Chapter 40: Advancement Ceremony

Why is it that these so-called "geniuses" with good talent aren't the ones being chosen for such a great opportunity? Instead, it's those with mediocre talent who are occupying the spot.

"How could these weaklings possibly advance to the Golden Core stage, and in such a short time?"

"Exactly! We haven't even reached the Golden Core stage, so why are those with average talent being selected? There must be something else going on here."

A few of the talented individuals gathered together, whispering among themselves.

Xu Yang, in the grand hall above, calmly took a sip from his tea as he observed the scene.

He already knew what these people were discussing. This time, in front of everyone, he had chosen disciples who may not have great talent but had good character, and he would elevate them to the Golden Core stage. The purpose was to make everyone aware that in Tianlan Sect, talent and cultivation were secondary. Good character and loyalty to Tianlan Sect were the most important things.

Dong...

When the sun reached its zenith, a deep bell rang out. Lìng Qīngshū, holding a sheepskin scroll, said with a cold face, "The Advancement Ceremony officially begins, please, Ancestor!"

At the sound of her clear voice, all the disciples in the plaza turned their attention to Xu Yang, eager to see what method he would use to help the Foundation Establishment and even Qi Refining stage disciples condense their Golden Core within a single day.

Although everyone expressed doubts, their gazes were filled with respect. Xu Yang's name was famous in Qi State, and as his disciples, their status had risen significantly. Whenever others heard they were from Tianlan Sect, their eyes filled with admiration.

In such a short time, they had gone from cautious outsiders to the disciples of the most prestigious sect in Qi State, Tianlan Sect.

This was all thanks to their mysterious Ancestor.

Thus, they held deep reverence for their mysterious Ancestor.

Xu Yang, under the gaze of everyone, walked over to a young man.

This young man was one of the few chosen by Lìng Qīngshū for his good character and loyalty to Tianlan Sect. He appeared to be no older than seventeen, with a thin frame and a pale face. The loose green robe he wore hung loosely on him, making him look even more fragile.

When he saw Xu Yang approaching, his face was filled with nervousness, and he tremblingly said, "Good day, Ancestor Xu."

"What's your name?" Xu Yang asked as he sized up the boy. The young man's aura was weak, with none of the arrogance or sharpness that a cultivator should possess. At first glance, he looked like a poor child from a farming family.

However, these were things that could be cultivated over time. Xu Yang believed that once this boy condensed his Golden Core and stood above everyone else, he wouldn't still appear so weak and powerless.

"My name is... Liú Dàn," the boy stuttered, his palms sweaty and his face pale with anxiety.

Many of the Tianlan Sect disciples watching from the outside couldn't help but laugh.

"See? A janitor is still a janitor. What success could he have? He thinks he can form a Golden Core like this? Dream on."

"Exactly, I don't understand how our sect leader chooses disciples."

"Seriously, someone with such heavenly talent like me wasn't selected, but that trash was. I just don't get it."

"I heard it's because he once protected a junior brother during a battle, got seriously injured, and was chosen because of that."

"Just because of that?"

Upon hearing the gossip, Liú Dàn became even more nervous.

Xu Yang noticed the nervousness in Liú Dàn's demeanor.

He didn't say much, only handed him a bottle of elixir and said, "Take this."

Under the gaze of thousands, Liú Dàn consumed the elixir. His aura immediately became turbulent, and the skies seemed to change color.

Xu Yang placed his hand on Liú Dàn's shoulder, assisting him by controlling the violent spiritual energy within, helping him break through to the Golden Core stage.

With a loud rumble, in just a quarter of an hour, Liú Dàn's aura suddenly grew even more violent before quickly stabilizing.

However, at this moment, his entire aura had transformed.

"Thank you, Ancestor." Liú Dàn fell to his knees with a loud thud, his eyes filled with excitement.

He could clearly feel the Golden Core within him—he was now a Golden Core cultivator.

He silently vowed in his heart to repay Tianlan Sect with his life.

Xu Yang nodded and said, "You can leave now. By the way, what did you do before?"

"Disciple was responsible for cleaning the sect gates every day," Liú Dàn answered respectfully.

Cleaning the sect gates? So he was just a janitor. Xu Yang slightly frowned. Having a Golden Core cultivator do janitorial work didn't seem quite right.

"From now on, you won't have to do that. I'll give you an elder's position." Xu Yang said. "You won't actually be an elder, but this doesn't matter. As long as your character is upright, you can learn these things."

"This..." Liú Dàn was shocked. From a janitor to an elder? This was such a leap that he could hardly believe it.

"There's nothing to hesitate about. Just follow my arrangements," Xu Yang said indifferently.

Liú Dàn hurriedly agreed and fell silent.

The onlookers below were stunned. In just a few minutes, a disciple with extremely poor talent, who was only at the Foundation Establishment stage, had been forcibly advanced to the Golden Core stage by Xu Yang.

They pinched themselves, feeling the pain, realizing this was real.

Everyone gathered envious, jealous, and hateful gazes toward Liú Dàn.

At this moment, Liú Dàn still couldn't fully control the violent energy of the Golden Core stage, and his aura leaked out. Everyone was certain that Liú Dàn had truly advanced to the Golden Core stage.

"How could this happen? A genius like me was surpassed by a janitor!" Some people couldn't believe it, shaking their heads in disbelief.

"I only fought with Liú Dàn yesterday, and now he's an elder of Tianlan Sect. Will he seek revenge on me?"

Xu Yang then walked toward the second person, named Zhāng Dòng, who was somewhat well-known in Tianlan Sect. His talent was poor, and his cultivation was also lacking, but he possessed a spirit of perseverance and hard work.

Though he had cultivated very diligently, his talent was so poor that his cultivation time was several times longer than others, yet his cultivation level remained stuck at the first level of Foundation Establishment.

Everyone said that no matter how hard Zhāng Dòng tried, he would never break through.

Xu Yang approached Zhāng Dòng, who, due to years of cultivation, appeared very robust.

Xu Yang didn't waste time and directly handed Zhāng Dòng an elixir, instructing him to take it.

With Liú Dàn serving as an example, Zhāng Dòng happily took the elixir.