13: Chapter 13 Spirit Testing Platform

Six figures appeared, like six stars falling from the Nine Heavens, stepping down slowly from the clouds upon a magnificent rainbow bridge adorned with ten thousand rays of rosy light and a thousand auspicious colors.

The rainbow bridge, like a strip of silk, spanned across the sky, shimmering with flowing light, as if it were the only path leading to the Immortal Realm.

As the six walked across the bridge, their robes fluttering, they were surrounded by a faint, elusive Dao Aura, making their figures appear even more ethereal and otherworldly, as if they were Immortal Venerable deities stepping out of myth—their mere arrival was enough to make the multitude look up in awe, not daring to speak above a whisper.

Leading them was Sect Master Ling Jiuxiao of the Xuantian Sect, dressed in a purple-gold starry Daoist robe, which shimmered with a mysterious and noble radiance under the unreserved pouring of the sky's light.

His expression was calm, commanding respect without anger; between his brows, he possessed both the grand demeanor of one who holds the power to rule the universe and the transcendent style of an immortal.

He stood there, yet he seemed like a moving mountain, or perhaps a boundless starry sky, causing all who looked upon him to be captivated and involuntarily hold their breath.

The five Peak Masters following closely behind were each distinct in their style, displaying a myriad of imposing Auras.

One was surrounded by clear Qi, ethereal like a crane in the clouds, as if he might ride the wind and depart at any moment.

Another had an Aura as steady as a mountain, domineering like a Heavenly God of creation, every gesture revealing a spirit that looked down upon the world with disdain.

Each one, just by standing quietly, exuded an invisible pressure as deep as an abyss and as steady as a mountain, making the surrounding air seem to solidify—Disciple with lower cultivation even felt their breathing become difficult.

However—among this group of figures who resembled deities, the most eye-catching one was the person walking at the very back.

He was truly too young.

His face was handsome, his brows and eyes still retaining a hint of youthful vigor that had not yet faded, and his skin was as warm and smooth as jade, as if he were just a young Cultivator in the mountains who was unaware of the passing of time; time seemed to have shown him special mercy, unwilling to leave any mark upon him.

He wore a simple white robe, unstained by a speck of dust, with a warm, translucent green jade pendant hanging casually at his waist; its brilliance was restrained, yet it vaguely flowed with spiritual charm, swaying gently with the rhythm of his steps.

His expression was relaxed, his gait leisurely, as if he were simply strolling through his own courtyard—the grand Disciple-recruitment ceremony that had shaken the entire Xuantian Sect was, to him, nothing more than an ordinary walk.

Yet, strangely—every step he took seemed to land exactly on the most harmonious node of the pulse of heaven and earth.

Although he walked casually, he gave people the feeling of being one with heaven and earth, free and composed, natural and unforced.

This rhythm was impossible to describe, yet it could make one feel an inexplicable shock from the depths of their Soul.

What was even more shocking was that the four Peak Masters walking in front of him had, coincidentally and naturally, maintained a subtle half-step distance from him.

This half-step was silent, yet it felt as heavy as a thousand jun.

This was not a deliberate distancing, but a gesture of respect born from instinct, a kind of... awe that even they themselves had not realized.

"Could this person... be the Changsheng Peak Master?"

In the crowd, someone muttered the thoughts of everyone.

Jian Tanghuang's heart suddenly tightened.

She saw it clearly—as the man in white passed by, even the peerlessly dignified Sect Master Ling Jiuxiao of the Xuantian Sect imperceptibly turned slightly, nodded in greeting, and stepped aside by half a step!

This movement was extremely light and faint; if she hadn't been staring at them the whole time, she wouldn't have noticed it at all.

Yet, this seemingly unintentional and subtle action, in the eyes of Jian Tanghuang, was no less than a thunderclap that tore through her mind!

To be able to make a Sect Master yield half a step in public—what kind of identity did this person possess?

What made her feel even more incredulous, and even gave rise to a trace of chill, was that—with the spiritual perception granted by her Undying Divine Phoenix Body, which was sufficient to see through falsehoods, she was completely unable to sense any spiritual power fluctuations around this person!

He stood there, yet he seemed to be one with this world, empty and void, leaving no trace.

She tried to probe, but discovered that her perception was like a stone sinking into the sea, without stirring up even the slightest ripple.

This feeling, she had lived for several lifetimes, and had never experienced it before.

Unfathomable.

At this moment, the gaze of the entire venue had been attracted as if by an invisible magnet, fixed firmly upon this white-clad figure.

Whispers of shock, awe, and disbelief spread like a tide—

"Is he... that Changsheng Peak Master who achieved Soul Transformation in a hundred years? Is he... really this young?"

"To be able to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Sect Master and Peak Masters at such an age? It is simply... like a dream!"

"Unbelievable... he looks even younger than many Inner Sect Disciples!"

The crowd was completely boiling over; various speculations and exclamations spread like wildfire.

The white-clad youth's overly young face formed a contrast so extreme with his revered position that it shocked everyone's perception.

Jian Tanghuang turned a deaf ear to the surrounding clamor.

Her entire focus was tied to Chu Changsheng alone.

Her gaze, like a lock, attempted to break through this calm and waveless face to discern a trace of the trajectory of fate, to find a glimmer of hope to save her clan.

Just at this moment—Chu Changsheng seemed to sense something, and actually turned his head slightly, his gaze crossing the chaotic crowd and landing with absolute precision upon Jian Tanghuang.

The instant their eyes met, Jian Tanghuang's mind was violently shaken!

What kind of eyes were these?

They appeared clear and peaceful, yet were as deep as the eternal starry sky, as if they could reflect the deepest secrets of the human heart.

Under the gaze of these eyes, she felt that all her disguises, all her deeply hidden memories and missions, had nowhere to hide under this single glance.

He only faintly, almost imperceptibly, curled the corners of his mouth, revealing a smile that was extremely shallow.

This smile was light and breezy, yet it made Jian Tanghuang feel as if she had fallen into an ice cellar!

She almost instinctively lowered her head in panic, her heart pounding uncontrollably, her mind in a tempest—this person was indeed terrifying to the extreme!

In front of him, she actually felt naked, as if seen through at a glance!

"Today, quite a few good seedlings have arrived."

Ling Jiuxiao's gentle voice rang out, breaking the momentary solidification.

His gaze swept over the young and eager faces below, his eyes full of approval.

Immediately, he turned slightly to face Chu Changsheng—this subtle movement once again tugged at the heartstrings of countless people.

Ling Jiuxiao's eyes held a trace of obvious respect, and he said with a smile, "Grand Elder Chu, I hope you will pay close attention during this Disciple-recruitment ceremony."

"If you encounter any good talent or beautiful jade, feel free to offer some guidance."

"The future of the Sect must eventually be passed down from generation to generation."

Grand Elder Chu?

Jian Tanghuang's ears twitched slightly, and she secretly noted down this title.

Chu Changsheng only nodded lightly, his expression remaining indifferent, as if nothing in this world could move him: "Sect Master, you are thoughtful; I will naturally pay attention."

Receiving this simple response, the smile on Ling Jiuxiao's face deepened; he stroked his long beard with satisfaction and turned to an elderly man with a steady Aura beside him: "Great Elder, begin. Do not let the children wait too long."

"I shall obey the Sect Master's decree."

Great Elder Murong Han stepped forward, his voice like a great bell, shaking the entire venue!

He waved his sleeve—Boom! Boom! Boom!

Ten ancient and magnificent stone platforms, as if born from the Void Realm, carrying a vast and ancient Aura, descended with a roar into the center of the training ground!

The stone platforms were about the height of a person, entirely cyan-gray, with the surface covered in dense, complex, and mysterious runes.

These runes were layered upon one another, as if carrying endless years and legends, currently emitting a faint glow, flickering on and off, like a giant beast that had slept for eternity, slowly opening its eyes.

An ancient and heavy Aura permeated from the Spirit Testing Platforms, shrouding the entire training ground.

Murong Han's gaze was like lightning as he scanned the audience, his voice shaking the surroundings: "This is the Spirit Testing Platform of our Xuantian Sect; it can reflect your Innate talent and thoroughly inspect your Foundation!"

"Those with Spirit-grade talent may enter as miscellaneous laborers, practice diligently, and await Opportunity!"

"Those with Profound-grade talent may enter the Outer Sect and receive basic Dao teachings!"

"Those with Earth-grade talent may enter the Inner Sect directly and receive tilted Sect resources!"

"Those with Heaven-grade talent—"

His voice paused, and his gaze suddenly became sharp and full of expectation, like two bolts of lightning sweeping across the crowd: "May be ranked as True Disciples of each Peak, receive personal instruction in the Dao from the Peak Masters, and be regarded as pillars of the Sect!"

The entire venue was silent, so quiet that a pin drop could be heard; everyone's breathing involuntarily became rapid.

Countless gazes were fixed firmly on those ten Spirit Testing Platforms, eyes full of burning heat and desire.

Murong Han took in the eager expressions of the crowd, and only then did he slowly spit out the most impactful words: "As for... those with King-grade talent or above—"

He spoke every word with great weight, like a heavy hammer striking everyone's heart.

Under the gaze of the multitude, he said word by word: "May be ranked as the Sect's Divine Children or Saintess! With a revered status, able to discuss matters at the same table as the Sect Master! Enjoy endless resources, receive the Sect's full cultivation, and point directly toward the Supreme Dao!"

"Whoa—!!!"

After the silence came an uproar like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami rising!

Countless gazes instantly became burning hot, as if about to ignite—to sit on equal footing with the Sect Master!

Endless resources! Directing toward the Supreme Dao!

What does this mean?

It means ascending to the sky in one step!

It means stepping onto a broad road leading to the Peak from now on!

It means becoming the most dazzling existence in the entire Xuantian Sect!

"King-grade talent! Ascending to the sky in one step!"

"Rare in a thousand years! Can we witness a miracle today?!"

"If one can test a high-grade talent, the future will surely be soaring, and the Dao can be expected!"

The young Cultivators were so excited they could hardly contain themselves, whispering to each other, rubbing their hands, as if they had already seen their own glorious future.

Excitement, expectation, nervousness, anxiety... various emotions spread through the crowd, merging into a boiling ocean.

The entire training ground was completely ignited by a fanatical and expectant atmosphere.

Many people were already eager to try, wishing they could immediately rush onto the Spirit Testing Platform to see what kind of talent they possessed.

Only Jian Tanghuang remained independent of this boiling clamor.

Her gaze, crossing the jostling heads, once again quietly fell back upon that white figure.

Chu Changsheng... Changsheng Peak Master... will you be the person I am looking for?

This question, like a vine, tightly wrapped around her mind.

"Quiet!"

Murong Han gave a low shout, suppressing the clamor: "Everyone, step forward in turn, touch the Spirit Testing Platform, and calm your mind to sense it. Whatever your talent is, the Spirit Testing Platform will naturally reveal it; it cannot be faked. Do not panic; everyone has a chance."

The crowd immediately began to surge, and the young Cultivators consciously formed a long line.

Everyone's face was filled with nervousness and expectation—the nervous emotion was like a taut bowstring, while the expectation was like an arrow on the string, ready to be fired.

Everyone carried a dream, expecting that they could bloom with their own ray of light on the Spirit Testing Platform.

The line moved slowly.

The first to step forward was a young boy wearing a blue cloth robe, his face still carrying a touch of immaturity.

He looked to be no more than fifteen or sixteen years old, with a hint of greenness between his brows and eyes.

At this moment, he stood before the Spirit Testing Platform, looking at the ancient stone platform engraved with runes, his eyes filled with both awe and expectation.

He swallowed nervously, his Adam's apple rolling.

Under the gaze of countless eyes, he slowly raised his hand—

These hands were trembling slightly.

It was as if what he was touching at this moment was not a cold Spirit Testing Platform, but the gears of fate, the mysterious door leading to the future.

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and as if using all his strength, he gently pressed his slightly trembling hands onto the surface of the cold and ancient Spirit Testing Platform.

The light was about to shine.

Fate was about to diverge.