The curtain wall that Xu Long had conjured in front of him also began to be covered with Silk web-like marks.
However, he concentrated his Magic Power inside the curtain wall, continuously filling the outer curtain wall.
After that overwhelming force passed, the banners above their heads suddenly fluttered up.
The long tassels looked as if they had been grabbed by a giant hand, and were about to reach the sky despite the horizontal blowing of the hurricane.
As soon as the tassels fluttered, the imposing aura in the arena instantly dissipated, and the remaining cultivators raised their heads in a flash.
The sword blade above their heads had been removed, and golden rays of light were now shooting out from the parted clouds.
Xu Long retracted the curtain in front of him, but before he could see what was behind the light, a unique pressure from a Mystic Immortal cultivator quickly assailed him.
This oppressive force was immense, yet somewhat complex, as if it were being released in a mixed manner.
Xu Long thought to himself: There must be more than one Mystic Immortal cultivator coming.
After the sword's edge was withdrawn, the cultivators finally came to their senses, and at that moment, they were once again enveloped by a powerful pressure.
But they dared not resist any longer, and simply stood still in the arena, silently waiting for the figure behind the golden light.
After the array banners above blocked the sword's edge, the sword gradually disappeared into the sky.
But the oppressive aura had not dissipated; the passage that had been carved out by the sword was now being swept by a hurricane.
The hurricane caused turbulence in the air, a sign that cultivators were approaching.
"The cultivators who just escaped under the sword's edge have lost their spots for core disciple selection. You are not allowed to set foot on the mountain range of the Deacon Hall again. If there are still Spirit Stone resources to be handed over within the Daoist temple, then wait for a summons outside the mountain!"
Xu Long was watching a group of figures emerge from behind the light when, as the figures became clearer, a somewhat cold and sharp voice reached his ears.
This sound undoubtedly determined the outcome for those cultivators who had fled first.
Only then did Xu Long and the other cultivators realize that the sword strike they had just witnessed was merely a test.
Because the sword above their heads did not actually fall, it was still blocked by the array banners.
Only by withstanding this bluffing attack can one be considered to have caught the eye of the Deacon Hall.
After that sound, the figure that appeared in the clouds became clear.
They were a group of 24 people dressed in blue.
A hurricane swept through the air as twelve Heavenly Immortal cultivators led the way.
Ten more Mystic Immortal disciples spread out to protect him from behind, patrolling the passage that had been carved out.
Among the crowd were three cultivators at the Mid-stage Mystic Immortal, each arranged in a triangular formation, surrounding a solemn-faced middle-aged cultivator in the center.
These 24 figures were the backbone of the Deacon Hall. As they swept over to the group, the atmosphere became even more somber.
After seeing that group of figures, Xu Long wondered to himself: Are these the cultivators from the blessed land?
There were actually several Mystic Immortal), but it seemed that most of them were at the Early-stage Mystic Immortal.
The sword strike just now was incredibly powerful, and it must have come from the Mystic Immortal cultivator in the middle.
However, these people are truly Wuji, running rampant within the blessed land without anyone daring to stop them.
Then Xu Long realized that they were originally from the Deacon Hall; was he supposed to ask them to stop him?
The moment the words were spoken that the cultivators who had left the Deacon Hall mountain range were disqualified, some of the cultivators who had fled earlier began to object.
They gathered around the mountains, and several bolder Heavenly Immortal cultivators spoke to the group of figures in the air:
"We have been waiting here for you, Master. We were caught off guard by that sword strike and our fall off the mountainside is understandable. But if you refuse to disqualify us from being selected as core disciples because of this, we will absolutely not accept it..."
"Insolence! How dare you speak so rudely before a true master!"
Before the cultivators could finish speaking, the cultivator in the air interrupted him abruptly.
Upon closer inspection, Xu Long realized that it was a Mid-stage Mystic Immortal cultivator standing next to the middle-aged cultivator who was speaking.
His tone was cold and sharp as he looked at the cultivators gathered outside the mountain, a hint of anger already appearing on his face.
Having been in charge of the Deacon Hall for so long, how dare you disobey the Master's arrangements? Don't you even consider your own abilities? How dare you talk nonsense in front of us?
This is truly disrespectful to the Deacon Hall; we cannot let you off easily!
Xu Long found it amusing to look at the cultivators gathered outside the mountains.
They must have been terrified by the sword strike just now, and after witnessing the true power of the master, they no longer dared to step into the Deacon Hall mountain range.
If they stood under the array banners like Xu Long and the others, they would be largely safe even if the True Immortal struck with his sword again.
However, if one randomly chooses a location to enter the Deacon Hall mountain range, there is no protection from the array banners.
If they anger the real person and he strikes again, they will truly be annihilated on the spot.
Although he kept rapping, he was always ready to slip away at any moment.
The cold-faced cultivator in the sky probably saw how pathetic these cultivators were, which is why anger appeared on his face.
If these cultivators truly dared to risk being wiped out and venture into the mountains alone again, he would think even more highly of them.
At this point, they dared not risk entering the mountains, yet refused to leave, which greatly angered him.
He squinted at the cultivators outside the arena, then spoke in a cold voice:
"The path to immortality is fraught with peril. We cultivators embark on this path to go against the current and be prepared to face any sudden danger at any moment."
The core disciples are the foundation of the sect, and their opportunities on the path to immortality are not worth discussing for now.
Mental fortitude, talent, adaptability, and composure—which of these doesn't require exceptional excellence?
You all fled after unleashing your magic seals under the sword strike of the True Man.
If a powerful enemy were to press in, how could I possibly have the courage to resist?
The young cultivator's last words were almost a roar directed at the cultivators outside the arena, revealing just how intense the suppressed rage within him was.
After this explanation, both the cultivators inside and outside the arena understood that the sword strike just now was merely a casual test by the True Person.
Moreover, there were protective banners above their heads, so there was no danger to their lives.
The cultivators both inside and outside the mountains were greatly shocked by the reprimand they received.
Then, thinking back on it, they felt a little scared, and the troublemaking cultivators who had gathered earlier seemed to have quieted down.
After the young cultivator spoke, the middle-aged cultivator in the crowd finally showed some emotion.
Seeing that the cultivators below had not yet dispersed, he casually remarked:
"If you have any further thoughts, you may come to find me in the Deacon Hall!"
When the crowd below saw the person in charge speak in person, they knew that their selection was definitely over.
Although the master said they could go to him, the cultivators outside the arena looked at each other in dismay, and none of them dared to go and take that sword strike.
Just kidding. If you really stubbornly go to him, and he turns around and stabs you in the back, then there's really no way to reason with him.
After all, the Deacon Hall has the authority to resolve disputes within the sect. If someone goes to the sect leader to complain, the sect leader might just hand the matter over to the Deacon Hall.
They will then be asked: Who are you, and why are you accusing me?
Seeing that things were going badly, the cultivators outside the arena immediately stopped their attacks, blaming it on their bad luck.
Some cultivators without missions left, while others who needed to hand over Spirit Stone resources waited quietly on the mountainside for their summons.
Seeing the disturbance quelled in an instant, the middle-aged cultivator in the air not only did not relax his brows, but a look of disgust flashed in his eyes.
He sighed inwardly: What are all these things?
If someone had actually dared to come looking for him, he would have given them a much higher regard, but to his surprise, these disciples simply dispersed on their own.
Thinking back to the scenes of the Jade Screen Sect School selecting core disciples in the past, and then looking at what is happening inside and outside the Deacon Hall now.
If my senior brother knew what happened today, what would he think?
Upon realizing this, the middle-aged cultivator couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow.
His Buddhist name was Yunxiang, and he was one of the core disciples who survived from the previous generation of the Jade Screen Sect School.
He took over the position after the original Deacon Hall passed away.
His senior brother is none other than Yunlong, the current Jade Screen Sect.
Back when the Jade Screen Sect School wasn't as large as it is now, I had participated in the selection of core disciples many times, but for various reasons, I was always rejected on the spot.
Although the sect was not powerful, the selection process was extremely rigorous at that time, and cultivators who participated in the selection could be eliminated if they were not careful.
However, the rejected cultivators possessed an indomitable spirit, and the selected core disciples were all outstanding individuals from the Boundless Wilderness.
After several generations of core disciples have pioneered the sect, the Jade Screen Sect School has established a firm foothold in the Boundless Wilderness.
With his unwavering Dao Heart and determination to defy fate, Yunxiang finally grew alongside his senior brother.
When the name of Yunxiang Yunlong resounded throughout the blessed land, he excitedly looked up to the sky and roared.
That was the glory of their generation.
Although the sect is not very powerful yet, it has grown stronger through generations of core disciples.
They gradually expanded and consolidated their sect until it grew into a true behemoth in the Daning Commandery Kingdom.
This is their achievement, and also the glory of the core disciples.
Now that the sect is powerful and prosperous, the disciples who participated in the selection have lost their initial enthusiasm.
The reason for Yunxiang's sorrow is that he no longer possesses the same unwavering Dao Heart as before.
They may never know the true significance of core disciples to the sect, nor will they ever understand the true meaning of core disciples.
Becoming a core disciple is not about receiving glory and honor, nor about being superior to others; it's about going against the tide and daring to explore new frontiers!
Only through the relentless efforts of core disciples who forge ahead in this Boundless Wilderness can a sect continue to grow stronger.
Why do only a very few core disciples survive in the end, generation after generation? Because those who died sacrificed their lives for the growth of the sect!
Xu Long glanced around the scene briefly; the power of his sword strike had forced half of the blue-robed cultivators off the mountain.
At this moment, most of the cultivators present came from the Boundless Wilderness, while there were very few cultivators guarding the Daoist temple and the blessed land.
It seems that cultivators who grow up in the Boundless Wilderness do indeed have more courage than other cultivators.
At least when faced with a sudden crisis, they still thought about doing everything they could to resist it.
Xu Long paid special attention to the few Mystic Immortal cultivators in the crowd. Sure enough, none of them were kicked out of the Deacon Hall.
Under the pressure of Perfected Yunxiang, Xu Long only dared to take a cursory look and found that there were still about a hundred people left in the arena.
Those who remained were at a loss, standing there blankly with their heads down.
The power of Yunxiang's sword strike was still etched in the minds of the cultivators. Since no one had given them instructions on whether to stay or leave, they dared not ask any questions.
Upon seeing the arrival of Perfected Yunxiang near the Deacon Hall, some of the remaining cultivators in the Golden-Topped Hall specially came to greet Deacon Hall Yunxiang.
A group of cultivators in blue robes stood beside the array banners on both sides, bowed to the Perfected Yunxiang in the sky, and called out in unison:
"I've met you in person!"
Upon hearing the disciples inside the Deacon Hall bow, the cultivators who had been silent for a long time were instantly awakened.
The cultivators instinctively followed behind the disciples of the Deacon Hall, clearing a straight path in front of the Golden Summit Hall.
Then they all bowed to the air and shouted:
"We have seen the real person!"
The Perfected Yunxiang in the air nodded slightly with a solemn expression. After scanning the entire area, his gaze lingered briefly on a few Mystic Immortal cultivators.
He then felt a surge of emotion and thought to himself: Indeed, I still need to gain more experience in the Boundless Wilderness.
These remaining Mystic Immortal cultivators were all guardians of the Boundless Wilderness.
The family cultivators guarding the Daoist temple and the blessed land are truly useless...
After withdrawing his gaze from the several Mystic Immortal cultivators, Yunxiang casually swept his eyes across the scene.
The auras of the several Mystic Immortal cultivators were distinctly different; he only needed to scan them with his True Spirit to know their depth.
The other cultivators could ignore him, but when he withdrew his gaze, they discovered another figure in a corner of the arena.
The True Spirit sensed that he was only at the Earth Immortal Realm realm, but that burgeoning aura seemed somewhat different...
Are they also cultivators from the Boundless Wilderness?
They certainly have guts; they dare to select core disciples even with only the Earth Immortal Realm realm!
Perfected Yunxiang's eyes lit up slightly as he memorized the figure. Then, as if recalling something, a playful mood stirred within him.
It seems that our Jade Screen Sect School still has some outstanding individuals in this selection process...
"The remaining cultivators, come to the Deacon Hall one by one to hand over your Spirit Stone resources, then each receive a jade token and await the next summons!"
The cold, sharp voice rang out again. Everyone raised their heads slightly upon hearing it, but Perfected Yunxiang was no longer in the air.
Xu Long had just secretly glimpsed that after being greeted by the crowd, Perfected Yunxiang flicked his sleeves in the air and disappeared directly into the Golden Roof Hall.
Xu Long knew that a Mystic Immortal cultivator like Yunxiang was already at a level below the Golden Immortal realm, and even had one foot already in the Golden Immortal Realm realm.
It's just that he lacks a crucial opportunity, or perhaps he's wary of the impending calamity, which is why he keeps lingering in the Late Mystic Immortal Realm Stage.
People like him and Sect Master Yunlong usually deduce their own sliver of opportunity or how to deal with the tribulations during their breakthrough.
As for the remaining cultivators, even though some of them might become future core disciples, they would not spare any attention to give them special care.
In the path to immortality, every advancement requires seizing the opportunity to deduce one's own Great Dao and clearly discern one's own tribulations; these are the most important things in their hearts.
Of course, Xu Long also thought that perhaps this generation of cultivators had indeed performed poorly, and perhaps Perfected Yunxiang really didn't want to see them again...