Chapter 148
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Chapter 148: Inner Disciple Assessment!
“Scared me! I thought it was truly life-or-death with fierce competition!”
“Turns out the Grand Elder was just scaring us. With life-saving talismans, we’re all brothers in the sect. There’ll always be time to crush them and leave.”
“Exactly! We’re fellow disciples here, not enemies who kill without hesitation. Even if we don’t get a spot, surviving is enough.”
“The Grand Elder’s humor grows sharper—my heart was pounding!”
Most disciples competing for assessment quotas relaxed instantly, exchanging jokes.
“These fools dare compete for inner disciple spots with such weak minds and cultivation?”
“Why say that, Senior Brother Zhen?”
“They actually believe brotherhood matters in Tian Zhu Peak? Thirty tokens for hundreds of fighters—each one’s precious. Killing for tokens will be common, yet they naively expect mercy!” Zhen Huacheng sneered at the relieved outer disciples.
“Still, the sect gave life-saving talismans. Unless they’re delusional cowards, they’ll flee Tian Zhu Peak in time.”
“True contenders won’t quit. As for the weak? Those talismans might save their pitiful lives.” Contempt dripped from Zhen Huacheng’s voice.
Nearby, Zhong Ying and his allies whispered, confident about seizing tokens under the new trial rules.
“Fewer competitors mean better odds.”
“Right! Thirty tokens, thirty chances. Who’ll rise to glory? Eliminate rivals early—boost our advantage.”
“Even if we fail, others won’t succeed either.” Zhong Ying’s group scanned the crowd, smirking at potential threats.
Inner disciple status meant prestige. Their plan? Dominate Tian Zhu Peak, seize all thirty tokens, and monopolize the ascension path.
Ye Yun stood apart, his vision transcending outer disciples. Inner disciples like Yang Qingfeng—sixth-level Qi refining stage—were stronger than Zhong Ying or Zhen Huacheng, yet still insignificant.
Though not yet in Qi refining himself, Ye Yun saw beyond such realms. The Heart of Immortals and Demons’ former owner had surely surpassed Golden Core, even Nascent Soul stages. He’d faced Su Hao’s Foundation Establishment sixth-level pressure and Hualun’s Golden Core wisdom in a body refinement shell. After witnessing Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, and Nascent Soul realms, how could these outer disciples faze him?
“Brother Ye, what’s on your mind?” Yu Minghong asked.
“Stay vigilant in Tian Zhu Peak,” Ye Yun replied mildly.
“Thank you, Brother! I’ve mastered an offensive Celestial Technique, plus my Little Xuanwu Shield and Moon-Chasing Soul-Cutting Blade. Let them try killing me!” Yu Minghong boasted, chest puffed.
Ye Yun observed him. Once meek, the younger disciple had grown brash since exiting Hualun Secret Vault. Whether youthful fervor or buried arrogance, it mattered little—as long as Yu Minghong remained respectful, he’d stay a junior brother.
“Look, Ye Yun—this brat’s copying my old swagger!” Duan Chenfeng chuckled.
“Your ‘old’ swagger from two weeks ago?” Ye Yun grinned. Their bond deepened through blunt honesty and shared cunning.
“Little Yu stole my flair, while I’ve caught his fake humility!” Duan Chenfeng groaned, arms spread.
“Senior Brother Duan, I… I just admired your boldness!” Yu Minghong stammered, face red.
Duan Chenfeng laughed heartily and waved his hand. "I was just messing with you. Once we enter Tian Zhu Peak, us three brothers will make those fools regret ever crossing us."
"Senior Brother Duan, your old swagger’s back!" Yu Minghong joked.
The trio roared with laughter.
Tian Zhu Peak lay in the deepest part of the Demonic Beast Valley behind Tian Zhu Peak’s back mountain, teeming with eighth and seventh-level beasts where even ninth-level predators occasionally prowled. The ruler here was the Vulture King.
Though properly named Divine Feather Vulture King, it had lost the sacred plume atop its head thirty years ago. No feathers ever regrew, earning it the mocking title "Vulture King" from Heavenly Sword Sect disciples – a name that stuck.
Now at ninth-level pinnacle, the Divine Feather Vulture King stood on the brink of awakening intelligence to become a spirit beast. Such beasts that evolved through centuries of cultivation possessed immense potential, often rising swiftly among spirit beasts.
Elder Lan led Ye Yun and hundreds of outer disciples through the valley’s first six levels unimpeded, arriving at the seventh level – the Divine Feather Vulture King’s domain.
"This is Demonic Beast Valley’s deepest reach – Tian Zhu Peak." Elder Lan halted, turning. "The Vulture King’s territory crawls with ninth-level beasts. Meet one, and you’re on your own."
A black-robed disciple chuckled, "Elder Lan scares us needlessly. Can’t we flee if we meet ninth-level beasts? Or use our life-saving talismans?"
"With these talismans, this test isn’t so dangerous after all," others murmured.
Elder Lan’s lips curled sarcastically. "Thirty tokens are hidden across Tian Zhu Peak. Find one within ten days to qualify for the inner disciple assessment. Now enter – activate the formation!"
His attendants blurred into remnant shadows, vanishing. Dozens of light beams erupted around the peak, forming a shimmering Glowing Screen that solidified into a transparent dome encasing the mountain.
"Ten days. Life or death matters not." Elder Lan vanished as the dome sealed shut overhead.
The Tian Zhu Peak inner disciple assessment had begun.
After brief hesitation, the hundreds scattered into small groups.
Zhen Huacheng approached in black robes. "Ye Yun! You three still have time to crush your talismans."
Ye Yun met him with a cold smirk.
"How rude – stealing my lines!" Duan Chenfeng jeered, though suspicion flickered in his eyes. This was the same nuisance they’d met at the Hall of Refining the Heart, but where was that purple robe he’d worn before?
"Enjoy your sharp tongues while you can. Crush your talismans now or lose the chance," Zhen Huacheng retorted coldly.
Duan Chenfeng squinted. "Wait – didn’t you wear purple last time? Trying to impersonate purple robe disciples? How pathetic."
Zhen Huacheng’s face froze. Rage ignited in his eyes as murderous intent thickened the air – the words striking a raw nerve.
"You refuse mercy and dare mock me? Even if you flee now, I’ll hunt you down after this trial!" A Long Knife materialized in Zhen Huacheng’s trembling hand.
"Fighting already? Bring it!"
Retreat held no place in Duan Chenfeng’s vocabulary. The atmosphere turned glacial as tension crackled between them.
