The Last Sages Sect [I]

According to the ways of cultivation, all the functioning sects prefered to accept new disciples before they reached the foundation formation stage. It was much more easier and benefiting for the soul to be moulded in a significant way by the sects.

At the age of ten, most young cultivators had already reached the Zhuji stage. There were geniuses who had even formed two soul pillars at the age of ten. That was the main reason why most parents wanted their children to enter sects by the age of ten which gradually became a requirement by the sects. 

Ju Feng, who became ten years old earlier in the year, was still at the late-stage of Chi gathering. Nevertheless, he was very eager to enter a sect where he would learn arts relating to his elemental nature.

After the words of the titan lord, his family had agreed to let him join a sect. There was no other choice, he had to get stronger to have a chance at survival. His grandfather, Zhang Li Qiang, who had been in charge of looking for a suitable sect for him, had located the three powerful most powerful sects on the continent of Lijiang. 

The Grand Stars, the Infinite Saints, and the Last Sages.

The most famous sect was the Grand Stars due to the patronage of the noble and wealthy families. The largest in number of cultivators and biggest in size among the three, was the Infinite Saints. And then, the Last Sages sect. All these sects were backed by powerful figures. Hegemons and ancestral gods who had already ascended to the heavenly realms. There was even a myth of the Infinite-Saints being backed by a pure-god.

After careful deliberation, they had settled on the Last Sages since it was closer to home and their good reputation too. 

On the day of the trials, Ju Feng woke up earlier than usual. It was time for the young cultivators to put their powers to the test for sect's admission. He cleaned his mouth with a willow twig before chewing some mint leaves. After washing his body, he put on his new robe and quickly joined his family. They would be accompanying him to the sect's premises since it was a single day trial.

They arrived on time to see a number of young cultivators still trickling into the sect's big outer section. Some cultivators had left by the look of things and many were still arriving. Young cultivators arriving from different parts of the continent. 

Obviously, Lijiang was a big continent, second only to Kaifeng in size. It had more than five billion people, with a great number being general cultivators. Quite a number of Majority of them would die as base cultivators while still sensing Chi. The least required stage was the Chi gathering which all those young cultivators had already achieved. 

The setting of the sect premises was truly magnificent by a normal standard. The trials took place in the outer section of the sect, so cultivators didn't need to enter the inner section of the sect premises. At the entrance to the sect premises was the ancestral monolith [stone pillar] for the trials.

The Stone of Paths!

It was a marble monolith with three crystals attached; red[body], yellow[spirit] and blue[element]. Any young cultivator having with a level lesser than the Juchi[Chi gathering stage] would be rejected back by the monolith, automatically.

The red crystal was used to measure body strength, the yellow for the Chi level and the blue for the elements in general. As long as the three reached the brilliance level required, the monolith would give off a sound of acceptance, then the cultivators would proceed towards the mainhall where the sect elders were waiting. That was everything required. Simply getting the monolith to accept the essence.

As numerous young cultivators were arriving and placing their palms on the stone, thousands were also leaving dejectedly due to their failures in meeting the requirements. By the end of the day, the numbers would have been reduced to final numbers for admission.

Ju Feng was apprehensively in line while waiting for his turn to face the monolith. By the time it was his turn, only a few tens of people were left. He slowly approached the monolith, and placed his palms on the imprints. Gradually, all the stones lit up and the monolith gave the ultimate chime of acceptance. Calmness descended on him and was extremely happy when the acolytes directed him towards the main hall of the sect.

By late afternoon, all the disciples that passed the trial were all in the main hall. On the podium of the hall, were the sect elders who were all golden core soul cultivators of early to the late-stages. And at their centre was the grand-elder who was a peak-stage golden core cultivator.

The grand elder raised his head to look at the new disciples and nodded satisfactorily.

"We welcome you all to the Last-Sages sect. Here at Last Sages, we work towards the progress and welfare of all our members especially new members. It is always our sect's ideology to behave ourselves. As ethics is a very important thing we should have."

He broke off to make sure they are all following his words as he spoke.

"We know you all came from different parts of the continent with different rules to follow. But I believe they all share a common vision which is the survival of the strongest. Eventually, you'll all leave this place and enter the deadly life outside."

The grand elder looked from one face to the other with keen eyes.

"It is important for you to have a sense of survival. Not only for the benefits of the sect, but also for the lives of yours."

He paused, allowing his words to sink in.

"We'll teach you the importance of this survival. But most importantly, we'll also show you the virtues of being courteous of others around you. Some of you may manifest stronger strength or higher cultivation level than others, you should avoid arrogance."

The grand elder made an encompassing gesture with his hands.

"You are all working towards the same goal, to be the best you can be. You'll need to get in contact with people of different groups, therefore you need to find ways to get along with other disciples, acolytes and elders."

The grand elder turned his head towards the location of the elders and acolytes, giving the a slight nod before returning his gaze to the new disciples.

"Friendly competitions are accepted as long as they don't threaten the lives of others and with the supervision of at least, a sect master. Once again, we welcome you all."

Spreading his arms around his sides, the grand elder smiled and continued.

"These are our sect elders, each a great leader of his or her own field. They will be guiding you to attain the necessary knowledge."

After the grandelder's speech, the sect elders introduced themselves one after the other.

"Cao Wang Xiu, path of light. Walk the way of light and see its true glory. I welcome you all."

"Tang Li Jing, path of flora. Always take a time to smell the flowers, purest sensation. Welcome."

"Bai Bambang, path of terra. Embrace terra and feel its mighty and binding power. Welcome ."

"Lin Li Mei, path of water. Nothing can resist water, it contains the truths. I welcome you."

"Luo Jia path of wood. The loveliness of the woods is before sunrise. You are all welcome."

"Zhu Huojin, path of fire. Be courageous like fire, burn away impurities. Welcome to the life."

"Fu Manchu, path of shadow. Shadow is part of life, it only like its privacy. Welcome all."

"Qin Ming Yue, path of air. Don't forget to breathe, good for the body and soul. Welcome you all."

"Xia Ming Yu, path of ice. Everyday is an ice day, always have it. Nice welcoming you all."

"Liang Long, path of lightning. See the full flash of lightning and be dazzled. Welcome."

"Wu Pang Fua, path of dreams and illusion. Make dreams without limit, and disguise the emptiness within. Welcome."

"Ren Chao, path of metal. You dscover metal, and you discover the power of becoming. Welcome."

"Kong Shan, path of Necrosism. All things are poison and nothing without poison. Welcome."

"Hou Yusheng, path of Space-time. Alter the space and hear the laughter of time . I welcome you all."