Li An chose to take the "Wuling Sect" path, becoming a small twist in the third challenge.
Soon, the third challenge concluded.
The dozens of disciples who ultimately passed the selection were all gathered in front of the mountain gate.
Not everyone successfully passed the trials; nearly half could not endure, and in the end, chose the same path as Li An, entering the sect through the Wuling Sect.
After all, even being a servant in an Immortal Sect elevates one above the ordinary, enough to make common mortals envious.
"Now announcing the selection list!"
"Official Outer Sect Disciples: Mu Qingwan, Wang Jian, Zhao Xian... a total of five people!"
"Recorded Outer Sect Disciples: Luo Wood, Cao Qingming, Wang Dazhu... a total of twenty-one people!"
...
Upon hearing their names, Mu Qingwan, Wang Jian, and others all displayed looks of joy!
Recorded disciples still need to undergo evaluation after entering the sect; only upon meeting the requirements can they become official disciples.
Official disciples receive the best treatment, with monthly allowances of Spirit Stones, Spirit Rice, Pills, and more, far surpassing those of recorded disciples.
And among a batch of disciples, only a select few can become Inner Sect Disciples!
"The rest shall be servants!"
Not even worthy of having their names read.
"Take a short rest, and we'll soon lead you into the mountain gate."
Amidst the crowd, voices erupted, many people were overjoyed.
Wang Dazhu was especially excited; he was just a farmer's son, previously unable to fill his stomach, but now becoming a recorded disciple of an Immortal family was akin to a carp leaping over the dragon's gate!
He turned, ran into the group of "reserve" servants, grasped Li An's hand excitedly, and said:
"Brother An, I made it, I made it!"
Li An felt an immense calmness, but at this moment, he deliberately showed a hint of melancholy, forced a smile, and said, "Dazhu, congratulations."
His expression made Wang Dazhu a bit flustered, "Brother An, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to... don't mind."
"I understand, between you and me, how could I hold a grudge?"
Though Wang Dazhu wasn't very emotionally intelligent, he was simple-hearted; otherwise, he wouldn't have tried to bring Li An along to pass the level earlier.
"Li An,"
At this time, a few others came over, the one leading was none other than Zhao Xian.
He was the child of a Cultivation Clan, well-raised from a young age, showing extraordinary manners, with a gentle smile.
"I didn't expect you'd fall behind on the last challenge... it's truly regrettable."
Li An scoffed inwardly, prior to this, despite their different backgrounds, Zhao Xian had always been polite due to Li An's decent aptitudes, calling him a "Daoist Friend Li."
Now, calling him directly by name, his attitude had subtly changed.
Moreover, if Li An hadn't failed, Zhao Xian would have been ranked fourth!
Generally speaking, the top three have the greatest hope of advancing to Inner Sect disciples.
So, what was a regret for Li An, was rather a good thing for Zhao Xian, and the happiness and pride in his eyes didn't escape Li An.
"Brother Li, are your injuries alright?"
Mu Qingwan, possessing a Yellow Rank Middle Grade Wood Spirit Root, spoke with a hint of concern in her beautiful eyes.
Mu Qingwan also came from an ordinary background, and on the way to Profound Yang Sect, Li An had helped her with some fundamental knowledge, gaining a bit of her favor. Since he was a year older, she called him brother.
"My Dantian is cracked, Spirit Root damaged, internal organs are terribly painful, cough, cough..."
Li An didn't lie, this body was malnourished, and now further harmed by Thunder Spiritual Qi, it's precarious.
"Brother Li need not worry, once Qingwan succeeds in her cultivation, I will surely seize the opportunity to heal you."
Mu Qingwan spoke earnestly.
"Thank you."
Li An casually made a polite acknowledgment, not taking it to heart.
From now on, Mu Qingwan was an official Outer Sect disciple; barring mistakes, she'd most likely enter the Inner Sect in the future.
And Li An... remained a servant.
The difference was as vast as the sky and earth; the slight bond built on the way into the sect was insignificant.
His Spirit Root was now damaged, repairable only with Foundation Establishment Stage Pills.
"No need for Miss Mu to worry!"
Zhao Xian had already opened his mouth with a laugh: "I still have a Fragment Spirit Pill here, for Li An, it should be enough to heal."
Saying this, he brought out a pill that appeared murky.
Fragment Spirit Pill was an impure byproduct from a cultivator's alchemy, not graded, containing a bit of spiritual power, scorned by cultivators, yet quite precious to ordinary martial experts outside the cultivation world.
But Li An quickly refused, "No need..."
His heart chilled slightly, heh, Zhao was using him to curry favor with Mu Qingwan.
On the way here, because Mu Qingwan walked quite close with Li An, Zhao Xian had been displeased, and the intent was now evident.
If Li An accepted the pill, Mu Qingwan would have no reason to help him with his healing.
"Li An, there's no need to be polite with me, it'll be hard for you to get medicine to heal in the sect!"
Zhao Xian was a little displeased, his words implying that Li An didn't know what was good for him.
Li An softly said, "Precisely, this favor, Li An cannot repay later."
He wasn't concerned about saving face; if Zhao Xian offered a First Grade Spiritual Qi Pill, Li An would definitely accept it and thank him properly.
But a Fragment Spirit Pill...
This thing had too much pill poison.
Consuming it might temporarily boost energy but would drain life.
"Alright then, if you don't want it, so be it, I guess Brother Li doesn't think much of this Fragment Spirit Pill."
Zhao Xian's brow carried a faint trace of ridicule.
Li An said nothing, only turned to Mu Qingwan, saying, "Immortal Mu, congratulations on being first..."
Mu Qingwan heard this, a trace of sigh flitting between her refined brows.
Mortals addressed cultivators uniformly as Immortal.
Likewise, the identity of a servant within the sect wasn't much superior to that of ordinary people, so even to recorded and official disciples, they were all addressed as Immortal.
Li An was proactively drawing a line, wanting no entanglements with the promising future of Mu Qingwan.
After all, Li An understood the peril of beauty.
In this life, he only wanted to pursue the Immortal Dao!
Upon these words, Zhao Xian immediately showed a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.
This Li An also knew his place!
The displeasure caused by Li An's earlier refusal also dissipated.
"All disciples, quickly gather and prepare to enter the mountain gate!"
The voice of Profound Yang Sect's elder rang out.
No time for more words, they turned to see two giant White Eagles flying out from the majestic gate of Profound Yang Sect, their wings spanning dozens of meters wide, landing before the crowd, stirring up dust.
"Official disciples, recorded disciples, board the White Eagles!"
A group of new disciples was extremely excited at this moment, hastily climbing onto the eagle's back.
"Daoist Friend Li... take care."
Mu Qingwan said softly to Li An as she left.
She understood Li An's intentions, so she didn't insist.
"Brother An, I'm going first, I'll look for you once I reach the mountain gate—"
Wang Dazhu also waved at Li An.
The White Eagles flapped their wings, taking the many disciples into the air, stirring up dust.
Leaving about twenty servants standing in place.
"What about us?"
"Immortal, will other White Eagles come to take us?"
Servants asked a young practitioner of Profound Yang Sect beside them.
"White Eagles to take you? Who do you think you are?"
The young man's face was full of impatience, "Climb up yourselves—"
Finishing this, he turned and stepped onto the mountain path, his face full of displeasure.
Originally, he could have ridden the White Eagle, but now, due to these worthless servants, he had to climb the mountain himself...
A group of servants stood still, Walk up by ourselves?
Li An, though, took a deep breath, calmly followed along.
These things, he didn't care about, now... he only wanted to quickly find a place to cultivate the Life Nourishing Immortal Skill!
Currently, he was still very weak, and had yet to formally step onto the cultivation path.
Staying temporarily at Profound Yang Sect was the best option.
...
In the sky.
On the back of the White Eagles, Mu Qingwan, Zhao Xian, and the others, whether intentionally or not, turned to look down at the winding, rugged mountain path…
They all understood.
From now on, their fates and that of Li An were just like this moment, one in the heavens, the other on the ground, possibly never to intersect again!
...