In the cultivation calendar, this era corresponds to Earth's advanced age. Earth's structure is fundamentally an orbital system fused from multiple technologies.
This era was the result of thousands of years of development. Cultivation and technology were no longer separate paths but had long since merged into a single system. Spiritual energy flowed through cities just as naturally as electricity once had, and large-scale formations now replaced older infrastructure.
This signifies our world has attained Type II civilization status.
Humanity had learned not only how to harness planetary energy but also how to regulate and distribute it efficiently. Cultivation academies, research institutes, and government organizations all operated under this unified system, ensuring stability across regions.
Virtual reality technology is now deployed in placement tests across China, undoubtedly setting the industry standard.
Traditional written exams and physical trials were no longer sufficient to measure a cultivator's true potential. Instead, immersive simulations were used to evaluate adaptability, combat instinct, spiritual control, and mental endurance.
It not only utilizes circuit systems but also employs technology-integrated talismans to construct three-dimensional environments.
Talismans etched with complex arrays worked in conjunction with advanced processors, allowing simulated worlds to function almost identically to reality. Spiritual feedback, environmental resistance, and real-time data collection were all incorporated.
What appears two-dimensional is truly three-dimensional...
From the outside, the examination interface resembled a flat display. In reality, it was a fully realized space with depth, mass, and environmental interaction.
The placement test operates as follows: Students don VR helmets and are automatically transported to another dimension.
The transition process was instantaneous. Once the system activated, spatial displacement occurred within a controlled range, preventing instability or overlap between participants.
This dimension is under official control, ensuring immediate rescue in case of emergencies.
Safety protocols were embedded directly into the system. If a student's vital signs exceeded acceptable limits, the simulation would immediately terminate, returning the examinee to the real world.
Of course, more advanced systems can construct interactive holographic 3D realities through the cultivation of talismans.
Such systems were usually reserved for military training or research facilities. For an entrance examination, the current setup was already considered extremely high-level.
More importantly, these are vessels of suffering.
Pain receptors were partially simulated. While not fatal, injuries felt real enough to test a cultivator's resolve and reaction under pressure.
But to the omnipotent Ling, none of this mattered.
Ling Xian's body possessed extraordinary protection and strength.
His physical condition had long surpassed ordinary standards. External stimulation, whether physical or spiritual, had little effect on him.
Even if Earth were destroyed, he would remain the last being floating intact in space.
This was not arrogance but an objective assessment. His existence operated on a level detached from conventional survival constraints.
At age seven, Ling Xian attained the Eternal Mage's physique, gaining resistance to all forms of damage.
Such a physique was rarely recorded in modern cultivation texts, existing mostly in ancient records.
In other words, these pain-inducing devices had no effect on him...
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The examiners waved their spiritual light, and virtual reality headsets instantly appeared on each examiner's desk.
The headsets were compact yet intricately designed, embedded with talisman arrays and refined materials.
"The first candidate is about to enter."
Ling Xian stared at the VR headset, marveling at its exquisite design...
The craftsmanship was precise. The talisman circuits were flawless, and the energy flow was stable.
This thing must cost a fortune!
Even a single unit would likely exceed the annual budget of an average family.
Damn! If I break this thing, I'll be tightening my belt for a long time!
The male examiner cleared his throat and called out the first name: "Student Su, please step forward."
Su Xinyi rose, donned the VR goggles, and in an instant, teleported to another realm amidst a mosaic of light.
Her body vanished cleanly, leaving behind a faint afterimage.
She landed gracefully, surrounded by a three-dimensional light field with a colossal dragon coiled at its center.
The environment was vast, with suspended platforms and shifting clouds of light.
Everyone in the examination hall witnessed this scene through the holographic screens—She was about to confront the Fifth Demon Lord of the Demon Realm: the Dragon King!
Ling Xian propped his chin, pondering. This dragon seemed familiar?
"She's facing the Star-Shattering Dragon!"
"Who? Never heard of it!"
"Bro, the Star-Shattering Dragon that tried to invade Feilong City back then! Heard it's being used as a test subject now..."
This Star-Shattering Dragon was once among the mightiest Dragon Lords to breach the human realm.
Its appearance alone had once caused panic across multiple cities.
It was only through the heroic valor of our legendary hero, Xue Feng—the foremost among the exceptional—that we averted catastrophe!
Xue Feng graduated from Phoenix Ridge Academy, served two years as a cultivation soldier, and thereafter devoted his life to the path of cultivation.
His career path was widely admired among cultivators.
At just eighteen years old, he served as Deputy Commander of the Eight-Star Corps and Deputy Director of the Central Bureau of the Cultivation Academy.
Such achievements were rare even among elite talents.
He earned numerous merits for the city, rising steadily through the ranks.
Yet his fame remained confined to a small circle.
It wasn't until the invasion occurred that he rallied all cultivators to battle!
That day, countless cultivators from the Eight Star Corps fell wounded, yet Xue Feng alone remained standing.
Suddenly, true qi surged from his right arm as he swung his blade at the Dragon King—a destructive force that shook the land for a thousand miles!
Only then did the crowd realize this Taoist possessed extraordinary innate talent!
"After Master Feng defeated the Dragon King, he integrated its power into our technical system, channeling residual energy into the equipment. To our knowledge, this functions as a spiritual force measurement device."
"Indeed. This means disciples must strike the star on the Dragon King's forehead for the system to display scores."
"How should Junior Sister Xinyi proceed?"
As all eyes focused on her, Su Xinyi had already regrouped her momentum, poised to strike.
In an instant, she shot upward like lightning, soaring directly above the dragon's head and delivering a powerful punch to the star point on its forehead.
The system immediately displayed the result: A+!
The rebound force launched her back tremendously as he landed on the ground with grace!
"Good heavens! She's incredibly strong!"
"That was amazing..."
The surrounding students were stunned speechless by her performance.
Even the examiner gasped: "Class C student, Xinyi, 6990 points... Pass."
Then, Su Xinyi reappeared with a blue mosaic halo around her, removing her VR headset.
"Thank you, everyone!"
Everyone present applauded—except Ling Xian.
Ling Xian was somewhat surprised. Such ability at this age...
He was certain she must be exceptionally gifted...
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After multiple students attempted the test, none could match Su Xinyi's level. Some barely approached it, but that was all.
The scores varied widely, highlighting the gap between ordinary applicants and truly talented ones.
Then, by chance...
An examiner recorded a score and entered it into the computer: "3445... Note... B+, Passed..."
"Alright. Ling Xian, please put on your headset. Your test is about to begin."
"Who's that? Ling Xian?"
"Heard his family background is pretty ordinary."
"Ha! Looks like a weakling."
"Compared to Su Xinyi, he's just an ant!"
Ling Xian: "..."
He rose from his seat. Ignoring Su Xinyi's admiring gaze, he donned the VR headset and was transported to the test dimension.
As he landed steadily, he looked up at the colossal dragon...
An instinctive feeling surged within him...
This Dragon King... Up close, he looked strangely familiar!