Chapter 3

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Han Je felt as if his body had become lighter. Upon closer inspection, he realized he was being carried under the arm of the young man, flying through the sky. The mansion where he had been just moments ago was now far in the distance.

"If you don't want to go blind, it's best to close your eyes."

A little while later, it seemed the speed had slowed, and the young man set his feet on the ground. At the same time, he threw the three people to the ground as if discarding them.

The three quickly got up and dusted themselves off.

When they regained their composure, they saw a scene before them that resembled a utopia. In front of them, a mountain peak rose high into the clouds. Occasionally, the sound of wild animals could be heard from the mountain. At the summit, there was a large temple.

"Junior Brother Zhang, are these the children recommended by the Li family?"

A middle-aged man in black approached and asked.

"Senior Brother, you have come? Yes, these are the children recommended by the Li family."

The middle-aged man scanned the three people, then smiled at Li Shan.

"I'll take care of these three. You should go and practice."

The young man bowed and disappeared in an instant.

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Li Shan seemed to be intimidated by the scene before him. The arrogance on his face had vanished, and his expression was now tense.

At that moment, a light flickered beside the three, and several disciples of the Da Shan Sect and a few children around Han Je's age appeared. There were both boys and girls among them. They looked as stunned as the three had when they first arrived, with blank expressions.

A little while later, the middle-aged man in black spoke in a solemn voice.

"Only a few of you will have the opportunity to become disciples of the Da Shan Sect today."

Han Je, extremely tense, looked around and counted the people near him. About 50 children, with the same expression as him, were looking at the man in black.

"First, we will test whether each of you has sufficient qi. When I call your name, come forward."

The middle-aged man, with a blank expression, called out a boy's name.

The boy was visibly nervous, his legs shaking badly. As he cautiously stepped forward, the middle-aged man placed his hand on the boy's head.

The middle-aged man said flatly.

"Unqualified, go stand to the left."

The boy stood in the spot the middle-aged man pointed to, looking dazed.

More children were called forward one by one.

"Unqualified."

"Unqualified."

"Unqualified."

Over ten children in a row were deemed unqualified.

Soon, Li Shan was called. Li Shan approached the middle-aged man with a tense expression. The middle-aged man placed his hand on Li Shan's head, and his expression brightened as he asked.

"What's your name?"

Li Shan hurriedly replied with a respectful attitude.

"Greetings, Immortal Sir. I am Li Shan."

The middle-aged man nodded and smiled.

"You are the child that Dao Xiansheng spoke of. Go stand to the right."

The names of more children were called, and most of the tests were completed, but only two children stood to the right of the middle-aged man.

Then, Li Xian's name was called. As Li Xian stepped forward, he suddenly knelt on the ground and bowed deeply, speaking loudly.

"I am Li Xian. You must be tired from testing so many people. Why don't you take a rest?"

The middle-aged man couldn't help but chuckle. While the other children were trembling with tension, how could this child be so bold?

The middle-aged man shook his head and said.

"Bold, but lacking in talent. Unq..."

Before the middle-aged man could finish, Li Xian quickly took out a jade box from his robe and offered it to the man with both hands.

"Immortal Sir, this is something my father found in the mountains a few years ago. He tried to open it several times but couldn't. I brought it from home. Please accept it."

The middle-aged man laughed lightly, intending to refuse. However, upon seeing the jade box again, he was surprised. He examined the jade box closely, and his face brightened.

"Oh, this is a spirit essence that is at least 300 years old. The condition of the jade box clearly shows it was sealed by a cultivator. It's no wonder your father couldn't open it."

The middle-aged man's tone softened.

"I need a child to help me with alchemy. You seem to be a very clever child. Would you like to be my assistant?"

Li Xian smiled brightly and answered loudly.

"I will! Immortal Sir! Please allow me to do so!"

The middle-aged man nodded with a smile.

"Alright. However, even as my assistant, you must practice the Immortal Techniques of the sect like the other disciples. Go stand over there."

Li Xian stood to the right of the Immortal with a delighted expression.

Seeing this, a child standing to the left began to cry.

The middle-aged man frowned and shouted.

"Anyone who cries will be sent back immediately!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the Da Shan Sect disciples took the crying children away.

Then, Han Je was called.

Han Je, extremely nervous, stood in front of the middle-aged man. The middle-aged man placed his hand on Han Je's head with a blank expression. Then, a shocking statement came from his mouth.

"Unqualified!"

Han Je couldn't remember how he walked to the group on the left. The three words "unqualified" kept circling in his mind.

Soon, the remaining children completed their tests. Only three stood to the right.

" Talent is important in cultivation, but perseverance is even more crucial. Even if you lack talent, you can still become a disciple if you have perseverance. Next, we will test your perseverance!"

The middle-aged man continued with a blank expression.

"Those who reach the top of the stairs will all be qualified. However, if you don't reach the top by the third day, you will be unqualified. If you fail this test, you will be sent home. If you can't endure or encounter a dangerous situation during the test, shout 'I give up' loudly. You will be taken home."

After finishing his speech, the middle-aged man smiled lightly at the three children standing to the right and said.

"You will follow me to meet the sect leader. When the time comes, I will assign you a master. Li Xian, you will follow me to the alchemy workshop."

The middle-aged man then disappeared with the three children.

Han Je took a deep breath and started climbing the stone stairs without hesitation. Three qualified, six sent home for crying, leaving a total of 39 children.

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The stone stairs were very steep and treacherous. On one side was a sheer cliff, and a single misstep could mean death.

In less than half a day, sweat poured down his body, and his legs trembled. The stairs didn't seem as long from the bottom, but now they seemed endless.

A few sturdy children were walking ahead of Han Je, breathing heavily. No one had given up yet.

Han Je gritted his teeth, determined to seize this last chance. Whenever he felt exhausted, he thought of his parents and continued forward. Suddenly, a child behind him stumbled and fell off the cliff.

"I give up!"

The children climbing the stairs stopped and looked down. A Da Shan Sect disciple appeared and caught the falling child mid-air, taking him back down the mountain.

Han Je, with a pale face, moved his steps even more carefully.

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Two days later, the many children who had been in front of Han Je were nowhere to be seen.

Han Je didn't know how many had given up, but he was determined not to give up. His feet were blistered and bleeding, and the wounds were caked with dirt.

"An unwavering will meets an indifferent path. Perhaps this is not in vain."

A sigh-like voice came from the distant mountain peak. At that moment, the shadow of a middle-aged man with a yellowish complexion descended from above, passing by the children struggling up the stone stairs.

The middle-aged man slowed his pace as he passed Han Je.

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