C52 Inner Sect Trial Began.

The trial was now officially underway.

Hsu Shaan and his group didn't join in this time, which Yu Kun understood to be expected. Lin Jiang and the rest simply lacked the strength; even if they had joined, passing wasn't in the cards. Hsu Shaan, having practiced for many years, had long since abandoned any aspirations of joining the Inner Sect.

"I'm quite close to these folks. Once I make it into the Inner Sect, I'll find a way to pull them up with me if I get the chance. And should I come across any extra Heavenly Treasures that could boost my strength, I'll be sure to pass them on to them..."

Yu Kun mulled over these thoughts privately, keeping them to himself.

He was eager to lend a hand, but he didn't want it to come off as pity. Elite Disciples like Hsu Shaan wouldn't stand for handouts. So, even if Yu Kun found a way to assist, he wouldn't blurt it out immediately. He'd wait for the perfect moment.

Yu Kun's intention was to support his friends, not to dismiss them like beggars.

With the start of the trial, Flying Cloud Sect's servant disciples quickly set up numerous Mechanical Marionettes in the Test Square.

These wooden figures shone with an unexpected metallic sheen.

"This must be some kind of rare ironwood! The Flying Cloud Sect must have commissioned a Mechanist to craft these marionettes. But with no Mechanist among us, where did they find one?" Lin Jiang mused aloud, offering an explanation to the onlookers.

Yu Kun nodded in agreement, then turned his attention to the Elders seated at the Test Square.

Elder Zhou Xingtian, along with his peers, announced, "You'll earn points for each doll you strike! The dolls won't initiate combat, but they will retaliate once attacked. The more powerful you are, the more dolls you'll draw out. Now, step up to the challenge. Who's ready to take them on?"

Among the tens of thousands of Outer Sect disciples and the thousand-plus Elite Disciples eligible for the trial, dozens of Elite Disciples rose to their feet, eager to engage the marionettes as soon as Zhou Xingtian finished speaking.

Yu Kun's eyes quickly scanned the crowd. None of these individuals seemed particularly strong. Not even the top talents of the Outer Sect, such as Bai Qingfeng and Wu Baishun, had stepped forward to challenge.

"It looks like nobody's eager to go first—they all want to gauge the strength of these marionettes," Yu Kun mused. He decided to hold back for now, opting instead to observe the tactics of the dozens of Elite Disciples.

The Flying Cloud Sect's Test Square was vast, with plenty of space for the spectators in the surrounding stands. Even with dozens of Elite Disciples and a multitude of Mechanical Marionettes, the area felt anything but cramped.

Dozens of Elite Disciples ascended the stage together. At the Elder's command, they launched into action without hesitation.

It must be acknowledged that becoming an Elite Disciple within the Flying Cloud Sect was no small feat. Even if they weren't prodigies, their strength was not to be underestimated. Their simultaneous attacks were varied and ferocious.

As the battle commenced, the Mechanical Marionettes counterattacked. Powered by Spirit Stones, their prowess was surprisingly on par with human warriors of equivalent realms.

Despite being on guard, the disciples struggled to hold their ground. The marionettes' onslaught sent them flying. One disciple, slightly less adept, suffered three broken ribs and writhed in agony on the ground.

The scene left many Elite Disciples in shock, and even some from the Inner Sect couldn't help but express their disbelief.

"How can this be? The trials weren't this brutal when we advanced to the Inner Sect!"

"This year's trial is exceptionally tough! It looks like not many will make it to the Inner Sect this time around..."

Yu Kun glanced at his fellow Elite Disciples, noting the concern etched on their faces.

"These Mechanical Marionettes are a force to be reckoned with! They can match warriors at the Soul Refining Stage when they unleash their full strength. Sure, their attacks lack the finesse of true Soul Warriors, but when three or four marionettes strike simultaneously, even the average Elite Disciple stands no chance. This trial is proving to be a formidable challenge indeed!"

Yu Kun felt a moment of contemplation before shaking his head slightly.

"Though challenging, it's not without its merits! Only the strong can gain entry to the Inner Sect, while those lacking in strength must settle as Elite Disciples. They're doomed to spend their lives in the Outer Sect without access to the true teachings."

The group of Elite Disciples stepped down from the stage, clearly unable to meet the demands of the trial.

Defeated in a single move, they clearly lacked the qualifications to advance to the Inner Sect, let alone pass the trial.

After a brief hush, another wave of Elite Disciples ascended the stage to take on the trial.

Among them, Yu Kun noticed an elite disciple at the High Rank Qi Refining Stage. He wasn't as formidable as Bai Qingfeng or Wu Baishun, but he was still a formidable contender.

Hsu Shaan whispered, "That's Wang Mann, considered a master among us in the Outer Sect. But he's no match for you, which is why I didn't bring him up."

Yu Kun nodded, turning his attention to Wang Mann.

Clearly, Wang Mann had made a name for himself in the Outer Sect. His entrance sparked a buzz among the crowd, with many murmuring his name.

But that was to be expected. A disciple at the High Rank Qi Refining Stage was indeed a master in the Outer Sect of the Flying Cloud Sect.

At the Elder's command, the disciples launched into action.

Wang Mann let out a roar, channeling his Astral Energy to strike at one of the Mechanical Marionettes.

The marionette, upon impact, immediately retaliated, powered by its Spirit Stone.

Wang Mann fought valiantly, holding his own against the Mechanical Marionette.

In just a short time, all the Elite Disciples, save for Wang Mann, had been bested.

Yu Kun observed several Inner Sect Elders nodding in approval, clearly impressed by Wang Mann's prowess.

But just then, another Mechanical Marionette sprang to life.

Now facing two adversaries, Wang Mann was overwhelmed.

Caught unawares by the second marionette's assault, he stumbled back, losing his footing.

Subsequently, besieged by both Mechanical Marionettes, Wang Mann struggled to defend himself.

At last, Wang Mann was struck in the chest by two Mechanical Marionettes and sent flying backward.

The Marionettes did not pursue Wang Mann further. Struggling to his feet, he acknowledged his defeat and turned away, carrying a sense of regret.

"Facing those two Mechanical Marionettes simultaneously is truly challenging. They may not match the prowess of genuine Soul Refining Stage warriors, but their level is considerable. It's indeed tough for an Elite Disciple to overcome them."

Yu Kun witnessed the entire scene and started to strategize his approach to engaging with these Mechanical Marionettes.

Then, an Inner Sect Elder declared, "Wang Mann engaged both Mechanical Marionettes concurrently and withstood their assault for several dozen breaths before succumbing. He has earned 61 points, securing his spot in the next phase of the trials!"