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At the sound of the loud shout, the youths heard a deep rumbling rising from beneath the ground. The next moment, a pitch-black entrance slowly opened in the center of the platform.

Zhao Zifeng said in a deep voice, "This is the entrance to the Drill Grounds. Head inside and walk straight ahead to get there. Go on."

The youths bowed to Zhao Zifeng, Xiong Li, and Fang Caiying, then sped toward the entrance.

Watching the excitement on the youths’ faces, Zhao Zifeng shook his head slightly. "Our Three Western Counties may have produced a few outstanding candidates this time," he said, "but the other counties have even more brilliant young geniuses. I just hope they can pass the test and make it into the Inner Hall."

Xiong Li’s expression was grave as he said in a low voice, "Exactly. I’ve heard two young geniuses have emerged from the Five Eastern Counties. They aren’t even twenty, yet their cultivation has already reached the Martial Arts Fifth Layer Late Stage. As for the Southern County, which produces the most talent, there are as many as three young masters who have reached the Martial Arts Fifth Layer Late Stage. One of them even has the cultivation of the Fifth Layer Peak.

Even the Northern County, which has relatively fewer talents, has produced a youth at the Martial Arts Fifth Layer Late Stage with incredibly powerful combat abilities. If nothing unexpected happens, those six young geniuses are certain to become Inner Hall Disciples. There are only ten spots for Inner Hall Disciples in total, and just like that, six of them are taken. That leaves only four spots, and the fight for them will be exceptionally brutal."

Fang Caiying nodded. "The competition will indeed be fierce. We’d be lucky if even one of the thirty people we brought makes it into the Inner Hall."

At this, Fang Caiying said with a worried frown, "I really hope someone makes it into the Inner Hall. Otherwise, Master will scold us again for only focusing on our own cultivation instead of paying attention to the talented youths in the counties."

Xiong Li offered some words of comfort. "Don’t worry, Junior Sister Fang. From what I’ve seen, that Zhaang Ye is very promising. The twin boys you brought are quite strong as well. While the three of them can’t compare to those six great geniuses, they’re by no means outmatched by the other youths. They have a real chance of getting into the Inner Hall."

When Xiong Li mentioned the twin boys, Fang Caiying’s eyes lit up. She nodded and said, "Let’s hope so. That way, our Three Western Counties won’t lose too much face."

...

Zhaang Ye followed the crowd of youths, hurrying down a long corridor paved with White Jade. Soon, they arrived in a massive palace hall. The floor of this immense hall was paved with what turned out to be extremely precious Heavy Iron stone. The four walls, made of some unknown material, emanated a faint, cyan glow. Zhaang Ye glanced around, realizing the hall was over a thousand feet high, with enough space inside to easily fit a small mountain.

A person standing inside felt as small as an ant.

Many people were already standing in the great hall before Zhaang Ye’s group arrived. Without exception, they were all incredibly powerful young men and women. The auras emanating from a few of them felt even a bit stronger than Zhaang Yijian’s.

What caught Zhaang Ye’s attention most was a cold-looking young man in his twenties. Dressed in gray, he stood alone with his hands tucked in his sleeves, appearing as unremarkable as a stone. Yet the faint aura he emanated seemed to subtly merge with the great hall itself. Its power was enough to secretly alarm even Zhaang Ye.

Zhaang Ye had only taken a few steps into the hall when he heard someone whispering, "See that guy in gray? I hear he’s Situ Houtu, the most outstanding genius from the Southern County. His cultivation has reached the Fifth Layer Peak, far surpassing his peers. They call him a once-in-a-century genius. First place in this test is bound to be his..."

"The Martial Arts Fifth Layer Peak! The guy is only in his twenties and already has that level of cultivation? That’s terrifying!" someone exclaimed in amazement.

Someone else chimed in, "Situ Houtu is amazing, but it’s a little early to call him the winner. Feng Tongming and He Daiji from the Five Eastern Counties, Lan Haohan and Jiang Ailiang from the Nine Southern Counties, and our own Fu Caiwu from the Northern County are all top masters in their own right. Their cultivation has reached the Martial Arts Fifth Layer Late Stage, and they each have unique Combat Skills. They aren’t necessarily any weaker than Situ Houtu."

"Those five are certainly strong. But I still think Situ Houtu is the most powerful of them all. He’s definitely taking first place in this test. We’ll just have to wait and see..."

’Five at the Martial Arts Fifth Layer Late Stage! And one at the Fifth Layer Peak!’ Zhaang Ye couldn’t help but gasp as he listened to the discussion. ’Situ Houtu, Feng Tongming, He Daiji, Lan Haohan, Jiang Ailiang, and Fu Caiwu... Those six are just too powerful! Reaching this realm in their late teens or early twenties... Now *they* are the real geniuses!’

Just as he was lost in thought, the clamor in the palace hall suddenly died down.

Zhaang Ye looked up to see that four people had appeared at some point on the huge stone platform in the center of the hall.

These four people had the faces of young men, but their bearing and disposition were that of middle-aged men. Their eyes, however, were ancient and profound—the kind of eyes possessed only by old men who have weathered the countless changes of the world.

With these traits combined, they looked like young men in their twenties, yet also like middle-aged men in their thirties or forties. But if you looked closely, you would realize they were, in fact, old men—as old as seventy or eighty.

They didn’t need to make a single move or sound. Simply by standing in the center of the great hall, they commanded the attention of everyone present.

They emanated no discernible aura, yet not a single youth in the great hall dared to underestimate the four who had suddenly appeared. No one dared to make a disrespectful move, and all sound vanished completely.

Sensing the unique disposition of these four, Zhaang Ye’s heart stirred. ’They don’t leak the slightest trace of an aura, yet their every move carries a unique quality that commands respect,’ he thought. ’Their cultivation must have reached an unimaginable realm. Could they be the four most powerful Hall Masters of the True Hall?’

Seeing that all the youths below were looking up at the stone platform, one of the four—a man who appeared to be only in his twenties—spoke slowly. "You have likely guessed our identities. That’s right. I am the Fourth Hall Master of the True Hall. The three behind me are the Great Hall Master, the Second Hall Master, and the Third Hall Master."

When the man announced his identity, a fervent glow lit up in the eyes of every youth in the great hall.

Only a Daoist Master could serve as a Hall Master of the True Hall. In other words, the figures standing on the stone platform were four Daoist Masters! Four Daoist Masters with such extreme martial power that they could slaughter a city with ease!

Zhaang Ye’s heart stirred as well. ’I heard that once you reach the True Dao through cultivation, your lifespan not only increases to over five hundred years, but your appearance can also revert to its youthful state,’ he thought. ’I found it hard to believe when I read about it in books, but it looks like it’s really true...’

The Fourth Hall Master’s voice rang out again. "Our True Hall has a legacy that spans several thousand years. Periodically, we must take in a new batch of disciples to ensure the True Hall can maintain its footing on the Desolate Continent, defend against foreign enemies and Fierce Beasts, and protect our dignity and our people. You are all the most outstanding talents from the Wei Kingdom, and the True Hall needs you."

At these words, excited expressions appeared on the faces of many youths.

The Fourth Hall Master’s voice rang out once more. "However, the True Hall requires only the most exceptional talent. Therefore, we will hold a test to select the best from the best. We will choose ten of you to become Inner Hall Disciples and receive our focused nurturing. This is an opportunity that could change your destiny. You must seize it."

Hearing this, a look of fierce eagerness appeared in the eyes of the youths.

Seeing their expressions, the Fourth Hall Master gave a meaningful smile. "Our True Hall’s test is very simple. Shortly, you will be brought to the entrance of a gorge. Your mission is to get through it as fast as you can. The first ten people to cross the gorge will become Inner Hall Disciples."

"Cross a gorge? Isn’t that just a test of Body Technique and speed?" Hearing the Fourth Hall Master’s words, the youths below couldn’t help but murmur amongst themselves. Joy appeared on the faces of those known for their swift Body Techniques, while those who had neglected their Body Technique cultivation looked grim.

Zhaang Ye’s expression remained perfectly calm. He knew the test arranged by the True Hall wouldn’t be as simple as just crossing a gorge. Zhaang Ye was certain that all kinds of dangers and obstacles must lie within it. The idea of relying on a superior Body Technique to speed through was absolutely mistaken.

The Fourth Hall Master said no more. With a light wave of his hand, the youths watched as one of the hall’s walls suddenly rumbled open, sliding apart to reveal the landscape outside.

All eyes turned to the scene outside, which was indeed a gorge. There was no telling how long it stretched. Its forests were lush, and massive birds beat their wings in the sky above, letting out piercing shrieks. From the depths of the gorge below, the great roars of beasts echoed intermittently—sounds so deep, powerful, and full of violent rage that they made one’s scalp tingle.

Upon seeing the massive birds in the sky and hearing the beast roars from the gorge, everyone’s expression turned grim. A hint of terror was already visible in the eyes of some of the weaker youths.

Just then, a voice carried over to them. "Beyond this wall is the gorge you must cross. The test begins now!"

At the sound of that voice, every youth, without a moment’s hesitation, unleashed their Body Technique and shot toward the gorge’s entrance. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote with Recommendation Tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)