Building the Inn at the End of Times

"From this moment forth, all of you are disciples of the Everlasting Sect."

An old man hovered above them in front of the new disciples of the Everlasting Sect, his long white robe billowing gently as his white hair gleamed in the light.

"To stand here today means you are not merely talented, but extraordinary—a dragon among carp, a phoenix among crows. Yet, talent alone is but a seed. Will it grow into a mighty tree or wither in the soil? That, young ones, is the question only you can answer."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the awestruck faces below.

"Immortality, power, fame, wealth—they lie within reach but do not be deceived. The path before you is steep, and the winds unforgiving. A step forward may lead to glory, or it may lead to ruin. Tell me, are you ready to embrace the climb, or would you rather chase the fleeting shadow of comfort?"

"Sounds boring..." 

A random voice interrupted. 

The elder ignored the comment, pretending to cough before continuing, "However, cultivation is not a banquet where talent alone fills your plate. No, it demands an unyielding will—a resolve as firm as the mountains and as enduring as the rivers. Without it, even the brightest star will burn out."

"That is why. We have prepared a final test. Hard work and determination will speak louder than any so-called genius. So tell me, little ones—are you ready to prove that your light is more than a fleeting spark in the night?" 

"Too much talking. Why didn't you just say that from the start? This is a waste of time."

The same voice interjected again.

The elder's brow furrowed as he scanned the crowd, trying to locate the source of the disruption. The area was packed with new disciples, making it difficult to pinpoint the culprit. Suppressing his irritation, he calmed himself, but a sneer crept into his thoughts.

'You think you can hide from me? Once I spread my Divine Sense, I'll find you—and I'll make sure your time in this sect is anything but easy.'

This elder, despite having lived for thousands of years, couldn't help but act petty when provoked.

He then waved his hand, his robe fluttering along with the wind. Before the crowd of new disciples, three portals appeared.

Each portal radiated a distinct color. On the left, a swirling violet portal shimmered like a miniature universe. In the center, a crimson portal glowed ominously, reminiscent of a blood moon from the Demonic World. On the right, a green portal emitted a calming, peaceful aura.

"What you see before you are portals," the elder announced.

"We already know they're portals. That's obvious. Is this old man even right in the head?"

A voice from the crowd interrupted again.

"I found you!" the elder bellowed, pointing to the middle of the group. However, his frown deepened when he couldn't locate the culprit. The voice's owner had vanished once more.

"Show yourself! Why do you keep interrupting?" he shouted, his face flushing red with anger. Though it seemed like he might vomit blood, that wasn't actually true—after all, no one vomits blood just from being angry.

"I am Elder Wei of the Everlasting Sword Peak! Do you think disrespect can shield you from consequences? If you dare to disrupt me, then show the same courage to stand before me. If not, know this—an unruly disciple who cannot grasp the weight of respect has no place in this sect. Choose wisely, for your next step may be your last within these walls."

After finishing his declaration, Elder Wei waited, his Divine Sense spreading further to catch the troublemaker. The humiliation of being mocked in front of the new disciples gnawed at him.

For today's occasion, Elder Wei had gone to great lengths to present himself as a dignified elder. He wore his luxurious white robe, crafted by his great-grandfather from the silk of the Calamity Spider Queen. He'd even visited the best barber in the city to style his hair, taken a shower for the first time in a hundred years, and followed advice from the Grand Elder and Sect Master to ensure he looked impeccable.

Yet, despite all his efforts, a random voice kept humiliating him.

'This is... unbearable!'

After a few minutes of silence, the voice didn't return. Elder Wei sighed in relief and decided to finish the ceremony quickly.

He coughed lightly to regain his composure. "Anyway, these portals lead to different trials. Each trial determines your position in the sect. The purple portal tests the Body, the blood-red portal tests the Mind, and the green portal tests the Spirit. You may choose any trial. Upon completion, your position will be assigned accordingly. Finishing the Body trial grants the rank of Inner Disciple, the Mind trial grants Core Disciple, and the Spirit trial grants Personal Disciple."

"Elder Wei, what happens if we fail the trial?"

The elder tensed but quickly relaxed when he realized the question came from a random disciple—someone who would likely fade into the background of memory.

"There's no need to worry. If you fail the trial, you'll still be a New Disciple of the Everlasting Sect," he reassured.

"But what if we complete all the trials?"

This time, the question came from a strikingly handsome young man radiating a golden aura of superiority. His calm voice carried a subtle undertone of arrogance.

"Hmmm... What is your name, young man?" Elder Wei asked, feeling an ominous premonition about him.

"My name is Wei Xan, Elder Wei," the young man replied with a respectful bow.

The elder nodded. "Good question, Wei Xan. Completing all the trials elevates you to the rank of True Disciple."

"True Disciple?" Wei Xan muttered.

"T-True Disciple?" A random bespectacled disciple beside him gasped before quickly explaining, "I've heard of it! According to legend, only a few people in the sect's history have ever achieved that rank, and all of them ascended to immortality. But it's been thousands of years since anyone reached that level!"

"Indeed," Elder Wei confirmed. "The title represents the pinnacle of genius—genius among geniuses, the rarest of heavenly talents. But to attain it requires unimaginable hardship and the strongest will."

"Can you really achieve that title by completing these trials?" Wei Xan asked.

"Yes, Wei Xan," the elder replied with a calm nod, though inwardly he sneered. 'You fool. You think you can complete all the trials? Even finishing one is a monumental challenge. Geniuses from the greatest families have failed. If completing all the trials were so easy, why the hell would I still be here?!'

"I can already see what you're thinking. 'If even the so-called geniuses from big families fail, what chance does a little disciple like you have?' But seriously, all he did was ask a simple question—why make it sound like he asked for the entire universe? If this is what cultivating gets you, maybe I should just skip all this nonsense and learn something useful in school. What's the point of wasting time like this?"

The voice appeared again.

Elder Wei's body tensed, his eyes widening as he desperately scanned the crowd for the source of the voice. Yet, no matter how hard he tried, the culprit remained elusive. This only deepened his humiliation.

Clenching his fists tightly behind his back, veins bulged on his neck and hands as he struggled to keep his composure. 'Stay calm... Stay calm...' 

'That voice must have some kind of treasure to hide from my Divine Sense. But if you think that's enough, you're underestimating me. Once you enter the trial, I'll make your life much harder... hehehe...'

Elder Wei laughed internally, already imagining the troublemaker's expression when his plans came to fruition.

Glancing over the crowd and then at the sky above, Elder Wei announced, "Now, everyone, choose your trial. You have until nightfall to complete it. I will be waiting here. Should you wish to give up, simply shout to the sky. Good luck..."

One by one, the disciples began entering the portals. Most chose the Mind Trial, drawn by its challenge and allure. Those who cultivated Body Refining Arts naturally gravitated toward the Body Trial, confident in their ability to complete it.

As Elder Wei observed, he noticed several promising disciples entering their chosen trials. However, none stood out as much as three individuals: a young man called Wei Xan, a white-haired young woman exuding a chilling aura, and a shirtless, muscular youth whose sheer physical presence commanded attention.

Each of them stepped into their respective trials, leaving Elder Wei feeling proud of the new talented disciples in his sect.

"Hey, old man."

Elder Wei narrowed his eyes. All the disciples had already entered their trials—except for one. A lone young man remained standing, seemingly unbothered by the passage of time.

"Why haven't you entered yet, young man?" Elder Wei asked.

The young man had jet-black hair and dark, listless eyes that seemed as though they could close in sleep at any moment. With a lazy shrug, he replied, "Do I really need to participate in the trial to join the sect? It feels like a hassle. Besides, didn't you already test us before?"

Elder Wei raised an eyebrow. "It's necessary. Now go—I still have important matters to attend to."

He was still determined to find the owner of the mocking voice and couldn't wait to rid himself of this distraction. With a dismissive wave, he shooed the young man away.

"Okay..." The young man muttered, rubbing his neck. He glanced up at Elder Wei and added casually, "Elder, do you always hover so high to feel superior, or is it because your talent is too low to stand on equal ground? My neck's starting to ache just looking up at you—though I suppose that pain is nothing compared to the embarrassment of your existence."

Elder Wei, who had been about to leave, froze in place. His body tensed, and his face twisted into a frown.

"This voice... it's you! You damn imbecile!" he roared, pointing at the young man.

But it was too late. The young man had already stepped into the Spirit Trial portal before Elder Wei could react, leaving the elder standing there, alone and seething.

"H-How could I have forgotten his voice? Is it age catching up with me? Or was it some technique? No, it doesn't matter! Once I've seen your face, I'll never forget it. Just you wait!"

Elder Wei muttered to himself in the empty space, his fists clenched in frustration. Meanwhile, Yue Wei, the young troublemaker, had successfully entered the trial, leaving one final insult in his wake.

After a moment of brooding, Elder Wei finally sighed, adjusted his robe, and flew away, determined to reclaim his dignity.

...

"Is it really necessary?" Yue Wei muttered to himself as he entered the Spirit Trial.

The scenery inside was serene. A tranquil lake stretched before him, its surface shimmering under the soft glow of an ethereal light. Not far from the lake, he spotted a small gazebo nestled among a cluster of trees. 

"Perfect," he murmured, his eyes lighting up with relief. Without hesitation, he strolled over and settled into the gazebo, leaning back like he had all the time in the world.

Suddenly, a calm, mechanical voice echoed in his mind.

[Successfully completing the quest: To secure a good life in the sect, you must create it. Build a bond between yourself and an elder.

Reward: Inn World.]