Chapter 61

But this time, over seven hundred people participated in the climb up the Heavenly Path, and now only one hundred and fifty have succeeded, which is indeed not a high success rate.

After roughly counting the number of people around him, Lu Tianyu immediately looked around, taking in the view of the Flowing Cloud Sect’s main gate.

Upon seeing it, Lu Tianyu couldn’t help but widen his eyes in shock, his mouth hanging open for a long time, unable to close it.

He saw that the main gate of the Flowing Cloud Sect was constructed from a series of undulating, towering, and resplendent buildings, all of which were faintly visible amidst the white mist.

Within the mist, the clear cries of immortal cranes could be heard, and various peculiar mountain guardian beasts appeared and disappeared. Countless lingzhi and immortal herbs emitted a fragrant aroma, permeating the air, and a single breath would instantly bring a sense of refreshment and tranquility.

The buildings in front were merely the tip of the iceberg of the Flowing Cloud Sect. In the distance, countless more buildings were hidden amidst the mist on several mountain peaks.

"This Flowing Cloud Sect is indeed one of the nine major sects. Such a paradise-like place, with such abundant heavenly qi, would definitely allow for twice the results with half the effort in cultivation here."

"Yes, if I can become an inner disciple of the Flowing Cloud Sect, it would be a blessing from my past life."

"Regardless, this time I must strive to become an inner disciple of the Flowing Cloud Sect. If that’s not possible, becoming an outer disciple would also be fine."

... As Lu Tianyu observed the surroundings, the people around him also looked around, their eyes widening in shock as they took in the scene, and discussions began to rise, all marveling at the sight.

"Brother Sima, this Flowing Cloud Sect is truly a paradise on earth. We’ve come to the right place this time." Lu Tianyu couldn’t help but express his shock, turning to look at Sima Ye beside him.

But upon seeing Sima Ye’s expression, Lu Tianyu couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise. Sima Ye still had a very calm demeanor, as if the paradise before him was not enough to elicit his amazement. He only smiled and calmly looked at the distant buildings.

"Brother Sima, have you been here before?" Lu Tianyu continued to ask, puzzled. It seemed that only this reason could explain his composure. Normally, if someone came here for the first time, they wouldn’t look like this.

"Yes, I’ve been here a few times before." Sima Ye replied with a faint smile.

"That explains it." Lu Tianyu’s doubts immediately vanished upon hearing this, and he no longer pressed the matter, continuing to observe the surroundings.

"Swish" At this moment, the mist in front suddenly parted, and a gray-robed old man slowly stepped out.

This old man had white hair casually draped behind his head, moving without wind, with white eyebrows and a white beard, looking extremely kind and dignified, with a demeanor of a sage. One glance would make people feel an immediate sense of goodwill.

"Disciples pay respects to Senior Uncle!" Several Flowing Cloud Sect disciples responsible for maintaining order immediately bowed respectfully upon seeing the gray-robed old man.

"Pay respects to the senior!" Lu Tianyu and the others also did not dare to be negligent, bowing respectfully.

"Exempted." The gray-robed old man smiled, his long white eyebrows lifting, his gaze pausing slightly on Lu Tianyu before he said with a smile, "Good, very good. The participants this year are much stronger than last year’s batch."

"Senior Uncle, please preside over the next disciple selection competition." A Flowing Cloud Sect disciple said respectfully.

"Alright." The gray-robed old man nodded, and with a casual wave of his right hand, the mist before them immediately dissipated, revealing a high platform below.

At this moment, over five hundred people who had failed to climb to the top of the Golden Light Path were standing on the platform.

As the mist dissipated, the people on the platform immediately looked up.

"Pay respects to Senior Uncle!" "Pay respects to the senior!" Led by several Flowing Cloud Sect disciples on the platform, everyone bowed to the gray-robed old man, the loud voices quickly merging into a powerful wave, reaching the heavens.

"No need for formalities, let them all go." The gray-robed old man said calmly.

"Yes, Senior Uncle." The leading white-robed disciple on the platform nodded and then scanned the crowd of failures, shouting, "Everyone, please go back. Although you failed this time, don’t be discouraged. There’s another chance next year. If you wish to become a disciple of the Flowing Cloud Sect, please come again next year."

"What did you say? Go home?"

"Come back next year?"

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at the white-robed disciple in shock, their eyes filled with disbelief.

"Indeed, this is the Senior Uncle’s decision. You have lost the qualification to participate in this year’s disciple selection competition. Please don’t be agitated and leave quickly." The white-robed disciple waved his hand and repeated loudly.

"Damn, we haven’t even officially participated in the disciple selection competition. Why are you sending us away now?"

"Yes, we are not convinced. Before climbing the Heavenly Path, you didn’t specify that it was the official selection. Now you are sending us away, which is absolutely unfair. You need to give us an explanation."

... Upon hearing the white-robed disciple’s words, the crowd immediately became agitated. Before climbing the Heavenly Path, the white-robed disciple did not specify that it was the official selection.

Many people, although they had the strength to climb to the top, gave up after falling from the steps due to fear of the difficulties and dangers, thus losing this opportunity.

These people were now shouting in their hearts that if the white-robed disciple had specified beforehand that the Heavenly Path was the official test, they would not have given up and would have continued climbing.

Therefore, everyone directed their anger at the white-robed disciple, hoping for an explanation.

"Hmph, unfair? I ask you, does true fairness exist in this world? You, you, and you, were you all born into large families?" The white-robed disciple coldly snorted and then pointed at three young men in brocade robes, shouting.

"Yes, what’s the matter?" The three men nodded in surprise.

"You, you, and you, were you born into medium-sized families?" The white-robed man pointed at three others who were dressed slightly more modestly, but still more luxurious than ordinary people.

"Yes." The three men immediately nodded.

"Since you were born into different families with varying strengths, and your future lives will be of different levels of luxury, I ask you, is this fair?

Why are some born into luxury and others into poverty?

Why don’t you ask the heavens why it’s so unfair?

I did not specify beforehand that climbing the Heavenly Path was the official selection to truly test your mental fortitude and perseverance. Those who retreat when faced with difficulties are not qualified to become disciples of the Flowing Cloud Sect.

The Flowing Cloud Sect selects elites who must have the spirit of perseverance and never giving up.

We will not accept cowards who retreat in the face of difficulties.

Now, do you still think it’s unfair?"

The white-robed disciple’s righteous words immediately made everyone lower their heads in shame.

Indeed, there is no absolute fairness in the world. Although the white-robed disciple did not specify beforehand, his actions were not unreasonable. Only in this way could the true determination and perseverance of the hundreds of participants be tested, to see who met the standards for the Flowing Cloud Sect’s disciple selection.

The white-robed disciple’s words also reached the ears of Lu Tianyu and the others standing at the gate. These successful participants all breathed a sigh of relief, secretly thinking that they were fortunate to have not given up and to have climbed to the top. Otherwise, they would now face the same fate of being driven away.

"Go." Nearly five hundred failures, their faces filled with shame, jumped off the platform. They had no face to stay here any longer.

But a small number of people did not lose hope and secretly clenched their fists, vowing in their hearts that next year, they would come again. No matter what difficulties they faced, they would not retreat and would face them head-on.

These people would all become disciples of the Flowing Cloud Sect in the future, but that’s another story.

Seeing everyone leave, the several white-robed disciples on the platform immediately followed the misty path to the mountain top to report to the gray-robed old man.

"Done well." The gray-robed old man smiled and nodded at the leading white-robed disciple.

"Thank... thank you, Senior Uncle!" The white-robed disciple was flustered, even his usually nimble tongue becoming clumsy.

After all, he was just an outer disciple of the Flowing Cloud Sect, and to receive praise from a Senior Uncle, who was highly respected within the sect, how could he not be excited?

"Alright, the first round of the disciple selection is over. Take everyone to settle down and rest for the night. The second round of the competition will be held tomorrow." The gray-robed old man gave a light command, his gaze sweeping over Lu Tianyu in the crowd again before he disappeared with a smile.

"Everyone, follow us." The leading white-robed disciple, upon receiving the order, quickly waved his hand and led everyone to a building in front.

Soon, Lu Tianyu and the others were arranged in this building, which was a dedicated place for hosting guests of the Flowing Cloud Sect, covering a large area with over a hundred guest rooms.

However, since over one hundred and fifty people had successfully made it, the guest rooms were relatively scarce, and many were assigned to share rooms.

Lu Tianyu and Sima Ye were assigned to the same room.

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