After the Examiner Elder announced the results of Mu Jinyu's group, Wei Ziping had already changed his clothes and returned.
As soon as he returned and saw the Elder announcing the test results, his face turned ashen, and he coldly looked at Mu Jinyu, saying:
"Next is the Actual Combat Assessment. I originally intended to challenge Yun Ge, but now, you've made me very angry. I won't challenge Yun Ge first now. If you have the guts, come challenge me!"
The rules of the Actual Combat Assessment are simple: Inner Sect disciples can only challenge the genius disciples on the List of Outstanding Talents. Those on the list can only challenge opponents ranked higher than themselves.
Take Yun Ge for example. He is currently ranked first on the List of Outstanding Talents, so he cannot challenge Wei Ziping and Mu Jinyu actively. Wei Ziping, who ranks second, also cannot actively challenge Mu Jinyu. But Mu Jinyu can challenge them anytime.
The assessment is judged by the best of five, with each person having five opportunities to challenge their opponent. They must win three times against stronger opponents to pass.
This counts as passing the Actual Combat Assessment!
Of course, if no one dares to challenge, it is naturally considered a pass.
Like Yun Ge, he cannot actively challenge anyone and can only passively accept challenges from others. However, only a few like Wei Ziping and Wei Qingfeng would dare to challenge him.
After defeating these few, if no one dares to challenge him, he naturally passes the assessment.
"Alright, since you are determined to be defeated, I will not refuse."
Mu Jinyu saw Wei Ziping eager to challenge him and said calmly.
"Hmph, you sound confident. I hope your true combat prowess matches your cheating skills!" Wei Ziping said disdainfully.
He still couldn't accept Mu Jinyu's heaven-defying performance on the tests and insisted that Mu Jinyu's scores were obtained through cheating!
But the Elders and others were blinded by Mu Jinyu, while he saw through Mu Jinyu's true nature!
Mu Jinyu smiled and ignored him.
Wei Ziping always felt that the guy had a bit of a problem with his brain, being both arrogant and conceited, exuding an indescribable sense of superiority.
When the Examiner Elder saw they were finished talking, he slightly unfurrowed his brows and then explained the rules and passing criteria of the Actual Combat Assessment before announcing the start of the challenges!
As his voice fell, no one at the scene could wait to challenge anyone.
Everyone looked at Mu Jinyu expectantly, wondering if he would challenge Wei Ziping!
Wei Ziping also stared at Mu Jinyu anxiously with warning eyes, hinting to him, hurry up and challenge me, or you are a useless coward...
Mu Jinyu sensed the anticipation in everyone's eyes, smiled lightly, and said: "Since no one wants to challenge anyone, I will be the first to take action and challenge Brother Wei."
"Good, you have guts. Come on!"
Wei Ziping, seeing Mu Jinyu challenge him, immediately burst forth with blazing battle intent in his cold eyes. He smirked and, after speaking, stomped the ground with both feet, leaping into the air and landing on the nearby Combat Platform!
Standing on the Combat Platform, Wei Ziping unhurriedly took out a pair of knuckles and put them on, waiting for Mu Jinyu to come up!
Mu Jinyu, not showing off like him, walked toward the Combat Platform.
The crowd saw this and automatically made way for Mu Jinyu to pass easily.
"Tap, tap, tap..."
Mu Jinyu walked up to the Combat Platform, looking relaxed and unhurried without a trace of tension or fear of challenging Wei Ziping.
On the contrary, Wei Ziping, seeing Mu Jinyu's slow steps, couldn't help but frown and scold: "What are you dawdling for? Like a sissy!"
Mu Jinyu said nothing, took out the Sacred Wood Branch, and said: "Please!"
Facing Wei Ziping, who repeatedly provoked him, Mu Jinyu, though generally good-tempered, was somewhat angered, especially since his temper wasn't particularly good to begin with!
So, since Wei Ziping was intent on defeat, Mu Jinyu would fulfill his wish and took out the Sacred Wood Branch right away.
"Hmph!"
Wei Ziping, seeing Mu Jinyu take out the Sacred Wood Branch, flashed a trace of fear in his eyes but soon snorted coldly, his fear vanishing instantly.
He roared, leaping into the air, with his fists flashing tiger-head shadows and golden light, smashing toward Mu Jinyu's head!
"Tiger Tyrant Fist!"
Mu Jinyu, watching Wei Ziping's terrifying punch, remained expressionless, lightly swinging the Sacred Wood Branch to perform the 'Great Freedom Heavenly Wood Sword Qi'!
"Boom!!"
Instantly, a sharp and unparalleled sword Qi emanated from the Sacred Wood Branch, slicing straight at Wei Ziping in mid-air!
"Bang!!"
Wei Ziping, seeing this, showed no fear. His eyes were filled with more arrogance and disdain as he punched out and shattered Mu Jinyu's sword Qi. Then, sinking his waist, he descended toward Mu Jinyu!
"Die!"
Wei Ziping descended from the sky, like a heavenly god descending, shouting ferociously, and punched out fiercely. His violent fist intent surged like raging waves toward Mu Jinyu!
Mu Jinyu, below, watched Wei Ziping pounce toward him. Instinctively, he wanted to raise his sword and slash, but in a daze, he seemed to see a fierce tiger breaking through a cage and leaping at him!
The tiger roared with evil Qi, causing tremors in the heart and mind!
Mu Jinyu's movements stagnated for a moment, unable to lift his sword to slash!
"This is!"
Watching from below, Yun Ge and the Examiner Elder, seeing Wei Ziping's punch, both turned pale with a touch of incredulity!
"This is an Intent Domain, not mere Fist Intent!"
"When did he also comprehend the Intent Domain?!"
Yun Ge's mind tightened, feeling extremely uneasy.
He never expected that Wei Ziping, who had always been suppressed by him, had secretly comprehended the Intent Domain, hence his confidence in challenging him!
But when did Wei Ziping comprehend the Intent Domain?!
Yun Ge felt a bit at a loss.
Then he thought about this Inner Gate Assessment. Wei Ziping indeed showed many strange behaviors, which he had subconsciously ignored.
Like his temper, though it was always foul, it wasn't as arrogant as it was today!
And in the Strength Assessment, where he managed to sound the bell and drum simultaneously, outperforming himself...
These had subtly indicated that Wei Ziping's strength had surpassed his own.
Both being in the Ninth Layer of the Divine Transformation Realm, Wei Ziping, who was suppressed by him, couldn't have exceeded him without reason. The only explanation was that Wei Ziping had comprehended the Intent Domain!
Judging from Wei Ziping's behavior, the Intent Domain he comprehended differed from Mu Jinyu's My Way State of Mind. It should be a Self Realm!
As Yun Ge deduced Wei Ziping's Intent Domain, on the Combat Platform, Mu Jinyu was a step slower to react and was sent flying by Wei Ziping's punch, his Sacred Wood Branch slipping from his grasp!
"Puff!"
Mu Jinyu nearly rolled off the Combat Platform but ultimately stood firm, struggling to get up, and spat out a mouthful of clotted blood.
Wei Ziping's punch just now showed no mercy. Caught off guard, Mu Jinyu naturally suffered severe injuries.
However, Mu Jinyu possessed Life Source Energy, ensuring rapid recovery from even severe injuries, so he didn't mind these wounds.
But in the eyes of the onlookers, Mu Jinyu was significantly injured, seemingly no match for Wei Ziping.