Unified Examination Secret History

With the students' shock subsiding, Feng Chutang continued, "The incidents involving two Children of Fortune in succession have made even the usually aloof Immortal Sects uneasy. There's actually a more crucial reason: initially, some Immortal Sects, concerned about their reputation, acted hesitantly and didn't claim much territory. Others, however, completely disregarded appearances and seized vast tracts of land."

"Consequently, the former sects have consistently attracted few talented disciples, while the latter have amassed disciples like clouds, leading to a rapid surge in their strength and natural conflict between them. Those who didn't claim land demanded a redistribution, which the land-holding sects naturally refused, leading to disputes that lasted for centuries. During this time, there were countless open and covert struggles, and many powerful figures perished."

"At this point, the major Immortal Sects, having learned their lesson, all felt a fundamental change was necessary. It was then that an extraordinary individual emerged, proposing the concept of 'talent sharing.' Specifically, it meant that the cultivation seeds of the Human Domain should be shared among the major sects, who would jointly hold entrance examinations to ensure no genius was overlooked. The sects themselves would be divided into ranks based on strength, with the upper-tier sects having priority in selection, leaving the lower-tier sects with only scraps."

Now, the Sect Unified Examination has been implemented for over a thousand years. All students present have come through this examination and are naturally very familiar with its regulations, feeling that it is as it should be. However, upon hearing this historical secret, they still found the extraordinary individual from that time to be incredible, possessing such a fantastically imaginative idea.

Feng Chutang smiled, "When I first learned this story, I also found it unbelievable. Talents can be shared? Such a concept has never existed throughout history! As for public examinations and public selection, that's unheard of. Guess who this extraordinary individual was?"

"A reincarnated immortal?"

"An unparalleled genius?"

"A Child of Fortune?"

The students guessed one after another, but Feng Chutang merely shook his head. When no one was guessing anymore, Feng Chutang said, "He actually came from another world, and in that world, such practices were commonplace."

All the students, including Wei Yuan, were greatly astonished. Someone couldn't help but ask, "There are other worlds?"

"Naturally, there are, and not just one, but many. When your Spiritual Power matures, you will naturally understand."

A young girl then asked, "I know! It's the inner world of an immortal, right?"

Feng Chutang shook his head, "No, those are real worlds. As for the specifics, you can explore them yourselves when you reach the Imperial Scenery realm. At that point, standing at a higher vantage point, your perspective will naturally broaden a thousandfold, and what you saw and heard before was merely the view of frogs in a well."

The young boys and girls were instantly filled with longing. This world held too many secrets waiting to be explored. With the youthful spirit, they wished they could grow up immediately, so they could ride the wind and fly on swords, exploring the boundless world.

Feng Chutang continued with the aftermath:

"With this method introduced, the major Immortal Sects naturally agreed, and the opposition from smaller sects was futile. However, it led to another century of conflict among sects vying for upper and lower ranks. In short, a charter was eventually established, leading to the unified entrance examination for the Great Tang Immortal Sect, commonly known as the Immortal Sect Unified Examination. As for the sect rankings, it became the established system of Immortal Sects, Cave Heavens, Blessed Lands, and ordinary sects."

Wei Yuan asked, "What about sects not part of the system? Can they never recruit disciples?"

Feng Chutang nodded at Wei Yuan and said, "That's a good question. The solution was also proposed by that extraordinary individual: the capable rise, the mediocre fall, creating upward and downward mobility. Specifically, every hundred years, all sects are re-evaluated and their rankings are redetermined. The lowest-ranked will be demoted to the next level, and the lowest-ranked sects among the fourth-tier sects will be expelled from the unified examination system, replaced by other capable candidate sects. This way, rapidly developing smaller sects can enter the system. The sects outside the system have hope and focus on joining it rather than rebelling."

"In fact, that extraordinary individual proposed this method when he first introduced the Sect Unified Examination. However, the major Immortal Sects at the time were accustomed to their high status, thinking of eternal rule over the martial world, and none were willing to have newcomers join and take a share. It wasn't until a century later, as the sects gradually grew weary and suffered increasing casualties, that they reconsidered this charter."

At this point, the class period ended. Feng Chutang said, "When you return, write an essay on the advantages and disadvantages of this charter. If you have better ideas, you can include them as well. Submit it at the next class. If you finish early, you can also place it directly in my administrative hall. I will review it when I come."

A girl suddenly stood up and asked, "Sir, Senior Sister Liuli said that cultivators must be able to fight. Are you also very good at fighting?"

Feng Chutang smiled and said, "I teach history. In the mortal world, I'm just a frail scholar, someone who couldn't even lift a chicken. Fighting and killing are not my strengths."

The next day arrived, and it was Senior Sister Liuli's Dao Foundation class.

In the first lesson, Ji Liuli concisely explained the basic knowledge of Dao Foundation cultivation and six general cultivation methods. From this lesson onward, it was the true cultivation class.

All students were divided into six groups based on their cultivation methods. Those who chose the Jade Toad Gazing at the Moon Diagram, like Wei Yuan, were only Bao Yun and another boy who had received an ancestral blessing. This person's surname was Cui, and his given name was Yu; he was a disciple of the renowned Cui family in the world.

The Jade Toad Gazing at the Moon Diagram was extremely demanding in terms of one's own fortune. Its advantage was that it strengthened the foundation, but its drawback was that it offered nothing else. The other five cultivation methods also had their strengths and were less demanding, which is why the Jade Toad Gazing at the Moon Diagram always had the fewest elective students.

Xiao Yu also possessed great fortune, but he had already planned his own path and did not choose the Jade Toad Gazing at the Moon Diagram. Instead, he chose the Great Sun Embracing Sword Book, which was ranked first in combat among the six cultivation techniques.

After the groups were formed, each person began their self-cultivation. Ji Liuli sat high on the podium, observing the entire hall.

At this time, Wei Yuan had already consumed his second Chonglou Dinghai Pill, and the scope of his visualization diagram had exceeded threezhang. However, after deducting the effects of the pill, the actual visualization diagram was only two zhang and five chi.

Wei Yuan had been cultivating for nearly half a month. This speed could not be considered fast at all, and it couldn't compare to the geniuses recorded in the data. However, Wei Yuan also discovered something: after the Senior Sister refined his foundation last time, the previously expanded visualization diagram had actually shrunk by half a chi. Although the scope of the visualization diagram was smaller, its quality had significantly improved.

Cultivation cannot be achieved overnight. Wei Yuan naturally understood this, so he didn't care about the specific progress. Every day, he would absorb moonlight at the scheduled time.

The shadow within the full moon remained there, unmoving. Wisps of black energy continuously entered Wei Yuan's body along with the moonlight. As the amount of black energy absorbed increased, Wei Yuan's speed of absorbing moonlight also slowly increased.

Ji Liuli surveyed the entire hall, occasionally waking a student who had a problem from their cultivation, offering guidance, and then letting them resume their practice.

A class session quickly passed, and the sound of the chime awakened all the students from their state of self-forgetfulness. Cui Yu, sitting not far from Wei Yuan, suddenly raised his hand and said, "Senior Sister, I have completed my visualization diagram."

Ji Liuli walked over, her pupils turning azure. After observing for a while, she nodded and said, "A six-zhang gazing moon diagram, with anomalies approaching peak quality. Quite good! You can begin Body Forging now."

Cui Yu was overjoyed by the praise and looked eagerly at Ji Liuli, asking, "Can I forge an Immortal Foundation?"

Ji Liuli, however, shook her head and said, "Heaven Tier is within reach, but Immortal Foundation still depends on opportunity. Your root bone is only eight chi, which is somewhat of a hindrance. After returning, you must have your family find ways to gather more rare heavenly treasures and immortal pills that can improve your aptitude. Only then can you stabilize at Heaven Tier. You cannot be stingy in this regard."

Cui Yu gritted his teeth and said, "Don't worry, teacher! If my Cui family lacks resources, then no family in the world is wealthy!"

Bao Yun rolled her eyes.