Chapter 34: Sect Disciple Recruitment Examination

As the grand recruitment ceremony commenced, disciples from all corners gathered and poured into the assessment square of the Morning Light Sect. Shortly thereafter, the inner sect elders of the Azure Dragon and various inner sect guardians appeared in the void above the square.

The Azure Dragon unleashed the aura of an Emperor-level powerhouse, instantly silencing the entire square. He then loudly declared, "The Morning Light Sect has emerged into the world. Our inaugural recruitment ceremony begins now. I am Azure Dragon, an elder of the inner sect. I hereby announce the rules for the first round: every candidate must ascend the Heaven-Scaling Ladder. The ladder consists of one thousand steps. Reaching the two-hundredth step grants the status of a sect servant disciple; four hundred steps, an outer sect disciple; six hundred steps, an inner sect disciple; seven hundred steps, a personal disciple of a sect guardian; eight hundred steps, a true disciple of a sect elder; nine hundred steps, a Holy Son of the sect; and reaching the summit grants the status of a personal disciple of the sect's Old Ancestor. The assessment begins now. Candidates, proceed."

As the words fell, the candidates rushed toward the ladder as if possessed. The sect's ladder was a divine artifact, capable of accommodating hundreds of thousands without feeling crowded. However, those looking to slack off soon realized the difficulty. Although Azure Dragon stated that two hundred steps were enough to become a servant disciple, the ladder was far from easy. Even the first two hundred steps required enduring terrifying spiritual pressure, which those at the basic Qi Refining stage could not withstand; many were halted at the one-hundredth step.

As for those at the Qi Sea stage, while they could resist the spiritual pressure, breaking past two hundred steps remained a challenge. Thus, even the position of a servant disciple in the Morning Light Sect was not easily attained. Those who had paid high prices for pills from the Fox Clan or the Jiang family finally realized the value of their investment.

Upon consuming third-tier Marrow-Cleansing Pills or Foundation-Building Pills, these candidates easily surpassed the two-hundredth step, becoming servant disciples. To advance further to outer sect disciple, one needed at least peak Qi Sea stage cultivation, which required not only vast resources but significant talent—anything less than a two-star aptitude would not suffice. Furthermore, there was an age limit: no one over twenty years old could participate. This requirement alone disqualified many who lacked both wealth and innate talent.

Soon, the results were in. Azure Dragon brought the final report to Liao Chen’s residence. Liao Chen was shocked to discover that one candidate had reached the summit: a youth named Ye Wushuang from the Ye family of Xuanwu City in the Great Yong Dynasty.

Just then, the system’s voice rang out: "Ding! The system has detected a nine-star disciple, Ye Wushuang, possessing a Supreme Physique. Host, please accept this disciple immediately. Doing so will grant you a Mysterious Apprenticeship Gift Pack."

Liao Chen was surprised that Ye Wushuang possessed a nine-star Supreme Physique, which explained how he conquered the ladder. He wondered why the "dog system" had only just alerted him, questioning if the system had been slacking off. The system replied, "Ye Wushuang previously used secret arts to conceal his aptitude. Furthermore, his Supreme Bone had been extracted. It was only through the pressure of this assessment that he reactivated his Supreme bloodline; therefore, the system could not detect his potential earlier."

Understanding that the boy had been victimized, Liao Chen decided to accept him. He ordered Azure Dragon to bring the boy to him.

"Ye Wushuang pays respects to the Sect Master!" the youth said, bowing nervously. Having only ever encountered Saint-level powerhouses, being in the presence of an Emperor-level figure was daunting.

Liao Chen nodded. "Wushuang, your feat of reaching the summit has made you famous. By sect rules, you may take me as your master. Are you willing?"

Ye Wushuang did not hesitate, kneeling immediately. "I am willing!"

System: "Congratulations on successfully taking an apprentice. Reward: 20 million cultivation experience points, 1,000 top-grade Jinghong Spirit Swords, 1 million fourth-tier top-grade Foundation-Building Pills, 1 million fourth-tier top-grade Marrow-Cleansing Pills, the god-tier technique 'Heavenly Dao Fist,' 10,000 tons of Heavenly Dragon Essence Blood, one sect Mission Tower, and ten Personal Disciple Peaks. Rewards have been issued; please check them."

Liao Chen smiled, knowing the essence blood was the key to restoring the boy's physique. He looked at Ye Wushuang and said, "From now on, you are my personal disciple. You have three senior brothers. I grant you a Jinghong Sword, the 'Heavenly Dao Fist,' and a vial of Heavenly Dragon Essence Blood. But first, tell me, how did you lose your Supreme Bone?"

Ye Wushuang recounted his story: his uncle had forcibly extracted his Supreme Bone while his parents were away, framing him for theft to ensure his own son, Ye Lintian, could inherit the family leadership. After being cast out, he sought revenge through the sect assessment.

Liao Chen frowned. "Your parents did not intervene?"

Ye Wushuang explained that his parents were guarding the borders of the Great Yong Dynasty and were unaware of the betrayal. He had heard rumors that his uncle had colluded with the Great Liang Dynasty to secure the bone, leading to his parents' capture and imprisonment.

Liao Chen was disgusted by the betrayal and asked if the Ye family had any ties to the Asura Gate. Ye Wushuang replied that they were unrelated, noting that the Morning Light Sect’s destruction of the Asura Gate was the primary reason he had come to seek such a powerful master. Liao Chen accepted this honesty, gave the boy his gifts, and called for Qin Tian to show him around the sect.