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

"Senior Brother Yang, I've come to see you."

Daqiong Peak, Yang Hao's residence.

Xu Lingyue pushed open the door and entered. After a day, she was no longer feeling suffocated and had regained her usual vitality.

Upon hearing that his senior brother was in trouble, he immediately came to visit him.

However, she noticed that her senior brother Yang Hao was listless and staring blankly out the window.

Faced with Xu Lingyue's question, Yang Hao said seriously, "Junior sister, I understand how you feel now. It is indeed unpleasant to be wronged in love."

"What and what?"

Xu Lingyue didn't understand. What did she have to do with Shen Ming?

Also, Senior Brother Yang, didn't you get beaten up by the ancient ape? Why are you talking about it as if you only suffered minor injuries?

Yang Hao didn't explain. He was depressed and had no desire to continue avenging his junior sister.

The turmoil at Spirit Beast Mountain has come to an end. As long as no one died, it's not a big deal in the Xuan Tian Sect.

Interestingly, when the sect elders were discussing how to deal with the ancient ape, Yang Hao stepped in to plead for it, saying it was all a misunderstanding.

The elders were baffled. They beat the men until their sternums were broken, yet the men forgave them so easily.

But Yang Hao just wouldn't say anything, no matter how the elders asked.

One month later, at Tongtian Peak.

Shenming's detached house.

As dawn breaks, a thin mist hangs in the air.

The boy stood in an open space, holding a long sword, the blade gleaming coldly in the sunlight.

Suddenly, the long sword in his hand was swung out, his figure as swift as the wind, the sword shadow as red as a rainbow.

The sword's edge sliced ​​through the air, producing a continuous humming sound, as if resonating with the heavens and earth.

The swordplay was as fluid as flowing clouds and water, its techniques unpredictable, sometimes like a raging storm, sometimes like a gentle drizzle.

Do whatever you want, without restraint.

If the disciples of Wanjian Peak were here to see this scene, they would be absolutely dumbfounded.

What kind of swordsmanship is this?

It almost defies all the common sense of swordsmanship!

Yet, the swordplay was astonishing, and the sword techniques were exquisite.

Such swordsmanship is so difficult to learn that I don't even know where to begin.

Suddenly, Shen Ming stopped and gently tossed the Mingxin Sword into its sheath.

"it's time."

Shen Ming did not forget his small goal: to become a true disciple.

After his last mountain patrol, he successfully broke through the third barrier with the help of Qingyuan Fruit and Yunye Wine.

He was only one step away from reaching the mid-stage of the Profound Realm.

The selection of true disciples takes place at the end of the year.

This is a momentous event for the disciples of the Xuantian Sect, a time that will determine their fate.

The process will not be rushed; disciples from each lineage must register in advance.

Today is the registration day.

At Tongtian Peak, the main hall's gate was wide open, and many disciples had gathered there.

Whenever a disciple enters or leaves the Tongtian Hall, it always sparks a discussion.

"That's Senior Brother Zhang Haoran, a late-stage Profound Realm cultivator. His Haoran True Qi is indestructible, and he will definitely become a true disciple this year!"

"Senior Sister Fang Qingxue is here too. Last year she was just one step away, but this year her chances are much better."

"Gu Qing! A disciple who only joined last year, and he's already vying for the position of a true disciple after just one year?"

……

The disciples watching were all filled with longing and envy.

Regardless of whether they succeed in the end, these people are qualified to compete and have the courage to do so.

Some inner disciples who have been in the sect for several years are still only at the mid-stage of the Profound Realm, dreaming of participating in the selection later.

At this moment, a new face appeared.

At first, everyone thought he was just there to watch the fun.

Ignoring everyone's gaze, the boy walked straight up the steps of the Tongtian Hall.

The Tongtian Hall symbolizes extraordinary significance; disciples are not allowed to enter, leave, or linger there unless it is of utmost importance.

The boy did not linger and went straight into the Tongtian Hall.

"Who is this? Could he be one of the contestants?"

"I haven't seen it before."

"Who among you knows him?"

The disciples of Tongtian Peak were baffled; those who were qualified to participate in the selection were all somewhat famous on Tongtian Peak.

Shen Ming has been practicing swordsmanship at home this month, and the trouble that happened earlier has all subsided.

"It's Shen Ming! He only started learning the trade last month!"

"I remember now, it's him!"

"Wow, you're something else! You want to become a true disciple in your first year?"

"You know what, there's no reason why he couldn't succeed if he cultivated a Heaven-level technique!"

……

The Tongtian Hall was spacious and had no superfluous furnishings, except for a long table in the middle, behind which sat three elders.

Such important matters are directly handled by the Grand Elder of Tongtian Peak.

The Grand Elder of Tongtian Peak is also the Punishment Elder of Xuantian Sect.

His face exuded authority even without anger, and his eyes were sharp.

The selection of true disciples is, to some extent, related to the competition among disciples from different lineages.

The more disciples a lineage promotes, the more prestigious it is for both superiors and subordinates.

Therefore, whenever a disciple entered, the three elders would cast a scrutinizing glance at him.

Upon seeing Shen Ming, their brows furrowed simultaneously.

Who is this kid?!

"What's the matter?"

All the disciples who came here had registered, but the Elder of Punishments still chose to ask one more question.

If this disciple doesn't explain himself, the Elder of Punishments will punish him for barging into the Tongtian Hall.

"Elder, I've come to register for the True Disciple Competition," Shen Ming said.

"..."

The three elders exchanged glances. The elder in charge of punishments frowned and asked, "What's your name? How long have you been in my Xuantian Sect?"

"Shen Ming, I just started learning last month," Shen Ming said truthfully.

An elder shouted, "Nonsense! Do you think a competition between true disciples is child's play?!"

Unexpectedly, the elder of punishments waved his hand to stop him.

"Shen Ming? The one the Transmission Elder brought back?" The First Elder seemed to have thought of something.

“Yes,” Shen Ming said.

The Grand Elder pondered for a moment and said, "You already possess a Heaven-level cultivation technique, a privilege even true disciples don't enjoy. Cultivate diligently for several years, and you will achieve great things."

“My elders say that to achieve success in cultivation, one needs the right method, companion, resources, and location. The blessed land of a true disciple can save me a lot of time and energy,” Shen Ming said.

The elder frowned, a strange look in his eyes.

“New disciples are admitted to the sect every year at the Autumn Equinox, while the selection of true disciples takes place at the end of the year. This is to stagger the new disciples and allow a full year for the selection process,” the Grand Elder said.

"The sect does not prohibit newly initiated disciples from participating in the selection of true disciples."

"In the past hundred years, only one person has been able to become a true disciple in the first year of their apprenticeship!"

The elder was getting impatient; why couldn't this kid understand what he was saying?

"Then I'll be the second one!"

What Shen Ming heard was that if others could do it, then his innate holy body and supreme Dao embryo should be able to do it with ease.

The two elders were completely baffled, their faces full of doubt.

The elder of punishments could have simply dismissed this person.

"Fine, the rules don't forbid you from participating, but I'll still stop you."

The elder of punishments figured that since this matter wasn't under his jurisdiction, he would just follow the rules.

If anything goes wrong, that's the Elder's problem.

And so, he registered Shen Ming.

"Great Elder..."

After Shen Ming left, the two unsuspecting elders couldn't wait to ask questions.

"Don't ask what you shouldn't ask," the elder of punishments said, unwilling to speak.

The two elders paused, various speculations arising in their minds.