The mountain gate of Shushan connected to an enormous immortal peak, where clouds and mist swirled, spiritual energy permeated the air, and spirit cranes occasionally glided past, giving the scene an ethereal, otherworldly atmosphere.
"What incredible talent! This Charlie Zhao is bound to attract fierce competition."
"Yes, she's practically a prodigy! Already a Foundation Establishment Practitioner and still able to ascend thirty-two steps of the Celestial Ladder. She answered the elders' questions perfectly, and even scored the highest rating on the Primordial Pearl test! It's unbelievable! With talent like hers, she should have been recruited by another powerful sect ages ago. How is it that she's only coming to Shushan now?"
"I saw many elders looking at Charlie Zhao with new respect. I suppose that means we don't stand a chance now… sigh."
On the spacious plaza at the mountain's summit, a wave of excitement swept through the crowd. The mountain gate ceremony had already been underway for several hours. For Shushan to recruit disciples, they set up a series of three rigorous tests. Those who passed would be welcomed into Shushan. Exceptional performers could earn a spot as inner disciples, possibly even catching the eye of an elder looking for a direct disciple. Many participants were eager to showcase their talents, but their ambitions were quickly overshadowed by a petite young woman whose achievements stunned the assembled elders. This girl, known as Charlie Zhao, radiated brilliance.
"Charlie Zhao, congratulations on taking the top spot in this year's mountain gate ceremony." The presiding elder, a Golden Core Sage from Shushan, addressed her warmly, introducing her to the numerous notable elders who had come to witness her remarkable performance.
"Outstanding, outstanding! Your talent is truly exceptional. I am the Longevity Lord, proficient in alchemy. Would you consider becoming my disciple?"
"You're stepping on my toes, Longevity Lord! Little Charlie, I am also a Longevity Lord and a master of formation arts. Follow me, and your future will be limitless!"
"Zhao Taixu, you call yourself a formation master? I'm just as qualified. Young Miss Zhao, how about joining me?"
One by one, the elders eagerly extended offers to her, with even Elder August Xia giving her an admiring glance, clearly intending to take her as a direct disciple.
Charlie Zhao was taken aback. As a rogue cultivator, she was unaccustomed to this kind of attention. Although she had quietly vowed not to let her master down, she hadn't expected her performance at the mountain gate ceremony to garner such enthusiastic interest.
"Am I really that talented?" She was momentarily filled with self-doubt. Up to now, her focus had always been on forging, with cultivation naturally progressing as a secondary pursuit. She had never thought of herself as anything extraordinary. Yet, seeing the admiration in the Shushan elders' eyes, she couldn't help but feel a hint of pride.
"No," she thought, "compared to Master, I'm hardly a genius. He's not only a Divine Forgemaster but also a Heavenly Gate Grand Elder. That is true talent!"
Steeling her mind, she calmly and respectfully declined their offers. "Thank you, esteemed elders, for your kind offers, but since childhood, I have aspired to become a Semi-Divine Forgemaster. I've heard that Shushan's Swordmaking House was once incredibly illustrious. I'd like to join the Swordmaking House."
Her straightforward response left the elders exchanging uncertain glances, momentarily at a loss for words.
"So, you're interested in forging. However, the Swordmaking House's legacy was lost long ago. You might be disappointed. Given your remarkable cultivation talent, perhaps you should consider another path?" Elder August Xia looked at her with surprise, his tone gentle yet persuasive.
"The Swordmaking House's legacy is gone?" Charlie Zhao was visibly puzzled. "But my Master is from the Swordmaking House…"
"Don't they know?" A thought crossed her mind. "Master must have kept his identity hidden intentionally." Recalling how her master had talked to her like an ordinary person, she grasped his understated nature.
Resolutely, she replied, "Thank you, elder, for your concern, but I only wish to join the Swordmaking House."
Hearing her firm stance, the elders fell silent. Charlie Zhao was no novice in the ways of cultivation, and her firm resolve made it clear that she wasn't one to be easily swayed.
"Wait, are you the Charlie Zhao who took first place at the Sword Forging Tournament in Star Forging City by producing a Semi-Divine artifact prototype?" Elder Julian Zhao, head of intelligence, stepped forward.
As a rogue cultivator, her background naturally warranted scrutiny. After her impressive performance during the entrance ceremony, Julian Zhao had taken it upon himself to investigate. The result had astonished him. Just a short while ago, these very elders had been discussing the Sword Forging Tournament, unaware that the champion, Charlie Zhao, would soon arrive at their doorstep.
Upon further thought, it seemed a very wise choice for her to turn to Shushan. Having clashed with Semi-Divine Forgemasters and finding little support from Langya Sword Sect, seeking refuge here made sense. Shushan was known for its tolerance, and they welcomed any upstanding cultivator, especially one with such monstrous talent.
"Yes, I am Charlie Zhao, a Heavenly-Rank Swordsmith," she responded confidently, triggering another wave of awe.
"I heard there was a Heavenly Gate Grand Elder from Shushan at the tournament—a Divine Forgemaster, no less. Is that true?" Julian Zhao quickly asked.
Charlie Zhao hesitated. She was certain of her master's connection to Shushan, as he had personally brought her here. "But why do these Shushan elders seem unaware of Master?" she wondered. "Could it be that Master is keeping his identity hidden for a reason? Perhaps this is part of his test for me. If I reveal too much, will I be expelled as his disciple?"
With this thought, she steadied herself, hiding her true emotions behind a calm expression. She replied thoughtfully, "There was indeed such a figure, but how could I, a mere practitioner, know his true origins?"
The elders exchanged glances, some falling silent in thought, while others, like the impulsive Elder Ethan Lu, dismissed it as mere rumor.
Now that Charlie Zhao's identity was fully known, the elders were quick to recognize that redirecting a young Heavenly-Rank Swordsmith from her chosen path would be a true waste of her potential.
"Although the Swordmaking House's legacy has waned, it's possible that traces of it may remain within. May you find what you seek there. Here is your identity token; it grants you the status and privileges of a direct disciple," said August Xia, handing her the token and instructing a disciple named Zhang Xu to guide her to the Swordmaking House.
As she received the token, a surge of excitement filled Charlie Zhao's heart. "Master's test—I must have passed!"
With renewed determination, she followed her guide, barely able to contain her excitement as she made her way to the Swordmaking House, where she knew her master awaited her.
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