Upon witnessing the strange sight and hearing Senior Brother Qiu's words, the cultivators on the platform were momentarily stunned before hurriedly rising to their feet with solemn expressions, eager to listen attentively.
They understood that whether they could enter the Falling Cloud Sect, a major cultivation power, depended entirely on the three individuals before them. Naturally, none dared leave a poor impression on them.
Seeing these independent cultivators so sensible and not falling into chaos, a satisfied expression appeared on Senior Brother Qiu's face.
"You should all already know the standards our sect uses to recruit disciples. I won't say too much more then. Any fellow Daoists who possess two or three Spirit Roots, a special physique, whose foundation cultivation technique is above the sixth layer, and who are under twenty years of age, please step forward now," Senior Brother Qiu said slowly, his expression growing serious.
A stir passed through the crowd at these words, but after a moment, only four young people stepped out—three men and one woman.
"You will go with Junior Brother Liu. He will be responsible for assessing your cultivation aptitude," Senior Brother Qiu said calmly after a cold glance at them.
At this, the fair-faced young man beside him stepped forward two paces, and without a word, waved his hand. A streak of white light shot out from his sleeve, circling before transforming into a giant, brocade handkerchief that hovered gently a few feet off the ground.
"All of you, get on. I'll take you to another location. After your aptitude is verified, those who are unqualified will naturally be sent back," the fair-faced young man said flatly, his form flickering as he first stepped onto the flying treasure.
The four young cultivators exchanged hesitant glances before obediently boarding the handkerchief.
The white-robed young man then formed a series of hand seals. The white light flared brilliantly, and the handkerchief transformed into a ball of white radiance that shot off into the sky, vanishing.
After watching the fair-faced young man depart, Senior Brother Qiu turned his attention back to Han Li and the remaining cultivators. His expression softening slightly, he continued, "Next, any fellow Daoists whose foundation cultivation technique is above the tenth layer, regardless of Spirit Root aptitude or age, please step forward. You will go with Junior Brother Yu. As long as your background and origins pose no major problems, you may join our sect. As for the remaining fellow Daoists, if you wish to become disciples of our Falling Cloud Sect, you must undergo a test. Only those who pass will our Falling Cloud Sect accept. Otherwise, I suggest you diligently cultivate for a few more years and try again once your cultivation has advanced."
As soon as these words left his mouth, a stir passed through the previously quiet crowd. Apart from a few individuals, most of the independent cultivators looked crestfallen.
The selection criteria this time were obviously much stricter than before. This dashed the hopes of many cultivators who had harbored a sliver of optimism.
Although there was that final remark about being able to take a test, seemingly not completely closing the door, everyone knew this was just perfunctory politeness.
After all, so many people had come eager to join, and the Falling Cloud Sect, on the surface, obviously couldn't dismiss them without offering any chance at all.
But these tests would be extremely difficult for cultivators below the tenth layer of the foundation technique. Those at the seventh or eighth layer had absolutely no hope, while independent cultivators at the ninth layer might actually have a slim chance.
In previous tests, there had been ninth-layer cultivators who passed, though the number could be counted on one hand.
Those who passed might lack aptitude or technique, but their perseverance and willpower were undoubtedly exceptional. Therefore, even if they had little hope on the path of immortal cultivation, they might achieve something in other miscellaneous arts.
The Falling Cloud Sect didn't exclude such individuals.
Under the envious gazes of many, Han Li and six other cultivators stepped forward.
Senior Brother Qiu gave them a brief glance and nodded.
The spirited young man seeing this, didn't delay further and likewise released a flying treasure—a giant, circular copper basin that appeared before Han Li and the others.
This time, without needing to be told, Han Li and the other cultivators obediently boarded the treasure one after another.
The copper basin then transformed into a streak of yellow light, flying away from the location and heading deep into the heart of the Yunmeng Mountains.
As for whether any of the remaining unqualified independent cultivators would take the test and enter the Falling Cloud Sect, Han Li couldn't witness it, nor did he care in the slightest.
Right now, inside the yellow protective barrier of the copper basin, he was observing the six people with him with some interest.
Four men and two women. Aside from one woman in her twenties dressed in yellow with a quiet demeanor, the others all looked to be over thirty years of age. One cultivator in blue robes even appeared to be well into his fifties. Although on the surface his cultivation seemed the highest among them—around the twelfth layer of Qi Condensation—Han Li still shook his head with a soft, hidden sigh.