78: getting Started

Hiss~

This child is actually so arrogant...

Inside a great hall of the Crescent Moon Sect, a Middle-aged Cultivator, dressed in a scarlet robe and wearing a silk scarf, gasped, looking at a water screen suspended in mid-air, and cried out in surprise.

The water screen clearly displayed the figures of Zhou Leren and the others at the foot of the mountain.

"Is he really that bold?"

He then felt a little confused; over a hundred people had already gathered at that location, and this child had offended all of them with a single opening remark.

"With such a personality, how can he Cultivate the Dao? In my opinion, even if this brat passes the entrance test, our Crescent Moon Sect cannot accept him."

After a pause, the Middle-aged Cultivator suggested this to the Xianyue Sect Master, who was seated at the head.

"Haha~"

"I, however, find this little fellow interesting. Although his appearance is lacking, he is full of courage. Let's wait and see before making a decision."

The Xianyue Sect Master chuckled, sounding quite amused.

As for the other female Cultivator beside him, who looked twenty or thirty years old, with skin as white as snow and beauty like the moon, she remained silent, merely watching quietly.

These three were the Xianyue Sect Master and two Foundation Establishment Stage Elders. The entrance test had actually begun the moment the applicants arrived outside the Crescent Moon Sect.

"How dare you!"

Hearing Zhou Leren's arrogant words, the crowd stirred instantly, all glaring angrily at Zhou Leren.

"A mere beggar, acting so brazenly, is simply seeking death."

Some people looked indignant and shouted criticisms, yet they dared not take any action.

After all, everyone present had come to join an Immortal sect and seek immortal fate. Among them were descendants of Cultivators who lacked the method for Foundation Establishment and thus wanted to send their juniors into the Immortal sect.

These people had been instructed by their Elders at home, so they naturally understood more and would not ruin their immortal fate over a petty dispute of honor.

"Heh..."

Zhou Leren looked at the people glaring at him, gave a cold laugh, but refrained from further mockery.

Although he was sure these people wouldn't dare lay a hand on him in this place, they were young—mostly around his age—and lacked composure. If he provoked them further, he might actually get beaten up, so it was better to be cautious.

"Hmph!"

Seeing that Zhou Leren only gave a cold laugh, the crowd snorted lightly, assuming Zhou Leren had been intimidated by them, and felt a slight sense of triumph.

Time passed, and several days later.

Dozens more figures appeared here, most of whom had been escorted by Cultivators, but they only delivered the juniors to this spot before leaving to wait outside.

"Buzz~"

Light emanated from the misty, spiritually endowed area, ripples spread, and several figures leaped out from the Grand Array, stopping before the crowd.

"We are Crescent Moon Sect Disciples. Those who wish to join our sect and are no older than sixteen may follow us."

The few individuals possessed extraordinary Aura. They looked at the people in the square and spoke in a deep voice.

Everyone grew excited, stood up, and bowed to the figures.

The Crescent Moon Sect Disciples did not say much. They nodded to the crowd, then turned, took out a token, injected spiritual power into it, opened a gap in the Grand Array, and stepped in first.

Everyone got up and followed them.

Zhou Leren did the same, though he felt a slight tension in his heart, as he still had an Old Ancestor accompanying him.

Although nervous, he acted without hesitation, striving not to reveal any flaws. As he followed the crowd inside, Zhou Leren finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The Crescent Moon Sect Disciples led the group to a circular platform and spoke to a figure sitting quietly there:

"Thank you for your trouble, Senior Brother."

The sitting figure nodded.

"The first stage of the entrance test: bone examination."

"Approach one by one."

Hearing this, the crowd became a little noisy, but under the watch of the Crescent Moon Sect Disciples nearby, no disorder occurred.

"Bone age eight..."

"Bone age twelve..."

"Bone age fourteen..."

..."Bone age seventeen..."

"Hmm?"

The Senior Brother conducting the bone age test immediately grabbed the person in front of him by the arm.

"Over sixteen, you may not enter the sect. Go down the mountain."

"No... I'm only seventeen by nominal age, I'm actually still sixteen, I..."

The Senior Brother ignored the person's plea. Before he could finish speaking, the Senior Brother signaled a Crescent Moon Sect Disciple to step forward and take the person away.

"Next..."

Zhou Leren watched with great interest from the side. He had already had his bone age tested. Seeing several people being sent down the mountain because their age did not meet the requirements, he couldn't help but sigh.

This immortal fate, immortal fate—without fate, one cannot Cultivate to become an Immortal.

"The next stage: Spirit Testing."

Those who had previously mocked Zhou Leren smiled faintly, sneering internally, thinking: Let's see if you can still be so arrogant later.

They certainly did not believe that a mere little beggar could possess the talent for Cultivation.

Anticipation filled everyone's eyes, as if they could already see Zhou Leren weeping bitterly because he lacked talent.

Once Zhou Leren's spirit test was over, they could mock him fiercely and trample his previous arrogance underfoot.

"Oh~"

"I'm really looking forward to this..."

The Crescent Moon Sect Disciples led those who passed the bone examination onward, leaving the circular platform and arriving at a large plaza.

The plaza was vast, with a circular area in the center where a stone pillar several yards high stood, topped with nine large gemstones.

An older managing Elder was already standing beside the stone pillar.

"Greetings, Managing Elder."

Everyone followed the Crescent Moon Sect Disciples and bowed together.

"This is the Spirit Testing Pillar. Step forward one by one and place your palm upon it."

Hearing this, everyone felt nervous, as this step was the key to determining whether they could join the Immortal sect.

The crowd hesitated. Although some had already tested their talent, they were still inevitably nervous.

"I'll go."

Just then, a delicate young girl spoke up, took a step forward, approached the Spirit Testing Pillar, and placed her palm upon it.

"Buzz~"

The Spirit Testing Pillar shone brightly. Six gemstones lit up in sequence, emitting a pale blue light that illuminated the entire plaza, causing slight astonishment among the crowd.

"Bang!"

In the Crescent Moon Sect's great hall, the Middle-aged Cultivator smashed the table and chair beside him with one strike.

"It's actually a mutated Ice affinity talent, and the talent level is mid-to-high. Excellent, excellent."

"Wonderful! Our Crescent Moon Sect is set for great prosperity."

The Middle-aged Cultivator spoke excitedly, clapping his hands.

The Xianyue Sect Master and the beautiful female Cultivator also nodded, showing delight.

In the plaza, the managing Elder looked benevolent and said to the slightly dazed girl:

"Not bad. Stand behind me."

This girl was originally the daughter of a mortal city lord. After learning of the existence of Immortals in the world, she pleaded with her father to send her here to try for immortal fate.

The girl looked pleased, bowed to the managing Elder, and quietly stood behind him.

"Next..."

With the girl's success preceding it, the managing Elder's expression softened considerably, and he spoke warmly.

Seeing that even a delicate girl could light up the Spirit Testing Pillar, someone became confident that they must be equally good, so they approached the pillar full of self-assurance and placed their hand upon it.

"Strange..."

"Why isn't it lighting up..."

The person muttered to himself, put his hand back on it, but it still didn't light up. He then simply hugged the entire Spirit Testing Pillar.

The benevolent look the managing Elder had gained because of the girl gradually vanished. His face darkened slightly, and he said to a Disciple nearby:

"Take him away."

The Crescent Moon Sect Disciple understood, ignored the person's wailing, dragged him away, and sent him out of the Grand Array.

"Heh heh..."

"Overestimating one's abilities."

Among the crowd, those descendants of Cultivators watched this scene and sneered coldly, just as they had mocked Zhou Leren earlier.

"I'll go!"

A Brocade-Clad Youth spoke proudly, pushing aside the others. This was precisely the person who had mocked Zhou Leren the most fiercely before, and who most wanted to see Zhou Leren humiliated. At this moment, he looked triumphant as he approached the Spirit Testing Pillar.

"Buzz~"

"Four gems, Fire affinity talent, mid-to-low level... Still acceptable. Stand behind me."

The managing Elder spoke to the Brocade-Clad Youth. The youth nodded proudly and stood beside the girl, flashing a smile he thought was very handsome.

Although the girl's talent was better than his, he was confident that he would definitely become a powerful Cultivator, reaching even the Golden Core stage without issue. This girl's talent was decent and her looks were good, so she was temporarily worthy of him.

The girl looked confused, not understanding why this person was acting so strangely.

Seeing that the girl actually ignored him like that, the Brocade-Clad Youth's smile froze. He felt gloomy internally, thinking, How dare she treat a future powerful Cultivator this way.

"Hmph!"

He let out a cold snort, turned his face away, and presented the back of his head to the girl.

"He's sick..."

The girl secretly became wary, resolving that after joining the Crescent Moon Sect, she must stay far away from this person.

In the crowd, everyone looked at the two with envy, praying silently that they too could enter the Crescent Moon Sect... "Next."

Finally, the spirit testing for everyone in the plaza was finished, and only about twenty figures stood behind the managing Elder.

Zhou Leren paused slightly, moved his calves which had gone numb from standing too long, and slowly limped forward.

Everyone behind the managing Elder looked strangely at the dusty Zhou Leren, faces smiling with mockery.

The girl was also somewhat curious. Although she had arrived later, she knew clearly that there was an eccentric person among them who had managed to offend almost everyone with a single sentence.

Watching the relaxed Zhou Leren now, her pretty eyebrows furrowed. She didn't understand why this person was so calm. Didn't he know that everyone in the plaza was waiting to see him humiliated?

"Tch~"

Zhou Leren felt disdainful. He already knew his own level. The reason he appeared last this time was because he had previously heard the Old Ancestor say that the protagonist always appears last.

Zhou Leren considered himself to possess Heaven-Defying potential, so naturally, he had to be the final act.

Amidst the expectant, cold, disdainful, and mocking gazes of the crowd, Zhou Leren smiled faintly, swept his eyes over everyone, and placed his palm on the Spirit Testing Pillar.

"Buzz~"

The Spirit Testing Pillar roared. A black profound light shot straight into the sky, plunging the entire plaza into darkness. As the darkness gathered and dispersed, it reflected faces that were stunned and incredulous.

"Eight gems..."

"It's actually eight gems..."

"How is that possible? How could this happen? He's just a little beggar, how could he..."

"Damn it..."

"This little beggar must have cheated! Please, Elder, take action and expel this person from the sect..."

It was as if a monstrous wave had risen in everyone's hearts. Hatred surged within them. A mere little beggar actually possessed such high talent. Heaven was truly unfair!

The mocking expression of the Brocade-Clad Youth froze on his face. His hands clenched tightly, veins bulging, and his face held a savage, beast-like gaze, as if he wanted to swallow Zhou Leren whole.

The girl was also slightly stunned. This scruffy boy's talent was actually higher than hers. She was surprised, but a feeling of unwillingness to admit defeat arose in her heart. She resolved that she would definitely not be inferior to this person.

"Bang!"

In the Crescent Moon Sect's great hall, the Middle-aged Cultivator smashed the newly replaced table and chair again with one slap, standing up immediately.

"This child's talent is actually this terrifying..."

"This child must become my Disciple."

The Middle-aged Cultivator spoke solemnly with a serious expression, addressing the Xianyue Sect Master at the head.

"Haha~"

"Senior Brother Huo Ye, that's not what you said just now."

Hearing this, before the Xianyue Sect Master could speak, the beautiful female Cultivator beside him concealed the shock in her eyes and spoke to the Middle-aged Cultivator.

"Junior Sister Qingshuang, circumstances change."

"This child has excellent talent. I believe that under my guidance as his master, he will certainly go farther, restoring the Crescent Moon Sect to the glory of the Grandmaster's era, or even surpassing it."

Elder Huo Ye showed no sign of embarrassment, completely ignoring the mockery in the beautiful female Cultivator's words.

"Hmph!"

"Senior Brother Huo Ye, how can you, a person who Cultivates fire techniques, teach him?"

"I am more suitable."

Elder Qingshuang snorted coldly.

"If one method is mastered, Ten Thousand Laws are mastered."

"Qingshuang, if you want to snatch him from me, you'll have to see if the Blazing Flame Spear in my hand agrees..."

A fiery red long spear appeared in Elder Huo Ye's hand, and his Aura condensed around him.

"As if I'm afraid of you..."

Although Elder Qingshuang was a female Cultivator, she was equally impolite. With a flick of her hand, she produced a deep blue long sword, radiating cold air, and confronted Elder Huo Ye head-on.

"Enough!"

The Xianyue Sect Master, seated at the head, spoke in a deep voice, releasing spiritual power to dispel both their Auras.

"As Elders, what kind of conduct is this?"

Seeing the two put away the Spiritual Artifacts in their hands, he continued speaking.

"Hmph!"

The two simultaneously let out a cold snort, turned their heads away, and stopped looking at each other.

"Let's first see if this child can pass this final test before we discuss it further."

After a pause, the Xianyue Sect Master added.

Elder Qingshuang and Elder Huo Ye exchanged meaningful glances, secretly calculating in their hearts: Even if this child fails to pass this final test, they must make an exception and accept him.

In the Crescent Moon Sect square, the attending Elder looked at Zhou Leren before him, his gaze gradually heating up. He lightly coughed and spoke softly to Zhou Leren:

"Come, stand next to me."

Zhou Leren bowed and nodded at the attending Elder.

He then glanced at the crowd, whose expressions were ugly and varied, a clear smile in his eyes. He walked to the side of the attending Elder and stood in front of everyone.

Pushing aside the Brocade-Clad Youth, he stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the young woman.

Zhou Leren turned his head, gave the young woman a soft smile, and nodded.

Although Zhou Leren was a bit disheveled, at this moment he possessed an indescribable spirit and vigor. The young woman's face flushed slightly, and she returned the greeting softly to Zhou Leren:

"My name is Jiang Weirou."

Having said that, she quickly turned her head away and stopped looking at him.

Zhou Leren was slightly stunned, but he still replied:

"My name is Yue Ren."

Inside the spirit beast pendant, Mo Xuan had already taken in everything, clicking his tongue in wonder. The boy had been turned into such a mess by him, yet he could still attract this young woman.

In a word.

Outrageous.

Seeing this, the Brocade-Clad Youth behind them wore a fierce expression, grinding his teeth internally: Fine, you wretched person, how dare you look down on me so much.

The hatred in his heart grew stronger, wishing to stomp this pair of shameless lovers beneath his feet and utterly trample them.

The attending Elder turned around, nodded to the crowd, and said:

"Alright, there is one final test. If you fail this test, you are not fated to enter our sect."

"Follow me now."

Hearing this, everyone's faces lit up with wild joy, and the light returned to their eyes as they looked at Zhou Leren.

"Hmph!"

"It's still unknown who will emerge victorious."

"Don't get complacent!"

Upon hearing there was still one more test, the Brocade-Clad Youth's expression recovered, and he spoke resentfully to Zhou Leren.

Zhou Leren couldn't be bothered to pay attention to him; he simply followed the attending Elder and left the area.

Hearing this, the attending Elder couldn't help but secretly shake his head: Naive.

It had been a long time since the Crescent Moon Sect had recruited a Disciple with such high talent.

This time, even if Yue Ren failed to pass this final test, the Elders and the Sect Head would likely break the rules set by the Ancestral Master and accept this child into the sect.

However, there was no need to say these words to those who had not yet entered the sect.

Zhou Leren was not flustered at all. No matter how Heaven-Defying your talent was, how could you compare to him?

He was the destined person carrying an Old Ancestor with him. Who could stop him?

Everyone followed the attending Elder forward until they reached a set of steps.

"This is the Path of Questioning the Heart."

"There are a total of one hundred and twenty steps."

"As long as you can cross thirty steps, you may enter my sect."

The attending Elder spoke softly to the crowd.

Everyone's eyes flickered, thinking internally: Thirty steps is nothing, just a quarter of the total. How hard could it be?

Their confidence greatly increased.

"Alright, go."

The attending Elder stopped speaking and instructed the crowd.

Hearing this, everyone agreed and headed toward the steps.

Zhou Leren was not in a hurry, always adhering to the truth that the protagonist must be the last one to appear. He watched the crowd head toward the steps, smiling faintly without speaking.

Seeing this, the Brocade-Clad Youth initially wanted to go with Zhou Leren, but then hesitated. After all, wasting time because of this would be counterproductive.

He immediately glared resentfully at Zhou Leren, thinking internally: Being so arrogant, if you can't even cross thirty steps later, let's see how you handle the situation.

Zhou Leren was confused, wearing an innocent expression.

Jiang Weirou saw that everyone else had already gone ahead, and she said to Zhou Leren beside her:

"Brother Yue, why don't you walk with me?"

Zhou Leren shook his head, indicating she did not need to wait for him.

Jiang Weirou felt slightly disappointed, but she recovered instantly. She nodded to Zhou Leren and stepped toward the steps.

Seeing this, the attending Elder did not rush him, even offering Zhou Leren a slight smile as encouragement.

The Brocade-Clad Youth arrived at the steps, gritted his teeth, and took a step up. Before he could stand firm, he felt as if he had fallen into another dimension.

Sounds, sights, and sensations rushed toward him: beauties, power, cultivation, the world—everything seemed to be under his control. The Brocade-Clad Youth's expression changed as he struggled.

Moments later, cold sweat broke out on his face, and he finally snapped back to reality, letting out a long sigh of relief.

This Path of Questioning the Heart actually contained such illusions. Fortunately, his father had once told him how to deal with falling into an illusion; otherwise, he truly wouldn't have been able to escape so quickly.

The Brocade-Clad Youth thought internally: Little beggar, let's see how you pass this time.

He refused to believe that a beggar could possess such firm willpower.

As long as he fell into this illusion and suddenly became rich, this little beggar who had never seen the world would definitely lose himself within it.

By then... "Hehe..."

The Brocade-Clad Youth wore a delighted expression and stepped onto the next riser.

Everyone else had fluctuating expressions, moving forward with difficulty at an extremely slow pace.

Only Jiang Weirou was able to follow behind the Brocade-Clad Youth, slowly advancing step by step.

"Hmm~"

"It's time."

Zhou Leren thought internally. Just by watching the crowd's reactions, he had mostly figured out the function of the Path of Questioning the Heart.

Having people scout the path was excellent, and Zhou Leren felt pleased.

Inside the main hall, the three people nervously watched Zhou Leren's movements, their eyes filled with anticipation.

As long as Zhou Leren could walk past thirty steps, they wouldn't have to risk being scolded by the Ancestral Master in the afterlife for breaking the rules the Ancestral Master had set.

Stepping onto the path, Zhou Leren immediately felt as if many figures had appeared before his eyes, but in just an instant, the figures vanished, and the illusion ceased.

"I love the Old Ancestor!"

Zhou Leren screamed wildly in his heart, but his face showed nothing.

He pretended to have a fluctuating expression, appearing to be caught in a difficult choice. However, after a moment, Zhou Leren's expression became firm, solemn, and serious, carrying an unstoppable Aura as he crossed the steps one by one.

That tiny figure, that frail body, seemed to contain a will capable of piercing the heavens.

"Hiss~"

"This child's willpower is actually this terrifying..."

Elder Qingshuang stared blankly at the figure moving forward, the figure that seemed to cut through all obstacles, and muttered aloud.

"I must obtain this child."

Elder Qingshuang snapped back to attention, looking warily at Elder Huo Ye and the Xianyue Sect Master beside him.

Elder Huo Ye and the Xianyue Sect Master's eyes flickered, clearly having the same idea as Elder Qingshuang.

Zhou Leren climbed higher step by step, surpassing the people who had gone ahead one by one.

Finally, he overtook Jiang Weirou and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the Brocade-Clad Youth.

The Brocade-Clad Youth was already close to his limit at this point. Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he glimpsed a figure that had arrived next to him.

Looking closely, it was actually that little beggar, and a wave of frustration immediately solidified in his heart.

Zhou Leren glanced at him, the corner of his mouth twitching up. He turned his head and took another step forward, leaving the Brocade-Clad Youth behind.

"Pfft~"

The Brocade-Clad Youth could no longer suppress the grief and indignation in his heart. He spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, and his body floated backward like a kite with a broken string.

"Thirty years East of the river, thirty years West of the river."

"Do not bully a young person for being poor!"

The Brocade-Clad Youth used the last of his strength to shout loudly at Zhou Leren's retreating back, then lost consciousness and fainted.

The attending Elder circulated his magic power, caught the Brocade-Clad Youth, and looked at his paper-white face.

His eyes held pity.

To enter the sect at the same time as this child, he didn't know if it was their misfortune or their fortune.

Inside the spirit beast pendant, Mo Xuan heard this and his spirit immediately lifted:

"Hiss~"

"This phrase..."

"Could this child... be..."

"Impossible, absolutely impossible."

Mo Xuan pondered for a moment, then let his raised spirit settle back down.

Hearing this, Zhou Leren smiled freely, completely unconcerned.

Elder Qingshuang looked at Zhou Leren, growing happier the longer she looked.

Finally, Zhou Leren reached the one hundred and twentieth step, completing the entire Path of Questioning the Heart.

The attending Elder's face was shocked. This was the first person in a hundred years who could complete the entire Path of Questioning the Heart upon entering the sect.

"Does my Crescent Moon Sect truly have the favor of Luck?"

The attending Elder secretly sighed with emotion.

When the Heart Questioning Test ended, the attending Elder brought everyone down.

In this test, only a dozen or so people managed to cross thirty steps and were able to join the Crescent Moon Sect.

The dozen or so who failed showed reluctance; they were only one step away, yet fate was so merciless.

After instructing the Disciples to send the dozen or so failed candidates down the mountain, the attending Elder led Zhou Leren, Jiang Weirou, and the others, along with the unconscious Brocade-Clad Youth, to a main hall.

In the main hall, the water screen had long since dissipated. The Xianyue Sect Master and the two Elders sat upright.

As for the table and chairs Elder Huo Ye had smashed, a new set had already been replaced.

The three people's gazes were burning hot. Zhou Leren, standing below the dais, felt a chill run down his spine from being stared at so intensely by the three of them, his body tensing up as if he saw chrysanthemums... "Cough~"

"Yue Ren, I am the Sect Head of the Crescent Moon Sect. How about it? Would you like to take me as your Master?"

"I am Qingshuang, the Peak Master of Muyan Peak..."

"I am Huo Ye..."

Seeing the Xianyue Sect Master be so direct, the two Elders' expressions changed, and they also spoke up one after another.

The dozen or so youths inside the hall had complicated expressions. They hadn't expected this little beggar to become the biggest winner in the end.

As for the Brocade-Clad Youth, he was still unconscious. If he were to wake up and see this situation, he would probably spit out blood again and faint from anger once more.

"I..."

Zhou Leren looked hesitant, glancing at one person and then the other.

The three people looked expectant, their eyes filled with encouragement.

After a short while.

"I choose this Immortal Fairy big sister!"

Zhou Leren's voice was tender; after a long moment, he spoke in a childish tone.

Mo Xuan: You brat, you really have guts... Zhou Leren thought internally, among these three, this woman was probably the weakest in strength. Choosing her as Master would be convenient for the Old Ancestor to act.

He definitely didn't make this choice just because this female Cultivator was good-looking.

Hmm, definitely not... Elder Qingshuang's eyes were filled with wild delight, and she quickly spoke:

"Good, good, good..."

"Good Disciple, come stand next to me."

Zhou Leren scurried over happily.

Elder Qingshuang stood up, took Zhou Leren's hand, and spoke softly to Elder Huo Ye and the Xianyue Sect Master:

"Two Senior Brothers, Qingshuang will take her leave first."

Having said that, she bowed, pulled Zhou Leren, and flew out of the main hall, afraid the two would go back on their word.

The three of them had previously made an agreement to let Zhou Leren choose freely and not to force him, but seeing the looks in the two men's eyes just now, it was best to retreat quickly to avoid complications.

Elder Huo Ye and the Xianyue Sect Master exchanged glances, secretly hating in their hearts: Calculating a thousand times, they had missed one Move.

This Qingshuang was truly detestable, even using a low-level Move like a honey trap.

Feeling depressed, it was already too late to go back on their word.

In the air, Elder Qingshuang pulled Zhou Leren toward Muyan Peak.

"Hehe~"

"Master, your hand is so smooth..."

Zhou Leren lightly scratched the palm of Elder Qingshuang's hand with his small hand, speaking innocently.

Inside the spirit beast pendant, Mo Xuan was dumbfounded: You really are Old Zhou's good grandson!

Elder Qingshuang's body froze, and she nearly fell from the sky. She withdrew her hand, raised her foot, and kicked him—all in one smooth motion.

"Ah~"

"Master, save me!"

Zhou Leren wailed.

The cries of distress startled the Crescent Moon Sect Disciples Cultivating below.

Elder Qingshuang's expression was awkward. She cast her magic power, caught the rapidly falling Zhou Leren, and fled the area as if escaping.