The grand palace hall became silent with awkwardness as Chico looked at the sect elders without saying a word.
The six didn't know what to say next, still terrified by Chico's abilities. They are convinced that the mysterious man before them is a true expert.
Chico was the first to break the awkward silence by coming up with important questions he needed to know, "Tell me about your Phuphu Mountain Sect. I am not familiar with this place."
The five elders looked at the Sect Master, expecting him to inform the senior in detail, but surprisingly, Supreme Elder Katt rushed to explain first to impress the new master."
"Immortal Father, my Phuphu Mountain Sect is one of the overlords in the eastern region. Our sect is a super sect that oversees 17 cities, 29 clans, and 7 sects. Like any other sect, Phuphu Mountain has outer disciples, inner disciples, and head disciples. The outer disciples are the recruits who just recently reached the Channel Opening or Vitality Roots Stage. The sect currently has over three thousand outer disciples. Once the disciple reaches the Spiritual Seed Shaping Stage, the disciple can be accepted as an inner disciple, and be looked after by the elders and head disciples, and also be supplied with sect resources. The head disciples are the personal disciples selected by elders. The head disciples receive special privileges over those of the inner disciples. In my Phuphu Mountain Sect, once one reaches the final of the Spiritual Seed Nurturing Stage, one can be considered the elder of the sect. The elders in the Sect are currently not more than sixty in number." Supreme Elder Katt said as she looked at the Sect Master to give him a chance to speak more.
"My Phuphu Mountain has an ancestor at the early Soul Unification Stage. The same level our Supreme Elder just reached today. Without the sect's ancestor, it would be difficult for us to remain one of the overlords in the eastern region. Now that the Supreme Elder has reached the same cultivation stage as the ancestor, our overlordship is solidified. We have a great chance now to expand the territory of the sect even further if we so wish. As for the sect's ancestor, she has been in seclusion for five years now. I guess she won't come out until she breaks through the minor stage of Soul Unification." Sect Master Phino said as he looked at others to add more information that he couldn't recall at this moment.
"I see. I didn't know that your sect is a big deal." Chico said it with the expectation of hearing more.
"Haha, I am sure that in front of senior, these achievements are nothing. Senior, today our Phuphu Mountain is taking in new disciples, does senior want to take a look?" Elder Zakes said as he looked at the others to see if he didn't say anything that would be perceived as being rude.
The others looked at Chico with expectation, anxiously waiting for his answer.
Chico thought for a moment, he couldn't manage to waste his flying pills just to fly around for useless reasons, but fortunately, the pill he consumed 30 minutes ago was still in effect. The flying pill is only effective for 3 hours, so he can still play around for the next 2 hours and 30 minutes.
"All right. I would like to see it. I am interested." Chico calmly said it with enthusiasm.
The Sect Master and everyone smiled as their hearts got relieved. Only if they knew that the person before them was just a mortal with no strength, they could use methods to enslave the idiot and use his miracles for themselves as they saw fit.
Chico was led outside of the grand palace, and the six began to fly down like magical beings as Chico followed.
Catching up to the six, Chico asked the question that has been bothering him for a while now, "Sect Master, do you have large crystals in the sect?"
"Of course. Unlike medium and smaller crystals, large crystals are a huge deal and very rare. My Phuphu Mountain is a super sect, and having a few large crystals shows that our sect is a bit wealthy. We currently have 23 large crystals in the sect acquired over a long time." Sect Master Phino said it confidently with a smile.
'What the ****? What's there to be proud about? Just 23 large crystals and you are considered wealthy in this world? Damn it. It looks like it's going to be a drag to collect enough Large Crystals to purchase awesome pills with my 'Online Shopping' ability. This sucks.'
"Oh? I see." Chico replied with disappointment. His mood began to deteriorate. Chico would want to obtain those 23 large crystals later, but now he has to change the subject, "We have descended to the top of the mountain, but we are still going further to the ground. Where are you leading me?"
"Immortal Father, right now the sect is recruiting outer disciples. The location of the place is down the mountain, next to the buildings below. The outer disciples of our sect are placed down the mountain and the inner disciples are on top of the mountain." Supreme Elder Katt took this opportunity to answer. It seems like she is taking her position as Chico's servant seriously. She doesn't want others to steal her limelight.
Reaching a large field similar to an arena, Chico saw the multitudes of people gathered in one place. Thousands and thousands of people came to gather at the arena with the hope of being accepted by the Phuphu Mountain Sect. Phuphu Mountain is a super sect, and many would do anything just to get a chance to be accepted as an outer sect disciple.
"Are those?" Chico asked with shock.
"Senior, these are the people who came to be tested for their potential. Those with impressive potential will be accepted, and others will be turned away." Elder Zakes replied.
Elder Nico added, "We normally accept disciples with the 2nd tier in these tests, but when the crowd is overflowing like this, our requirements could only increase. Today, we could only accept disciples with at least 3rd tier potential and above."
Landing at the top of the stage, Sect Master Phino led the way, "This way, senior."
"Wow! Look, Sect Master, and the elders came." One of the head disciples who was conducting the tests said with disbelief. Normally, people of their high stature don't attend events like outer disciple recruitment.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
The very important people of the sect landed on the highest stage and caused a commotion.
All the elders and the head disciples who were overseeing the tests bowed with respect towards the Sect Master and the five elders.
Apparently, the five elders are not just ordinary elders like the others. The five elders are regarded as elders of the inner circle. One has to reach at least the Soul Germination Stage to be regarded as such.
As the Sect Master and the five elders appeared, the crowd who came for the test began talking.
"What is happening?"
"Who are those?"
"It has to be the bigshots of Phuphu Mountain Sect."
"Look at the attire. How strong could they be?"
"Their attire? That other person with weird clothes looks ordinary to me. Is he also the elder?"
"No way. It has to be a servant. Even if I fail the qualifying test, it looks like I still have a chance to be a servant. If even that ordinary man can do it, I can do it too."
"Even the Sect Master came. Could it be that they detected a talented person today?"
"Father, you accompanied me here today. I will not disappoint you in front of the bigshots of the sect."
Chico overheard the conversations of the public, and he became embarrassed, 'It looks like I will have to change these clothes from my home planet. It is so embarrassing to know what they think about me right now.'
The Sect Master and the Elders became embarrassed to overhear what the crowd said about the man they feared the most.
"Shut up, fools! Elders, please resume with appraising the potentials." Supreme Elder Katt bellowed furiously at the crowd.
"Yes! Supreme Elder!" The elders and the head disciples who were conducting the tests spoke in unison as they proceeded with the selection of new outer disciples.
In the middle of the arena, many tall stones were placed in lines, and the people who came to test were in queues towards any of the tall stones.
"You have 1st tier potential, you failed. Next!"
"You have no potential at all. Why did you even bother? Next"
"A 3rd tier potential? Welcome, junior. You have passed."
"2nd tier potential, try again next year, you might be lucky."
Chico stood up at the highest stage with inner circle sect elders to watch the testing process. He was fascinated to see how other people's fate are tested just like that. You just touch the stone, and you are proclaimed a genius or trash. How unfair.
The tall appraising stone has 7 bars, and based on what bar the light reaches, your future cultivation progress can be predicted.
'System, what are the probabilities of reaching a cultivation stage based on 7 potentials?' Chico asked in his mind.
[Potential Probabilities]
1st tier might reach = Spiritual seed shaping
2nd might reach = Soul germination
3rd might reach = Soul Perfection
4th might reach = Undying body
5th might reach = True immortal
6th to 7th might reach = Immortal God
- Potential depends on body constitution, bloodline, the types of elixirs consumed in the upbringing, age, race, and perception.
'Can you refresh my mind about all cultivation stages again.'
[Cultivation Stages]
Channel Opening Stage
Vitality Roots Stage
Spiritual Seed Shaping Stage
Spiritual Seed Nurturing Stage
Soul Germination Stage
Soul Perfection Stage
Soul Unification Stage
Undying Body Stage
True Immortal Stage
Immortal God Stage
'I see.' Chico smiled as he looked at the tests with a smile, expecting to see talented recruits with higher potential.
"2nd tier. Failed."
"4th tier? You were the first genius we tested today. Your cultivation future is unparalleled."
"I will take this recruit as my personal disciple." Elder Zakes said excitedly as he looked at the young man who just got his potential appraised.
"You can pick recruits as personal disciples?" The surprised Chico asked the elders and the sect Master.
"Yes, senior. It was a stroke of bad luck that the stinking Elder Zakes managed to snatch that disciple before everyone else." Elder Snow Ice said as she smiled with regret.
"Hehehe! There's no need to be jealous, Elder Snow Ice. Who said you should be slow at this moment."
"Dad, I told you that I will not disappoint you today. Thank you for accompanying me." The disciple chosen by Elder Zakes said so excitedly as he hugged his dad.
"Can I choose a disciple as well?" Chico asked the six.
The six were stunned by Chico's unexpected request. Which lucky disciple could be accepted by such a terrifying figure who can make Impossible miracles? Why doesn't he choose themselves as disciples instead?
"Senior, you can choose any disciple as you see fit." Sect Master humbly said it.
Chico's eyes turned to look at the thousands of the crowd, 'System, can you spot anyone with the highest potential?'
[THE YOUNG MAN GLOWING WITH GOLDEN LIGHT IS MARKED AS THE TARGET WITH THE HIGHEST TALENT ]
Chico's eyes scanned the crowd, and fortunately, his target was not that far, "You there, young boy! I chose you as my disciple. Now go to the stone and test your potential."
The entire crowd and the sect members became shocked. How can the man whom they thought to be a servant choose a disciple? Could it be that he is also a bigshot like the Sect Master and Elders of the inner circle? No wonder he could stand on the highest stage with them.
The Head disciples and other elders who were not familiar with Chico were surprised the most. It is shocking to see a new man, whom they thought to be a new servant, brazenly speak to choose a disciple. On top of that, he just picked someone who hasn't been tested yet.
"Senior, are you sure you want to pick that boy? He doesn't look anything special to me and he is not yet tested." Sect Master Phino humbly asked with shock.
"S-senior!" The crowd and sect members spoke with their mouths agape. A man whom even the strongest Sect Master is revering as senior? Who could this ordinary-looking man be?
The young man who was called to test hesitated. He was shocked when a mere servant proclaimed him as his master, and he rushed towards the stone with haste when he heard the Sect Master calling the man senior.
"S-sixth tier? How could it be?" Just as everyone was dazed by the previous occurrence, the stunned and dumbfounded voice of the elder brought everyone to another shock.
The Sect Master and the Elders took two steps forward, dumbstruck by the potential appraising stone.
"A- a genius. A genius seeing once in thousands of years. How can such a genius appear in my Phuphu Mountain Sect?! Hahaha!" Sect Master Phino hysterically bellowed like a madman drawn by happiness and disbelief.
"This is!" Elder Nico bellowed.
"No way!" Elder Snow Ice said this in a daze.
"Impossible! Impossible!" Elder Tommy, who usually doesn't speak much, denied what he was witnessing.
"How did senior know?" Zakes asked in a daze as well.
"Is this my potential?" The 16-year-old-looking young man asked with a dumbfounded look.
Just as everyone is shocked with disbelief, the two figures high in the sky are shocked as well.
"I can't believe this backwater place could have someone with 6th-tier potential. Elder, I am taking this kid back home with us as my disciple." The young man spoke arrogantly and with smugness.
"Don't rush, young master. That mortal was able to pick that kid as his disciple before he could even be tested. Don't you think that is a little bit weird? Even those sect elders didn't scold that mortal when he made that move. I think something is strange here." The old man said it as he carefully thought of the situation.
"Hmph! Who can defy us here? I could only see weaklings. It looks like coming to the eastern region was not in vain. I could go home with such a talented genius." The young man said it with no regard for the old man's warning.
[WARNING! TWO POWERFUL AND HOSTILE FIGURES ARE OBSERVING FROM THE SKY!]
[STATUS]
Name: Head disciple Mjoka
Identity: Personal disciple to Sect Master of Mystic God Palace
Gender: Male
Race: Human
Immortal Level: Advanced stage of Soul Unification
[STATUS]
Name: Elder Mujava
Identity: Elder of Mystic God Palace
Gender: Male
Race: Human Immortal
Immortal Level: Early Stage of Undying Body