by Shian Jeen
Noticing the indifference on Huwang Xiao’s face, Liu Yun understood that Huwang Xiao really did not mind Gudu Leng and Wang Biaoyuan, but he could only shake his mind in secret. However, he didn't say more to his Junior-Apprentice brother.
Both of them continued to drink while Liu Yun talked about matters related to cultivation. It had been two hours later when Liu Yun had taken his leave.
After Liu Yun remaining, Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi said with a hint of mirth, “Little rascal Huwang, obviously not even a single person believes that you’ll be able to take first place tomorrow ah, even your eldest Senior Apprentice-brother feels that you’re not Gudu Leng or Wang Bioyuan’s opponent. You must perform well tomorrow.”
Huwang Xiao grinned, “Three years ago I was only a half-step God Realm, I cannot blame others if they don’t believe I can win the first place.”
A quiet night passed.
Inside a certain manor in the Black Tortoise World, Wang Biaoyuan’s stature flickered in unpredictable trajectories, resembling an agile butterfly in midair.
Moments later, Wang Biaoyuan landed noiselessly on the ground.
“Congratulations to Young Lord for achieving the ninth stage of the Flower Butterfly Fantasy Maneuver movement technique.” A similar Dark Warrior Institute outer disciple from the Wang Family stepped ahead with a flattering smile, “In tomorrow’s external disciple assessment, the first place will surely belong to Young Lord!”
Wang Biaoyuan nodded with satisfaction, confidence surging from his body. Both of his fists tightly clenched as a sharp glint flickered in his eyes, “Huwang Xiao, just you wait! The humiliation from three years ago, I’ll pay it back a hundred times. Tomorrow, in the assessment arena, I want you to kneel before me before everyone!”
Sensing the horrifying aura via Wang Biaoyuan’s body, that Wang Family disciple was frightened, taking a step back again involuntarily.
“How are the things I ordered you to find out?” Wang Biaoyuan converged the aura surging out from his body, questioning the disciple.
That Wang Family disciple approached respectfully reporting, “In these 3 years, Huwang Xiao has been in closed-door practice inside the Institute Principal’s Manor, he has yet to take one step out. Therefore, this subordinate is unable to find out the extent of his strength, however, according to the subordinate’s judgment, regardless of how they praise his heaven-defying skill and how bitterly he is cultivating, he cannot be more than a peak half-step God Realm.”
Wang Biaoyuan nodded in agreement.
“In this subordinate’s opinion, Young Lord defeating Huwang Xiao tomorrow will absolutely be an easy matter. This time, Young Lord’s real opponent is Gudu Leng. From what this subordinate discovered, that Gudu Leng has advanced to Second Order God World, moreover, his Solitary God's Infinitude already reached the hundredth coating, definitely a formidable adversary.” That Wang Family disciple added.
Wang Biaoyuan said, “That Gudu Leng really succeeded in cultivating the Solitary God's Infinitude to the hundredth level, but, just what exactly, I have the self-confidence to defeat him.”
At this time, the other outer disciples were also busy sharpening their swords and knives in order to compete for a chance to enter the very best ten, top three, or even the first place!
Many outer disciples with hundred years of cultivation who participated in the previous assessments were vying for the same chance to be promoted to an inner disciple, and these external disciples’ strength rivaled some inner disciple geniuses.
…
The night trickled by, giving way to the rising sun on the horizon, brightening the dark sky as the Black Warrior Institute started to hustle with an energetic buzz.
Although today was merely the outer disciples' assessment, due to Huwang Xiao’s status, as well as Gudu Leng, Wang Biaoyuan, and the others, the external disciple assessment this time attracted the attention of many internal and elite disciples. Even the institute’s Elders and Grand Elders showed up.
Inside the inner hall of his yard, Huwang Xiao, who was meditating, opened his eye. Taking a look at the sunlight coming through the window, he stood up and walked out of the inner hall. Just as Huwang Xiao passed by the main hall, he caught view of the Institute Primary Feng Yang sitting in the primary hall.
Huwang Xiao was stunned. Guessing that the Institute Principal was waiting for him, he approached saluting respectfully: “Master.”
Institute Principal Feng Yang nodded lightly with a smile on his face, his eyes took in everything as he looked at Huwang Xiao, “I've heard about the situation with Gudu Leng and Wang Biaoyuan, if you meet these two persons in the outer disciple assessment today, there's no need force yourself, it’s good enough if you can enter the top three.”
Huwang Xiao smiled wryly in his center. He didn’t expect the Institute Primary waited for him here just to say this. Looks like even his Master wasn’t so confident that he’d have the ability to win the first place.
Top three? That meant third place.
Was this the highest expectation his Grasp had for him in this outer disciple evaluation?
“Yes, Expert.” Huwang Xiao replied.
Dark Warrior Institute Principal Feng Yang nodded, “Go, be cautious.”
Huwang Xiao answered affirmatively again, saluted, and still left the manor, heading toward the assessment location. The outer disciple assessment had not been conducted in the Supreme Harmony Hall but at the Hidden Dragon Arena. The Hidden Dragon Arena wasn’t that far away from Supreme Tranquility Hall, it was built on the peak of the mountain several thousand li from the it.
It didn’t take Huwang Xiao much time to attain the peak where the Hidden Dragon Industry was located.
The mountain peak was lopped off by the Black Warrior Institute’s experts using Godforce and the Hidden Dragon Arena was built on the flat mountain surface. The large arena was forged from an extremely hard rock kernel, elevated half of a meter from the ground, and could accommodate a few tens of thousands of people, whereas the area outside of the arena could take up to several hundred thousand.
“It’s Huwang Xiao!”
Huwang Xiao’s arrival immediately stirred the crowd. The disciples that had arrived previously all turned to look at Huwang Xiao.
Ignoring these people’s gazes, Huwang Xiao descended beside the Hidden Dragon Arena.
“I wonder how high Huwang Xiao’s strength is after three years.”
“I’ll bet he’s a peak half-God Realm for the most part. Without great fortune, there’s no way he can break through to God World.”
“If it’s like this, I’m afraid he can only just enter the very best three.”
“Top three? It’s already considered not bad if he can enter the top five.”
Similar mocking voices filled the industry.
Ch.556
A minuscule frown creased Huwang Xiao’s brows as these words grew crude and brazen, but it quickly smoothed away as he calmed down.
“Wang Biaoyuan is here!” Then, a loud shout came from the sea of disciples.
“Rumors say that Wang Biaoyuan has broken to Second Order God Realm! Also, it’s not just early order, but mid-Second Order God World!”
Under many people’s gazes, several figures were flying toward the arena at rapid swiftness. At the front was none apart from Wang Biaoyuan. Compared to three years ago, the domineering aura from Wang Biaoyuan’s body experienced increased, and the same ancient sword hung from his waist.
Wang Biaoyuan descended gently to the bottom, his eye scanned the masses and very quickly found Huwang Xiao, who was standing beside the market stage. The temperature in his eyes dropped as he contacted Huwang Xiao.
“Huwang Xiao, on the Hidden Dragon Industry stage, I will not show mercy!” Coming to a stop right in front of Huwang Xiao, Wang Biaoyuan declared coldly. “Three years ago, what you gave me, I'll return it a hundredfold to you today! I will trample on you ruthlessly!”
Huwang Xiao’s expression was indiffere
nt, “Is that so? I’ll be waiting then.”
Viewing the indifference on Huwang Xiao’s face, an inexplicable fury surged in Wang Biaoyuan’s heart. Didn’t this punk get any wind of his current power? Moreover, he didn't believe that Huwang Xiao could break through to God Realm in only three years.
Repressing the fury in his heart with effort, Wang Biaoyuan issued a disdainful snort, “Little punk, just you wait, I’ll see how long you can keep this arrogance.” Throwing this phrase out, Wang Biaoyuan turned and strolled away.
A short while later, Gudu Leng arrived, raising another commotion through the crowd. However, when Gudu Leng showed up, he did not say anything upon spotting Huwang Xiao, yet the burning desire for battle in his eyes was felt by everyone present.
After Gudu Leng, it was Jiang Shaoze.
Jiang Shaoze was also one of the favored candidates for the very best five rankings for this term’s external disciple assessment.
Unlike Gudu Leng and Wang Biaoyuan, Jiang Shaoze’s strength didn't soar and advance to Second Order God World, however, at peak late-First Order God Realm, it was only half a step away.
Soon, Xu Shaoqing and others also reached the area.
Roughly one hour later, when the assessment was going to start, Elder Zhang Tianchuan appeared in the arena. He was also the overseer because of this term’s outer disciple assessment.
Zhang Tianchuan landed softly on the stage, his sharp eye sweeping across the gathered disciples before he briefly explained the rules and rewards for this time’s assessment.
The Dark Warrior Institute had more than a hundred thousand outer disciples, thus not every outer disciple would take part in the assessment. In every term of external disciple evaluation, the Black Warrior Institute Elders would select the top hundred strongest outer disciples to take part. Only those a hundred external disciples selected were eligible to participate.
Of course, dissatisfied disciples could choose to challenge any disciple within the selected one hundred. If the challenger defeated the selected disciple, challengers could take their spot, hence the eligibility to participate in the assessment.
“Gudu Leng, Wang Biaoyuan, Jiang Shaoze, Huwang Xiao…” Zhang Tianchuan read out this term’s a hundred selected outer disciples name list.
Everyone could only guess if the Dark Warrior Institute was intentional in their name list, having Gudu Leng at first place, Wang Biaoyuan second, third Jiang Shaoze, and Huwang Xiao at fourth place! As for the fifth place, it was an outer disciple named Luo Kai.
Luo Kai was the champion in the disciple selection three conditions prior.
One hundred names didn’t take Zhang Tianchuan long to announce.
“Does any disciple want to issue a challenge?” After he was done reading the name list, Zhang Tianchuan looked around the world and asked. “You can concern your challenge now.” If no disciple released any challenges, then the one hundred chosen disciples would remain unchanged.
Seconds after Zhang Tianchuan’s tone of voice fell, a disciple had already stated his challenge.
“Liu Shicheng challenges Meng Ping.” A tall burly young man leaped onto the Hidden Dragon Market.
Then, a figure with a small stature floated down the arena stage as well, the challenged outside disciple, Meng Ping.
After a customary salute at each other, both disciples began their battle. But it didn’t take long for the challenger disciple, Liu Shicheng to be defeated, falling off the arena stage in a sorry condition.
Many challenges took place after that. Some were successful, but most disciples failed.
Slightly over an hour later, seeing that there were no more disciples wanting to challenge, he spoke, “Now I shall read aloud the selected top ten outer disciples because of this assessment.”
“Gudu Leng, Wang Biaoyuan, Jiang Shaoze, Huwang Xiao, Luo Kai, Long Junfei, Su Guo, Xu Shaoqing, Wu Xiaoshi, Yang Yue.”
Zhang Tianchuan paused momentarily before asking, “Within the hundred disciples, does anyone want to problem the top 10?” Again, if no challenge was issued, the ranking would stay the same, with Huwang Xiao at fourth place.
Of course, don't assume all disciple was permitted challenge the top ten, only those within the hundred names were eligible.
Zhang Tianchuan’s question was met with a silent industry.
“This one is Xie Ning, I wish to challenge Huwang Xiao.” Suddenly, a physique leaped out, landing on the market stage. It was a tall lean middle-aged man with a fair beardless face and a little pair of eyes.
The arena crowd was stunned and then broke out in an uproar.
There was actually someone who wanted to challenge Huwang Xiao!
And it was the first place winner of the new disciple selection assessment two terms prior, Xie Ning! Actually, this Xie Ning was supposed to be one of the selected top, but unfortunately, his name wasn’t on the final list. Therefore, he could only challenge for a spot.
Still, this problem was unexpected for everyone, a very thrilling unforeseen event.
Huwang Xiao won the new disciple selection 3 years ago and was known for his monstrous talent. Judging predicated on skill alone, he could be considered as the first person in ten million years. In addition, Huwang Xiao held the identity of being one of the Institute Principal’s disciples. As such, in the last three years, he was a constant topic of discussion for many.
Huwang Xiao had kept a low profile within the last 3 years, secluding himself in closed-door practice in the Institute Principal’s manor, no one was able to determine his real strength.
Although the majority of people assumed that Huwang Xiao could only reach peak half-step God Realm, a scarce number felt that he might have broken to God Realm counting on his talent.
The crowd heated up as they appeared forward to the upcoming challenge fight. Their gazes fixed onto Huwang Xiao. Even Zhang Tianchuan couldn’t resist casting a glance in Huwang Xiao’s direction. Three years got passed, he too was very curious about Huwang Xiao’s current power.
Wang Biaoyuan, Gudu Leng, Jiang Shaoze, and the rest also viewed Huwang Xiao.
As if he didn’t notice the many strong gazes fixed on him, with a calm face and little motion, everyone merely felt a blur flash before their eye and Huwang Xiao was already standing on the Hidden Dragon Area stage, before the challenger disciple Xie Ning.
Wang Biaoyuan, Gudu Leng, and many others’ eyes narrowed.
‘So fast!’ This was the first thought that appeared in everyone’s minds.
On the other hand, Zhang Tianchuan’s eye lit up, he didn’t expect Huwang Xiao’s quickness to have reached such an degree.
The challenger disciple, Xie Ning, was taken aback seeing Huwang Xiao’s abrupt appearance in front of him, but quickly calmed down. His eyes shone brightly staring at Huwang Xiao. Taking a deep breathing, he said, “Huwang Xiao, please!” His own momentum soared the instant he said the words.
Fierce winds blew, the Hidden Dragon World seemed to be a world of brewing storms.
Xie Ning was the first place champion of the selection assessment two conditions past, there is no doubt that he was a strong character, recognized by many external disciples as the first person under Second Order God World.
Ch.557
Sensing the powerful momentum coming from Xie Ning, the spectating masses tensed up, including Jiang Shaoze, Luo Kai, Long Fei Jun, Su Guo, Xu Shaoqing, Wu Xiaoshi, Yang Yue-all the disciples listed in to the top ten rankings, except for Gudu Leng and Wang Biaoyuan, who remained indifferent. Both geniuses managed to veil the surprise in their hearts with the indifferent expression on their faces, from Xie Ning’s rising momentum, it was safe to say that his cultivation acquired reached peak late-First Order God Realm.
“Peak late-First Order God Realm! Xie Ning has actually advanced to the maximum of late-First Order God World!”
“We’re in for a good show this time around! You are able to just tell that Huwang Xiao isn’t Nie Ning’s challenger at all! If he’s defeated by Xi
e Ning, he’s going to lose face big time. At that time, he received’t even be inside the very best ten ranks!”
Uninhibited opinions sounded loudly below the arena stage.
According to the challenge rules, if Huwang Xiao lost to Xie Ning, then Xie Ning would replace him within the top ten. On top of that, Huwang Xiao would not be allowed to issue a challenge to other disciples in the very best ten ranks. In a nutshell, Huwang Xiao would be barred from the top ten rates in this term’s evaluation.
“Who can say for sure? Three years back, the Wang Family’s four First Order God Realm guards weren’t Huwang Xiao’s opposition despite their joint attack. Although Xie Ning is a top late-First Order God World, it’s not that easy to beat Huwang Xiao.”
Still, the majority of outside disciples didn't think that Huwang Xiao held a high potential for winning over Xie Ning, those of contrary opinion were extremely small in number. Especially when four late-First Order God Realm Wang Family guards ended in a sorry state with just one palm strike from Huwang Xiao in the Hall of Heroes square, even when they had more people. This matter was no secret, everyone in the area had heard about it one way or another. That spoke volumes about Huwang Xiao’s strength even then.
Huwang Xiao, without a doubt, could only be more powerful than three years before.
“Huh, four great late-First Order God World join hands? Let me tell you something, a few days ago when Xie Ning went out to perform a task, he was besieged by six top late-First Order God Realm masters. Come, take a guess what happened in the end. All six peak late-First Order God World attackers died in Xie Ning’s hands!” At one point, an outer disciple clamored in his sonorous voice, “It’s just that not many people know about this matter. Xie Ning’s power absolutely qualifies him an area in the very best five.” The instant this disciple’s tone of voice sounded, the arena was astir.
