28: Enrollment equals graduation

"What, Saint!"

This sentence exploded in everyone's minds, including the Elders and the Sect Master.

Their original intention was to make Sha Fulin retreat in the face of difficulties, letting him know that this Disciple's talent was so strong that he didn't need his teaching.

If he taught him well, it wouldn't be his credit; if he taught him poorly, it would be his fault.

But this old guy didn't play by the rules and directly conferred the title of Saint upon Zhou Yan.

They had never seen the position of Saint before; they only heard that when his teacher was young, Qingxu Grotto-Heaven had a Saint, who was now an Old Ancestor-level figure and had gone to the Human Race ancestral land.

"Every once in a while, the world undergoes a major change. I originally thought it would take a long time, but I didn't expect it to arrive early."

"With the Prodigies and outstanding talents of this generation emerging together, it seems the time has come."

"After this child completes the Saint trial, you must take good care of him. He will be our Sect's Mahayana seed, and in the future, he might have a chance to enter the Human Race ancestral land."

"I leave matters here to you; I must go report to the Old Ancestors first."

As soon as his voice fell, Sha Fulin's figure dissolved into countless points of light.

The paper crane that had originally landed on the ground soared into the sky, constantly tearing through space to jump during its flight, moving many times faster than when it arrived.

Everyone looked at each other, and in the end, they could only hand over the continuation of the assembly to the Outer Sect Elder, while the Sect Master and the others brought Zhou Yan back to the Sect Main Hall.

One hour later.

Inside the Sect Main Hall of Qingxu Grotto-Heaven, spiritual mist curled, and Immortal light flowed.

Zhou Yan stood in the center. Just an hour ago, he had just completed the entrance trial and officially became a member of Qingxu Grotto-Heaven.

Then, he heard news that almost caused his Dao Heart to collapse on the spot.

By resolution of the Grand Elder meeting, after examining Disciple Zhou Yan, who possesses Immortal charm, clear soul light, is suspected to be an Immortal Reincarnation, and has profound good fortune, he is specially promoted to Saint-in-waiting.

He is to immediately go out for training and must Breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Stage before the official Saint trial begins to return to the Sect and complete the final assessment. This training is also an important part of the trial.

Go out for training, Nascent Soul Stage!

Zhou Yan's brain buzzed at that moment.

How did this task fall onto the head of a Mortal who wasn't even at the first level of Qi Refining?

Zhou Yan felt bitter inside; Zhou Yan couldn't speak of it.

He was now tense, his body straight, while his face tried to maintain a perfectly appropriate, slightly indifferent, and "it should be this way" calmness.

The Sect Master stroked his beard and smiled, his eyes full of gratification.

"Zhou Yan, this is a great Opportunity, and also the Sect's trust and test for you."

"With your aptitude, the breaking of the Golden Core and the birth of the Nascent Soul is just a matter of course. Traveling, experiencing the myriad phenomena of the world, is even more beneficial for Cultivation."

"Also, these Cultivation resources have been prepared for you and are in this ring. There are also some of our techniques and insights; with your talent, you will certainly be able to master them."

After speaking, the Sect Master stuffed a simple, mysterious black ring into Zhou Yan's hand and said: "The Elders have also prepared some protective Magic Treasures for you to prevent any unexpected events; take them along as well."

"This is a Sword Seal I prepared, containing one of my Sword Qi attacks. It can slay anyone below the Soul Transformation stage and can be activated three times." The Grand Elder handed over a token, which contained sharp Sword Qi; it felt like one would be cut just by looking at it.

"This is an illusion Formation that the Fourth Elder and I prepared together. It can trap anyone below the Soul Transformation stage and can be used repeatedly; you just need to use Spirit Stones to recharge it." The Third Elder stood out after the Grand Elder and sent the Formation Plate directly into the Storage Ring.

While the Third Elder was speaking, the Fourth Elder waved his hand in the back, as if to express, "That's right, I made it."

"You also know that this is, after all, part of the trial, so we cannot prepare too many protective Magic Treasures. However, with your strength, you will certainly be able to easily handle the dangers of the cultivation world."

The Third Elder frowned slightly and said softly to the Sect Master.

"Sect Master, this child… seems to have just entered the Sect and has not yet guided Qi into his body?"

The main hall went silent instantly.

Everyone's gaze focused on Zhou Yan again, and their Divine Sense subconsciously swept over him.

Hmm, his blood and Qi are okay, his soul… hmm, not simple, deep as an abyss at such a young age, but this Cultivation… he really is a bona fide Mortal, without even a sense of Qi.

The Elders: "Uh…"

The Sect Master also coughed slightly in embarrassment: "Ahem, it is rather that I and the Elders were too impatient. We only thought that you, Zhou Yan, are an Immortal jade covered in dust, a bright pearl waiting to be polished, but forgot that you still need time to be carved."

The Fourth Elder immediately smoothed things over: "No matter, no matter. With Zhou Yan's aptitude, guiding Qi into the body is just a matter of a snap of the fingers. Foundation Establishment, Golden Core are also not difficult, and the Nascent Soul path is also a smooth road."

"Perhaps he will reach Foundation Establishment tomorrow, and Golden Core next month. A mere training session, it's perfect to Cultivate along the way."

"Besides, he is in the Northern Territory, what could possibly happen?"

"Right, right, right! Exactly, exactly!"

Thus, the atmosphere became lively again.

Everyone not only didn't think this was a problem, but instead felt that it further proved Zhou Yan's "extraordinariness." To have already revealed such strange phenomena while still a Mortal—if he wasn't an Immortal Reincarnation, what was he?

Then, another pile of things was stuffed into Zhou Yan's Storage Ring.

The complete version of "Qingxu Qi Refining Technique," ten bottles of High Grade Qi Gathering Pills, ten thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones, a Cleansing Heart Meditation Cushion, and even a small jar of "Spirit Mist Tea," which was said to increase Spiritual Qi affinity.

"You already possess two Nascent Soul Cultivation Techniques, so regarding techniques, other than this introductory method, we won't prepare much more."

The Sect Master finally patted his shoulder, his tone solemn: "Zhou Yan, go. The Sect is your most solid backing. We are here, waiting for the day you return with a Nascent Soul! Tomorrow at the mountain gate, we will personally see you off!"

Zhou Yan took a deep breath, suppressed the swear words in his throat, squeezed out a light, breezy, and even slightly eager-to-try smile on his face, bowed, and tried to keep his voice steady:

"Disciple Zhou Yan will definitely not fail the high expectations of the Sect and the Elders!"

After speaking, he maintained this demeanor and, under the gratified, encouraging, and expectant gazes of the Elders, stepped out of the main hall, step by step, steadily.

It wasn't until he returned to the Prodigy Disciple resting area and opened the soundproofing Formation that Zhou Yan slumped against the bed, his legs went weak, and cold sweat instantly broke out on his forehead.

He looked at the heavy "Opportunity" in his hand, and then introspected his empty, unchanging Dantian and Qi Sea.

Thinking about how he would be "courteously sent" out of the Sect tomorrow to complete that damned "Saint trial preparatory training" that required reaching the Nascent Soul Stage to finish.

Zhou Yan leaned against the bed, his person turned gray and white; one look and it was clear he was burnt out.

Zhou Yan looked up at the sky, trying hard not to let tears of grievance fall.

"I really just… wanted to be a stable Inner Sect Disciple…"

"One lie requires countless lies to maintain." Zhou Yan truly understood the weight of this sentence.

"Whoever wants to be this Saint can go be it; I really don't want to be it!"

Now Zhou Yan just wanted to know if this game panel could load a save file; he really just wanted to return to the beginning.

If Heaven gave Zhou Yan another chance, Zhou Yan just wanted to say:

"I will never lie again."