The robes of the Radiant Star Sect were quite distinctive. They were dense black robes embroidered with a silver that radiated its own light. It seemed that the brightness of this silver light dictated just what level of disciple you were, and these three were clearly Inner Disciples.
The level of a disciple wasn't decided by their cultivation level, but rather their skill. There was a large mix of cultivation Realms amongst similarly leveled disciples.
However, each disciple rank did have its own cut off. This was decided based on talent, age, cultivation Realm, and how long you had been in the Sect. Ultimately, whether you were allowed to stay, demoted, or kicked out, was all decided by the Elders and Deacons of your rank.
These were things that Ryu would likely learn about later, but for now he had to endure being looked down upon from above. He really hated that feeling, but he couldn't even fly in this world, so he couldn't change it even if he wanted to.
Little Silk, sensing Ryu's annoyance, sent a spark of ice down his head to cool him down, something Ryu had to admit felt quite good.
The head of the three, an Inner Disciple b the name of Linus took a step forward.
"The rules will be just the same as they are every year. First, you will step through the gate where your talent will be gauged. Those who manage to meet the bare minimum requirement will be allowed a chance at ascending the mountain.
"If you can make it to the first mountain peak within three days, you will be allowed to proceed to the next test where you will be given a test of will and a test of comprehension.
"Finally, so long as your Dao has been formed, you will be allowed to become an Outer Disciple.
"First group forward, ten at a time, don't push and shove or else I will not hesitate to kill you."
The disciples didn't dare to make a fuss after this.
The talent test was quite simple. It took into account age and the four pillars of cultivation to produce a phenomenon. So long as the light above your head broke nine feet and entered the ten feet range and above, you would pass the minimum requirements.
According to Sarriel's notes, the talent tests of the First Heaven were very easy to fool because of this. The main reason they were so easy to fake, though, was because no one expected anyone to try and suppress your talent.
The function of the test required the effort and willingness of the participant. It was very easy to choose to hold back.
In higher Heavens, though, Sarriel warned that it was almost impossible to do this as their methods were more sophisticated. You would need a treasure to help you in such a case. However, Ryu wouldn't need to worry about such a thing until at least the Fourth Heaven.
The first batch of disciple hopefuls all failed. In fact, so did the second and the third. Even the best performer among at least the first 20 or so groups only reached seven feet.
Linus and the disciples looking down from above couldn't help but shake their heads. This happens every year. The standards had been known for so long, yet so many idiots came to waste their time. They really took the Radiant Star Sect as some sort of charity.
According to the standard of the Radiant Star Sect, your four pillars had to at least average out at the Higher Common Grade. Meaning, if you assigned the number 1 to a Lower Common Grade talent, 2 to Middle Grade, so on and so forth, after taking the average, the number had to be 3.00 or higher, that would earn you a height of 10 feet.
If you averaged 4.00, you would earn a height of 20 feet.
Black Grade was a completely different animal. A single Lower Black Grade talent would give you 12.00. So, even if you scored zero in everything else, something that wasn't possible, you'd still gain a passing grade.
Beyond this, age and cultivation became a multiplier. For every year you were younger than the target age for your cultivation realm, you would earn an additional 10%. For every year you were over, you would lose 10%.
Ryu understood how this worked, and right now he was about three years too old, so his grade would gain itself a 30% hit. So, the minimum grade he needed was around 4.2 to 4.3.
It wasn't until the 37th group that someone finally hit nine feet, close to a passing grade, and not until the 49th that someone finally reached 10 feet.
With a bright smile on her face, the disciple crossed the barrier and waited patiently for the next phase to begin.
Soon, more and more people began to appear, all hovering around 10 to 12 feet. Those that understood how the system worked realized that there wasn't much of a difference between these disciples at all. But, that didn't stop those with better results from sticking their chests out just that bit further.
As time passed, more and more talents began to appear. It was clear that they had all been biding their time, waiting to shine later. After all, what kind of hero doesn't have a grand entrance?
Within the 121st group, a young man with a valiant aura and a silver spear on his back stepped forward.
The light above his head rushed up, shattering the 20 foot barrier and only stopping at 23 feet!
The eyes of the Inner Disciples and Linus finally showed some life.
The 30 foot mark was completely unlike the 20 foot mark. The 20 foot mark represented an average of 4.00, but the 30 foot mark represented an average of 12.00!
To reach the 23 foot mark meant that this young man had at least one Black Grade talent!
Those who recognized the young man came to understand. He was the young master of the Rotris Clan, Rolfin Rotris, an existence known for his powerful spear.
He was just 20 years old today, but he had already prepared to enter the Path Extinction Realm. He was truly a genius of their First Heaven!
Not long later, agitated by the appearance of Rolfin Rotris, another 23 foot light appeared, this one by a young man with a heavy saber on his back.
His gaze met Rolfin across the air. Terron of the Gilvaris Clan had made his appearance known as well.