Just as Han Li moved to leave, a deep resonating sound rolled through the forest like thunder striking metal.
Ting— Ting— Ting—
It wasn't loud…
Yet it felt as if the sound echoed inside every cultivator's bones.
Conversations stopped.
Trades froze mid-bargain.
Without needing instruction, the crowd began moving—rushing toward the source of the sound as if pulled by invisible fate.
Han Li followed, steps steady, breath controlled—yet his heart felt strangely heavy, as if something awaited him beyond this sound.
The forest opened into a natural clearing, ringed by ancient stones engraved with runes.
Soft spiritual mist floated around the area, glowing faintly with starlight even though it was daytime.
Hundreds—no, thousands—of young ,old and even children, cultivators gathered in orderly rows.
At the front, elevated on a naturally formed stone platform, stood elders from various sects.
Their robes differed sharply:
Green robes embroidered with vines — Green Maple Valley
Blue robes carrying aquatic patterns — Flowing Water Sect
Purple robes with arcane symbols — Mystic Yin Hall
Black robes with beast claws and scales — Spirit Beast Sect
And among them…
Wearing pristine white robes that shimmered like snow under moonlight—
She stood.
A woman of breathtaking beauty.
Cold jade expression.
Long hair like dark ink cascading freely.
Her presence alone felt like a silent blade resting against one's throat.
Han Li's gaze landed on her—not because of desire, but instinct and curiosity.
Who… is she?
But the moment his eyes met hers—
His heart thundered.
His veins went cold.
His breath vanished.
His knees trembled violently and his consciousness dimmed, as if the world turned distant.
A whisper reached his ear:
"Idiot—don't look directly into her eyes. That's Ying Yue, one of the Grandmaster of the Masked Moon Sect… a Core Formation cultivator..."
Han Li instantly lowered his gaze, forcing his breath to steady.
So that was the pressure of someone at core formation really terrifying, I felt like I was just dead by her cold gaze.
He could still feel invisible qi pressing against his spiritual sea.
A delicate figure stepped forward.
She wore noble silk robes embroidered with celestial cranes and lotus patterns.
Two foundation-building guards shadowed her, and her cultivation was already at the 10th tier of Qi Refinement.
The crowd whispered:
"That's Miss Lan…"
"Lan Kingdom's princess…"
"Descendant of the Lan immortal bloodline!"
Ying Yue flicked her sleeve lightly, and a transparent orb —smooth as crystal—floated in front of Miss Lan.
Miss Lan placed her hand upon it.
The ball shone.
A radiant, brilliant pattern surged inside—like constellations forming.
Ying Yue's voice echoed:
"Heavenly Spirit Root."
The crowd gasped.
Miss Lan bowed gracefully.
"Masked Moon Sect."
Ying Yue nodded, expression unchanged.
One By One
The orb moved through cultivators:
Some touched it and it remained dull —
False spirit roots.
Rejected.
A few sparked with faint runes —
Two-attribute roots.
Accepted by minor sects.
Rarer ones glowed brighter —
Three-attribute spirit roots.
Then—
The girl Han Li had seen earlier — the one Guo Zhong bullied — stepped forward.
Her palm trembled against the orb.
Golden and blue lines intertwined inside — soft but clear.
2 attribute sprit root ," Ying Yue announced.
"Which sect?"
The girl steadied herself.
Sprit beast sect....,
She stepped back, relieved.
Guo Zhong watched with a twitching brow, silent fury burning.
Han Li's Turn
The orb drifted toward him… and stopped.
Guo Zhong's expression tightened.
He still remembered Han Li.
The crowd looked at the young man and wispered, so handsome, is there such a handsome man is he not women.
Han Li reached out slowly and touched the orb.
Inside his mind, a voice echoed:
Senior said I possess a Celestial Root… and can shape the orb's response. Which root should I reveal?
He inhaled deeply.
Better stay low.
A controlled flow of qi surged into the sphere.
Light formed inside—not too bright, not too weak.
Three intertwining colors.
Ying Yue nodded slightly.
"Three-Attribute Spirit Root. Passed."
Her cold eyes shifted toward Han Li.
"Which sect?"
Han Li bowed lightly.
"Green Maple Valley."
Ying Yue raised her chin.
"Accepted."
The Final Selection
Only a few remained.
The last notable one—Guo Zhong—stepped forward.
The orb glowed.
Three colors.
Exactly like Han Li.
He smirked, casting Han Li a sideways glance.
"Green Maple Valley," he declared.
Oh no he also joined green maple Valley now it will be troublesome,...
After that he gave orb to the girl who was with him, she was tested and han also 2 attrribute sprit root,, ... She also selected green maple valkey.
And so, the selection ended.
Ying Yue raised her hand.
"All disciples of Masked Moon Sect, step forward."
Others separated toward their chosen sect elders.
Han Li walked toward the green-robed elder among Green Maple Valley's group. The elder's expression was calm but sharp.
Han Li and the others bowed.
"Greetings, Elder."
The elder nodded.
"Good. From this moment, you are disciples of Green Maple Valley."
He reached into his spirit pouch and flicked his wrist.
A miniature wooden ship flew out—no larger than his palm.
But as it floated upward—it expanded rapidly until it reached nearly one hundred feet long, hovering in the air like a silent flying beast.
"Board."
One by one, the new disciples stepped onto the airborne vessel.
Other sects summoned their own transport treasures.
Soon—
Dozens of flying ships, swords, beasts, and talismans lifted off, soaring into the clouds.
Wind roared.
Clouds tore open.
Excitement burst from the young cultivators:
"Wooo!!!"
"We're flying!!!"
"Hahaha—immortal path, here I come!!!!"
Han Li stood quietly among them, eyes reflecting the endless sky and distant mountains.
And in a flash of brilliant light—
the ships vanished into the horizon.
The air above Green Maple Valley shimmered with dense spiritual energy, thicker and purer than anything Han Li had ever experienced. The floating ship slowed, drifting down like a silent leaf toward a vast emerald landscape.
Rolling mountains stretched endlessly, veined with waterfalls and ancient spirit trees whose leaves emitted faint glows. Layered terraces of green plains, training arenas, and meditation grounds could be seen — yet everything felt peaceful… quiet… like a sleeping beast hiding unimaginable strength.
As the ship hovered above a broad stone platform, senior disciples in green robes were already waiting.
Their cultivation was strong—each one radiating pressure like still swords sheathed but deadly.
They were either at late or mid stage of foundation,,
Some stood with arms behind their back, others with calm pride. Their eyes swept across the newcomers—not cruel, not welcoming—just observant, judging.
Then then took disciples with them one by one to give them sect robes , tokens and housing arrangements.
Soon, only Han Li remained.
Guo Zhong, who hadn't stopped glaring at him since the selection, sniffed coldly and whispered just loud enough:
"Trash luck. Let's see how long it lasts."
Han Li didn't respond.
His expression remained neutral, but his thoughts twisted sharply.
This boy will bring unnecessary attention. I must finish him as soon as possible or else I will not be able to keep my secrets Someone like him shouldn't live that long or it will be burden on earth,
And then han li , he simply bowed his head.
Footsteps approached.
A middle-aged man with streaks of white in his hair stood before him. His features were gentle yet sharp, like carved jade worn by time. His robe bore a faint silver maple leaf — a sign of an elder with authority.
Han Li hurriedly cupped his hands.
"Disciple Han Li greets elder."
The elder smiled lightly — warm, but with a depth Han Li could not read.
You come follow me.
Han Li stepped forward behind him as they descended a stone pathway lined with glowing jade lanterns and ancient maple trees whose leaves shimmered like tiny green runes.
Han Li kept his gaze forward, steps steady, breath controlled.
The elder finally spoke again while walking:
Kid, you looks a descendent of a noble family, I would like to give you an advice, cultivation is not as simple as it seems, do not attract a lot attraction laying low is the gentle mans way,
His tone shifted — colder, heavier, echoing through the trees:
"Remember — those who rise too fast are always in troubles, no one like ones success.
Han Li nodded.
"I understand."
Why is this elder saying these things did he find something or did he saw guo zhong looking at me coldly,, whatever let's follow him,,,.
The elder stopped at a small secluded courtyard beside a serene pond surrounded by maple trees.
"This will be your residence. Tomorrow, your training begins."
Han Li bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Elder."
The elder gave one last unreadable glance and walked away, his voice lingering like wind:
"Cultivate well, Han Li. Green Maple Valley
The door closed.
Only then… did Han Li finally exhale.