Chapter 134 - 103: Sect Leader’s Summons, Celestial Pride Trial

As the Inner Sect Steward’s voice fell, countless eyes in the Martial Arts Arena burned with fervor.

Twenty thousand contribution points!

What an enormous number that was.

A smile crept onto Zhang Su’s face as well.

He already had 12,900 contribution points, so adding the 20,000 he just received brought his total to 32,900.

It was an incredibly large sum.

Just then, eleven Elders suddenly arrived at the Martial Arts Arena.

Seeing so many Elders arrive, many people faintly guessed that something major was about to happen.

Tang Tianwen walked into the crowd, his gaze falling upon Zhang Su as he gave a slight nod.

He was very pleased.

Zhang Su had actually managed to kill Dugu Jian.

It was truly hard to believe.

Even though Tang Tianwen had known this for some time, he was still utterly astonished.

The other Elders felt the same way.

Especially Wang Dakui, who had a constant smile on his face.

Although Zhang Su was Zhao Qianfeng’s disciple, after the time he had spent with him in Hengshan County, Wang Dakui had come to see Zhang Su as half a disciple of his own.

"I have good news for everyone. The Five Elements Sect Elders have sent word that they are abandoning the ore vein in Hengshan County. Therefore, we have won! The conflict between our two sects in Hengshan County is now over!"

As Tang Tianwen’s voice fell, many of the Martial Artists didn’t cheer.

Instead, they looked somewhat dejected and lost.

Fighting in Hengshan County had been dangerous, but it was a way to earn a great deal of contribution points.

Now that the conflict over the ore vein had ended, they could only return to their original posts.

Some were Inner Sect Stewards.

Others were stationed in various prefectures and counties, unable to even return to the Mountain Gate.

Still, it was ultimately good news.

At least they no longer had to fight for their lives.

Their lives were saved.

And everyone had gained something, more or less.

It was a happy outcome for all.

At the very least, they were much better off than the Martial Artists of the Five Elements Sect.

’It’s over?’

Zhang Su was also a bit surprised.

He knew that without Dugu Jian, the Five Elements Sect had little power left to contend with the Guiyuan Sect.

But he never expected the Five Elements Sect to concede defeat so quickly.

Zhang Su had been hoping the Five Elements Sect would hold out for a few more days.

It would have let him earn a few more contribution points.

But now, it seemed that was no longer possible.

Then again, he had already earned over thirty thousand contribution points.

He had gained more than almost anyone else in Hengshan County.

That was more than enough.

Wang Dakui pulled Zhang Su aside. "Zhang Su, you’ve done very well," he said with a smile. "I never expected Dugu Jian to fall by your hand. You’ve given me a massive surprise. I remember, you’re a Dharma Protector Disciple, correct?"

"Yes, I am a Dharma Protector Disciple."

"That doesn’t really matter. Guardian Sequence or Inheritance Sequence, it can all be changed as long as your performance is outstanding enough. I’m preparing to join forces with Old Cripple to submit an application for you to take the Celestial Pride Trial."

Zhang Su’s expression faltered, deeply moved.

"The Celestial Pride Trial?"

He had never heard of the Celestial Pride Trial.

"Old Cripple probably never mentioned it to you. And that makes sense—in the past, the Celestial Pride Trial was far beyond your reach. But now, I believe you truly have a chance of becoming a Sect’s Celestial Pride."

"And it’s not just me who thinks you have a chance—Elder Tang Tianwen thinks so, too. You must understand, Elder Tang Tianwen represents the Sect Leader’s own faction."

"If you can pass the Celestial Pride Trial, you will become a Sect’s Celestial Pride! Once that happens, it’s a whole new world. You’ll have priority access to all of the Sect’s resources. Places like the Fire Melting Cave? You could stay in there indefinitely. Things like Centennial Cold Jade? You’ll have an open supply. And there are even more resources beyond your imagination."

Hearing this, Zhang Su’s heart pounded in his chest.

No one could refuse the chance to become a Sect’s Celestial Pride.

The benefits were simply too great.

"Elder," Zhang Su began, "my master once told me that in the Sect’s entire history, no disciple from the Guardian Sequence has ever become a Celestial Pride..."

"That’s right. What Old Cripple said is true. The Guardian Sequence and Inheritance Sequence are traditions passed down in the Sect, but rules aren’t unbreakable. The Celestial Pride Trial is precisely that kind of opportunity."

"As long as you pass the Celestial Pride Trial, it doesn’t matter if you’re an Inheritor Disciple or a Dharma Protector Disciple—you can become a Sect’s Celestial Pride. In fact, many exceptionally talented Dharma Protector Disciples in the history of our Guiyuan Sect have applied for the trial. Unfortunately, without a single exception, they all failed."

"The Celestial Pride Trial is incredibly difficult, and not just anyone can apply. One must possess exceptionally brilliant talent. Zhang Su, you killed Jiang Taizhen with your Outer Force Cultivation and then Dugu Jian with your Inner Force Cultivation. That is what impressed Elder Tang Tianwen. With him and the rest of us applying on your behalf, getting you into the trial should be no problem. But whether or not you can pass it—that will depend on your own abilities!"

Zhang Su understood.

’So, just applying for the Celestial Pride Trial is extremely difficult.’

’It was most likely my killing of Dugu Jian that greatly pleased Elder Tang Tianwen.’

’That’s why he agreed to join Elder Wang Dakui in applying for the trial on my behalf.’

After all, by killing Dugu Jian, Zhang Su had essentially helped the eleven Elders win the conflict, securing an iron ore vein for the Sect.

That was a monumental contribution!

"Thank you, Elder!" Zhang Su asked. "What exactly does the Celestial Pride Trial entail?"

"That’s not clear," Wang Dakui explained. "To ensure the trial’s fairness, its content is different every time, and it’s announced personally by the Sect Leader. When you return to the Sect, the Sect Leader will naturally summon you."

"I see..."

Zhang Su nodded.