This brief meeting had untied the knot in
As for the true reason behind
"Huang'er, don't worry. I'll make every preparation. Even if
"I believe you, Brother Chen. I would rather fall in your arms than set foot through the filthy gates of the Xiahou family."
Huang'er's resolve was just as firm.
Having come to a full understanding of each other's hearts, Jiang Chen's mood improved considerably. With one less worry gnawing at him and a renewed sense of devotion and responsibility, the prospect of heading to the Eternal Sacred Land no longer weighed on him so heavily.
The Eternal Sacred Land was the foremost power in the Eternal Divine Kingdom. Even the royal family of the Eternal Divine Kingdom had originally been cultivated by the Eternal Sacred Land.
For Jiang Chen, and for the Yan family, entering the Eternal Sacred Land was a momentous affair. But for the Sacred Land itself, it was hardly anything noteworthy.
After all, the Eternal Sacred Land welcomed countless prodigies throughout the year.
Though Jiang Chen's reputation was considerable at present, it was primarily in the Dao of Pills. The Dao of Pills, while certainly valued within the Eternal Sacred Land, could not hope to rival the attention commanded by achievements in the martial path.
As a result, the arrival of Jiang Chen and Yan Qingsang did not attract a great deal of attention at the Eternal Sacred Land.
Yan Qingsang, in particular — quite a few within the Sacred Land assumed he had simply pulled strings to get in, and that he could only be considered an apprentice disciple at best.
If he failed to pass the apprenticeship period, he would very likely be sent back.
The Eternal Sacred Land did not hold any grand welcoming ceremony for them. Jiang Chen was not surprised by this.
Given the Sacred Land's standing, two young men from the Yan family were hardly worth the fanfare.
"Shao Yuan, Yan Qingsang — from today onward, you are apprentice disciples of the Eternal Sacred Land. Both of you will undergo an examination in one month. The difficulty of this examination may not be extreme, but it will determine whether you may remain at the Eternal Sacred Land long-term. Shao Yuan, with the halo of the Dao of Pills to your name, even if you do not pass the examination, it will not matter greatly. But Yan Qingsang — if you fail the examination, you will be sent right back to where you came from."
"This is the rule of the Eternal Sacred Land. I hope you can understand." Ziche Min was perfectly blunt about it.
Though the truth was rather harsh, Jiang Chen had expected as much. Consider that the Eternal Sacred Land was the foremost power of the Eternal Divine Kingdom. Without such strict and demanding conditions, it would hardly deserve the name.
"The Eternal Sacred Land has always been a place where strength speaks for itself. The greater your talent and potential on display here, the more attention you will command. Shao Yuan, I am well aware that your talent is extraordinary — but right now, that is known only to me. You will need to prove it to everyone else. I can help pave the way and put in a good word, but winning over the other leaders of the Sacred Land will require your own effort."
"As for Yan Qingsang, your immediate priority is to prepare for the examination in one month. A month is not long. You had best make all the necessary preparations."
Yan Qingsang owed his presence at the Eternal Sacred Land entirely to Jiang Chen.
"Lord Ziche, if I can't make it here, I won't go back to the Yan family. I refuse to believe that I, Yan Qingsang — a man of seven chi — can't do what others can!"
Yan Qingsang declared fiercely.
"Good. I'm glad to hear that confidence. Honestly, I do hope you can stay. I would rather not give the other leaders in the sect any cause for complaint."
"Lord Ziche, what items does this examination include?" Jiang Chen asked.
He had no concern whatsoever about whether he himself could stay. His worry was for Yan Qingsang. If Yan Qingsang could not remain, then his recommendation would have been all for nothing.
"The examination items are not overly harsh. I can tell you now…" Ziche Min did not keep them in the dark on this matter.
He laid out the contents of the examination, giving both Jiang Chen and Yan Qingsang a rough but clear understanding of what to expect.
After hearing it, Jiang Chen felt the examination was not particularly complex. As for Yan Qingsang, Jiang Chen estimated that his chances of passing were roughly fifty-fifty.
However, with a full month remaining, Jiang Chen felt he might be able to help Yan Qingsang — at least improve his odds of passing.
"Study the examination content thoroughly. There are also some important matters concerning the Eternal Sacred Land that I must explain to you in advance."
"The Eternal Sacred Land has three Holy Sovereigns. All three are beings at the half-step Divine Realm. Of course, it is said that our Eternal Sacred Land also possesses a Supreme Sacred Ancestor — but as for that rumor, even someone of my standing has no way to confirm it."