C22 Swordgrave

Lin Simin's name was known to everyone in the Lin family. She was the object of many a male disciple's dreams. As the second daughter of the Lin family patriarch, her reputation was well-established. Chosen as the Exalted One's disciple for the year, she was renowned not just for her unparalleled grace but also for her extraordinary talent.

Upon her arrival, she captured the attention of nearly everyone present. Some male disciples even puckered their lips, gazing at her with unabashed adoration. Lin Simin, accustomed to such attention, paid it no mind and maintained a serene smile throughout.

Flanking her were three venerable elders with silver hair, who all seemed to defer to Lin Simin as their informal leader.

"The rules for this year's assessment remain unchanged," Lin Simin announced. "The first to emerge from the back mountain will claim the top spot. Notably, the top three finishers will receive not only a hundred Whispershard soul stones and a top-grade yellow level martial arts manual but also a mysterious additional reward."

"This special prize will be given by me personally, so give it your all," she said with a melodious voice that filled the square with an enticing and bewitching charm. The male disciples were visibly moved, their hearts howling and throats swallowing hard.

"What a siren," muttered Meng Yang, who couldn't help but be captivated by her allure despite his usually stoic demeanor. The other male disciples were no less affected.

"Could it be that Elder Lin Simin is offering herself in marriage?" one whispered with a chuckle, prompting wild speculation and a few snickers among the crowd, which in turn drew scornful glances from others.

After a brief pause, Lin Simin, observing the stir she had caused, smiled softly and added, "I'm sure some of you have guessed it by now—the mysterious prize is the opportunity to become the Exalted One's chosen disciple!"

Her announcement sent shockwaves through the crowd, causing every disciple's heart to race with excitement. Even the female disciples couldn't contain their enthusiasm, their fists clenched as they gazed at Assessment Peak with a resolve as fierce as any warrior's.

Satisfied with the reaction she had elicited, Lin Simin swept her gaze over the disciples. With a graceful wave of her hand, she projected her voice with spiritual energy, declaring, "Now, let the assessment begin!"

"Crack, crack, crack!"

With those words, a thunderous roar erupted from the base of Assessment Peak as the massive stone door, towering dozens of feet high, rumbled open.

The eerie light spilling forth from within resembled a titan beast opening its maw in anticipation of food, momentarily stunning all the disciples.

"What's there to fear? It's an assessment, not a death sentence..."

Someone's shout cut through the air, snapping everyone back to the present.

As they watched, a few swift disciples had already dashed to the doorway.

Their quick reactions prompted exclamations of surprise from the others.

"First place is mine! Who dares to challenge me for it?"

"Lin Simin is mine. I won't let anyone..."

"Top-grade yellow level martial arts, I'm claiming it!"

In a flash, tens of thousands of disciples surged toward the entrance like a tidal wave, one after another.

From above, the spectacle was truly awe-inspiring.

In the midst of the crowd, Meng Yang remained composed, standing still, not moving an inch.

It wasn't until most of the disciples had entered Assessment Peak that Meng Yang followed the last few into the shadowy stone doorway.

As the final disciple stepped through, a kindly elder beside Lin Simin spoke with deference, "The assessment has now begun. Miss Lin, please proceed to the platform to observe..."

Lin Simin offered a slight smile, nodded, and made her way to the hall.

Upon her arrival, an elder who had been seated beneath a massive platform for some time stepped forward, pinched a spell between his fingers, and whispered the word "activate."

A white ring of light then soared from his palm to the platform above, hovering in midair.

With a series of taps, the ring blazed with light, and a mirror-like image emerged at its center.

Displayed within the image were countless disciples donned in the Lin family's attire, racing through the dimly lit Assessment Peak with breakneck speed.

The interior of the Peak was expansive, resembling a cavern with visibility less than five meters, and danger lurking at every turn.

A single misstep could spell failure, and there were dangers that could ensnare you before you even realized it.

"Be careful, there's a layer of ice ahead. Don't step on it, or your feet will freeze solid. Not even someone in the Convergence of Five Energies Realm could break free. Once you're past the ice layer, you'll be at the second stage..."

At that moment, a young man paused to offer a friendly warning, but it was too late. Dozens of disciples had already stepped onto the unseen ice layer, their feet and legs instantly encased in frost, rendering them immobile.

"Quick, someone save me..."

"Only a fool would save you. You might as well stay put..."

Those who recklessly charged forward despite the danger were given no more than a passing glance by others.

It was exasperating to see that such individuals were not in short supply, with nearly a hundred disciples failing at the first stage alone.

"Let's go, we're almost through the first stage..."

"Ah, it's the Swordgrave Domain..."

A wave of agonized screams suddenly erupted from the front of the group.

In a flash, hundreds were halted by the Swordgrave Domain, swept up and blown away.

Those who were quick to react and strong in power managed to retreat in the nick of time as the wind caught their clothes.

But those slower to respond were instantly pulled into the Swordgrave Domain by its immense gravitational pull.

Caught off guard, the entire group came to a standstill.

Still, some daring souls, emboldened by courage from who knows where, attempted to traverse the Swordgrave Domain.

Regrettably, as they entered the domain's sphere of influence, they lost control of their bodies, which were lifted into the air.

"What can this insignificant Swordgrave Domain do to me!"

At that moment, a booming voice rang out, allowing those familiar with him to identify the speaker.

"It's Yang Feng..."

From within the crowd emerged a shadowy figure, moving swiftly, stepping on the shoulders of others, and leaping to the front.

Finally, he navigated through an elusive angle in the Swordgrave Domain, untouched by its forces, and safely reached the other side.

This feat caused quite a stir among the onlookers.

"Junior Brother Yang, your agility is remarkable. But I'm claiming first place this year; you'll have to settle for second."

Yang Feng's gaze sharpened, and he quickly turned to look, spotting a green figure gliding through the Swordgrave Domain just as he had done.

The figure moved with a fluid grace, even more agile than Yang Feng himself. He couldn't help but let out a cold snort, remarking, "I never thought I'd see the day when you, Qu Yang, would stoop to learning from others. I've clearly overestimated you. But make no mistake, I, Yang Feng, am resolute in claiming first place!"

With those words, the two vanished from the onlookers' view, one after the other.

"If they can do it, so can I. First place is for the taking, and if not, then the top ten will suffice. Watch me!"

A booming voice jolted the crowd.

But as they turned their attention, they were met with a scream. The man who had left them with an impressive silhouette was now being hurled into the air by the Swordgrave Domain, leaving everyone in shock.

Among the group, Meng Yang squinted, taking in the scene, particularly the clever angles Yang Feng and Qu Yang used to navigate the Swordgrave Domain. He had this nagging feeling that he could pass directly through it.

"Even though I, Meng Yang, prefer not to draw attention, and revealing my abilities too soon might not be wise, the top-grade yellow-level martial arts is crucial to me. I have to secure it. Here in the dim light of Assessment Peak, even if I act, it's unlikely anyone will recognize me. So, with that in mind..."