"Not everyone is born with a well-developed dantian," Xiao Fang added. "Some have to spend years cultivating and strengthening it. But now, with the essence I’ve given you, that process begins. For some of you, the dantian will be weak, and you may never reach the highest realms of cultivation. For others, like those vouched for by powerful families, it will awaken quickly, and you may one day walk the path of immortality."

  Zhang Tian could feel his dantian now, the warmth circuting through it, and he understood the enormity of the moment. The feeling was no longer a vague stirring—it was tangible, real. His dantian was awakening, and he was beginning his journey.

  "Focus on your dantian," Xiao Fang’s voice cut through the quiet. "Concentrate, and let the essence merge with it. Let it flow through you, and guide your potential to its fullest. The path to immortality will be long and arduous, but this is the first step."

  Zhang Tian nodded slightly, more to himself than to anyone else, as he focused all his attention on that central point. The energy swirled within him, connecting him to the essence and to the very heart of his cultivation. The dantian was the beginning of his transformation, and he was ready to embrace it, no matter what the future held.

  The group stood in attentive silence as Xiao Fang moved through the test, assessing each participant's dantian and elemental affinities. Zhang Tian felt his heart beat a little faster as he awaited his turn, watching the others closely.

  One by one, Xiao Fang moved through the group, each participant’s results dispyed on the glowing screen above.

  First, a tall young man with sharp features stood before Xiao Fang. She pced her hand on his forehead, and moments ter, the screen showed his results:

  Wood: 15 pointsFire: 22 pointsWater: 18 pointsWind: 10 points"Middle-grade dantian," Xiao Fang announced, her voice steady, "with strong affinities for fire. He’ll likely excel in combat and offensive techniques. This is typical for cultivators with a higher fire affinity."

  The boy nodded, pleased with his results. Xiao Fang continued moving down the line.

  Another participant, a young girl with a calm demeanor, stepped up. She was petite, with a reserved air about her. When her results appeared, they were as follows:

  Wood: 19 pointsFire: 12 pointsWater: 24 pointsWind: 14 points"Middle-grade dantian," Xiao Fang remarked, studying her results. "A cultivator with this affinity will likely excel in adaptability, defense, and fluid techniques. Excellent potential for a supportive role or defensive strategies."

  The girl gave a small smile, clearly relieved that her affinity had been recognized. Xiao Fang moved to the next participant.

  A muscur young man, his presence commanding, stepped forward confidently. His results were dispyed immediately:

  Wood: 16 pointsFire: 20 pointsWater: 12 pointsWind: 18 points"Middle-grade dantian," Xiao Fang said, nodding thoughtfully. "A bance of fire and wind affinities. Cultivators like you often excel in both offensive and evasion techniques. Wind grants you speed, while fire enhances your attacks."

  The young man grinned, pleased by his results. Next, a quiet, reserved girl approached, her head bowed slightly as she took her pce before Xiao Fang. The screen fshed with her results:

  Wood: 8 pointsFire: 15 pointsWater: 11 pointsWind: 14 points"Lower-grade dantian," Xiao Fang remarked. "Your affinities are not particurly strong in any one area, but you still have the potential to cultivate. It will take more effort and perseverance to find the right path suited to your unique affinities."

  The girl nodded, her expression neutral. She understood the challenge ahead, but she was determined.

  Zhang Tian felt a twinge of unease as he awaited his turn. The others had all gone, and now, only he remained.

  Xiao Fang turned to him, her eyes meeting his with a steady gaze. "Zhang Tian," she said, "let’s see what your potential holds."

  Zhang Tian took a deep breath and stepped forward. Xiao Fang pced her hand on his forehead, and for a moment, he felt a warm current of energy circute through him, settling in his abdomen as his dantian stirred. The screen above dispyed his results:

  Wood: 20 pointsFire: 19 pointsWater: 16 pointsWind: 12 points"Middle-grade dantian," Xiao Fang observed, nodding. "Your elemental affinities are well-banced, with a solid potential for wood and fire. You could become a versatile cultivator, skilled in both offensive and restorative techniques."

  Zhang Tian nodded, relieved that his dantian wasn’t inferior. The results were good, though not extraordinary, and he would have to work hard to make the most of them.

  Finally, Xiao Fang moved to the st few participants. One of them, a tall, broad-shouldered youth with an air of arrogance, stepped forward. His results were instantly dispyed:

  Wood: 45 pointsFire: 10 pointsWater: 8 pointsWind: 7 points"Superior-grade dantian," Xiao Fang stated, her tone acknowledging the rarity of the result. "You possess immense potential in wood cultivation, and your affinity for wood will make you an exceptional healer or growth-based cultivator."

  The young man grinned proudly, clearly pleased with his results. His superior-grade dantian was a testament to his natural aptitude.

  Next, Xiao Fang moved to two individuals who were not so fortunate. One, a boy with a gaunt face, received the following results:

  Wood: 5 pointsFire: 6 pointsWater: 8 pointsWind: 5 points"Inferior-grade dantian," Xiao Fang said calmly. "Your elemental affinities are too weak to be considered viable for serious cultivation at this stage. It will take immense effort to reach even a basic level of cultivation."

  The boy’s face fell slightly, but he nodded in understanding. He knew his path would be a difficult one, but he wasn’t giving up just yet.

  Another participant, a girl with a frail appearance, stepped forward. Her results were as follows:

  Wood: 3 pointsFire: 5 pointsWater: 7 pointsWind: 4 points"Inferior-grade dantian," Xiao Fang repeated, her tone gentle. "Your potential is very low, but do not despair. Even those with inferior roots can cultivate, though the journey will be much harder for you."

  The girl nodded quietly, her face showing no surprise. She had expected this result, but she was determined to persevere.

  As the final results were revealed, Xiao Fang turned to the group and addressed them one st time.

  "Remember," she said, "your dantian and affinities are just the beginning. The cultivation path is long and grueling, but with perseverance, you can overcome any obstacle. Today is just the first step. Now, prepare yourselves for what lies ahead."

  The group stood quietly, reflecting on their results. Zhang Tian, though not the most exceptional, felt a spark of determination light within him. He had potential—a middle-grade dantian—and that would be enough. It was time to walk the path of cultivation.

  While the others were undergoing their aptitude tests, elsewhere in the forest, the scene of the supposed death took an unexpected turn.

  The body of the girl who had appeared to die moments earlier began to tremble slightly. Slowly, her severed head reappeared atop her shoulders, the blood pooling around her dissolving into mist. It had all been an illusion—a technique crafted to deceive.

  From behind her, the "beast" that had seemingly killed her stepped forward and removed its mask, revealing the face of a young man.

  “Senior Sister Li,” he said with a sigh, “I really don’t like tricking kids.”

  The woman, now fully restored and seemingly unbothered, jabbed him lightly on the shoulder. “Little Zhuo, stop whining. These contribution points were easy this time, so why compin?”

  He frowned slightly, brushing dust off his robes. “Have the rest of those who didn’t make it in time been gathered?”

  The young man—bck-haired with calm brown eyes—nodded. “All accounted for. Should we continue with the second part of the pn?”

  His senior sister simply nodded

  With that, the two began cleaning the scene, the illusion technique dissolving entirely as they prepared to regroup with the others.

  The “girl losing her head” was not a real casualty, but rather a long-standing tradition within the sect—a harsh yet effective lesson meant to impress upon newcomers the reality of the cultivation world. In this realm, hesitation meant death. If you did not seize opportunity, you would be seized by fate.

  Returning to the group of gathered youths, Xiao Fang’s gaze swept across them. Her expression was serene yet commanding, a quiet pressure filling the air.

  Now that each had awakened their dantian, she csped her hands behind her back and posed a question:

  “Does anyone here know what the Immortal Realms consist of?”