The entrance ceremony was extremely simple and was announced to be performed by the three Palace masters in place of the Sect's head, as the latter was in seclusion. Everyone gathered near the ranking stone slates. A platform had been built there overnight and there stood several elders, between which Wu Guang saw both elder Di and elder Ku.

The Palace masters appeared only when all the people were gathered and with only the pressure they exuded calmed down all the new disciples who were talking between them.

Elder Chen was already known to Wu Guang, so he mainly observed the other two masters. The Martial master was a man with a striking resemblance to Zhen Mang and after he was introduced by Elder Ku, this was confirmed as his surname was also Zhen. Enormous stature and muscular build, coupled with long almost black hair and a fierce face. Dressed in white martial robes with red adornments he was the only one to carry a weapon openly, a black glaive tall as him. His voice was loud and had some hidden savageness, which also was extremely similar to the Head Enforcer that Wu Guang met.

The Discipline master was actually something in between the other both masters, as his white robes with a black belt adorned with only a simple silver badge with the 'Discipline' and white hair were extremely similar to Elder Chen. His build and age were also more similar to the latter, but his voice and bearing were more like Elder Zhen's, being fierce and warrior-like. He was introduced as Master Sikou.

The three Masters took turns to greet the new disciples and wished them to work hard and reach the pinnacle of cultivation, coupled with some more personal words. These words were different for each one and really showed their Palace natures. Elder Zhen wished them to stand tall and fight against all obstacles, Elder Sikou to follow the rules and work hard while Elder Chen words were more about seeking knowledge and discovering new paths.

With this part done, the word was passed to Elder Ku who oversaw the registration for the tests when Wu Guang had met him, but actually was the chief elder of the Outer Circle.

Elder Ku was a bit nervous at the start, but his explanation of the rules and obligations was clear and well-worded. Wu Guang carefully listened, but the rules were actually pretty basic so he only attentively listened and mulled about the important bits while the rest was simply memorized by him. "Fights between disciples are forbidden in any place except the arena. Outer disciples have to pay for their lodgings and expenses via contribution points. All resources and lessons are paid by points as well. These points would be received for completing missions and as rewards from the sect during tests, examinations, and challenges. Graduation is possible only after entering the Spirit realm, gaining more than 5000 contribution points in total and passing a test during the 'Nascent Pride' week." Basically, this was all the information Wu Guang really paid attention to.

When Elder Ku finished his explanation, an unknown Elder was the one to proceed

"Disciples, first of all, congratulations on becoming part of the Sect. All the rules and information Elder Ku provided can be found in the booklets that you will receive alongside your disciple badge. Now before the Wisdom Palace Master reveals the scores and announces the contribution points obtained, there are two announcements to be made"

The first announcement was made by Elder Sikou

"The top score this year is a full perfect score, which has not been seen for the last thirty-four years, so a thousand contribution points will be added as a congratulation gift to this applicant" Waiting for a bit and then motioning with his hand for the commotion to cease, he continued with the second announcement

"Although we announced 100 places, there were two special cases so 102 disciples will be entering the sect. The first of them completed the practical exam for medicine making perfectly, granting him not only a special entrance by the rules but also the rank of Apprentice. The second applicant is a bit special as he did not take part in most of the tests. But, this applicant passed successfully the cultivation tests and the test for inner disciple-in-waiting, so according to the rules, will be able to enter. But he will obtain only the contribution points that are assigned following his total score by the rule of equality between the applicants.

Now without further ado, Palace Master Chen, please do the honors"

"Thank you Palace Master Sikou" Responded Elder Chen with a slight nod and walking towards the center of the platform started speaking

"All scores under 351 points will be given half of their score worth in contribution points" With this said Elder Chen made a seal with his hands and the slates behind the platform illuminated started from 12 and below. With 350 being the highest, the lowest score was 210 points.

"All scores between 351 points and under 401 points get one hundred extra points added towards the half of their score ones" Another seal was performed and now the ranks from 11 to 3 were illuminated.

"Scores over 401 points get two hundred extra points" With this last seal only rank 2 was illuminated. Surprisingly, Lang Juan's number was the one occupying this rank.

"As explained before the top score is an actual perfect score of 550 points, so it will be granted one thousand extra contribution points" This time there was no seal made but in place, Wu Guang's number was named

"Number 871, please step forward"

Wu Guang did not really expect to be called on stage, but judging from the fact that Elder Chen had tasked him to get the first rank he guessed that it was part of some kind of plan. Without dallying around he simply walked and stopped right before the platform.

"I hope that everyone will learn from this result that one can reach the pinnacle in anything if he tries enough. Also, I have to announce that rank 1, rank 2, rank 35, and rank 101 passed the disciple-in-waiting test and will enter the sect as such" With this announcement, Elder Di quickly motioned for the four to come near the platform, when they did so Elder Chen finished his part by simply explaining that everyone else will be able to obtain their badge from any of the desks near the platform after being called. As if in confirmation of his words, the three outer elders that were manning them called one number each, which were the rank 3, 4, and 5 respectively.

Wu Guang's group was motioned to stay and after a brief congratulation from Elder Zhen, they were asked to follow Elder Di.

The latter explained that their badges would be given to them later and accompanied them to the camping grounds for them to recover their things. Thanks to the presence of the elder none of the new disciples approached, only some words of congratulations were shouted. Wu Guang noticed several stares accompanying the words, regretfully only half of them were good-willed ones. He deliberately ignored the rest and nodded in thanks towards the disciples that had the latter. Duqi and Lang Juan who did not notice saw Wu Guang's behavior and imitated him while the foreigner who had the number 1001 simply ignored everyone.

Nobody had much to pack so it took them only the time to walk towards their respective tents or resting places to recover all of their belongings. This done, Elder Di showed them into the tower they had taken the special test in and explained that they would be staying on the ninth floor, where four rooms were provided. A meal was already served and their badges would arrive about dinner time. He recommended them to rest and recuperate, as the next day 'Nascent Pride' tests would start. With this, he left them and the group proceeded to eat. Wu Guang's interest was piqued so he tried to talk with the foreigner but the latter was not interested and only introduced himself as Yuan Taotu after which left towards one of the rooms and closed the door.

"I don't understand that guy. We are the only inner disciples-in-waiting judging from what Elder Di explained, we should remain united" Said Duqi in a now pretty decent common, although his accent and several small pronunciation mistakes were still apparent.

"Well, some people are like that. I per example have not talked to anyone except you during the tests" Wu Guang responded

"And you still mostly ignored us," Said Lang Juan jokingly

"Oh for that I am sorry Miss Lang"

"Don't! Call me Lang Juan as I asked" And after a brief pause added with a brief laugh

"As I asked you several times already... 'Mister Wu' "

"Yes, ahem, Lang Juan" Was the only response from Wu Guang before he nodded towards them and also entered one of the rooms.

It wasn't that he was timid or hated her, but being who he is... he was simply not interested in people his age. Plus he was really trying to evade Lang Juan, as his life experience told that the girl had developed an interest in him. Considering his plans and lack of interest Wu Guang had decided to cut down any interactions of such sort.