As though a spring breeze had swept through overnight, the world had changed. Wherever cultivators gathered, everyone was talking about longevity.
By now, news that the mighty figures of the Cloud Summit Alliance had obtained longevity spirit medicines, refined them into pills, and promptly distributed them had spread through the entire grassroots world through every available channel. Even new disciples in the sects' inner courts, with cultivation only at early human rank, knew that the age had undergone a tremendous change.
The greatest experts were no longer confined to a lifespan of a mere hundred-odd years, no different from ordinary people. Instead, their lives could be extended according to the spirit medicines they possessed.
Moreover, opportunities lay everywhere in the worlds of the Outer Domains, with abundant resources and treasured materials there for the taking.
Yet during this time, some places remained unaffected by this sweeping tide.
Or rather, they had other matters commanding their attention.
At Cang Mountain Academy of the Azure Cloud Sect, all the inner court disciples had gathered in the vast circular plaza to watch the ceremony. The academy's senior elders and stewards were also present.
This was Cang Mountain Academy's annual Spirit Communion Trial, a grand occasion for selecting talented candidates from all quarters and outer court disciples for admission.
"Reporting to the Institute Master and all elders: the appointed hour has arrived. All three hundred and sixty-three registered outer court disciples of suitable age who have awakened their spiritual faculties, along with the one hundred and fifty-six candidates nominated by the aristocratic clans and dynasties, are present. No one is absent..."
"Very good. Begin the Spirit Communion Trial!"
"Yes!"
Following the responses from the academy's disciples and senior members, the outer court disciples and nominated candidates taking part in the Spirit Communion Trial were