"Peak of the Fourth Layer!"
Liu Yi remembered clearly that when he had teamed up with Luo Tian in the Celestial Extreme Mountain Range, Luo Tian’s cultivation had only been at the Third Layer of the Spirit Sea Realm.
But in just over a month, Luo Tian’s cultivation had actually reached the Peak of the Spirit Sea Realm Fourth Layer!
’How in the world did he cultivate so fast?’
’Even if you took Qi Condensing Pills and Qi Cultivation Pills every day, it would still be impossible to be this fast!’
’And my cultivation hasn’t changed at all.’
Liu Yi felt like all his recent cultivation in seclusion had gone to the dogs.
’Could it be that the Law Enforcement Elder personally stepped in and used the Enlightenment technique to raise Luo Tian’s cultivation?’
It was the only explanation Liu Yi could think of.
’But cultivation raised this way results in an unstable foundation and even reduces one’s future potential.’
Besides, Luo Tian’s cultivation at the Peak of the Fourth Layer was at the very bottom among the examinees. He had no hope at all, so it would all be for nothing in the end.
「Not long after.」
Luo Tian arrived at the grounds for the Upper Sect Disciple assessment.
There were no other special buildings, only a towering wall, a full hundred feet high. It stood like a barrier between the Lower and Upper Sects, blocking everyone’s path.
A large crowd had already gathered at the base of the high wall, all of them here for the assessment.
Everyone was sizing each other up, observing their opponents.
After all, there were only five spots available in each assessment. Everyone else would be eliminated and have to wait for the next month’s assessment.
Moreover, the assessment was incredibly difficult.
In previous years, only two or three people would pass each time, and there had even been occasions where no one passed at all.
"Oh? Two more new disciples."
A veteran disciple looked down, sizing up the newcomers with interest.
One of the new disciples was none other than Xiao Feng. His cultivation had already broken through to the Spirit Sea Realm Fifth Layer.
He hadn’t originally planned on coming, but he didn’t want to miss the opportunity of the Four Grotto Heavens, so he came to give it a try.
The other new disciple was the Eighth Prince.
The Eighth Prince’s current cultivation was also at the Peak of the Spirit Sea Realm Fifth Layer, but his aura was much weaker than Xiao Feng’s.
He had clearly relied on external aid from Elixir Pills to forcibly raise his cultivation, leaving his foundation unstable and his aura insubstantial.
The Eighth Prince arrived with several veteran disciples. The man leading them was powerfully built, with eyes as sharp as swords and an overwhelming, heroic presence. He immediately became the center of attention.
"Wang Fu! The number one disciple in the Lower Sect!"
"He’s basically guaranteed one of the five spots. That only leaves four!"
The surrounding disciples felt a palpable pressure. The competition was simply too fierce.
’The number one disciple in the Lower Sect? He’s certainly no simple character.’
Luo Tian observed Wang Fu for a moment.
Just then, Wang Fu’s gaze also fell upon Luo Tian, his eyes flashing with a piercingly sharp light.
’Huh? This kid...’
Wang Fu thought he looked familiar.
A few days ago, an Upper Sect Disciple named Ying Feihang had come to him. He’d asked Wang Fu to find a way to cripple Luo Tian and get him expelled from the Sect—or better yet, kill him without a trace.
Since he was about to enter the Upper Sect himself, Wang Fu had delegated the task to others, with no intention of dealing with Luo Tian personally.
But now, he’d run into Luo Tian right here at the assessment.
’This is a godsent opportunity!’
’The Upper Sect Disciple assessment is notoriously difficult. Casualties happen. It would be nothing to kill Luo Tian offhandedly.’
"Heh heh, a mere cultivator at the Peak of the Spirit Sea Realm Fourth Layer dares to participate in the Upper Sect assessment? Aren’t you afraid it’ll be a one-way trip?"
Wang Fu sneered.
Seeing this, the onlookers couldn’t help but feel a pang of pity for Luo Tian.
Wang Fu was the number one disciple in the Lower Sect. For him to target Luo Tian the moment he arrived clearly meant he had it in for him.
Luo Tian was in for a hard time now. There was no way he could pass the Upper Sect Disciple assessment.
"Hm?"
’I’m a bit surprised,’ Luo Tian thought. ’I didn’t expect Wang Fu to pay me this much attention. Is it because of the Eighth Prince, Qi Nan, and their group?’
As the Eighth Prince passed by Luo Tian, he shot him a provocative smirk.
He also knew that Ying Feihang was targeting Luo Tian.
Although Luo Tian had the backing of the Law Enforcement Elder, Ying Feihang was supported by the Three Elders of the Sect.
In the Yunxiao Sect, the Three Great Elders were ranked just below the Sect Leader, with all other Elders beneath them.
’Something’s strange,’ Luo Tian thought.
For some time now, neither the Eighth Prince nor his faction had come looking for trouble with Luo Tian.
In fact, whenever he’d run into the Eighth Prince, the prince would go out of his way to avoid him.
But now, the Eighth Prince had suddenly grown a spine, and even Wang Fu was showing hostility toward him.
’It seems there might be a more powerful figure pulling the strings behind them...’
Luo Tian wracked his brain but couldn’t recall offending any major figures.
’Except... Master Lin’s old enemy!’
「Two hours later.」
"The assessment will now begin!"
A white-haired elder descended gracefully, his Earth Element Realm aura washing over and silencing the entire area.
Even Wang Fu, the number one disciple in the Lower Sect, lowered his head and reined in his sharp arrogance.
’It’s that Elder...’
Luo Tian looked at the white-haired elder. It was none other than Elder Fang Qi, who had been in charge of the entrance assessment.
The moment Elder Fang Qi arrived.
RUMBLE!
The high wall before them suddenly began to vibrate. A crack split down the middle and rapidly widened to over ten meters.
Behind the wall lay a massive, square passageway, pitch-black and full of unknowns.
"The assessment for Upper Sect Disciples begins now. I won’t waste your time with the specifics."
"The first five to pass through before a stick of incense burns out will become Upper Sect Disciples!"
Elder Fang Qi stated simply.
The moment he finished speaking.
WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!
All the disciples participating in the assessment swarmed inside.
Luo Tian didn’t rush. Wang Fu had just shown clear hostility, and rushing ahead would only draw his unwanted attention.
He entered the passageway at the very back of the crowd.
’Huh? That kid!’
Elder Fang Qi’s eyes flickered.
’Wasn’t that Luo Tian, the last one to rush in?’
’During the entrance assessment, Luo Tian had left him with the impression of being a "Lone Star of Calamity" and "utterly deranged".’
’But Luo Tian’s cultivation was only at the Peak of the Spirit Sea Realm Fourth Layer. Did he really dare to participate in the Upper Sect Disciple assessment?’
SWOOSH!
After everyone had entered, Fang Qi floated into the air and went straight to the finish line.
He would wait there for the first five disciples to emerge before the incense stick burned out.
"This assessment uses the Four Symbols Array. I wonder if five people will even be able to make it through!" Elder Fang Qi chuckled.
The location for the assessment was always the same, but a different array was incorporated each time to create the challenge.
The array used this time was a fragmented Ancient Array that the Sect’s upper echelons had just finished reconstructing. They were using this assessment to test it out.
...
Inside the square passageway.
"Aaaah, help me!"
"It’s burning me alive!"
The sound of screams was incessant.
From the dark walls, holes like volcanic vents would suddenly appear, spewing terrifyingly hot flames that could easily incinerate the Protective True Qi of a Sixth-Layer Spirit Sea Realm expert.
But the trial didn’t end there. From the ceiling, ten-thousand-pound stone pillars would suddenly plummet, heavy enough to smash a Sixth-Layer Spirit Sea Realm cultivator into a bloody pulp.
The ground beneath their feet could also suddenly give way, transforming into a bottomless pool of water.
And from some corners, incredibly tough vines would suddenly sprout.
"This assessment... it’s never been this difficult!"
Liu Yi’s expression darkened, and he felt a surge of pressure.
He had attempted this assessment several times before, but this was undoubtedly the most difficult. Traps were everywhere, making it impossible to guard against them all.
Before long, some disciples were already dragging their injured bodies back toward the entrance.
SWISH! WHOOSH!
Luo Tian weaved through the passageway, dodging and sidestepping, evading every trap.
With his Perfection Level Cloud Traveling Step and the omnidirectional awareness of his Spiritual Sense, the assessment posed little difficulty for him.
But the true test came not just from the ubiquitous traps in the passageway, but also from the need to guard against sneak attacks from other disciples.
After all, with only five spots available, eliminating others meant fewer competitors.
"How laughable. A mere Fourth-Layer Spirit Sea Realm runt thinks he can pass this assessment? Let your senior here send you packing!"
A veteran disciple at the Sixth Layer of the Spirit Sea Realm noticed Luo Tian right behind him, and a smirk spread across his face.
He was in Wang Fu’s faction, and Wang Fu had told them not to hold back—they could do whatever they wanted to mess with Luo Tian.
FWOOM!
His palm turned crimson and burst into flames as he struck out at Luo Tian, sending a ferocious wave of heat surging forward.
’In his mind, all he needed to do was distract Luo Tian with this one move. Once Luo Tian couldn’t focus on the traps, he’d be taken out.’
Just then.
A jet of fire erupted from the wall to Luo Tian’s right.
"Hahaha! It seems even the heavens want you to scram!" the veteran disciple cackled.
FWOOSH!
However, a figure wreathed in green light suddenly burst out from the raging inferno. It was Luo Tian.
Now that his cultivation had reached the Peak of the Spirit Sea Realm Fourth Layer, his Guiyuan True Qi was much more powerful. Its defensive capabilities were immense, and when combined with his Celestial Furnace Treasure Body, passing through the flames was no problem at all.
"Th-What?"
The veteran disciple was dumbfounded, utterly incredulous.
Even he would have been severely injured in that situation.
And yet Luo Tian had emerged completely unscathed.
SWOOSH!
Luo Tian shot past the veteran disciple.
"A taste of your own medicine!"
Luo Tian’s expression was cold as he unleashed a Guiyuan Cloud-Dispelling Hand. A massive, heavy, crystalline yellow Palm Light surged forward.
The passageway was already narrow, and Luo Tian’s Palm Technique had an enormous area of effect, covering nearly two-thirds of the tunnel and completely cutting off the veteran disciple’s path!
"Stinking brat, you dare to attack me, you’re courting death!"
The veteran disciple, enraged by the humiliation, slammed his flame-wreathed crimson palm forward, kicking up a wave of fire.
But his attack only managed to blast a scorched crater into the Guiyuan Cloud-Dispelling Hand; it didn’t break through.
The veteran disciple was dumbfounded.
’I actually failed to break through his technique? Are you kidding me? I’m at the Sixth Layer of the Spirit Sea Realm!’
SWOOSH!
Three vines suddenly shot out from a corner, wrapping around his right leg.
Immediately after, the flat floor beneath his feet vanished, replaced by a deep pool.
SPLASH!
The veteran disciple fell in, screaming for help.
Luo Tian paid him no mind and continued on.
After that display of skill, far fewer people came looking for trouble with him.
Although Luo Tian had entered last, his speed far surpassed the others. He overtook one veteran disciple after another, and his performance left many feeling shocked and envious.
Even so, Luo Tian was careful not to move too quickly.
As the number one disciple in the Lower Sect, Wang Fu was certain to be at the head of the pack, and Luo Tian wanted to avoid him as much as possible.
At one point, Luo Tian spotted Xiao Feng.
’Didn’t expect Xiao Feng to be so fast!’
Luo Tian smiled faintly and quickly closed the distance.
PAT!
He clapped Xiao Feng on the shoulder. "Don’t forget to pay me back soon," he said.
With a flicker of movement, Luo Tian shot past Xiao Feng, leaving him in the dust.
"Luo Tian!"
Xiao Feng gritted his teeth, his heart filled with indignation, but he could only watch as Luo Tian pulled further and further away.
Time slowly passed.
During the assessment, a few more veteran disciples tried to attack Luo Tian. All of them were met with his fierce counterattacks and left with a harsh lesson. One of them even died on the spot!
The passageway grew narrower.
Luo Tian gradually found himself among the lead group of disciples.
There were only a few disciples in front of and behind him now, all of them elite experts from the Lower Sect. Without exception, their cultivation was at the Sixth Layer of the Spirit Sea Realm or higher.
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