Chapter 24: The Battle of Choosing a Master
The clamor in the arena hadn't yet completely died down, and the competition for the final rankings continued. The aftermath of Ye Li's battle with Shi Feng, like a boulder dropped into a lake, continued to ripple through the hearts of all the contestants and spectators.
Although the following matches were also quite exciting, with clashes of geniuses and the emergence of dark horses, they seemed unable to surpass the shock brought by the seventh game, where the weak defeated the strong and the exquisite reversal.
Luo Bing's opponent was a member of an aristocratic family who had also reached the early stages of the Condensed Veins Realm. However, faced with the bone-chilling icy aura, he only managed ten moves before his weapon froze, forcing him to surrender. Her fighting style was ruthless and efficient, a stark contrast to Ye Li's agility and cunning.
Lin Yu's opponent was a disciple known for his defense. Young Master Zheshan did not display overly violent attack power, but he was always able to break through the opponent's defense at the most appropriate time and in the most labor-saving way, and ultimately win with ease, appearing to be at ease and unfathomable.
Su Wanyun also won a battle with difficulty. Her skills seemed to favor wood-based recovery and control. Although her attack power was not obvious, she was very resilient. Ye Shi encountered a strong enemy and lost after a hard fight, but he also won respect.
When the final match was decided and all the arenas fell silent, only about thirty disciples remained. Each one was wounded, their breathing fluctuating, but their eyes were exceptionally bright. To have made it this far was enough to be proud.
On the high platform, the white-haired old man who presided over the assessment slowly stood up, his eyes swept over the group of elites who had gone through three tests and were selected, with a satisfied smile on his face.
"The Xuanyun Sect's entrance examinations for this year have concluded." His voice was calm, yet contained undeniable authority. "Next, the final ranking will be determined based on your combined performance in the three assessments: the Azure Cloud Ladder, the Illusionary Killing Formation, and the Arena Battle!"
Several deacon disciples quickly stepped forward and presented the jade slips that had already been counted.
The old man took the jade slip, scanned it with his spiritual sense, nodded slightly, and began to read out the final ranking aloud:
"100th place, Wang Zhao!"
"Ninety-ninth, Li..."
…
The names were read out one by one, and most of the disciples whose names were called showed joy. Being able to enter the top 100 was already one in ten thousand.
The higher you go in the rankings, the more tense the atmosphere becomes.
"Twentieth place, Yeshi!"
Upon hearing this, Ye Shi clenched his fists tightly. Although he felt reluctant, he was more excited.
"Fifteenth place, Su Wanyun!"
Su Wanyun breathed a sigh of relief and smiled gently.
"Tenth place, Zhang..."
"Ninth place..."
"Eighth..."
"Seventh place, Shi Feng!"
Shi Feng looked up abruptly when he heard his name, his face filled with resentment and frustration. He glared at Ye Li fiercely, but could only accept reality. Although he lost to Ye Li, his performance in the first two levels and the subsequent arena battles were still impressive.
"Sixth place, Lin Yu!"
When Mr. Lin Yu, the young man with a folding fan, heard this ranking, his fanning hand paused slightly, and a barely perceptible gloom flashed in his eyes, but he quickly returned to smiling, as if he didn't care at all.
"Fifth place..."
"Fourth place..."
"Third place, Luo Bing!"
The cold and beautiful girl Luo Bing's expression remained unchanged. She seemed to have no objection to this ranking, but she just glanced ahead again.
Finally, only the top two have yet to be announced!
Everyone's heart was in their throat!
The old man's eyes fell on the last two names, and his voice became louder:
"Second place, Wu Hao!" (Can be set to another steady-performing genius in the Condensed Veins Realm)
A calm young man was stunned for a moment, seemed a little surprised, and then bowed in response.
So first place...
Everyone's eyes, like a spotlight, instantly focused on that always calm figure!
The old man's smile deepened, and his voice spread throughout the audience:
"The person who ranks first in this assessment overall is Ye Li!"
boom!
Although it was expected, when the name was officially announced, there was still an uncontrollable cry and uproar at the scene!
First on the Azure Cloud Ladder! Impressive performance in the Illusion Killing Formation! Defeated Shi Feng in the Arena Battle, advancing to the semifinals (maybe due to exhaustion or other reasons, he didn't participate again, or was awarded first place based on his overall performance)!
My performance in all three tests was absolutely perfect! This first place is well-deserved!
“It’s actually number one!”
"With the peak cultivation of the Qiling Realm, he overwhelmed many people in the Condensing Veins Realm! Too strong!"
"From today on, the name Ye Li will be heard throughout the outer sect!"
Ye Li listened to the surrounding discussions without much emotion. This first place was earned through her strength and calculation, and she deserved it. More importantly, it meant that she would receive the best entry treatment and the right to choose.
On the high platform, the old man's voice rang out again: "Those who rank in the top 100 will officially become outer disciples of the Xuanyun Sect! Those who rank in the top 10 can choose to join the various peaks and are eligible to become disciples of the inner sect elders! The top three..."
He paused, looking at Ye Li, Wu Hao, and Luo Bing: "They can be selected by the peak masters or inner sect elders of each peak, or they can choose their own master!"
As soon as these words were spoken, not only the disciples below the stage, but also many inner sect elders on the platform sat up straight, looking at the three people below the stage with burning eyes, especially Ye Li!
Become a disciple of the Peak Master or the Inner Sect Elder! This means a higher starting point, better resources, and a more powerful backer!
Almost at the moment the old man finished speaking, several powerful divine thoughts swept towards Ye Li without any hesitation, with the intention of examining and recruiting him.
An elder in a red robe and with a fiery temper spoke first, his voice as resounding as a bell: "Ye Li! I am Chi Yangzi, the elder of Tianzhen Peak! Judging from your performance in the Illusion Killing Array, you have a natural talent for formations! If you join Tianzhen Peak, I will personally accept you as my disciple and teach you the supreme art of formations!"
Another elder in green robes, whose aura was as sharp as a sword, immediately said, "Little girl, the way of the sword is the right way to kill! Your finger techniques are sharp and your body movements are swift, so you should practice swordsmanship! If you want to join my Qingyun Peak, I can recommend you and even ask the Peak Master to see if you are worthy of being trained!" This elder was cautious and did not directly promise to accept him as a disciple, but he did throw out the temptation of becoming the Peak Master.
"Hmph! This woman is resolute and resolute, perfectly suiting the iron-blooded style of our Law Enforcement Hall!" The stern-faced elder of the Law Enforcement Hall also spoke, "Join the Law Enforcement Hall, and you will receive preferential resources, choose any cultivation technique you want, and hone your combat skills!"
Immediately afterwards, three or four more Inner Sect elders offered olive branches, each one more generous than the last. The disciples in the square were stunned and filled with envy.
However, Ye Li, who was being fought over by many elders, frowned slightly.
The peaks where these elders resided were undoubtedly powerful factions within the Xuanyun Sect. However, whether it was Tianzhen Peak, Qingyun Peak, or the Law Enforcement Hall, they were all too prominent, with complex relationships among disciples and numerous factions. As a newcomer with no background, she would undoubtedly gain resources by rashly joining them, but she would also be easily drawn into unnecessary disputes, becoming a pawn in factional struggles, and even risking disaster due to the jealousy of her talent.
This wasn't what she wanted. She needed a relatively quiet environment where she could grow quietly and build strength. Resources were important, but freedom and a low profile were even more important.
Just as she was weighing the pros and cons, a slightly old but gentle voice sounded, neither hurried nor slow, without the oppressive feeling of the other elders:
"I am Yundan Peak, and I am also the Lay Buddhist Muyun. Although Yundan Peak is not primarily a battle peak, nor is it renowned for its formations or swords, the Dao of Alchemy, the Dao of Talismans, and other miscellaneous studies are the foundation of our Xuanyun Sect. I have observed that you have a calm mind and are quite insightful about subtle matters. Would you be willing to train with us at Yundan Peak? Although I am not talented, I can protect you from worries during your early training and perhaps even clear up some of your doubts regarding the Dao of Alchemy and Talismans."
Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw the speaker, an elderly man sitting slightly to the side, wearing a simple grey robe and with a kind face. He had a reserved aura, not as outspoken as the other elders, but his eyes were warm and deep, and he had a certain dignity.
"Yundan Peak? Elder Muyun?"
"Yundan Peak is indeed a low-key existence within the sect, primarily focusing on alchemy and talisman making..."
"Elder Muyun is said to have a gentle personality, rarely fights with others, and has few disciples..."
"Will Ye Li choose that place? Isn't that a bit of a waste of talent?"
There were whispers from the audience. The other elders who had spoken to recruit people also looked surprised, as if they had not expected that Master Muyun would come out to snatch people away.
Ye Li's heart moved.
Yundan Peak! The Dao of Alchemy and the Dao of Talismans! These were the weaknesses she desperately needed to address! She possessed the experience of her past life and the Samsara Mirror, possessing both advanced techniques and combat awareness. However, she was practically blank on the secondary professions of alchemy and talisman-making, which required extensive foundational knowledge and practical experience. These were crucial for her future path of cultivation!
Elder Muyun had a gentle demeanor and clear eyes, unlike any cunning individual. Furthermore, his promises, rather than overbearing promises like "protecting you from worries during your early cultivation" and "resolving some of your doubts," seemed genuine and down-to-earth. The relatively simple nature of Yundan Peak perfectly suited her needs for a low-key development.
As for resources...she is confident that she can obtain them with her own abilities!
Ye Li's mind raced as he made a decision.
She ignored the burning gazes of the other elders, took a step forward, and bowed in the direction of Master Muyun, her voice clear and firm:
"Disciple Ye Li, I wish to enter Yundan Peak and thank Elder Mu Yun for his favor!"
As the voice fell, the whole audience suddenly fell silent!
Everyone was stunned!
She actually chose Yundan Peak? She chose Monk Muyun?
Have you given up on Tianzhen Peak, Qingyun Peak, and Law Enforcement Hall, which are obviously more powerful and have richer resources?
Even Mr. Muyun himself seemed stunned for a moment, then a gentle smile appeared on his face, he stroked his beard and nodded: "Okay, okay."
The other elders who had been recruited had rather interesting expressions on their faces. Chi Yangzi puffed his beard and glared, seeming quite dissatisfied. The elder in green robes shook his head and sighed. The elder in the Law Enforcement Hall had a stern expression, his mood unremarkable.
A hint of surprise flashed across the eyes of the white-haired old man in the center of the platform, which then turned into a meaningful smile without saying much.
"Now that the choice has been made, it is settled." He finally made the final decision. "All disciples, according to your ranking and the elders' choice, return to your respective positions! Tomorrow, the deacons will arrange your initiation!"
The dust has settled.
Amidst countless puzzled, regretful, and even mocking gazes, Ye Li walked towards Yundan Peak with a calm expression.
She knew that this choice might seem foolish to many people.
But she knows better what is best for her.
Yundan Peak may be the starting point for her true rise in the Xuanyun Sect.
And that Mr. Muyun might be even more extraordinary than she imagined.
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