World of Cultivation

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Chapter 147: Life and Death Uncertain

The square of the Martial Hall was packed with thousands of disciples. Even those who hadn’t signed up for the final competition came to watch.

Ye Yun stood alongside Duan Chenfeng and Yu Minghong, surrounded mostly by new outer disciples and recent recruits.

"Brother Duan, show those fools real power this time," encouraged a teal-robed outer disciple, clenching his fist.

"Brother Ye and Brother Duan are strongest among us. Teach them a lesson!"

"Brother Ye already won first place in the sect trial. With his new medium-grade spiritual weapon, he’s unstoppable now."

"Brother Duan matches Brother Ye’s strength. Imagine them facing off in the finals!"

"Then we juniors could finally shine. Those arrogant seniors always look down on us."

"But you joined two years ago, while we’ve only been here two months. Why call them ‘brothers’?"

"In Heavenly Sword Sect, seniority depends on cultivation level, not age. Those stronger get respect. Since Ye Yun and Duan Chenfeng surpass us, they’re our seniors."

"So Brothers Ye and Duan lead us now?"

"Exactly! We follow their lead."

Over a hundred outer disciples with less than three years’ experience chattered excitedly around the trio.

Duan Chenfeng smirked, basking in the praise. Though slightly humbled by his great tomb experience, his inherent arrogance remained. At sixteen, he still thrived on admiration.

"Watch closely. Those black robe disciples might seem tough, but most are weaklings. I’ll make them beg on their knees!"

"Defend our honor, Brother Duan!"

"Stop staring at yellow-robed trash!" Duan Chenfeng snapped when some glanced elsewhere. "They’re not worth my fists."

"Actually… there are two pretty female disciples over there. Thought you might want to know."

"Scram!" Duan Chenfeng barked, though amusement glinted in his eyes.

Ye Yun remained silent, smiling faintly. Unlike his flashy companion, the borderlands-born youth preferred quiet diligence. His earlier retort to Zhen Huacheng stemmed from youthful pride after recent breakthroughs, not true nature.

His gaze swept the black robe disciples. None seemed threatening – either hiding well or simply inferior. With his newly forged Diamond Body, he could withstand several attacks below the fourth level of Qi refining. How many here even reached that stage? Probably none.

"This might be dull," Ye Yun mused, glancing at the Martial Hall entrance. Unknowingly, he’d surpassed those he once saw as superiors in mere days.

"What’s on your mind?" Duan Chenfeng nudged.

"Who’s our real competition?" Ye Yun countered.

"The black robe disciples? Many are Qi refining stage. We should be careful."

"Them?" Ye Yun shook his head.

"Then who? Did you master that spiritual weapon overnight?" Duan Chenfeng gasped before dismissing his own thought. "No, you’re still at seventh level body refinement and Comprehending Qi Stage."

"Our foundations are solid," Ye Yun replied. "When we break through to Qi refining stage, progress will be rapid. These black robes… they’re temporary obstacles."

Duan Chenfeng’s arrogant expression froze. He stared at Ye Yun in disbelief. "You think our future opponents will be those purple robe disciples? We haven’t seen a single one since arriving here!"

"No, we have," Ye Yun answered slowly.

Duan Chenfeng frowned, confusion flashing across his face. Since entering the sect, he truly hadn’t encountered any purple robe disciples. Rumor said they rarely appeared, devoting themselves entirely to cultivation and rapid advancement.

Ye Yun gazed into the distance. "Jun Ruolan and Murong Wuhen must be purple robe disciples by now. They might even stand among the elite inner disciples, perhaps becoming true inheritors of the sect."

"Jun Ruolan? Murong Wuhen?"

Duan Chenfeng stiffened, his earlier arrogance dissolving as understanding dawned. Both he and Ye Yun had survived the great tomb – fortune-blessed disciples with limitless potential. Why waste energy competing with outer sect novices?

In that moment, Duan Chenfeng’s ambitions shifted. His gaze now fixed beyond the crowd, toward where purple robes might gather.

The outer disciples cheered enthusiastically for Ye Yun and Duan Chenfeng. Only Yu Minghong stood quietly nearby, his calm face occasionally betraying a fleeting glimmer of excitement.

Elder Lan emerged outside the Martial Hall, accompanied by Grand Elder Chunyu Yan from Tian Zhu Peak.

"Silence!" Chunyu Yan’s gentle voice carried across the crowd.

Instant quiet blanketed the martial arena. Birdsong and insect chirps suddenly became audible, weaving through the tense air.

"Three hundred forty-seven participants registered yesterday," Chunyu Yan announced.

"We know the drill, Grand Elder!" Zhong Ying blurted excitedly. "Pair duels until thirty remain!"

Chunyu Yan’s icy stare silenced him. Zhong Ying paled, remembering yesterday’s troublemakers being executed by Elder Lan.

"Many here have failed previous inner disciple assessments," Chunyu Yan continued. "You know the old rules – elimination through combat. But this year…" He paused dramatically.

"This year’s trial differs. Rather than simple duels, you’ll spend ten days in Shadowless Peak’s back mountain. The top thirty survivors gain assessment rights."

Murmurs swept through the crowd.

"But the trial was supposed to test cultivation and comprehension!" Zhong Ying protested.

Chunyu Yan smiled. "Precisely why we chose the mountain."

"Shadowless Peak houses ninth-level beasts! The Vulture King reaches ninth-level pinnacle!" Zhong Ying objected. "That’s equivalent to fifth or sixth level Qi refining!"

Elder Lan snorted. "Fourth level Qi refiners can handle ninth-level beasts. You shame yourself with such cowardice!"

"Rules are simple," Elder Lan cut in. "Thirty tokens hidden on the peak. Hold one for ten days without losing it, and you qualify. All methods permitted – survival optional."

A collective gasp arose.

"The cultivation path is cruel!" Elder Lan barked. "Fail to adapt here, and you’ll die like dogs outside!"

"Each receives a life-saving talisman," Chunyu Yan added. "Crush it to teleport out instantly. Hesitate too long…" He let the warning hang.

Relief washed over most disciples.

Yet Ye Yun frowned, eyes narrowing with calculation.