The morning rays of sunlight flitted through the open window and fell on Xiaomeng's peacefully asleep face. After a few moments, her eyelashes fluttered, and she suddenly sat up abruptly. Her breathing suddenly sped up, and she was taking large intakes of air, her hands and legs shaking. But the expected pain did not come for her.

  She waited for a few moments and tentatively moved her hands and legs, but still there was no pain as she had felt before fainting. Looking down, she was lying on a clean white bed with her clothes also changed to blue. Before her mind could wander, the door of the room opened, and a young woman wearing the blue uniform of the sect came inside carrying a steaming bowl.

  Not giving Xiaomeng a chance to ask anything, the young woman spoke, “After you fainted during the trial, you were brought here for rest. Take this healing brew and get ready, we have to leave soon.” And without waiting for a moment, she again exited the room. Xiaomeng could only blink in confusion at this turn of events.

  She gently picked up the porcelain bowl placed on the table beside the bed and brought it close to her nose. Lightly smelling the scent, her face scrunched due to the intensely bitter medicinal smell wafting from it. Just as she was planning to set it down and ignore it, her gaze drifted to the small paper and wrapper placed on the table.

  Slowly picking up the note, she opened it and read: “Drink all the medicine. The wrapper contains spiritual candy for easing the bitterness.” Placing the paper down, Xiaomeng quickly picked up the wrapper and opened it. A sweet milky smell suddenly filled the room. Her gaze moved from the milky white candy to the green medicine and then again to the milky white candy. Putting it down, she quickly picked up the medicine and, holding her nose, rapidly gulped it down. The bitter taste filled her mouth, making her feel like gagging.

  She hurriedly picked up the candy and took a small bite from the small, milky white surface. The sweetness immediately spread in her mouth, erasing the bitter aftertaste. She spent nearly an incense stick of time just licking and sucking on the candy. This was the taste she had been craving for the last twelve years, but only got now. She was experiencing eternal bliss, at least for some time.

  After finishing the candy, she got up from the bed and started to observe the room more thoroughly. It had white walls decorated with simple ornaments and decor. A big window was to the side, and light was coming from it, illuminating the room. A small door to the side also led to the courtyard behind. Since it was inside a sect, there must definitely be some arrays carved on the walls, but since she was not yet a cultivator, she was not able to tell.

  Just as she was about to move towards the window for further observation, the door opened, and the woman from before gestured for her to follow behind. Xiaomeng could only listen to the command without any resistance. The woman led her through the open corridors. Looking around, the scenery was very beautiful, and the buildings were also very tall and majestic. The smell of plants and herbs was floating around in the air.

  Taking Xiaomeng to an open area, the woman took out her sword from her waist. Looking at this, Xiaomeng suddenly jumped back. The woman ignored her and, bringing her other hand forward, started to chant something. Soon, the sword in her hand started to vibrate and began to float in the air when let go.

  The woman climbed onto the sword and looked at Xiaomeng with a look that said 'Follow me’. Realizing that it was just for travel, Xiaomeng lowered her raised guard and went ahead, standing behind the woman. Soon after, they were both being carried by the sword through the air. And in just a few moments, they had left the peak they were currently on. Being able to use sword telekinesis to fly, she must definitely be a Golden Core cultivator, thought Xiaomeng

  The cold and fresh morning air brushed past them, giving a cozy feeling. Looking down from the height, Xiaomeng was able to observe the layout of the sect. It had seven very high peaks, with the central peak being surrounded by the other six. From the way they were going, their destination seemed to be the central peak.

  Seeing Xiaomeng looking around curiously, the woman warned, “Hold on tightly.” Hearing her words, Xiaomeng tightly clutched her clothes. After a few moments, she asked the young woman, “Senior Sister, what is your name?” in a curious voice. After pausing for a few moments, the woman replied, “Just call me Senior Sister Lan.” Xiaomeng spoke her name a few times to get familiar with it, making Senior Sister Lan’s brows knit a little.

  “Senior Sister Lan, who changed my clothes?” she suddenly asked.

  Lan just looked back at her and said, “I did. Do you have a problem?”

  Xiaomeng quickly shook her head, “Of course not, how could I?”

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  “You better not,” Lan hmphed. “It was already too much trouble to wash you. It seemed like you really enjoy the companionship of dirt,” Xiaomeng could only lower her reddened little face at this.

  Their conversation was cut short as the sword began its descent; they had reached their destination. The children who had just taken the exam, along with her, were standing in the large courtyard. The cacophony of their chatter was easily detectable even from a distance. Soon, the sword landed in their midst, parting the gathered crowd. Getting off the sword, Xiaomeng started to look for any familiar face and spotted Lingling approaching her. Senior Sister Lan flew up on her sword and disappeared.

  Approaching her, Lingling caught her hand and dragged her away from the prying eyes of the others surrounding them. “Hey, are you okay?” she asked worriedly.

  “Of course,” Xiaomeng answered confidently, “What could happen to me?”

  Lingling gave her an exasperated look. She quickly picked up the sleeve of Xiaomeng’s dress and pointed at the small leaf engraving. “This is the sign of the Pill Refinement Hall. If you came with a member of theirs and are wearing their clothes, then obviously something must have happened. So speak up.”

  Having been caught, Xiaomeng had no option but to reiterate the events of the test and the morning. “So you only woke up today after completing the test?” Lingling asked worriedly. Xiaomeng just nodded her head in agreement.

  “Do you know how many days have passed since the test?” Lingling asked, and Xiaomeng once again shook her head.

  “Three days!” Lingling raised three fingers and waved them in front of Xiaomeng’s face. “You have been out for three days. From next time, just take it lightly and care more for your body,” she said worriedly.

  “Okay, I’ll try,” Xiaomeng replied in a small voice.

  "Not just try. Actually do it," Lingling glared at her. But with her cheeks puffed out and brows furrowed, she only managed to look like an angry little rabbit, drawing a helpless smile from Xiaomeng.

  “By the way, did everyone here complete the climb?” Xiaomeng tried to change the subject. Even knowing this, Lingling went along with it. “No. From what I heard from them, as soon as it was midnight, they were all teleported out. You were most likely the last one to complete the test.”

  By now, they had reached the front of the gathering, and more familiar faces came into view. Rong Ning was keenly observing everything around her. Gu Yichen was scolding Tieshan, who was standing in a chair stance with Gu Da trying to mediate. Tian Yao stood apart from the others, as if standing in a separate world. And the others were up to their own shenanigans.

  Right then, six people appeared in front of everyone, floating in mid-air. They all wore white clothes and radiated an ethereal aura. Four were old men, and two were young women. Suddenly, the courtyard became silent, and everyone bowed their heads. “We greet the elders.” Xiaomeng also followed the crowd and bowed as a sign of respect. Just Tian Yao was still standing, but the Elders tacitly ignored her.

  “Rise,” a voice was heard in everyone’s mind. Everyone raised their heads and looked at the six Elders. “From now on, you are all members of the Jade River Sect. But not all of you can be proper disciples. The ones who lagged behind the most in the test will have to start as external disciples. The ones who performed well will be made outer disciples, and the few who completed the test will be made inner disciples,” the First Elder explained while standing ahead of the others, caressing his long beard.

  The new disciples were hearing this for the first time and were hence completely baffled, their eyes wide open. The First Elder moved his hands, and all the new disciples were displaced from their original positions and divided into three groups. The first was made up of the stragglers who had lagged behind the most and were not able to even cross the first thousand steps. The second was those who crossed the thousand steps but were not able to complete the climb. And the last was the group of the only fifteen who had actually completed the test, with Xiaomeng being the last one to pass.

  Soon, several older disciples emerged to take away the first group. They would most likely be made to plant spiritual herbs and take care of the spiritual pets. The First Elder again moved his hand. Then, based on the performance they had shown, the second group was equally divided among the six peaks as outer disciples.

  Disciples from the respective peaks who had come here guided their respective juniors and started to move towards their respective peaks. Being outer disciples, they will not have any special privileges and could only work and complete sect tasks to get more resources, but their living and training facilities were a lot better than those of external disciples.

  Finally, it was the turn of the group of fifteen. The Elders looked carefully at the fifteen people with a faint glimmer visible in their eyes, as if looking at precious treasures.

  “Since you have all completed the test, you have the right to choose which peak you want to join,” First Elder explained. “Each peak has a different focus and practices different paths of cultivation,” And then he went on to explain about the six peaks, nearly bringing a tear to Lingling’s eyes, who was barely controlling her yawn.

  “Tian Yao,” the First Elder called out after finishing his long exposition. Tian Yao slowly stepped forward. “As the one who came first, you have the privilege of choosing first, which peak to join as an inner disciple.”

  The First Elder looked at her with an expectant look, knowing full well that the catch was already in the bag. But his smile froze after hearing Tian Yao’s words: “Whoever pays the most, I will join that peak.” His confident face suddenly scrunched up as if he had eaten something unpleasant, and he looked at his fellow Elders, who just stared blankly at him. And before he could say anything, the cold and aloof Fifth Elder declared:

  “A thousand low-grade spirit stones.”

  And following behind her, a bidding war began among the elders. Even the others standing behind Tian Yao were completely baffled. This girl never fails to amaze! They all thought.