I tricked you into thinking you had the makings of an emperor, but you actually did it?

"So what did you call us here for?" Xiao Chen changed the subject.

"Have you noticed that all the disciples who come here are either directly appointed as inner disciples or are direct descendants of the sect since childhood?" Chu Tian said.

These disciples in the square started as inner disciples in the Xuan Tian Sect and never went through the stage of outer disciples.

"Is he going to give us a lesson and tell us how lucky we are?" Xiao Chen joked.

"You're right, but not entirely right," Ye Lingxi said.

"Get out of the Xuan Tian Sect, you riddle teller!" Xiao Chen said angrily.

"Miss Ye, do you know the inside story?" Chu Tian asked.

Because the two were at the same cultivation level, he didn't know whether to address her as "senior sister" or "junior sister," and he was afraid of being too forward with the beautiful lady, so he cautiously used "Miss Ye."

"I've heard that sentimentality is a major taboo in swordsmanship," Xiao Chen said.

“A talkative person is prone to developing inner demons,” Chu Tian said coldly.

"Don't interrupt, let Ye Lingxi finish speaking," Lin Fan said.

Once the three of them had quieted down, Ye Lingxi said, "The assessment for the inner disciples of the Xuantian Sect is about to begin."

True disciples are selected through a process of selection, while inner disciples are assessed through a process of evaluation.

Outer disciples who pass the examination can join the Nine Meridians and become inner disciples.

"What does it have to do with us... Okay, okay, go on."

"The assessment method for inner disciples is to have us guard the checkpoints and face the challenges from outer disciples," Ye Lingxi said.

"Brilliant! In this way, the sect can not only let us see the fighting spirit and tenacity of the outer disciples, but also give the outer disciples a chance to dispel their dissatisfaction."

Outer disciples are definitely unhappy that someone can become an inner disciple directly. Even if they don't say it, they will think that way in their hearts.

"None of the outer disciples have reached the Innate Realm, can they beat us?" Xiao Chen said dismissively.

"We must guard the pass and not use our true energy. Since both sides are at the same level, the competition will be based on experience and martial arts skills," Ye Lingxi said.

"interesting!"

Xiao Chen became interested.

At this moment, the deputy sect leader, Ren Fengqi, arrived gracefully, dressed in white, with unparalleled elegance.

Above the three realms of the Innate Realm lies the two realms of the Supreme Realm.

A Supreme Realm expert, and also the Vice Sect Leader, couldn't possibly be this young, yet Ren Fengqi has the appearance of a handsome young man.

Some disciples whispered that the deputy sect leader had unintentionally seized an opportunity, and although his lifespan remained unchanged, he would stay young forever.

Ren Fengqi faced his many disciples with a gentle expression and a soft voice.

He calmly explained why he had gathered everyone here.

Just like Ye Lingxi said, these disciples were to be in charge of the assessment.

The assessment will take place in Longmen Mountain, which contains nine checkpoints.

Each checkpoint is guarded by disciples from three different lineages, who supervise each other and compete for outstanding disciples.

There is a powerful formation in Longmen Mountain that prevents the use of true energy, so everyone's cultivation level is at the same level.

Shen Ming, who was present, understood what was being said and was somewhat interested, but not very much.

The good news is that the assessment will be held tomorrow and will be completed in one day.

The reason I'm only saying this now is to ensure fairness and impartiality.

Ren Fengqi ordered the disciples present not to go down the mountain from now on, and to avoid contact with the outer disciples.

After the deputy sect leader finished speaking, the disciples from each branch gathered in front of their respective chief disciples.

Including Shen Ming, there are a total of five inner disciples on Tongtian Peak responsible for guarding the area.

Shen Ming met Luo Cheng, the chief disciple of Tongtian Peak.

A well-proportioned young man with a stern face, giving the impression of being calm and unshakeable.

"Remember, Tongtian Peak does not accept mediocre talents; we would rather have none than accept inferior ones."

Luo Cheng simply gave a brief explanation and didn't say anything more.

Next, the disciples from each lineage will be randomly assigned.

Shen Ming, Xu Lingyue of Daqiong Peak, and Tang Long of Zhushenfeng guard Feilong Pass, one of the nine passes.

"I don't want to be locked up with him!"

Shen Ming was still marveling at the coincidence when Xu Lingyue started shouting.

The two haven't seen each other since their unpleasant parting.

Xu Lingyue didn't want to have anything to do with this guy anymore.

"Love can turn into hate; this has been the case since ancient times."

Shen Ming couldn't help but sigh, thankful that he had made things clear in advance to avoid more serious consequences in the future.

The deputy sect leader, Ren Fengqi, came over to comfort him.

Xu Lingyue was indeed greatly favored in the Xuantian Sect.

No one knows what the deputy sect leader said, but Xu Lingyue agreed to this arrangement, and her face showed some eagerness.

……

The Xuantian Mountains, a first-class spiritual land in the Northern Region, stretch for over a thousand miles.

The Xuantian Sect divided the entire mountain into inner and outer regions.

The inner region is centered around the Nine Peaks Mountain, and underground it contains superior spiritual veins, with a total of ten grotto-heavens, thirty-six minor grotto-heavens, and seventy-two blessed lands.

The outer realm is the area beyond the Nine Peaks, resembling a mountain kingdom, filled with markets and nine large mountain cities.

This place is not only where outer disciples live, but also where ordinary people do business, and even independent cultivators live.

The Xuantian Sect is not a charity; amidst this prosperous scene, they collect taxes from all sorts of sources until they're overwhelmed.

With the inner disciple assessment approaching, the outer realms are bustling with activity.

Prices of all kinds of cultivation resources in the mountain city shops have risen sharply, and there are even gambling dens opening, where people can bet on which disciple will be able to leap over the dragon gate and be promoted to an inner disciple.

Zhang Muhan, one of the best among the three thousand outer disciples, is also a hot favorite at the gambling den.

Having reached the ninth level of Body Tempering, he has already tempered his physical body to its limit, and is only one step away from condensing a breath of primordial true energy to step into the Innate Realm.

He was seventeen or eighteen years old, with a handsome appearance, and attracted much attention in foreign lands.

At this moment, Zhang Muhan, wearing a veiled hat, was walking on the streets of Blackstone City.

Once he was sure no one was paying attention to him, he slipped into a brothel.

In broad daylight, the brothel was deserted, and the girls were still resting.

Zhang Muhan arrived at the courtesan's room.

On the recliner, a beautiful young woman had been waiting for a long time.

"My lord, I've missed you so much!" the girl said.

"Stop with that act. I'm not one of those idiots," Zhang Muhan said bluntly.

"He truly lives up to his name."

The girl lost interest and ignored him.

Zhang Muhan sat in the chair without saying a word.

Not long after, another man, completely shrouded in a black robe, walked in.

"Sect Master Fang."

The girl and Zhang Muhan stood up at the same time and bowed respectfully.

The man in black robes nodded slightly, and a jade slip appeared in his hand.

"This is intelligence on the inner disciples of the Xuantian Sect who guard the nine gates. Those whose names are circled in red are important targets. Do everything you can to kill them."

It turns out that these three were members of a demonic cult who had been lurking in the area.

The girl's name was Hua Yuenü, and she practiced the method of replenishing yin with yang energy from the demonic sect.

The Northern Region has ten major sects and ten major demonic sects.

Interestingly, each sect has a mortal enemy of the Demonic Cult.

For thousands of years, the Xuantian Sect and the Demon Heaven Sect have been sworn enemies.

This time, the Demon Heaven Sect intends to take advantage of the inner disciple assessment to inflict a heavy blow on the Profound Heaven Sect.

Kill the inner disciples guarding the nine gates!

These disciples are the best of the Xuantian Sect, the fresh blood of the future.

To dare to make such a plan on someone else's turf, one must naturally be extremely confident.

Over the years, the Demon Heaven Sect has studied all the martial arts of the Xuan Tian Sect and created the "Breaking the Heaven Technique".

The cultivation technique has a very low upper limit, only enough to cultivate up to the Innate Realm.

According to the ranking of cultivation techniques, it is only a Yellow-level technique.

However, this technique is specifically designed to counter the martial arts of the Xuantian Sect!

On Longmen Mountain, neither side can use their true energy. When they compete in martial arts, it will be a one-sided massacre by the disciples of the Demon Heaven Sect.

The Demon Heaven Sect not only arranged for Zhang Muhan and Hua Yuenü.

There were people stationed at all nine checkpoints.

Zhang Muhan and Hua Yuenü opened the jade slip; they were in charge of Flying Dragon Pass, one of the nine passes.

There are three targets, among whom the one marked in red is Xu Lingyue, the daughter of the Transmission Elder!

"This Xu Lingyue is showered with love and affection in the Xuantian Sect. She is one of the two prodigies of Xuantian. I really look forward to it." Hua Yuenü licked her lips, a cold glint in the depths of her eyes.

"Alright, get ready and remember the password."

Of course, you can't just swagger around and gather together on someone else's turf.

The disciples of the Demonic Cult are scattered in various mountain towns or markets, unaware of each other's existence. They only confirm each other's identities through passwords when taking action.

“Xuantian is dead, Motian shall rise.”

Zhang Muhan and Hua Yuenü silently recited the commands.