A celestial crane soared through the peaks of Yuhua Mountain, with Fang Han lying low upon its back. From a distance, he could see a vast plain stretching out among the mountains.
Upon this plain stood a majestic city, grand and imposing. Inside the city, there were many academies and dojo halls.
This plain wasn't natural. It appeared to have been crafted by some incredibly powerful immortal who, with god-like abilities, had moved mountains and filled seas to create a livable space.
Such feats of relocating mountains and reshaping nature were legendary, the kind of techniques that inspired awe and terror.
This was the true residence and cultivation ground for the disciples of the Yuhua Sect. The sect's numbers were staggering, as Fang Han had learned from Fang Qiang.
There were tens of thousands of outer disciples, and around five thousand inner disciples—people of high standing and power. And these numbers didn't even include the servants who handled various menial tasks like caring for spirit beasts or tending medicinal fields. Altogether, the total population was likely far greater than Fang Han could imagine.
These disciples spent their days either cultivating in the sect's academies or going out on dangerous trials designed to temper their bodies and will, striving to reach the legendary Divine Ability Realm and ascend to immortality.
Even if one couldn't break into the Divine Ability Realm, reaching the pinnacle of physical cultivation or contributing greatly to the sect could still earn one treasures like spirit tools and magic artifacts—enough to return to their family or court in immense glory and wealth.
"Ah, Fang Han," the Crane Fairy's voice interrupted his musings. "We're nearing the plain now. I can't fly carelessly here—some disciples might take offense. Plus, the sky over the plain has been sealed by the sect's prohibitions. I'll set you down here and head back to Purple Lightning Peak. If you need me, use the Wan Beast Talisman to call me."
As they neared the plain, the Crane Fairy began descending, slowing her flight until she landed on a wide road.
"Got it."
Fang Han nodded, his feet touching the ground. Watching the crane fly away, he began walking toward the grand city before him.
The city was made entirely of smooth white stones, gleaming and immaculate. It was far more beautiful, spacious, and clean than Dragon Abyss City, which now seemed like a small country town by comparison.
But Fang Han didn't stop to admire the city. With Fang Qingxue's letter in hand, he proceeded directly to the mansion on the eastern side of the city.
Above the gates of the mansion were three large characters: Treading Immortal Academy.
The meaning was clear: once you stepped through these doors, you had stepped into the path of immortality. It was grand and imposing, an unmistakable mark of prestige.
In truth, Treading Immortal Academy was the place where disciples of Yuhua Sect underwent their entrance examination.
Outside the academy, a large crowd of young men and women stood, all dressed in opulent clothing, their eyes sharp and their demeanor confident. They came from noble families, each carrying an air of power and influence. Most of them had been recommended by powerful figures to take the entrance exam.
The Yuhua Sect, one of the Ten Great Sects of Immortals, held dominion over multiple kingdoms. Its reach was vast. Even in the Great Li Kingdom alone, with its population of billions, there were countless noble families, royal members, and prestigious figures, all eager to climb the ranks and achieve greatness. To enter the Yuhua Sect, even as an outer disciple, was a golden opportunity to rise in status, gain access to unmatched immortality techniques, and obtain unparalleled power.
Therefore, every year, month, and day, new disciples were recommended and invited to take the entrance exam.
The Yuhua Sect only accepted young disciples, for the younger generation, with their vibrant life force and boundless potential, had the best chances of breaking into the Divine Ability Realm. By contrast, those in middle age were unlikely to reach such heights.
This was also why, despite being at the Tenth Realm of the Divine Body, Fang Qingxue's father, Fang Zetao, could never join the Yuhua Sect—he had passed the age of potential and thus lacked the chance to rise further.
Fang Han's thoughts drifted as he observed the others around him. "These people are all major figures. I have no idea which prince, royal, or noble son they might be. All of them are destined for greatness. And yet here I am, about to join them as an outer disciple…"
Though he wore fine clothes now and his appearance had become more commanding due to his cultivation in the Sixth Realm of the Divine Body and Breath Realm, he still couldn't help but feel the vast gap in status between himself and these individuals. To the naked eye, no one would suspect that he was once a servant tasked with tending horses.
He overheard a conversation among the young nobles.
"Entering the Yuhua Sect means no servants are allowed," one of them said, waving a purple jade fan. "Will we have to cook, wash clothes, and do all that work ourselves? If that's the case, what's the point of cultivating?"
"Don't be naive," another person retorted. "The Yuhua Sect provides everything for its disciples. Clothes are cleaned with 'Cleansing Talismans,' and food is made from top-tier spiritual herbs. The meals are better than those in the royal palace. Even as outer disciples, we're treated like royalty. Wait until you make it to the inner sect—then you'll experience true luxury."
"Ah, Liu Kang, if you don't want to take the test and you're too spoiled to do things yourself, you can give up your spot. I have a younger brother who didn't make the cut this time."
As Fang Han listened, he slowly realized the gravity of the situation.
"Who are these people? All of them seem to have extraordinary abilities, at least having reached the Divine Strength Realm. Why are they all so concerned about the Divine Strength Puppet in the entrance exam? If they're already this strong, they shouldn't be afraid of anything, right? I need to be careful—if I can't even pass the first trial, I won't even get into the outer sect."
Fang Han was keenly aware that those who had reached the Divine Strength Realm could become generals leading armies. Those who had reached the Sixth Realm of the Breath Realm were beyond compare—only those with deep martial roots and noble backgrounds could cultivate to such a level at such a young age.
Without relying on the supreme Nine-Aperture Golden Core left by the Yellow Springs Emperor, Fang Han could never have reached this stage.
And now, every disciple here had surpassed the Breath Realm, with many of them hiding their true strength.
Just as he was contemplating this, the massive doors of Treading Immortal Academy slowly creaked open. Two young Daoists in water and fire robes emerged. They scanned the crowd and called, "The exam for outer disciples begins today. All of you, please enter."
The disciples began to file in, each one stepping across the threshold with an air of divine grace.
As Fang Han stepped forward, he was stopped by two young Daoists wearing red robes. One of them held a small mirror in his hand, and upon shining it over Fang Han, the mirror failed to reveal his face.
"Who are you? Your name's not in the list of recommended candidates," one of the Daoists said, looking at Fang Han with suspicion.
Fang Han quickly produced Fang Qingxue's letter of recommendation.
"Purple Lightning Peak? The peak granted to true disciples by the sect's supreme leader?" The Daoists were momentarily stunned, then took the letter from him. Upon opening it, they saw the flowing purple lightning characters within.
"Wait here, I'll report to the examination masters," one of them said, quickly hurrying off.
Inside Treading Immortal Academy, in a deep hall, several middle-aged men with imposing auras sat in chairs. Each of them exuded a strength that surpassed even that of Fang Qingxue's father, Fang Zetao.
"Ting, what do you think? How many disciples from this exam do you think will make it into the Yuhua Sect?" one asked.
"They're all quite good," another answered, a middle-aged man in water and fire robes. "They all come from noble families or royal bloodlines. If they can't even make it as outer disciples, it will be a huge embarrassment. But to become inner disciples? That will be far more difficult."
The conversation continued, the topic drifting to the incredible opportunity for any disciple who managed to break through into the inner sect—an opportunity that could potentially lead to a treasure like the Yin-Yang Longevity Pill.
Then, suddenly, the young Daoist returned, holding Fang Qingxue's letter.
"Purple Lightning Peak?" one of the examiners exclaimed in shock. "Wasn't Fang Qingxue the one who recommended a few people from her family last month? How can she be recommending again today? Does she think she owns the sect now?"
"Shh! Be careful," another examiner warned. "Fang Qingxue is dangerous. A month ago, she killed eight outer disciples after an altercation with the Biyan Peak. We can't afford to offend her."
One of the examiners then looked closely at the letter. "This letter has purple".