***I see.
Xianxia, is it?
He got a rough idea.
Xianxia...
Interest glead in his eyes.
As expected of those punks from that large continent, isn't Xianxia all about growing endlessly without any rhy or reason?
He didn't know exactly. He only knew it was fantasy involving Immortals.
Roughly comparing, if SF represented the supre, ultimate power, wouldn't Xianxia be the forefront of extre individualism?
Alright. Let's take this opportunity to see what Xianxia is like.
"But your clothes are a bit..."
Hm?
Karlstein looked down at himself.
A black, tight-fitting outfit with a subtle sheen.
It was a basic suit with blue circuits subtly drawn on it.
Ah.
He hadn't planned on running around directly this ti, so he ca dressed lightly.
The only equipnt he brought was the basic suit.
Of course, he could change it into clothing form imdiately.
But it would stand out.
And it already stood out enough as it was.
"Well, I understand. It must be your passion to catch the eye of an Immortal sohow. You're not the only one like that, haha."
What an understanding fellow.
Still, let's change it appropriately when I get the chance.
As he walked up chatting with the bald middle-aged man, a vast open space ca into view.
-Alright! Everyone line up!
-What are you doing there! Get in line!
-Form ranks!
-Can't you stand straight?
-Do you want to get kicked out?
-Move quickly!
Dozens of martial artists wearing robes with blue patterns were controlling the crowd.
"Are those people Immortals?"
"Huh? What nonsense. Don't say such things anywhere else. You might get struck by lightning."
The middle-aged man put his index finger to his lips in shock.
"Those are people sent by Lord Qingyao. He probably sent them expecting a large crowd."
That didn’t seem to be the only reason.
Those who ca up in carriages were separately escorted by the martial artists sent by Lord Qingyao, unlike the ordinary people who were rcilessly beaten with clubs if they displeased them.
"Can't you stand straight?"
Thwack- Thwack-
"Ugh! Kuk!"
At any rate.
There was no problem as long as he didn't stand out from others.
As he was waiting while observing the people around him, soone who looked like a supervisor appeared on a high platform.
"I am the supervisor in charge of today's selection ceremony. Follow the instructions well."
A large middle-aged man with a beard spoke arrogantly while stroking his chin.
His flowing robe and long beard reminded one of an Immortal.
Oooh.
"Is that person an Immortal?"
"...No!"
The bald middle-aged man kindly explained.
"He's in charge of the First Gate. Did you think it would be so easy to et the Immortals in the sky, who are like legends?"
My, it's quite difficult to et an Immortal, huh.
For now, since that's what he was told, Karlstein quietly followed the instructions.
After that, everything proceeded smoothly.
-Do you see that peak over there? You need to reach there. It probably won't be as easy as you think.
A height that an adult could reach in half a day of climbing.
But all of the thousands of people have to do it?
However, once they actually started climbing the lush mountain, he quickly understood why they set up such a Gate.
"Huff huff, let's go together. How are you so fast?"
Unlike Karlstein who was strolling with his hands behind his back, the middle-aged man was zigzagging up the mountain.
"..."
"Huff, huff. It feels like the distance isn't shrinking no matter how much I climb."
Well, of course, since he was stumbling on a mountain path that would usually take half a day even if climbed normally.
When he turned his head to look at others, everyone was similar to the bald middle-aged man.
People were climbing the mountain as if they were blind n, even though their eyes were open.
Hmm.
Is it so kind of Illusion Formation?
Unfortunately, Karlstein didn't feel it at all.
"Just hurry up and co."
Well, it worked out well since this body was already lacking in stamina. Let's take it easy.
He leisurely climbed the mountain, occasionally forcibly leading the middle-aged man.
-This quickly?
-Hoho. You have passed the First Gate.
-Go over there and wait quietly.
Co to think of it, while everyone was stumbling, there were so who were walking properly.
Of course, not everyone went through the Gate properly.
The boys and girls in wealthy-looking attire who had moved by carriage climbed up normally along a specific path, as if by agreent. Although it was a slightly roundabout path.
"Haha. If it weren't for Lord Qingyao, they would have been stupidly wandering in place like that."
"Well, with my willpower, it shouldn't be a problem."
"Then shall we test it?"
"...There's no need to waste ti unnecessarily."
Illegal admission? Is that what this is?
However, he didn't care how corrupt this world was, so he waited normally.
"I heard you were first in the First Gate?"
"Do you have any secrets?"
"What do your parents do?"
So approached Karlstein with interest.
"Tsk tsk, what an arrogant bastard."
"Don't catch my eye from now on. If we happen to et at the foot of this Wugong Mountain, don't think you'll be able to walk away..."
"Hmph!"
"A guy with no backing."
"Lowborn scum! He doesn’t know his place!"
There were so side effects from shooing them away with a wave of his hand because it was botherso.
Anyway, having passed the First Gate safely, he passed the similarly conducted Second and Third Gates without much difficulty.
After passing the three Gates, only about a hundred people remained.
It seed ridiculous that one could be selected as a candidate to beco an Immortal with just this, but...
It was sowhat interesting that only those who seed capable in so way or appeared healthy in mind and body remained.
It seed it wasn't completely ineffective.
Of course, the illegal admissions were exceptions.
"You all look terrible. Follow this way. We need to prepare to et the Immortal."
After being forcibly washed, changing clothes, and receiving ntal education several tis, all preparations were finally complete.
Can I finally see them?
There was an altar placed in the center of the wide, flat mountain peak that had been cleared into an open space.
A female shaman perford a dance in front of the altar, then sprinkled black powder from a jar placed beside the altar onto it, igniting blue flas.
Whoosh-
Eventually, everyone looked down at the ground in the attention posture as they had been taught.
Whoosh-
The female shaman circled the altar, sprinkling powder and muttering sothing.
Then a thick fog began to settle.
Beams of light occasionally shone through it.
My, what a flashy entrance.
Yawn.
Isn't this fake? It's too showy.
Aren't Immortals supposed to be about non-action, contentnt in poverty, and being satisfied with what they already have?
Karlstein yawned.
Regardless, the shaman's muttering grew louder and began to resonate.
And then.
Whoosh- Whoosh-
As the blue flas grew several tis larger, the fog suddenly receded.
Imdiately after, an old man with the appearance of an Immortal walked out of the flas above the altar.
Iyaaa. The production is on point.
Though that didn’t stop Karlstein from thinking that it was unnecessary theatrics no matter how he looked at it.
Ooooh, is that an Immortal?
He finally got to et a real Immortal.
Hm?
Karlstein's puzzled eyes scanned the Immortal.
Ether?
***What's this?
While everyone was looking at him with eyes full of admiration, there was one young man giving him a strange look.
How much effort had he put in for today, only to receive such a reaction?
It was vexing, but he endured it.
Recklessly blowing off soone's head just because their gaze was impudent didn't fit the purpose of this charade.
Anyway, his goal was to select talented individuals.
"You've all co well. Fufu."
The old man's heavy voice pierced everyone's ears.
"Co forward one by one and extend your arm to ."
The old man raised his Spiritual Power and lightly waved his arm.
Then, a boy at the very front was dragged forward.
"Huh? Mmph?!"
Pulled forward against his will, the boy extended his arm.
The old man projected a fine stream of Spiritual Power into the boy's body.
The stream of Spiritual Power circled the boy's body and then entered a fist-sized stone in the old man's hand.
"..."
The selection stone remained motionless.
At that, the old man waved his arm to dismiss the boy. Simultaneously, a girl was dragged forward.
"Ungh!"
The girl went through the sa process as the boy. The result was the sa.
The boy and girl realized from the old man's cold expression that they hadn't even been selected as candidates.
However, their bodies were bound as if tied up tightly and they couldn't open their mouths, so they could only watch the others.
In this way, hundreds of people were dragged before the old man for judgnt.
"Aish."
"What a sha."
"Tsk."
People were rcilessly eliminated.
After asuring for a long ti like this, the first person to pass appeared.
"Hmm! This much is acceptable."
"Hup...!"
"It will take ti, but if you are lucky, you might be able to bloom."
The boy was overjoyed.
Unlike the other children who couldn't move or speak, he was granted free movent.
"Go over there and wait."
"...Yes! Understood!"
The boy went to where the old man pointed with a happy face and waited quietly, clenching his fist.
I did it! To think I could really enter the Immortal Path!
Mom! Dad! Please congratulate !
After the first person passed, a strange excitent spread among those waiting.
Of course, this was the sa for Karlstein.
For a different reason.
Although it's a bit different, it's definitely Ether. The density is weak but it's refined. To think there could be such regulated Ether!
Karlstein's eyes sparkled.
As Karlstein was observing the old man's Ether like this, the second person to pass appeared.
"Hoho. This is a joyous occasion. A heaven-sent talent. You will surely achieve greatness!"
A calm girl was chosen. She was one of the people who had co by carriage.
The girl's cheeks flushed for a mont, but she quickly hid her joy and stood beside the others who had passed.
After that, the selection continued, and three more people were chosen before Karlstein, who was last.
One of them was unexpected.
"You shall need heavenly luck, but... it is not impossible."
"R-Really?!"
The old man didn't answer and just pointed at the waiting area with his chin.
The bald middle-aged man ran over hurriedly.
He was expressing his joy with his whole body.
Karlstein was dumbfounded at this.
As expected, the previous Gates were aningless.
The bald middle-aged man would have failed even the First Gate if Karlstein hadn't helped him.
Anyway, it was finally Karlstein's turn, the last one.
Woong- Whisk-
A strange strand of Ether flew and touched his body.
Ah...?
The old man's eyes widened.
Huhhh?
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