The next morning, Kai stood amongst the remaining participants on the grand plateau. His eyes scanned the crowd, noting the significant reduction in numbers. Where hundreds had stood just a few days before, now only about a hundred remained.

There was a nervous energy in the air as the students – well, disciples – whispered and fidgeted, waiting to hear their fate. Kai's eyes darted to the row of elders, who sat like a panel of college admissions officers. Their faces gave nothing away.

A scowl from across the plateau caught Kai's attention. Sun Jun, the arrogant young master, was glaring daggers at him. Kai suppressed a smirk.

Looks like someone heard about the results of the Trial of Heart.

Liu Wei, who was standing beside Kai, leaned over. "Master," he whispered, "have you noticed? There are so few of us left."

Before Kai could respond, Zhi-Zhi's head popped out from Liu Wei's robes. "Of course there are fewer participants, you simpleton!" the spirit tortoise declared. "Only the cream of the crop remains! The truly elite! Like myself, of course."

Kai shook his head. "You're both right, in a way," he said. "The sect must have kicked out those who failed yesterday's Trial of Heart as soon as they woke up."

Liu Wei's brow furrowed. "But why? Couldn't they still be useful to the sect?"

"Think about it," Kai explained, slipping into his 'instructor' role. "The Trial of Heart tested our moral character and trustworthiness. There's no place in a powerful sect for people they can't trust."

Zhi-Zhi nodded. "Exactly! Just as I was about to say. The Azure Sky Sect can't afford to harbor potential traitors or troublemakers.”

"So, what happens now?" Liu Wei asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Kai's eyes scanned the plateau, taking in the nervous faces of the other participants. "Now, we wait to see where we'll be placed. Everyone here will enter the sect, but our performance will determine whether we end up in the Outer Sect, Inner Sect, or as Core Disciples."

Liu Wei's eyes widened. "Core Disciples?"

A ghost of a smile played on Kai's lips. "It's possible for anyone who's impressed the right people. And if someone's truly exceptional, they might even become the Sect Master's disciple - a Legacy Disciple."

Zhi-Zhi puffed out his tiny chest. "Well, I think we all know who's going to be chosen as the Legacy Disciple. After all, with my guidance-"

The spirit tortoise's boast was cut short as a hush fell over the crowd. All eyes turned to the sky, where a figure was descending from the heavens.

Showtime, Kai thought as the Sect Master gracefully touched down on the central throne.

Elder Tao, the Nascent Soul cultivator Kai had met earlier, rose from his seat. His voice, amplified by qi, rang out across the plateau. "Congratulations to all who stand before us today. You have successfully completed the trials and may now call yourselves official disciples of the Azure Sky Sect."

A ripple of excitement passed through the crowd but Kai remained still, his eyes fixed on Elder Tao.

With a wave of his hand, Elder Tao conjured a screen of water in the air. "Here are the final results of the trial."

Kai's eyes quickly scanned the list:

* Shen Yu

* Kai Thorn

* Zhi-Zhi

* Liu Wei

* Lu Chen

* Sun Jun

Second place, just like I expected. Not bad, but not quite the protagonist's spot either. Still, having my whole group in the top spots is pretty impressive.

As if echoing his thoughts, Liu Wei let out a gasp. "Master Kai! We're all at the top of the list!"

Zhi-Zhi preened. "Of course we are! With my guidance, how could we be anywhere else?"

Kai allowed himself a small smile. "We did well," he said quietly. "But don't let it go to your head. The real challenge begins once we enter the sect."

As he spoke, a notification popped up in Kai's vision:

Quest Complete: Join a Cultivation Sect Description: You have successfully passed the recruitment trials and joined the Azure Sky Sect

Reward: Sect Membership, 1000 XP, 3 Random Cultivation Resources

Would you like to accept your cultivation resources now?

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Not now, Kai thought, dismissing the prompt. I'll check those out when I'm alone. No need to draw unnecessary attention here.

Elder Tao's voice cut through Kai's thoughts. "Those ranked outside the top thirty will join the Outer Sect," he announced, gesturing to one of the Outer Elders. "Please follow Elder Bao. He will guide you to the Outer Sect territory and explain your duties."

Kai watched as over half of the remaining participants were led away, their faces a mix of disappointment and relief.

At least they made it into the sect, he thought. For many, that's a life-changing opportunity in itself.

Once the new Outer Disciples had left, Elder Tao continued. "The rest of you have earned the title of Inner Disciple," he paused, his gaze sweeping over the remaining participants. "However, some of you may be fortunate enough to be chosen as a disciple by an Inner Elder, elevating you to the status of Core Disciple."

A murmur of excitement rippled through the crowd. Kai's eyes narrowed slightly as he noticed Elder Tao's gaze lingering on him and a few others at the top of the list.

"And if fate truly smiles upon you," Elder Tao added, his voice dropping to a near whisper that somehow still carried across the plateau, "the Sect Master himself may choose to take a disciple."

The murmur grew to a fever pitch. Kai could practically feel the hunger radiating from those around him.

Keep calm, Kai reminded himself. This is just like the climax of a recruitment arc in a game. Stay focused on the goal.

Elder Tao raised a hand for silence. "Remember, that you have the right to decline if an elder chooses you as a disciple."

This announcement was met with confused whispers. Kai overheard one participant mutter to another, "Why would anyone do that?"

Why indeed? Kai thought. Unless they had a very specific plan... or knew something that others didn't.

His gaze drifted to Shen Yu, who stood apart from the others, his face an unreadable mask.

Elder Tao gestured, and five figures rose from their thrones. "Allow me to introduce our Inner Elders," he said. "Each a powerhouse at the Nascent Soul realm."

Kai studied each elder as they were introduced:

Elder Yu, a bulky man with a wild beard and hands that looked like they could arm-wrestle a mountain and win. Kai made a mental note: don't shake his hand.

Elder Lian, a young-looking woman with blue hair and eyes that seemed to hold the depths of the ocean.

Elder Xiao appeared next, so tiny that Kai almost missed her. But he knew that the petite brunette had more qi in her pinky than the participants combined.

The fourth Nascent Soul cultivator was Elder Jiang, a tall man whose face was as impassive as a statue.

And finally, Elder Wu, rotund and jolly-looking. He remined Kai of the friendly guy who always worked the deli counter at his local supermarket back on Earth. The kind of person who'd slip you an extra slice of cheese with a wink.

Five Nascent Soul cultivators, Kai thought. Any one of them could probably reshape a mountain with a thought.

The selection process began. Elder Yu stepped forward first, his voice a rumble like distant thunder. "Sun Jun of the Sun Clan," he called out. "Would you like to take me as your master?”

Sun Jun strode forward, his head held high. "I would be honored, Elder Yu," he said, bowing deeply.

No surprise there, Kai thought. The brash, arrogant young master type always seems to get picked early in these stories.

Next was Elder Lian, her voice was nothing like the previous elder’s, it was light and melodious, just like a spring breeze. "Lu Chen of the Moon Clan," she announced. "Will you accept me as your master?"

"The honor is mine, Master," Lu Chen bowed.

They're pairing the disciples with elders that match their temperaments and I assume their elemental affinities, Kai realized. It's a smart move. The right mentor can magnify a disciple's strengths and shore up their weaknesses.

His analysis was interrupted when Elder Jiang spoke. "Liu Wei," he called out.

Kai felt Liu Wei stiffen beside him. "M-me?" the former bandit stammered.

"Yes, you," Elder Jiang said, a hint of impatience in his tone. "I see potential in you, boy. Will you accept my guidance?"

Liu Wei looked at Kai, his eyes wide with a mix of excitement and fear. Kai gave him a subtle nod.

This is a great opportunity for him. And having a connection to one of the Inner Elders could be useful for me down the line. Especially if the sect is split into factions like they tend to be in novels.

"I... I accept, Elder Jiang," Liu Wei said, bowing deeply. "Thank you for this honor."

As Liu Wei took his place beside his new master, Kai's mind raced. Three down, two to go. And neither Shen Yu, Zhi-Zhi, nor I have been chosen yet. What game are they playing?

He scanned the faces of the remaining elders, looking for any hint of their intentions. But their expressions remained impassive, giving nothing away.

This isn't like the novels, Kai realized. There's no arguing or competing over disciples. It's too orderly, too... choreographed. They must have decided all this beforehand.

The thought was both reassuring and unsettling. On one hand, it meant the sect was well-organized and efficient. On the other, it suggested a level of behind-the-scenes maneuvering that Kai would need to be wary of.

Zhi-Zhi, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, suddenly piped up. "Ahem! I believe the esteemed elders have overlooked a prime candidate for discipleship. Namely, me!"

The spirit tortoise puffed out his chest, clearly expecting the elders to fall over themselves to claim him. Instead, they continued their selections, seemingly oblivious to Zhi-Zhi's existence.

"But... but..." Zhi-Zhi sputtered, his tiny eyes wide with disbelief. "Don't they realize what they're missing? The wisdom I could impart? The secrets of the universe I could reveal?"

Kai patted Zhi-Zhi's shell gently. "Maybe they're saving the best for last," he said, trying to keep the amusement out of his voice.

Or maybe they're not interested in a spirit beast who talks big but hides in his shell at the first sign of danger, he thought. Though I have to admit, Zhi-Zhi's "wisdom" can be unexpectedly useful... when he's not making things up. And who wouldn’t want a rare spirit beast as a disciple?

As the selection continued, Kai noticed that neither he nor Shen Yu had been chosen. Interesting. Are they saving us for something special? Or is this a test of some kind?

He glanced at Shen Yu, trying to gauge the other boy's reaction. As usual, Shen Yu's face was an unreadable mask. But for a split second, Kai thought he saw a flicker of... satisfaction? in Shen Yu's eyes.

What is your goal? Kai wondered.

Before he could ponder further, a hush fell over the plateau. Kai looked up to see the Sect Master rising from his throne. The entire plateau fell silent, all eyes fixed on the most powerful cultivator present.

The Sect Master's gaze swept over the disciples, seeming to pierce through flesh and bone to examine their very souls.

"It seems," the Sect Master said, his voice somehow both a whisper and a thunderclap, "that we have some... interesting candidates remaining."

This is it, Kai thought, his heart rate picking up despite his efforts to stay calm. The moment of truth. Time to see if I've done enough to catch the big fish.

The Sect Master's eyes moved from Kai to Shen Yu, then to the still-fuming Zhi-Zhi. His expression was unreadable, but Kai thought he detected a glimmer of... amusement?

"Shen Yu," the Sect Master said, his gaze settling back on Shen Yu. "Step forward."