, performed a simple bandaging, and then tied the two sticks to her lower leg. He then instructed, "Come back to me regularly for dressing changes. You cannot walk for three months, referring to the injured leg, but you can still move on one leg."
Baili Bing sighed, "It seems I won't be able to cultivate for the first three months."
As Wang Duanwu was leaving, Mo Qi asked a question he was very eager to know the answer to, "With so many cultivators on the mountain, how is the issue of food resolved? Is there a mess hall here?"
Wang Duanwu chuckled, "There's no mess hall. Our sect leader of Lingxiao Sect holds the view that cultivation and abstaining from grains are complementary. To achieve the immortal path, one must first learn to abstain from grains, so he advocates not eating. However, the sect rules do not prohibit eating. If someone absolutely cannot bear it, they can find their own way, such as growing their own food or hunting in the forest over there."
What kind of shoddy cultivation sect is this? This is clearly raising them like wild animals. What happens when they become untamable?
After Wang Duanwu had gone, Mo Qi returned to Baili Bing's cave dwelling, made her bed, and served her tea and water with utmost care. Baili Bing was touched and found it incredible, "Has this blockhead finally opened his mind?"
While Mo Qi was busy, Baili Bing ate some dry rations.
Fortunately, everyone still had some dry rations left, enough to last a few more days. As for what to do after that, they would figure it out then. For Mo Qi and the other two, perhaps if they succeeded in abstaining from grains, they wouldn't need to eat. For Baili Bing, she might still have to find other ways.
After Mo Qi finished his tasks, Baili Bing immediately pointed to the other side of the wall and said shyly, "Make another bed there for yourself, and sleep on it. I'm scared to be alone." She spoke the entire sentence in one breath due to nervousness.
Mo Qi hesitated. This involved the young lady's reputation, but there seemed to be an irrefutable reason for him to stay. "Now that she is inconvenient to move, what if some villain breaks in at night to do something untoward? Moreover, with the peculiar rules of Lingxiao Sect, what if someone takes the opportunity to break in and snatch the cave dwelling?"
"Alright," Mo Qi agreed and went to the next room to retrieve the dried grass, clothes, and other items he had prepared earlier, and made another bed.
When he was getting the things, Jin Dan and Yu Ming pretended not to see, only clearing their throats incessantly.
Mo Qi warned them, "Don't overthink it. She's a weak woman who can't move easily. I can't just leave her alone next door, can I?"
"Indeed, we understand and support you completely!" the two said with solemn expressions.
After making the bed, Mo Qi ate some dry rations and lay down. It was his first time sharing a room with a girl, and he felt a bit strange, as if his actions were somehow restricted.
They lay side by side, separated by a corridor. Sometimes, when they turned over together, their eyes would meet, and after a brief glance, they would quickly look away, their hearts pounding.
At this time, on the main peak, the assessment officers from various places (the peak lords) were reporting the assessment situation to the sect leader, Wu Fan.
The other peak lords appeared unfazed, several even looking listless, as if they craved meat but were only given rice.
"Eight people, all of mediocre talent."
"Seven people, same as previous years, no good seedlings."
"Seven people, even worse than before."
...
Listening to these descriptions, Wu Fan's brow furrowed tighter, and his heart grew heavier.
He had left the Divine Sword Sect of Tianxiang Mountain to establish his own sect. On one hand, he wanted to genuinely build a cultivation team dedicated to eliminating demons, upholding justice, and protecting the people. On the other hand, he wanted to break the selection mechanisms of those so-called renowned sects.
Renowned sects primarily selected cultivators with talent, with a small number of those admitted due to connections.
His approach was that anyone with perseverance, the ability to endure hardship, and a determined spirit could join.
This was because on the path of cultivation, one would endure countless lonely moments and face numerous bottlenecks that were impossible to break through. Without a tenacious will, one could fail at any moment.
However, in the twenty years since he founded the sect, its development had been very slow. The total number of disciples was small, and the outstanding individuals among them were even fewer. Collectively, these disciples were no match for others.
To discern a mortal's resilience, endurance, and persistence in seeking the path of immortality, the difficulty of the entrance examination had to be increased. Therefore, Lingxiao Sect's entrance examinations had always been extremely strict, even brutal.
He believed that under the dual pressure of brutality and difficulty, it should be possible to find individuals among mortal bodies who possessed both a tenacious will and outstanding physical qualities. The combination of these two, with training and tempering, would undoubtedly lead to great achievements.
Yet, in twenty years, Lingxiao Sect had yet to produce any disciples who truly shone.
He himself had come from a renowned sect and was well aware of the astonishing explosive power of talented cultivators.
These talented cultivators were very likely reincarnated deities. They might carry some imprints from their past lives, and once their past life memories awakened, their cultivation growth would be immeasurable.
He couldn't help but wonder if his original idea was wrong. Was what he wanted to prove by establishing his own sect too naive?
"Regardless, they have already possessed some basic qualities that can be molded. I think we shouldn't demand too much at the beginning. If everyone works harder and puts more effort into nurturing them, I believe they can achieve something," Wu Fan said with a sigh.
At this moment, Han Yang's face inexplicably showed a hint of pride, "I have had quite a harvest on my end."
Sect Leader Wu Fan remained unoptimistic, "Tell me about it."
Han Yang swallowed and continued, "Among them, there is a talented cultivator who possesses the second stage of Spirit Condensation cultivation..."
"What?" Everyone's eyes widened, thinking they had misheard.
Han Yang smiled faintly, "What I'm about to say is not the main point. There is also another person..."
Daoist Geng Xu of Shaoyang Peak's eyes nearly popped out, "Another talented cultivator?"
Han Yang shook his head, "No."
Geng Xu grumbled in disappointment, "Then what's the point of talking?"
Han Yang smiled again, "I secretly investigated him and found no spiritual energy on him."
Everyone grew more disappointed. They glanced at the sect leader's expression and then looked at Han Yang, signaling him to stop talking.
Han Yang remained composed, "However, he exhibited an astonishing burst of divine power. I could see the fluctuations of divine power even from across the Silver Dragon Snow Mountain. Later, I observed from a high vantage point, and wherever that divine power passed, nothing grew, almost destroying half the forest. I suspect there is a latent mysterious power within him. Once this mysterious power is triggered," he looked at Geng Xu, "his cultivation will surpass yours and mine," then he looked at Wu Fan, "perhaps even surpass the sect leader's."
Wu Fan raised his eyebrows, "If someone in my sect surpasses me in cultivation, it should be the sect's fortune, and the honor of our generation. It is also the hope for our sect's prosperity. I will certainly do my utmost to facilitate this. But you say this person has no spiritual energy fluctuations, so how can you be sure it was his divine power that erupted?"
Everyone thought this would surely leave Han Yang speechless, but Han Yang said confidently, "By elimination, because there is no other possibility."
However, his explanation failed to convince them, and everyone shook their heads.
Han Yang glanced at Wu Fan, "How about this, Sect Leader? This person is named Mo Qi. If this Mo Qi happens to pass the trial and has the opportunity to become an inner disciple, then I want this person."
Wu Fan didn't even lift his eyelids, "Agreed!"
Geng Xu immediately said, "I want that talented cultivator!"
"You want him? Why should it be yours? Such talented cultivators are rare species here. Who wouldn't be eager to have them?" said Jin Hai, the peak lord of Shaoqing Peak.
Others also voiced their opinions, expressing the advantages of their respective peaks for talented cultivators.
Wu Fan coughed lightly, "Matters of the future will be discussed in the future."
The next day, in the plaza, forty new disciples gathered. They stood in the center of the vast plaza, making it appear somewhat empty. Han Yang called out the names, and they responded one by one. When Baili Bing's name was called, Mo Qi immediately stepped forward to explain the situation.
Han Yang nodded, indicating he understood.
Han Yang's resonant voice echoed across the plaza, "Welcome everyone to Lingxiao Sect. You are the outstanding individuals who have emerged from numerous applicants, having overcome many trials to reach this point. However, stepping through the mountain gate does not mean the trials have ended; on the contrary, trials are everywhere, at all times. Some disciples who joined earlier call this 'devil-style cultivation'."
"That's right, it's devil-style cultivation. Whenever we ask you to complete a divine skill, we will first teach you the mental techniques and practical methods. Then, we will give you ample time to cultivate. After this cultivation period, we will test your progress. This testing process is a series of life-and-death trials."
Seeing the bewildered eyes of everyone below, as if they didn't quite understand, Han Yang added, "Let me give you an example. If we ask you to practice the art of flight, we will first teach you the methods, and then give you three months to cultivate on your own. After three months, we will ask you to jump from a peak. If you have learned to fly during these three months, you will naturally be safe. If you haven't learned, it will certainly be a tragic end."
As he spoke the last few words, although it was gruesome, he said it with a sense of detachment, as if death itself were a trivial matter.
A stir began to spread through the crowd, with hushed discussions. Han Yang's sharp gaze swept across the crowd, and his imposing presence silenced the noise.
Han Yang continued, "Now, you have one chance to leave. If you do not accept this cultivation method, please step forward voluntarily and leave. You have ten breaths to consider."
As soon as he finished speaking, someone grumbled and stepped out, "What kind of cultivation sect is this? It's utterly inhumane and insane. I wanted to leave yesterday when I first arrived."
Han Yang waved his sleeve, and a gentle breeze blew. With a crisp sound, like a slap, a palm print appeared on the person's face.
Han Yang said calmly, "If you want to leave, go. No one is stopping you. Why are you being so noisy?"
The person no longer dared to speak, covered his face, and fled in a hurry.
Han Yang counted on his fingers. The ten breaths passed quickly. To everyone's surprise, only that one person left!
Everyone had gone through life-and-death trials to get here and didn't want to miss this hard-won opportunity. Some felt that what was a few more life-and-death trials on the path of cultivation?
After all, as mortals, they were powerless against heaven and earth. Weren't they also facing life-and-death trials at all times?
Some believed that as long as they put in much more effort than others, they could survive if others could.
"Now, let's begin the roll call!" Han Yang took out a list and began to read.
"Li Kaishan!"
"Here!"
...
"Jin Dan."
"Here!"
Han Yang paused and looked at Jin Dan, "Please tell me your full name. To be registered in Lingxiao Sect, your full name must be recorded."
"My surname is Jin and my given name is Dan. Jin Dan is my full name," Jin Dan said with a voice like a booming bell.
The air fell silent for a moment, followed by a burst of laughter.
"Oh, I see. That's quite a unique name," Han Yang said, slightly embarrassed.
...
After the roll call, amidst everyone's eager anticipation, Han Yang began to lead them on their introductory cultivation journey. To cultivate, one must first condense the spirit. Only upon successful spirit condensation would one be considered truly initiated. And to condense the spirit, one must first awaken the divine sense within the body.
He first explained the theoretical knowledge, such as what divine sense is and what spirit condensation is. Then, he taught everyone the methods for awakening divine sense, the mental techniques for spirit condensation, and meticulously explained the methods and techniques for spirit condensation, as well as precautions during the cultivation process.
Fearing that everyone might not remember, he repeated the explanation three times, not counting the times he answered individual questions in between. He continued until he was sure everyone had remembered and understood before concluding.
During his explanation, most people, afraid of forgetting, first memorized the incantations and methods, planning to practice them later, as they had three months.
The most important thing now was to remember. Forgetting or misremembering would be a loss.
Only a small portion of people began to experience it while listening. Especially Leng Xiao, it was almost as if Han Yang himself was helping him re-understand.
He felt that there was already something like divine sense within his body, and spirit condensation seemed to have been completed long ago. Moreover, he seemed to have skipped a level, not just at the starting point.
At this moment, the uncontrollable joy on his face was evident. He had known he was more talented than others before today. This joy now stemmed from the thought that he would soon be able to move out of the cave and live in a very large house by himself.
Mo Qi also listened to the lecture and began to experience it. He had always felt that there were great rivers and seas rising and falling within his body, but the reason he couldn't control them was the lack of awakened divine sense. Once divine sense was awakened, he would have a chance to control the power of those great rivers and seas.
However, upon trying, he felt as if something was about to be touched but was always just a little bit short. A mystery was almost unraveling, but there was always a thin layer blocking it.
"Alright, that's all for today. The next three months will be your cultivation period, and you can arrange this time entirely as you see fit. Three months later, we will conduct the spirit condensation test. You will enter a room and be subjected to dense sword attacks from all directions."
"Dodging will be impossible, but as long as you have successfully condensed your spirit, whether it's the first or second stage, you can easily neutralize the power of those flying swords. If you fail to condense your spirit, you will undoubtedly be pierced like a beehive," Han Yang said slowly, seeing that everyone understood.
Except for Leng Xiao, everyone gasped.
Han Yang continued, "Three months later, if you fail to condense your spirit, you need not worry. We are willing to give you one last chance to leave. Furthermore, during these three months, you can choose to leave at any time. However, once you accept the challenge after three months, you will have no chance to back out."
"From then on, it will be one trial after another, facing life and death repeatedly. If you try to leave forcefully, we will no longer tolerate it. If you try to sneak away, we will find you. No matter where you escape, we will find you. Once found, you will be punished for betraying the sect."
Silence fell upon the crowd. Everyone's mood became heavy, their hearts filled with apprehension from this moment on.
"If there are no questions, you are dismissed," Han Yang said.
What questions could there be? The rules were set by them. If they could be changed, everyone would have raised questions.
Clearly, the rules could not be changed.
Everyone dispersed and left.
Just as Mo Qi was about to return to the cave with Jin Dan and Yu Ming to begin cultivating, as time was truly precious, Han Yang suddenly called out to him and walked over, "Take me to see your injured friend."
Mo Qi immediately agreed, "Of course. Please follow me." With that, he led the way forward.