141: The first level, Lingbao Sacred Artifact

At this moment, everyone was eager to make a move.

Chen Cuo looked at everyone, then turned his gaze towards a few individuals who resembled Qingfengzi's description.

In the southeast corner, there was a lone woman, continuously whispering something.

No one dared to approach her; she must be one of the Lingchan Twins.

In the northeast, a person was surrounded by several attendants, like stars circling the moon, exuding a noble aura and possessing a handsome face, with a Phoenix pattern tear-drop on his brow.

Bai Tang recognized him immediately, stating directly that the person was Snowy Mei.

She was a well-known figure within the inner Sect, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, yet she didn't take on any duties, constantly dreaming of becoming a True Disciple and receiving personal guidance from a Golden Core Immortal Master.

Chen Cuo stared at her uninhibitedly, and the woman seemed to sense it, turning her head to look at him, then flashing a slight smile.

"What powerful Soul Power! Her perception is incredibly sharp. I merely observed her for a few moments, and she actually noticed. It seems my Divine Sense isn't concealed well enough!"

Chen Cuo could only return a smile, but he didn't take it much to heart.

He didn't recognize others like Zhang Zhao, Ling Bu Zi, or Mu Erhun, but Chen Cuo made sure to remember a few individuals who appeared composed on the scene.

There would always be someone he could match names with.

Anyway, the True Disciple selection was finally about to begin.

When more people had gathered in the hall, runes immediately flashed on the main platform.

In a blur, Qingfengzi was already seated in the Pavilion Master's position, with other Elders from Hongyu Pavilion beside him.

Before anyone could speak, he sternly announced, "Unrelated personnel, exit the premises!"

Numerous accompanying individuals slowly withdrew from the hall, some seizing the last remaining moments to offer final admonitions.

"Verify the identities of all Disciples and prepare to hold the selection ceremony!"

Eight Elders from Hongyu Pavilion, each holding a Magical Artifact resembling a bronze mirror, began to inspect Chen Cuo and the others standing in the hall, one by one.

This was to prevent anyone from impersonating another.

The Elders, accustomed to this procedure, walked past all the Disciples without any change in expression.

In a moment, a mysterious beam of light shone on Chen Cuo.

He felt a slight tremor in his Soul, a hint of discomfort, as if all his secrets were being completely scrutinized, causing ripples in his heart.

However, this was mostly a psychological effect; Chen Cuo was only slightly nervous for a moment, then he was fine.

If this thing were that powerful, Lingbao Mountain would have long dominated the entire West Continent.

This bronze mirror could only discern Soul information.

After the procedures were completed, it was time for the grand opening ceremony, a cliché beginning, followed by Chen Cuo and the others going through the motions, so that if someone won the True Disciple position, the Disciples would still recognize their identity.

In short, after this formality, the selection officially began.

The True Disciples of Lingbao Mountain were not chosen from those who specialized in combat, but rather from talented individuals outstanding in Artifact Refining.

Although the assessment topics varied each time, the general outline remained consistent.

There was only one rule: it must be related to Artifact Refining.

A seemingly young Elder walked up to the crowd, very courteously addressing everyone.

"This humble Daoist, Chang Shengzi, has the honor of being the guide for the first stage. Please follow me."

The newcomer appeared unremarkable, and most people showed confused expressions, not knowing who he was, but a few looked very surprised.

Chang Shengzi was one of the True Disciples from the previous generation, a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Most True Disciples are now at Foundation Establishment, and several, like Qingfengzi and the Fire Phoenix Pavilion Master, who are at Foundation Establishment Great Perfection, have already gone out to seek Core Formation Opportunities.

Lingbao Mountain possesses a profound foundation, and its potential should not be underestimated.

Chen Cuo observed silently, showing no reaction, and quietly followed within the crowd.

They soon arrived at a location where the exterior was a colossal city wall, emanating a heavy suppressive aura, immense and nearly a thousand zhang tall.

Some Qi Cultivators, upon nearing this place, felt as if their entire bodies went limp.

And at the center of this massive city wall, there was a towering giant gate, with a huge, terrifying Dragon head at its top.

At this moment, as Chen Cuo and the others arrived at this city wall, a water mirror was focused within a spacious Immortal Cave, where more than a dozen people were observing the entire selection process.

Among them was a handsome young man with flowing white hair, dressed in green robes, his gaze fixed intently on the scene in the mirror.

His entire body glowed with dazzling golden light, emanating an endless suppressive aura, as heavy as a Sacred Mountain, causing even the dozen or so people standing below him to tremble slightly.

"It has begun!" he murmured.

Chang Shengzi instructed everyone to stop, then said, "Cultivator Senior Brothers, Senior Sisters, next is the first stage of the True Disciple assessment.

With the Grand Elder's permission, I will lead you into the Sect's Saint Artifact Pavilion.

At the same time, you must make a Dao Heart Oath, vowing never to reveal any information about the Saint Artifact Pavilion."

"As for the assessment you'll be undertaking! Heh heh, you're really in luck. Back in our day, we didn't have such good fortune!"

"Your assessment is to choose a Sacred Artifact!"

"You have one day!"

"Those who successfully obtain a Sacred Artifact will not only advance to the second stage, but the Sacred Artifact will also belong to you.

I hope you all seize this Opportunity."

No sooner had Chang Shengzi's words fallen than everyone erupted into great excitement.

The Saint Artifact Pavilion was the treasure trove of Lingbao Mountain, housing all sorts of Magical Artifacts, Magic Treasures, and even Spirit Treasures used by Nascent Soul Cultivators.

This place was also the Sect's foundation, always managed by Baosheng Pavilion.

They never expected the first stage of this True Disciple selection to be held here, and the rule was that the treasures were free.

One must know that the lowest-grade Magical Artifacts here were High Grade Second-tier, and only those with excellent properties and special effects were collected into the Pavilion.

Even more, most were Third-tier Magic Treasures that had already developed sentience, qualifying them as Sacred Artifacts.

"Oh my god, the Sect has gone crazy this time, actually using such a rule for the assessment."

"I, Hua Yun, will definitely make a Sacred Artifact recognize me this time to enhance my combat power."

"Where did this country bumpkin come from? What an idiot!"

"Who are you calling? How dare you insult me!"

...

"Sister, it seems Lingbao Mountain has great courage this time. I wonder if we can..."

Such was the variety of human nature; even before the assessment began, disputes had already arisen.

Chang Shengzi did not intervene, waiting only until they had finished arguing before speaking again.

"I presume you all don't know, but the first stage of the assessment is not simple.

However, there's no limit to the number of people; as long as you have a Sacred Artifact in hand, you can enter the second stage.

And a Sacred Artifact recognizing its master depends on Opportunity.

The Magic Treasures within all possess sentience.

Whether you can grasp one depends on yourselves."

Chen Cuo pondered to himself that this seemingly simple first stage was actually the most unfathomable.

What exactly were the assessment criteria?

What types of Magic Treasures were inside?

What were their criteria for choosing a master?

He knew nothing at all.

Could it be that this first stage of the assessment truly relied solely on luck?

That would be too unscientific!

Chen Cuo couldn't help but feel a sudden palpitation, as if something was peering at him.

He instantly looked up in one direction, then slowly shook his head.

The young man in green robes appeared somewhat surprised, yet revealed a hint of delight, pulling the camera closer to carefully observe Chen Cuo.

There were many intelligent people, and this kind of rule-less stage, on the contrary, made some Geniuses nervous.

This also showed self-awareness, not arrogant overconfidence.

Chang Shengzi sneered twice, looking at the majority who were smug and boastful, considering themselves favored children of heaven, secretly cursing them as fools.

However, he showed no outward abnormality, merely observing everything calmly.

There were indeed several promising talents among them who were worth noting.

Even if they didn't become True Disciples, they should be guided to important pavilions.

"Alright, one by one, enter the Dao Oath Chamber.

After taking the Dao Heart Oath, you may enter and retrieve treasures."