C21 Inner Disciple Assessment(6)

Elder Hu Feng stroked his long beard and chuckled, "This time, I deliberately sent those Outer Disciples with the most exceptional Cultivation Talents to the deadliest Secret Realm. The battle there seems to have reached its climax. I wonder who will be the first to emerge?"

"Martial Uncle Hu," Lee Qingping said with anticipation, her voice soft and excited, "I've heard that there's a large group of Rank 3 Devil Beasts in the Secret Realm. Their attacks are horrifying, and they demand exceptional agility."

"Why hasn't Huo Ming shown up yet?"

"Our strongest Outer Disciple, Lee Yunlong, is also missing."

"And what about Bing'er, the lovely and adorable one? She's nowhere to be seen."

"Nor has Yang Yong made an appearance."

The Outer Disciples spectating the event were abuzz with speculation, perplexed as to why the four most renowned among them had not yet shown themselves.

Han Yun's gaze swept the area restlessly, his concern solely for Lei Yan. "I hope that kid Lei Yan makes it to this mountaintop."

Despite his vigilance, Lei Yan's figure was still absent from the peak.

At that moment, not only the tens of thousands of Outer Disciples but also dozens of Inner Disciples and a handful of Core Disciples were fixated on the entrance leading to the mountain's summit. Even some elders from the Divine Plant Pill Sect were watching the developments on Motian Ridge from a distance.

"Someone's emerged!" The crowd erupted into a chorus of gasps a few minutes later.

The chatter and debate that had filled the air ceased abruptly as a figure appeared, plunging the entire place into an eerie silence.

Among the crowd were many formidable figures who, despite the distance, could clearly discern the newcomer's features. The individual was taller than expected, a young man with an unfamiliar face.

"Who is that?"

Tens of thousands of eyes were locked onto the figure on the Observation Platform, and the silence was deafening.

Even Elder Hu Feng was taken aback. Squinting, he scrutinized the figure for a moment, only to realize he did not recognize the person.

It was Lee Qingping, standing beside him, who first identified the newcomer. "That's Lei Yan!" she exclaimed.

"Lei Yan," she murmured, her red lips parting slightly as a look of surprise sparkled in her eyes.

The young man looked up and quickly spotted her on the observation platform. Remarkably, his gaze remained steady, unaffected by the tens of thousands of spectators around him.

He had actually achieved it.

He recalled how, just a few days ago, he had nearly been tormented by Huo Ming and his cohorts.

"Elder Hu Feng, that is Lei Yan," Lee Qingping's voice suddenly whispered in Elder Hu Feng's ear.

Elder Hu Feng now knew the young man's name and sensed something extraordinary about Lei Yan. "Lei Yan possesses a unique aura. It's unfortunate he's a bit older," he mused.

Few knew who Lei Yan was or what kind of disciple he belonged to.

Everyone watched him, astonished.

At that moment, an Outer Disciple rushed to Han Yun, pointing shakily at the young man in the arena, "That looks like Lei... Lei Yan..."

"What?" Han Yun, hard of hearing and sight, struggled to see clearly.

"That's Lei Yan."

"Lei Yan?"

Han Yun's eyes bulged. He had just been pondering how much this man resembled Lei Yan, and it turned out to be him!

He was taken aback and hastily suggested, "This Lei Yan can't be that formidable. Perhaps that person just looks a lot like Lei Yan."

"Han Yun, that's Lei Yan who burst out from the trial passage!" the Outer Disciple exclaimed with fervor.

"Don't be ridiculous..." Han Yun was baffled, shaking his head in disbelief.

Yet, his gaze remained fixed on Lei Yan, and after a few moments, Lei Yan caught sight of Han Yun and casually waved at him.

"It really is Lei Yan."

Witnessing Han Yun's excitement and elation, Lei Yan felt a deep sense of contentment.

He could hardly imagine the joy Han Yun must be feeling at that moment, possibly even moved to tears. Indeed, this was the reaction Lei Yan had hoped for.

Still, he hadn't officially passed the Entrance Examination just yet.

"That Lei Yan has truly risen to great heights!" remarked another Outer Disciple with a sense of awe.

Han Yun's hands shook as he gripped the chair, his eyes sharpening. Perhaps, in his mind, he was envisioning himself in Lei Yan's place, living out his own dreams.

Huo Ming and Lee Yunlong, two fellow disciples, had ventured into the Secret Realm alongside Hu Feng. They had heard tales of the formidable creatures that dwelled within, but nothing could have prepared them for the reality of their ferocity.