Witnessing this, Leaf Gray immediately understood that the test had two stages: the first checked whether one had the aptitude for cultivation, and the second examined the level of one's innate talent.

Aptitude and innate talent were different. The former determined whether a person could cultivate at all—whether they had the qualification. The latter determined how high their future achievements might be; theoretically, the better the talent, the greater the future accomplishments.

Of course, due to limited conditions here, the talent test was only a general assessment and couldn't guarantee complete accuracy, but it was usually about eighty to ninety percent reliable, without significant deviation.

Leaf Gray wasn't worried about his aptitude; he had already opened his apertures, so he definitely could cultivate.

As for the level of his innate talent, that was uncertain. He didn't know what his talent was like yet; he would have to test it in the tent behind to find out.

The appearance of the first person with cultivation aptitude injected a spark of vitality into the previously deathly still queue. Instantly, everyone started feeling a sense of "maybe I can do it too."

However, reality was ultimately cruel.

In the subsequent checks, over ten more people were eliminated before another person with cultivation aptitude finally appeared.

The same scene from before played out again.

The long queue steadily shortened, one enslaved person after another moving from hope to disappointment...

Overall, roughly one in over ten people showed cultivation aptitude, a ratio that aligned with what Leaf Gray understood.

He stood in the latter half of the queue, but because the checks proceeded quickly, it took less time than it takes an incense stick to burn before he stood before the desk.

"Have you opened your apertures?" the cultivator behind the desk asked, his tone monotonous and repetitive.

"One aperture opened," Leaf Gray replied truthfully.

The cultivator immediately looked up, scrutinizing Leaf Gray from head to toe, then broke into a smile. "Good, finally someone who's opened an aperture."

Although seven or eight people had passed the aptitude check before, none of them had opened their apertures. Among those in this queue, Leaf Gray was the first who had truly opened a spiritual aperture!

"Come, place both hands over this," the cultivator instructed, pointing to the crystal ball on the desk.

Leaf Gray was puzzled. Wasn't this thing for testing aptitude? Since he had opened his spiritual apertures, what else needed testing?

The cultivator seemed to perceive Leaf Gray's confusion and explained, "My station here doesn't just test aptitude; it also checks your Elemental Affinity."

"Elemental Affinity?" Leaf Gray was even more bewildered; he truly hadn't heard of this.

Perhaps because Leaf Gray had opened his apertures, the cultivator patiently explained: "Among the Five Elements—Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth—everyone's spiritual power leans towards one. This is the Elemental Affinity. Each affinity has different focuses."

"So that's it!" Leaf Gray had a sudden realization, but then felt confused again. "But those before…"

The cultivator smiled. "They haven't even opened their spiritual apertures. Without spiritual power, their affinity cannot be detected."

"I see." Leaf Gray understood. He raised his hands and covered the crystal ball.

"Channel your spiritual power and inject it into the ball," the cultivator directed.

Leaf Gray complied, simultaneously watching the crystal ball for changes. He was also curious about what his Elemental Affinity was.

The crystal ball first lit up with a glow, indicating that Leaf Gray had the aptitude for cultivation. However, for someone like him who had already opened his apertures, this result was somewhat meaningless.

The change that followed was the real test for affinity.

Under Leaf Gray's gaze, a flickering, orange-yellow flame suddenly appeared within the crystal ball, burning fiercely!

This sight caused his pupils to contract involuntarily, because that orange-yellow flame looked... very familiar.

"Oh?" The cultivator behind the desk raised an eyebrow, looking interested. "Primary Element: Fire. Hmm, with a secondary aspect of Metal. Not bad, not bad. Alright, you can stop now."

Leaf Gray could understand the Fire affinity, as his ability to open apertures was thanks to the Talent Tree. It was the tree devouring a mass of orange-yellow flame that had suddenly opened his spiritual apertures. The leaf on the Talent Tree that bore the Sharpness spirit pattern was also burning fiercely.

But the Metal aspect puzzled him; he faintly suspected that this might be his original innate affinity.

"Keep this safe. Go to the tent behind and find my Third Shixiong," the cultivator said, handing Leaf Gray a jade token. Leaf Gray thanked him and took it. On one side of the token was carved his name, with the character 'one' below it, likely indicating one opened aperture. The other side was carved with his Elemental Affinity.

Passing the desk, Leaf Gray headed towards the back.

Not far away stood a temporarily erected tent. Everyone who had previously passed the aptitude check had entered here to have their innate talent examined.

Standing before the tent, Leaf Gray first announced himself apologetically, then lifted the door flap and entered.

The space inside the tent was quite large. A cultivator with a stern, meticulous expression sat cross-legged on a cushion, eyes closed, presumably meditating. This was likely the Third Shixiong.

Not far in front of Third Shixiong was a circular disc, about the size of a tabletop, made of some unknown type of wood. Around the edge of the disc were eight indentations, beside which grew some small, bare saplings.

Leaf Gray walked up to him, clasped his hands, and bowed. "Leaf Gray pays his respects, Shixiong. This is my jade token. Please examine it."

Third Shixiong opened his eyes, took the token, looked at both sides, and raised an eyebrow. "Opened apertures?" He gestured. "Sit."

It seemed this disc was the device for testing the level of innate talent. Leaf Gray walked over and sat cross-legged in the center. Glancing around unintentionally, he noticed the disc was inscribed with many intricate, complex patterns and designs.

Spirit Patterns? Leaf Gray immediately became interested and examined them closely. However, with his current level of perception, he couldn't discern the purpose of these patterns at all. The only spirit pattern he knew was the Sharpness pattern.

The number of spirit patterns inscribed on the disc was vast and dense, interconnected seamlessly into a unified whole.

This isn't just spirit patterns, Leaf Gray realized, recalling something he had heard of before.

This is an Array!

Are arrays constructed from spirit patterns?

"Ahem!" A light cough from Third Shixiong interrupted his thoughts. Leaf Gray quickly straightened his posture and sat properly.

Their eyes met. After a brief silence, Third Shixiong spoke: "The Azure Heaven Sect, where I belong, is located in the heart of Tranquil Province, at The Clouded Peak. We possess three hundred spiritual peaks, large and small. In terms of comprehensive strength, we rank among the top five in Tranquil Province. The Sect Master and all Vice Sect Masters have reached the Divine Sea Realm. Below the Sect Master, there are nearly a hundred cultivators at the True Lake Realm..."

Leaf Gray had initially thought Third Shixiong was a man of few words, but now he realized he was mistaken.

Once Third Shixiong started speaking, the words flowed incessantly. He continuously detailed various aspects of The Azure Heaven Sect, leaving Leaf Gray somewhat dazed and impressed, even if he didn't fully grasp everything.

And for some reason, this spiel gave Leaf Gray a strong sense of déjà vu.

As Third Shixiong talked on and on about 'how the Sword Sect in the sect is this, how the Law Sect is that...', Leaf Gray's sealed memories began to churn violently.

The corner of Leaf Gray's mouth twitched slightly. Is this the cultivation world's version of a school recruitment pitch? he thought to himself.