Chapter 185
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Chapter 185: Returning to Shadowless Peak
Yu Minghong didn’t face much difficulty. His defense was formidable, with true qi flowing endlessly. Against the level eight beast, he held firm effortlessly, passing the assessment!
This trial had no special rules—either endure or be eliminated. Aside from Ye Yun and Duan Chenfeng, almost no disciples managed to slay a level eight beast.
After all thirty disciples finished their trials, only eleven passed, earning the qualification to proceed to Shadowless Peak for the character assessment.
The successful disciples rejoiced, while the eliminated ones stared blankly, faces filled with despair. Outer disciples couldn’t remain in the outer sect forever, nor could they retake the inner assessment indefinitely. Some would eventually be cast aside by the sect and expelled from the Heavenly Sword Sect.
“Alright, Ye Yun, Duan Chenfeng, and the rest of you eleven—follow me to Shadowless Peak now,” Elder Mu suddenly declared, eyeing the celebrating group.
Ye Yun’s brow furrowed slightly. “Weren’t we supposed to depart tomorrow?”
“New orders just arrived. We leave immediately,” Elder Mu explained, glancing at him.
“Then let’s go. But Elder Mu—you’d better not be spreading false commands,” Ye Yun said with a smirk.
“Elder Lan can confirm this,” Elder Mu retorted, struggling to contain his irritation.
“Good enough!” Ye Yun turned to Elder Lan, who nodded in confirmation.
Chunyu Yan stepped forward, addressing the group. “You’ve passed the trial. The final character assessment is simple—show unwavering loyalty to the Heavenly Sword Sect, and you’ll succeed. Once you become inner disciples, remember Tian Zhu Peak remains your home.”
“We’ll never forget Grand Elder and Elder Lan’s guidance. Any future achievements will honor your teachings,” Ye Yun replied warmly, then glanced back at the others. “Right?”
“Yes! We’ll never forget!” the disciples chorused.
Chunyu Yan and Elder Lan exchanged nods. “Good. Follow Elder Mu. If you pass, the sect’s higher-ups may take you as disciples. May fortune favor you.”
“Our thanks, elders!” the group echoed before turning to Elder Mu.
Elder Mu’s gaze swept over them. “Follow.”
He strode deeper into the Martial Hall.
“Go. A small teleportation array there connects Tian Zhu Peak to Shadowless Peak,” Chunyu Yan said, watching the youths. Some might rise to greatness.
The teleportation array lay deep within the hall—plain, without towering pillars or glittering crystals. It could barely hold twenty people.
Guided by Elder Mu, the eleven entered silently.
Thirteen figures vanished in a soft white glow as the world dissolved into swirling darkness.
Time blurred—an instant or days? When light returned, they stood beneath a towering ancient tree, a winding path snaking toward the array.
“This is Shadowless Peak. Stay silent after exiting. Offend someone here, and you’ll die namelessly,” Elder Mu warned, halfway out of the array.
Ye Yun smiled. “I might’ve already made enemies.”
Elder Mu’s words choked off. He glared coldly. “Ye Yun, curb your arrogance. Shadowless Peak isn’t Tian Zhu Peak. Even the Peak Master’s favor won’t save you here.”
“You called him ‘Peak Master of Shadowless Peak’—so you’re not from this peak,” Ye Yun observed.
“What of it? Who forbids using that title for Su Hao?” Elder Mu sneered.
“Nothing. But if you were one of us, your tone would make future meetings… awkward.” Ye Yun clasped his hands behind his back, strolling forward.
Elder Mu stiffened, snorted, and marched away.
The forest path soon revealed an ancient hall, its weathered plaque bearing three grand characters.
Entering Cloud Hall!
“This is where your character will be assessed. Those who pass become inner disciples. Tian Zhu Peak isn’t the only one being tested—other mountains’ qualified disciples are here too,” Elder Mu stated plainly, not hiding his tension with Ye Yun.
“Elder Mu, how many candidates are there?” Yu Minghong asked first.
“Shadowless Peak oversees five mountains. Each had thirty spots. How many actually passed? I don’t know.” Elder Mu’s reply was icy.
Soon they reached Cloud Hall’s entrance. From afar it seemed ordinary, but up close, the disciples felt dwarfed.
The hall’s ten-zhang-tall doors radiated raw majesty rather than opulence, their sheer scale overwhelming.
“Elder Mu returns!” A dozen white-clad disciples approached as the group arrived.
“Chen Yang. These eleven from Tian Zhu Peak passed their trials. They’re your responsibility now.” Elder Mu gestured at Ye Yun’s group.
The white-clad disciple nodded. “I’ll watch over them carefully, Elder.”
Elder Mu’s eyebrow twitched. “Follow standard procedure. No special treatment.”
Chen Yang’s brief surprise vanished. He studied Ye Yun before nodding.
“Chen Yang guides all Cloud Hall candidates. He’ll handle your remaining tests.” Elder Mu shot Ye Yun a frosty look.
“Our thanks, Elder Mu.” Ye Yun clasped hands calmly.
Elder Mu snorted. A venomous smirk flickered across his face before he patted Chen Yang’s shoulder and vanished.
Chen Yang scanned the group. “From now, I command here. Higher-ups will observe this character assessment. No shortcuts.”
“Understood, Brother Chen!” Yu Minghong’s chorus answered.
“Your name.” Chen Yang turned to Ye Yun. “You seem close to Elder Mu.”
“Ye Yun. First level of Qi refining.” The reply held neither submission nor defiance.
“First level?” Chen Yang’s eyes sharpened as he properly assessed Ye Yun. “Elder Mu favors you… unexpected.”
His gaze shifted to another disciple. “Fourth level of Qi refining. Name?”
“Wu Chenrong, Brother Chen!”
“Wu Chenrong leads Tian Zhu group.”
The disciple glanced at Ye Yun.
Chen Yang’s eyes narrowed. “Objections?”
“N-none! Grateful for Brother Chen’s trust!” Wu Chenrong stammered.
“Move. We’re late.” Chen Yang threw Ye Yun another look before entering.
Wu Chenrong paused beside Ye Yun. “Brother Ye…”
A shoulder pat answered him.
Inside, fifty-odd disciples flanked a glowing crystal path. At its end sat two figures on a raised platform—one pitch-black, the other snow-white.
“Two Elders in Black and White. Eleven from Tian Zhu Peak.” Chen Yang knelt.
“Take positions.”
Dual voices clashed—harsh and gentle—weaving discord into harmony.
