On the square at the entrance, dozens of disciples were already standing in unison, shouting, “Welcome back, Elders!”

The four elders looked at the group of dizzy new disciples—most of them looked like they were about to vomit from the high-speed flight just now, and the few who could still stand were pale-faced.

When Paul swept his gaze over the crowd, a thunderous voice rang out, “From today, you will begin your cultivation in the Hall of Thunder and Light, but only those who pass the entry test are qualified to become disciples of the Sacred Hall.”

This undoubtedly startled all the new disciples. They had thought they could smoothly embark on their path of cultivation, but hadn’t expected there would be a test.

Evan Cooper swept his cold gaze over the crowd. “Last year, we recruited fifty people, but only twenty remained. The year before, we recruited sixty, but only eighteen stayed. This year, though there are many of you, how many will remain?”

Immediately, everyone’s urge to vomit was scared away. If they were eliminated, wouldn’t that be utterly humiliating? All dreams and hopes would come to an abrupt end.

“David Harris, your senior brother, if you encounter any problems, you can consult him or other senior brothers. Now, the talismans will be distributed; your accommodations and tasks are all inside.”

As he spoke, Anna Harris’s left hand produced a stack of talismans, and with her right hand forming an orchid seal, the talismans flew out one by one in a flash of light.

As soon as Mark Carter received his, a stream of information flooded into his mind.

Mark Carter Bing Character Dorm—Fifty-six, Sword Cultivator, Hall of Thunder and Light prospective third-generation disciple.

Next came the rules of the Sacred Hall, which all disciples must follow: respect teachers and value the Way; as sacred cultivators, you may spar, but must not harm fellow disciples’ lives, and so on.

Entry task: Cultivate one mu of spiritual farmland.

Following that were the requirements for cultivating spiritual farmland. The Sacred Hall didn’t charge tuition, but since the masters taught skills, as disciples, they were certainly expected to serve as best they could. With their abilities, they could only do such chores—though they hadn’t expected even becoming a laborer would require a test.

As for cultivation, his talisman only contained the Foundation Nurturing Technique and a night illumination spell, meaning that for the next month, he would still be practicing the Foundation Nurturing Technique.

Everyone’s expressions varied; clearly, the talismans were not all the same, and the tasks differed as well.

As soon as the words fell, the four elders disappeared, and the other disciples relaxed and dispersed.

David Harris walked to the front of the group. “I am David Harris, third-generation disciple of the Hall of Thunder and Light, and your future senior brother if you pass the test. For this month, you must act according to the contents of your talisman and strictly obey the rules of the Hall of Thunder and Light. Anyone who disobeys will be severely punished.”

“Senior Brother Harris, I have a question. Does this mean we’re all cultivating on our own this month?”

“Yeah, mine only has the Foundation Nurturing Technique. What’s the point of that?”

“Senior Brother, where is Wild Dragon Mountain? My task says…”

Some third-generation disciples behind David Harris couldn’t help but burst out laughing, while David Harris just smiled slightly. “Do you expect me to complete your tasks for you? Dismissed.”

With that, he ignored the crowd and left, surrounded by a group of third-generation disciples.

“A bunch of clueless idiots,” one third-generation disciple laughed, looking at the newcomers as if they were animals.

The group of cultivation rookies was completely dumbfounded. This was nothing like what they had imagined, so those who knew each other quickly gathered together.

Chapter 10: This Land? This Grass?

“What’s going on, Mark? What do you have in yours? I’ve got a Minor Bow Drawing Technique, and my task is to shoot down a tiger eagle. What the heck is that? Judging by those third-generation disciples, they don’t look like they’ll help us at all. My old man spent a fortune on me—if I get eliminated, he’ll skin me alive.”

Jason Bolton was practically jumping up and down.

Grace Brooks ignored the chubby guy. “Mark Carter, what do you have in yours?”

“Only the Foundation Nurturing Technique. My task is to cultivate one mu of spiritual farmland.”

“No way, being a farmer counts as a task?” Sam Bolton looked utterly confused.

Grace Brooks was also taken aback. “How could that be? The foundation for sword cultivators is the Minor Sword Technique… ah.”

“What’s wrong, Beautiful Grace? Don’t stop halfway through your sentence! How can these guys be so unfair? I’m going to find them!”

The chubby guy got anxious as soon as he heard that.

Mark Carter understood, though, and shrugged. “I’m at the second level of Fate Mark. Even if they gave me the Minor Sword Technique, I couldn’t practice it. It’s fine, I’m just cultivating spiritual farmland, not shooting tiger eagles.”

“Mark Carter, I asked around before coming—this entry task isn’t simple!” Grace Brooks said.

“Do we really have to do it ourselves? Can’t we ask those second-generation senior brothers for advice?”

Sam Bolton’s eyes lit up as he came up with an idea.

Grace Brooks glanced at the chubby guy. “Even if you don’t go to them, they’ll come to you. As long as you offer something good, they’ll definitely give you some pointers. But cultivation is still up to you. Just be careful not to get tricked.”

Grace Brooks knew that Jason Bolton had spirit stones, which were treasures to third-generation disciples as well. But that didn’t mean he could pass the test just because of that.

“Got it, got it. My family’s in business—what kind of scammer could fool me?”

Sam Bolton puffed out his belly.

That much Mark Carter wasn’t worried about. Though the chubby guy usually joked around, he wasn’t easy to fool when it came down to it.

“I’ve got the Minor Essence Refining Heart Technique, and my task is to take care of Elder Anna Harris’s alchemy furnace.”

“Seriously, what kind of world is this? You guys get to till the land or wipe down a furnace, but I’m stuck with this miserable task. What even is a tiger eagle? It sounds so fierce!”

Sam Bolton said, utterly dejected.