Quick Travel to the Clouds

Chapter 416: 1 Road to Immortality 7

Yun Chu's appearance didn't attract much attention. A plainly dressed female cultivator, her aura hovering at the mid-stage of Qi Refining, approached the entrance to the fourth trial, considered a "shortcut." To those around her, she was either an ignorant individual trying to take advantage of the situation, or some lucky individual who had received a modest recommendation—the latter usually signifying a shallow background.

Two Foundation Establishment disciples stood guard at the entrance, their demeanors composed and steady. They glanced at Yun Chu, their gazes fixed on the white jade alchemy cauldron recommendation order she presented, their expressions simultaneously froze.

One of them stepped forward, his tone carrying a barely perceptible solemnity: "Fellow Daoist, please show us your recommendation order."

Yun Chu handed over the jade order as instructed.

The disciple took the jade order and injected a trace of spiritual power into his fingertips.

The cloud-patterned medicine cauldron pattern on the token suddenly lit up, and a layer of soft white light spread out. The word "Recommend" on the back even revealed a familiar, unique imprint of the spiritual consciousness of a peak-level Jindan cultivator - it was the mark of True Lord Yunxin!

"It is indeed the recommendation from True Lord Yunxin, Danding Peak's Master." After confirming this, the disciple looked at Yun Chu with a bit more scrutiny, but his attitude became noticeably more polite. "Fellow Daoist, please follow me."

Another disciple also nodded slightly.

There were no unnecessary questions, no noisy onlookers. Amidst the surprised or inquiring gazes of some surrounding cultivators, Yun Chu was led by this foundation-building disciple and silently stepped into the light curtain formed by the isolation formation.

The light curtain rippled and opened and closed like water waves, instantly isolating most of the noise from the outside world, leaving only a more profound silence with the spiritual charm of plants and trees.

In front of me is an independent courtyard. The courtyard is not too big, but it is decorated very elegantly.

Ancient trees are towering, spiritual herbs are fragrant, and occasionally the shadows of small animals flash by in the corners of the walls, which are transformed by the abundant spiritual energy in this place.

There are several jade platforms of different styles in the courtyard, which are obviously different testing areas.

At this moment, there were more than ten people waiting in the courtyard.

Most of them were well-dressed and had an extraordinary demeanor. They were mostly in their twenties or thirties, and were at the late or peak stage of Qi Refining. Occasionally there were one or two young people at the early stage of Foundation Establishment.

They stood together in twos and threes, talking in low voices. The atmosphere was filled with the reserve and a hint of competition that was unique to the children of aristocratic families or major sects.

Yun Chu's arrival was like a stone thrown into a small pond, causing a brief moment of sidelong glances.

When they saw her plain clothing and her cultivation level of only the middle stage of Qi Refining (which was deliberately concealed), as well as the respectful yet slightly special attitude of the Foundation Establishment disciple leading her, these young talents revealed undisguised doubts and curiosity in their eyes, and even some scrutinizing disapproval.

"Hmph, another one relying on connections?" A young man in an elegant brocade robe whispered in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft, just enough for the people in the courtyard to hear.

"Maybe he is the descendant of a servant of some important figure?" someone nearby speculated.

"The recommendation from True Lord Yun Xin...Danding Peak...what abilities does she have?" Someone also frowned and stared at Yun Chu.

The leading disciple listened to these discussions but remained calm. He led Yun Chu to a quiet pavilion on the side of the courtyard and said, "Fellow Daoist, please wait here for a moment. The final round of the assessment is about to begin. A steward uncle will come to explain the rules and lead you in the assessment."

"Thank you, senior brother." Yun Chu thanked him calmly, his eyes quickly scanning the layout of the courtyard and those potential "classmates".

Yun Chu's eyes were calm, and his expression was as still as a still pond, as if the scrutinizing or contemptuous glances from those around him were just a gentle breeze blowing across his face.

Yun Chu did not look for a place to sit down, but just stood by the pavilion, as if he had returned to his little house in Ke'anju. He was calm and reserved, his aura almost blending into this elegant courtyard, yet he remained alert, ready to withdraw at any time.

Time passes while waiting.

The other candidates in the courtyard seemed to have gotten used to Yun Chu's presence, and the topic gradually turned to the upcoming assessment.

Some were nervous, while others confidently shared their views on the Dao of Alchemy and speculated on possible test questions.

Yun Chu silently took this information into his ears and calmly observed several core figures whose auras were the most serious and whose eyes were the most confident.

They will be the main opponents in this final round.

Yun Chu knew that the real trial had just begun.

Qin Mo's recommendation allowed her to avoid 99% of the cannon fodder selection, but the next final round was the key stage to test her accumulation in her previous life and her plans in this life.

Any contempt or slackness may make this hard-earned "shortcut" come to nothing.

Finally, the light curtain at the entrance of the courtyard fluctuated again.

A cultivator dressed in dark green elder's robes, with a gaunt face and eyes as calm as an ancient pond, walked slowly into the courtyard, accompanied by two foundation-building disciples with more condensed auras.

He did not emit any powerful aura or pressure, but the moment he stepped into the courtyard, the entire courtyard instantly became completely quiet.

All the candidates, no matter how arrogant and confident they were before, subconsciously straightened their bodies and restrained their expressions at this moment, with only deep respect and nervousness left in their eyes.

Yun Chu's heart was also slightly lifted.

The elder's gaze swept across the crowd, and finally paused briefly on Yun Chu. His eyes were deep, and seemed to carry a hint of imperceptible inquiry.

He walked to the center of the courtyard, his voice not loud, but clearly heard by everyone:

"My last name is Song, and I am honored to be the chief deacon for the final round of assessment for the inner sect's preparatory disciples."

"You, some of you, are gifted, some of you are recommended by your teachers, and you have been able to enter this final cycle. However, the Immortal Medicine Sect values ​​quality over quantity, and would rather have nothing than have something of inferior quality."

"This final round will only test three aspects: discerning subtleties, controlling the essence, and concentrating the mind."

"After passing the three levels, only one out of ten will be left, or even fewer. I hope you will put aside all distractions and give your best."

"The place of assessment is in the Mysterious Garden of Hundred Herbs. Follow me."

No long introductions, no nonsense.

"Distinguish the subtle", "control the essence", "concentrate the mind"... these three words are like three heavy hammers, hitting everyone's heart.

Yun Chu took a deep breath, the wood-element spiritual energy in her body slowly flowing, her consciousness extremely restrained. She knew that the first true echo of knocking on the gate of the towering Danding Peak would soon be fiercely unfolded in the calm words of this Elder Song.

Yun Chu followed the crowd and walked towards the legendary "Mysterious Garden of Hundred Herbs", his steps still steady.

The white jade alchemy cauldron recommendation order held in the sleeve seemed to have truly awakened at this moment, transmitting a subtle warmth.

The gears of fate clearly turned forward another notch in the lingering sound of the immortal sect's bells and chimes.

Baicao Xuanpu is not a garden, but a huge ancient palace complex built against the mountain and shrouded in a hazy green light.

As soon as you step into the ancient porch formed by the roots of countless huge spiritual trees, a pure plant spiritual energy that is ten times richer than that of the courtyard will hit you.

Mixed in it are the scents of countless herbs, which are rich and complex, yet they achieve a wonderful balance under the constraints of some invisible force, reaching directly into the soul.

Elder Song walked forward in silence, his steps soundless.

More than ten candidates followed closely behind him, all holding their breath and concentrating, not daring to relax at all.