Registration

Shen Long did not attack again after hearing this.

As the blazing flames dispersed, Lu Yudie's figure emerged.

A dim Purple Light Screen covered her body, flickering in and out of sight. She was drenched in sweat.

She had never imagined that Shen Long had cultivated all five spells to Great Perfection. That was simply monstrous.

"Your talent in spells is quite good. Few people are willing to spend so much time on spells these days; they all rely on Talismans and Dharma Artifacts."

A deep male voice rang out.

Shen Long looked toward the source of the voice and saw a lean middle-aged man walking over. Judging by his attire, he was clearly a disciple of the Purple Firmament Gate.

The middle-aged man had regular features and exuded a powerful spiritual pressure.

"This junior, Li Xiao, greets Senior."

Shen Long hurriedly bowed, not daring to show any negligence.

"My name is Du Feng. The Immortal Ascension Assembly will begin in a few days. You may consider taking the Purple Firmament Gate's assessment."

The middle-aged man said.

"Yes, Senior Du."

Shen Long agreed. He would only consider it; whether he could join that sect would depend on himself.

"It's been years, Fellow Daoist Du. How about we spar?"

A booming male voice sounded.

As soon as the words fell, a tall silver-robed youth stepped out from the crowd. He was the Foundation Establishment Cultivator who had bought the Golden Lang Stone.

"Wu Dao, it's you. You've advanced to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage."

A flicker of surprise passed through Du Feng's eyes.

From his words, it was clear that he knew the silver-robed youth.

"You defeated me last time, but you won't this time. Shall we spar?"

Wu Dao asked, his gaze feverish.

"I have matters to attend to. Another time!"

Du Feng decisively refused. Wu Dao was a descendant of a Golden Core Cultivator and also a martial fanatic.

In his early years, Du Feng had sparred with Wu Dao and defeated him by relying on several spells cultivated to Great Perfection.

Wu Dao was somewhat disappointed, but he nodded.

"Fellow Daoist Li, this little sister accepts her loss. This is what I promised you."

Lu Yudie took out a Cyan Storage Bag and handed it to Shen Long.

Shen Long swept it with his divine sense and nodded. After exchanging a few casual words, he took his leave.

After returning to his residence, Shen Long sat cross-legged on the bed and began meditative breathing.

Seven days passed. Today was the day to register for the Immortal Ascension Assembly, and a great number of cultivators lined up to register.

The assessments were divided into literary contests and martial contests. Literary contests included talisman crafting, pill refining, brewing wine, setting arrays, and artifact refining, while martial contests involved spell duels and sparring. Qi Refining Cultivators with excellent aptitude, such as those with variant spirit roots, Dual Spirit Roots, or Heavenly Spirit Roots, could enter directly after their aptitude was verified and did not need to undergo the assessment.

The disciple recruitment requirements of the Five Great Powers of the Qin Kingdom had all been written on white paper and posted up.

The Mystic Yang Sect had the strictest requirements. Those with Four Spirit Roots or Five Spirit Roots were rejected, as were those over thirty or those without Qi Refining Eighth Layer cultivation. Of course, this applied to martial contests. If one had mastered a craft, these requirements could be relaxed, especially for an Array Master.

To become a disciple of the Mystic Yang Sect, one first had to register for the assessment. Registration lasted one day, and cultivators taking part in the assessment would receive a green wooden token. This was their qualification to participate; without the token, they could not take the assessment.

The other four factions were the same, preventing anyone from repeatedly taking the assessment of a single faction.

The Mystic Yang Pavilion was a shop opened by the Mystic Yang Sect. A long queue stretched outside its entrance, all of them Qi Refining Cultivators registering for the assessment. Shen Long was among them as well.

A dignified golden-robed youth walked out of the Mystic Yang Pavilion. Judging from his aura, he was clearly a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. Li Yue stood beside him, dressed in the robes of a Mystic Yang Sect disciple.

Shen Long's pupils contracted. How had Li Yue become a Mystic Yang Sect disciple? The Immortal Ascension Assembly had only just begun! Could she have obtained a Mystic Yang Token?

"Li Yue, Sun Liang, maintain order."

The golden-robed youth instructed before turning and walking back into the Mystic Yang Pavilion.

Li Yue and a yellow-shirted youth agreed and began maintaining order.

"Who is that Senior? He looks like he holds quite a high position in the Mystic Yang Sect!"

"That is the senior cultivator. He is True Man Ganyang's youngest disciple. He achieved Foundation Establishment before turning twenty, and his strength is extraordinary."

"I heard that the senior cultivator is a key figure nurtured by the Mystic Yang Sect. He has a great chance of advancing into the Golden Core Realm."

Some Qi Refining Cultivators whispered among themselves, and Shen Long's heart sank.

Li Yue had joined the Mystic Yang Sect and appeared to be highly valued. This was hardly good news for him.

Of course, perhaps Li Yue was merely an ordinary disciple sent on errands.

"Who is that fairy? She seems to be highly valued?"

Shen Long pointed at Li Yue and asked curiously.

"I don't know. She has been following the senior cultivator these past few days."

"It's not just that she seems valued—she truly is. I've seen the senior cultivator keeping her by his side the whole time. She must have some exceptional quality, or the senior cultivator would not value her so much."

Upon hearing this, Shen Long immediately abandoned the thought of taking the Mystic Yang Sect's assessment. However, he did not leave right away, lest it make him seem guilty.

Not long afterward, Shen Long entered the Mystic Yang Pavilion. After a while, he came back out.

He had registered; he simply would not take the assessment.

Li Yue had joined the Mystic Yang Sect in advance and was greatly valued by True Man Ganyang's youngest disciple. Even if Shen Long joined the Mystic Yang Sect, his days would not be easy.

He could not keep using a false appearance forever. Fooling Qi Refining Cultivators was no problem, but deceiving Foundation Establishment Cultivators and Golden Core Cultivators was utterly impossible.

No matter which sect he joined, he would have to use his true appearance and real name. The sect would investigate him and would not allow him to muddle through.

Shen Long wandered around the streets before arriving at the entrance of the Spirit Control Pavilion. A long queue stood outside, with several Spirit Control Sect disciples maintaining order. Shen Long joined the line.

In less than half a quarter-hour, he entered the Spirit Control Pavilion.

Several green wooden tables stood in the main hall, with two Spirit Control Sect disciples seated behind each one.

Shen Long walked up to one of the green wooden tables and truthfully gave his name.

"Place your right hand on the Spirit Testing Disk to test your spirit roots. If you pass the assessment, we will test you again."

A Spirit Control Sect disciple said, taking out a pale golden Dharma Disk.

Shen Long agreed and placed his right hand on the Golden Dharma Disk.

The Golden Dharma Disk lit up with dazzling Golden Light. Before long, the Golden Light faded, and blue, green, and red spiritual light appeared on the disk's surface.

"Water, wood, and fire Three Spirit Roots."

The Spirit Control Sect disciple nodded, took out a green wooden token, and handed it to Shen Long. "Keep it safe. This is your token for participating in the assessment. It will not be easy to replace if you lose it. The assessment does not begin until tomorrow."

Shen Long agreed, put away the green wooden token, and turned to leave.

As he passed a fork in the road, Ye Yuqing and Ye Yutang approached from the opposite direction.

"Fellow Daoist Li, what a coincidence! Are you also taking the Spirit Control Sect's assessment?"

Ye Yuqing greeted him with a smile.

Shen Long nodded. After chatting for a few moments, he took his leave.

"Big Sister, are you sure he is Fellow Daoist Shen?"

Ye Yuqing transmitted her voice.

"We hunted Monster Beasts with him and spent two years together. I can still recognize his voice. I had some doubts at first, but a few days ago, he sparred with Fairy Lu and defeated her with five spells at Great Perfection. I can be certain that he is Shen Long. I do not know why he changed his appearance; perhaps he has some unspeakable difficulty!"

Ye Yutang transmitted her voice.

Back when they had hunted Monster Beasts with Shen Long, Ye Yutang had known that Shen Long had cultivated three first-rank spells to Great Perfection. This Li Xiao had cultivated five first-rank spells to Great Perfection, three of which were identical to Shen Long's.

Ye Yuqing nodded and said nothing.