A quiet night passed, and as dawn broke, people began to gather at the foot of Qingling Sect. As the sun rose higher, the number of people outside the formation increased. Although there were many, the eligible youths numbered fewer than fifty, with most being accompanying relatives.

At that moment, an old man and a young girl walked over slowly.

"Grandpa, there are so many people!"

"Many of these youths will be your fellow disciples in the future. Once you join the sect, remember to get along with your peers and not slack off in your training."

"Hmph! Not gonna happen!"

The girl made a funny face and dashed ahead.

"Slow down, be careful not to fall!"

The old man called out with a loving expression.

Meanwhile, another boy expressed his nervousness to his mother.

"This many people makes me a bit anxious..."

"This is a chance for you, Iron Pillar. Other factions select disciples based on talent, but Qingling Sect doesn't emphasize qualifications. You must take this opportunity seriously."

"Yes, Uncle Bear, I will work hard and make life better for my mother."

"Good boy, I believe in you."

Around them, many elders were advising their juniors, and each youth had a determined look, filled with hope as they gazed at the mist-shrouded mountain gate. Suddenly, a cheerful chirping echoed around.

"Chirp chirp..."

As the mist dispersed, Bai Ye and Liu Hongfeng emerged from the formation, one in a white dress and the other in red clothing, both exuding an extraordinary aura.

"Look, it's the fairies!"

"They're so beautiful, they must be..."

"Shut up!"

"Those are the warriors of Qingling Sect, not village girls you can tease."

"The fairies of Qingling Sect have come out!"

"Grandpa, they're so pretty! When I grow up, I want to be just like them and be strong too!"

"You're right." Old Chen chuckled awkwardly.

Seeing the noisy crowd, Bai Ye frowned slightly. "Sister, it seems there are fewer disciples coming for the selection."

"Your brother admitted that matter publicly, and with most people having fled, I'm surprised we have this many."

Bai Ye nodded, her cool voice resonating through the crowd.

"All selected disciples, please step forward; relatives, wait here."

"Niece, go ahead. Grandpa will wait for you outside."

"Mom, Iron Pillar is going!"

"Go, Er Niu, do your best!"

...

The youths approached the front, and after a brief count, Bai Ye signaled for them to follow her. Soon, they arrived at the martial arts arena. Liu Hongqing was already waiting there to distribute number plates and explain the assessment process.

With everything ready, the tests officially began.

"Qualification assessment starts; number one, please step forward."

—Number one, bone age thirteen, low qualification. Please queue at the low hill.

At the stone, Liu Hongqing took notes while advising. Hearing he had low qualifications, the boy hung his head in shame and walked toward the low hill.

—Number seven, bone age fourteen, medium qualification.

—Number fifteen, bone age thirteen, substandard qualification.

"Substandard?!" Iron Pillar's face went pale, his fists clenched tightly as memories of his mother's hopeful expression flooded his mind, leaving him blank and heart-wrenched.

"Fifteen, please queue at the low hill."

"Fifteen? Fifteen..."

"Oh, oh." Regaining his senses, Iron Pillar hurriedly bowed in apology to Liu Hongqing.

"Uh... no need to apologize. Having poor qualifications is okay; as long as your heart for martial arts is firm, there's still a chance... Good luck!" Liu Hongqing cheered him on with a clenched fist.

Iron Pillar's dark face showed seriousness as he nodded heavily and moved to queue at the low hill. In the gathering room, Li Sheng had already finished his training and was closely monitoring the assessment.

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"Substandard?" A wave of emotion washed over him as he recalled his own past qualifications, memories flooding back.

...

The qualification tests quickly neared their end.

—Number forty-three, bone age thirteen, top talent.

"Wow, top talent!"

"She's amazing!"

"Sister, finally a good seedling!" Bai Ye smiled.

"This girl looks very spirited."

Once the last two tested, the first part concluded. At this point, Liu Hongfeng stepped forward, meeting the hopeful gazes of the youths.

"Currently, only one person has passed the assessment, but the others need not be discouraged. Do you see the steps before you? If you can step up five levels, you will become a disciple of minor rank; if you reach nine levels, you will become an outer sect disciple. Begin!"

Liu Hongqing leaned closer, looking at the two.

"Mom, Bai Ye, how many do you think will join the sect this time?"

"Hard to say; there might be many minor rank disciples, but I suspect only that girl will become an outer sect disciple."

"That seems to be the case." Bai Ye agreed.

As the assessment began, the atmosphere grew tense.

—Number one, stops at the second level, failed!

—Number three, five levels, passed!

—Number seven, five levels, passed!

—Number fourteen, five levels, passed!

Now it was Iron Pillar's turn. Taking a deep breath, he stepped onto the platform.

"Uh~"

He let out a grunt, nearly losing his balance. Iron Pillar gritted his teeth, trembling as he climbed the second level, pausing briefly before reaching the third and fourth levels. Sweat poured down his face as he turned pale, his mind blank, his heart screaming.

"Hold on! Hold on!"

"I want to give my mother a good life; hold on..."

His vision blurred by sweat, his body felt heavy as lead, forgetting the assessment standards, his mind focused on a single thought.

"Move forward!"

In a daze, Iron Pillar thought he heard cheers, but the immense pressure left him little time to ponder.

"Seventh level!" Bai Ye exclaimed, astonished.

"Exceptional willpower, nice!" Liu Hongfeng was quite satisfied.

"Eighth level!" Liu Hongqing cried out; she had just stepped onto the eighth level herself, but her mastery was complete at the eighth rank. Iron Pillar hadn't even started training yet, yet his determination matched hers.

Upon reaching the eighth level, Iron Pillar seemed to hit his limit, his body shaking and bending under the pressure.

"Did I pass?" Iron Pillar's consciousness was fading.

"Should have... So tired... Can't hold on..."

"No! What if I'm just one level short?!"

His body, nearly at a ninety-degree angle, suddenly straightened, and he stepped into the ninth level.

Then, darkness enveloped him.

Prepared, Wang Hu swiftly climbed the mountain, catching Iron Pillar just as he was about to fall.

—Number seventeen, ninth level, passed!

Liu Hongfeng rushed over, finding him merely exhausted and a bit dehydrated. She gave him a restorative pill and entrusted him to Wang Hu's care.

Iron Pillar's perseverance seemed to inspire the other youths. Among nearly thirty, only two were eliminated, while the rest passed the assessment.

When the final results were announced, Iron Pillar had regained consciousness.

"The first place in this assessment is..."

"Yin Xixi!"

"Second... Wang Tiezhu!"

"These two are promoted to outer sect disciples, while the remaining twenty-nine are minor rank disciples."

"Those who did not pass, follow me out of the sect." After announcing the results, Bai Ye led the unsuccessful candidates out.