Born as an ant, I was summoned to ascend to immortality.

Chapter 24 The Foundation of the Way

As the mountain gate receded into the distance, the sounds of people gradually faded away.

Taoist Wang Jian led Zhou Li along the bluestone path into the mountains, proactively introducing the area: "Young Master Zhou, the bamboo huts are specially prepared for those seeking the Dao who are participating in the third examination. Each person has their own private courtyard, which is quite quiet."

Zhou Li nodded: "Thank you for your trouble, Daoist Master."

He didn't talk much, but Wang Jian was a lively person and continued to speak to himself: "Young master is lucky. This time, there are only more than two hundred people left in the third exam, so the bamboo houses are more than enough. In previous years, sometimes there were nearly a thousand people crammed together, and two or three people had to share a courtyard."

"More than two hundred people?" Zhou Li's heart skipped a beat. "I see many people at the mountain gate, but I wonder how many people came for the first two examinations?"

"Every time the mountain gates open, nearly ten thousand people come seeking the Dao." Wang Jian lowered his voice. "This time, the one presiding over the grand examination is True Person Xuanhong of Lingtai Peak. It is exceptionally strict. Eighty percent of those who passed the Immortal Ascension Bridge failed. In the first examination alone, nearly eight thousand people left the mountain!"

"The second test, which just ended, eliminated 90% of the candidates, leaving only about 200. Young master, you've really lucked out by being able to go straight to the third test. Please don't tell anyone."

Zhou Li felt a chill run down his spine. The Changtian Sect's grand examination was far more rigorous than he had imagined, yet so many talented individuals still flocked to it, which truly reflected the sect's foundation.

During the conversation, one could almost hear seekers lingering in the mountains, reluctant to leave, chanting: "The path to immortality is vast, who will share it with me? The Great Dao is boundless, playing tricks on all living beings..."

As dusk fell, the two arrived at a bamboo grove, where they could faintly hear voices ahead.

Dozens of bamboo houses are scattered in the bamboo forest, all built with green bamboo, elegant and unique, and many of them are already lit up.

Wang Jian led Zhou Li to a small courtyard deep in the bamboo forest: "Young master, the Xia siblings you are looking for live in this courtyard. Please stay here. The courtyard is fully equipped. If you need anything else, you can send your servants or disciples. I will go and register your names right away."

"Thank you, Daoist Master." Zhou Li followed Wang Jian's example and performed a Daoist bow.

"It's your duty, don't be shy. You were given special care by your master, and you will inevitably have to rely on him for your future success."

After Wang Jian took his leave, a young voice came from the courtyard, clear and bright with a hint of arrogance:

"Sister, I heard the rules for the third exam have changed this year. Does that mean all my years of swordsmanship training have been for nothing? I still want to show those guys what's what..."

Then came a gentle female voice: "Keep your voice down, don't disturb others. Your swordsmanship is only in its early stages; even in previous years, it might not have been good enough. You still need to practice more."

"Okay, okay—"

Zhou Li shook his head, gently pushed open the bamboo door, and found the courtyard indeed quiet and secluded.

Three bamboo houses stand in a row, along with a stone table, several stone benches, and even a small well in the corner.

At this moment, a young boy and girl were standing in the courtyard.

The boy was about sixteen or seventeen years old, dressed in a scarlet outfit with a sword at his waist. He was handsome and had clear features. At this moment, he was staring at Zhou Li with wide eyes and curiosity.

The girl beside him was older, with her hair tied in a topknot, bright eyes and white teeth, wearing a moon-white belted long dress, her figure as slender as a crescent moon at first glance.

Zhou Li met the two of them and couldn't help but secretly admire them, thinking what a perfect couple they were.

The siblings were even more astonished as a young man pushed open the door and entered. He was tall and handsome, with particularly bright and clear eyes.

Looking further down, the young man was dressed in a black robe with gold embroidery and qilin patterns, and wore bright red satin cloud-patterned shoes. A spirit pet was also on his shoulder. Such demeanor was enough to impress anyone who saw him.

"Young master, is there something you need?" the young woman asked, her voice as gentle as a spring breeze.

Zhou Li nodded: "That's right. My name is Zhou Li. The Xia family head entrusted me with a letter, which I have come to deliver to you two."

He then handed a letter to the two of them.

The girl took the letter, unfolded it, and saw that it was indeed the handwriting of the family head, Xia Tianxing. After quickly reading the letter, the siblings looked at Zhou Li with some surprise and uncertainty.

"This is Xia Mingduo, and this is my younger brother, Xia Minghui. The patriarch mentioned in his letter that a young master surnamed Zhou has come to Changtian Sect with the Xia family's credentials, and we are asked to take good care of him."

The young woman smiled and said, "Has the young master had dinner yet? If you don't mind, my younger brother and I are just about to have a meal. Would you like to join us?"

Zhou Li initially wanted to decline, but then he thought it would be a good opportunity to gather some information, so he nodded and agreed: "Then I'll trouble you."

Zhou Li settled his luggage in the third bamboo hut in the courtyard. When he came out again, several exquisite and delicious dishes were already laid out on the stone table.

After the three sat down, Xia Minghui immediately poured Zhou Li a cup of tea: "Brother Zhou, you were able to skip the first two exams and go straight to the final round. Your background must be really strong."

"Minghui," Xia Mingduo said softly, "Don't be rude."

Zhou Li smiled and said, "It's alright. I did miss the first two exams, but I was able to come this time thanks to my elders."

"I knew it!" Xia Minghui slammed his hand on the table. "The head of the family wrote very solemnly in his letter, instructing us to treat Brother Zhou with the utmost respect. Now that you're here, please settle in and let us know if you need anything."

The young man's enthusiasm was almost overwhelming, so Zhou Li thanked him and then asked, "I just heard that this third exam is different from previous years. What will it test?"

Upon hearing this, Xia Minghui immediately perked up.

"Brother Zhou, you've come to the right person!" He leaned closer and lowered his voice, "The three tests for entering the sect are: first, the distinction between immortals and mortals; second, the heart's desire for the Dao; and the third..."

"Don't keep me in suspense!" Xia Mingduo lightly smacked him on the head and added, "Brother Zhou, the third test focuses on comprehension, asking about the fundamental principles of the Way."

"In previous years, the tests were mostly on swordsmanship and movement techniques, observing the seekers' understanding of mortal martial arts. This year, with the opening of the Demon Suppression Realm, the tests have changed from techniques to comprehension of the Dharma."

Demon-Suppressing Realm... Enlightenment...

Through conversation, it was learned that the third test required following the sect elders to a blessed land called "Demon Suppression Realm".

This realm contains the remains of ancient demons slain by human cultivators, as well as a hundred enlightenment steles, each inscribed with the true meaning of cultivation techniques left by human sages.

Those seeking the Dao must sense the remaining techniques within the ancient demon's remains. If they can obtain them, they can follow the energy to the corresponding enlightenment stele to comprehend its true meaning.

The sect uses this to test the seeker's comprehension. If one gains something, the worst one will be admitted to the outer sect of the Changtian Sect; if one cannot sense anything, one will naturally be unable to comprehend it and will be eliminated.

This round of trials, on the surface, is an assessment of comprehension, but in reality, it is also a gift from the sect to its new disciples.

In the current cultivation world, cultivation methods are divided into four levels: "Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow". When ordinary disciples enter the sect, the level of cultivation method they are taught depends entirely on the master's mood, and most are taught the Profound and Yellow levels.

All enlightenment gained in this realm is due to one's own destiny. Even if one comprehends a Heaven-rank technique, the sect will still pass on the technique as promised and will not keep it a secret.

Therefore, many self-proclaimed outstanding young talents on the mainland are willing to come to Changtian Sect to cultivate, because although the entrance examination is extremely difficult, it is an opportunity to directly touch the ladder to heaven.

However, for those who have never cultivated, comprehending this Heaven-rank technique is almost as difficult as ascending to heaven.

The three chatted about various topics, such as the distinction between inner and outer sect members, and the difference between stewards and servants.

Zhou Li did not take his leave until the moon was high in the sky.