Four days passed, and at last, the day of disciple selection for the Sacred Land of the Immortal Stream had arrived. Countless people from across the Jade Heaven Continent, as well as cultivators from other continents, gathered here from all directions.
High-grade flying ships hovered above the skies in great numbers, their surfaces glowing with enchanted inscriptions that reflected the sunlight like celestial stars. Numerous powerful spirit beasts were used as mounts by nobles and elite cultivation clans from every continent, creating an overwhelming aura of prestige and power around the outer plaza of the Sacred Land.
Within the chambers reserved for Peak Masters and Elders, the atmosphere was unusually solemn. Though these figures were not required to attend the selection event in person, this year was different. For the first time in the Sacred Land's history, the entire disciple selection system had undergone a complete overhaul. As a result, nine out of ten Peak Masters had gathered here, the sole exception being the Peak Master of Celestial Bamboo Peak, who had sent her True Disciple as a representative due to currently being in seclusion.
Inside the grand hall, seats of honor had been prepared for each Peak Master. Han Ming sat in the third seat. His expression was calm and unbothered, showing not even the slightest hint of fear or pressure despite being surrounded by Elders and Peak Masters whose cultivation far exceeded his own. In stark contrast was the young woman representing Celestial Bamboo Peak, who was visibly nervous.
Han Ming made no effort to conceal his cultivation level it was clear to all that he had reached Body Integration Realm, Level 9. However, he had instructed the system to conceal his special physique, keeping his Emperor-Tier Radiant Body hidden from view.
To Han Ming's left and right were the Peak Master of the Sacred Five Elements and the Peak Master of the Imperial Sword Peak. Both were cultivators at the Half-Emperor Realm, as were most of the other Peak Masters present, ranging from Level 7 to Level 9 within the realm.
Han Ming had originally intended to use the system to analyze their information, but the system informed him that it could only inspect those of equal or lower cultivation. Even the representative of Celestial Bamboo Peak could not be analyzed.
The atmosphere in the hall was quiet and composed. Some gazed at Han Ming with curiosity, others with indifference, but Han Ming paid them no mind. He continued reading a scripture while calmly sipping tea and nibbling on pastries, utterly at ease.
Suddenly, a powerful aura surged forth. The room instantly responded. All the Elders and Peak Masters rose from their seats in respectful silence.
The grand doors of the hall opened, and a slender, graceful woman entered, flanked by an elderly man and woman. She wore pure white robes, and her azure hair was tied in a ponytail, revealing her composed and elegant demeanor.
She was Mu Nansi, the current Leader of the Sacred Land of the Immortal Stream.
The elderly man and woman accompanying her were the Grand Elder and the Second Ranked Principal Elder of the Sacred Land.
The voices of everyone in the hall rang out in unison.
"Greetings, Leader of the Sacred Land!"
Mu Nansi gave a small nod in acknowledgment before speaking in a composed and calm voice.
"Please, be at ease, everyone."
With her words, the group returned to their seats. Han Ming also sat down leisurely, picked up his scripture once more, and continued reading while munching on snacks.
The Grand Elder, who had been observing Han Ming's behavior, suddenly spoke.
"This time, we have decided that the first right to select disciples will go to Pure Radiance Peak."
Han Ming, who had just taken a bite of his snack, paused briefly before setting it down and replying with a flat tone.
"Thank you, Grand Elder."
The Grand Elder nodded in response. The other Peak Masters did not show any objections. Most of them were already aware that Pure Radiance Peak currently had no disciples at all, so giving Han Ming the first opportunity was seen as entirely reasonable.
However, a few Principal Elders showed faint signs of displeasure, though none of them dared to voice any opposition openly.
After that, everyone returned to casual conversation and rested at their leisure until one of the Inner Elders entered the hall and reported,
"Everything is ready, sir."
Mu Nansi, who had been seated gracefully, gave a slight nod and issued her command.
"In that case, let us begin the opening ceremony for the disciple selection."
All the Elders and Peak Masters rose and followed her out as instructed. Han Ming walked out calmly, his gaze flickering with a faint glimmer of amusement.
Outside, the main plaza of the Sacred Land of the Immortal Stream was filled with people from all directions. Cultivators from the Jade Heaven Continent, and even those from far-off continents, had made the journey here in search of a chance to enter one of the strongest cultivation forces in the world.
At the center of the plaza stood an elevated stage, tall and commanding. It was the very platform from which the announcements and formal commencement of this year's disciple selection would be made.
Voices buzzed across the area, filled with excitement, nerves, and determination.
"I must be chosen by the Sacred Land of the Immortal Stream. This is my final chance before I turn twenty-two," one young man said with fierce resolve.
Nearby, a tall and muscular man laughed mockingly.
"The number one in last year's selection is here! Hahaha! All you weaklings, make way!"
In the crowd, a young man clenched his fists tightly, heart pounding with anticipation.
"Master... I'm so excited!"
Suddenly, a gentle female voice echoed within his mind.
"Do not worry. You will become a disciple of the Sacred Land of the Immortal Stream without fail, even if you don't pass the trial."
Elsewhere in the crowd, a plain-looking young woman stood quietly, a contemplative expression on her face.
"Which peak should I choose...?"
Not far from her, a man with his body wrapped in bandages looked up at the sky with a resolute expression. Though his eyes were blind, they held unwavering determination.
"I must join the Sacred Land... to survive."
The sound of voices filled the plaza. Every participant carried their own determination and dreams, each with different goals in mind.
But suddenly, all sound ceased.
A divine pressure swept across the entire plaza, an overwhelming aura that instantly brought everyone to a halt. One by one, heads turned upward toward the stage, unable to resist the force that commanded their attention.
Mu Nansi's voice echoed clearly through the entire space.
"Listen carefully, all of you."
"In just a few moments, your destiny may change in ways you never imagined. If you are chosen to enter the Sacred Land of the Immortal Stream, it means you will stand above tens of billions. Seize this opportunity with all your might. The chance is before you reach out and claim it!"
As her voice fell, she gently waved her hand.
Voommm!
A small tower in her palm rose into the air. In the blink of an eye, it expanded into a towering structure that blotted out the sky, and from it, an enormous golden staircase began to descend slowly to the ground below.
Brilliant golden light bathed the area, radiating a sacred power that made everyone tremble in awe.
Mu Nansi's voice rang out once again.
"You will now ascend this Golden Staircase. If you reach the top, you will have passed the first trial."
"You have only two hours to complete the Golden Staircase trial. If you fail to reach the top within the allotted time, you will lose your right to join the Sacred Land of the Immortal Stream."
"After completing the first trial, you will be given a thirty-minute rest before entering the Trial Tower. Do not overthink it. The minimum requirement to pass is to reach the seventh floor or higher. Anyone who fails to do so will be disqualified and lose the chance to enter the Sacred Land."
"You will have three hours to ascend the Trial Tower. Once time is up, the floor you have reached will determine your final score. The higher you climb, the greater the resources you will be granted. Remember that well."
"Now then, without further delay begin!"
Boom!
Her commanding voice thundered through the plaza, accompanied by the release of the tower's immense power. The participants' eyes gleamed with excitement as they prepared themselves. Some took deep breaths, others clenched their fists.
They all knew the time had come.
This was the moment that would change their fates.
The Disciple Selection of the Sacred Land of the Immortal Stream had officially begun!