Chapter 91: Selection Ceremony

***I see.

Xianxia, is it?

He got a rough idea.

Xianxia...

Interest gleamed in his eyes.

As expected of those punks from that large continent, isn't Xianxia all about growing endlessly without any rhyme or reason?

He didn't know exactly. He only knew it was fantasy involving Immortals.

Roughly comparing, if SF represented the supreme, ultimate power, wouldn't Xianxia be the forefront of extreme 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 time, so he came dressed lightly.

The only equipment he brought was the basic suit.

Of course, he could change it into clothing form immediately.

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 somehow. 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 came 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 came up in carriages were separately escorted by the martial artists sent by Lord Qingyao, unlike the ordinary people who were mercilessly 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, someone 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 meet the Immortals in the sky, who are like legends?"

My, it's quite difficult to meet 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.

***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 someone'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 come well. Fufu."

The old man's heavy voice pierced everyone's ears.

"Come forward one by one and extend your arm to me."

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 same process as the boy. The result was the same.

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 judgment.

"Aish."

"What a shame."

"Tsk."

People were mercilessly eliminated.

After measuring for a long time like this, the first person to pass appeared.

"Hmm! This much is acceptable."

"Hup...!"

"It will take time, 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 movement.

"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 me!

After the first person passed, a strange excitement spread among those waiting.

Of course, this was the same 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 come by carriage.

The girl's cheeks flushed for a moment, 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 meaningless.

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?