At that moment, countless beings had already claimed their places.
They waited quietly for the gates of Kunlun Mountain to open.
Besides them, more beings continued to arrive at Kunlun Mountain.
"Big brother, there are so many people!"
A light, lilting voice rang out.
Following the sound, they saw a woman riding on auspicious clouds.
The woman wore a green skirt and was breathtakingly beautiful. Her almond-shaped eyes curiously surveyed the many beings.
She was none other than Bixiao, who had come from Three Immortal Island.
Three others accompanied Bixiao.
Two women and one man.
One woman wore a plain white, flowing gown with wide sleeves. She was just as stunning, and a cinnabar mark adorned the space between her brows.
Who else could she be but Yunxiao?
The other woman wore purple. She was Qiongxiao, the second of the Three Xiao sisters.
The man wore a green Daoist robe. His features were resolute, and his bright eyes gleamed beneath his sword-shaped brows. Standing before the three sisters, he was like a steady mountain.
He was none other than Zhao Gongming, the eldest brother of the Three Xiao sisters.
Three Immortal Island consisted of three connected immortal islands.
A stream ran between the islands, called Clear Wind Stream, where gentle breezes often blew.
As heaven and earth evolved, a wisp of clear wind and three multicolored clouds gradually gained sentience. The four lived together in one place, keeping each other company day and night.
After years of diligent cultivation, they finally faced the Form Transformation Heavenly Tribulation.
They crossed the lightning tribulation of transformation.
The wisp of clear wind became Zhao Gongming, while the three clouds became the Three Xiao sisters.
After learning that the Three Pure Ones were taking disciples,
Zhao Gongming and the Three Xiao sisters naturally didn't want to miss such an opportunity, so they hurried to Kunlun Mountain.
As Zhao Gongming and the Three Xiao sisters arrived at Kunlun Mountain, they immediately drew many eyes.
"How beautiful!"
"They're here to compete for the opportunity too!"
"..."
Many beings turned to look at the Three Xiao sisters, captivated by the dazzling beauty of the three women.
The Three Xiao sisters paid them no mind.
After a moment of silence, Zhao Gongming spoke:
"The Three Pure Ones are of Pangu's Orthodox Lineage."
"We must seize this opportunity!"
Hearing Zhao Gongming's words, the Three Xiao sisters nodded.
Time slipped by.
Soon, the three thousand years set by Tongtian and Yuanshi had passed.
"Rumble!"
That day, a radiant glow blazed across the summit of Kunlun Mountain, and two terrifying auras instantly enveloped heaven and earth.
Then two figures emerged, stepping upon clouds.
They were Tongtian and Yuanshi, two of the Three Pure Ones.
Tongtian's green robe fluttered, while the phantoms of the Immortal-Slaying Four Swords revolved behind him.
His sword-shaped brows swept up toward his temples, and stars seemed to turn in his eyes.
A carefree smile played at the corners of his mouth. The Qingping Sword at his waist rang without end, and Sword Qi surged into the sky.
Yuanshi's hair was bound beneath a jade crown, and the Three Treasures Jade Ruyi hung with countless strands of beads and jewels.
His expression was solemn, and an abstruse Daoist aura swirled around him.
Seeing Yuanshi and Tongtian appear, countless beings grew solemn and bowed respectfully to them.
After appearing, Tongtian spoke:
"Those who pass may join my sect."
As soon as he finished speaking, Tongtian and Yuanshi each swept out a sleeve.
"Rumble!"
In an instant, two great formations opened.
"Those who pass the formations may enter Kunlun Mountain."
"Begin."
Yuanshi spoke calmly.
The moment his words fell, countless beings surged forward.
"Charge!"
One being after another pressed ahead, afraid of falling even half a step behind. Soon, they had rushed into the formations.
The formation Tongtian had set up was a sword formation, filled with baleful energy and crisscrossing Sword Qi.
The formation Yuanshi had set up was wreathed in auspicious light. It seemed peaceful, yet concealed countless mysteries. Within the Celebration Cloud, three thousand Small Worlds unfolded, each one a trial of the Daoist heart.
Everyone knew that whichever formation they chose, passing it would earn them a place under the tutelage of the person who had set it up, Yuanshi or Tongtian.
As countless beings surged toward the two great formations like a tide,
Yunxiao raised her slender hand. A golden light flowed out, forming a clear, protected space for the four siblings.
"Big brother, which one should we choose?"
Yunxiao turned to Zhao Gongming.
At her question, Zhao Gongming narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze shifting between the two formations.
After studying them, a look of resolve flashed through his eyes, and he replied:
"Let's choose Senior Tongtian!"
The Three Xiao sisters had no objections, and they accompanied Zhao Gongming as he flew toward the sword formation Tongtian had established.
At the same time, Duobao and Yu Ding were also stirred when the two formations appeared.
They had arrived at Kunlun Mountain long ago, waiting for this very day.
"Daoist Duobao, which one will you choose?"
Yu Ding asked curiously as he looked at Duobao.
Duobao smiled faintly and replied:
"I want to join Senior Tongtian's sect."
"Daoist Qin Mu is Senior Tongtian's first disciple."
"It should be quite nice to be with him!"
Hearing Duobao's words, Yu Ding gave a slight nod and replied:
"I choose Senior Yuanshi!"
"Good luck, Daoist!"
"I hope we can meet again within Kunlun Mountain."
With that, Yu Ding didn't wait for Duobao to respond. He flew straight into the formation Yuanshi had set up.
Duobao smiled faintly. After taking a deep breath, he charged resolutely into the sword formation Tongtian had established.
Time slipped by. Before they knew it, a hundred years had passed.
At that moment, on the summit of Kunlun Mountain,
Tongtian and Yuanshi stood side by side.
"Oh?"
Suddenly, Tongtian raised an eyebrow and murmured, "Interesting!"
As the one who had set up the sword formation, he could naturally know everything happening inside it at will.
He could sense that many beings within the sword formation were exceptionally talented and were about to break through and emerge.
Among them, of course, were the four siblings Zhao Gongming and the Three Xiao sisters.
Zhao Gongming was at the very front, his gaze resolute as he broke through wave after wave of Sword Qi.
The Three Xiao sisters followed close behind him, forming a formation to support him.
There was also Duobao.
Though he was alone, his treasures seemed endless. He had actually carved out a path by sheer force.
Of course, Yuanshi had also taken a liking to quite a few promising candidates.
Yu Ding, Guangchengzi, and others.
Soon, the allotted time came to an end.
Tongtian looked at the many beings who had emerged from the sword formation and laughed heartily:
"Good! Every one of you is promising!"
As he said this, he gave Zhao Gongming a particularly long look.
From his expression, it was clear that he was quite pleased with Zhao Gongming's performance in the sword formation.
Yuanshi's expression remained unchanged. He too looked over the many beings who had emerged from the formation he had set up, then gave a slight nod.
"Acceptable."
"Disciples have been chosen. Those without the fortune to join us, leave."
As Yuanshi spoke, he swept his wide sleeve, and the formation he had set up vanished in an instant.
The beings still trapped inside flew out one after another, landing beyond Kunlun Mountain.
Seeing this, Tongtian smiled faintly and casually waved his hand, dispelling the sword formation as well.
Then Tongtian turned his gaze toward Zhao Gongming, the Three Xiao sisters, Duobao, and the others.
"Come with me."
With that, Tongtian led them away.
Yuanshi did not dawdle either. He took Yu Ding and the others with him, riding the clouds toward his place of cultivation.