Cultivation of immortality begins with an eighty-year-old eunuch.

Chapter 518 Introduction! A Buying Opportunity!

Chen Fan had a plan in mind, but he remained calm on the surface. He followed the thin disciple through several stone steps and soon arrived at a wide platform.

The platform was about a hundred feet square, with a ground paved with bluish-gray stone slabs. Weeds grew in the cracks, and it was clear that it had been in disrepair for many years.

Several broken stone pillars stand around the platform, with faint traces of the array patterns carved on them, but they have long since lost their spiritual power.

A huge spirit-testing stele stands to the due north. The stele is mottled, and the three ancient characters "Shangyun Sect" can be vaguely seen.

At this moment, a considerable number of people have gathered in the training ground.

Chen Fan glanced at the scene, a slight thought stirring in his heart.

There were over a hundred people in the arena, gathered in small groups, their buzzing discussions rising and falling. These people had varying levels of cultivation, ranging from the Great Perfection of Qi Refining to the early stage of Core Formation, with those in the Foundation Establishment stage making up more than 60%.

There are even Core Formation cultivators here?

Chen Fan was secretly surprised.

Given the dilapidated state of the Yun Sect, one would think it would be a miracle if they could even recruit a few Foundation Establishment cultivators. How could a Core Formation cultivator possibly come to join them?

He walked discreetly to the edge of the crowd and began to listen intently.

"Brother Zhang, didn't you have the title of guest elder at Iron Sword Manor? How come you've come to this godforsaken place?" A Foundation Establishment mid-stage cultivator with a thick beard asked, patting the shoulder of the green-robed cultivator beside him.

The green-robed cultivator gave a wry smile: "Don't even mention it. The entrance test for Iron Sword Manor is too difficult. The sword intent assessment alone eliminated most of the people. I queued there for three days and still didn't get a chance to take the test."

"Who says otherwise!" someone else chimed in. "The Golden Sword Sect is even more outrageous. They charge ten mid-grade spirit stones to register, and the test requires passing three trials and defeating six generals. They say they're only recruiting three this year, but there are over a thousand applicants. Isn't that just playing with people?"

"The Hundred Herbs Valley has a lower threshold, but they only accept alchemists. The Wind and Thunder Pavilion requires that the spiritual root must have the lightning attribute, and the Yellow Sand Sect only recruits body cultivators... All things considered, among the seven sects in the Desolate State, the Cloud Sect is the most practical."

"Really? They must be desperate for money!" someone scoffed. "The registration fee is only three low-grade spirit stones, and the test is just a formality. They'll accept anyone who can guide their Qi into their body. What future can a sect like that have?"

"You can't say that. We're not really here to become apprentices; we want the title of a sect disciple. Once we get that title, we can represent the sect in the state competition. If we're lucky enough to be selected by the Zhao Kingdom, that would be a meteoric rise!"

"You? You think you can be chosen by the Zhao Kingdom in the early stages of Foundation Establishment? Dream on!"

"Haha, you can't say that. The selection of retainers isn't just about cultivation level. Innate talent, comprehension, and special physique are all factors. Didn't a few years ago there was a rogue cultivator in the late Foundation Establishment stage who was found to have a Fire Spirit Physique and was directly accepted as a retainer by the Zhao Kingdom, breaking the rules?"

"That would require a special constitution..."

……

Listening to the discussions around him, Chen Fan gradually understood.

It seems that the rules for selecting these offerings are more complicated than Jidaozi had learned.

The level of cultivation is not the only criterion for judgment. Root bone, comprehension, physique, and even certain special talents for cultivating immortality are all within the scope of consideration.

This is precisely why these rogue cultivators with low cultivation levels flock to it, hoping to seize a one-in-a-million chance.

Although Shangyun Sect has declined, it is still one of the seven sects of the Desolate State and has the right to participate in the State Grand Competition.

For these independent cultivators who can't get into other sects, Shangyun Sect is the most convenient stepping stone.

"Line up! Line up! Everyone line up! The test is about to begin!"

A strong, resonant voice came from the front of the training ground.

Chen Fan looked up and saw an old man in the mid-stage of Core Formation wearing a gray robe stride up to the Spirit Testing Stele, followed by two Foundation Establishment stage disciples, each holding a thick register.

The old man in the gray robe looked to be in his sixties, with gray hair, a thin face, and three long wisps of beard on his chin, giving him a somewhat otherworldly and venerable appearance.

His robes were faded from washing, and the cuffs were patched, giving him an air of poverty.

This person is the Shangyun Sect elder who is in charge of this entrance test!

Elder Li.

Elder Li stopped before the Spirit Testing Stele, his gaze sweeping over the dense crowd in the arena. A hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes as he stroked his beard and said:

"Fellow Daoists, you have come from afar. On behalf of the Shangyun Sect, I extend my welcome. The rules for the entrance test are very simple. Each person pays three low-grade spirit stones as a registration fee, and then proceeds to the Spirit Testing Stele in turn to test their cultivation and spiritual power. As long as the cultivation level is above the seventh level of Qi Refining and the purity of the spiritual power meets the standard, you will pass and become a disciple of my Shangyun Sect."

As soon as he finished speaking, a buzzing sound immediately filled the room.

Although they already knew they had to pay, hearing it in person still made many people feel uncomfortable.

Three low-grade spirit stones! That's way too expensive!

"Exactly! Iron Sword Manor only charges one, while Golden Sword Sect charges ten mid-grade spirit stones, but their sect is much stronger!"

"Has the Shangyun Sect gone mad with poverty?"

……

Elder Li's face darkened, and he coldly snorted, "Those who think it's too expensive can leave now; I won't stop them! Although the Shangyun Sect has declined, it's not a place where just anyone can enter. Three low-grade spirit stones buy an opportunity—a chance to participate in the prefectural competition and compete for the selection of retainers. Whether this opportunity is worth three spirit stones is for you to decide!"

Upon hearing this, the complaints in the room immediately subsided by more than half.

Although everyone expressed their dissatisfaction, they knew very well that buying the status of a sect disciple for three low-grade spirit stones was indeed a good deal.

In other sects, either the testing requirements are ridiculously high, or the registration fees are outrageously expensive.

The Shangyun Sect, with its low entry requirements and low fees, is practically the only option for rogue cultivators with low cultivation levels and mediocre aptitude.

Chen Fan stood at the back of the crowd, watching the scene calmly.

Three low-grade spirit stones were nothing to him, but from the faces of the rogue cultivators around him, he could tell that this expense was not easy for them.

However, as Elder Li said, this money bought an opportunity.

An opportunity to change your destiny.

Even if the chance is as slim as finding a needle in a haystack, it is still worth a try for these rogue cultivators trapped at the bottom.

"Start lining up to pay! One at a time!"

At Elder Li's command, everyone rushed forward.

Chen Fan wasn't in a hurry. He waited until the crowd in front of him had thinned out before slowly walking forward.

The two disciples in the early stages of Foundation Establishment were in charge of collecting the fees; one collected spirit stones, and the other kept a register.

Chen Fan took out three low-grade spirit stones from his sleeve and placed them on the table. The disciple who was collecting spirit stones said his name without even looking up.

Chen Fan then gave his name.

"Chen Mu, a rogue cultivator."