Chapter 1888 (Raw 1899): Passing the Test
“Senior is too kind.” Xiao Chen smiled faintly and performed a cupped-fist salute in reply to Elder Tian Yun’s praise.
Elder Tian Yun nodded slightly and did not say anything more on this topic. “Next is the third stage. After you pass the test, you will be core disciples of my Heavenly Dragon Palace. Additionally, those who perform well in the third stage may be taken as disciples of heaven-class Elders.
“My Heavenly Dragon Palace has a total of ten heaven-class Elders. In regard to positions, they are below only the three Palace Masters. As for what this means, I believe I do not need to say more, given your experience. Of course, if you are excellent enough, you might even attract a Palace Master.”
Right after Elder Tian Yun spoke, the eyes of Xiao Jinyu, Qin Yan, Fang Tianyi, Qiu Rongxuan, and the other rich clan disciples lit up.
Naturally, everyone understood what it meant.
It meant that they could get even more resources, a higher position, and better guidance than the other core disciples.
Everything could be condensed into two words: better prospects.
Elder Tian Yun’s words upset Yi Qianyun and the other old core disciples and made them jealous.
Most of them did not have a heaven-class Elder as a master. To think that these people could enjoy such treatment the moment they arrived.
This was simply unfair.
However, the old core disciples could not do anything about it. Since Elder Tian Yun said that, they had no choice but to accept it.
“The third stage is very simple. You’ll fight in pairs. The winners advance, resulting in ten spots.” As Elder Tian Yun spoke, someone brought a jade strip over to him. Then, he sent in a strand of Soul Energy.
The information of the people before him immediately turned into images before his eyes.
The Heavenly Dragon Palace could use the Dragon’s Gate’s information network. They only needed an instant to obtain everyone’s information.
The remaining twenty people cracked their knuckles and rubbed their palms together. They all felt excited as they each made their preparations.
Practical combat was, without a doubt, the most exciting. Those with a Dragon Race bloodline naturally enjoyed fighting.
Furthermore, this fight could catch the attention of a heaven-class Elder and prompt them to take on a disciple.
Hence, the candidates would put in even more effort in the fight, to present themselves in the best light possible.
“First fight, Xiao Jinyu against Luo Hao!”
After checking everyone’s information, Elder Tian Yun decided on the participants of the first fight.
An area of the plaza immediately cleared. Then, Xiao Jinyu and Luo Hao jumped into the space with a ‘whoosh.
Elder Tian Yun clapped gently while seated on the throne. The formations buried in the plaza activated.
Time and space changed. The space where Xiao Jinyu and Luo Hao were became a rather vast small world stretching out infinitely.
To people outside, the two were encased by a light screen. Then, the ground under the two rose into the air, forming an arena.
“Xiao Jinyu, if I defeat you as a dark horse, I believe the heaven-class Elders will value me.”
Luo Hao licked his lips, and a fervent light appeared in his eyes.
“A dark horse? You are just seeking death by wanting to trample on me. I shall grant your wish, then. I will cut off your arms and make you pay the price for your arrogance.”
Xiao Jinyu snorted coldly without any expression on his face. In the next moment, a resplendent, dazzling sword light burst out of his body.
“Throughout the Ages, Sword Subduing the World!”
“Whoosh!”
It felt like time accelerated on Xiao Jinyu’s body, flying by quickly. As the sword light accumulated and got tempered by time, it turned dense and heavy.
The sword light actually gave off an ancient dynasty’s aura as Xiao Jinyu drew his sword.
The sword light looked plain and simple, making the entire place ripple gently like water.
These ripples quickly reached Luo Hao; they felt so horrifying that his expression changed greatly.
Damn it! Why is his sword intent so horrifying?!
Great Desolate Eon bloodline!
In that instant, Luo Hao was forced to activate his True Dragon bloodline. Dragon Might surged out as he resisted the spatial ripples created by the sword intent.
“Dang!”
However, even though Luo Hao managed to block the mysterious phenomenon caused by the sword intent, he could not block Xiao Jinyu’s sword light, which stabbed him.
Xiao Jinyu’s dense sword intent exploded on Luo Hao’s body as his sword pierced him.
Luo Hao’s protective Veritable Essence Energy shattered like glass and scattered into the air. His physical body got mangled, a cruel sight to behold.
“Whoosh! Whoosh!”
Two strands of sword light flew by; then, Xiao Jinyu pulled his sword back and sheathed it. Luo Hao cried out miserably; both his arms had been chopped off.
“Scram!”
Xiao Jinyu kicked Luo Hao, sending him back like a dog.
The cruel scene made several people shiver involuntarily. However, Elder Tian Yun smiled and nodded to himself, praising in his heart, Not bad.
At such a young age, Xiao Jinyu already reached peak Small Perfection in his Sword Great Dao. With my guidance, he should be able to reach Great Perfection within a year.
His talent with the sword is excellent. This Throughout the Ages is a peak Earth Grade Sword Technique.
This Sword Technique had high requirements on comprehension ability. For Xiao Jinyu to learn its essence and reach Consummation, he was truly impressive.
“Whoosh!”
Xiao Jinyu flew out of the arena and happened to land near Xiao Chen. He gave Xiao Chen a taunting look. “Unfortunately, you were not the one up there.”
Clearly, Xiao Jinyu held a grudge against Xiao Chen for overtaking him and taking first place in the second stage.
Xiao Chen remained silent, not replying to the other party.
This person’s sword skills were indeed terrifying. That earlier sword strike was not Xiao Jinyu’s full power yet.
“Next group, Fang Tianyi against Meng Hao!”
The Fang Clan Young Master, who had enjoyed everyone’s attention earlier, also faced another rich clan disciple that was not renowned.
Xiao Chen thought to himself, Actually, based on this arrangement, this Elder Tian Yun has already decided the ten people who will become core disciples.
He will not let the peak disciples fight each other.
As for those who are matched with someone stronger than them, they can only pray for good luck. To Elder Tian Yun, they are only touchstones for the popular candidate, to see how much of the other party’s strength they can force out.
The next few battles went as Xiao Chen expected.
Those with Grade 5 True Dragon bloodlines, from rich Noble Clans, and at least peak early-stage Holy Venerates all faced weaker opponents.
These people advanced easily. Elder Tian Yun intentionally did not pit them against each other.
“Final group, Xiao Chen against Zhang Ye!”
“Whoosh! Whoosh!”
The two flew onto the arena, and Zhang Ye said joyfully, “It looks like you are an abandoned piece. To think that Elder Tian Yun let me face a mixed-blood dragon like you. Are you ready to be defeated?”
Zhang Ye was delighted at not being picked to face the rich clan disciples. He felt that he could easily crush Xiao Chen with his Holy Venerate cultivation.
“Whoosh!”
With a thought, a light swelled up at his forehead and shot out. A Holy Venerate Will pressed towards Xiao Chen.
Although Zhang Ye was very confident, he still acted with caution. He planned to use his Holy Venerate Will to suppress Xiao Chen first and firmly gain victory.
Zhang Ye brought out his advantage in cultivation in full.
The Holy Venerate Will rushed over, covering Xiao Chen.
It was like invisible chains wrapped around Xiao Chen. His Movement Technique, cultivation, physical body, and his every move all suffered from great suppression.
“You are just an insignificant Star Venerate. No matter how heaven-defying you are, you are just a Star Venerate. Now, die!”
Zhang Ye smiled sinisterly. Upon seeing that his Holy Venerate Will completely suppressed Xiao Chen, he rushed forward.
“Break!”
Xiao Chen did not panic or fluster. He only shouted coldly and activated his Divine Dragon War Body. He immediately merged his Dragon Might with his physical body. His dragon veins and dragon bones gave off crackling sounds. His Qi and blood surged as dragon roars rang out in his body.
Xiao Chen’s figure trembled slightly. Using the Divine Dragon War Body, he directly shattered Zhang Ye’s Holy Venerate Will.
Seeing Zhang Ye flying over came as no surprise to Xiao Chen. Stars flickered in Xiao Chen’s Soul Pool, and many stars appeared in his eyes.
The Azure Dragon’s roar rang out, and Xiao Chen’s Star Venerate Will turned the tables on Zhang Ye, suppressing him instead.
“Plop!” Zhang Ye fell to the ground, dropping to one knee and nearly falling over.
“This…” Indescribable incredulity flashed in Zhang Ye’s eyes.
Xiao Chen’s Star Venerate Will was actually not weaker than Zhang Ye’s Holy Venerate Will, catching Zhang Ye off guard.
By the time Zhang Ye tried to reform his Holy Venerate Will, Xiao Chen had already seized the advantage, pressing forward and preposterously punching him into the air.
“Bloodline, activate!” roared Zhang Ye, who was tumbling in midair, activating his True Dragon bloodline, as he wanted to turn the situation around.
However, Xiao Chen had activated his Divine Dragon War Body. His body already contained the Azure Dragon’s Dragon Might, so he did not fear this True Dragon at all.
Xiao Chen’s footsteps did not suffer from any restrictions whatsoever. He relentlessly threw punch after punch.
All of Xiao Chen’s punches contained thirty Cauldron Force. A dragon roar shook the surroundings with every punch.
“Bang! Bang! Bang!”
After ten punches, Zhang Ye lay sprawled on the ground, completely limp like a dead dog.
“Is that all the strength he has?”
Xiao Chen felt slightly bored. He had only just started warming up and had not even drawn his saber yet.
“Xiao Chen wins!”
Elder Tian Yun announced the result. He thought to himself, I did not expect Xiao Chen’s physical body to be this strong. Perhaps I have to reevaluate him.