Cultivation Begins from Infancy - Chapter 419

Volume 3 - Chapter 117: The Fourfold Trial, Unparalleled Grace - Part 2

Jiang Ziyan exchanged a few pleasantries before turning and summoning several princes and princesses, saying, "Come, demonstrate for everyone to see the bloodline of our Jiang royal family."

Though they were members of the imperial clan and accustomed to commanding others with an air of superiority, at this moment, an unusual nervousness seemed to grip them. Sharing glances, they silently conveyed the same sentiment: You go first.

In the end, it was a middle-aged prince who appeared slightly older than the others who stepped forward first. Addressing Jiang Ziyan, he said, "Elder Sister, I will go first."

"Go ahead."

Jiang Ziyan nodded.

The prince cupped his hands and bowed respectfully to the seven Dao Law Realm experts stationed by the Heavenly Ascension Staircase. Only then did he proceed toward the staircase.

As his figure approached, the massive elliptical black mirror beside it began to ripple like ink spreading on water. A soft white light emerged, forming the prince's outline and revealing his details.

Ancient characters appeared on the mirror:
Age: 328 years.

The middle-aged prince froze, astonished that the Bone Reflection Mirror had accurately displayed his age.

Taking a deep breath, he steadied himself and let his aura surge forth as he stepped onto the Heavenly Ascension Staircase.

The moment his foot landed, a tremendous oppressive force enveloped his body.

It felt as though some profound law was at work!

His expression changed drastically. Unable to restrain himself, he unleashed his full power.

He ascended quickly, his steps strong and determined. However, as he passed the fifth step, the nearby Extreme Dao Monument remained unchanged, showing no signs of activation.

Clearly, he had not reached the Divine Power Extreme Realm.

Without pausing, the prince pressed onward, his momentum growing more powerful but his pace gradually slowing.

He displayed the strength of the Absolute Technique Stage, unleashing his techniques with the force of a wild bull. His eyes locked firmly on the ethereal Immortal Sect Gate ahead, filled with longing and resolve.

At last, he crossed the 49th step and arrived before the Immortal Sect Gate.

The small floating tower above the gate spun rapidly, emitting a sudden beam of purple light that scanned him.

The purple light retracted, and the tower's radiant purple hue shifted to gold.

The middle-aged prince glanced up at the change but did not linger. He pressed forward toward the Immortal Sect Gate, only to be forcibly repelled by an invisible power.

"Hmm?"

The prince's expression darkened.

A cold voice belonging to Yu Zu rang out:
"Three hundred years, Earth-Level Dao Heart. Aptitude: Inferior. Not qualified."

Stunned, the prince's face twisted in disbelief and anger. "How is this possible? I’ve reached the Absolute Technique Stage! Though I am over three hundred, I attained the Reverse Fate Realm by sixty. I achieved it in only one sixty-year cycle!"

"We assess aptitude, not cultivation. Your Dao Heart is too weak, and your prospects are limited. It would be better for you to enjoy your remaining years in the mortal realm."

Yu Zu’s voice was indifferent as an irresistible force enveloped the prince, transporting him away from the Immortal Sect Gate and back to Jiang Ziyan's side.

Despite knowing he was Jiang Ziyan's royal brother, Yu Zu showed no leniency.

The middle-aged prince staggered slightly before regaining his footing. He was pale, his face full of despair and anger.

A weak Dao Heart?

Impossible! His Dao Heart was the ambition to inherit the throne of the Great Yu, to become a king!

In his mind, no greater aspiration existed under heaven—unless one sought to become a saint.

But who dared to entertain such lofty thoughts?

Jiang Ziyan’s expression grew somber as well. She knew her teacher’s strict nature and agreed that an Earth-Level Dao Heart was indeed too weak.

How could he lack such drive?

"What is your Dao Heart?" Jiang Ziyan asked her brother. Though he hadn’t reached the Extreme Realm, his ability to achieve the Reverse Fate Realm within one sixty-year cycle indicated his potential was not poor.

The middle-aged prince glanced at her, then lowered his head without answering.

He feared that if their father heard the truth, he might lose his life.

Jiang Ziyan guessed the truth from his reaction and sighed inwardly. To inherit the throne is merely to inherit. True ambition is carving out one’s own divine dynasty, becoming the founding emperor. That is a true, heaven-defying aspiration.

"Forget it. Who will go next? Do not disgrace yourselves further."

Jiang Ziyan’s tone was icy.

The middle-aged prince flinched but remained silent, knowing he had lost his chance at entering the Immortal Sect. Without that support, his claim to the throne was even more tenuous.

The other princes and princesses, observing his failure, felt no schadenfreude. Instead, their faces grew tense with apprehension.

Meanwhile, the gathered elites from across the nineteen provinces of the Great Yu who had crowded outside the imperial palace were equally alarmed.

For even a cultivator at the Absolute Technique Stage to be rejected, the Immortal Sect’s standards were shockingly stringent!

...

Soon, a second royal stepped forward, this time a princess.

The Bone Reflection Mirror displayed her details:
Age: 32 years.
Cultivation: Three Immortals Peak, nearing the Four Pillar Realm.

She had no Dao Heart, which meant no need to undergo the Dao Heart test.

Yet to have reached the Three Immortals Peak at such a young age demonstrated exceptional aptitude.

She ascended the Heavenly Ascension Staircase swiftly, her momentum much like the previous prince’s.

Watching her rapid ascent, the middle-aged prince was incredulous. Then, realizing something, he turned to Jiang Ziyan.

"Elder Sister, does the oppressive force on the staircase adjust to each person’s cultivation level?"

"Yes."

Jiang Ziyan nodded. The oppressive force tested practical combat ability, including one’s cultivation techniques.

If someone’s techniques were subpar or their strength ranked mediocre or worse within their realm, they would barely make it through.

The princess, meanwhile, demonstrated the royal family’s pinnacle vein-opening technique. Her aura surged as she climbed, eventually reaching the Immortal Sect Gate with difficulty.

The dark tower above the gate remained unresponsive. Without hesitation, she stepped through the gate—and encountered no resistance.

She entered smoothly.

Seeing her pass through, the remaining princes and princesses showed visible relief and joy, but the middle-aged prince was left stunned, his face contorted in disbelief.

How could she enter so easily?

He considered himself far more qualified than this younger princess, yet she had succeeded where he had failed.

Damn it! Not having a Dao Heart saved her from one of the tests!

The middle-aged prince's heart burned with frustration.

Jiang Ziyan, however, focused her gaze on the Immortal Sect Gate. Although the princess had passed, there was no visible reaction from within.

She sighed inwardly, realizing that despite her entry, the princess was likely judged as having average aptitude, making it difficult for her to achieve much within the Immortal Sect.

Glancing at her royal brother, who wore an expression of concealed anger, Jiang Ziyan shook her head slightly.

"You don’t need to dwell on it. The aptitude test is for your benefit. Without sufficient potential, entering the Immortal Sect would only lead to hardship. It’s not as comfortable as life in the mortal realm."

Hearing her words, the others felt somewhat reassured. Yet none of them were willing to give up. Each still harbored hopes of making it through, resolved to give it their all.

One by one, the royals stepped onto the Heavenly Ascension Staircase.

The tests began.

Some succeeded; others were turned back.

Among the seven imperial clan members who attempted the test, only three managed to pass, while four were rejected.

Not one of them managed to activate the Extreme Dao Monument.

Seeing the high elimination rate even among the royal family, the gathered elites in the imperial palace plaza wore expressions of tension and complex emotions.

The fervor and excitement they had initially felt cooled significantly, like a dousing of cold water.

So this Immortal Sect Gate isn’t as easy to enter as we thought.

These self-proclaimed geniuses, despite their pride, could not deny that they were still a step behind the royal family.

Once the royals finished their trials, Jiang Ziyan wasted no time. She turned to the plaza and addressed the gathered talents from the nineteen provinces of the Great Yu.

"There’s no need to push and shove. Go in an orderly fashion to undergo the tests."

As soon as she finished speaking, a group of individuals stepped forward from the crowd, their auras imposing.

At the forefront was a young man with a graceful demeanor, his features striking and refined, his temperament extraordinary.

He leaped lightly into the air, his gaze sweeping toward the imperial palace. His line of sight passed through the garden behind the rear hall, landing directly on the young man seated by the dragon table within the grand hall.

A faint, gentle smile appeared in his otherwise cold eyes. Nodding slightly, he spoke softly, "I’ll go first and wait for you over there."

With that, he stepped toward the Heavenly Ascension Staircase.

Jiang Ziyan was momentarily startled. She glanced at Li Hao in the distance, wondering, Do these two know each other?

The young man exuded a unique air. His cultivation level was immensely high—he had reached the Supreme Dao Realm—but his exact age remained unclear.

"Xuanshen, give it your all!"
"Show them what you’re made of!"

Cheers erupted from the onlookers.

These individuals were all part of the Ji family.

In the void outside the plaza, Ji Tianchao had also arrived. However, he remained hidden, observing quietly. He had accompanied this group of youths, ensuring their safety.

With the Immortal Sect Gate now open in Jiang family territory, such an opportunity could not be missed.

However, he had advised his charges to stay low-key, avoid drawing too much attention, and refrain from revealing their Ji family name. The ancient holy clans valued discretion above all else…

Suddenly, a thunderous aura burst forth from Ji Xuanshen.

He seemed like a divine being, his entire body radiating golden light.

Tongli Realm Extreme!

Even the seven Dao Law Realm experts stationed by the Heavenly Ascension Staircase, who had maintained indifferent expressions throughout, were visibly intrigued. Their eyes glimmered slightly in acknowledgment.

At last, a true genius had arrived.

"What is that?"
"Why has his skin turned golden?"
"Such overwhelming power—his very presence feels like a blazing furnace!"
"Who is this prodigy? I’ve never seen him before. What’s his name?"

Murmurs of awe rippled through the plaza.

The spectators were stunned by Ji Xuanshen’s transformation and the surging, sun-like aura emanating from him.

Ji Xuanshen wasted no words.

He strode confidently onto the Heavenly Ascension Staircase.

The moment his foot landed, the oppressive force of the laws enveloped him, weighing heavily on his shoulders. Yet, he moved forward with steady, powerful strides.

As he passed the fifth step, the Extreme Dao Monument beside him burst into radiant brilliance.

Tongli Realm Extreme: Divine Power!

Ji Xuanshen did not pause. He continued forward, and before long, crossed another five steps.

The second Extreme Dao Monument lit up with dazzling brilliance once more.

Heaven and Earth Meridian!

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