3. This inconspicuous system seems somewhat off.

Since the world was suffused with the Pure Yang Immortal Aura, the Immortal Examination became the sole path for cultivators to advance. Only those who passed the relevant Immortal Examinations could avoid regressing after breaking through a major realm. Thus, anything connected to the Immortal Examinations became exceedingly precious.

Foremost among these were the Immortal Examination books published by the Pure Yang Taiyi Palace and the examination quotas allotted for each session. These were coveted to the point that countless cultivators fought over them ruthlessly. The books were easier to obtain, but the quotas could tear brothers apart and set kin against each other.

Cultivation sects, especially those holding authority over the Immortal Examinations, received a fixed number of quotas every year, but the demand always outstripped the supply. As a result, most of the Foundation Establishment Immortal Examination quotas were already predetermined before the competition even began.

The remainder were not decided solely by individual strength. For example, Xiao Qingpei, with his upper-tier Qi Refining cultivation and the renowned celestial technique “Stellar Cycle: Stars Transformed to Mountains,” always reached the final trial. Yet, nearly every time, he had to yield the quota.

His predecessor was persuaded by acquaintances of his parents, and, constrained by personal and social reasons, relinquished the quota. Xiao Qingpei didn’t care for such matters. The first year, he had only just arrived in this world; the second, his cultivation regression remained unresolved, so he stepped aside twice.

However, this third year, he could not yield again. He was now familiar with this world and understood the importance of the Immortal Examination quota. Though his regression was not fully resolved, his cultivation had stabilized at the third tier of upper Qi Refining.

Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, and Nascent Soul were the four primary cultivation realms, each divided into lower and upper stages. For instance, lower Qi Refining and upper Qi Refining. Each stage was further split into six tiers: lower Qi Refining tier one, tier two, up to tier six; the same for upper Qi Refining.

To break from lower to upper Qi Refining, one must reach tier six of the lower stage. To participate in the Foundation Establishment Immortal Examination, only tier three of upper Qi Refining was required.

By simply participating in the Immortal Examination, one continually received rewards. If all went smoothly, after the exam, one would immediately attain tier one of lower Foundation Establishment, with a flawless foundation.

Xiao Qingpei had always been puzzled: since this was so, why were there six tiers in the upper stage? Was it to correspond to the number of the Pure Yang Six Immortal Sutras?

In truth, the Linwu Sect had not always acted so disgracefully. When their efforts to force Xiao Qingpei to withdraw failed, they simply found a reason to expel him from the sect. Ultimately, it was because Linwu Sect had lost its authority over the Immortal Examination. Had they retained this power, Xiao Qingpei would certainly have faced difficulties, but not outright expulsion. Such a fate for a loyal descendant would chill the hearts of the sect. Wasn’t there always a need to give people hope?

The promotion Immortal Examination always reserved a portion of quotas for itinerant cultivators. Was this the benevolence of the great elders? No—it was merely to prevent those wandering cultivators from taking drastic measures.

Cultivators of Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment had no changes in lifespan, though their survival abilities far surpassed ordinary mortals, allowing most to live out their natural hundred-year lifespan. Upon reaching the Golden Core realm, lifespan extended to two hundred years, provided the cultivator could reverse their fate and forge a second life as their first ended.

In such circumstances, cultivators cared deeply for their descendants. After all, failing the Immortal Examination did not preclude temporary breakthroughs. Though such breakthroughs would inevitably regress, their power was still overwhelming against lower-tier Qi Refining cultivators.

Xiao Qingpei spent the entire night reading both volumes of the “Profound Lunar Vitality Sutra.” Because he had mastered the method, the immortal energy within him became especially lively. Yet, as the sun rose and the first light fell upon the world, he immediately felt discomfort from his immortal energy. It was not that the lunar energy was suppressed by sunlight, but that the Pure Yang Immortal Aura of the world was simply too fierce.

Nighttime was manageable, but by day, the Pure Yang Immortal Aura raged like wildfire. Ultimately, it was because Xiao Qingpei had not yet passed the Immortal Examination; his Foundation Establishment immortal energy had not been recognized by the world. Otherwise, even with Pure Yang Aura flooding the heavens and earth, he would not suffer like a ghost at the appearance of sunlight.

“The method for triggering the Heavenly Immortal Examination is not difficult; though I lack Phoenixwood, I know where to find it, which amounts to having it. The only concern is the commotion when the Heavenly Immortal Examination appears, so I must wait for the sect Immortal Examination to begin and conduct mine in tandem.”

Xiao Qingpei had prepared his plan thoroughly.

To prevent unforeseen events, he devised both a highly improbable best-case contingency and an absolutely reliable worst-case plan.

Then, he raised his hand.

With a resonant hum, a round, black iron bead flew into his palm: his sword pellet.

With its newly acquired sentience, the sword pellet had changed considerably.

This made Xiao Qingpei reflect further. He had always focused on himself and never considered whether the objects at his side could “receive basic sustenance.” Last night was the first time.

“Could this be because I am at Foundation Establishment, and my strengthened spiritual sense allows me to command objects by thought?”

After all, the only major change these three years was this.

As Xiao Qingpei pondered, a sound suddenly echoed in his ear: “Ding dong.”

His spiritual sense swept out instinctively, then he relaxed his guard, realizing that the system which had mistakenly bound itself to him had finally “awakened.”

After binding unexpectedly last night, it had gone silent. The flood of information had overwhelmed Xiao Qingpei, and he had temporarily forgotten the system.

Its presence was indeed negligible. Even if it had said, “This system baby is going to sleep,” he would not have ignored it.

“You have successfully joined the Cloud Sky Palace, but you are about to encounter your lifelong nemesis. In the upcoming entry disciple competition at Cloud Sky Palace, defeat your opponent! Completing the task will reward you with a Wind Support Pouch, sweet or savory. Failure will require you to imitate a pig’s call three times on the spot.”

A drowsy, synthesized electronic voice sounded.

Xiao Qingpei, upon hearing it, fell silent.

He knew of Cloud Sky Palace—a top cultivation sect, rivaled only by Heaven’s Mountain and Immortal Distant Mansion. Each was a super sect, presided over by a Nascent Soul ancestor, unmatched in the world.

But…

When did he join Cloud Sky Palace? And who was his lifelong nemesis?