Chapter 683

Chapter 683: Trial of Martial Arts on the Platform

Atop the mountain peak, several individuals dressed in golden feathered robes stood beneath a towering archway, overlooking the bustling scene below.

“This year there seems to be more people than last year,” the middle figure with an aged voice remarked.

“Yes, Senior Brother. Because the new cultivation methods have become familiar, a relatively complete system has been established for the 1st to 4th sequences,” replied a woman beside him. She had shoulder-length jet-black hair, but the ends were tinged dark red.

“The major sects in Huilu Continent have already promoted the new cultivation texts. Those climbing the mountain now are all elites who have reached the 4th sequence.”

“Very good, very good,” the leader of the Scorching Sun Xiangyu Sect sighed, then asked those around him.

“Has Chi Wu returned yet?”

“She went to the Condensed Purple Night Illumination Palace. Supposedly, she wanted to exchange some information,” answered a man in his forties nearby.

“Cough, cough. Chi Wu, still unwilling to give up? The Condensed Purple Night Illumination Palace split from us five hundred years ago. Both masters and apprentices have changed multiple generations. There can’t be much sentiment left now.”

“But she said we should at least try. This is the dawn of a new era. Mutual exchanges of experience will always be beneficial.”

“Hmm, have any new 7th sequence individuals emerged in the major sects recently?”

“There is one. Shortly after you fell into slumber, a genius appeared in Jiuhuang Mountain, advancing himself to the 7th sequence. This makes him the 17th 7th sequence individual in the world.”

“It seems we need to accelerate our pace; otherwise, others might laugh at us.” The leader stroked his beard.

“How is Jin Hua’s progress?”

“Jin Hua’s advancement shouldn’t be a problem. She can do it anytime. However, she feels there are still some areas that need improvement, so she wants to wait a bit longer.”

“Always so cautious, this child gives me peace of mind.” Several people sighed, then turned to discuss recent developments within their sect.

“I never expected the sect to stabilize after the passing of Master and Senior Brother. When I suddenly took over as leader, my heart was filled with worry.”

“You overthought it, Senior Brother Xiuyan. Although several 9th tier Celestial Immortals are no longer with us, the situation of other major sects in the world is similar to ours. They sealed themselves off, only opening their gates again in recent years.”

“Yes… No one could have predicted that these rules, which have lasted for thousands of years, would change suddenly. The last time was over four thousand years ago, according to the giant turtle of the North Sea. At that time, the red moon scattered, and the seven-colored meteorites fell. A girl was born under the red moon in the West, while a five-colored phoenix descended in the East.”

“That transformation did not sweep away existences above the 9th sequence, but subsequent advancements have increasingly favored humans. Thus, beast spirits, elves, strange beasts, dragons, and merfolk have gradually declined.”

“At that time, the saints of the hundred tribes of beast spirits in the West were concerned about this and began to suppress the human races in various regions. The humans in the East finally broke free from the suppression of various dragon beasts, opening up new paths and clearing the wilderness.”

  ”After this change, according to the observations of the head of the Spring Minister within the Dynasty, the original biases have been corrected. This means that beast spirits, elves, humans,異兽 (beastmen), dragons will all return to a unified starting point.”

  ”The grand trend of the world has changed. It can be foreseen that the cultivation methods dominated by humans in the past will undergo a dramatic transformation. Now, we will see which school of thought can seize the top of the wave.”

  ——————

  Within the mountain gate, numerous disciples entered one after another, guided by staff members to various tables to fill out their affiliations and specialties. Although many of these young disciples were elites from local factions, there was still a possibility of some being unworthy candidates. Therefore, there would be relevant tests.

  ”Name.” A disciple dressed in yellow asked the person in front of him.

  ”Han Zhen.”

  ”Age.”

  ”21.” This young man had deep blue hair tied into a knot atop his head, with the rest hanging down, giving him an air of a swordsman.

  ”Place of origin and original affiliation.”

  ”Chen Mu Continent, You Tan Valley.”

  ”What are you skilled at?”

  ”Combat, saber techniques.” He picked up the sheathed long saber beside him, gesturing slightly.

  ”Very well, take this token, go queue over there, and a senior member of the sect will test your skills.”

  ”Yes!” After answering, this new disciple walked away with determination.

  ”Next.”

  ”I, Yu Tingyu, Qing Fu Continent, Sanglin Garden.” A young girl with a fresh face answered nervously.

  ”What are you skilled at?”

  ”Skilled, skilled…” Seeing the senior disciple recording her answers with a cold voice, the girl became even more nervous. After a while, she managed to spit out a few words.

  ”Skilled in raising deer, raising silkworms,” she said hurriedly.

  ”?” The disciple looked up in confusion, then saw the approximately 16-year-old girl nervously leading out a small deer behind her.

  ”This deer is what I raised.” She explained anxiously, fearing rejection by the disciple.

  Looking at the natural sequence 4 deer and the original sequence 4 girl, the disciple was about to refuse, but a secret message entered his ear, stopping him from speaking.

  ”So, what use is the deer you raise, and if you’re raising ordinary silkworms, the sect can easily find a matron on the street and doesn’t need to waste so many resources to recruit you.”

  ”I, I raised this deer to protect me and help me gather medicine in the mountains. Raising silkworms… yes, the clothes I’m wearing are made from silk I raised myself.” Finished, the girl turned around, showing off her clothes.

A white robe with green embroidery.

She carefully examined the material of the embroidered robe. Its quality was around silver rank, and finally, the disciple spoke up.

“It might be useful. You can enter now. There will be a special senior apprentice assessing your silkworm cultivation skills later.”

“Great \(^o^)/~ Thank you, Senior Brother.” The lively girl was overjoyed.

“Huh, don’t get too familiar yet. Whether you can enter is still uncertain.” The cold-faced disciple waved her in.

“Next.”

—

In a red-robed forest at the entrance of the mountain gate, towering giant trees blocked the sky. In a clearing under the shade of the trees stood a platform made of white stone, about 60 meters long and wide. A young lady in a white dress stood atop it, her face veiled by a light gauze, revealing a hazy yet beautiful visage.

Su Ye wore the robe of an inner sect disciple, holding a golden sword with incantations, maintaining order.

“Everyone, please line up and ascend the stone platform for the assessment. Also, I want to emphasize that this is a combat-related test area. Disciples skilled in other arts should not interfere.”

One proud and confident newcomer after another approached, looking at the white-sashed maiden on the platform, their minds filled with various speculations.

Is this the senior sister from our sect? She’s really beautiful. If I have to fight her, I might hesitate. But this could also be a deliberate test set by the sect. If I show mercy because she’s beautiful, I might be scored lower.

It’s said that the upper sect has very strict requirements for its disciples, favoring those who are decisive and detached. Thinking this way, I need to stay composed throughout, so I won’t be mistaken for a coward who indulges in softness.

Several new members pondered their strategies, but none spoke out. Their peers were competitors, and saying too much could invite trouble from the senior sister. As my father said, women are petty, so one must be cautious.

Just as these new members were contemplating their options, Su Ye began calling names from the list.

“Han Zhen, come up for the test. Your goal is to last three moves against this senior sister.”

Hmph, just three moves? This senior sister is only at the fourth rank. Han Zhen stepped up the platform, drew his straight-bladed longsword, threw the scabbard aside, and slowly aimed the blade at the delicate young woman in white.

Let me break the arrogance of these inner sect disciples. Let them realize their sin of pride, for the world ultimately belongs to us, the new geniuses.

A cold glint flashed across the straight sword as it struck towards the motionless maiden.

A gentle breeze blew, and through the sparse shade of the trees, a youth leaped high, like the ice of the ninth winter.

(The End of Chapter)