After a night of rain, Pingyang town carried a slight chill, indicating the arrival of autumn. The morning mist made the weeds along the street slightly damp, and the cicadas chirped from time to time, waking up the whole town. 

Today, it is particularly lively as numerous cultivators rush towards a certain place. Passing travelers inquire at a tea shop while having breakfast, "Boss, why are they all running? What's happening that's so lively?"

"Today is the day of the Taiyan Sect's recruitment selection," the shopkeeper replied with a smile, "The talented people of Duzhou are waiting to make a name for themselves on the Immortal Viewing Platform." The Immortal Viewing Platform is a leveled high platform at the foot of the Gufeng Mountain. It was said that in the evening, if you stand on the platform and look up, you can see the fairy scenery and haze of Gufeng Mountain. Today, the area beneath the Immortal Viewing Platform is already crowded with people. Zanxing and Hong Su stood in the distance, their gaze fixed on the platform, lost in thought. 

In the land of Duzhou, the wind of cultivation thrived. Among the major sects, the Taiyan Sect is well-known. The sect's founder, Sage Yushan, established the sect three hundred years ago and was the first cultivator in the Duzhou cultivation world to successfully ascend. After he ascended, his disciple Shaoyang Zhenzhen took over as Sect Master. Since the war between the human and demon race twenty years ago, the Taiyan Sect has been severely injured and has gradually declined in recent years. However, it is an old sect, and it has a rich foundation of secret scriptures and techniques. If one can become a disciple of the sect, it will only be beneficial. Moreover, the Taiyan Sect has not recruited new disciples for nearly ten years. Now, the cultivators who got the news rushed to Pingyang Town to become formal disciples. "I thought there wouldn't be many people," Hong Su remarks in surprise. "So many people, can the Taiyan Sect take them in?"

"After all, it's a renowned sect, so it's normal for people to come. Besides," Zanxing glanced around, "it seems they've expanded their recruitment this year."

Just as they were talking, a group of people came flying from the direction of Gufeng Mountain, standing on long swords and flying. In a moment, they landed on the Immortal Viewing Platform.

"Ah! It's the Taiyan Sect's disciples!" A cultivator next to him shouted excitedly: "They're here!"

Hong Su also became excited: "Miss, they are the people from the Taiyan Sect. They are so good-looking!"

Most of the group were dressed in light gray gauzy robes with a white belt around their waists. The hairbands tying their hair were deep gray, and each one had a dignified face, slender and upright posture. Their robes fluttered in the wind as they moved, giving them an ethereal appearance. Leading them is a young woman. Unlike the others, her robe is a gray-purple color, and she possesses a refined and spirited demeanor. When she smiles, any aloofness disappears, making her seem warm and approachable.

Standing on the Immortal Viewing Platform, she addresses the crowd below, "I am Ziluo, a disciple of the Taiyan Sect. Today, as Taiyan Sect recruits new disciples, you all who have come from afar demonstrate your dedication to the path of cultivation."

"On this path there are many challenges. Without a heart as firm as a rock and the determination of a foolish old man, it's easy to give up halfway. As you know, the path of cultivation involves Qi Refinement as the entry point and Foundation Establishment. In our Taiyan Sect, everyone starts with Foundation Establishment. Today's recruitment selection starts from the Immortal Viewing Platform, but not everyone can proceed." 

After Ziluo finished speaking, she waved her sleeve, and a golden light swiftly emerged, landing under the Immortal Viewing Platform, forming an arched shape, resembling a "gate."

"This is the Elemental Gate," Ziluo explains. "Only those who have reached Foundation Establishment can pass through it. Those who have not reached it can go back now." Zanxing: "..." Impressive, just like airport security.

Today, there are many cultivators who have just reached the Qi Refinement stage, and they are not happy when they hear this: "How can this be? Why do you look down on those in the Qi Refinement stage?"

"That's right, the Taiyan Sect is a dignified major sect, how can it be so arrogant and dismissive!"

Ziluo smiled, "It's not about looking down on anyone. It's for your sake. The trials on the platform are extremly difficult. If those who haven't reached Foundation Establishment attempt them, they may suffer injuries or even lose their lives. The sect is concerned for your safety."

With this explanation, the discontented cultivators who spoke earlier dared not say anything. While they genuinely wanted to join the Taiyan Sect, risking one's life to enter the sect was not a choice anyone wanted to make. 

Ziluo continued, "Now, I invite those who have passed the Foundation Establishment stage to pass through this Elemental Gate."

The golden door stood under the Immortal Viewing Platform, as if as long as you crossed this door, you would enter a mysterious and ethereal world. There were those who were eager to try and rushed over first, diving into the golden light door, and finally, laughing out loud behind the door: "Everyone, I'll go in first!"

The remaining cultivators saw this and rushed forward. There were also a few cultivators who were trying to fish in troubled waters, still hoping for a lucky break, but they did not expect that as soon as they reached the door, they were bounced back by the golden light and fell heavily.

Ziluo looked at the fallen cultivators and smiled, "Don't think you can trick your way through; the Gate is very intelligent."

Zanxing observes, "Let's go over too."

Hong Su and Lao Niu followed behind. The three of them just approached the Gate, and Zanxing had not had time to go in, when they heard a voice from behind them: "Miss Yang?"

Zanxing turned around and saw Wang Shao and Duan Xiangrao standing behind her. Duan Xiangrao looked at her in surprise: "Miss Yang, why are you here?" she looked at the Elemental Gate and said exaggeratedly: "Are you going to participate in the selection too?"

"Don't be ridiculous," Wang Shao said without thinking: "She just entered the Qi Refinement stage, and she can't even get through this door."

"Is that so?" Duan Xiangrao smiled regretfully: "I thought I could have a chance to compete with Miss Yang."

The two of them sang in unison, as if they had come here specifically to pick a fight. Hong Su was young and couldn't stand the provocation, so she said angrily: "Don't look down on people, our young lady is much stronger than you, this vixen!"

"Strong or not, you can't just talk big." Duan Xiangrao did not give in in the slightest.

Zanxing didn't bother with the two of them, and raised her foot to walk towards the Elemental Gate.

"Wait!" Wang Shao called out.

Zanxing turned around: "What's the matter, Young Master Wang?"

Wang Shao doesn't know why he stopped Yang Zanxing, but he felt that there was no trace of him in her eyes, which made him feel inexplicably uneasy. After a pause, he mocked:

"Yang Zanxing, are you heartbroken after I broke off the engagement? Didn't you hear what I said just now? You can't get through this door without reaching the Foundation Establishment stage. Are you deaf?"

"Young Master Wang," Zanxing looked at him and smiled, "haven't you heard the saying 'Absence makes the heart grow fonder.' before?"

Zanxing walked in the gate.