Supreme Taming Authority-Chapter 58: The Sect’s Trials Begins!

Dawn broke over Crimson Lotus City with clear skies and crisp air.

Xian Tiandi woke early, his internal clock perfectly attuned after years of disciplined cultivation in his past life. He performed his morning meditation routine, circulating his spiritual energy through the Chaos Dao Cultivation Technique, ensuring his body and mind were in peak condition.

Today was the Four Symbols Sect selection trials.

A knock came at his door as he finished dressing.

"Young Master," Steward Han’s voice called from outside. "Breakfast is ready. Elder Feng and Elder Qiu request your presence in the main hall."

"I’ll be there shortly," Xian Tiandi replied.

He checked his spatial ring one final time. The Inner Court Token Sect Leader Yue Lian had given him rested inside, along with various pills and emergency supplies. Everything was prepared.

Xian Tiandi left his quarters and made his way to the main hall. The compound was already bustling with activity despite the early hour. Servants rushed about preparing for the day. Several clan members were gathered in the courtyard, discussing the upcoming trials.

In the main hall, Elder Feng and Elder Qiu sat at a large table with breakfast laid out before them. Xian Long was already there, practically vibrating with nervous energy.

"Big Brother!" Xian Long called out when he spotted Xian Tiandi. "Finally! I’ve been waiting forever!"

"It’s barely past dawn," Xian Tiandi said with amusement as he took his seat.

"I couldn’t sleep," Xian Long admitted. "I kept thinking about the trials. What if I fail? What if I embarrass the clan?"

"You won’t fail," Elder Feng said calmly. "Your cultivation is solid for your age. Just perform to the best of your abilities."

"And don’t overthink it," Elder Qiu added. "Nervousness will only hinder your performance."

They ate breakfast together, discussing logistics for the day. The trials would be held at the Four Symbols Sect’s main branch compound in the city. Applicants were expected to arrive by mid-morning for registration.

As they were finishing the meal, Ying Yue appeared at the entrance to the hall. She bowed respectfully to the elders.

"Young Master Tiandi," she said. "May I speak with you privately for a moment?"

Xian Tiandi nodded and stood. "Of course."

They stepped out into the courtyard. Ying Yue’s expression was conflicted, her usual composed demeanor showing cracks of uncertainty.

"What’s wrong?" Xian Tiandi asked directly.

"I..." Ying Yue hesitated, then spoke in a rush. "I want to take the sect trials too. But I don’t know if I should. My place is serving you. If I join the sect, I’ll have obligations that might conflict with my duties."

Xian Tiandi studied her for a moment. He’d been expecting this conversation eventually.

"Ying Yue," he said gently. "What do you want? Not what you think you should do. What do you actually want for yourself?"

She looked down at her hands. "I want to become stronger. I want to stand beside you as an equal, not just as a servant. But I also don’t want to abandon my responsibilities."

"You’re not abandoning anything," Xian Tiandi said. "Listen to me carefully. I want you to take the trials. I want you to join the sect and become a true expert in your own right."

Ying Yue’s head snapped up, surprise clear on her face.

"You have incredible talent," Xian Tiandi continued. "Staying as my servant will limit your growth, I already told you this before. The sect can provide resources and training that will help you reach heights you couldn’t achieve otherwise."

"But what about serving you?" Ying Yue asked quietly.

"You can still be by my side," Xian Tiandi said. "We’ll both be sect disciples. We’ll train together, take missions together. The difference is that you’ll have real status. Real recognition for your abilities. Not just as my attendant, but as a cultivator in your own right."

Ying Yue’s eyes glistened slightly. "You really want this for me?"

"I do," Xian Tiandi confirmed. "You’ve been loyal and dedicated in this little time we have spent and I know your character to be true."

A smile broke across Ying Yue’s face, genuine and radiant. "Then I’ll take the trials. I’ll become strong enough to truly stand beside you."

This was her wish, after seeing how strong her master is, she wanted to be strong too. And not lose out to anyone of status so she can be by his side

"Good," Xian Tiandi said. Then he added with a slight smile, "Though I expect you to keep me in line when I need it. Status doesn’t change that."

Ying Yue laughed, the sound bright and relieved. "I wouldn’t dream of doing otherwise, Young Master."

They returned to the main hall together. Elder Feng raised an eyebrow when Ying Yue announced her intention to take the trials as well, but he didn’t object. The more clan members who joined prestigious sects, the better for the Xian Clan’s reputation.

The group departed for the Four Symbols Sect compound shortly after. Elder Feng and Elder Qiu accompanied them, along with Steward Han and several other clan members who wanted to observe the trials.

The sect’s main branch compound was massive, dwarfing even the local facilities. Towering walls surrounded multiple buildings arranged in precise formations. Disciples in sect robes moved between structures with purpose and discipline.

Hundreds of applicants had already gathered at the main gates. Young cultivators from across the region, all hoping to earn a place in one of the kingdom’s premier sects. The atmosphere buzzed with nervous energy and competitive tension.

Xian Tiandi, Xian Long, and Ying Yue joined the registration line. Officials sat at tables, recording names and checking cultivation bases of each applicant.

When they reached the front, the official looked up from his scroll. His eyes widened slightly as he sensed their cultivation levels.

"Names and ages?" he asked.

"Xian Tiandi, sixteen," Xian Tiandi replied.

"Xian Long, thirteen."

"Ying Yue, sixteen."

The official made notes on his scroll. "Cultivation bases?"

"Peak Qi Condensation realm," Xian Tiandi said.

"Mid-stage Qi Refinement realm," Xian Long added, a bit nervously.

"Late-stage Qi Refinement realm," Ying Yue stated.

The official’s eyebrows rose higher. Peak Qi Condensation at sixteen was exceptional. He made additional marks on his scroll.

"You three will be in the advanced applicant group," he said, handing them each a jade token with numbers carved into them. "Report to the eastern training grounds when the bell sounds. That’s where talent assessment will be conducted first."

They took their tokens and moved into the compound proper. The other applicants stared at them, whispers spreading through the crowd. Peak Qi Condensation realm applicants were rare as Phoenix feathers Most were lucky to be at mid-stage Qi Refinement by their late teens.

"Everyone’s looking at us," Xian Long muttered uncomfortably.

"Let them look," Xian Tiandi said calmly. "Focus on your own performance."

*Gong!*

A massive bell rang across the compound. The sound reverberated through the air, clear and commanding.

"That’s the signal," Ying Yue said. "Time to go."

They made their way to the eastern training grounds. The area was enormous, with multiple testing stations set up in organized rows. Sect elders stood at each station, preparing formation arrays and testing equipment.

At the front of the grounds stood a raised platform. Three figures waited there, all radiating the spiritual pressure of Golden Core cultivators. These were the examiners who would oversee the trials.

The middle examiner stepped forward. He was an older man with a stern expression and sharp eyes that seemed to evaluate everyone before him.

"Welcome, applicants," his voice carried clearly across the grounds. "I am Elder Zhang, chief examiner for today’s selection trials. The trials will proceed in three parts. Talent assessment, combat evaluation, and character judgment."

He gestured to the testing stations behind him. "We begin with talent assessment. Your spirit root will be measured and graded. Spirit roots are ranked from ninth grade, the lowest, to first grade. Above first grade is earth ranked. Above earth ranked is heaven ranked. The quality of your spirit root determines your cultivation potential."

Elder Zhang’s gaze swept across the assembled applicants. "You will proceed to the testing stations in order of your token numbers. Place your hand on the Spirit Measuring Stone. The array will analyze your spirit root and display the results. Any questions?"

Silence greeted his inquiry. Everyone knew what was expected.

"Then we begin," Elder Zhang said. "First group, approach your assigned stations."

Xian Tiandi checked his token. Number forty-seven. He’d be in the middle of the testing order.

Xian Long was number sixty-three. Ying Yue was number fifty-one.

They watched as the first applicants approached the testing stations. Each station had a smooth crystal sphere set into a metal platform. Formation arrays glowed faintly around the base.

The first applicant placed his hand on the sphere. It lit up with a dull brown light. Numbers appeared in the air above the sphere, projected by the formation.

"Eighth grade earth element spirit root," the examiner at that station announced. "Acceptable."

The next few applicants showed similar results. Most had seventh or eighth grade spirit roots. A few managed sixth grade, which earned approving nods from the examiners.

Then a young woman stepped up to a station. She placed her hand on the sphere, and it blazed with brilliant red light.

"Third grade fire element spirit root!" the examiner called out. "Excellent!"