Chapter 433 - 233: The Assessment Begins! A Peerless Demon Fiend Appears! Jiang Che Shocks Everyone

’So this is the gap?’

It seemed that back in Cangzhou Prefecture, they had truly been like frogs at the bottom of a well.

Before long, another noteworthy figure emerged.

Qin Xuange!

The former number one on the Hidden Dragon List and only son of General Qin Fuhu wore the same cold, iron-like expression as ever.

He strode to the stele and, without a moment’s hesitation, pressed his palm against it.

BOOM!

Azure light surged with an extraordinary aura!

[Early-stage Second Layer of True Master Realm]

[Qin Xuange]

[Current Rank: 63]

Although this result was merely decent and nothing surprising to the crowd—who had grown accustomed to the previous Demon Fiends from the Great States—it was still a powerful shock to everyone from Cangzhou Prefecture.

"Second Layer of True Master Realm?!"

"I can’t believe he’s already reached this stage!"

"It seems he’s the true powerhouse of Cangzhou Prefecture!"

A few Martial Artists from other prefectures in the crowd also commented casually, "Hmm, now this is a little interesting. To think a small, remote place like Cangzhou Prefecture could produce someone at the Second Layer of True Master Realm. That’s quite rare."

Qin Xuange glanced at his rank on the stele. His brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, a flicker of dissatisfaction in his eyes, but his expression quickly returned to one of cold indifference as he turned and walked off the stage.

Finally.

After a long wait.

"Next, Cangyun Sect, Jiang Che!"

At the official’s call, Jiang Che, who had been standing quietly in a corner, straightened his clothes and started walking toward the high platform.

Aside from his master, Xu Qingshan, and a few close friends who watched him with interest, most of the crowd didn’t even bother to lift an eyelid.

After all, thanks to the Concealing Breath Treasure Pearl, the aura Jiang Che exuded was still only at the Peak of the Refining Organ Realm.

Such a Cultivation level was far too common to attract any interest on a testing ground now teeming with experts.

Jiang Che walked before the Heaven-Reaching Stele, his expression calm.

He slowly extended his right hand and pressed it against the stele’s ice-cold surface.

’If I’m going to compete, then... there’s no need to hide anymore!’

BOOM!!!

As a wisp of True Qi surged from within him, the once-placid Heaven-Reaching Stele abruptly erupted in a blindingly brilliant flash of light!

The light was even more brilliant than what Qin Xuange had produced!

A line of large words appeared with perfect clarity on the stele’s surface:

[Second Layer Peak of True Master Realm]

Simultaneously, on the distant ranking Jade Disc, a new name instantly shot past Qin Xuange’s, finally settling in a respectable position!

[Jiang Che]

[Current Rank: 31]

At this moment.

And yet, to the proctors and the Martial Artists from other prefectures—who had long been desensitized by top-tier prodigies like Xiong Tong and Nalan Ruoshui—this was merely a "not bad" result, earning little more than a quiet, "Oh."

However.

In Cangzhou Prefecture’s preparation area.

It was as if a bombshell had been dropped!

Every single person from Cangzhou Prefecture, be they disciple or Elder, stared with wide eyes at the tall, straight figure on the stage, their mouths agape enough to fit an egg.

"S-Second... Layer Peak... of True Master Realm?!"

Xu Qingshan was so shocked he almost ripped his beard off!

He knew Jiang Che had broken through to the True Master Realm, and he knew Jiang Che’s Talent was exceptional.

But he never dreamed the boy could charge straight to the Second Layer Peak of True Master Realm in such a short time!

’This kid even hid it from me!’

As for the other disciples, they felt their minds short-circuiting.

"Chief Jiang... when did he break through?!"

"Not only did he break through, but he’s even higher than Qin Xuange?!"

"My heavens... is he even human?!"

When Jiang Che returned to the waiting area with a calm expression.

The originally noisy area instantly became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Everyone stared at him as if he were a monster, their gazes a mixture of awe, alienation, and profound shock.

Qin Xuange’s eyes, which had been closed, snapped open. He stared intently at Jiang Che, a flicker of astonishment crossing his perpetually cold, hard face.

He had always thought he was the undisputed number one in Cangzhou, but he never expected...

This young man, someone he’d never even paid attention to, had silently surpassed him!

Qin Wuya was even more ashen-faced, his whole body frozen in place.

Whatever faint hope he had of catching up was crushed to dust by this cruel reality!

He had thought he had already surpassed him.

He never imagined that the gap had now grown even wider!

Adding to that, his confidence had already been battered by Xiong Tong and the others.

At this moment, he suddenly felt a sense of utter despair!

Gu Qingxuan clutched her sword, the light in her eyes wavering as she gently bit her lip.

She had thought she was working hard enough, but looking at the figure before her, she realized that no matter how fast she ran, she could only watch his back recede ever further into the distance.

"You..."

Xiao Qingge was the first to recover. She rushed up to Jiang Che, wanting to give him a familiar punch like she used to, but her hand froze stiffly midway.

She looked at Jiang Che and said with a bitter smile:

"You rascal... you really kept us in the dark!"

Chen Jiayu, Qing Ling, Lin Qingyun and the others also gathered around.

The hand Chen Jiayu used to wave his folding fan was even a little unsteady. "Brother Jiang... I’m in awe!" His eyes were filled with a complex mix of emotions.

"Second Layer Peak of True Master Realm... you monster, just how did you cultivate?" Qing Ling also wore a look of utter disbelief.

Although everyone was praising and congratulating him.

But their words lacked their usual ease, and held an undeniable sense of formality and dejection.

They were once companions who walked side-by-side, rivals who competed with each other.

But now...

Jiang Che was already standing in the clouds, while they were still at the foot of the mountain, looking up.

This feeling of being left so far behind was truly...

A bit bitter.

Jiang Che keenly sensed the change in everyone’s mood, but there was nothing he could say, so he just gave everyone a gentle smile.

Some paths are destined to be walked alone.

Before long.

As the last prefecture finished their test, the first day of assessments finally came to a close.

The setting sun cast everyone’s shadows long on the ground.

With all sorts of thoughts on their minds, the members of the Cangyun Sect made their way back to the Chen Family’s estate.

It was a night destined to be sleepless for many.

But some looked forward to the second day’s Divine Soul assessment, seeing it as a chance to make up for their disadvantage in Realm.