King of Ten Thousand Years

In front of the Assessment Hall.

Official Disciples and Auditor Disciples from the Fourth Peak to the Ninth Peak had gathered, numbering over five hundred in total.

A long, snaking line had formed.

At the entrance to the Assessment Hall stood a five-meter-tall stone stele. Its surface was covered in ancient, mysterious patterns, exuding an aura of immense age.

"For the first assessment, all you have to do is attack this stele with your True Essence," a Steward in charge of the assessment announced.

BAM!

An Official Disciple threw a punch. The stele was as immovable as a mountain, its surface erupting in a layer of white light.

"Pass!"

Soon, it was the second person’s turn.

"Failed!"

After the second person attacked the stele, no light appeared, and they were immediately failed.

’What’s the principle behind this stele?’

Luo Tian’s gaze sharpened as he observed it.

"Luo Tian, you don’t even know this? I suggest you scram now, save yourself the embarrassment later," Sun Ye, who was in front of Luo Tian, sneered.

"This stele is a treasure from Ancient Times. A single, simple attack is enough for it to test the strength of one’s True Essence."

The Main Peak assessment had been held for many years, and for the most part, its content remained unchanged.

The first stage was precisely a test of True Essence strength.

"Anyone whose True Essence strength doesn’t reach the level of the Earth Element Realm Sixth Layer will be failed immediately!"

A mocking smile touched the corners of Sun Ye’s mouth.

The crowd couldn’t help but look at Luo Tian, all of them shaking their heads with faint smiles.

Luo Tian’s cultivation was only at the Earth Element Realm Fourth Layer; there was no way he could pass the first stage!

Soon, it was Gongsun Long’s turn.

He struck out with a palm, and the stele erupted in an incredibly brilliant glow that outshone everyone who had been tested before him.

"Such a radiant light! As expected of Gongsun Long. His foundation is so deep, his True Essence so refined!"

The disciples exclaimed in amazement.

There were only twenty spots available in the Main Peak assessment.

Gongsun Long was guaranteed to pass; he would at least rank in the top ten.

A short while later, it was Sun Ye’s turn.

Sun Ye’s cultivation was at the Peak of Earth Element Realm Fifth Layer. However, his family was wealthy and had spent a great deal to purchase a High Grade Cultivation Technique for him.

Before the assessment, he had also consumed Elixir Pills that refined his True Essence.

"Pass!"

Sun Ye passed the assessment smoothly.

He took a few steps, then turned to look back at Luo Tian, a faint smile on his lips, as if waiting for a good show to begin.

After a few more people, it was Luo Tian’s turn.

"Hurry up, don’t dawdle," the Steward chided impatiently.

He could tell with a single glance that Luo Tian’s cultivation was only at the Earth Element Realm Fourth Layer. It was impossible for him to pass the first stage, yet he still came for the assessment, purely to waste his time.

BAM!

Luo Tian channeled his pale-azure True Essence and struck the stele. A layer of bright white light immediately bloomed.

"Fai... Pass!" the Steward shouted subconsciously, his expression changing abruptly as he corrected himself.

His face held a look of stunned bewilderment as he stared at Luo Tian.

"He passed?"

It wasn’t just him. The other disciples who came for the assessment had also been keeping an eye on Luo Tian because of Gongsun Long.

An Earth Element Realm Fourth Layer actually passed the first stage of the assessment!

How on earth did he do that?

"Impossible!"

The smile on Sun Ye’s face froze, replaced by utter disbelief.

He had been certain Luo Tian would be failed, but Luo Tian had passed with ease.

Sun Ye looked as if he had swallowed a dozen flies; it was an awful feeling.

"It seems you paid a hefty price to raise your True Essence strength before the assessment. But relying so heavily on external aids will only burn through your potential, limiting your future achievements."

Sun Ye snorted coldly and turned to leave.

His explanation was met with agreement from the others.

The content of the Sect’s assessment wasn’t a secret. Many people would make targeted preparations, and it was possible to bluff one’s way through.

Luo Tian just gave a faint smile, not bothering to explain.

He was cultivating a Martial Venerate Level Technique, and the Celestial Essence Water Condensation Technique was particularly outstanding when it came to True Essence strength.

During his two and a half months of closed-door cultivation, Luo Tian had cultivated the Celestial Essence Water Condensation Technique to the Second-Layer Minor Achievement. His current True Essence strength surpassed that of an ordinary Earth Element Realm Sixth Layer.

...

The first stage was very simple and was over in half a day.

Over a hundred people were failed.

Xia Bingyue and Qi Yuntian both passed.

Moreover, Luo Tian discovered that Qi Yuntian’s cultivation had actually broken through to the Earth Element Realm Sixth Layer!

It seemed Qi Yuntian’s rush to go into closed-door cultivation back then had paid off.

Among the disciples who passed, the highest cultivation was at the Earth Element Realm Seventh Layer, and the lowest should have been the Peak of Earth Element Realm Fifth Layer.

But Luo Tian, the anomaly at the Earth Element Realm Fourth Layer, was still standing there just fine.

Everyone gave him a few glances, some more than others.

"Sun Ye, how did he pass?" Gongsun Long’s expression was grim.

"Senior Brother Gongsun, Luo Tian must have consumed a large number of elixirs to barely pass the first stage. But it won’t be so easy to muddle through the next few stages," Sun Ye said with certainty.

"Next, the second stage will begin!"

Under the Steward’s guidance, the crowd arrived at a spacious Martial Arts Arena.

WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

In mid-air, twenty clusters of colorful, flowing light danced about at extreme speeds, zipping up and down. They overflowed with radiant colors, creating a dazzling spectacle.

"These are ’Flowing Light Butterflies’ raised by the Sect. Their speed is comparable to an ordinary Earth Element Realm Sixth Layer. You must catch ten of them within three breaths, without harming them, to pass!" the Steward said with a faint smile.

Many of the disciples frowned in concentration as they observed and began to think.

In the past, the second stage was just a simple test of one’s Body Technique.

But this time, catching ten Flowing Light Butterflies within three breaths tested not only their Body Technique but also their reflexes and observation skills.

"The second stage... a little interesting."

A faint smile appeared on Gongsun Long’s face.

To him, the first stage had been a mere formality, completely meaningless.

The second stage, however, piqued his interest slightly.

SWOOSH!

An Official Disciple transformed into a swift shadow, darting into the air and quickly grabbing at the surrounding Flowing Light Butterflies.

Three breaths passed in a flash.

The Official Disciple landed, opened his hands, and revealed exactly ten Flowing Light Butterflies.

"That was close."

He breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Those who passed the test were to wait on the opposite side.

Immediately after, it was the second person’s turn.

"Auditor Disciples must catch twelve Flowing Light Butterflies within three breaths for this stage!" the Steward announced calmly.

"Twelve?"

The Auditor Disciple’s face fell, but he didn’t dare to object.

This was how the Main Peak assessment worked; the requirements were higher for Auditor Disciples.

SWOOSH! SWISH SWISH!

The Auditor Disciple flew into the air, grabbing at the Flowing Light Butterflies around him.

"Three breaths are up. Only nine Flowing Light Butterflies caught. Failed!" the Steward suddenly announced.

He was a Top Tier Earth Element Realm expert and possessed Spiritual Sense. Trying to bluff one’s way past him was practically impossible.

When it was Sun Ye’s turn,

"Sun Ye, in a moment, just... and you’ll increase your chances of success..." Gongsun Long whispered.

SWOOSH SWOOSH!

With a grave expression, Sun Ye shot out, his figure flitting back and forth in mid-air.

After three breaths, he had managed to catch exactly ten Flowing Light Butterflies.

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother Gongsun!"

Sun Ye bowed with immense excitement.

All his efforts to curry favor with Gongsun Long had not been in vain.

The difficulty of the second stage came mainly from the interference of the other Flowing Light Butterflies. Their dazzling, colorful light was eye-catching and would distract the test-takers, affecting their judgment.

Even the slightest mistake could mean failure.

Immediately after,

Gongsun Long took the stage!

SWISH! SWOOSH SWOOSH!

He shot out like a bolt of lightning, his figure incredibly swift, leaving afterimages in his wake.

After three breaths, he drifted down gracefully. In his palms were a full fifteen Flowing Light Butterflies!

WHOOSH!

The fifteen Flowing Light Butterflies darted out, capturing everyone’s attention.

"Fifteen!"

"So incredible! As expected of Senior Brother Gongsun!"

The area was filled with gasps of awe and admiration.

Even the Steward nodded with a smile.

With Gongsun Long’s skill, passing the assessment was no problem, and his future potential was immense.

After passing, Gongsun Long calmly walked to the other side.

Before long, it was Luo Tian’s turn.

"Twelve Flowing Light Butterflies," the Steward reminded him.

SWISH!

Luo Tian’s figure suddenly dissipated, as if vanishing into thin air.

"Where did he go?"

"He didn’t just run away, did he? Haha!"

The disciples hadn’t been able to see Luo Tian’s Body Technique clearly.

Sun Ye’s gaze swept the area, also searching for Luo Tian.

WHOOSH!

A gust of wind blew past, and a figure suddenly appeared right in front of Sun Ye. It was Luo Tian.

"You, what are you doing over here? Only those who have passed the second stage are qualified to stand here!"

Sun Ye yelled.

The others looked over as well.

"What’s with that kid? Did he give up on the assessment?"

"Is he trying to be funny? Instead of catching the butterflies, does he think he can pass just by running to the other side?" many disciples laughed.

Just then, Luo Tian opened his hands.

No more, no less—exactly twelve Flowing Light Butterflies.

"Twelve Flowing Light Butterflies? He passed?"

Several of the disciples who had been mocking Luo Tian were suddenly left speechless.

They hadn’t even seen his Body Technique clearly. When did he manage to catch twelve Flowing Light Butterflies?

"Steward, he must have cheated!"

Sun Ye declared with conviction, "He must have hidden twelve Flowing Light Butterflies beforehand, ran straight over here, and then took them out."

"Sun Ye, are your dog eyes blind?"

Luo Tian asked calmly.

"Luo Tian, what did you say?"

Sun Ye’s eyes widened in a glare.

"Shut up! Look in front of you!"

Gongsun Long suddenly shouted.

Sun Ye didn’t dare say more. When he looked ahead, he saw eight Flowing Light Butterflies still fluttering about in the sky above the Martial Arts Arena.

In that instant, he understood what Luo Tian’s words meant.

There had been twenty Flowing Light Butterflies in the arena, and now only eight remained. This was proof that Luo Tian hadn’t cheated!

He was instantly overwhelmed with shame, the tips of his ears turning red.

"Pass!"

The Steward announced the result, his expression slightly tense.

The others had only noticed the Flowing Light Butterflies in Luo Tian’s hands.

But he had noticed another crucial factor—time!

’If his perception was correct, Luo Tian had caught twelve Flowing Light Butterflies in just two breaths!’

’Doesn’t that mean that in three breaths, Luo Tian could catch eighteen of them?’

’If his Spiritual Sense hadn’t captured everything, even he would have suspected Luo Tian of cheating.’

The assessment continued.

Some were failed, some passed, and some drew gasps of amazement.

Luo Tian was also observing the other disciples in this assessment.

’There are four at the Earth Element Realm Seventh Layer!’

Those four from the Earth Element Realm Seventh Layer were practically guaranteed to be the top four. The number of butterflies they caught within three breaths was around fifteen each.

’Getting into the top five shouldn’t be a problem, but it will ultimately depend on the third stage!’

Luo Tian still remembered his bet with Hongyi, the woman from the Undead Thieves.

The second stage gradually came to a close.

Xia Bingyue also passed the assessment, though just barely.

Qi Yuntian caught fourteen Flowing Light Butterflies, drawing a great deal of attention.

The second stage ended.

A total of three hundred people were failed this time, leaving less than a hundred remaining!

The remaining hundred were undoubtedly the elite of the elite.

"Next is the final stage. Among you, only twenty will enter the Main Peak!"

The Steward’s gaze swept across the entire arena.