Chapter 9

Throughout the journey, the numerous outer disciples did not doubt Fang Tianan's arrival. Even among the outer disciples, not everyone was necessarily very familiar with each other.

Although Fang Tianan had only just arrived, it was hard to say that he was not an outer disciple of the sect. After all, with the passage of time, a few outer disciples might have just arrived at the valley at this moment.

It was not until Fang Tianan walked out of the crowd and approached the gate in the void that many people began to cast suspicious glances at him.

At this moment, the grayish-white light emitted by the gate in the void began to change. The gate, which had previously felt very substantial, was now much fainter, as if it might disappear at any moment.

Suddenly, a Qingyun Sect Earth Essence Realm True Person in the crowd said, "Not good, the energy of the entrance has been almost depleted."

"Senior Fang, if the energy is almost depleted, isn't that better?" An inner disciple of the sect asked, "Once the energy of the gate's restrictions is completely depleted, perhaps we will also have a chance to enter the heritage grotto."

After all, the reason everyone was waiting here was not only to see the final outcome but also because they had the desire to enter the heritage grotto themselves. The only reason they couldn't enter was because the restriction energy on the gate blocked those without fire attributes.

However, upon hearing this, Senior Fang sighed. The other Earth Essence Realm True Persons also had poor expressions, frowning and deep in thought.

"We can't keep testing like this without restraint," Senior Fang finally said to the Earth Essence Realm True Persons of the Bihai Sect and Taihang Gang. "Everyone should try to choose disciples with energy attributes that lean towards fire for the final attempt. Those who have already tried once should step aside quickly. Probably after another ten or so people, this entrance will disappear. At that time, no one will be able to enter midway."

The Earth Essence Realm True Persons of the three major sects, including those from smaller sects, once again took control of the entire scene. For a moment, there were fewer people around the gate in the void. Even the several enforcers of the three major sects retreated a few steps.

Among all the inner and outer disciples, those who possessed fire attribute energy had already tested themselves in the previous time. Fang Tianan had not counted exactly how many, but from the whispers of a few people nearby, he learned that fourteen people had successfully entered the gate in the void.

Among them, five belonged to the Qingyun Sect, four to the Bihai Sect, and only two to the Taihang Gang, one of the three major sects. The remaining three were from smaller sects.

Fang Tianan glanced at the direction where the Taihang Gang members were, slightly surprised. However, considering the complex composition of the Taihang Gang and the fact that most of the sect members were adult cultivators, such a result was understandable.

When the area around the gate in the void finally became quiet, Fang Tianan looked around. Apart from a few Earth Essence Realm True Persons, only about twenty young disciples remained.

Naturally, this included Fang Tianan.

...

Being the focus of everyone's attention was not a pleasant feeling, especially when those gazes were filled with suspicion and anger. Fang Tianan subconsciously touched his nose and then took out the identity plate representing an outer disciple from his pocket, attaching it to his left chest.

As a result, the gazes of the other sect members instantly became less intense. Instead, a Qingyun Sect outer enforcer walked up to Fang Tianan and inquired about his energy attribute.

The final test slots were roughly set at fifteen. On the surface, the three major sects seemed harmonious and cooperative, but in private, they were in fierce competition. Although the Qingyun Sect was the first to discover this heritage grotto, because five members had already entered, they could only be allocated three slots under the combined pressure of the other two sects.

The Taihang Gang had the most, with six slots; the Bihai Sect had four; and the Qingyun Sect, as one of the three major sects, had three slots, just slightly more than the combined forces of a few smaller sects.

Regarding the selection of candidates within each sect, the elders and enforcers had the final say. With the sudden appearance of Fang Tianan, the Qingyun Sect enforcer naturally had to pay attention.

At this moment, Fang Tianan was grateful that he had exchanged for the identity plate of an outer disciple today. Otherwise, the enforcer's tone would not have been so polite. Not immediately driving him away or even engaging in a fight would have been considered good treatment, let alone asking beforehand.

"I want to try," Fang Tianan said sincerely. For him, this was probably his last chance. Seeing the enforcer's expression turn serious, Fang Tianan thought for a moment and added, "My energy attribute is Yang, so I should have a chance."

"Yang energy?" The enforcer's eyes were somewhat strange. It wasn't that he doubted Fang Tianan. At this moment, the enforcer had no doubt that Fang Tianan would not dare to lie. However, Yang energy did have a connection to fire energy, and it was very rare, even more special than wind or ice attributes.

For a moment, the enforcer's eyes changed, and finally, they softened. He nodded slightly at Fang Tianan and said, "Wait a moment."

After that, the enforcer went to the side and talked with Senior Fang for a while before beckoning Fang Tianan over. After Senior Fang observed Fang Tianan for a moment and confirmed that his energy was Yang, he made a decision: "You will represent the sect and be the first to test. ... By the way, what's your name?"

"Fang Tianan," Fang Tianan replied calmly.

"Fang Tianan? ... Haha, ... work hard." Perhaps because they shared the same surname, Senior Fang smiled at Fang Tianan, which was rare.

As for how the other three selected sect disciples would be arranged for the test, it was not something Fang Tianan needed to worry about. With Senior Fang's words, at least Fang Tianan was not afraid that someone would take his slot. In the eyes of someone like Senior Fang, any outer disciple was the same to the sect. Whoever had a better chance, the sect would be willing to give them more opportunities to seize this chance.

...

After a short while, all fifteen final test candidates were determined.

Due to the limit of fifteen slots, the Earth Essence Realm True Persons on the scene had predicted the energy emission of the gate in the void, but it was not precise, just an estimate. No one knew if some sudden situation might cause the gate to close.

Therefore, the earlier the test, the safer it was. The leaders of the four forces on the scene had another argument. In such a situation, it ultimately came down to the strength of each side. Fang Tianan couldn't help but think that if the situation outside the gate was already like this, how intense would the competition be for those who entered the heritage grotto?

The first to test was a young disciple of the Taihang Gang. The result was disappointing. Even he, Fang Tianan could clearly see the disappointment on his face. Next, a young member of the Bihai Sect tried, and as expected, also failed.

In fact, for the final fifteen tests, apart from the participants, no one probably had much hope. The general attitude was to try as much as possible, and if one could enter, that would be one more.

When it was the third slot's turn, Senior Fang of the Qingyun Sect signaled to Fang Tianan with his eyes. Immediately, Fang Tianan silently adjusted his state and walked to the gate in the void. During the waiting time, the enforcer who had previously questioned Fang Tianan, Mo Enforcer, had also given him some instructions, such as how to quickly mobilize his internal energy when approaching the gate, and how to defend himself if rejected to ensure his safety.

This made Fang Tianan feel that the Qingyun Sect, despite its strict promotion rules, still had a sense of collective honor within the sect and was quite cohesive even externally. Otherwise, as an inner enforcer, Mo Enforcer would not have been so concerned about a newly appointed outer disciple like Fang Tianan.

Even if Mo Enforcer hoped that Fang Tianan would successfully enter the heritage grotto and bring glory to the sect, it was enough to make Fang Tianan feel more认同感 and belonging to the Qingyun Sect.

However, when Fang Tianan touched the grayish-white energy of the gate in the void and was about to follow Mo Enforcer's advice to mobilize his energy, suddenly, two powerful energies rushed towards him from all sides, as if trying to penetrate his body.

Instantly, Fang Tianan felt his body being entangled, pulled, and impacted by these energies. Then, these energies all entered his body, ravaging his meridians, blood, and even his bone marrow.

Fang Tianan wanted to shout but couldn't make a sound. He wanted to resist but found himself losing control of his body. He felt as if he were standing in the void, like a rootless floating weed, instinctively enduring the violent impact of these energies, slowly losing consciousness.