noveltune Chapter 22: Sect Entrance Examination
Chapter 22: Sect Entrance Examination
Chapter 22: Sect Entrance Examination
The Five Profound Elements Sect was one of the Three Major Sects that co-governed the entirety of the Eastern Empyrean Continent. Composed of 16 mountain peaks, the Five Profound Elements Sect boasted a long and storied history, spanning well over 20,000 years.
The Sect was well known for their exhaustive library of Cultivation Methods and Martial Techniques. Additionally, they held the achievement of accommodating the largest number of disciples at any given time among all the sects within Dhara, with a total number exceeding 500,000 true disciples!
During the autumn season of each year, The Five Profound Elements Sect would host a Sect Entrance Examination, attracting countless aspiring talents to the Eastern Empyrean Continent. The Examinations were held in five separate locations spread across five massive cities that surrounded the perimeter of the Sect, each of which being controlled by one of the five Outer Sect Peaks.
The wooden airship slowly descended through white clouds, flying in line with several other airships of varying sizes as they were carefully navigated, one after another, above a sweeping city, with the help of dozens of levitating, navy-blue-robed cultivators.
Auslen, Vincent, and Nathaniel were all huddled together near the large window at the bow of the ship, foreheads nearly kissing the glass as they gazed upon the bustling city below.
What a sight
Unlike the rough, textured stone that was popular in the Western Empyrean Continent, the city below was universally constructed with colorful glazed bricks, shimmering with a jewel-like shine.
Pilasters looked to be commonplace, instead of the familiar cylindrical columns that Auslen had grown used to seeing, and well-placed recesses decorated the buildings intricate facades.
Foliage of various colors was spread generously throughout the city, seeming to be integrated directly into the majority of the architecture. This helped to provide the busy city with a clean and enlivening ambience.
As the city grew closer, Auslen couldnt help but notice the incredible density of people that filled the winding streets. Although, he could not yet tell if this sea of people was an ordinary scene, or if it was mainly attributed to the Sect Entrance Examination.
Soon, their large, wooden airship fully descended into the city below, landing silently onto a tiled plaza beside several other grounded airships.
Within the wooden airship, Cedrick grabbed onto Auslen and Nathaniels small hands as he turned to lead them and Vincent back towards the gradually opening hatch.
When the four of them slowly floated downwards onto the sparsely populated pavilion, they were welcomed by five older men and women, all of which wearing the same navy-blue robes.
Greetings, Sect Elder Cedrick!
When they saw the crowned, black robed figure descend from the airship, they bowed together in respectful greeting.
Sect Elder? My father? The King of the Bright Forest Kingdom?
Despite suddenly becoming aware that he was missing considerably important information, Auslen kept his astonishment hidden underneath his smiling expression.
On the opposite side of Cedrick, Nathaniels head swiveled constantly towards the city around him in ignorance, not seeming to understand or care about what was just said. However, Vincents silver eyes widened noticeably as he glanced at Cedricks calm appearance in shock and confusion.
Cedrick gave the group a small nod of acknowledgment.
This is my child, Auslen, and my nephew, Nathaniel. They both will be participating in the Sect Entrance Examination this year.
A tall, gray haired man, who looked to be around 60 years of age, stepped forward promptly. He seemed to be the leader of the group of cultivators.
Understood, Sect Elder. We have been assigned to guide you towards the Examination site. Is that satisfactory? Or do you have prior plans in place?
You five will do.
Excellent! Then we shall make our way immediately.
Cedrick simply nodded the mans words, bringing the boys along as he followed behind the group's already moving figures.
No longer thinking about the unimportant matter, the old man spoke up in high spirits, Congratulations, Sect Elder! Your son is certainly a little genius!
As Cedrick nodded in silent agreement, Auslen had already stood up from the platform, walking over to the Dao Root Measurement Orb to place his hand upon it. He made sure to close his eyes this time.
It didnt take long for the intrusive sensations to die down before the orb burst out with two halos of blinding light, indicating Grade 2 Dao Roots, drawing only nods of confirmation from the guides.
While Grade 2 Dao Roots was absolutely an incredible talent, the group of cultivators had long expected such a result, considering the parents talents.
Auslen let go of the orb as he tried not to rub his increasingly aching stomach in distress. He took a few deep breaths to collect himself before smiling with satisfaction. Quite happy with the results that were shown, he stepped back towards his father as he watched Nathaniel take his turn sitting down on the platform.
After a few moments, red shined fiercely from the platform.
34 points of Soul Force. Pure Fire Elemental Affinity.
Pure Fire Elemental Affinity?
Although Cedrick had already informed him of the innate strength of Nathaniels Soul Force, Auslen was still unaware of the boys Elemental Affinity until this moment.
No wonder Grandfather wanted the boy to practice a Heaven Tier Cultivation Method.
Pure Elemental Affinities were quite rare among cultivators. However, Pure Elemental Affinities carried very few noticeable advantages, so they were not among most peoples considerations.
However, Auslen had learned that the only major benefit would have to be that cultivators with Pure Elemental Affinities had a marginally easier time practicing Earth and Heaven Tier Methods and Techniques.
But, did Grandfather provide him with enough rare materials to be able to exchange for a suitable Heaven Tier Method? He surely did right?
While Auslen was thinking to himself, the guides nodded their heads in silence. None of them were too surprised at the results, considering Nathaniels identity as a descendant of the esteemed Rinaldi Family. It was only expected for him to be so talented.
After a few more moments, two halos lit up the room once again, revealing Nathaniels Grade 2 Dao Roots.
During this moment, Cedricks eyes flashed as he glanced across the room before turning his eyes away in disinterest.
At the location of his glance, an invisible undulation suddenly arose in the space behind the old cultivators, localized within the area smaller than a needle prick.
However, the undulations expanded rapidly, nearly instantly transforming into a indiscernible, silent, and rapidly revolving cyclone that nearly touched the ceiling of the room.
Meanwhile, the blue-robed old man and the rest of the guides were still busy notating the results of the boys evaluations, not at all noticing fluctuations in the space behind them.
Nathaniel skipped back to Auslen as he exclaimed, Were matching, Auslen!
Just as Auslen was about to reply, his eyes slightly shifted away from his cousin as he thought he noticed some slight activity on the other side of the room. He squinted in self-doubt for a moment, only to be somewhat frightened when the figure of an unknown woman peculiarly inserted itself into his frame of vision.
She was a pale skinned woman wearing thick yellow robes embroidered with decorative swirling patterns reminiscent of wind currents. Her long, light-blonde hair hung around her shoulders unbound, gliding across the back of her robed legs harmoniously.
In astonishment, Auslen quickly glanced up at his father to thankfully see no visible signs of unrest, causing him to relax completely with an internal sigh.
That was until he turned his eyes forwards once more to be greeted with an acutely close view of the womans beautiful face, her green eyes locked straight into Auslens as his body uncontrollably trembled from her sudden disturbing proximity.
Beside Auslen, Nathaniel shrieked loudly as he was spooked by the teleporting woman who was currently kneeling in front of Auslen, calling Vincents startled attention to the blonde woman as well.
The guides also turned their attention to the sudden disturbance as Cedricks deep voice sounded with vague annoyance.
Kassandra, I did not invite you here to scare my son.