Volume One, Chapter 12: The Blade Emperor Hall Selection

Page 1/3

Tang Xi leisurely returned home, his mood exceptionally pleasant. After a refreshing bath, he checked the system to see how Jian Qingyu was doing.

...

The Immortal Power Dao Emperor Hall was holding its once-in-a-decade disciple selection.

Jian Qingyu arrived at Dao Emperor Mountain, where an ancient blade pierced the clouds, exuding a desolate aura.

A sea of young people gathered, coming from all corners of Tianjian Continent, including heirs of various factions, princes and princesses of the mundane dynasty, and countless seekers of immortality and the Dao.

Jian Qingyu’s ethereal beauty drew the attention of many young nobles, who pretended to be refined as they approached her.

“Beautiful lady, I am Long Yang, the thirteenth prince of the Jianyang Dynasty. I have reached the sixth layer of Qi Refinement and would like to make your acquaintance.”

“Scram!”

Long Yang’s handsome face darkened suddenly. How could a prince endure such humiliation?

“Hmph! Were it not for your looks, do you truly believe this prince would take any notice of you?”

“Scram!”

Jian Qingyu snapped again. Upon hearing this, Long Yang had no choice but to restrain his harsh words. No matter how bold he was, he dared not act recklessly during the Dao Emperor Hall’s disciple recruitment. To offend the Dao Emperor Hall was to invite ruin; a mere sneeze from them could devastate the Jianyang Dynasty.

Watching from afar, Tang Xi wore a satisfied expression. With this, he no longer worried about Jian Qingyu being deceived by some blondie.

Jian Qingyu paid no mind to this minor episode. Her brows slightly furrowed as she observed the surrounding talents.

Some were indeed extraordinary; even if their realms were not high, their foundational strength was formidable.

Among them were little Golden Core cultivators, whose ages seemingly did not meet the Dao Emperor Hall’s recruitment criteria.

Dong~ Dong~ Dong~

Three ancient, resonant bell tolls echoed. Suddenly, the vast Dao Emperor Mountain grew unusually silent.

A blade’s ringing sounded in the sky, and a strong aura of blade intent filled the heavens and earth. Three middle-aged men, each bearing an ancient blade on their backs, hovered midair, walking through the void and stirring spatial ripples.

“They are Nascent Soul cultivators of the Purple Mansion, only they can muster such an imposing presence.”

Many exclaimed. Nascent Soul cultivators were already considered foundational strength in the mortal dynasties; a higher realm Purple Mansion Nascent Soul cultivator was merely an examiner in the Dao Emperor Hall.

The three slowly descended. The middle man’s voice was stern.

“Today is the once-in-ten-years disciple recruitment of the Dao Emperor Hall. The assessment is simple: those who toll the ‘Inquiry Bell’ once may enter as support disciples; twice, as outer disciples; six times, as inner disciples; and nine times, may enter as imperial scions.”

“I am Gu Bo, in charge of this selection.”

Every eye present gleamed with anticipation. They were all local prodigies, confident they would surpass others.

Gu Bo smiled faintly, knowing their expressions would soon change.

Page 2/3

Ordinary geniuses barely reached the outer discipleship.

The ‘Inquiry Bell,’ towering a hundred meters high, stood suspended midair, covered in ancient runes. Deep and vast, it was a semi-immortal artifact, a treasure of the sect’s heritage.

“Place your hand on the Inquiry Bell and strike it with full force. Remember, give it your all; do not hold back. The bell disregards realm differences, judging cultivators by different standards. Do not worry that higher realms have an advantage. Of course, if you are young and high in realm, ignore what I said.”

The first to step forward was Long Yang. The Jianyang Dynasty held some fame even in the mortal dynasties.

He approached the Inquiry Bell, placed his hand on it, then his right hand manifested a golden gauntlet, radiating intense golden light. His spiritual power surged, a dragon’s roar echoed through the heavens, and he punched—a golden dragon smashed against the bell.

Dong~

Dong~

Dong~

Dong~

Dong~

Dong~

The bell tolled six times. Everyone gasped in amazement.

Gu Bo and the other two Purple Mansion Nascent Soul cultivators smiled; the opening was auspicious, a good omen.

Six tolls meant this genius possessed a sacred physique, a foundation for future strength.

“Good. Long Yang tolled six times; he may enter as an inner disciple.”

Long Yang stood beside Gu Bo, smiling slyly, deliberately glancing at Jian Qingyu with a provocative look.

“Damn, my little girlfriend sure has a hard life! She just arrived and already offended a genius. But once she awakens her immortal body, she’ll blind you all,” Tang Xi thought calmly.

One after another stepped forward to toll the bell. Luck seemed to run out; after half had tried, only Long Yang had reached six tolls.

Gu Bo’s smile remained; this batch was strong. If another sacred physique emerged, that would be even better.

A petite girl with a wine gourd at her waist hopped forward. She was cute, chubby hands resting on the bell. The gourd floated up, growing larger, then smashed against the bell.

Dong~ Dong~ Dong~

The bell tolled eight times, its sound piercing the heavens, clearing one’s mind.

Gu Bo and the other two were shocked; they understood the significance better than anyone.

Boom~

At that moment, a powerful aura erupted. A woman, seemingly around thirty, suddenly appeared beside the girl. Except for a few, almost no one noticed when she arrived.

“Child, what is your name?”

The girl gripped the gourd obediently. “Senior, my name is Hong Su.”

Page 3/3

“Good. I am the Tribulation-Warding Great Sage—Bloodslaughter Great Sage. Do you wish to join my sect?”

“I am willing.”

Bloodslaughter Great Sage smiled faintly, the smile stiff and devilish.

Their figures vanished instantly.

Gu Bo wiped cold sweat from his brow. Bloodslaughter Great Sage was a lone figure; he had not expected her to appear today. Although there had been other eight-toll geniuses before, the Tribulation-Warding Great Sage did not show.

A figure in the clouds sighed softly.

“This madman recruiting disciples—wonder if this is good or bad!”

Soon it was Jian Qingyu’s turn. She approached the Inquiry Bell, touching it. A strange power surged into her, detecting her immortal body—Innate Sword Embryo. To her surprise, another even more mysterious force blocked the detection.

Drawing her sword, she slashed diagonally at the bell.

Dong~ Dong~

Only four tolls sounded—nothing too rare, not particularly eye-catching.

Tang Xi frowned. “System, what’s going on? With her talent and strength, she shouldn’t toll only four times.”

“Ding. Host’s bonded girlfriend is closely linked to the host. Being too strong breaks easily. The system has concealed her fate; no one can detect her true condition.”

“I see.”

Tang Xi recalled the Endless Demon Domain; Huang Ling had said Jian Qingyu’s fortune was low. He had thought it a slip of the tongue, but it was the system’s doing. This was actually good—growth might be slower but safer.

His hope to live off her strength would have to wait.

Jian Qingyu had already understood the unknown power.

“It’s the same power as Brother Xi’s. Could Brother Xi really be an immortal, capable of influencing a semi-immortal artifact’s detection of my talent?”

...

Dong Dong Dong~

Tang Xi wanted to continue watching but was suddenly interrupted by a knock on his door.

He immediately went on alert; he lived alone. Could it be a neighbor knocking so late at night?

...