Huh?
Immortal Affinity lacking? So I should head down the mountain?
Aren't you a participant in the same entrance exam as me?
Talking like some exam proctor. Anyone would think the proctor's telling you to scram.
Yuk-gyeong snapped at the middle-aged man.
"Immortal Affinity lacking in me? What the hell even is Immortal Affinity that you can claim I'm short on it?"
Something you can't steal even with sex? What the hell is Immortal Affinity anyway? What's that supposed to be, you otaku?
What the hell is this Immortal Affinity crap?
Just making it here is fate enough.
How much hardship did I go through from my old village to the Ten Lakes?
Regardless of Yuk-gyeong's feelings, the middle-aged man slowly explained.
"Immortal Affinity refers to how well one's aptitude matches the path of cultivation. It could mean one's Dao Heart or their disposition. Brother, it seems your disposition doesn't align with the Radiant Moon Sect's ethos, so you'll likely be rejected."
"How would you know that? Do you know my disposition?"
"Wrinkles of worry between your brows, exhaustion under your eyes. You're full of suspicion toward people and hold grudges, determined to pay them back somehow. That's exactly the look of a wolf."
A wolf? Am I destined to be a king? I don't want to be some worldly king. An immortal king, maybe.
Anyway, this guy's cursing me out when he should be showering a first-timer like me with blessings?
Is physiognomy a science or something? Judging if you'll become an immortal based on your face?
If you can become an immortal through physiognomy, then that elegant white-haired old lady who couldn't make the climb earlier and went back down looked more like an immortal than anyone here—doesn't that mean she should've passed?
Of course, all this stayed in his head.
This was the infamous Radiant Moon Sect entrance exam grounds.
Yuk-gyeong suspected the man who had suddenly approached and was spouting "advice" that sounded more like curses.
So Yuk-gyeong replied with a smiling face.
"And what does your own physiognomy say?"
"In my case, it's the classic look of a dog. Loyal, brave, tenacious disposition. Brimming with Immortal Affinity. I've been sharp-minded and deep in Dao Heart since childhood."
Dog my ass.
That face screams rabbit or grasshopper.
To me, your physiognomy doesn't look any more immortal-worthy than mine.
As Yuk-gyeong stared sullenly in silence, Ho Wol-cheon continued.
"Your expression shows dissatisfaction. You look utterly devoid of Immortal Affinity. Best not to hope for admission and head down. I'm saying this out of goodwill."
The middle-aged man chuckled shamelessly.
Yuk-gyeong asked peevishly.
"How can you tell at a glance? If you can see Immortal Affinity, doesn't that make you an immortal already?"
"You can tell at a glance. This is my third time at the Radiant Moon Sect entrance exam."
Third time just for Radiant Moon Sect? Don't they ban you after that?
There's a three-strikes rule for this crap too?
"Don't believe that guy. He knocks people's confidence to chase them off so he can get in himself. He's infamous for it. Uncle, just go home. You won't get in anyway with the age limit."
A woman walking beside them snorted and spoke to Yuk-gyeong.
He hadn't noticed her before, but she was quite the beauty. Unlike Hye-chun back in his home village, she had sharp, striking features, long limbs, and even in her martial robes like a man's, a figure full of poise.
She seemed to take a liking to him, flashing a slight smile as their eyes met.
But when her gaze shifted to middle-aged Ho Wol-cheon, it turned icy cold.
Ho Wol-cheon bristled and shouted.
"Who are you to slander me? And there might not be an age limit this time!"
"Hmph, how could a cultivation sect not check age when recruiting disciples? Make some sense."
"Argh! Just watch! There definitely won't be an age limit this time!"
Come to think of it, there probably is an age limit.
In wuxia novels, they always have age limits for entry—cultivation paths probably do too.
You have to start young for easier ascension or whatever.
Yuk-gyeong was just barely of age. Looking around, there were plenty of children, but young adults like him were scattered here and there.
Middle-aged folks like Ho Wol-cheon were nowhere to be seen.
The leading outer disciple showed no interest in the commotion among the applicants.
Like an immortal detached from worldly clamor, he strode ahead aloofly.
"Forget that con artist—talk to me, young hero. I'm Yu Yeong-yeong."
"Miss Yeong-yeong, I'm Yi Yuk-gyeong."
The gentle Yuk-gyeong replied softly to the pretty girl.
Amused by his refined demeanor, Yeong-yeong smiled.
"That con artist said you lack Immortal Affinity, your physiognomy's bad, go home, right? All lies. How could that con artist see Immortal Affinity or physiognomy? Don't listen to him. My sister warned me not to get involved with him."
"I figured as much. And your sister?"
"Yeah, she's an inner disciple of the Radiant Moon Sect. She knows a bit from overhearing. One thing that con artist got right is that you need Immortal Affinity to join a cultivation sect. Mortals like us can't see it, but cultivators can."
"Do you absolutely need Immortal Affinity to get in? How do you even know if you have it?"
"Just making it to the sect gate means you have it, right? I don't know the details. Cultivation sects usually say you lack Immortal Affinity when they reject people."
No Immortal Affinity? Then does that mean Immortal Affinity is Spiritual Root?
You need a Spiritual Root to sense Heaven-Earth Spiritual Energy and cultivate, so calling it Immortal Affinity isn't a stretch.
This was just Yuk-gyeong's guess.
Before long, their conversation brought them to the sect entrance.
The grand gate was built from thick logs. Not like Korea's painted gates with actual doors—it seemed more like a marker for the entrance.
Before the gate stood a middle-aged man with arms tucked into his sleeves, gazing coldly down at the mortals.
He exuded the very air of an immortal.
His black hair neatly tied in a Daoist bun, beard trimmed impeccably, the middle-aged man was utterly expressionless—not from anger, but his natural face.
This transcendent figure seemed too noble and extraordinary to be a mere human of this world.
The outer disciples had seemed immortal-like compared to mortals, but next to him, they looked utterly mundane.
He was none other than the elder overseeing this Radiant Moon Sect entrance exam: Iron-faced Divine Army Geum Seung-won!
Iron-faced Geum Seung-won was quite renowned in the cultivation world.
With minimal emotional fluctuations and an inherently cold demeanor, he had few close friends, but his prowess was beyond doubt.
The tale of him slaying the demonic cultivator Baeg Do-geon, known as Bone-Slaying Divine Army from the mountains and rivers, in a single exchange was still told in cultivation circles. Killing a cultivator of the same realm in one move was exceedingly rare.
It spoke to the profound depths of his cultivation.
Elder Geum pointed to the left.
"Those under twenty years old, stand here."
Then pointed to the right.
"Those over twenty but under thirty, stand here."
Finally, pointed down the mountain.
"Those over thirty, go back down the mountain."
The transcendent middle-aged man shut his mouth after speaking.
His sharp gaze swept the crowd, and those who met it felt a chill in their eyes and bowed their heads naturally.
Elder Geum's words carried an irresistible aura.
Even without shouting or cursing, his charisma compelled natural obedience.
"Those who pass, come behind me. Take the entrance exam at the sect gate. Those who fail, go down the mountain."
Behind the transcendent middle-aged man was a line drawn on the ground—the sect entrance and apparent pass line.
Beyond it flowed a stream, spanned by a wooden bridge, creating a serene, immortal landscape.
The mortals before the middle-aged man gazed longingly at the scenery inside the gate.
Meanwhile, those over thirty buzzed in protest that they were eliminated.
"I'm over thirty, but my heart for cultivation is strong! Will you really send me away like this?"
"I've heard the Radiant Moon Sect is a fair orthodox sect! Turning people away based on age—does that make sense?"
Some over thirty voiced complaints.
But none dared meet Elder Geum's eyes. His gaze was that piercing.
Elder Geum said nothing more, simply closing his eyes.
Then an inner disciple beside him stepped forward.
"Those over thirty, leave!"
At the inner disciple's stern command, those over thirty turned and descended the mountain.
Huh? They caused a ruckus at the gate, but they're just letting them go? Too lenient.
Yuk-gyeong felt a moment of suspicion but rationalized it: 'A little commotion? They can overlook that.'
Among those heading down, Ho Wol-cheon grumbled, 'Damn, I thought no age limit this time,' as he left the gate.
I figured he'd cause a scene, but he didn't.
If that unlucky bastard had stirred trouble, we could've seen how the Radiant Moon Sect handles rabble-rousers.
Maybe they'd kill him and hang him at the gate. Or make him take his own life? No idea how ruthless demonic sects punish troublemakers.
Yuk-gyeong was still clinging to the idea that the Radiant Moon Sect was an evil demonic orthodox sect.