Chapter 143

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Chapter 143: Direct Slaying

Inner disciples!

This had always been the ultimate aspiration for outer disciples. They trained relentlessly, completed missions diligently, and strove to elevate both their cultivation levels and knowledge—all for the slim chance to qualify for the inner disciple assessment.

Among tens of thousands of outer disciples, only a few dozen could obtain this opportunity every three years. The competition was akin to countless horses stampeding across a single-log bridge—fierce beyond imagination.

Fortunately, the inner disciple assessment didn’t judge solely by cultivation level. Age, potential, character, and other factors were also weighed. Only those who excelled in this comprehensive evaluation could earn the title of inner disciple.

The assessment quotas were exceedingly rare. Yet Ye Yun and his two companions had secured them outright, sparking immediate outrage among the gathered disciples.

"I refuse to accept this!" shouted a yellow-robed disciple. "These three are mere new disciples! What right do they have to skip the trials?"

"Exactly! We’ve slaved for the sect for years to earn our chances. Why should they get special treatment?"

"Are they being pitied because ninety of their comrades died?" another sneered. "Since when does our sect show mercy? Aren’t our laws supposed to be unfeeling?"

"If exceptions are made now, what’s to stop future new disciples from demanding the same? Let’s see how the hall of sect regulations handles such lawlessness!"

The square erupted with protests from thousands of outer disciples.

Elder Lan’s expression frosted over. "How bold of you to question the sect’s decree. Those who oppose may forfeit their own assessment rights."

Grand Elder Chunyu Yan frowned, displeasure tightening his features.

"Grand Elder," Zhong Ying’s calm voice cut through the noise. The black-robed disciple stood with hands clasped behind his back. "This isn’t mere jealousy. While we rejoice at Ye Yun’s group surviving the sect trial—and acknowledge their rewards like that medium-grade spiritual weapon even I lack—giving them direct assessment access seems unjust."

"Brother Zhong speaks truth!"

"Assessment spots must be earned through combat!"

"Let them prove themselves like everyone else!"

The crowd roared agreement. As Elder Lan’s temper flared, Ye Yun stepped forward.

"Since you insist we compete," he said, his soft voice somehow reaching every ear in the square, "we’ll participate. And we won’t hold back against any challengers."

Zhong Ying’s group exchanged startled glances. For a peak body refinement stage disciple to project his voice so clearly amidst the chaos defied all expectations.

"Well said!" Zhong Ying finally conceded. "We respect this decision."

The crowd cheered—three fewer spots stolen meant three more chances for others.

A mocking laugh slithered through the noise. A black-clad disciple emerged, lips curled. "You actually think you can compete? How delusional."

Ye Yun studied the familiar face.

"Forgotten me already?" the man sneered.

Ye Yun smiled. "I don’t waste memory on trivialities."

Rage contorted the disciple’s features. "Pray you don’t face me in the trials, Ye Yun. I’ll make you regret being born—this, Zhen Huacheng swears."

"Oh, so you’re Zhen Huacheng. My apologies, still don’t recall." Ye Yun pretended to be surprised before turning to Duan Chenfeng. "Senior Duan, don’t these fellows resemble those cocky bastards from the great tomb? Quite skilled at lip service."

"Couldn’t agree more. They’ve probably mastered their lip service to the seventeenth or eighteenth tier – leagues beyond us." Duan Chenfeng shrugged with a chuckle. "Though when dealing with such trash, I typically start slaughtering until they’re kneeling for mercy."

Ye Yun grinned. "Seems we’re growing more alike in thinking."

Their laughter-laced banter dripped with mockery.

Zhen Huacheng had become a black robe disciple three years prior, reaching the third level of Qi refining stage. For two years now, no lower-ranked disciple dared speak to him thus. The jeers from Ye Yun and Duan Chenfeng ignited his fury.

"Silence!" Elder Lan’s roar cut through like a blade, his gaze sharp as daggers. "You dare trade barbs before me? Do you scorn the Grand Elder and myself?"

Zhen Huacheng emitted a cold snort, cowed into muteness. Ye Yun simply shrugged, noncommittal.

"Since Ye Yun willingly forfeits direct entry to the inner disciple assessment, you’ll compete in tomorrow’s qualification trials. All three of you approach the Qi refining stage – you might actually stand a chance." A fleeting smirk crossed Elder Lan’s features before his composure returned.

"Elder Lan, what are the trial rules?" Ye Yun inquired with a bow.

The elder’s eyes swept across the assembly. "This year’s inner disciple assessment differs. Past evaluations considered realm, Celestial Techniques, pills, and talent to select thirty. Now we’ll directly test cultivation level and realm comprehension. Combined scores determine rankings."

"This isn’t fair! My years of pill study wasted!" protested one disciple.

Another shouted, "I’ve perfected Celestial Techniques! This invalidates my efforts!"

Elder Lan’s face darkened. With a sleeve flick, two radiant streaks pierced the protesters’ chests. The disciples stared dumbly at their spurting wounds before collapsing lifeless.

"Clearly I’ve been too tolerant." Elder Lan’s icy voice echoed through the Martial Hall. "You forget sect rules, defy me and the Grand Elder. Without punishment, you’d grow bolder."

The instant slaying of two yellow-robed outer disciples stunned the thousands present. They remembered anew – on Tian Zhu Peak, Elder Lan and Chunyu Yan held power over life and death. Even the hall of sect regulations wouldn’t shield such insolence.

The Martial Hall plunged into frozen silence, disciples trembling as if chilled.

"Good kill! Defying elder authority merits death." Zhong Ying’s voice shattered the hush.

"Truly deserved! Who forgets sect rules?"

"Without elder guidance, would we enjoy such comforts?"

"The higher-ups decided these rules! Opposing them courts death!"

A chorus of sycophantic voices erupted, disciples scrambling to distance themselves from the corpses.

Ye Yun’s trio gaped at the stage. These Tian Zhu Peak veterans had truly mastered shamelessness, flipping allegiances instantly.

"Since no objections remain, it’s settled." Elder Lan clasped his hands behind his back, nodding approval.

Ye Yun queried, "How will cultivation level and realm comprehension be tested?"

Cultivation battles were straightforward – higher realm or combat victory. But how measure comprehension of ethereal realms?

"Cultivation tests use standard sparring matches – victors advance. For realm comprehension…" Elder Lan unusually indulgent, smiled. "You’ll discover that when entering the comprehension space."

Ye Yun thanked him, mind whirring. Would they enter a law-filled space to grasp Qi refining stage secrets? He felt confident about reaching top thirty in cultivation trials, but the realm comprehension mystery intrigued him.