“Silence!
The Sect Grand Competition is about to begin!”
While the crowd was still lost in their wild imaginings, the leading elder on the pavilion stepped forward, his voice booming.
“The Sect Grand Competition consists of three assessments.
First, the Talent Assessment.
Second, the Willpower Assessment.
And third, the Combat Assessment!”
‘As expected, it’s the same as before.’
Mu Fan understood immediately.
The rules and the assessments were no different from the last time.
In truth, as long as one passed the first two trials—the Talent and Willpower Assessments—they could enter the Inner Sect.
But if one wanted to secure a certain status within the Inner Sect, the third trial was what truly mattered!
“In the Combat Assessment, those who make it to the top eight will be granted a Spirit Condensing Flower from the sect, an item that can help raise one’s cultivation.
Those who reach the top four will receive three stalks.
As for the champion…
besides five Spirit Condensing Flowers, there are other rewards!”
The speaking elder gave a mysterious smile and glanced discreetly at Shen Muyao behind him.
Although he was puzzled by her intentions, he announced it as instructed.
“Your Senior Sister Shen has specially prepared a Spirit Grade Top-Grade pill for the champion.
It’s called the Transcendent Pill.
I imagine you all know of this pill’s wondrous effects.”
The moment he said this, another wave of fervent discussion erupted from the crowd below.
The Transcendent Pill, as its name suggested, could help one achieve transcendence!
‘Perhaps Senior Sister Shen really is here for me!’
Hearing this, a glimmer of hope ignited in Feng Hao’s heart.
Something he had never dared to dream of was now so close!
It was no wonder he let his imagination run wild.
After all, among everyone present, besides Luo Xin’Er, he was the one who needed the Transcendent Pill the most!
Mu Fan, however, remained unmoved.
The Transcendent Pill might be exceptionally precious to others, but to him, it wasn’t that important.
He was confident he could achieve transcendence on his own strength, without relying on the power of a pill.
“Disciples, step forward to receive your number plates!”
As the leading elder’s voice fell, figures suddenly appeared around the martial arts arena, standing guard to maintain order during the competition.
Seeing this, the disciples couldn’t help but shrink back.
These were all Inner Sect Disciples, people they dared not offend.
Once everyone was in place, a few hundred more people ascended the martial arts arena a moment later.
They tossed number plates into the air, and after soaring up, the wooden plates transformed into beams of light that landed in the disciples’ hands.
A number plate appeared in Mu Fan’s hand as well.
He took a closer look.
‘Good grief, 6741.
The very last number!’
‘Looks like I’ll have to wait a while.’
Mu Fan was helpless, blaming his own bad luck.
DONG! This story is hosted at g.com.
DONG!
…
Following a series of deep thuds, ten massive, ancient bells appeared in the center of the martial arts arena.
The bells were covered in dense inscriptions, faintly emitting a powerful pressure.
“The talent test is extremely simple.
You just need to stand before a Spirit Brilliance Bell and carefully perceive the inscriptions carved upon it.
The bell will then chime.
The number of chimes represents the grade of your talent.
Only those with a fourth-grade talent or higher will pass the test!”
As another announcement was made, some in the crowd who had never seen a Spirit Brilliance Bell began to examine them with curiosity.
“The first assessment begins!
Disciples, step forward in order!”
At the command, ten people immediately stepped out from the crowd.
All ten were below the 7th Layer of the Spirit Absorption Realm.
The ten walked forward, looking at the Spirit Brilliance Bells before them with slightly nervous expressions.
DONG!
A moment later, bells began to chime.
Regrettably, however, not one of the ten managed to make a Spirit Brilliance Bell chime four times.
Watching the ten walk off the stage with regretful expressions, the rest of the crowd couldn’t help but feel their own anxiety rise.
Time slowly passed.
The disciples below went up one by one to be tested.
Those who passed were naturally overjoyed, while those who failed either rallied their spirits or were utterly dejected.
“Luo Xin’Er is going up!”
“I wonder how many times she can make the bell chime?”
“I’m guessing at least six!”
The best result so far was five chimes.
With Luo Xin’Er’s reputation, she should manage at least six.
DONG!
…
Each chime seemed to echo in the hearts of the disciples.
When the seventh chime rang out, the crowd erupted in an uproar.
“Seven chimes!”
“What terrifying talent!”
Ignoring the gasps of astonishment and cries of praise from the crowd, Luo Xin’Er walked off the stage with a calm expression.
Beside Shen Muyao, an elder stroked his white beard and spoke to her.
“This little lass is not bad.
What do you think?
Should I accept her on your master’s behalf?”
“We’ll see if it’s fate.”
Shen Muyao gave a noncommittal response. This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
The girl’s talent was indeed impressive, but it still depended on her master’s wishes.
After the group left the stage, the next person to take her place was none other than Ying Weiwei.
Mu Fan’s expression didn’t flicker in the slightest as he watched Ying Weiwei, who was as proud as a peacock, seemingly eager to spread her feathers at any given moment.
DONG!
As the chimes rang out one after another, the crowd’s initially calm faces were filled with shock and disbelief.
Ying Weiwei had also managed to cause seven chimes!
She possessed the same level of talent as Luo Xin’Er!
‘How could someone with such talent have remained unknown all this time?’
Although the crowd was suspicious, no one decided to meddle.
Only Ying Weiwei silently put away a jade slip she had hidden in her hand.
The slip had now grown dim and lusterless.
Clearly, what had just happened was all because of this jade slip!
Feeling the gazes of surprise and envy from the crowd, Ying Weiwei lifted her head high once more and strode off the stage, her face full of pride.
Next, several hundred more people passed the test.
Feng Hao, who had been waiting for a long time, eager to display his own outstanding talent, finally got his chance.
It was his turn!
Feng Hao shot a subtle glance at the languid Shen Muyao on the pavilion, a fire burning in his heart.
Then, he threw a look at Mu Fan before striding directly onto the martial arts arena.
As his gaze fell upon the Spirit Brilliance Bell before him, a long, drawn-out chime instantly echoed across the entirety of Wood Source Peak.
DONG!
Then, seven more chimes followed in quick succession.
The area below the stage fell into a dead silence, which was then broken by waves of stunned gasps.
“Eight chimes!”
“My heavens!
He actually made the bell chime eight times!
Are both of the Feng brothers this terrifyingly talented?”
“Silence!”
Following the sharp shout, the martial arts arena, which had been incredibly noisy just a moment ago, immediately fell quiet.
Up on the pavilion, the elders couldn’t help but look at Feng Hao with a newfound appreciation.
“This boy is not bad, but his temperament still needs to be refined.”
One elder commented, immediately drawing a chorus of agreement.
“How about that?
Eight chimes.”
Feng Hao ignored the crowd’s compliments and walked straight up to Mu Fan, his expression as arrogant as a rooster returning from a victorious fight.
“Not bad.”
Mu Fan just smiled slightly, completely unaffected.
“Hah!
Such arrogance!”
Seeing Mu Fan’s reaction, the smile vanished from Feng Hao’s lips, replaced by a look of utter contempt.
As the number of people standing near Mu Fan dwindled, soon, he was the only disciple left who hadn’t been tested.
“Last disciple, to the stage!”
As the voice called out, the crowd immediately turned to look at Mu Fan, their eyes full of mockery.
They all wanted to see what kind of talent this former prodigy possessed now.