Fang Xuan showed no arrogance whatsoever. Instead, he greeted everyone with a warm smile, handling social interactions with ease so that no one felt neglected.
In many novels, after the protagonist entered a sect, all sorts of enemies always came after him. Some fought over opportunities, but more often than not, it was because he did not know how to make friends. Simply put, he was too arrogant because of his Golden Finger.
Think about it: hundreds of thousands of Outer Sect Disciples in the Yuhua Sect were competing for several thousand Inner Sect Disciple spots. The cruelty of that competition went without saying. If one had enough friends, many unnecessary disputes would never arise at all.
Think of Fang Qingxue. Why were so many True Disciples dissatisfied with her? Aside from envying her opportunities, it was because she was aloof and had few friends, making her seem easy to bully.
Although strength came first in this Eternal Life world, making more friends in one's spare time cost nothing. At the very least, it would mean fewer pointless disputes and allow one to cultivate better.
Fang Xuan said with a smile, "I merely practiced some external martial arts, so my muscles and bones are a little stronger. I cannot compare to your sharp swordsmanship. Each of you has your own style, capable of killing in an instant and forming your own school. You are far more accomplished than I am. From now on, we are all Outer Sect Disciples, so we should look after one another."
"Haha, we are all fellow disciples. Of course we should look after each other," Tie Kaicheng said with a nod.
"Exactly. After this assessment is over, we can go claim Sect Tasks together and exchange pointers more often in the future," Shan Baofeng said.
During the following assessments, some people were eliminated while others passed.
The Ninth Princess, Shen Ruolan, also barely passed. She shouted excitedly in celebration.
At this point, the advantages of high status became apparent. Compared to the others, their attacks were sharper, and they possessed divine weapons and fine weapons. They dispatched the Divine Strength Puppets as easily as crushing rotten wood, displaying exceptionally profound strength.
After a day had passed, the assessment finally ended. Of the hundreds or thousands of participants present, only a little over twenty had passed and become Outer Sect Disciples. The ratio was truly abysmal.
"Today's assessment has concluded. Those who failed should wait in the main hall. We will soon send immortal cranes to escort you out of the Yuhua Sect. As for those disciples who passed, follow me to collect the necessary items issued by the sect. Our Yuhua Sect will provide you with accommodations. From this day onward, you are members of the Yuhua Sect, disciples of immortals. Your status is extraordinary, and every word and action must strictly follow the sect rules."
An examiner spoke loudly and led those who had passed toward the interior of the Immortal Ascension Institute.
The successful candidates followed close behind, their faces filled with excitement and anticipation. There was no need to concern themselves with the disappointment and envy on the faces of those who had failed.
Once one entered the immortal sect, immortals and mortals would forever be separated.
Before long, the group arrived at a large storage room deep within the inner courtyard. Several dozen chests were arranged inside, exactly one for each person.
Crack~
The examiner leading them opened one large chest. Inside lay a feather robe, several jade-inscribed talismans, a sharkskin longsword, and several jade-inscribed books.
"This feather robe is a magical garment, woven from five kinds of silkworm thread: heavenly silkworm, earthly silkworm, golden silkworm, silver silkworm, and black silkworm. It has been blended with a hundred spiritual medicines. When worn while traveling through the mountains, it repels all manner of insects. Snakes, bugs, rats, and ants will not attack you. It wards off a hundred poisons and all kinds of miasma, and it is impervious to blades and spears. Only magical artifacts can damage it. These talismans—the first is a Clean Clothes Talisman. It contains magical water. Whenever your body is dirty, a thought will turn the magical water into mist that surrounds you, immediately carrying away all filth and leaving your entire body clean.
"The second is a Dust Repelling Talisman. The third is a Soul Fire Talisman, which can produce fire at any time. The fourth is a True Water Talisman, which can continuously draw moisture from the air, purify it, and store it within the talisman. When you later venture into deserts to carry out all sorts of sect tasks and temper your cultivation, these items will all come in handy.
"The fifth talisman is a Blood Stopping Talisman. It contains medicinal power and can treat all kinds of flesh wounds. If you are cut by a blade or sword, using it will immediately stop the bleeding, ease the pain, and heal the wound."
The examiner finished explaining the robes and talismans, then took out a sword and drew it with a swish. A brilliant gleam flashed forth, accompanied by a cry like dragons roaring and cranes calling. Inch-long rays of light flickered along the blade.
"This is the Demon Slaying Sword forged by the Immortal Feather Sect. Though it is not a flying sword, it cuts through iron like mud. It also contains righteous yang energy, allowing it to slay yin souls and vicious ghosts and ward off evil demons. It is a magical artifact as well. If you have the opportunity to advance to become Inner Sect Disciples, the sect will grant you true flying swords imbued with spiritual energy. They can behead enemies from dozens of miles away and allow you to fly upon your swords.
"Also, these jade manuals record the Yuhua Sect's three foundational martial arts: the Pine Crane Longevity Fist, Flying Spirit Supple Bone Body, and Dragon Form Flying Tiger Step. The rest contain the rules of our Yuhua Sect, as well as information about other sects, Demon Beasts, the underground abyss, and the major overseas dynasties. General astronomy and geography are included as well. From now on, your daily task is to study and cultivate diligently."
All the Outer Sect Disciples who had passed the assessment were stunned by the contents of the chests before them. Although they all came from powerful clans and noble families of various dynasties, even those of the highest status were deeply shocked by these new items.
It was not that they had never heard of these things. Some mortal merchant guilds occasionally sold them, but every single one was worth a fortune, and even with money, one might not be able to buy them.
Yet now, these items were laid out before them, merely as the benefits granted to Outer Sect Disciples—things every one of them was required to have.
Damn it, no wonder this was an immortal sect.
Sure enough, once one entered an immortal sect, immortals and mortals would forever be separated.
And there was the Demon Slaying Sword in their hands. If this thing were auctioned in a mortal dynasty, it would be priceless.
Holding the Demon Slaying Sword, one only needed to give it a light swing to feel its chilling sword aura, which made one's skin sting.
"Fine sword." Fang Xuan's eyes lit up.
The treasured sword he had bought for several dozen taels was nothing more than a joke before this Demon Slaying Sword. Someone beside him actually struck his own sword against it. With a light clang, his sword snapped in two on the spot, while the Demon Slaying Sword remained completely unscathed.
Shen Hao said with a smile, "Of course it is a fine sword. During the forging process, these swords were empowered by the mana of experts from the Mystic Divine Realm. Even a piece of ordinary iron would become a divine weapon if a Mystic Divine Realm expert's mana were added during forging."
Shen Ruolan said enviously, "The Mystic Divine Realm... I wonder whether I will have the chance to enter such a mysterious and unfathomable realm in this lifetime."
"Haha, where there is a will, there is a way! Cultivate diligently, and perhaps you really will make it."
The group put away the items one by one, then found their respective rooms according to the examiner's instructions.
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