Previously, Xu Nian had also come into contact with some powerful figures in the Immortal Realm.
But the vast majority were loose cultivators and hadnāt interacted with any elites from the Nine Great Forces.
The only one who could be considered an elite from a major force was the Immortal Sovereign Hall Saintess.
However, the Immortal Sovereign Hall Saintess, like him, had not yet grown to maturity.
So he once thought that the disciples from the Nine Great Forces were not particularly impressive.
But now, upon truly understanding the situation of Shendang Mountain, Xu Nian realized the foundation of the Nine Great Forces.
Shendang Mountain is like this, and so are the other Eight Great Forces.
The truly formidable masters are focused solely on cultivation and arenāt prone to wandering aimlessly around the world.
"So youāre a new junior brother, very good. Our Taichu Lineage has gained fresh blood," Xue Bing happily patted Xu Nianās shoulder and laughed.
"Xu Nian greets Brother Xue," Xu Nian quickly and respectfully bowed.
"Oh, no need to be polite. Since weāre both under the Taichu Immortal Emperor, weāre naturally like brothers. Thereās no need to be so formal in the future. If you donāt mind, you can call me senior brother or even big brother. If anyone bullies you, just come to me," Xue Bing laughed.
"Brother Xue!" Xu Nian smiled.
He was also touched by Xue Bingās enthusiasm.
He could feel that Xue Bing genuinely recognized him as a junior brother.
This made Xu Nian instantly develop a favorable impression of Shendang Mountain.
"Thatās more like it, junior brother. Let me tell you, although weāre just registered disciples, we are still under the Taichu Immortal Emperor. Donāt belittle yourself and let those snobbish direct disciples look down on you, especially those disciples of the Immortal Sovereign," Xue Bing said.
Xu Nian chuckled.
It seems that within Shendang Mountain, there is an irreconcilable conflict between direct disciples and registered disciples.
This conflict seems to mainly originate between the direct disciples of the Immortal Sovereign and the registered disciples of the Immortal Emperor.
The direct disciples of the Immortal Emperor have their pride because they have the capital to back it.
But the direct disciples of the Immortal Sovereign are not necessarily more talented than the registered disciples of the Immortal Emperor.
"Donāt worry, Brother Xue, I will work hard to become a direct disciple of our master as soon as possible," Xu Nian said with determination.
"Thatās ambitious, but itās a tough goal. Especially for our master, who has only six direct disciples to date, and all of them are exceptional adventurers. Our master hasnāt taken any direct disciples for eight hundred years, so if you donāt get selected, donāt be discouraged; registered disciples also cultivate," Xue Bing said.
"Eight hundred years?" Xu Nian looked incredulous.
"Thatās right, our master hasnāt taken a direct disciple in eight hundred years. Other Immortal Emperors take one every century, but our master is very selective," Lin Hengxin said.
She did not seem too disappointed.
After all, even if the Taichu Immortal Emperor was to take a direct disciple, it wouldnāt be her turn.
"Alright, letās not waste words. Youāre here to register as a disciple, right?" Xue Bing smiled.
"Yes!" Xu Nian nodded.
"Hmm, the procedure is actually quite simple. You just need to drop a drop of your blood onto this Sky-reaching Stele. Your aura will then be recognized by the stele, and it will issue your identity token," Xue Bing pointed to the giant stele ahead.
Xu Nian was somewhat surprised.
Looking at the giant stele in front of him, he suddenly felt a familiar aura on it.
A divine artifact?
Indeed, it was the aura of a divine artifact.
The massive Sky-reaching Stele in front of him was itself a divine artifact.
"It seems Junior Brother has a sharp eye; you recognized it as a divine artifact in one glance. Indeed, the Sky-reaching Stele is a divine artifact, responsible for maintaining all information on Shendang Mountain. Those not recognized by the stele cannot approach the Floating City," Xue Bing smiled.
"Then why can I come here?" Xu Nian asked in surprise.
"Thatās because you have our masterās token. This token is also issued by the Sky-reaching Stele, so naturally, you can enter," Xue Bing smiled.
Xu Nian suddenly realized.
It seems that without an Immortal Emperor to oversee it, Shendang Mountain is still impregnable.
Xu Nian no longer hesitated, cutting his finger and letting the blood drip onto the stele.
"Buzz!"
The stele instantly absorbed Xu Nianās blood.
"I wonder what rating our junior brother will receive. I remember I was only rated Xuan Level Low Grade back then," Xue Bing said with a smile, a trace of anticipation in his eyes.
"At least you were Xuan Level Low Grade. I was only Yellow-level Middle Level," Lin Hengxin couldnāt help but shoot Xue Bing a glance.
Xue Bing chuckled.
Every disciple entering Shendang Mountain receives an initial rating from the Sky-reaching Stele.
This rating represents the discipleās potential.
They are divided into Heaven, Earth, Xuan, and Huang levels, each divided into top, mid, and low grades.
Anyone who can reach the Xuan level is considered an exceptionally gifted disciple.
An Earth-level rating represents a rare genius.
If one appears, it surely draws the attention of Shendang Mountainās experts.
Earth-level talents are often taken as direct disciples by an Immortal Emperor.
"Junior Brother Xu Nian should at least be rated as Xuan Level Low Grade, maybe even higher, reaching Xuan Level Middle Grade," Lin Hengxin confidently said.
"Oh? You think so highly of him?" Xue Bing said, unfazed and with a smile.
At his level, his heart realm wouldnāt be easily swayed by mere talent.
"Yes, his talent should be very high," Lin Hengxin nodded.
Although she hadnāt seen Xu Nian in action, the fact that he could trap and kill four Golden Immortal Early Stages was proof of extraordinary talent.
Xu Nian, naturally overhearing their conversation, was also curious about what rating he would receive.
"Buzz!"
At that moment, letters appeared on the previously wordless stele.
Xu Nian, Luoxian Realm Late Stage, Yellow-level Top Grade.
"Huh? How could it only be Yellow-level Top Grade?" Lin Hengxin exclaimed in surprise.
She even questioned if she had seen it wrong.
Xue Bing wasnāt too surprised, merely smiling as he said to Xu Nian, "Donāt be discouraged. Yellow-level Top Grade is still good. In the Immortal Realm, true respect is earned through strength, not talent ratings."
Xu Nian smiled without speaking.
Instead, he sent a soul transmission and asked, "Dao Tian Rat, did you meddle?"
"Hehe, you caught me. Yes, I communicated with the Artifact Spirit of the Sky-reaching Stele and had it adjust your rating a bit. Your actual rating should be Earth-level Top Grade. Revealing such a rating would bring you more harm than good," Dao Tian Rat chuckled.
He was the Artifact Spirit of the Chaos Divine Palace.
His grade was higher than that of the Sky-reaching Stele.
So having the stele modify Xu Nianās information was simple.
Xu Nian felt helpless after hearing this.
He knew this was the doing of Dao Tian Rat.
Hidden talent attracts trouble.
And this was probably directed by Master Ye Tian Divine Emperor.
"Forget it, Yellow-level Top Grade is fine," Xu Nian didnāt mind.
Just as Xue Bing said, true respect is earned through strength, not talent ratings.
"How could it only be Yellow-level Top Grade?"
But Lin Hengxin was quite troubled, feeling sorry for Xu Nian.
This left Xu Nian with a wry smile.