The trial of the Ten-Floor Tower had officially begun. Over one hundred thousand participants who had passed the Golden Stairway surged forward into the tower the moment the signal was given.
Each person who entered the tower was instantly transported to a unique dimensional space for each floor, where their qualifications would be tested according to the standards of the Immortal Water Domain.
The first floor tested one's identity, designed to detect any spies among the participants. The sect sought to prevent infiltration by those who might steal secrets or cause internal disruption. Everyone underwent a detailed examination of their spiritual power. If any spy was detected, they would be executed on the spot. What the Immortal Water Domain had never disclosed to outsiders was that the tower also had the ability to scan one's memories. Despite this intense scrutiny, all of the more than one hundred thousand participants passed this first trial with ease.
The second floor tested honesty and disposition. Those with steady minds and firm resolve could pass this stage without difficulty. However, even so, more than half of the examinees were eliminated here. Many were found to harbor overwhelming greed, cowardice, lust, or sloth qualities the Immortal Water Domain had no interest in nurturing or wasting resources on.
Still, if a person possessed a strong enough will, even if their nature leaned toward selfishness or desire, they could suppress such impulses and pass the trial. This test did not only judge outward behavior but also evaluated a candidate's ability to control and regulate their inner state of mind.
The third floor tested special physiques and comprehension.
The conditions for passing were as follows:
If a candidate possessed a special physique of at least Sacred Rank, they would pass automatically, regardless of their level of comprehension.
If a candidate's comprehension was at least 8-star level, they would also pass automatically, regardless of the rank of their special physique.
If a candidate met neither requirement, they would be given an alternative test: walking through the River of Potential. Anyone who could walk more than 100 meters through this river would pass the floor unconditionally, regardless of their physique or comprehension level.
These criteria were established due to the Immortal Water Domain's limited resources.
The Jade Heaven Continent was the most powerful of all continents, and the competition for resources was correspondingly intense. New factions were constantly rising, and as a result, there would never be enough resources to go around. Death and conflict were daily occurrences.
Thus, they had no choice but to train only those with the highest potential, to ensure that every resource spent was worthwhile. From the fourth floor onward through the tenth, the tests would all be focused on combat.
In these trials, participants would face enemies of varying types and strength. These enemies could be spirit puppets, spirit beasts, or even illusions of their own selves.
Those who passed the seventh floor earned the qualification of outer disciple. If they failed to attract the attention of an inner elder, core elder, peak master, or the sect master, they would remain as outer disciples and have to slowly climb their way up the ranks. From outer disciple to inner disciple, every position within the Immortal Water Domain required one to undergo a trial. Only upon passing could they obtain the corresponding title.
At this point, all those who had failed the second and third floors had been eliminated. Only a little over ten thousand people remained inside the tower. The five individuals Han Ming had his eyes on were all still advancing steadily through the levels. Currently, the lowest among them had reached the eighth floor.
Three hours passed.
When all the trials had concluded, the vast plaza outside the Immortal Water Domain was filled with millions of people, all staring at the scene before them with sorrow and disappointment. Those who failed the test felt the weight of their own inadequacy. The sound of sighs echoed throughout the area, and some even shed tears, having devoted everything they had for this one chance.
But then, the voice of Mu Nansi, the leader of the Immortal Water Domain, rang out.
"To those of you who did not pass, there is no need to grieve."
Her voice carried a power that stirred the hearts of everyone listening.
"Just because you were unable to join the Immortal Water Domain this time does not mean you are doomed to fail forever. This world is vast and filled with countless opportunities waiting to be seized. Do not let this one failure be the reason you stop striving forward."
She paused for a moment before continuing.
"Opportunities come only to those who are prepared. Continue to fight, with everything you have. I wish you all the best… Farewell."
As her voice faded, silence blanketed the entire plaza.
Some of those who had still been wallowing in despair slowly lifted their heads. Those who had nearly given up began to see a glimmer of hope in her words. Then, a shout rose from somewhere in the crowd.
"Thank you, Leader of the Holy Land of the Immortal River!"
That single voice sparked a chorus of others.
"Thank you, Leader of the Holy Land of the Immortal River!"
"Thank you, Leader of the Holy Land of the Immortal River!"
...…
...…
"Thank you, Leader of the Holy Land of the Immortal River!"
"Thank you, Leader of the Holy Land of the Immortal River!"
The voices of the crowd thundered into the sky. Mu Nansi responded only with a faint smile, before officially declaring the end of the trial.
Within the wide plaza of the Holy Land of the Immortal River.
More than ten thousand people now stood gathered, their voices rising in waves of chatter, filling the air with excitement and relief.
"Hahaha! I finally made it into the Holy Land of the Immortal River!"
"Did you make it to the tenth floor?"
"Nope. I was utterly defeated by the illusion of myself."
As people laughed and shared their stories with one another, their voices abruptly fell silent. Thirteen figures slowly descended from the sky, landing upon their respective seats with unmatched grace, emanating overwhelming auras and strength that left all in awe.
Amid the stillness, one man whispered under his breath.
"Why… does the elder sitting at the third table look so young?"
A nearby boy furrowed his brow slightly and replied, "Maybe he altered his appearance. His real age could be in the tens of thousands."
Standing quietly among the crowd, a young man murmured within his heart.
"Master... why does that man look so young? Did he transform his body or something?"
The cool voice of a spirit maiden echoed within his mind.
"No. His bone age is only eighteen. And more importantly... his cultivation is at the ninth level of Body Integration."
The young man's eyes widened in shock.
"He's younger than me, and yet... my cultivation is only at the Foundation Establishment level…"
The spirit maiden let out a quiet chuckle and said, "You don't need to compare yourself to someone like him."
The young man continued to gaze at Han Ming, a complicated look in his eyes. The spirit maiden continued.
"Remember, you still have me. I will help you reclaim the five years you lost… and wash away the shame that taints your name."
The young man gave a slow nod, replying with a firm voice.
"Thank you, Master."
Han Ming, who was observing the crowd below, spoke.
"System, display only those disciples with ten-star potential, ten-star comprehension, golden fate, and an emperor-tier physique."
The system mumbled inwardly, [Where the hell would I even find that…? But fine, even if I can't, I have no choice but to pull it off at a moment like this.]
…
…
…
After a moment, the system replied.
[No individuals matching host's conditions were found.]