Fantasy: Immortality Begins with Absorbing Demons

Chapter 309 Yuanmiao Sect

The second one was a young man, not very old, dressed in white, with fair skin. He seemed to have little experience with this kind of thing and was a little nervous when he went on stage to rehearse.

He was practicing the initial fist technique of the Yuanmiao Sect, the Ningyuan Fist, which is a basic fist technique that lays a solid foundation and trains qi and blood. It is also equivalent to the preliminary techniques for various advanced martial arts of the Yuanmiao Sect.

This person is clearly from a branch of the Yuanmiao Sect, and is of the same lineage.

But whether it was due to excessive nervousness or lack of skill, what should have been a solid and stable set of Condensing Yuan Fist techniques turned into something like a castrated stallion in the hands of this young man in white, utterly devoid of power.

Miao Qian frowned. "Stop." He called for a halt before the man in white could finish his attack.

As usual, a palm strike, accompanied by force, probes the body's vital energy and bones.

"Let's go." Just like before, he took out a sign and tossed it to the other person.

After receiving the wooden plaque, the man in white looked grim, his expression turning sour.

He seemed annoyed by his poor performance, but dared not say much. He didn't even bother with the formalities, picked up the sign, and left.

Miao Qian Lao Dao didn't take it to heart; this was actually part of the assessment.

Besides him, there are several other examiners hidden in this courtyard, who will evaluate the people in front of them from different perspectives.

Physical constitution, blood and qi, temperament, and background—these factors combined determine one's potential.

The plaque given by Master Miaoqian only represents one aspect of one's innate talent; it does not determine whether the individuals stay or leave. The deliberate withholding of this information from the examinees also serves to test their mental fortitude and resolve.

Soon, the third and fourth people came forward one by one for the assessment.

These two seemed to be candidates recommended by Yuanmiao Sect's subordinate strongholds. They both performed a set of Ningyuan Fist, but like the man in white, they were newcomers, lacked experience, and were a bit nervous. Their performances were mediocre and unremarkable, not nearly as amazing as the bearded man.

"Alright, next one." Old Taoist Miaoqian shook his head in disappointment.

The fifth person was naturally Han Yi. He deliberately stayed in the middle of the group, slightly towards the back, to observe the intentions of the others.

Now that four of the six have demonstrated, it's about time for them to take the stage. Neither the first nor the last one is the best.

Looking at it now, apart from the first bearded man, no one else's blood and energy are as strong as his.

He stepped forward slowly, gathered his qi and blood, and his arms swelled up slightly as he performed a set of his most familiar boxing techniques.

With his rich practical experience and powerful strength, even a low-level boxing style moved with great force in his hands. His movements were fluid and natural, like the Yangtze River flowing endlessly, displaying the demeanor of a master. Everyone in the arena turned their heads in awe.

Although Master Miaoqian remained expressionless, he also unusually kept silent, quietly watching Han Yi finish his set of punches.

Then, Han Yi, like the others, stepped forward to undergo testing.

With a flick of his right hand, Miao Qian Lao Dao Han Yi felt an invisible force penetrate his body. He instinctively tried to muster his strength to resist, but immediately relaxed.

This is followed by a slight stinging sensation, like an electric shock or a tingling tingling feeling, but it disappears quickly.

"Next." The old Taoist priest Miaoqian's expression was calm, and his thoughts were unreadable. He reached for the wooden plaque on the corner of the table.

But when he touched it, he realized that all the yellow wooden signs had been used up.

He snorted coldly, and the young Taoist behind him changed his expression, quickly turning around and running towards the inner hall. A short while later, the young Taoist returned with a stack of wooden plaques, placing them neatly on the mahogany table, his forehead slightly sweaty.

Miao Qian Lao Dao didn't say anything. He picked up the top piece, waved his hand, and wrote a few words in a flash. His movements were noticeably more exaggerated than the others.

Han Yi quickly stepped forward and respectfully accepted the wooden plaque, but his expression changed slightly. The four large characters, "Below average in terms of aptitude," occupied most of the area of ​​the wooden plaque.

His heart sank, but he said nothing and calmly withdrew.

The last person was a woman dressed in black, with a striking face and short, capable hair.

She wasn't practicing the Yuanmiao Sect's basic boxing technique, Ningyuan Fist, but rather a small martial art that combined fists and feet, with swift movements, combining strength with softness, and natural harmony.

"Hmm, not bad." After finishing the set of moves, Master Miaoqian's expression softened a bit, and he handed over a wooden plaque with a smile.

“You guys…” Then, the old Taoist priest Miaoqian randomly pointed out a few more people, including Han Yi and three others.

These three belong to the type who have just broken through to a higher level, are diligently practicing martial arts, and lack experience.

"Among you, some are weak in qi and blood, have practiced too many different things, and have inconsistent strength. Others lack practical experience and are weak-willed. I'm sure you all know this, right?"

Han Yi felt a chill run down his spine. When he arrived, Elder Wang had mentioned this issue to him. The most important requirement for a long-standing sect like Yuanmiao Sect is the purity of one's blood and qi.

Old Wang was also worried that he would get stuck on this point.

The other three people beside him also looked grim, considering their own circumstances.

At this moment, Master Miaoqian held his breath and continued, "In martial arts cultivation, if you want to reach the peak, it is not determined by just one factor, but often, this one flaw will cause you to encounter difficulties when you break through in the future."

Therefore, you need to think this through: even if you enter the Yuanmiao Sect, you will waste a lot of money and time in vain because of this seemingly insignificant flaw. So, let me ask you again, do you really want to join?

"want!"

Han Yi and the other three spoke at the same time: If it weren't for wanting to join the Yuanmiao Sect, who would travel thousands of miles, abandoning their families, to come here?

Moreover, those who can cultivate to the level of martial arts master are all people with firm will and some reputation in their own little corner of the world.

They were unwilling to go back like this; they were too ashamed to go back and couldn't explain it to others.

Upon hearing this, Master Miaoqian was not surprised. Perhaps he already knew this would be the answer, and this inquiry was just a routine matter.

"Alright, you two go in first." He looked at the bearded man and the short-haired woman, his expression softening. These two, barring any unforeseen circumstances, should become his junior brothers and sisters.

The young Taoist priest behind him led the two away from there and into a side hall.

Han Yi and the others kept their eyes fixed on the old Taoist Miaoqian, watching for his next move.

"Those two are different from you, as you should have noticed," the old Taoist Miaoqian said coldly. "In the path of martial arts, there is no room for luck. If there are additional flaws, it is difficult to achieve great progress. But since they are flaws, there are ways to make up for them. Do you understand this?"

His words were cryptic, circuitous, and difficult to understand.

Han Yi immediately understood; this was a veiled meaning, a hidden message... Could it be...? He thought of a possibility.

Although he had some guesses, the three people around him were still confused and didn't understand.

"Since that's the case, I'll be frank." Old Daoist Miaoqian looked at the three people's confused expressions and became somewhat impatient. "If your aptitude is poor, you can make up for it with resources. If you are weak-willed, you can hire a protector to support you. If you lack comprehension, you can go to the three peaks to ask the elders for lessons. These are all ways to make up for it. So, you need to prove that you have the ability to make up for your deficiencies."

At this moment, the three of them suddenly realized that this was a clear case of someone trying to make up for insufficient grades with money, and that the person was asking for money.

The group looked at each other, and then a pretty woman quickly stepped forward and slipped a scroll into the old Taoist priest Miaoqian's hand.

The remaining two men immediately followed suit, each stepping forward and offering gifts.

Han Yi, watching from behind, could see clearly that each person had placed rolls of gold notes, which at a glance amounted to no less than several thousand taels.

He gritted his teeth, took out most of the gold notes he had on him, and handed them over.

In the blink of an eye, with a flick of his hand, the old Taoist Miaochang sent at least tens of thousands of taels of gold notes vanishing into thin air, disappearing without a trace.

Han Yi felt a pang of heartache watching this. He had just been lamenting that he didn't have much money, and now, several thousand taels of silver had vanished like water, without even a ripple.

He had planned to use the money to do some important things, and now it's all gone?

But for now, this is all he can do.

At this moment, the old Daoist Miaochang's expression softened slightly, and he said calmly, "You must understand that this money is not for me. It is a contribution to the sect. Only when the contribution is large enough to ensure that you have the ability to make up for your shortcomings can you be allowed to join the sect!"

He looked at the silent group and continued, "Don't be impatient. I didn't set these rules. They were decided by the heads of the academy and the elders. One's background is an important factor in determining one's future prospects! If you still have the ability, you must show it as much as possible, so as not to regret it later!" As soon as he finished speaking, everyone remained silent.

Finally, the woman who paid first looked around, then at the old Taoist priest Miaoqian, and with a determined heart, took out a small, delicate white jade porcelain bottle from her bosom and handed it to the old Taoist priest.

The man in white also had a gloomy expression. He took out a somewhat translucent, dark purple pearl and handed it over.

Han Yi touched the object in his arms, his expression displeased. He had lost most of his money, and the most valuable thing left was this exotic item he had obtained from Li Chengfeng.

But... he hesitated.

This exotic specimen is quite valuable. Although he initially didn't intend to use it on himself, and didn't need it, he's considering selling it for something else. If he were to hand it over now…

Forget it.

He hardened his heart. No matter what, he had already obtained the most difficult recommendation letter to join the Yuanmiao Sect, and he had invested so much. He was unwilling to give it up. As long as he joined the Yuanmiao Sect, he could earn back everything else sooner or later.

He eventually took out the black mutant and sent it over.

Master Miaochang held the inconspicuous, black stone-like strange object with a surprised expression.

"Young man, not bad, you even have such rare things?" He raised his eyelids and gave Han Yi a barely perceptible look. Judging from the information and his attire, he didn't seem like a rich man.

"Not bad. Although it is a low-grade variant that can only be used by ordinary martial artists, it is still quite valuable."

"Please take good care of me, senior brother," Han Yi said humbly.

"Of course, of course." The old Taoist priest Miaoqian was in a great mood after squeezing out such a valuable item.

Then, the young Taoist priest behind him approached again and led Han Yi and the others to another secluded courtyard.

After the group left, a glint of greed flashed across the previously serious and indifferent face of the old Taoist priest Miaoqian. "I'm rich! I'm rich!"

He was breathing rapidly and his face was flushed. Although these people were not very talented, they were indeed quite wealthy.

He called himself "Miracle Money," and was naturally a person who valued money above all else and believed that money could communicate with the gods.

There are indeed rules within the sect that allow those who do not meet the requirements to join through contributions.

Therefore, he couldn't keep all of these things, but even the fat that passed through his hands was enough to make him happy for a while.

“Every year there are stubborn people who refuse to believe in fate and insist on staying in the sect, wasting their time and resources. I’m afraid they will only be disappointed and desperate when they see those monsters who have left them far behind and whom they could never catch up to even after a lifetime of cultivation… At that time, they will realize that life in the mountains is nothing compared to the carefree life down below!”

He sighed, took a small box from his pocket, unscrewed the lid, revealing a golden, paste-like substance inside, from which a strange fragrance wafted.

He carefully rubbed off a piece of ointment the size of a fingernail with his index finger, placed it on his nose, and began to smoke.

......

......

Time flies, and several days have passed in the blink of an eye.

Han Yi and his three companions each had a private room in this secluded courtyard, and they would occasionally bump into each other and exchange information.

On the first day, food and drinks were naturally delivered, and the four of them weren't in a hurry, as these things definitely take time.

But... the second day, the third day, the fourth day...

As time passed, the four seemed to have been forgotten about this place, and no one contacted them.

Even though all four were martial artists who had reached the Qi-opening stage and possessed unwavering perseverance and mental fortitude, waiting like this inevitably made them somewhat impatient. "Brother Han, tell me, we were all recommended. Even if we don't care about the person recommending us, at least let us know whether it's successful or not. You've just left us hanging here like this, what kind of nonsense is this!"

The man in white paced back and forth in front of the stone table, clearly agitated.

"Brother Tan, let's wait a little longer. It's been so many days already, a little more won't make a difference. I'm sure Yuanmiao Sect will eventually give us an answer," Han Yi replied helplessly, sitting on the stone bench.

The man in front of me is named Tan Hao, and he comes from a peripheral outpost of the Yuanmiao Sect.

This kind of conversation has been discussed countless times in the past few days.

But he didn't know the answer to this kind of question, so he could only wait.

When Tan Hao received no reply from Han Yi, he turned to Feng Qingxin on the other side: "Miss Qingxin, do you have any news from your side?" "No, they only said that the higher-ups are discussing it," Feng Qingxin replied helplessly.

She was the successor of an inner disciple of the Yuanmiao Sect, and within this small group, she was considered the most well-informed.

"Sigh..." Tan Hao sighed like a deflated balloon.

We're just waiting like this, but how long do we have to wait?

......

......

On the other side, Han Yi and others' tokens, information, assessment results, and the items they finally handed over were also stripped of their contents and ultimately turned over.

Soon, each person's information was sent to the corresponding head of the department.