The next morning, the Outer Sect Disciple Recruitment Assembly commenced. Thousands of disciples, both newcomers and servant disciples, gathered in the grand square beneath the towering Heaven Sword Sect's Main Hall.
At the highest platform, the Sect Master stood tall, his unshakable presence looming over the entire sect. His fierce aura pressed down like a mountain, and even if a storm raged, his stance would not waver.
With a voice like thunder, he addressed the gathered disciples:
"Today marks the beginning of your journey in the Heaven Sword Sect! Strength, determination, and loyalty will be tested! Only the worthy shall advance!"
The speech sent ripples of excitement and fear through the crowd. This was no ordinary selection.
Once the speech concluded, the three-stage examination began.
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First Test: Talent Assessment
A mystical Crystal Stone was used to measure spiritual roots—the foundation of a cultivator's potential.
In the Heaven Sword Sect, spiritual roots were classified as follows:
1. Five Spiritual Roots – The most common, but slowest cultivation speed.
2. Four Spiritual Roots – Slightly better, but still lacks efficiency.
3. Three Spiritual Roots – Considered decent; qualifies for outer sect training.
4. Two Spiritual Roots – A rare talent; nurtured carefully.
5. Single Spiritual Root and mutated spiritual root – A true genius with extremely fast cultivation speed.
6. Top-Grade Spiritual Root – Possessing an enhanced version of a Single Spiritual Root, granting high efficiency and greater mastery over a specific Dao.
7. Heavenly Spiritual Root – A supreme talent.
There are spiritual roots above the Heavenly Spiritual Root, but in the High Heavenly Dao World, there are fewer than five in existence.
Five and Four Spiritual Roots → Assigned as common outer sect disciples.
Three and Two Spiritual Roots → Given special attention by elders.
Single Spiritual Root and above → Recruited directly under Peak Masters or Grand Elders.
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Second Test: Bone Age Examination
A disciple's age and potential were analyzed.
Only those below 20 years old who had reached Foundation Establishment Realm were eligible for outer sect discipleship.
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Third Test: Willpower and Combat Evaluation
Cultivation was not just about talent—willpower, combat ability, and adaptability were necessary. Those who failed this test would be rejected, regardless of their talent.
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As the recruitment progressed, numerous disciples were either selected or eliminated.
However, none of this mattered to Xu Tianran's clone.
As Xu Wei, he silently observed everything, avoiding unnecessary interactions. His sole focus was gathering crucial information.
To remain unnoticed, he never spoke to anyone and instead relied on his System Identification Function to analyze the Peak Masters, Elders, and elite disciples present at the event.
But as he scanned them one by one…
His expression darkened.
What he discovered left him utterly shocked.
The Identification Function revealed the true nature of the entire sect, exposing the real identities of the Sect Master and Peak Masters. Notably, no Great Elders were present at the Outer Sect disciple recruitment, as they were all in seclusion. As for the Sect's Ancestor, there was no need to mention him—he would only appear if the sect faced the threat of complete destruction.
Sect Master
Name: Jian Wusheng
Disguised Cultivation: 9th Void Refinement Realm
True Cultivation: 9th Unity Realm
Position: Sect Master of Heaven Sword Sect
Status: Uncertain
1. Name: Feng Qingyuan
Peak: Law Enforcement Peak
True Cultivation: 9th Void Refinement Realm
Status: Loyal
2. Name: Mu Lingzhi
Peak: Pill Refinement Peak
True Cultivation: 8th Void Refinement Realm
Status: Loyal
3. Name: Lu Tianfeng
Peak: Talisman Creation Peak
True Cultivation: 7th Void Refinement Realm
Status: Loyal
4. Name: Han Guanting
Peak: Array Formation Peak
True Cultivation: 6th Void Refinement Realm
Status: Loyal
5. Name: Zhao Wudao
Peak: Martial Training Peak
True Cultivation: 9th Void Refinement Realm
Status: Loyal
6. Name: Xue Bairen
Peak: Outer Protection Peak
True Cultivation: 9th Void Refinement Realm
Status: Loyal
7. Name: Duan Zhenhai
Peak: Treasure Vault Peak
True Cultivation: 9th Void Refinement Realm
Status: Loyal
8. Name: Guo Tiancheng
Peak: Weapon Forging Peak
True Cultivation: 4th Void Refinement Realm
Status: Loyal
9. Name: Ren Jiuyang
Peak: Shadow Combat Peak
Disguised Cultivation: 5th Void Refinement Realm
True Cultivation: 7th Void Refinement Realm
Sect Affiliation: Heaven Devouring Sect
Status: Extremely Hostile (Secretly grooming spies and assassins)
10. Name: Wu Chenghai
Peak: Intelligence & Communication Peak
Disguised Cultivation: 6th Void Refinement Realm
True Cultivation: 9th Void Refinement Realm
Sect Affiliation: Black Shadow Sect
Status: Extremely Hostile (Feeding false information to Heaven Sword Sect)
11. Name: Bai Ruotian
Peak: Stealth & Concealment Peak
Disguised Cultivation: 4th Void Refinement Realm
True Cultivation: 8th Void Refinement Realm
Sect Affiliation: Blood Demon Sect
Status: Extremely Hostile (Recruiting demonic spies within the sect)
12. Name: Shangguan Ye
Peak: Disciplinary Peak
Disguised Cultivation: 3rd Void Refinement Realm
True Cultivation: 7th Void Refinement Realm
Sect Affiliation: Abyssal Night Sect
Status: Extremely Hostile (Orchestrating assassinations of talented disciples)
The Identification Function revealed a shocking truth—four Peak Masters were spies from demonic sects, along with countless elders, direct disciples, true disciples, core disciples, inner disciples, outer disciples and servant disciples. The sheer number of infiltrators was staggering.
As for the Sect Master, his status remained uncertain. Did he originally come as a demonic spy but later become loyal to the sect? Or was it the other way around? Even he himself seemed unsure of the truth behind the sect's situation.
Xu Tianran's thoughts spiraled further. If even the High Heaven Dao World is one-third infiltrated by spies, then what about the Immortal World I lived in my past life? What about my former sect, the Heavenly Star Sect?
Back then, I had no system—no way to see the truth hidden beneath the surface. I was blind, unaware of the countless dangers lurking around me. Could my past have been manipulated without me even realizing it?
He exhaled sharply. No matter. The past is the past.
Now, he was clear on what needed to be done—and what must never be done.
