Chapter 296: Chapter 295 Dan Yang Peak, Pill Flame Realm (4th update, requesting subscription)
In the great hall, Sun Beiwang spoke, "Fellow Daoist, it’s time to undergo the assessment!"
"What exactly does it entail?"
Lu Xuanji asked curiously.
"This is a secret realm left by the ancestor, Dan Yang Celestial Venerable. It was initially used to test disciples, but now it’s used to gauge the level of a Golden Core Elder. After all, how capable a Golden Core Elder is, my words don’t count. Neither do yours; the assessment decides!"
"According to the assessment, it’s divided into three levels: Copper Medal, Silver Medal, and Gold Medal! The benefits for each level of the medal vary as well, but I won’t say much more here. You should go for the assessment! You’ll understand when the time comes!"
Sun Beiwang said.
"Alright!"
Lu Xuanji nodded, stood up, and left.
The two maids followed closely behind.
In the Dan Yang Sect region, sky flight is prohibited, so one can only move forward swiftly using escape techniques.
Continuously advancing northwestward.
Gradually, a mountain peak appeared directly ahead.
The mountain wasn’t tall, yet it exuded a terrifying aura. At the foot of the mountain was a stone stele, on which were carved three characters.
Dan Yang Peak.
This was the mountain left by the ancestor of the Dan Yang Sect, the Divinity Transformation Celestial Venerable.
The assessment was to take place here.
When Lu Xuanji arrived, seven or eight Golden Core cultivators were standing by, along with some Purple Mansion cultivators scattered around, and on the outskirts were numerous Foundation Establishment cultivators. Many cultivators had gathered here, curiously observing this newly promoted elder.
"This is the Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall, Yun Feng!"
"This is the Hall Master of the Pill Hall, Zhao Ming!"
"This is the Hall Master of the Artifact Hall, Ye Changming!"
"This is the Hall Master of the Merit Hall, Yun Changge!"
Sect Leader Sun introduced the Golden Core cultivators present. There were about twelve of them here, apart from a few who were traveling, in secluded meditation, or guarding special areas, unable to come. Everyone else was here.
On one hand, they wanted to acquaint themselves with this new Golden Core elder, as it might be beneficial in the future; on the other hand, they wanted to see how Elder Lu would fare in the assessment and what level of token he would obtain.
Different tokens represent different levels, and the benefits vary significantly.
While greeting everyone, Lu Xuanji suddenly saw a familiar figure. He approached with clasped hands and said, "Greetings, father-in-law."
This person was precisely the Ye Family’s Golden Core, Ye Xuance.
Ye Xuance waved and said, "Father-in-law is an overstatement, as you and Linglong have yet to marry!"
Lu Xuanji said, "You can’t say that, after all, there was an engagement in the past."
Ye Xuance, with a complex expression, said, "It’s just, after hundreds of years without seeing each other, you’ve already stepped into the Golden Core, with extraordinary talent. It’s a pity you couldn’t be with Linglong!"
Lu Xuanji said, "Even so, I’m still the son-in-law of the Ye Family!"
The two greeted each other in a manner suggesting closeness.
After the pleasantries, Lu Xuanji began to ascend Dan Yang Peak to undergo the assessment.
Lu Xuance’s expression was complex, vaguely tinged with regret.
Back then, Ye Linglong awakened a special constitution, had boundless potential, and received an invitation from the Divine Water Palace. There was a thought of breaking off the engagement. However, the Ye Family couldn’t do so, as they couldn’t afford to lose face for reneging on their word, and thus, Ye Linglong faked her death and left.
Then she went overseas to join the Divine Water Palace.
In the Divine Water Palace, Ye Linglong apprenticed under a Nascent Soul cultivator, and not long ago, she advanced to the Golden Core, showing limitless potential.
But Lu Xuanji was not lacking either, also advancing to the Golden Core.
They were originally a perfect pair, but eventually parted ways.
Should the matter be exposed, it would harm the relationship between the Lu Family and the Ye Family.
...
With his steps flashing, Lu Xuanji began to climb Dan Yang Peak.
At the point of advancing ten steps, suddenly a stone stele ahead flickered, a ray of light shone upon Lu Xuanji’s body.
Subsequently, the stone stele gathered a brilliant light, gradually forming the figure of an elder with an immortal aura, exuding a faint ethereal aura. Standing there, he emanated a majestic aura, as if a giant beast was slowly awakening.
It was Dan Yang Celestial Venerable.
This was also the first stage, where the stone stele would conjure an incarnation of Dan Yang Celestial Venerable, with the same realm as the challenger.
"Junior, take this!"
At that moment, the incarnation spoke, launching a punch at him. Though the punch appeared gentle, without much force, as it struck, it contained immense power, like an incessant blaze burning everything, tearing everything apart.
Lu Xuanji took a deep breath, activated the Pure Yang True Flame, and blasted out in a beam of light.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
In an instant, the two sides clashed fiercely.
The spectators watched with keen interest, even taking bets enthusiastically.
Sect Leader Sun asked, "Fellow Daoists, how long do you think Elder Lu can hold out? How many moves before he is defeated?"
Elder Yun smiled, "The Celestial Venerable’s incarnation is considerate towards juniors, wielding Great Success Realm divine techniques in the first thirty moves; from thirty to fifty moves, the techniques elevate to the Perfection Realm; beyond fifty moves, there’s an infusion of the realm into the divine techniques!"
"I bet he’ll be defeated within thirty moves!"
Zhao Changlao laughed, "Not necessarily in thirty moves, holding out till forty shouldn’t be an issue."
"Then I’ll bet fifty moves!"
"Fellow Daoist, you’re bound to lose!"
"That may not be the case!"
"I don’t think it’ll work!"
"Three Pure Yang Pills!"
"Then it’s two Purple Mansion Pills for me!"
Instantly, the Golden Core elders present began a betting pool, the stakes were modest, only involving Third Grade elixirs, merely for amusement.
...
Boom! Boom! Boom!
At this moment, the two sides engaged rapidly, exchanging blows quickly.
After thirty moves, the techniques began to change. The incarnation of Dan Yang Celestial Venerable became fiercer, with the techniques reaching completion, the fist technique more sharp, tearing everything apart.
Lu Xuanji gathered his breath, his aura surging, the Elemental Magnetic Celestial Saber unleashed, bursting forth with the power of the Perfection Realm, continuously advancing to slash.
The incarnation attacked with fists seemingly forged from vajra, constantly colliding with the Elemental Magnetic Celestial Saber, producing a humming sound.
As if striking iron.
Amid the astonishment of the crowd, fifty moves were reached.
At fifty moves, the incarnation’s aura amplified, reminding, "Be careful! I’m going to use the Pill Fire Divine Intent!"
The right hand transformed, a Great Cauldron appeared in the void, engraved with runes resembling undulating dragons and snakes, shifting like spirits, constantly growing larger, transforming into a ten-foot-tall Great Cauldron, descending with overwhelming force.
In terms of attack power, it wasn’t particularly strong, only at the Early Stage of the Golden Core.
Yet with the enhancement of the Pill Fire Realm, the Great Cauldron’s power rose, the techniques became lively, filled with vitality, the power inexplicably increased, evolving into a higher-level attack, descending forcefully.