After Kent shocked everyone, they all started murmuring among themselves and began to put things into perspective. This brought the space into a state of quiet.
The only one still talking was Nyss Wu, who still couldn’t come to terms with the fact that Kent was more talented than she was, having reached the core formation stage at just 21 years old.
Kent wanted to let her know that he had started cultivating three years ago, so technically, he had reached the core formation stage in three years, but he held himself back, knowing it would be too heartbreaking.
Be that as it may, making new friends was cool, and Nyss Wu sure had some form of aura Kent was vibing to, so he wasn’t about to break her spirit.
"Big brother Kent, please take me as your disciple. You are so cool," Nyss said in a slightly flirtatious tone. Princess Helga and Elowen looked at each other and smirked.
Her attempt to lower Kent’s guard so she could get inside his mind was becoming increasingly ridiculous by the second.
"For the last time, you are older than I am. Though this is unusual to hear, you are probably older than my grandma."
"Pfff."
The Dwarven and Half-Elf princesses couldn’t contain their laughter anymore. And they weren’t the only ones. A few of the disciples from Sonox held the same amused expressions.
However, they all shut down when Nyss glared at them. She had no time for them since her target now was Kent, the one person she had never succeeded in using her two strongest abilities on.
"You are cruel, big brother Kent."
Nyss said, throwing her body at Kent, who dodged, but instead of falling, Nyss was relatively quick on her feet, twirling only for Kent to find her back in his arms.
She was annoying, but not unpleasant to be around.
Kent had no feelings either for or against her. It was merely like handling a snotty-nosed kid on the street. It was annoying, but one couldn’t deny that snotty noses also needed some attention.
*Crack.*
Suddenly, the space cracked, and Elder Mikko and the five inner disciples appeared in the air. Everyone looked up.
’I guess I’d better form my core so I can start learning the void too. With Ingrid helping me, it will be an easy mastery for me.’
"Welcome, everyone. I am Elder Mikko, and I will be overseeing your entrance exams with the help of these inner disciples.
I have only one rule, and that is discipline. All those who have disciples wouldn’t do anything that would put them in trouble. So discipline yourself, and we will have a good first meeting.
Now, to those of you wondering whether the entrance exams will be hard, the answer is yes, so be prepared.
The sect is not a place for the weak, so if you want to grow while here, you must have a winning attitude from the start.
This means you must start by walking through those sect gates and claiming your place in the vast sect, for whether you like it or not, you are here, and going home will be a bummer."
’She doesn’t joke around, does she?’ Kent said inwardly, looking at the Elder. He scanned her and knew she had some strength.
’What do you think, Tower?’
⟦She is superior to you in both strength and speed. So don’t think about winning in speed, even if you use your movement technique.
She is an eagle. She is built for speed. The only advantage you have here is your soul immunity and superior skill. Even so, a slight recklessness and your head is coming off.
She is impressive, and I think you should take her seriously.⟧
’You were supposed to be on my side, Tower.’
⟦I am, master, and that was why I told you all that. If possible, find a way to train your speed with her. I am sure she would be happy to do that if you show some discipline.⟧
Kent wanted to laugh reading the message, but he knew that would be bad for him. However, he would follow the Tower’s suggestion and show some discipline.
"The exams are going to be just one." The moment she said that, the five inner disciples formed a seal, manifesting a formation.
The formation appeared in the air, and after gathering enough energy, a beam shot from its center and landed on the gate.
Suddenly, the sky turned dark, and from within, a stairway appeared from the clouds, leading into the gate. Then, from within, it extended and soon stretched, forming dozens of steps leading down to the ground.
After a few minutes, a 100-step stairway formed, leading straight to the main gate.
"This is the Will of an Angel Stairway. It is a treasure from a high world and one that will be used to see those who have the will to become true disciples."
Everyone turned, looking at each other. They never expected these exams. They expected the three-step exams their sisters told them about.
"I know you all expected first to be tested based on talent and bloodline. You expected to carry stones and run a few miles. You expected to be seated and asked to comprehend a technique or decipher a hidden issue.
All these are good, but in my eyes, they are just a waste.
In the end, it is not how many problems you can solve that will save your skin or how many stones you can carry that will keep you going.
Ultimately, it is the strength of your will to live.
The will and conviction of a warrior are stronger than anything else. With a strong will, even when outnumbered, you will never lose your conviction.
You will never falter when conjuring those spells, activating those skills, and swinging those swords. The will of a warrior is your greatest strength, which is why today I will see how much you all want to enter the sect.
Before you is a 100-step stairway leading to the doors of the sect; all you have to do is climb every last step and walk through the gate.
That is how you get into the sect.
If you want to become one of the many disciples in the sect, then walk through the gate on your own terms.
And let me tell you, the stairway will break you, make you doubt yourself, and even make you think of giving up. But if you are willing to become a disciple, you will never back down.
So use your will to climb, and those with the strongest will will make it into the sect at all costs. You have 24 hours to walk through the gate; after this time, those who haven’t yet entered the doors will be escorted back home.
The supreme immortal sect isn’t for the weak."
Kent stared at the stairway, and a sigh escaped his lips. ’I think climbing the Stairway to Heaven in China followed me to this world. He had already climbed two stairways, and now the third was smiling at him.
"If you have a question, now is the time to ask."
Kent raised his hand.