He felt this was just too cruel.
If he were eliminated by the Primordial Talisman Sect, then in the future he would have to settle for a life of mundane chores.
He would never be able to continue on the path to immortality.
"It’s not to say there’s no hope at all."
"Even if we are eliminated by the Sect and lose our status as Outer Sect Disciples."
"We can still cultivate outside."
"If we can continue to advance in cultivation and become Foundation Establishment Cultivators, we can return to the Primordial Talisman Sect as Inner Sect Disciples."
"We can even exchange for corresponding cultivation techniques within the Sect."
"But once we lose our status as Outer Sect Disciples, we also lose all the benefits from the Sect."
Lian Miheng shook his head.
Apparently, the Sect wasn’t so ruthless as to completely cut off the path of those who failed.
They still provided a way out for the failures.
If one’s cultivation could continue to advance and reach Foundation Establishment, they could return to the Sect to continue cultivating.
However, up to now, not many Outer Sect Disciples have achieved this.
After all, they were eliminated due to their own lack of talent.
Now, they work hard outside to earn money, leaving little time for cultivation.
Over time, the probability of their cultivation advancing to the Foundation Establishment stage approaches zero.
But even so, this remains their deepest hope.
At least the Sect hasn’t completely given up on these failures.
This in itself is a stroke of luck.
"I see."
Hearing this, Xue Zhiheng breathed a sigh of relief.
Though the competition within the Sect is extremely fierce, there is still some leniency.
This can be considered a small mercy from the Sect.
After all, resources are limited and cannot be evenly distributed to each disciple.
Thus, only outstanding disciples can enjoy the best resources.
Mediocre disciples can only be eliminated.
"Alright, come with me to the Outer Sect Peak first."
Lian Miheng waved his hand, and immediately a white Spiritual Crane flew over from the distance, reaching Xue Zhiheng’s side in the blink of an eye, sweeping up a gust of wind.
"Senior Brother, is this your spirit beast?"
Xue Zhiheng blinked, showing an envious expression.
As a Martial Artist living in the Ten Thousand Beasts Secret Realm, he was very familiar with Spiritual Cranes.
Ordinary people would also ride Spiritual Cranes to travel to other cities.
The problem is, obtaining a Spiritual Crane is extremely difficult, far beyond the means of ordinary people.
Even if they could afford it, they couldn’t possibly control it.
Only Cultivators can form a contract with and even ride a Spiritual Crane.
Many ordinary people could only look on with envy.
"That’s right, this is my lifebound spirit beast."
"Every Outer Sect Disciple is entitled to a free spirit beast."
"Among them are Spiritual Cranes, Spiritual Crows, Flower Demons, Wind Spirit Horses, and so on."
"But I love flying in the sky, so I chose a Spiritual Crane."
"Moreover, if I am ever eliminated by the Sect and can’t stay at the Outer Sect Peak, I can still rely on the power of the Spiritual Crane to transport mortal tourists around and earn Spirit Stones."
Lian Miheng said proudly.
Without a doubt, every spirit beast is of immense benefit to a cultivator.
For instance, this Spiritual Crane can carry him flying in mid-air.
This is something only Foundation Establishment Cultivators can do.
But with the power of the Spiritual Crane, he can now fly in mid-air, realizing the dream of mortals to fly.
It’s safe to say, Spiritual Cranes are extremely popular spirit beasts in the Primordial Talisman Sect.
Many Outer Sect Disciples choose Spiritual Cranes as their first option, after all, who wouldn’t want the freedom to fly through the sky.
"Can I also contract a Spiritual Crane?"
Xue Zhiheng asked excitedly.
"Of course, it’s one of the benefits for Outer Sect Disciples."
"But you don’t have to decide right now."
"Because your lifebound spirit beast is crucial, affecting your future path."
"Wait until you’ve thoroughly understood various cultivation knowledge before choosing a spirit beast that suits you."
"There’s no need to rush."
Lian Miheng said solemnly.
"Yes, Senior Brother."
Xue Zhiheng looked gratefully at Lian Miheng. If not for this senior, he would probably still be clueless about the various matters of the Primordial Talisman Sect.
Boom~~
Instantly, Lian Miheng waved his hand, leading Xue Zhiheng onto the back of the Spiritual Crane.
Before long, the Spiritual Crane gently flapped its wings and flew into the sky, heading towards the Outer Sect Peak.
An unusual force enveloped Lian Miheng and Xue Zhiheng, protecting them from the buffeting air currents around them.
As they passed, they soared over lofty mountain peaks.
The mortals on the ground appeared as tiny as ants.
Amazing cities and buildings unfolded in their view.
"Is this the view from up high?"
Xue Zhiheng said excitedly.
Soaring through the sky, riding the crane, he felt like only this way could he truly be called a cultivator.
Boom~~
Before long, under the flight of the Spiritual Crane, Lian Miheng and Xue Zhiheng arrived at the Outer Sect Peak.
Though it’s called Outer Sect Peak, it refers to a vast area, not just a single mountain.
Here stood hundreds or thousands of peaks, stretching continuously to form a mountain range.
The area it covered went on for who knows how many acres.
On the peaks were built rows of stone houses made of bluestone, stacked layer upon layer, constructed along the mountainside. Stone walls creeping with dark vines emitted a gentle glow, nourished by spiritual qi.
These stone houses came in various shapes; some were square and solid, others carved out of natural boulders. Arched stone doors embellished with ancient spirit patterns appeared and disappeared with the flow of spiritual qi.
Newly added stone-paved stilted buildings scattered along steep cliff sides, wind chimes tinkling under vine-draped eaves.
Between the buildings lay stairs of spirit-patterned stone carved from whole rocks, winding sometimes into the mist, sometimes appearing in full view, resembling the cloud ladders of a fairy palace.
This left Xue Zhiheng quite astounded; he never expected the Outer Sect Peak to be so colossal.
"Senior Brother, just how many Outer Sect Disciples live here?"
Xue Zhiheng couldn’t help but ask.
He felt the scale here was simply immense.
"Not too many, about a hundred thousand Outer Sect Disciples."
"As of now, our Primordial Talisman Sect already has a hundred thousand Qi Cultivation Stage Cultivators."
"With the increasing population, the number of Outer Sect Disciples continues to rise rapidly."
Lian Miheng smiled ever so slightly.
"A hundred thousand Qi Cultivation Stage Cultivators and a hundred thousand Outer Sect Disciples?"
"Is the competition this intense?"
Xue Zhiheng was utterly dumbfounded.
He never imagined the number of Outer Sect Disciples in the Primordial Talisman Sect would be so immense.
Originally, he thought thousands would be enough.
But now it was ten times more than he had imagined, which was staggeringly excessive.
It’s no wonder the Outer Sect Peak’s area is so vast.
It’s simply beyond his wildest imagination.
"This is quite normal."
"For any cultivator with a Spirit Root, they are brought here."
"We have to understand, our Ten Thousand Beasts Secret Realm has six hundred million people."
"Yet even so, only a hundred thousand have Spirit Roots."
"That’s already one in ten thousand."
Lian Miheng shook his head. While on the surface, the number of Outer Sect Disciples seemed plentiful, compared to the vast human population, one hundred thousand was pitifully small.
They, as innate Spirit Root cultivators, were considered one in ten thousand geniuses.
Of course, compared to ordinary people, they were lucky enough.
In fact, compared to the Southern Continent, the Primordial Talisman Sect managed to find a hundred thousand Qi Cultivation Stage Cultivators because every mortal can undergo Spirit Root testing.
In this way, every cultivator with a Spirit Root was discovered.
But in the Southern Continent, Spirit Root testing only covered parts of the area.
So comprehensive testing was impossible.
This led to many cultivators with Spirit Roots going undiscovered.
More importantly, those sects didn’t want to recruit so many disciples.
After all, resources in the Cultivation Realm are limited.
If too many disciples are recruited without enough resources for cultivation, chaos is bound to occur.
There’s a risk that many disciples with low Spirit Roots might turn to the Demon Dao, practicing Demon Techniques.
Attractions of Demon Techniques are too great to resist for some disciples.
Therefore, these sects would deliberately reduce the number of disciples, recruiting only those with at least Middle or Upper Spiritual Root Talent, where there is hope for Foundation Establishment.