I'll make you the furnace and the cauldron, so you can refine Yin and Yang and prove the Great

Chen Tong led him along the bluestone avenue for about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, until they arrived at a spacious square.

The plaza was paved with bluish-white jade, and the ground was as smooth as a mirror. In the center stood a huge, transparent crystal stone, about ten feet high, with a fine, shimmering light flowing across its surface.

Dozens of array bases were embedded in the ground around the crystal, forming a complete test array.

Dozens of disciples had gathered on both sides of the square. Some were watching the excitement, some were talking in hushed tones, and occasionally someone would walk by from the other side of the square, glance in this direction, and then hurry away.

Chen Tong walked to the center of the square and turned to Li Hanshan, raising his voice slightly: "Place your hand on the spirit-testing stone, circulate your spiritual energy, don't hold back. The spirit-testing stone will display your cultivation level, the purity of your spiritual energy, and your constitution type. This is the main sect's standard procedure for new disciples; it won't damage your foundation."

Li Hanshan walked to the transparent crystal and pressed his hand against it. Pure Yang energy surged from his palm, flowing into the crystal through his meridians. The crystal first glowed slightly, then the light grew brighter and more intense, like a torch burning fiercely inside. Fine golden lines spread outwards from the center of the crystal, weaving into clear runes in the air.

Cultivation level: Nascent Soul Stage 2.

The disciples watching in the square glanced at it but didn't react much. A second-level Nascent Soul cultivator wasn't anything special in the main sect; early-stage Nascent Soul cultivators were commonplace among the outer sect disciples. Someone muttered, "Only a second-level Nascent Soul? At such an old age, with this little cultivation, he's probably just loafing around in a branch sect." Someone else chimed in, "Indeed, not very impressive. With this kind of talent, he wouldn't even rank among the outer sect disciples in the main sect."

But the next second, when the second line of runes appeared on the surface of the crystal, all the discussions suddenly stopped as if someone had grabbed their necks.

Spiritual energy purity: Excellent.

A moment of silence fell over the plaza. Then, a collective gasp erupted from the crowd. The disciples who had been whispering just moments before paled, their eyes widening in shock. Even Chen Tong's expression froze slightly, his gaze lingering on the words "top-grade" for a full three breaths.

"Top-grade?" a female disciple exclaimed. "How is that possible? How could someone cultivate top-grade pure spiritual power in a place like the Northern Wilderness, where spiritual energy is so scarce?"

"That's right. Even among the most talented disciples in our Central Continent, the vast majority only achieve high purity; top-grade purity is one in ten thousand!"

"Could there be something wrong with the spirit-testing stone that's causing this old man's problem?"

But then, a third line of runes appeared, completely shattering everyone's doubts.

Physical constitution: Innate pure yang sacred body.

The six large characters "Innate Pure Yang Sacred Body" shimmered with dazzling golden light on the surface of the crystal, casting the light onto the jade-like ground of the square and enveloping Li Hanshan in a golden halo.

This time, the square was in complete uproar.

"Pure Yang Sacred Body! It really is the Pure Yang Sacred Body!"

"Heavens! How could a place like the Northern Wilderness produce a Pure Yang Saint Body? That's outrageous!"

"No wonder the purity of its spiritual energy is top-notch; the Pure Yang Holy Body is one of the most elite physiques!"

"So what if I'm old? With proper cultivation, the Pure Yang Sacred Body has limitless potential in the later stages!"

Chen Tong stared at that line of words three times before finally speaking, his voice filled with undisguised shock: "You...you managed to preserve your innate pure Yang body in a place like the Northern Wilderness without being exploited? How have you survived until now?"

Li Hanshan withdrew his hand, his expression calm: "Good luck."

Chen Tong opened his mouth, wanting to ask something more, but before he could speak, a strange noise suddenly came from the sky above.

Several streaks of light rose from various mountain peaks, as if drawn by some signal, and flew toward the square in unison.

The streaks of light were multicolored, some like pink clouds, some like silver ribbons, some carrying a strong floral fragrance, and some with a chilling aura. The streaks of light landed on the steps around the square, on the roof of the palace, and beside the stone railings. As the light dissipated, graceful figures were revealed.

Without exception, they were all female cultivators.

They had different appearances; some were alluring and charming, some were aloof and cold, and some were delicate and lovely.

Without exception, every pair of eyes was fixed on Li Hanshan, their gazes like those of a hungry wolf eyeing its prey, filled with undisguised heat and greed.

"Pure Yang Sacred Body! A living Pure Yang Sacred Body!"

A voluptuous woman in red gracefully descended the steps, her gaze sweeping over Li Hanshan with an almost tangible intensity. She unconsciously licked her red lips: "A pure Yang body with top-grade spiritual energy... Heavens! If I could absorb a few drops of this, my cultivation would at least break through the bottleneck of the first level of the Nascent Soul stage!"

Another woman in a light purple dress landed lightly on the stone railing, looking down at Li Hanshan, her voice carrying a lazy smile: "Sisters, we can't keep this all to ourselves, we have to share it."

"Who's going to share with you? This kind of treasure belongs to whoever grabs it first!"

"Oh, little sister, aren't you afraid of biting off more than you can chew? With your meager cultivation, do you even deserve the title of Pure Yang Saint Body?"

"Whether we're a good match or not, we'll know once we try."

The female cultivators chattered amongst themselves, their voices filled with undisguised covetousness and a desire to seize him. A few of the bolder ones had even walked towards the center of the square, their steps light and their eyes burning, as if Li Hanshan had already become meat on their chopping block.

Li Hanshan stood still, his pure Yang energy circulating quietly around him as he watched the figures gradually approaching.

Chen Tong stood beside him, his brows furrowed. Although he was in charge of the External Affairs Hall, he was at a loss as to what to do in the face of so many female cultivators who were after Li Hanshan.

In the Hehuan Sect, those who hold specific positions like stewards or deacons may seem prestigious, but in reality, they are no match for these more promising and talented disciples.

Only those without potential bother with these trivial matters.

Those with real potential are all diligently honing their skills.

One of the female cultivators had already walked three steps in front of Li Hanshan, and stretched out her slender hand, her fingertips pointing towards his chin.

"Little old man, don't be afraid. I'll take you back to cultivate properly and promise you won't be mistreated—"