Joining the Azure Lotus Sword Sect

Following the Sword Sect cultivator's instructions, Lu Nan walked to one side and waited quietly.

Seeing the small groups that had already formed nearby, Lu Nan thought about it but did not join them.

Thinking of his own Low-grade Spiritual Root, he could not help but bare his teeth in a bitter smile.

Sighing inwardly, he turned to look at the Test Stele.

The Sword Sect cultivators moved swiftly. Before long, the testing of tens of thousands of people came to an end.

Sweeping his gaze over the people around him, Lu Nan estimated there were no more than three thousand.

The result left him clicking his tongue in amazement. As far as he knew, no fewer than ninety thousand people had participated in this test.

Yet only around three thousand had passed. One could well imagine how fierce the competition had been.

Fortunately, the original owner's body had been up to the task. Otherwise, Lu Nan did not know what he would have done.

As the last candidate stepped away from the Test Stele, the man from earlier came forward once more.

His sharp gaze swept over the crowd as he said coldly, "The Sword Sect entrance test for this session ends here. Those who failed may leave on their own."

After saying that, he turned to look at Lu Nan and the others who had passed the test, and his expression softened considerably.

"Junior Brothers, congratulations on passing the First Trial.

"Once we return to the sect, the Elders will test your attributes and Spiritual Root attributes.

"They will then determine whether you stay or leave."

With a wave of his hand, he released an enormous spirit vessel. "Get aboard at once!!"

Hearing this, Lu Nan and the others hurried toward the spirit vessel.

Once everyone had boarded, the man controlled the vessel and sent it soaring into the sky.

Leaving behind nothing but countless envious gazes.

The drifting clouds and mist around the spirit vessel thrilled the young men and women beyond measure.

Lu Nan secretly clenched his fists as well. I can do this!!!!

In the blink of an eye, a grand and vast plaza appeared before them, with a group of figures of all shapes and appearances standing within it.

The Sword Sect man quickly parked the spirit vessel, then strode over to a group of magnificently dressed people.

"Elders! There are three thousand disciples who passed this session's Spiritual Root test."

"Mm! Not bad!! Prepare the attribute test!!" said one white-haired old man with a ruddy complexion.

"Yes!!" The man accepted the order and swiftly turned around.

He arranged for the new disciples to undergo testing.

"Ye Shuang, High-grade Fire Spiritual Root!!"

As the recorder's voice rang out, several figures suddenly appeared before Ye Shuang.

"Ye Shuang, is it? I am the Sword Sect's Third Elder, late Golden Core realm.

"You are well suited to cultivate this old man's Crimson Flame Sword Art. From now on, you will cultivate under me!"

As the Third Elder spoke, he did not forget to glare at the others.

"This session's others, this old man will not contend with you for them."

As his words fell, he swept his sleeve and turned into a streak of light with Ye Shuang, vanishing into the distance.

Seeing this, the others could only sigh inwardly.

"Su Wan, High-grade Water Spiritual Root, Supreme-grade Ice Spiritual Root!"

The crowd only felt their vision blur before Su Wan was surrounded by people.

The Elders crowded around Su Wan one after another, energetically promoting themselves.

All hoped that she would enter their tutelage. The enormous display made the little girl's face turn somewhat pale.

With a sharp whoosh, Su Wan vanished in an instant.

"This girl! This Sect Leader is taking her!!" A cold, clear voice rang out abruptly.

The Elders looked at one another, then smiled bitterly and bowed.

"Yes, Sect Leader!!"

One by one, they returned to their places, closed their eyes, and waited for the next person.

The testing continued...

"Zhao Qingnian, Mid-grade Wood Spiritual Root, Inferior-grade Metal Spiritual Root, Low-grade Water Spiritual Root."

"Su Wu, Low-grade Fire, Water, and Earth Spiritual Roots."

Before long, it was Lu Nan's turn. With an uneasy heart, he walked toward the Test Stele.

As a ray of light flashed, the recorder's voice sounded beside his ear.

"Lu Nan, Low-grade Fire and Wood Spiritual Roots."

Hearing the result, Lu Nan had no idea whether it was good or bad. With a heavy heart, he returned to the group and waited for the arrangements.

A short while later, the testing ended. During that time, several more people had been taken away by Elders.

This left Lu Nan and the others filled with envy.

Anyone with eyes could see that being taken away by an Elder was a heaven-sent opportunity.

Unfortunately, with their aptitudes, they could only watch.

As the testing ended, the Elders swiftly departed as well.

"Ahem! From this day onward, you are disciples of the Sword Sect. I am Fei Fei, the Outer Sect Steward."

An Old Man suddenly stepped out from the crowd and announced loudly.

"Newly admitted disciples all have three months to cultivate. During those three months, you may move about as you please.

"However, take care—there are places you are not permitted to enter.

"After three months, you must complete one sect mission every month, or your cultivation resources for that month will be deducted.

"As for the rest, you will learn in time!

"Now follow me to collect your Identity Tokens and resources!"

As Fei Fei explained, he swept his gaze over the crowd and led them toward a hall.

Looking at the items in his hands, Lu Nan's eyes brimmed with curiosity.

A standard longsword, a jet-black token of unknown material.

Two books as well—one was the Qi Condensation Art, the other the Basic Sword Art.

There was also a bottle of Body Tempering Pills and two sets of gray clothes.

Before he could examine them, Fei Fei at the front spoke again. "Soon, disciples will lead you to your residences."

With that, he turned and left.

Then a Sword Sect disciple led everyone toward the residential area.

Before long, an area like a paradise beyond the mortal world appeared before them.

"Your future residences are ahead. Just find them according to the numbers on your Identity Tokens."

After saying this, the disciple leading the way immediately left without looking back.

Seeing this, everyone curiously took out their tokens and headed toward the residential area.

Lu Nan carefully examined the token in his hand. "Nine hundred ninety-nine?"

He raised his head and searched from one residence to another, spending more than an hour.

Only then did he finally find his own residence. Looking at the exquisite little Wooden Cabin before him,

a smile appeared on Lu Nan's face as he quickly walked toward the door.

Just as he reached out to push it open, an unseen force shoved him away.

Looking at the wooden door he could not approach, Lu Nan frowned.

He stared at the door thoughtfully, then raised his Identity Token and walked toward it.

This time, he entered the Wooden Cabin smoothly. Seeing this, Lu Nan could not help but let out a sigh of relief.

"Not bad! At least this gives me some sense of security."

After sighing, he looked around.

The entire room contained only a wooden table and a wooden bed, with nothing else besides.

He quickly walked to the bed and plopped down on it.

After being busy all day, he was utterly exhausted.

After resting a little, Lu Nan eagerly picked up the books at his side.

"Qi Condensation Art? This should be the Sword Sect's foundational cultivation method!" As he murmured, Lu Nan opened the book and gradually immersed himself in it.

Only after a long while did Lu Nan set down the Qi Condensation Art in his hand and raise his head.

"Body Tempering, Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment?" Then an unprecedented gleam burst from his eyes as he sat cross-legged on the bed.

He tried to sense the qi sensation described in the book...

No one knew how much time had passed when Lu Nan suddenly sensed something strange within his body.

A flicker of crimson suddenly appeared before his eyes, filling him with joy.

But before he could open his eyes, the crimson vanished abruptly.

At the same time, Lu Nan felt his vision blur, and he found himself in an unfamiliar space.