Following the senior brother, he flew into the sect of the Taichu Sect.

What appeared before Ye Tianfan was an extremely vast plaza, with the ground entirely paved with Han Baiyu, sparkling brightly. At a glance, it made one feel insignificant. In the distance, white clouds clustered like pale gauze, floating beneath his feet. In the center of the plaza, every few dozen feet, a gigantic floating Stone Sword was placed. There were nine rows, each with nine swords, totaling eighty-one in all.

The gigantic Stone Swords occasionally emitted Sword Qi.

"Can you walk on your own?"

Just as Ye Tianfan was still amazed by the scene before him, the voice of the senior brother rang in his ear.

"Yes!" Ye Tianfan replied upon hearing it.

Immediately, the senior brother set Ye Tianfan down and said, "Next, you will meet the Sect Leader of the Taichu Sect, Taichu Zhenren. When the time comes, your fate will be decided by the sect leader. Follow me!"

After these words, the senior brother did not wait for Ye Tianfan to speak and headed towards the great hall at the back of the plaza.

Meanwhile, others went to the Medical Hall to treat the critically injured and dying villagers.

Ye Tianfan followed the senior brother to the end of the plaza, where a stone staircase stretched across the sky. One end rested on the plaza, while the other soared upwards, piercing the cloud sea like a proud dragon leaping to the heavens. Under the sunlight, the stone staircase emitted a faint seven-colored light, mesmerizingly beautiful. Directly above the cloud sea, a massive palace was faintly visible, which was the main hall of the Taichu Sect, the "Taichu Hall."

This magnificent scene left Ye Tianfan dumbfounded.

The senior brother smiled and said, "Follow me." With those words, he led the way onto the stone staircase.

As he stepped onto the stone staircase, Ye Tianfan realized that the seven-colored light emanating from it made him feel refreshed and at ease. The winds blowing in high altitudes were blocked by the seven-colored light, and his feet seemed to have a kind of suction, making his steps more steady.

Ye Tianfan did not expect this seemingly perilous staircase to be so stable, so he no longer walked cautiously and boldly ascended.

The senior brother, seeing this, smiled. He had thought the same way initially but realized during the latter half of the journey that these were not safety measures but a test instead.

The stone staircase was extremely high and long. As Ye Tianfan walked upon it, he felt his body growing heavier and started to sweat.

Seeing this, the senior brother laughed and explained to Ye Tianfan, "This stone staircase isn't about blocking wind and rain or firming steps for the sake of safety."

Ye Tianfan, now drenched in sweat, raised his head, perspiration dripping from it, and asked the senior brother, "It's a test, isn't it?"

With each increasingly heavy step, Ye Tianfan realized it was indeed a test.

"Yes, it is a test." The senior brother did not expect Ye Tianfan to be so astute to guess this: "Cultivating immortality is an act against the heavens. If one can't even pass this test, they would be better off tilling sweet potatoes at home."

After explaining, the senior brother continued, "This pressure is not fixed but is set according to each individual's limit. The reason you are taking this path-seeking staircase is to increase your chances of joining the Taichu Sect if you succeed. Although you are a bit older, if you work hard, you can still achieve something."

"Is that so? I am really grateful. I truly don't know where to go from here." Ye Tianfan was sincerely thankful, for he really did not know where to go at that moment. This so-called test was clearly a test of willpower. Even though he wasn't informed beforehand, he was still very grateful.

Thus, Ye Tianfan slowly ascended the steps little by little, while the senior brother watched with a full smile, convinced that he chose the right person. Despite being a bit older, Ye Tianfan's qualifications, upon a quick look, seemed good. However, those few villagers from his village wouldn't survive, even though the Medical Hall would do its utmost to save them, the chances were slim.

If they all perished, Ye Tianfan would have to either wander or join a sect. Rather than possibly joining the Demon Sect, it would be better to join our Taichu Sect and contribute to the righteous path.

At the final section of the stone staircase, Ye Tianfan crawled on all fours.

Once Ye Tianfan ascended, he collapsed on the ground, taking deep breaths of fresh air.

The senior brother, seeing Ye Tianfan make it up, smiled broadly and lightly waved his left hand. A small blue sphere flew out from his sleeve, hovering above Ye Tianfan, and emitted strands of blue mist enveloping him. Instantly, a refreshing sensation entered his body.

Soon, Ye Tianfan felt comfortable all over, and the previous fatigue slowly disappeared.

After experiencing the changes in his body, Ye Tianfan hurriedly got up and looked towards the small sphere in the air.

The senior brother, noticing Ye Tianfan's curiosity, said, "This is a Mind-Stabilizing Pearl, which can relieve fatigue and accelerate recovery. Once you join the Taichu Sect, I will give it to you. How about that?"

With something on offer, Ye Tianfan quickly cupped his hands and said, "Thank you!"

After a brief rest, Ye Tianfan and the senior brother continued on. Passing the high steps, they saw from afar the golden plaque above the grand hall, inscribed with the words "Taichu Hall." Before the majestic grand hall, the doors were wide open, and there was plenty of light inside.

Dozens of people stood in the grand hall, appearing to be disciples under Qingyun. In front of them were nine sandalwood chairs, four on each side and one in the middle, with only seven people seated, the last two chairs on the right unoccupied.

As Ye Tianfan arrived, the people inside were conversing.

The senior brother who brought Ye Tianfan tidied his robe at the entrance, respectfully said, "Sect Leader, fellow senior uncles, disciple Brandy was instructed to bring the surviving villagers from the mountain."

"Come in!"

A dignified voice resounded from the great hall.

Everyone in the hall immediately ceased their discussion, each falling silent, and the seated individuals stopped speaking as well, all eyes turning towards Ye Tianfan.

"Yes!" Brandy responded respectfully and entered.

Ye Tianfan followed him inside.

"Disciple Brandy pays respect to the Sect Leader and senior uncles." Upon entering the great hall, Brandy first respectfully cupped his hands to everyone, then spoke to the sect leader seated in the center of the nine chairs, "Disciple has brought the surviving villagers from the path-seeking staircase."

"Hmm!" The man in the center, dressed in a dark green robe with white hair and youthful features, eyes warm and bright, was indeed the Taichu Sect Leader, Taichu Zhenren. Upon hearing Brandy's words, his eyes lit up; being able to complete the path-seeking staircase without having begun cultivation was as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns!

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