Chapter 69: Accepted Into the Inner Sect

...

“It's just some talent, nothing worth mentioning.”

“Nothing worth mentioning?”

Feng Jun'nan was stunned for a moment, then gave a wry smile.

“I’m nearly forty in nominal age, and you’re so young. Compared to you, am I not just a wasted talent?”

“If that's so, then perhaps I truly am a genius.”

“Hah~”

Feng Jun'nan was both amused and exasperated by such a nonchalant display, pointing at Cao Chengyu but ultimately not daring to say anything harsh—after all, the two had only just met, at most they were drinking companions.

Cao Chengyu appeared impassive, but inwardly he was in high spirits.

This must be what it feels like to show off, so exhilarating.

No wonder protagonists in novels from his previous life liked to play the fool and then astonish others—the look of shock on people’s faces really was satisfying.

The few youths were merely at the early stage of Spirit Refining; upon hearing that Cao Chengyu was already at the Dao Body stage, their respect deepened, especially since he looked even younger than they did.

Only his eyes, as deep as the stars, betrayed a maturity far beyond his apparent age.

With several people in tow, Cao Chengyu still moved swiftly; the Yellow Cloud Technique, being of high grade, allowed him to effortlessly keep ahead.

After flying for about half an hour, five towering, majestic mountains piercing the clouds appeared before them—these were the headquarters of the Five Elements Sect!

Each mountain represented one of the five elemental branches, spiritual blessed lands!

Midway up the five peaks lay a cluster of ancient palaces, evidently of considerable age, nestled against the mountains and water, with pavilions, towers, and halls sprawling in grand scale.

Mist and clouds shrouded the palaces, glowing with dawn colors, as if an immortal realm.

Yet in Cao Chengyu’s perception, he could see endless elemental spiritual energy converging upon the five peaks, year upon year, and though daily cultivation consumed some, a vast reservoir of elemental energy remained.

For him, this was the best resource for cultivating at the Dao Body stage!

Just this alone made it worthwhile.

...

The mountain gate stood before the five peaks, twenty zhang high, facing south, adorned with vermilion walls and jade tiles, with the main gate hung with the characters “Five Elements Sect.”

On either side, a pair of grand, flowing couplets were carved.

“Primal Five Elements, origin of all things; Dao energy endures, our path prospers.”

Beyond the gate, glimpses of purple halls, towers, and emerald-glazed pagodas could be seen, their grandeur far surpassing that of the Skywatch Pavilion.

Twenty-three wandering cultivators were brought to the gate. Aside from the gatekeepers, a young man waited for them there.

As everyone landed, another guide who had been waiting stepped forward to ask,

“How did it go?”

...

“Hmph, see for yourself.”

The youth in the golden robe snorted coldly, glanced at Cao Chengyu once more, then turned and left—clearly, he had guessed at Cao Chengyu’s level and was unwilling to press the earlier matter.

He wasn’t entirely stubborn.

After the proud youth departed, the one waiting was much more amiable, also young but worlds apart in demeanor.

“You must be the wandering cultivators entering this month. Please follow me.”

“Before joining, you’ll need to explain your origins and background, and demonstrate your mastery of our sect’s techniques.”

“In general, even if you’ve offended other sects or immortals, so long as it’s not a blood feud, we provide protection—so don’t hide your background.”

“By the way, you’ve all brought the jade slips of techniques you found at the legacy site, haven’t you?”

Everyone nodded. Cao Chengyu was aware of this and had come fully prepared, never careless about such details.

“Very good.”

The amiable youth pushed open a palace door and led them inside.

The interior was much like the Treasure Hall at Skywatch Pavilion, likely where they would be issued Five Elements Sect standard equipment.

In addition, there was a spirit-testing orb in the center to assess affinity, and an open space for demonstrating techniques.

“Please wait here while I fetch the elder to preside.”

“Alright.”

“Thank you.”

Everyone responded, and after he left,

Feng Jun'nan sidled up to Cao Chengyu, curiosity in his eyes.

“Brother Cao, where are you from?”

“Great Yue.”

“Great Yue? With your talent, you could surely thrive there as well—why come to the Five Nations?”

“Because of you.”

“Because of me?”

“Yes.”

“For...?”

“Shh.”

“???”

Cao Chengyu left Feng Jun'nan thoroughly baffled. Feng stroked his chin suspiciously—he’d never been to Great Yue, could it be Yan Yan? Or Tian Tian? No...

The ages just don’t add up.

...

As he pondered in confusion,

An elder with hair half black and half white entered, sweeping his gaze over the group.

“Qin Huan, begin.”

“Yes, sir.”

The amiable youth, having brought the elder, began the testing: submitting jade slips, assessing aptitude, demonstrating techniques, then the elder scored them, determining whether they would join the outer or inner sect.

The process was straightforward.

“Age thirty-five, aptitude sixty-one, technique seventy-two, total score one hundred thirty-three—Class C, assigned to the outer sect.”

“Age forty-six, aptitude seventy, technique eighty-two, total score one hundred fifty-two—Class B, assigned to the outer sect.”

“Age fifty-seven, aptitude eighty, technique ninety-four, total score one hundred seventy-four—Class A, assigned to the outer sect.”

Among these wandering cultivators, those older rated Class A but were still sent to the outer sect, including Feng Jun'nan, which drew some surprised looks.

The younger boys and girls, even if their technique and aptitude were a bit lacking, as long as their score exceeded one hundred fifty and reached Class B, could enter the inner sect.

Noticing the mood among the wanderers,

The elder with black and white hair spoke expressionlessly,

“You are all too old, past the age for laying foundations. Even if you enter the inner sect and receive sufficient resources, your future achievements will be limited—at most, you’ll advance one major realm.”

“The younger you are, the greater your potential. You must grasp these truths yourselves. Our Five Elements Sect is not a charity. However, if any of you in the outer sect with Class B aptitude can break through to the next major realm within a year, you may transfer to the inner sect without further examination.”

So that’s how it works.

In any case, the path upward was not closed. The wandering cultivators had no grounds to object; age was a reality, and they all knew the world’s harshness.

In contrast to the silence of the older group, the younger cultivators were delighted.

Having received preferential treatment, they naturally felt favorable toward the Five Elements Sect.

Such a method of winning hearts while maintaining fairness was deftly executed.

In terms of potential alone, these youths indeed held greater promise, and the likelihood of producing strong practitioners was higher.

The twenty-three were tested quickly, and next came Cao Chengyu’s turn.

Placing his hand upon the spirit-testing orb, a familiar sensation flowed—he did not channel his cultivation, but merely filled the orb with his innate affinity.

In the time it took for a third of an incense stick to burn, he filled the orb completely.

“Aptitude: one hundred points.”

Then came the Five Wheels Fire technique—five fire beasts, each with distinct features, sharp claws, patterned scales, every detail perfectly rendered.

Cao Chengyu’s derivative ability required mastery of a single technique before advancing its grade; though his Five Wheels Fire had been developed to high grade, demonstrating the five beasts for the mid grade was child’s play.