Great Sword Master

The sound of the long blade slashing forward echoed as it struck powerfully against the drum surface with all its force.

"Brother Yun, you can do it!" Yang Xuening clenched her fists tightly, her face alight with excitement.

If Ye Yunqi could strike the drum five times, he would be recognized as a Quasi-Sect Son, a position higher than that of a core disciple or even a true disciple. As an outer sect disciple and Ye Yunqi's woman, this honor would bring her pride, as well as tangible benefits such as greater cultivation resources.

It would not only elevate his reputation but also ensure they were never short on resources for cultivation.

The long blade slashed fiercely against the drum surface, but no sound came from it.

Ye Yunqi froze.

"You hesitated for more than a breath of time before your fifth strike," the burly elder stated immediately. "You struck the drum four times, qualifying you as a true disciple. Work hard, cultivate well, and further unlock the potential of your Tidal Bloodline. Perhaps in the future, you may still earn the title of Quasi-Sect Son."

Ye Yunqi's face contorted with frustration and unwillingness.

So close!

He had been just a fraction of a second away from striking the drum five times and securing his place as a Quasi-Sect Son.

Yang Xuening's face also darkened with disappointment.

But no matter how reluctant they felt, the result was final—Ye Yunqi could not try again.

The assessment continued, and Ye Yunqi remained the only one among the hundreds of Dao Institutes' candidates to strike the drum four times, making him the center of attention.

One by one, the candidates took their turns.

When it was Li Xinyue's turn, she strode forward, quickly closed the distance, and leaped into the air. Her sword flashed from its scabbard in an instant, creating streaks of sword light that cut through the air.

Boom!

The force from the drum rebounded, knocking Li Xinyue to the ground. She quickly got up, her sword flashing again, striking the drum a second time.

This time, nine streaks of sword light burst forth in succession.

Boom!

The second drumbeat echoed, qualifying her as an inner sect disciple.

Chen Feng smiled faintly, feeling genuinely happy for Li Xinyue.

Li Xinyue wasn't someone born with exceptional gifts. For her to strike the drum twice was already an impressive feat.

Finally, it was Chen Feng's turn.

Instantly, all eyes fell on him.

Many recognized him as the man who had once crossed blades with Ye Yunqi. Since Ye Yunqi had struck the drum four times to become a true disciple, the question now was—how far could Chen Feng go?

"Chen Feng, you can definitely rank even higher," Li Xinyue muttered to herself, her heart full of anticipation.

Standing before the towering Hun Tian Drum, Chen Feng exhaled softly. His breathing was steady and subtle, his refined power surging within him as he picked up speed.

Nine afterimages materialized as Chen Feng leaped forward.

Arriving directly in front of the drum, Chen Feng's sharp sword flew from its scabbard, a streak of dazzling sword light slashing horizontally toward the drum.

Boom!

A thunderous crash shook the air, reverberating through the ears and minds of the crowd. At the same time, an immense recoil force from the drum surged toward Chen Feng, threatening to overwhelm him.

Yet Chen Feng's refined and condensed energies, tempered through countless training sessions, allowed him to withstand the recoil.

Using the recoil to his advantage, Chen Feng spun and slashed the drum a second time.

Boom!

The second drumbeat resounded.

Yang Xuening's expression immediately darkened.

She had discarded Chen Feng, viewing him as a worthless failure who could no longer provide her with resources. She had cast him aside for Ye Yunqi, aiming to secure her place in the sect.

Yet now, Chen Feng had struck the drum twice, achieving a rank higher than her own. She had only managed to strike the drum once, earning the status of an outer sect disciple.

This outcome was something she couldn't stomach.

"The recoil force increased by at least 30%," Chen Feng muttered, his expression shifting slightly.

Amid the stronger recoil, much of his energy dispersed. He quickly retreated three steps to stabilize himself, gathering his power once more before launching a third strike.

Nine streaks of sword light burst forth once again.

Boom!

"Amazing!" Li Xinyue clenched her fists in excitement.

Yang Xuening's face turned pale, while Ye Yunqi's eyes betrayed a flicker of astonishment.

Chen Feng had once again exceeded expectations.

As the third recoil force surged toward him, Chen Feng's expression finally changed.

"This recoil is at least 50% stronger than before!"

Without hesitation, he unleashed his full power. Ten streaks of sword light merged into a single, radiant beam, piercing through the overwhelming recoil and striking the drum head-on.

Boom!

The fourth drumbeat rang out, leaving the tens of thousands of Dao Institute disciples utterly stunned.

Yang Xuening's face turned ashen with grief, while Ye Yunqi's expression shifted dramatically, his heart plagued by uncertainty.

Even Jin Hongdang, with his small beady eyes, stared in disbelief.

"The recoil has doubled again!"

Chen Feng's face turned pale as the terrifying recoil, like a raging flood, obliterated the remaining 20% of his energy. He could no longer muster the strength for a fifth strike.

"Four drumbeats, qualifying as a true disciple," the burly elder announced, his tiger-like eyes gleaming as he scrutinized Chen Feng. "You're not innately gifted, but your swordsmanship is extraordinary. I'd wager your understanding is exceptional."

"Chen Feng, congratulations!" Li Xinyue exclaimed, her joy evident. She appeared even happier for Chen Feng than she had been for her own success.

"Thank you, Sister Yue. Congratulations to you as well," Chen Feng replied with a smile.

Yang Xuening, standing nearby, nearly ground her teeth to dust in frustration.

The better Chen Feng performed, the more it tormented her.

"You've truly surprised me," Ye Yunqi remarked from a few meters away, his tone laced with gravity. "But if you think being a true disciple means you can rest easy, you're far too naive. I'll make sure you understand—among true disciples, there's a hierarchy.

"The humiliation you inflicted on me that day—I'll repay it tenfold. Just wait."

Chen Feng's gaze sharpened as he responded calmly, "I look forward to it."

Ye Yunqi smirked coldly, exuding disdain.

The assessment continued for a long while. Out of the tens of thousands of disciples gathered from the hundreds of Dao Institutes, every candidate had finally been evaluated.

Jin Hongdang, who possessed natural talent, struck the drum three times, qualifying as a core disciple.

"Of the 48,000 participants, 43,000 failed to produce any sound from the drum," the burly elder declared, his gaze sweeping across the crowd. "You may choose to enter Hun Tian City or serve as sect laborers for three years. After three years, you may either leave or attempt the assessment again."

This announcement left Chen Feng and the others stunned.

"Forty-eight thousand participants, and only five thousand passed? The success rate is far too low," Chen Feng thought.

"Four thousand struck the drum once, qualifying as outer sect disciples. Inner sect stewards, escort them to the outer sect."

"Yes." A group of gray-robed figures stepped forward.

"Nine hundred thirty struck the drum twice, qualifying as inner sect disciples. Inner sect stewards, lead them to the inner sect."

"Yes." A group of black-robed figures swiftly moved forward.

"Sixty-eight struck the drum three times, qualifying as core disciples. Two struck it four times, becoming true disciples."

The burly elder allowed himself a faint smile.

"The Three Palaces, Nine Halls, and Seventy-Two Peaks have likely received the assessment results by now. They may each select disciples as they see fit," he announced.

As his voice fell, radiant streaks of divine light shot up from all directions, illuminating the skies and filling the air with awe-inspiring energy. One by one, 71 figures descended, their overwhelming presence suffusing the surroundings.

"The Three Palaces and Nine Halls are sending no one? Only 71 Peaks have sent representatives?" The elder's gaze swept across the scene. "Very well. Each of the 71 Peaks may select one disciple. However, as there are fewer than 72 disciples to choose from, no Peak may select more than one."

Although the significance of this remained unclear to most, the core disciples and true disciples understood that this was a rare and crucial opportunity.

"True disciple Ye Yunqi, your Tidal Bloodline is suited for my Han Hai Peak. Join us, and you'll receive 10,000 contribution points and be taken as a disciple by a Transcendent Realm elder. Your bloodline may even evolve into a Saint-Level Bloodline," one figure declared, their aura surging like ocean tides.

"Ha! Is my Tianlan Peak not also one of the Twelve Supreme Peaks? Can we not also elevate your Tidal Bloodline to Saint-Level?" another figure retorted. "Moreover, 10,000 contribution points are paltry. Join Tianlan Peak, and we'll supply half the resources needed for your bloodline evolution."

One after another, representatives from the Twelve Supreme Peaks vied for Ye Yunqi, offering ever more enticing terms. The other disciples couldn't help but feel envious.

"Ye Yunqi, I am your granduncle, representing the Tianchang Peak, also one of the Twelve Supreme Peaks," another figure announced.

Observing the scene, Chen Feng noticed that only the Twelve Supreme Peaks competed for Ye Yunqi, while the remaining 60 Peaks remained silent.

"The Twelve Supreme Peaks?" Chen Feng mused. "Does that mean the other 60 Peaks are less prestigious?"

After considering his options, Ye Yunqi ultimately chose Tianchang Peak.

Chen Feng, watching intently, couldn't help but feel both tense and expectant.

"Which Peak will choose me?" he wondered.

[--------------------------------------------]

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