In fact, Wang Ruoxie also strongly agrees with the Celestial Sword Sect's approach.

Because only in this way, the recruited disciples can be considered true talents and may grow into true powerhouses.

In his view, although aptitude can determine a martial cultivator's potential and even their future achievements, it is not absolute.

Willpower and courage are the main factors that determine whether a martial cultivator can go further on the path of martial arts.

If a genius cannot grow, they are merely a martial cultivator with better aptitude and cannot be considered true powerhouses.

Moreover, the Celestial Sword Sect naturally does not wish for its disciples to be mere hot-house flowers, possessing extraordinary aptitude and cultivation, yet lacking the ability to battle and fight, easily killed by enemies.

Such people are not nonexistent, but rather numerous.

In his previous life, Wang Ruoxie had encountered many children of noble families, young aristocrats, each a playboy with cultivation but whose real combat power was inferior to those with lower cultivation.

The number of such individuals who died at his hands is countless.

"The assessment of the Celestial Sword Sect is divided into three rounds."

At this moment, Xiao Ningyue spoke again: "The first round is to test aptitude and bloodline; the Celestial Sword Sect does not want mediocre individuals. If you cannot even pass this first round, you naturally have no qualification to join."

Wang Ruoxie nodded, knowing that for the vast majority of martial cultivators, aptitude and bloodline are still the fundamental factors determining the future.

"The second round, which is also the most brutal, requires everyone who passes the first round to be sent to a trial land. Not only must they battle demon beasts, but they might also face attacks from others — defeat means death, victory means survival."

Upon hearing Xiao Ningyue's words, Wang Ruoxie thought to himself that the most dangerous round should indeed be the second one.

Leng Ao's expression at this moment was also quite grave.

However, a cold smile quickly appeared in his eyes, and he swept a sinister glance at Wang Ruoxie.

"If you can pass these two rounds, then you are considered to have initially passed the entrance assessment and are qualified to join the Celestial Sword Sect."

Xiao Ningyue continued: "As for the third round, it is a platform battle that will determine your treatment after joining the Celestial Sword Sect. Only by entering the top hundred can you directly become an outer disciple; otherwise, you must first become a servant disciple and then work your way up the tiers."

"And those in the top ten, besides becoming outer disciples directly, will also receive extremely generous rewards and might even be noticed by the sect's high level, taken in as a disciple, and carefully nurtured by the sect. This way, their starting point will be far higher than others."

"My place is assured in the top ten."

A determined look flashed in Leng Ao's eyes.

As for Wang Ruoxie, his expression remained incredibly calm. Joining the Celestial Sword Sect was merely the first step in restoring his cultivation; without necessity, he would rather be an unremarkable ordinary disciple.

However, within the sect, the hierarchy is even stricter.

If one is merely a regular servant disciple or outer disciple, they cannot possibly obtain many cultivation resources.

"By the way, do you know of the Hidden Dragon List?"

Xiao Ningyue gazed at Wang Ruoxie and Leng Ao, asking a question.

"Hidden Dragon List?"

Wang Ruoxie was slightly stunned, completely unaware of what the Hidden Dragon List was.

After all, in the past, he spent most of his time bedridden and had never ventured out of Wuyi County City, so his knowledge was naturally limited.

"Senior Sister Xiao, I've heard of the Hidden Dragon List."

Leng Ao disdainfully glanced at Wang Ruoxie, then turned to Xiao Ningyue and said, "The Hidden Dragon List is a list of young geniuses in the East Victory Kingdom."

"Indeed, no one on the Hidden Dragon List is not a true young genius, each possessing almost unmatched strength within the same tier."

Xiao Ningyue slightly nodded and continued, "The Hidden Dragon List ranks the strongest five hundred young geniuses in East Victory Kingdom, and only youths under twenty-five, with cultivation at least at the Late Stage of the Energy-Introducing Realm, are qualified to be listed."

"Senior Sister Xiao, with your aptitude and strength, you're certainly among the Hidden Dragon List, aren't you?"

Leng Ao smiled at Xiao Ningyue.

"Yes, a month ago, I successfully broke through to the Seventh Layer of the Energy-Introducing Realm, entering the Late Stage, and at that time, I directly ascended to the Hidden Dragon List, ranking 367th."

Xiao Ningyue smiled slightly.

Although she was only ranked 367th on the Hidden Dragon List, it still filled her with pride.

After all, she only had the cultivation of the Seventh Layer of the Energy-Introducing Realm, and she had just broken through not long ago, whereas those ranked ahead of her almost all possess the Eighth or Ninth Layer, or even are powerhouses of the Element Transformation Realm.

She believed that after she breaks through to the Ninth Layer of the Energy-Introducing Realm, she would definitely enter the top fifty, and if she could reach the Element Transformation Realm before the age of twenty-five, she would have a chance at a top ten position on the Hidden Dragon List.

"Senior Sister Xiao truly is a genius disciple of the Celestial Sword Sect, able to climb onto the Hidden Dragon List at the Seventh Layer of the Energy-Introducing Realm, and still ranked 367th."

Leng Ao quickly complimented her.

Although Xiao Ningyue did not have much affection for Leng Ao, she was, after all, still a sixteen-year-old girl in her blooming years, naturally enjoying hearing words of praise.

"With your aptitude, after breaking through to the Seventh Layer of the Energy-Introducing Realm, you may have an opportunity to enter the Hidden Dragon List."

Xiao Ningyue smiled slightly at Leng Ao.

"With Senior Sister Xiao's words, I will have to make it onto the Hidden Dragon List no matter what."

Seeing Xiao Ningyue smile at him, Leng Ao felt exceedingly pleased.

At this moment, Xiao Ningyue turned her gaze towards Wang Ruoxie and said, "Although you only have the cultivation of the Fourth Layer of the Energy-Introducing Realm, your strength is probably not weaker than a typical Seventh Layer cultivator. Moreover, you have mastered swordsmanship at the Great Success level of Following the Heart; even I am not confident of defeating you."

"I am rather looking forward to your breakthrough to the Seventh Layer of Energy-Introducing Realm. The strength you will have then will likely not only allow you to climb onto the Hidden Dragon List directly but also surpass my ranking by a great margin."

As Xiao Ningyue's words trailed off, Leng Ao's smile became frozen.

Clearly, Xiao Ningyue's evaluation of Wang Ruoxie far surpassed that of Leng Ao.

"Let him bask in his temporary moment of glory; in half a year's time, I will ensure he is completely disgraced in front of Senior Sister Xiao."

Leng Ao glanced at Wang Ruoxie with an extremely unpleasant expression and coldly laughed to himself.

Upon hearing Xiao Ningyue's words, Wang Ruoxie merely smiled calmly, as he had no interest in the so-called Hidden Dragon List.

In his past life, he possessed a Celestial Level bloodline, with an unmatched aptitude, reaching the Celestial Monarch Realm within the Celestial Human Realm at the age of sixteen. Who in the younger generation across the Three Realms could rival him?

Even if he is now reincarnated and has to start anew, he is still incomparable to these so-called geniuses.

About an hour later, the three finally arrived at the foot of a majestic mountain peak.

From a distance, the peak seemingly resembled a giant sword, standing between heaven and earth, pointing towards the sky.

This was naturally the location of the Celestial Sword Sect, Inquiry Sword Peak.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.