Chapter 73: Spirit Stele Testing

“Good, you can definitely do it!”

Long Xiwei extended her small fist to cheer Lu Jin on. Her adorable appearance truly warmed his heart.

However, for some reason, he suddenly recalled Empress Qinglian bringing up Long Xiwei earlier. He could not help but furrow his brow slightly. Could she be jealous?

The sight of Long Xiwei approaching Lu Jin’s side left many disciples with expressions of envy. Long Xiwei possessed a beautiful face and a tall figure. Dressed entirely in white, she looked like an exiled immortal transcendent from the mortal dust: she was stunning beyond compare.

Her closeness to Lu Jin also made it exceedingly clear that Carefree Valley’s arrival was inextricably linked to him. The Great Wind Hall and the Drunken Immortal Pavilion were likely here for him as well. This realization drastically altered the disciples’ impression of Lu Jin.

Even those who had planned to follow Liu Ruyan because she had been accepted by Elder Chi Yu now felt conflicted. Lu Jin was fully aware of all this, yet he turned a blind eye to it.

Chu Tianxiong surveyed the surroundings. His gaze swept over the two women sitting beside Liu Ruyan, and he gave a cryptic smile before turning to Li Yunhe.

“Peak Master Li, please announce the details of this grand tournament.”

Li Yunhe nodded. Enveloped in spiritual Qi, his resonant and vigorous voice carried across the entire central plaza.

“This tournament serves as a preparatory battle before our Ten Thousand Swords Sect selects disciples for the Blood Moon Holy Land. As you all surely know, the minimum threshold for the Holy Land’s selection is the 2nd-grade Jindan Realm!

“Therefore, our sect has prepared a testing Spirit Stele. Only those whose spiritual Qi test reaches the orange level will be qualified to participate in the next round of the Holy Land selection at the Eight-Part Blood Dragon Altar! If any disciples from the various peaks have confidence in their strength, you are welcome to step forward and try!”

Buzz!

As Li Yunhe’s voice fell, he gave his sleeve a sudden wave. A black stone monument was tossed out. Supported by his spiritual Qi, it floated down as lightly as a feather, but the moment it finally touched the ground, it crashed down with terrifying force!

Bang!

The impact of that final second caused the very earth to tremble. Many disciples were visibly shocked, their hearts trembling in awe. As the Spirit Stele settled, the expressions of the disciples became incredibly complex.

“A 2nd-grade Jindan is the minimum requirement. This is simply… never mind, I do not have that kind of fate!”

“How many people in the entire Ten Thousand Swords Sect can reach such a realm? Aside from the Saintess and Senior Brother Lu Jin, I haven’t heard of anyone else meeting this standard!”

“The Holy Land’s requirements are too high. I fear I would need another ten years of cultivation to reach this standard!”

“Heh, that might not be true! Haven’t you heard? Many disciples of the sect leave to travel and gain experience after mastering our strongest techniques. Some senior brothers and sisters wander for years, only returning when they have achieved a satisfactory cultivation level!

“I wonder if any senior brothers or sisters with hidden cultivation have returned to the sect this time?”

Amidst the chatter, a few eager disciples finally stood up and walked toward the testing Spirit Stele.

“I have cultivated in the sect for many years. Although I have not advanced to the Jindan Realm, this disciple wishes to risk it all and try!

The first disciple to step forward had a resolute expression; it seemed he had made a great determination to take this step. Seeing his attitude, Li Yunhe nodded and did not stop him.

“Thank you, Peak Master!”

Buzz!

As the disciple finished speaking, he condensed all his spiritual Qi into his palm. He took a deep breath and drove that Qi directly into the Spirit Stele! Following a humming sound, a flash of red light appeared on the monument. However, it was merely a brief flash before it quickly dimmed away.

“Red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple. Your talent is decent, basically reaching the red level. However, you are still lacking,” Li Yunhe said, shaking his head slightly.

The disciple felt a wave of helplessness and walked back, his head hanging in dejection.

Over the next period of time, the other eager disciples all mustered their courage and stepped up. The reality, however, was cruel. The testing Spirit Stele would not show the slightest leniency just because of their courage. A quarter of an hour later, every single disciple who tested had been eliminated. This caused many in the crowd to sigh with emotion.

“This disciple will go!”

Right at that moment, a red-robed figure suddenly stepped out from the crowd. His red robes, combined with his flame-like hair, made him look like a leaping fireball! He had not drawn any attention while hidden in the crowd, but the moment he stepped out, he immediately sparked a wave of exclamations!

“Huh? That red-robed senior brother… Could he be the Red-Haired Ghost, Senior Brother Tang Liu?”

“Heavens! It really is Senior Brother Tang Liu! He has been away from the sect for two years. I never expected him to return today!”

“Senior Brother Tang Liu? Isn’t he the genius disciple who had already reached the 9th-stage of the Spirit Pearl Realm two years ago?”

“Returning to the sect after two years, his cultivation has definitely advanced to the Jindan Realm!”

“I really hope Senior Brother Tang Liu succeeds. After all, experts from other factions are watching. If our Ten Thousand Swords Sect is completely wiped out in the test, outsiders will laugh their teeth off!”

Amidst the crowd’s discussions, the red-haired disciple flew directly to the front of the testing Spirit Stele. After cupping his hands toward the seats of Chu Tianxiong and the other high-ranking officials, he condensed his spiritual Qi and struck the monument!

Buzz!

As a humming sound rang out, a red light abruptly erupted on the Spirit Stele. Soon after, under the expectant gazes of the crowd, an orange light suddenly appeared! Immediately following that, the light quickly shifted to yellow, ultimately locking onto that yellow hue.

“A 3rd-grade Jindan!”

“As expected of Senior Brother Tang Liu! He passed!”

“Senior Brother Tang Liu was already outstanding two years ago. By passing the test this time, he will certainly catch the eye of the Blood Moon Holy Land in three days!”

“It seems Senior Brother Tang Liu will soon leap through the dragon gate. How enviable!”

The disciples felt a wave of envy. At the high-ranking officials’ seating area, gazes of approval were also cast his way. Tang Liu nodded. Without saying another word, he walked off the testing platform.

The period that followed was once again a great disappointment. However, just when it seemed no one else would step up, a female disciple walked forward. She possessed a quiet, unassuming aura of tranquility. Yet, when the spiritual Qi from her jade-like hands flowed into the Spirit Stele, the two streaks of light that erupted upon the monument instantly caused countless disciples to scream!

“Second-grade! That senior sister has reached the 2nd grade!”

“Who is this senior sister? She doesn’t seem to show off much at all. How is she so formidable?”

“It seems she hasn’t been in the Ten Thousand Swords Sect for very long. Furthermore, she currently appears to be only an outer sect disciple…”

“What? An outer sect disciple? Heavens! To think our sect’s outer branch was hiding such an outstanding disciple!”

“If not for this test, this senior sister would probably have remained buried in obscurity!”

“Her name is Yan Mo. Apparently, just two months ago, she was only at the 3rd-stage of the Spirit Pearl Realm!”

“Heavens, what kind of talent is this? To reach such a realm in a mere two months? It is inconceivable!”

While the crowd stood in awe, the female disciple named Yan Mo bowed her head in respect and then retreated from the testing platform.

She seemed to be very low-profile.