In clans, connections are maintained by blood ties, and clan members are nurtured. But in sects, the teacher-student relationship replaces blood kinship. Sects accept many disciples; as long as one has talent and good character, they can be taken in.
Because of this, Fang Zheng was able to be accepted into Crane Sect and become a member.
In Crane Sect, from bottom to top, the ranks are: outer sect disciples, inner sect disciples, elite disciples, true disciples, sect elders, sect leader, and supreme elders.
The three-year minor exam allows one to become an inner disciple. The eight-year mid exam lets winners become elite disciples. The fifteen-year major exam allows promotion to true disciple.
Above true disciples are sect elders.
All sect elders of Crane Sect have at least Fourth Turn cultivation. The sect leader is certainly Fifth Turn, and the several supreme elders are all Sixth Turn Gu Immortals, and even Seventh Turn!
The Central Continent is the most powerful region among the five regions. Crane Sect is one of the top ten sects in Central Continent, even more powerful than the Shang Clan.
Because the sect selects disciples almost without regard to background, choosing only the best. Therefore, there are almost no members with C-grade aptitude in Crane Sect.
B-grade aptitude is most common, and there are quite a few with A-grade.
Fang Zheng's A-grade aptitude is indeed genius. But in a peak power like Crane Sect, geniuses like him are not rare.
“Fang Zheng, you are intelligent and hardworking. Now you have reached Fourth Turn intermediate stage. With this cultivation, you could become a sect elder. However, you have been in the sect for only a short time and need to complete many sect tasks to prove your loyalty. I hope you continue to work hard, win in the major exam, and become a true disciple.” The Crane Sect's leader sat high on the leader's throne, looking down at Fang Zheng, who was kneeling at the bottom of the steps.
“Yes. I will keep the leader's teachings in my heart.” Fang Zheng replied.
“Now, there is a sect mission that I want you and a few elite disciples to handle. Go back and study the mission details carefully. You may go.” The sect leader said, and then let out a bookworm.
After receiving it, Fang Zheng respectfully withdrew.
Returning to his quarters, he lay on his bed and immediately went to sleep.
Controlling Gu insects requires a lot of mental energy. Sometimes one needs to be highly focused, other times one needs to multitask and divide attention.
In the battle with Sun Yuanhua, Fang Zheng had used all his cards, exhausting his mental strength.
He was too tired. He forced himself to meet the sect leader and complete the ceremony to become an elite disciple. His brain still throbbed with pain, his head felt like a heavy hammer, his neck and shoulders couldn't support it, and he felt dizzy and sluggish.
Fang Zheng slept for two days and two nights straight. Then he was awakened by a knock on the door.
He opened the door to find a group of elite disciples.
The disciples, both male and female, were mostly at Third Turn, with a few at Fourth Turn.
Unlike clans, where loyalty often doesn't need testing, sects require it.
The higher one goes, the tighter the quotas for elite disciples, true disciples, and elders become, very few. Many people cultivate to Fourth Turn but are eliminated in the assessments. This leads to a phenomenon where many disciples and elders are at Fourth Turn.
But regardless of cultivation, elders are always more powerful than disciples in combat. This is because they have all passed through strict assessments step by step, being the elites among elites.
“Fang Zheng, we share the same mission. On this journey, we should take care of each other.”
“Fang Zheng, I saw your fight with Sun Yuanhua. It was brilliant!”
“I hope we can spar a lot along the way…”
These people were all very friendly. They all knew that Fang Zheng possessed a flock of tens of thousands of Iron Beak Flying Cranes. Although Fang Zheng couldn't control them perfectly, this powerful force inspired awe in them.
“Greetings, fellow disciples. I must admit, I've been sleeping soundly these days and haven't even looked at the mission content.” Fang Zheng cupped his hands, a bit embarrassed.
“I see. Then I'll tell you directly. This sect mission is no small matter! Fang Zheng, a few months ago, a shocking event occurred at Tianti Mountain. Do you know about it?” an elite disciple spoke.
“Tianti Mountain?” Fang Zheng nodded repeatedly. “This matter is too big, of course I know. On Tianti Mountain, the inheritance of White Fox Fairy suddenly appeared. White Fox Fairy is a famous righteous figure, a Sixth Turn Gu Immortal, who occupies the Fox Immortal Blessed Land. As soon as this inheritance appeared, it attracted many Gu Immortals to emerge. If one inherits it, one can possess the Fox Immortal Blessed Land. Now Tianti Mountain is surrounded by many Gu Immortals.”
“Fang Zheng, I'll be straightforward with you. Our mission is to go to Tianti Mountain and do our utmost to obtain this inheritance. The Gu Immortal of our Crane Sect has already discussed with the experts of several other sects. To avoid discord, they will not act personally and have chosen a few elite disciples from each sect to engage in a gentleman's competition.”
Hearing this, Fang Zheng's eyes widened, a gleam of desire shining in his eyes: “Are you serious?”
This involved a Gu Immortal's inheritance!
“Of course. Our luck has come. If we can become the successor, we will surely soar to great heights. There will be immense hope of breaking through to Gu Immortal in the future. But besides our Crane Sect, there are also other top ten powers of Central Continent: Heavenly Lotus Sect, Spirit Butterfly Valley, Ancient Soul Sect, Heaven Jealousy Tower, etc. So on this trip, we must cooperate sincerely and unite as one!”
“Of course!” Fang Zheng immediately nodded in agreement.
……
In the Southern Border, Fire Charcoal Mountain was a half-dead volcano.