Chapter Seventeen: The Three Steps of the Discipleship Test

Yunxiang Moyu swept her gaze over the crowd outside the palace gates and spoke, “Lingyun Mountain is a sacred place for cultivating immortality, having stood for more than ten thousand years since ancient times. In the heavens above, among the celestial realms, many have begun their journey here, forging their foundation and ascending to immortality after a hundred tribulations. For example, Yun Luo, the celestial maidservant of the Moon Palace, and Chang Kong, the guardian of the Bamboo Forest, both attained their immortal ranks after cultivating in Lingyun Mountain.”

Celestial maidservants and guardians—why are they all such insignificant figures? I frowned at her; she seemed to boast about these minor characters as if they were noteworthy.

Wouldn’t it be better to join our demonic path, become a mighty guardian in the Demon Realm, and invade the Celestial Realm? At least then, one could rule a corner of the demon lands, which is far superior to serving immortals and tending bamboos in the heavens.

“So what about you? Why haven’t you ascended to immortality?”

A middle-aged man’s voice rang out.

I turned my head; the speaker was the uncle whose wary eyes had been fixed on me, now craning his neck and shouting loudly at Yunxiang Moyu.

At this moment, asking such a question here, it was clear he had no real intention of becoming Zilian’s disciple—he was simply looking for an opportunity to insult Yunxiang Moyu.

I watched with an amused heart, waiting for the chief disciple of Yuanxu Sect to flare up before the Ziwei Palace. Yet, unexpectedly, Yunxiang Moyu didn’t even acknowledge the provocation. Her expression remained unchanged, calm as she replied, “This test consists of three steps. The first is observation—selecting those among you with extraordinary bone structure and the foundation for cultivation. The second is severing desire.

Severing desire can be difficult, but it can also be simple.”

“So is it difficult or simple?”

It was the mud spirit with less than five hundred years of cultivation who posed this question.

Yunxiang Moyu answered, “Severing desire means throwing all your valuables into the Revealing Demon Pool, then standing beside the pool, letting the sunlight cast your shadow upon the water. This method prevents local demons from sneaking in among you and causing trouble, especially since Lingyun Mountain’s barrier has been open these days.”

Her words caused a ripple of murmurs among the crowd.

“The third step is testing wisdom. This examines your aptitude, intelligence, and heart—essentials on the path to immortality. So there’s no need to worry excessively.”

“The third step has many procedures, so it will be kept simple. After passing the first two, the final test will be decided by the sect leader.”

With that, she turned to bow respectfully to Zilian. After Zilian nodded assent, Yunxiang Moyu turned back to the crowd outside the palace gates, her gaze arrogant and her demeanor stern.

So young, yet so mature in conduct—truly, it’s not good, not good at all.

I shook my head and, suddenly, saw several disciples from Ziwei Palace carrying a sandalwood couch out, placing it behind Zilian.

What are they doing? I watched them with curiosity.

The disciples spread thick quilts atop the couch and, bowing deeply, stood respectfully before Zilian, their lips moving as they spoke words I could not hear. Once Zilian nodded consent, they hurried back into the Ziwei Palace.

I passed the first test with ease—after all, I am a little carp who has cultivated for over three thousand years. Although my current cultivation has dwindled to just two thousand years, having a solid foundation makes all the difference.

But when it came to the second test, my confidence wavered. Watching some little demons and spirits revealed and chased off the mountain, my heart grew more and more uneasy.