Lucius gave a short nod. "Alright," he said. "I'll take the test."
The middle-aged man studied him for a brief moment, then nodded in return, a trace of approval flickering across his face. Without another word, he lifted his foot and brought it down on the spirit stone lying nearby. The stone shattered with a dull crack, breaking apart into fragments that quickly crumbled into gray dust.
"Then come," the man said, turning away. "This was the last village on my route. You'll meet the other qualified participants soon enough."
Lucius hummed softly in acknowledgment and followed.
The thought of meeting others like himself did not make him uneasy. On the contrary, it gave him a reason to gather information about this world easier.
As they left the village, no one tried to stop them. The villagers merely watched, standing in small clusters with hopeful expressions etched into tired faces. Lucius caught fragments of their murmurs as he passed.
"Our village produced an immortal…"
"Perhaps our fortune will change now…"
Lucius let out a slow breath.
To these people, cultivators were saviors, figures who stood far above the struggles of ordinary life. Yet the sight of their admiration only weighed on him. They lived far from the teachings of Goddess Celestia. In his old world, no one would have been left to starve or rot in crumbling homes.
Still, he would not abandon them.
Once he established himself and learned how this world functioned. But also find a way to get money, since he was broke. He would help them, just as he had aided countless others before. And if they wished to listen, he would tell them of Celestia, a goddess who offered protection and acceptance, even to those who had never known her name.
The dirt path led them into a forest where tall trees blocked out much of the sun. Leaves rustled overhead, and the air grew cool and damp. After some time, the trees thinned, opening into a wide, empty plain.
Lucius stopped short.
Hovering above the ground was a massive ship.
It was long and dark, reinforced with metal bands engraved with glowing runes. Wide sails shimmered faintly despite the still air, and the vessel floated effortlessly, casting a slow-moving shadow across the grass below.
Lucius stared, unable to hide his surprise. This was the first flying ship he had ever seen. In his previous world, magic was abundant, yet no vessel had ever defied gravity so casually.
The man glanced at him and spoke with faint pride. "One of the Clear Sky Sect's transport vessels—the Heavenward Skiff. We use it to gather candidates for the entrance ceremony."
Lucius stepped closer, studying it with open curiosity. He imagined how such a ship would have changed countless battles in his past life.
"That means there are larger ones," he said.
"Yes," the man replied. "The elders each command their own ships. The sect also maintains grand vessels—faster, more luxurious, and protected by powerful formations."
He gestured toward the skiff. "But don't worry. The Heavenward Skiff is more than capable of protecting us on the journey back."
Lucius nodded slowly, eyes still fixed on the floating ship. His eyes held the gaze of looking at a new toy because he definitely wanted one.
He boarded the ship calmly as walked up a narrow wooden ramp. As he stood on the deck, it was already crowded and the ramp behind him disappeared.
There were rows of benches neatly spaced apart on the wooden deck. Nearly every seat was taken. But Lucius noticed, some of the participants wore flowing robes or dresses threaded with gold or silver. There were definitely new unique styles of outfits he had observed.
However, others were dressed in simpler clothing like thick tunics, worn cloaks, sturdy boots mostly shaped by the difficult life they had.
The stricken difference between their outfits only highlighted the difference in social status. Those who were rich and noble, stuck among themselves as they stayed far away from the common people.
Lucius felt their attention settle on him.
He glanced down at his own clothes. A white collared shirt that was clean and neatly fitted. His black trousers, plain but well kept. He looked presentable, even with his appearance blessed by his Goddess but in a sea of robes and dresses, he stood out unmistakably.
Perhaps it was only a difference in customs, he told himself.
He lifted his head and searched for the man who had guided him here. The cultivator was gone without giving him any instructions to follow or direction. Only low murmurs were heard and the steady hum of the ship's beginning to lift off the ground.
His gaze moved across the benches until he spotted an empty seat near the back.
Lucius walked toward it at an unhurried pace as he ignored the way conversations softened as he passed. He had long since learned the futility of measuring himself by the opinions of strangers.
When he reached the bench, he slowed.
Someone was already seated beside the empty space.
She sat perfectly still, her posture was straight and she held a book within her hand. Her head tilted down with long black hair tied into a single bun. It was dark and glossy, with blunt bangs framing her forehead. Two side locks brushed her across her shoulders, carefully arranged. Her skin was pale, untouched by sun or wind.
Behind thin silver-framed glasses, partially hidden were her unusual white eyes similar to pearls. They gave her a thoughtful, almost scholarly air, as she stayed engrossed reading as though the noise of the world around her did not exist.
Her slender fingers were painted white with a glossy appearance as it held her book gently. The pages remained steady despite the faint motion of the ship.
She wore a black, high-necked dress that rose modestly to her jaw. Wide sleeves draped over her arms, concealing them completely, the fabric falling in smooth lines to the floor. The gown covered her legs in full, revealing nothing more than a subtle hint of skin showing a little view of her bust. Yet the dress could not hide the natural shape of her body, her curves only enhance the black dress she wore, offering no disguise despite its restraint.
Lucius took the empty seat beside her.
She did not look up, but Lucius could only smile slightly in interest. As she reminded him of a close friend who was a member of his party. The scholarly aura around her, the glasses that adorned her face, she was just like the studious mage her remembered.