Chapter 176

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Chapter 176: Sudden Shift

After hearing Ye Yun’s words, the faint impatience that had briefly flashed across Yu Minghong’s face disappeared completely.

Yu Minghong stood quietly behind several assessment candidates, his entire demeanor transformed into one of stillness and tranquility.

Ye Yun observed this shift and felt a flicker of surprise before nodding approvingly, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

The first stage of the cultivation assessment was merely procedural. Any disciple who’d earned an assessment quota through the trials had clearly reached the Qi refining stage.

Yu Minghong placed his palm lightly against the True Mirror before withdrawing it. The first level of Qi refining—meeting the minimum requirement for inner disciple qualification—passed without fanfare, drawing no attention.

Ye Yun’s smile widened. This abrupt transformation reminded him of a concept: enlightenment.

The path of cultivation often defied logic. Years of diligent training might yield nothing, while sudden flashes of insight could elevate one’s cultivation level in an instant. This unpredictability—where neither talent nor resources guaranteed heavenly favor—formed part of cultivation’s mystique.

Disciples came and went, their cultivation levels ranging from first to fourth level of Qi refining. All passed effortlessly, securing their spots for the next round.

Ye Yun stepped forward calmly, unperturbed as he pressed his palm to the True Mirror. True qi surged from his hand.

The outermost circular ring blazed with blinding light.

"His true qi is astonishingly dense and refined," Elder Mu murmured, eyes widening.

The first level of Qi refining marked the initial phase of condensing true qi. Yet the radiance from the mirror—nearly too bright to behold—hinted at unimaginable reserves within him.

Ye Yun gave a satisfied nod. Though officially at the first level, he’d long known his true qi surpassed ordinary standards.

As he started withdrawing his hand, the second circular ring erupted in even fiercer light.

Second level of Qi refining?

This… how was this possible?

Before his shock could register, the third ring ignited.

Third level?

Ye Yun froze as his true qi continued pouring into the mirror. Elder Lan and others gaped in stunned silence.

"What’s happening?" Grand Elder Chunyu Yan demanded. "Wasn’t this boy at the first level? Why three rings?"

"I sensed first-level qi earlier!" Elder Mu stammered. "How does the mirror show this?"

"The fourth ring’s lit now!" Elder Lan shouted, pointing. "The glow isn’t fading!"

"Fourth level?" Chunyu Yan’s voice cracked. "When did he break through? Did he conceal his cultivation?"

"Now I understand!" Elder Mu smacked his forehead. "No wonder the Shadowless Peak Master took him as a personal disciple! He must’ve seen Ye Yun’s true power!"

Only Murong Wuhen remained composed, though his brows furrowed. Trained by the formidable Murong Wuqing, his perception rarely failed—yet every probe confirmed Ye Yun’s cultivation as first level. Why then did four rings blaze?

Murong Wuhen’s gaze turned icy as he studied the scene.

Even loudmouthed Duan Chenfeng stood slack-jawed. Outer disciples exchanged stunned glances—the quicker-witted realizing this explained how Ye Yun had slain Zhen Huacheng and Zhong Ying.

Only Yu Minghong stood quietly, watching Ye Yun. His face showed neither sorrow nor joy, his eyes devoid of any discernible emotion, maintaining only calmness and quietude.

He gazed at Ye Yun until a faintly meaningful smile suddenly curled the corner of his mouth.

Four radiant rings blazed brilliantly, nearly blinding to behold. Yet the fifth ring remained unlit, marking the conclusion of Ye Yun’s test.

Ye Yun slowly withdrew his hand, his face clouded with bewilderment. He couldn’t believe what had just occurred. Holding his breath, he checked his cultivation level again—still undeniably the first level of Qi refining.

But why had the True Mirror reacted this way? Four luminous rings, dazzling and unmistakable.

Four rings signified the fourth level of Qi refining. The gap between the first and fourth levels was immeasurable, as vast as the distance between heaven and earth.

Ye Yun descended the platform. The testing hall fell deathly silent, so quiet one could hear a pin drop.

“Ye Yun, who’d have guessed you’d mastered secret techniques to hide your true cultivation?” Elder Lan broke the silence first, her gaze piercing.

“Indeed,” Chunyu Yan nodded. “Zhen Huacheng and Zhong Ying losing their assessment qualifications seems justified now.”

Elder Mu stepped forward, approval in his eyes. “Impressive, Ye Yun. The Peak Master of Shadowless Peak clearly sees what we overlooked.”

Ye Yun had no words. Cultivation levels weren’t like spiritual energy—they couldn’t be hoarded through mere practice. Advancement required enlightenment of the heavenly path. He’d only comprehended the first level of Qi refining—his Eight Extraordinary Meridians remained unopened, incapable of complete circulation. How could he possibly be beyond the first level?

Yet behind him, two disciples proceeded with their tests—one at the second level, another at the third. The True Mirror functioned flawlessly.

Elder Mu and the others could only conclude Ye Yun possessed either rare concealment techniques or a treasure masking his true power.

“No wonder Murong Wuhen said you needn’t take this test,” Elder Mu chuckled, clapping Ye Yun’s shoulder. “The inner disciple assessment must seem child’s play to you.”

“You flatter me, Elder Mu.” Denial would only fuel suspicion. Insisting on being first-level might make Elder Mu more curious, spreading rumors across the entire Heavenly Sword Sect.

Though resolved to abandon low-key habits, claiming fourth-level cultivation wasn’t mere boldness—it invited disaster. Countless experts might descend to dissect him like some rare specimen.

“The sect’s Higher-ups won’t pry into your secrets,” Elder Mu reassured, sensing his unease. “So long as you uphold our honor, you’ll receive our fullest support.”

“Your words ease my mind. Thank you, Elder Mu.” Ye Yun bowed, committing to the charade.

Elder Mu’s satisfaction radiated. Discovering such talent during routine assessments—a servant disciple reaching fourth-level Qi refining in three years! This wasn’t ordinary genius, but brilliance rivaling Murong Wuhen himself.

Consider Murong Wuhen—personally mentored by Murong Wuqing, the sect’s millennial genius, drowning in limitless resources since childhood. Yet he only reached fifth-level Qi refining (albeit capable of challenging seventh-level opponents). What resources could Ye Yun possibly have? This discovery would shake Shadowless Peak to its foundations.

Murong Wuhen’s chilly voice interrupted: “Congratulations on your progress, Junior Brother Ye. Report to Absolute Sword Peak post-assessment. You might prove useful.”

Though courteous in tone, the underlying condescension rankled.

“After the character assessment at Shadowless Peak,” Ye Yun replied evenly. “Inner disciple status remains uncertain. We’ll discuss your invitation later.”

Murong Wuhen’s brow twitched. “Naturally. Should you fail, you’d be worthless anyway. Come immediately after passing.” He turned to leave.

“Perhaps I’ll be occupied,” Ye Yun countered mildly.

Whirling back, Murong Wuhen’s eyes blazed. “What. Did. You. Say?”