Seeing the massive crowd, Han Cai came to realize how big the Azure Dragon country was. The Azure Dragon Sect had more than five hundred thousand members alone. Ten percent of that crowd were outer sect elders, which constituted a whopping fifty thousand. The sect was a country in itself.
The members of the Sky Soaring Sect might total around fifty to seventy thousand, and here, just the outer sect elders were around fifty thousand.
The process of testing continued until the evening. Most of the notable clans' young generation from the Verdant City area passed the test, except for a few.
Still, twenty thousand were eliminated in this round. Now the combat stage was going to start, which would be a month-long process. Han Cai was bored out of his mind. When they went back to the inn, he informed the elders that if they wanted to go watch the test, it was okay, but he was going to stay and cultivate in the inn for the upcoming month.
The patriarch was not ready to let Han Cai stay alone. Two elders immediately asked to stay back and watch over Han Cai. They wanted to leave a good impression on Han Cai so that when he grew up in the Azure Dragon Sect, he would keep their household in his mind. Yan Rui wouldn't let that happen. His great-grandson's success was the result of his blood and sweat, and he was not planning to let anyone leave any impression on Han Cai.
He was very pleased when Han Cai called him to imprint the clan medallion, even though the sect master was standing closest to Han Cai. With this, he now had equal power in the clan as much as the patriarch. He was not planning to let go of the fruit of his labors.
Finally, it was decided that Yan Rui would stay at the inn with Han Cai while the other elders could go visit the test and see which families were doing well and which families' young talents they needed to watch out for.
For the upcoming days, the tests continued, and children kept getting eliminated. Soon, the Hu and Qi clans' two young masters, who were trying to enter the sect giving their last effort, were eliminated too. The Xu family's young master was eliminated in the next stage, and only Pei Yao of the Pei clan remained. It was no lie when people said the Pei clan was blessed with two talented fairies.
The final test was a test of Adaptability and Resourcefulness. In this stage, participants were placed in various challenging scenarios that required quick thinking, adaptability, and resourcefulness. They had to solve problems, escape traps, or overcome unexpected challenges.
Participants who failed to demonstrate the necessary skills and ingenuity were eliminated, leaving only one thousand participants. Pei Yao was one of the thousand. With this, the tournament ended, and this year, the Verdant area contributed two outer sect disciples for the Azure Dragon Sect.
After the tournament, the Yan clan and Pei clan escorted Han Cai and Pei Yao outside Blue Scale City, where a massive treasure ship awaited them. This ship would take the two youngsters to the Azure Dragon Sect, the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.
As they prepared to board the ship, the Yan Patriarch spoke, "Next year, we will send a few elders to bring you back since we will be buying some properties in Verdant City. We will throw a grand banquet, too, in celebration of your acceptance into the sect." Han Cai nodded in understanding. But in his mind, he decided he would stay in seclusion for five years until the engagement facade ended. He had no plan on getting engaged and getting unwanted responsibility.
His great-grandfather, Yan Rui, offered some parting words of wisdom, "Take care of yourself while you are in the sect, and be diligent and hardworking." Han Cai nodded once more, bidding farewell to his great-grandfather and the elders before stepping onto the treasure ship.
The journey from Blue Scale City to the Azure Dragon Sect took only one day.
When the ship arrived at the outer sect. For the first time, Han Cai was impressed. There was no sect in Daixing that could even come close to the beauty of the Azure Dragon sect. The landing dock where their treasure ship gently moored was a grand spectacle in itself. Made from polished obsidian and inlaid with intricate gold carvings, the dock represented a stately welcome to the sect. It was large enough to accommodate several ships at once, a testament to the frequent visitors the sect received.
The dock was flanked by a pair of enormous dragon statues, their azure scales shimmering in the morning light, lending credence to the sect's name. Their eyes, embedded with bright sapphire, seemed to gaze at the newcomers with an intense scrutiny, as if challenging them to prove their worth.
Beyond the dock, a wide pathway paved with cobalt stones, bordered by lush greenery, led to the sect's main entrance. The path was lined with cherry blossom trees, their petals dancing in the gentle breeze, painting a picturesque scenery that was breathtaking in its beauty.
The outer sect itself was magnificent. Majestic buildings of varying heights spread across the landscape as far as the eye could see. The structures, built from a unique amalgamation of blue jade and white marble, radiated an ethereal glow under the sun. Each edifice was adorned with intricate carvings of mythical creatures and symbols, echoing the rich history and profound wisdom of the sect.
Towering above all was the central building, a grand structure of resplendent azure and gold, touching the very skies. Its splendor was unmatched, symbolizing the heart and power of the outer sect of Azure Dragon Sect. It was surrounded by nine towering peaks, each housing one of the nine primary halls of the outer sect, adding to the mystical allure of the place.
Waterfalls cascaded down from these peaks, converging into a pristine lake that mirrored the azure sky. The serene lake was dotted with lotus flowers, their vibrant colors adding a dash of vibrancy to the tranquil scene. The harmonious blend of water, earth, and sky rendered a sense of balance and peace, reflecting the principles of cultivation that the sect propagated.
The air around the sect was thick with spiritual energy, making the surroundings feel vibrant and alive. It was a realm that seemed to exist in harmony with the heavens, exuding a sense of tranquility and majesty that commanded respect.
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