Loud chatter filled the air: boasts of past achievements, nervous whispers about the strength of Sky Cloud Sect's own disciples, excited speculation about the tournament's format. Jian listened, absorbing information, his enhanced senses sifting through the noise for anything useful.
He reached the front of the line, a long, temporary table set up under a silken canopy. Several outer disciples, dressed in their pristine blue robes, managed the process. One, a young woman with a stern expression, collected names and basic information. Another, a burly young man with an arrogant smirk, operated the spiritual root testing apparatus.
"Next!" the burly disciple called out, his voice booming.
Jian stepped forward.
"Name?" the young woman asked, barely looking up from her ledger.
"Van," Jian
