Chapter 7: The Bet with Jiang Churan
Creak—
The main gate of the Xuanyuan Sect slowly opened, and several middle-aged men stepped out.
They were all dressed uniformly in grayish-white sect robes, walking with heads held high and eyes sharp and spirited—these were the outer gate elders.
“Ahem, quiet down!”
One elder stood atop the steps, overlooking the dense crowd below, and shouted loudly.
Instantly, the noisy crowd fell silent.
“The testing grounds are limited. Only those under eighteen years old are allowed to enter the sect. Others may leave now or wait until the assessment concludes before departing.”
After the elder’s announcement, most of the family factions chose to wait outside for the results.
After all, if their candidates failed, they could escort them back conveniently.
A small number of factions, confident in their juniors, saw no need to stay.
“Form orderly lines, strictly no noise. Violators will be disqualified!”
Led by the officials, the young boys and girls, filled with anticipation, cautiously stepped through the mountain gate.
Inside the sect, the scenery was far superior—palaces stood in clusters, ancient pavilions dotted the landscape, and the ground was paved with fine azure bricks. Along the paths, exotic flowers and rare grasses flourished, colorful butterflies fluttered about, and a gentle fragrance lingered in the air.
It felt like entering a celestial paradise, refreshing and uplifting the spirit.
Eventually, everyone was led to a spacious open-air plaza.
The plaza was enormous, covering five hundred acres, easily accommodating one hundred thousand people.
This time, over thirty thousand new disciples were participating—ample space indeed.
At the center of the plaza stood a round elevated platform, offering an excellent vantage point to oversee the crowd.
On the platform were eight chairs, occupied by the seven peak masters and the sect leader.
The Xuanyuan Sect had always taken new disciple selection seriously; the peak masters and the sect leader had to be present.
Beside the eight sat dozens of elders and officials, responsible for maintaining security and order.
“I am Murong Yan, head of Xuanyuan Sect. I welcome all of you to this entrance examination.”
Murong Yan stepped forward before the platform, hands clasped behind his back, clad in a purple brocade python robe. His thick brows and square face exuded authority tempered with elegance.
Below, many young boys and girls opened wide eyes filled with awe, barely daring to breathe.
They had heard from their elders that this Murong Sect Leader was a formidable figure even the five great dynasties bowed to, his power terrifyingly immense.
“Now, Elder Wu Ming will introduce the assessment rules.”
Murong Yan finished speaking and returned to his central seat.
After a moment, a man in his fifties stepped forward and announced loudly:
“The assessment consists of two stages. To ensure fairness, it will not consider cultivation levels but will solely test basic talent and comprehension. There is no need to worry.”
With that, he waved his hand casually.
A ten-meter-tall black stone stele materialized, slowly descending before the disciples’ eyes.
“This is the Talent Stele, used to measure the efficiency of one’s blood and qi transformation. Simply place your palm into the groove beneath the stele and wait for two breaths.”
For martial artists, the core of training was qi and blood; the efficiency of their conversion and absorption often determined their innate talent.
“The minimum passing grade for the first stage is Yellow Grade, mid-level talent. Only the top 3,500 may enter the outer gate.”
Wu Ming Elder spoke solemnly, “Additionally, those reaching the upper Yellow Grade of the Profound level may skip the second stage and enter the inner gate directly. Those with Earth-level talent may leap directly into the true disciple rank!”
Upon hearing this, the newcomers erupted with excitement.
The status of an inner disciple in Xuanyuan Sect was priceless; even great marquises dared not offend them.
True disciples were famed warriors with immense power and influence.
Clearing this stage was like a carp leaping through the dragon gate—once crossed, the world lay open.
Yet the pass rate was exceedingly low.
With thirty thousand participants, nearly ninety percent would be eliminated in the first stage alone.
—
On the viewing platform, several peak masters chatted idly.
“Do you think this year’s newcomers will produce an Earth-level prodigy?”
“I doubt it. It’s been over ten years since we last admitted someone with Earth-level talent...”
“Perhaps a few more this year—we should take on more apprentices.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Earth-level prodigies are rarer than cabbages in the vast Eastern Wasteland. They’re not just anyone you can see on a whim.”
...
Listening to this, Elder Wu Ming shook his head, hoping only to recruit a few more Profound-level talents this year.
“Enough chatter. Line up in two rows and begin testing!”
He produced another Talent Stele, placing it beside the first.
With so many candidates, this saved a great deal of time.
Soon, all the newcomers queued orderly for testing.
A round-faced boy confidently placed his palm into the groove.
Moments later, a faint yellow glow flickered on the stele’s surface.
“Tang Xiaosan, Yellow Grade, lower level—failed. Next!”
An official holding a pen announced beside him.
“How could this be...”
The round-faced boy’s eyes dulled, his spirit crushed as he walked away.
He carried the hope of his entire family’s revival, yet failed to even enter the outer gate.
The second candidate was a young girl, beautiful in appearance.
When she placed her palm down, the stele glowed a deep yellow.
“Huang Qingqing, upper Yellow Grade talent. Eligible for outer gate. Come stand behind me.”
An official noted the girl’s result.
Under many envious, youthful gazes, Huang Qingqing stood excitedly behind the official.
“Cai Kunkun, Yellow Grade, lower level—failed.”
“Ma Baoxian, failed...”
The atmosphere grew tenser as testing sped up.
Yet after two hundred tested, only five had passed.
Most were of mediocre talent.
Li Wudao and his companions arrived late, at the end of the line.
“At this rate, we’ll be here till dark.”
He listened to the Li family disciples’ wails with boredom.
“This is too harsh,” murmured Wan La.
“Nearly five hundred tested, not a single Profound-level talent. Inner discipleship is a tough climb.”
“I think I’m doomed.”
The nine young disciples of the Li family were anxious and pressured.
“Young master, aren’t you worried at all?”
Li Dabao approached curiously, observing Li Wudao’s calm demeanor.
“What’s there to worry about? Just do it.”
Li Wudao grinned.
Though he knew that among the nine, only Li Dabao, Li Chang, and Li Xiaoyu had chances to enter the outer gate.
As if recalling something,
Li Wudao turned to Jiang Churan beside him with interest and asked, “Do you think, with my talent, I can make it into the outer gate?”
The girl stood amidst the crowd like a bright moon, her hair dancing lightly, her beauty so striking that nearby girls paled in comparison.
“Unlikely.”
Jiang Churan frowned softly, speaking sparingly.
She acknowledged some change in Li Wudao, but talent was heaven-bestowed and hard to alter after birth.
In her previous life, a candidate with lower Yellow-grade talent barely scraped by by buying a menial disciple position.
“Why don’t we make a bet? If I pass the outer gate exam, hmm... you’ll fight on my behalf once.”
Jiang Churan was stunned, unsure where his confidence came from.
“Deal.”
She was curious to see what tricks he had.
Seeing the girl agree,
Li Wudao’s eyes twinkled as he added, “Since that’s the case, let’s raise the stakes. If I become a true disciple, you protect me unconditionally for a year, ready whenever I call. Dare you?”
True disciple?
Had this guy lost his mind?
“Are you sure you’ll become a true disciple?”
The girl’s brows knitted deeper, nearly disbelieving her ears. “What if you fail?”
“If I lose, I’ll give you a replenishing pill.”
Li Wudao smiled faintly, producing a small porcelain bottle from his sleeve and handing it over.
Jiang Churan half-believed as she opened the bottle, startled by the pill inside.
“It’s really a replenishing pill, and of perfect quality. Where did you get this?”
A Grade Five spirit pill—very helpful to her now, enough to break through two minor realms.
“Don’t ask. Just tell me if you dare to bet.”
Li Wudao grinned.
Always looking to gain an advantage.
Knowing the so-called prodigal’s personality well, he would never be a “fearful lizard” but would agree strongly and crush the opponent decisively.
“Fine, I’m in.”
Sure enough, Jiang Churan took a deep breath and agreed without hesitation.
The pill was a prize she must obtain.
Besides, she thought Li Wudao’s talent was absolutely insufficient to become a true disciple.
This bet was a sure win.
Jiang Churan originally intended to return the pill to Li Wudao temporarily.
But he refused.
“No worries, keep it for now. No rush.”
Li Wudao appeared calm, but inside he was elated.
Just a single replenishing pill—he had plenty more where that came from.
With his current talent attributes, passing the first stage was no problem.
This was a sure bet—victory guaranteed.