The leading elder waits several seconds for his words to carry over the plaza — which they did in an effortless fashion. It is difficult to imagine that he could allow his voice to carry with such crystal clarity over such a distance, so I suspect that he must use some form of technique or device to achieve such a feat.

But just like with the purple and red crystal that the elder brings out from his storage ring, I am unable to use my [Critical Analysis] ability to identify anything about the situation, as it is not within my direct perception radius.

I do not need advanced abilities to identify that the crystal the elder holds is a valuable treasure. It glows with a faint light from within that hints that it contains a mist-like substance beneath the crystalline shell. From the perspective of material sciences, the crystal defies all logic and natural laws — chemistry also — but that is not that surprising to me, especially now.

If anything, I harbor a desire to experience and learn new things, and though my processing power at the moment is not capable of unraveling all secrets — like it once has been — if I can attain immortality, then through time I will learn everything there is to learn about this world and its laws.

“The first phase of the Martial Meeting will be held in seven days at the Galaxy Sword Sect’s testing grounds,” the elder speaks, his volume at speaking level but retaining that same intensity and loudness over hundreds of steps. “In this phase, all those who wish to join the sect may take the basic aptitude test which will be administered through the Pagoda of Introspection.”

The crystal in the elder’s hand suddenly lights up, and eight multi-colored beams of light shoot out into the sky, twisting inwards to form a helix shape. The light refracts through the air or something invisible in it to project an image into the center of the helix: a giant pagoda with fourteen floors.

The next elder in line, the only female in the group, steps forward and performs a greeting towards the stands dedicated to the officials of the city. She has long black hair and icy blue eyes; her face is stern and her bearing reminds me of Lady Yue in the way that her stoic countenance makes her appear imperious.

“I will explain how the Pagoda of Introspection functions,” she says and her voice carries in the same manner as the previous elder. “At the Galaxy Sword Sect, we focus on cultivating the sword — though we offer limited guidance on other weapons and arts as well. For someone to join our sect, they must distinguish themselves as suitable for cultivating the sword. The Pagoda of Introspection tests these meritorious traits.”

The people nearby nod; some even smile. I notice a few people looking in Lan Xiaohui’s direction, but they mostly seem enchanted by her beauty as there are no signs of recognition on their features.

“To pass three floors of the Pagoda is to be considered an average talent; these floors correspond to virtue, dedication, and justice — the three most crucial aspects of cultivating the sword!” the elder exclaims with a sense of conviction in her tone. “Five floors is considered a suitable talent and the minimum required to pass. Passing ten floors is considered a genius, like Su Ning from five years ago. Twelve floors are considered an earth-shattering talent; it only happened twice so far.”

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The crowd erupted in cheers and there was a great commotion. Many names were shouted at once, including sentiments that this time one of the applicants will pass twelve floors. I even hear the section dedicated to the Seven Killing Swords sect call out the name Yu Shun and Black Tiger and declare that he would pass all fourteen floors.

The elder’s expression twists into a faint glimpse of mockery at the idea. “To pass all fourteen floors has never happened before; if someone is capable enough to manage this, they would receive great treasures, including excerpts from our most treasured cultivation manual.”

More cheers erupt from the crowd and more baseless declarations that this time it will surely happen. In another section, other individuals begin hawking pills, secret manuals, and artifacts that can help a cultivator pass all fourteen floors.

This time, the leading elder takes over and smiles. “Of course, those we have personally invited to participate do not need to participate in the first phase and can move on directly to the main event, after the Junior Tournament. Of course, if you decide to participate, you will be eligible for the rewards.”

“I, Tian Xing of Nine Clouds Sect, will participate!” Someone immediately calls out from one of the honored stands.

“Xu Qiang of Broken Sword Manor will participate!”

“Likewise, I, Shen Yun of Solar Radiance Sect, will participate!”

Many more names rain down from the stands dedicated to the various sects and some of them generate a warm reception from the crowd.

I begin to understand how this works — the more famous the person participating in the Martial Meeting, the more to the benefit of Star City it is; this is the essence of the volatile economic situation at the moment.

“I heard of this Pagoda before,” Lan Xiaohui says under her breath, loud enough only for me to hear as the stands around her are still erupting in cheers.

“My grandfather told me that to pass all fourteen floors, it is almost impossible,” she explains. “Other sects use the same Pagoda, or a similar one, and he said that in the history of the Sky Continent, it only happened once.”

“What is so difficult about it?” I ask her.

If the Pagoda only tests the qualities of the Dao Heart, I find it difficult to imagine that Lan Xiaohui would be found lacking in any aspect.

A sub-thread of curiosity in me wonders how I would do in the same test. I find the thought extremely unappealing; of course, I would pass all fourteen floors. I am a sword.

“I am not really sure,” Lan Xiaohui whispers. “My grandfather never told me, but I’ve heard from other cultivators that it is extremely difficult. It doesn’t only test your core values, but your deepest desires as well. If you have a weakness or a shortcoming, failing is inevitable. And despite what they said about the minimum requirement, no one who has passed less than ten floors has ever entered the Galaxy Sword Sect.”

Lan Xiaohui is certainly not without flaws, so I can understand why she would consider this test to be extremely difficult. I also understand her concern.

“You will do fine,” I reassure her.

Lan Xiaohui smiles and nods. “I don’t want to disappoint you, Yaoyue,” she says softly.

“You won’t disappoint me,” I tell her honestly. “Even if you fail to enter the Galaxy Sword Sect, I will help you achieve your objectives.”

I leave out the if part of the statement: if you help me achieve mine.

Lan Xiaohui understands the meaning of my words and even those I leave out. “I know.”

She rises out of the seats as the Elders on the podium also begin to leave.

In a week, the Martial Meeting will begin in earnest, and I feel a fire light up in Lan Xiaohui’s heart — though it is nothing like the Purifier Soul Fire inside mine.

I sense a sharp determination rise in her and a desire to not fail the first test at any cost.