The First Quest of The Main Storyline

"Outrageous!"

"I've been waiting in line for over five hours now! Are you saying it was all for nothing?"

"Why call so many of us when you won't even pick the best ones?"

"At least let us take the tests! I'm sure some of us are better qualified for the position of an outer disciple compared to those who have been selected already."

Being afraid to break rules was one thing. But nobody here was so spineless that they'd accept this injustice. All of them had come from afar, just for an opportunity to enter the sect.

Having a token to stand in this line meant that most of them had a substantial backing. Being told that they wouldn't be given the opportunity was enough to fire them all up.

The red-robed old man looked unperturbed by their rebellious response.

"We don't go for the best available talents in our tests, children. We have a bar of qualifications, and whoever meets the criteria gets a slot allotted to their name.

"It is quite rare for all the slots to be filled up, actually. This year, the selection pool is just overflowing with talent."

Nobody liked his explanation. Although most of them understood that there was no way a test could be fair to every examinee, they wanted to rely on the mob to get an opportunity.

The disciplined line finally broke up as the dissatisfied test takers approached the tent being guarded by the old man.

Leading the mob was a group of rather flamboyantly dressed youths. One look at them was enough to relay a great volume of information.

These people were the affluent young masters and misses from powerful local factions.

Those with less impressive backgrounds found their place behind this group. And those who weren't particularly interested in forcefully taking the test, like Han Xuhan, were sporadically spread at the back of the mob.

"My uncle is the godson of Elder Luo from Searing Steel Mountain Peak of this sect. I have been gifted a sponsorship token directly from this Elder. How can your sect not honor the wishes of its own Elders?"

One of the leaders of the mob roared angrily, clutching an emblem in his raised hand. The red-robed old man cautiously put himself at the entrance of the tent, unwilling to let anyone pass.

Seeing the boy's sponsorship token, he simply shrugged and replied, "Why didn't YOU honor the wish of Elder Luo by arriving in proper time for the test?"

"Then what about me?" A girl beside him yelled. "I arrived yesterday, but when I tried to take the test, I was told that you guys ran out of materials to test unsponsored participants! You told me I could take the test today!"

"Sucks to be you, young miss. It's not our fault that you didn't have the talent or resources to be deemed qualified for a sponsorship by any recruiter." The old man's reply was ruthless.

"And me? I am already a cultivator. I've been cultivating an orthodox technique for nearly two years. I have already reached the third layer under the guidance of my clan leader," a robust youth garbed in combat attire shouted self-righteously.

"So I have a head start against almost everybody here. Why can't I qualify?"

"Two years to reach the third layer?" The red-robed man cackled.

"That speed guarantees that you wouldn't make it in our sect, little guy. The most generous offer I can make to you is to let you become one of our farm boys. You can help the bulls till the land!"

One by one, the examinees continued raising their unique complaints, and every time, the old man turned them down with a harsh response. Gradually, the morale of a majority of the mob members was fractured.

The commotion even attracted the recruited disciples. They came out of the tent to watch the show, some of their faces relieved, some faces smug.

Many were aware that their selection today was a pure stroke of luck.

At the back of the crowd, Han Xuhan was about to make a U-turn and leave this place, but suddenly, a panel appeared in his vision, leaving him rooted on the spot.

It was the panel with the golden book, titled: The Main Storyline. Without any mental command from him, the book opened up.

On the very first page, above the layer of mosaic hiding its contents, a series of information appeared.

[ It has been detected that the host is in a pivot point of the main storyline. Please pursue the following quest to unlock unique possibilities and gain rewards. ]

[ Quest Name: Benevolent Beginning ]

[ Quest Description: As a unique existence to the main storyline, this is your opportunity to insert yourself into its framework under a positive light. Children of destiny are hidden all around you. Help them attain their current goal, and the benefits resulting therefrom may be unimaginable! ]

[ Quest Difficulty: Moderate ]

[ Quest Reward: 10 Survival Points for helping every Child of Destiny ]

"You call this moderately difficult? Bullshit!"

First of all, he couldn't get himself the opportunity to take the test, let alone help others.

Secondly, he had no idea who these 'Children of Destiny' were, where they were hiding, and why they were hiding. Anyone in the crowd matched the vague hints.

If this task was considered moderately difficult, then what about Hard Quests?

What about Nightmare-grade quests?

Did those difficulty levels even exist in this system? Or was this the highest level? And why was he being issued quests of this level as a bare beginner?

Taking several deep breaths to cool his head, Han Xuhan turned around and surveyed the mob in front of him.

Their energy was stagnating. Even the leaders arguing with the old man were beginning to display a defeated aura.

He didn't have much time. Action had to be taken right now!

Carefully picking some words from his recently expanded vocabulary, he roared at the top of his voice.

"Everyone! Listen to me!"