Everyone was watching the competition, from the crowds below, to the patriarchs, to the elders from the Swordsage Court.1

The swordsage elders were paying especially close attention as they sat there looking down. They were very interested in knowing who would claw their way to first place. Taking first place wasn’t a requirement to advance to the next phase, and the rankings didn’t necessarily correlate directly to battle prowess. However, the candidates’ performance when climbing the Supreme Beginning Netherflight Pillar would give a clue as to how they would perform later. Furthermore, it would reveal who had stable souls and strong minds.1

Anyone who performed well at the pillar would be monitored by the swordsages even after the recruitment event. In fact, someone who did really well, but eventually failed during the second phase, might still have opportunities to work with the Swordsage Court in other capacities. Everyone knew that, including both spectators and participants.0

To all disciples of human sects, climbing the Supreme Beginning Netherflight Pillar was a very important opportunity to show what they were capable of. In fact, just about all disciples present would take a shot at climbing the pillar and submitting...0