The spectacle before Su Hao left him dazed. It was a long moment before his senses returned, and when they did, the arrogance he carried in his heart had withered to almost nothing. Just then, several rainbow-colored streaks of light shot toward them. As each streak of sword-light dissipated, it revealed a disciple of the Cangfeng Sect, each leading a handful of youths around the age of fifteen. The newcomers, both boys and girls, had the same awestruck expressions as Su Zhenghao’s group as they landed and took in the transcendent scenery around them. All the Cangfeng Sect disciples who had escorted the youths gathered to one side, murmuring amongst themselves and sizing up the new arrivals. After a short wait, the last of the recommended youths arrived. A middle-aged man in black robes scanned the area, his face an impassive mask. "Among you," he said, his voice devoid of emotion, "only a few will be chosen as disciples of the Cangfeng Sect." A ripple of shock went through the assembled youths. Su Zhenghao’s heart clenched. He quickly counted a total of forty-eight people hoping to pass the test. "Cultivation, the path to immortality, is dependent on your innate talent. The first test will determine if your spiritual aptitude is sufficient. Now, whoever I point to will step forward," the middle-aged man said flatly, pointing to a boy near the front. The youth approached cautiously, his legs trembling. The middle-aged man placed a hand on his head. "Not qualified. Stand to the left." All the strength seemed to drain from the boy’s body. His face was bleak, his eyes vacant, as he shuffled to the left in a daze. Another youth was selected. He stepped forward with a fearful expression. Ten in a row failed the test. The space to the right of the middle-aged man remained empty. Then it was Su Feiyu’s turn. All of his earlier pride had vanished from his face. Looking pale, he stepped forward. After the middle-aged man placed a hand on Su Feiyu's head, his expression suddenly brightened. "What is your name?" he asked. Su Feiyu replied quickly and respectfully, "My name is Su Feiyu, Immortal." The middle-aged man nodded, a rare smile touching his lips. "So you are the one Martial Teacher mentioned. Good. Su Feiyu, stand to the right." A wave of exaltation washed over Su Feiyu. He walked to the right under the envious gazes of the others, his eyes once again filled with arrogance and contempt as he surveyed the crowd. He felt untouchable. "Son of a bitch," Su Hao muttered to Su Zhenghao with a curl of his lip. "What a lucky bastard." The knot in Su Zhenghao’s stomach tightened. An image of his parents’ expectant faces rose in his mind, and he clenched his fists. "Not bad," the middle-aged man said with a hint of surprise to the young girl before him. "You also stand to the right." Before long, nearly all the youths had been tested. Only two stood on the right side of the middle-aged man. Su Hao was next. Su Hao practically scrambled up to the middle-aged man. Before the test could even begin, he dropped to his knees and kowtowed several times. "Immortal, may you enjoy a long and prosperous life! My name is Su Hao. You have tested so many people, you must be exhausted! Why don't you rest for a moment? I'm in no hurry, it's no trouble at all." The middle-aged man let out a short laugh. He had seen so many faces filled with terror, but this clever boy showed not a shred of fear, only a shameless desire to curry favor. Amused, he pressed his hand onto Su Hao's head and said, "Your talent is lacking. Not…" The moment Su Hao heard the words "talent is lacking," his heart plummeted. Without waiting for the man to finish, he quickly produced a jade box and held it up. "Immortal," Su Hao said shrewdly, "my father found this by chance in the mountains but was unable to open it. I brought it especially as a gift for you." The middle-aged man chuckled and shook his head. He was about to refuse, but as his gaze swept over the box, his pupils contracted and his expression sharpened. "Not bad! This is a spiritual mushroom, at least three hundred years old. Judging by the jade box, it was sealed by a cultivator. No wonder your father couldn’t open it." He paused, his voice softening slightly. "I am in need of an assistant for my alchemy. Are you willing to be my helper?" Su Hao, stunned by the sudden reversal of fortune, scrambled to his feet. The whiplash between failure and acceptance was like the difference between heaven and earth, and he was breathless with excitement. "Yes, Immortal, I am willing!" he exclaimed. The middle-aged man chuckled again. "Since you will be my helper, I will not treat you unfairly. You may cultivate just like the other disciples. Go stand to the right." His heart pounding with excitement, Su Hao ran to the right side and shot Su Feiyu a triumphant stare. The faces of the failed youths paled, their shoulders slumping in dejection. A few of them began to cry. The middle-aged man’s brow furrowed. "Send away all those who are crying," he barked. Several Cangfeng Sect disciples stepped forward. They swiftly collected the weeping youths and vanished in streaks of sword-light. The middle-aged man pointed at Su Zhenghao. Su Zhenghao took a deep breath. He walked toward the man, his mind a nervous blank. Praying silently, he couldn't stop seeing the hope in his parents' eyes. I have to be chosen! Su Zhenghao thought with fierce determination. The middle-aged man’s hand pressed down on his head. With an impassive face, he spoke the two words Su Zhenghao had dreaded most. Su Zhenghao didn’t remember how he made it to the left side. His ears rang as if with spring thunder, the man's pronouncement echoing in the sudden, crushing silence. After a moment, everyone had been tested. Only three people stood to the right. To all the others, the trio seemed to stand on a higher plane, impossibly tall and distant. Su Feiyu looked over at Su Zhenghao, and the disdain in his expression was absolute. "While spiritual aptitude is required to be a cultivator, perseverance is even more important," the middle-aged man announced. "Even ordinary aspirants like yourselves can become sect disciples if you have enough willpower! The second test is one of perseverance." He paused, his gaze sweeping over the dejected crowd. "Follow the steps up. If you reach the top, you are qualified. If you have not finished within three days, you fail. Those who fail will be returned to their families. If you cannot endure or you encounter danger, shout for help, and someone will come." The middle-aged man turned to the three on his right with a smile. "You two, follow me to meet the patriarch. We will also find you masters. Su Hao, you will come with me to the alchemy house to familiarize yourself with the facilities." With his instructions given, the middle-aged man led the three chosen youths away, disappearing back into the mountain depths. Su Zhenghao took a deep, steadying breath, his eyes filled with a new resolve. Without hesitation, he walked to the stone steps and began the test of perseverance. With three chosen and six taken away, thirty-nine remained. Depressed, determined, or terrified, each of the thirty-nine youths began the slow climb toward their uncertain future.

Chapter 3: A Transcendent Trial