Chapter 15: Chapter 15 — Entry Examination
Heaven’s Eternal Gate
By AuthorA single immortal crane weaved through the clustered peaks of Yuhua Immortal Mountain. Fang Han lay prone upon the back of the Crane Maiden, and from afar he saw, nestled among the mountain ranges, a vast plain gradually come into view.
Upon that plain stood a majestic, imposing city.
Within the city rose academies and martial halls, one after another.
This was a mountain plateau.
It was clearly not a natural formation. Rather, it seemed as though a peerless immortal of boundless divine power had forcibly relocated countless mountain peaks, carving out this immense, habitable plain within the Yuhua Mountains.
Such mountain-moving, sea-filling divine abilities were truly terrifying.
This was the true place where disciples of Yuhua Sect lived and cultivated.
Yuhua Sect’s numbers were astonishing—something Fang Han had already learned from Fang Qiang.
Outer disciples numbered in the hundreds of thousands.
Inner disciples totaled around five thousand.
This did not even include servants who tended spirit beasts, managed medicinal fields, or performed miscellaneous labor. Counting all of them together, the number was incalculable.
These disciples cultivated daily in the sect’s academies, or were dispatched on perilous missions to temper willpower and physique, all in pursuit of the Divine Ability Realm, hoping to ascend in a single leap.
Even those who failed to reach that realm—so long as they refined their bodies to the peak and accumulated merit—might be granted one or two magical implements or even spirit implements, allowing them to return to their clans or the imperial court and enjoy boundless wealth and prestige.
“Hey—Fang Han, once we reach this plain I won’t dare fly recklessly anymore,”
the Crane Maiden said.
“Some disciples here might cause trouble for me, and the sky above this plateau is protected by a restriction. I’ll set you down and return to Violet-Light Peak. If you need me, summon me through the Myriad Beasts Token.”
As the vast plain approached, the Crane Maiden slowed, descending gently until she landed on a broad stone road.
“Alright.”
Fang Han stepped down and watched as the Crane Maiden flew away, vanishing into the distance. Only then did he proceed alone along the road, entering the grand city on the plateau.
The city was paved entirely with pristine white stone—smooth, radiant, and magnificent. Compared to this place, Dragon Abyss City felt like a backwater village.
But Fang Han did not linger to admire the scenery. Holding Fang Qingxue’s written order, he went straight to a manor on the eastern side of the city.
Above its gates hung a plaque bearing three bold characters:
“Stepping into Immortality Institute.”
To cross this threshold was to step onto the path of immortality.
This was the academy responsible for entry examinations into Yuhua Sect.
At this moment, the square before the institute was filled with young men and women dressed in extravagant attire, their gazes sharp, their bearing extraordinary. Every one of them clearly hailed from powerful families.
Yuhua Sect—one of the Ten Great Immortal Sects—stood above the mortal dynasties. Even Great Li Dynasty alone had billions of people. Nobles, aristocrats, imperial clans—all competed fiercely for advancement.
Entering Yuhua Sect, even as an outer disciple, was already a colossal opportunity.
And so, every month, new candidates were recommended for examination.
Moreover, Yuhua Sect accepted only the young. Youth meant vitality, potential, and hope of entering the Divine Ability Realm. Once middle age arrived and vitality declined, such hopes were extinguished.
This was why Fang Qingxue’s father—despite reaching the Body Tempering Realm, Tenth Layer (Divine Metamorphosis)—was unqualified to join Yuhua Sect.
He had no future potential.
“These people are all big shots,”
Fang Han thought quietly.
“Governor’s sons, princes, imperial heirs, dukes’ descendants… Anyone who comes to Stepping into Immortality Institute is of exalted birth. Someone like me should never stand among them—and yet here I am.”
Fang Han’s attire was now refined, his bearing dignified. Having reached the Sixth Layer — Breath, impurities were purged from his body, granting him a natural authority. No one would imagine he had once been a stable servant.
“Once we enter Yuhua Sect, servants aren’t allowed. Are we supposed to cook and wash clothes ourselves?”
A noble youth waved a purple jade fan, frowning.
“You know nothing,”
another imperial youth replied coldly.
“The sect provides Purification Talismans, Dust-Avoidance Talismans, even Spirit Flame Talismans. One talisman cleans you better than ten baths. Meals are prepared by the sect—spirit-infused delicacies superior to royal banquets. And that’s only outer disciples’待遇. Inner disciples get even more.”
“If you dislike it so much, Liu Kang, give your slot to my younger brother.”
“Hmph. Let’s see if you can even pass the examination,”
a sharp-eyed girl with a sword scoffed.
“Are you confident you can defeat the Divine Strength Puppet?”
Her attire alone marked her noble status—especially the fire-jade hairpin crowned with a luminous pearl the size of a thumb.
“Princess Hongyi, you’re confident?”
someone asked.
“Of course.”
“That puppet possesses boundless strength, inexhaustible stamina, and a body impervious to blades. It’s said to surpass Divine Strength experts three to five times over. Last year, even several princes of Great De Dynasty failed. Be careful.”
Listening, Fang Han grew increasingly alert.
“So that’s the Divine Strength Puppet… These heirs are all at least at the Divine Strength Realm—yet they still fear it.”
His heart tightened.
“If I’m careless, I might fail at the very first gate.”
Just then—
Boom!
The gates of Stepping into Immortality Institute slowly opened. Two young Daoists in water-and-fire robes stepped out.
“The outer disciple examination begins today. Enter.”
The candidates filed inside.
When Fang Han stepped forward, he was suddenly stopped.
“Wait.”
“You’re not on the recommendation roster. What’s your name?”
The Daoists raised a palm-sized mirror, but Fang Han’s reflection did not appear.
“I was recommended by Violet-Light Peak.”
He produced Fang Qingxue’s order.
“Violet-Light Peak?”
The Daoists froze.
“That peak was personally bestowed upon a true disciple by the Sect Master.”
They examined the order and saw purple lightning characters swimming with living spirit.
“Wait here. I’ll report this.”
Inside the hall, several middle-aged men with imposing auras sat in discussion.
“These candidates are excellent,”
one said.
“If none pass, it would be humiliating. Still, advancing to inner disciples will be difficult.”
“If even one genius rises, our merit will be immense,”
another added.
“If a true disciple emerges, the Elder Council might reward us with an Yin-Yang Longevity Pill.”
“Or at least a spirit implement.”
At that moment, the Daoist rushed in with Fang Qingxue’s order.
“What? Violet-Light Peak again?”
one examiner snapped.
“She already recommended candidates last month!”
“Careful,”
another whispered urgently.
“Look at this order—the lightning characters possess sentience. That means she’s reached Divine Ability Realm, Fourth Layer — Yin-Yang!”
The room inhaled sharply.
“Fourth Layer?! One step from the Heavenly Being Realm!”
“Enough,”
another said firmly.
“She cannot be offended. Let the youth enter. If he fails, send him back. If he passes, we gain a talent.”
Outside, Fang Han waited calmly.
At last—
“You may enter and take the examination.”
Fang Han stepped forward.
The path of immortality had truly begun.
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