Grand Opening of Mountain Gate

In this era, while people did not have to live by eating raw flesh and drinking blood, ordinary life was still exceptionally difficult.

Powerful cultivators were everywhere, capable of moving mountains, filling seas, or even destroying heaven and earth at a whim. They regarded the weak as ants and weeds. Simply surviving already demanded everything ordinary people had, so naturally, few of them could read.

And precisely because they had no background, they pressed onward one after another, hoping to enter a Mystic Gate, become cultivators, and roam the world.

In their understanding, becoming a cultivator meant becoming one of the immortals.

It was worth giving up everything for!

"I'll talk, I'll talk."

Seeing the increasingly vicious looks of his companions, the man no longer dared hide anything and hurriedly surrendered. "These are slogans written by a sect called the Moon Embracing Sect. The contents are all more or less the same.

"Even without talent, there is still a sliver of hope.

"When we accept disciples, we do not look at talent, only fate.

"Regardless of identity, status, background, or talent, all are welcome.

"—

"All are welcome to come and pay respects at the Moon Embracing Sect."

"There was also information on how to get to the Moon Embracing Sect."

After hearing his explanation, the people around him all revealed looks of surprise.

"They don't look at talent, only fate?"

"Even those without talent have a chance to enter the sect? Is this... real?"

"What kind of sect is the Moon Embracing Sect?"

Most of them were passersby, while a small number had come together with acquaintances. At this moment, most of them felt both excited and lost.

Cultivation was difficult. Fewer than one in ten had talent, and even among those who did, most only barely qualified. They could not meet the threshold required by sects accepting disciples. Everyone knew this.

Thus, although they had come filled with hope, they were all afraid deep down—afraid their talent would not be good enough.

Now that they had suddenly heard that even those without talent might have a chance to enter a sect, they could not help but feel excited.

But what sort of sect was the Moon Embracing Sect?

Most had never heard of it.

"I know!"

A young woman spoke softly. "The Moon Embracing Sect was once one of the top sects in our Southwest Region, second only to the Myriad Flowers Holy Land. It was the foremost among first-rate sects!

"At its peak, it had over ten thousand Spirit Mountains and more than ten million disciples. For a time, none could match its splendor."

"Huh?"

"Then why is it completely unknown now? We've even heard of the Peach Blossom Sect, which only has eight Spirit Mountains, yet we've never heard of this Moon Embracing Sect?"

"That is because they have declined over the years. They are desperately short of successors, with no new blood to replace the old. Their decline was rapid, and now they have only one Spirit Mountain left. They are already in a perilous state."

"Perhaps that is why they came up with this method, to attract more people to pay respects at their mountain?"

"One Spirit Mountain? This..."

"That depends on your own choices."

The young woman sighed softly. "But in my view, would you rather be the head of a chicken or the tail of a phoenix?

"Among people like us, fewer than one in a hundred can truly enter an Immortal Gate. And even among those lucky enough to enter, the overwhelming majority cannot become the tail of a phoenix, much less the head of a chicken. Being able to enter at all is already a blessing."

Everyone deeply agreed and nodded heavily.

"Then shall we... go to the Moon Embracing Sect?"

"Do not let me influence you."

The young woman gently shook her head. "I advise you all to have your own opinions."

In her view, those who believed every rumor and were so easily swayed by others would probably be unable to enter a sect even if they had talent.

Thinking of this, she added, "Besides, although they say they do not look at talent and only look at fate, they never said that they would definitely accept people without talent."

Everyone went numb.

You've completely confused us!

Someone could not help asking, "Then how are we supposed to choose?"

"Look to yourselves."

The young woman sighed softly. "I have already said that you must have your own opinions. At most, I can analyze the pros and cons. I will not, and cannot, tell you what to do."

"After all, this choice may change your entire lives."

"If you go to the Peach Blossom Sect, everyone knows what you will face. Those without talent, or with insufficient talent, will definitely be unable to enter."

"But if you go to the Moon Embracing Sect, even without talent, you can still gamble on that sliver of hope."

"That is all."

Only then did the crowd begin taking the young woman seriously.

Following the sound of her voice, they saw that her expression and gaze were resolute. Her face was smeared with dirt, making her seem somewhat downcast, yet she did not look particularly disheveled.

Her long black hair flowed like a waterfall down to her waist.

Her coarse long dress had been washed pale and was patched in several places, yet it was very clean.

"Then, miss, what will you choose?"

"Me?"

She laughed at herself. "I know I have no talent."

Then she turned and headed down the road leading to the Moon Embracing Sect.

Seeing this, the others hesitated for a while. Then they split into two groups. One continued toward the Peach Blossom Sect, while the other half hurried in the direction of the Moon Embracing Sect.

Similar scenes played out outside the many sects near the Moon Embracing Sect.

Some scoffed at it.

Some took it seriously.

Some believed the Moon Embracing Sect was practically finished and was clearly trying to deceive a few people into becoming disciples.

Others felt that although the Moon Embracing Sect was now extremely desolate, it had once been glorious and should still have some foundation. As the saying went, a starving camel was still bigger than a horse. It was worth a try.

"..."

Three days later, the day arrived when the countless sects of the Southwest Region held their Grand Opening of Mountain Gate.

All five elders had returned.

The Moon Embracing Sect had also made some preparations.

The bluestone steps up the mountain had been swept spotless. The few spiritual herbs in the Medicine Garden had all been moved out and arranged along both sides of the mountain path. Even the spiritual energy was noticeably richer than usual.

The sect's few spirit beasts had also all been released, allowed to run all over the mountains and plains to add a little life and immortal grace.

Morning.

Dong!!!

A melodious bell rang out from an unimaginably distant place. This was the signal from the Myriad Flowers Holy Land. Immediately afterward, the formations of the various mountain gates activated, and the paths up the mountains appeared...

Lin Fan stood outside the main hall, feeling somewhat uneasy.

He had done everything he could think of, but would there really be a Newcomer's Gift Pack?

He paced back and forth. In the end, he still felt that something was missing, so he looked at the seven disciples standing motionless nearby and said, "Go find a place halfway up the mountain to spar and exchange techniques. Let the newcomers see what you can do."

They were instantly dumbfounded, looking at Lin Fan with blank faces and concern. "Huh? Us?"

Lin Fan: "..."

He had wanted to say something, but when the words reached his lips, he could only smile helplessly. "Forget it. You guys play... uh, carry on with whatever you were doing."

Better to let them serve as auspicious decorations.

This really was asking too much of them.

Behind Lin Fan, the First Elder pondered slightly. "Some people have already gathered at the foot of the mountain and are climbing up."

"How many?" Lin Fan could not help feeling expectant.

"A little over two hundred!"

Only two hundred?

Lin Fan's heart sank.

There had been more than three hundred last year!

Though not a single one had entered the sect...

"Wait!"

At that moment, Wu Xingyun suddenly spoke. "More people are coming from afar!"

"They are arriving in groups of two or three, from different directions."

"Sect Master, your advertisements must have worked!"

"Oh?! About how many?"

"I'm afraid..."

Wu Xingyun's eyes shone as she spread her divine sense as far as possible, yet she still could not see the end. "There are no fewer than ten thousand!"

Upon hearing this, everyone smiled.

"Wonderful!"

Over ten thousand?

Even if only one out of every thousand was chosen, they could still pick out ten barely acceptable disciples. If properly nurtured, they would at least be of some help.

"Sect Master, you are truly brilliant!"

The five elders all praised him.