"A new sect, aiming for a low-tier sect?" the deacon asked while looking at the documents.
Lin Qingling respectfully replied, "We'd like to try for a mid-tier sect."
The deacon glanced at her.
To him, a mid-tier sect was naturally nothing special. However, it was quite rare for a newly established sect to aim for a mid-tier sect right from the start.
"Are you sure? You can only choose one tier for evaluation at a time. If you fail to achieve a mid-tier sect, it's considered a direct failure. I suggest you go for a low-tier sect, it's safer," the deacon advised.
Lin Qingling bit her lip.
They had discussed this matter among the three sects.
Among the three sects, only the Sword Sect had a chance of becoming a mid-tier sect. To help the Sword Sect succeed, the other two sects had allocated a portion of their own sect's foundation to the Sword Sect. The Sword Sect would aim for a mid-tier sect, while the other two would simply aim for low-tier sects.
For their three sects to truly establish themselves on the Central Continent, they needed the reputation of a mid-tier sect.
Otherwise, according to the alliance regulations, three low-tier sects simply wouldn't be entitled to such a sect驻地. If they wanted to join the alliance and operate according to its rules while also wanting to retain their sect駐地, the only way was for the Sword Sect to become a mid-tier sect.
"We've decided!" Lin Qingling stated.
The deacon no longer tried to dissuade her. He extended his hand, "Submit the list."
Lin Qingling presented a jade slip.
The deacon quickly scanned it and then began to assess the strength of the Sword Sect members based on the list.
"Four Tribulation Transcenders, ten Emptiness Refiners, fifteen Body Fusion cultivators. The peak combat power meets the standard."
The person in charge of the review checked each item.
"The number and cultivation of new disciples also meet the standard."
"Next, we'll review the number of geniuses."
The deacon continued with the process.
Here it comes!
Everyone in the Sword Sect grew nervous.
Their biggest concerns were this and the sect's foundation.
To be rated as a mid-tier sect, they had to pass through every hurdle!
"Sword Sect disciples, step forward for testing," the deacon's voice rang out.
Jiang Rongyi took a deep breath and was the first to step forward.
As the senior disciple, he had to set an example for everyone!
He was also very curious.
What mystery did this stone pillar hold that it could detect all of a person's talents!
Jiang Rongyi stepped forward and gently placed his hand on it.
He channeled his spiritual energy with all his might, and a strange power descended. At that moment, he felt as if his entire being was instantly seen through.
On the stone pillar, lights slowly began to illuminate.
One bar, two bars, three bars.
The stone pillar directly lit up three bars, indicating that Jiang Rongyi met the standard for a Class B genius.
Then, the speed at which the stone pillar lit up slowed down, as if it was still probing for more.
Slowly.
The fourth and fifth bars also lit up.
Jiang Rongyi became increasingly nervous.
To become a mid-tier sect, they needed three Class A geniuses!
He also wanted to secure a spot for the sect.
The progression of the light beam became slower and slower.
Jiang Rongyi's face turned red as he exerted all his power.
Finally.
The sixth bar lit up with a very faint glow.
Jiang Rongyi barely reached the threshold of a Class A genius!
The first one was a Class A genius?
The deacon's eyes showed a hint of surprise.
A trace of joy also flashed in Jiang Rongyi's eyes. He likely knew why he was able to reach the threshold of a Class A genius.
That day, when his master died saving Li Shuang, he suddenly understood what his master's 'Path of Balance' truly was. For these years, he had been delving deep into the Path of Balance, and it was only by relying on this comprehension of the Dao that he was barely able to reach the threshold of a Class A genius!
The Sword Sect disciples had made such rapid progress in recent years.
A large part of it was due to that great battle.
Because they had witnessed the power of top experts and the grandeur of self-sacrifice, everyone's heart held some personal insights.
And these insights became the wellspring of their progress.
"One Class A genius. Next," the deacon said.
Next. Luo Mingyue stepped forward.
Luo Mingyue was slightly nervous.
She didn't actually know if she could meet the standard, but she might as well try.
Luo Mingyue placed her hand on it.
The beam of light began to climb again.
Similarly, after lingering on the fifth bar for a long while, the beam of light ascended to the sixth bar. Looking at the glow, it was even brighter than Jiang Rongyi's.
The deacon's expression changed again.
He looked at Lin Qingling with some surprise and then said, "Two Class A geniuses! Next!"
Luo Mingyue breathed a sigh of relief.
Next.
Wen Lin stepped forward.
However.
Wen Lin still lacked a bit, ultimately only lighting up five bars, settling at Class B.
Afterward, disciples stepped forward one by one for testing.
The Sword Sect suddenly produced two Class A geniuses, and everyone was curious as to when they would produce a third, attracting a lot of attention.
"A new sect, trying to become a mid-tier sect for the first time? This is a bit too bold."
"But looking at them, they seem to have a chance of succeeding."
"Class A geniuses aren't that easy to come by. The disciples first to be tested should be those they are more confident in. It would be incredibly difficult to find another Class A among the remaining disciples."
As expected.
After Wen Lin, Jiang Yunge, and several others consistently remained at Class B, Lin Qingling couldn't help but become nervous.
Next. It was Liu Juncheng's turn.
Unfortunately, his sixth bar of light seemed to glow dimly, then eventually faded.
Liu Juncheng also stopped at the fifth bar.
Who else? Who else could have hope?
Lin Qingling waited anxiously.
Sui Jin stepped onto the stage.
Lin Qingling actually didn't hold much hope for Sui Jin. She treated all her disciples equally, but Sui Jin, being a Five Spirit Root, was indeed a bit lacking in talent.
Unexpectedly, with no expectations at all, Sui Jin channeled his spiritual energy and actually lit up five bars of light.
This surprised even Lin Qingling.
Sui Jin's talent was on the same level as Wen Lin and other disciples with unusual spirit roots?
What was going on!
Could it be that he still possessed untapped talents she hadn't discovered?
Sui Jin himself was a bit bewildered, and he retreated in a daze.
How could he not know that he could actually be considered a genius, even if barely?
"Five Class B geniuses. Next," the deacon continued.
Jiang Yi's body was stiff, and she looked visibly nervous.
Lin Qingling patted her hand encouragingly.
Jiang Yi took a deep breath before walking forward.
All eyes in the vicinity were now focused on her.
Jiang Yi trembled with nervousness. She tried to ignore the gazes around her and channeled her spiritual energy with all her might.
The beam of light rapidly ascended.
Moreover, its speed was even faster than anyone before her.
Finally!
The beam of light actually stopped at the top of the sixth bar, just one step away from the seventh.
The higher the stone pillar, the harder it was to climb. A score of six bars at its peak meant she could be considered an elite disciple in a high-tier sect.
The deacon looked at Jiang Yi in surprise: "Three Class A geniuses, the number requirements are met."
Jiang Yi herself felt a bit dizzy.
She... she succeeded?
Although she didn't know how, she had secured a spot for the sect, and that was enough!