Chapter 15

"Regardless of how the head of the Bai family acts, since he has sent this young master over, it is likely a last-ditch effort. From what I know, the Bai family's strength has declined significantly in recent years. Taking out such a large amount of resources is a painful decision for them. There's no other way; among the next generation of the Bai family, only Bai Yan has shown some potential and become a Spirit Apprentice. The other disciples of the Bai family have not even passed the Spirit Opening Ceremony, and very few have even survived. This Bai Congtian must carry a lot of hopes for the Bai family," the old man said calmly.

"The Bai family chose the lowest-ranked Savage Ghost Sect, probably because this sect charges the least resources for the Spirit Opening Ceremony. If it weren't for Aunt Yun being in the Savage Ghost Sect, I wouldn't have come to participate in this ceremony. The Savage Ghost Sect deals with ghosts all day, and I don't like it much," Mu Mingzhu pouted, looking somewhat reluctant.

"Hmph, how many times have I told you, the Spirit Opening Ceremony is extremely dangerous. Although you have shown good performance in cultivation from a young age, your spirit meridian potential cannot be confirmed until you pass the Spirit Opening Ceremony. Aunt Yun will likely take on a role in this ceremony. When the time comes, she can give you some special attention. Although it won't help you advance to the Spirit Sea stage, it will at least ensure your safety in a crisis. Otherwise, our Bai family is not short of resources. Sending you to the Heavenly Moon Sect or other sects would also be an option," the old man in the green robe said sternly.

"Yes, I know I was wrong," the purple-clad girl immediately lowered her head, not daring to say more when she saw the old man angry.

"This 'Third Uncle' is a top-level Qi Practitioner and holds a position second only to the head of the Bai family. Unless you truly become a Spirit Apprentice, you wouldn't dare to defy him in the slightest."

However, because of this scolding from her uncle, the young lady of the Bai family subconsciously developed a dislike for 'Bai Congtian.'

Liu Ming, who was meditating in the distance, was completely unaware of all this and continued to practice the Control Yuan Technique.

Even though he had the talent to multitask from a young age, his cultivation time was still too short. Advancing further in this technique was not an easy task.

Thus, the two groups remained undisturbed on the mountaintop for a full day and night, occasionally taking out some dry rations to eat.

By noon the next day, two more people walked up the mountain path from where the Mu family had come.

It turned out to be just an old man and a young boy.

The old man wore a gray robe, his face covered in wrinkles, and held a long smoking pipe.

The young boy was a tall teenager, about the same age as Liu Ming, wearing a new blue shirt, with slightly dark skin and a somewhat simple face.

The young boy was taken aback when he saw so many people on the mountaintop.

The gray-robed old man, however, was not surprised. He called the young boy over and found another place to sit on the mountaintop.

"Are they also from a Qi Practitioner family?" Liu Ming couldn't help but ask.

"From the looks of it, they are not. They are likely itinerant cultivators," Guan Lao Da said solemnly after observing the old man and the young boy.

"Oh, I thought only the descendants of Qi Practitioner families could get a spot in the Spirit Opening Ceremony," Liu Ming was surprised.

"Not only the descendants of Qi Practitioner families can get a spot, but under normal circumstances, only Qi Practitioner families have the financial means to buy a spot. However, if itinerant cultivators can provide the same amount of resources, the sects will not refuse them. This is a rare occurrence, but when it does happen, the sects will pay special attention to the itinerant cultivators participating in the Spirit Opening Ceremony. Their success rate in the ceremony is even higher than that of the sect's own spirit meridian disciples," Guan Lao Da said in a low voice, seemingly placing great importance on the old man and the young boy.

"Oh, why is that?" Liu Ming was puzzled.

"Heh heh, for Qi Practitioner families, buying a spot might be a significant financial burden. But for itinerant cultivators, it could mean depleting the savings of several generations or even a dozen generations. If the descendant's potential is not truly astonishing and they don't have at least a 70% chance of success in the Spirit Opening Ceremony, they would never take such a gamble," Gu Lao San chuckled and replied.

"So, they must feel they have at least a one-third chance of becoming a Spirit Apprentice," Liu Ming was inwardly surprised and couldn't help but glance at the tall young boy again, but saw nothing unusual about him.

"An itinerant cultivator participating in the Spirit Opening Ceremony happens every time, but the number is never too many. I didn't expect the young master to be at the same reception point as one of them. If possible, it would be good to befriend this person, as it might benefit the young master in the future," Guan Lao Da hesitated for a moment and then said to Liu Ming.

"I know what to do," Liu Ming glanced at the tall young boy again and then said no more.

On the other side, the 'Third Uncle' of the Mu family also immediately recognized the itinerant cultivator identity of the old man and the young boy. Surprised, he also instructed the purple-clad girl, but did not send anyone to greet them immediately.

Thus, in a strange atmosphere, the three groups waited on the mountaintop without interfering with each other.

When another day and night passed, and the sky was just beginning to brighten, a buzzing sound suddenly came from the distant horizon. At first, it was faint, but it quickly became deafening.

The three groups, who were resting on the mountaintop, immediately stood up in alarm and looked in the direction of the sound.

In the distant sky, a black cloud had appeared, emitting a startling noise as it slowly approached.

"The reception envoy has arrived. After this, we cannot stay with you. I have already told you everything you need to know about the Bai family and ordinary Qi Practitioners. Don't slip up! As long as you pass the reception envoy, everything will be fine," Guan Lao Da immediately whispered to Liu Ming.

Even with his deep scheming, he felt a bit nervous at the sight of the reception envoy.

Gu Lao San, standing beside him, also had a flickering gaze.

However, neither of them showed any abnormality when the black cloud finally reached the mountaintop.

When the black cloud slowly but quickly arrived above the mountaintop, the buzzing sound suddenly stopped, and a cold male voice came from the cloud:

"Those participating in our sect's Spirit Opening Ceremony, bring your reception tokens and come up. After I verify them, I will go to other places to fulfill my duties."

As he spoke, the cloud below churned, and a long cloud ladder descended, reaching the center of the mountaintop.

"Reception token?"

Liu Ming was slightly taken aback and had not yet asked anything when Guan Lao Da took out an object and placed it in his hand, smiling and said:

"Be careful, young master. Hand this token directly to the envoy of the sect."

Liu Ming thought for a moment and did not say more. He clutched the object in his hand and walked toward the cloud ladder.

On the other side, Mu Mingzhu and the tall young boy, after being instructed, also walked over, somewhat nervously.

A moment later, the three of them almost simultaneously reached the cloud ladder, paused, and glanced at each other.

"Hurry up, or I will cancel your Spirit Opening qualifications," the man on the cloud became impatient.

This made Mu Mingzhu and the tall young boy jump in surprise. They dared not delay and hurriedly climbed the cloud ladder, one after the other, heading toward the cloud.

Liu Ming smiled and also stepped onto the cloud ladder.

The cloud ladder, though shrouded in mist, felt solid underfoot, as if supporting the weight of a person, giving the sensation of walking on solid ground.

Liu Ming was inwardly amazed but did not walk too slowly, following the two people in front of him into the sky.

A short while later, Mu Mingzhu, who was in the lead, reached the bottom of the black cloud. She took a deep breath and stepped into the rolling black mist.

The tall young boy hesitated for a moment, then mustered his courage and followed, though his movements were noticeably stiffer.

Having seen the actions of the two, Liu Ming did not hesitate and directly entered the black cloud.

The moment he touched the black cloud, he felt a slight chill, and the world brightened. He found himself on the edge of a large, square platform.

The platform was about an acre in size, white and bone-like, with several strange statues standing at the edges, all covered by a milky white light barrier.

On the platform, hundreds of boys and girls stood in small groups, all looking curiously at the three new arrivals.

Liu Ming glanced up and saw a small grayish-white cloud floating about twenty feet above the platform. On the cloud sat a middle-aged man in a black robe.

The man had a few freckles on his face, but his eyes shone with a sharp light as he coldly looked at the three of them.

"Are there only three of you? Show me your reception tokens and state your names. I will verify your identities."

(First batch of signed physical books has been verified and is being mailed. Please check your addresses and be ready to receive them in the next few days! More lucky draws will continue on the platform tonight, with prizes including PSP handheld game consoles! All prizes will be drawn within seven days and mailed out together!)

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