C8 Celestial Sect Entry Assessment!

"In this world, life is fleeting—like blossoms that bloom and wither. The Killing House! To think it's an assassin from the Killing House!"

Ling Dao murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. As Crown Prince Xiao Yao, he was well-acquainted with the notorious Killing House. A fearsome organization that would take on any hit, provided the price was right—even if the target was the Emperor of the Great Luo Dynasty.

King Carefree had spoken of the Killing House before. This pervasive killer's organization had agents everywhere, and its enigmatic Tower Owner was as elusive as a dragon. The branch within the Great Luo Dynasty was but one of many, yet even this lone branch had the audacity to target the Emperor, a testament to the organization's chilling reputation.

The Great Luo Dynasty had clashed with the Killing House in the past, only to suffer a devastating blow. All the royal offspring, save for the Crown Prince, were assassinated, their severed heads displayed grotesquely at the gates of the Capital City. Had the Killing House not shown restraint, the Crown Prince's head might have joined the macabre display. Since then, the Great Luo Dynasty dared not provoke the Killing House again.

"The Killing House has no quarrel with my Free and Unfettered Wangfu. Their attack must be at someone else's behest. 'Take the gold, dispel the disaster'—that's the Killing House's creed."

Ling Dao's mind raced as he pieced together the likely conspirator. Only the royal family of the Great Luo Dynasty had the means and motive to mobilize the Killing House on such a grand scale. With King Carefree gone, eliminating him—the Crown Prince—would be all too convenient.

"Your Highness, let's not dwell on this. We need to leave quickly before any other assassins close in."

Despite his injuries, Jiang Zhong understood the gravity of their situation. Lingering here meant courting death. A single True Qi Realm assassin had nearly ended him; the Killing House was teeming with those who could easily finish the job.

"We must press on quickly. Once we arrive at the Celestial Sect, Your Highness will be safe!"

The Killing House, formidable as it was, would not dare to directly confront the Celestial Sect. The Sect stood as a mighty force, on par with the Great Luo Dynasty. As long as Ling Dao remained within the Celestial Sect's walls, his life would be out of harm's way.

After seven days of travel, Jiang Zhong and Ling Dao finally reached the base of the Celestial Sect's mountain. They were lucky to have avoided any assassination attempts during their journey; otherwise, their arrival at the Sect could have been uncertain.

"The Celestial Sect!"

At the mountain's base stood an imposing stele, engraved with the characters "Celestial Sect" in a calligraphy that soared and coiled like dragons and snakes, exuding a majestic and profound presence. Such grandeur from a mere stele was nothing short of astonishing!

The area teemed with people, and many youths, about Ling Dao's age, were visibly thrilled. To become a disciple of the Celestial Sect was to have a boundless future, and their elders were naturally eager for them to be accepted into the Sect.

"There are so many people. It looks like we're right on time; the Celestial Sect is in the midst of recruiting disciples!"

Ahead of Jiang Zhong and Ling Dao, a sea of figures jostled each other. Jiang Zhong was overjoyed, knowing that once Ling Dao was admitted into the Sect, he could finally be at ease. His own injuries were grave, and despite his once strong constitution, he was uncertain of how much longer he could hold on.

"As long as Your Highness joins the Celestial Sect and masters its teachings, you will surely be no less than any Prince. I have faith that Your Highness will not only match but exceed your father's prowess!"

Jiang Zhong had always believed in Ling Dao's potential, especially since he was the son of King Carefree. Ling Dao's dazzling swordplay seven days prior had only reinforced Jiang Zhong's conviction that Ling Dao was destined to become a peerless warrior.

"Come, Grandpa Jiang, let's make our way up!"

The Celestial Sect was undeniably a major force, and its recruitment of disciples was no trivial affair. The thought of the Celestial Sect's entrance exam made Jiang Zhong's face sour. Given Ling Dao's condition, it seemed unlikely he would pass.

"Hey, this sickly kid thinks he can join the Celestial Sect? Does he even know what the Celestial Sect is?"

"Don't be so quick to judge. Maybe he's hiding his true potential. Haven't you heard that even a cornered dog can leap over a wall, and a desperate rabbit can bite?"

Ling Dao's pallor and frail appearance made him an easy target for the taunts of the aspiring young geniuses seeking entry into the Celestial Sect. Standing among them, he seemed out of place. Becoming a disciple of the Celestial Sect was a formidable challenge, and Ling Dao, looking every bit the part of the diseased seedling, appeared to have no chance at all.

"Your Highness, please ignore their words. Rest assured, even if they can't make it into the Celestial Sect, you certainly can!"

Jiang Zhong's reassurance caused a visible shift in the mockers' demeanor. Anyone addressed as 'Your Highness' was clearly no ordinary individual. They were merely talented youths, but they knew better than to provoke someone of such esteemed standing.

Ling Dao paid no mind to their comments. With King Carefree's presence in the past, none would have dared to speak ill of him. But since the king's disappearance, the number of those pointing fingers had grown, and Ling Dao had no intention of stooping to their level.

"Anyone over sixteen, please leave! Those who haven't reached the Genuine Qi Stage, go back the way you came!"

A banner fluttered in the wind, bearing these stern proclamations. The Celestial Sect's standards for accepting disciples were uncompromising. They would not consider anyone over sixteen or those under sixteen who had not attained the Genuine Qi Stage.

At fifteen, Ling Dao was not yet sixteen, nor had he reached the True Qi realm. He was automatically disqualified from the entrance exam, effectively dashing any hopes he might have had of joining the Celestial Sect.

"Ah, there's no helping it. I'm too old now, and all I can do is walk away. I'll never have the chance to become a disciple of the Celestial Sect in this lifetime!"

"It's infuriating! If only I had reached the Genuine Qi Stage, I wouldn't be lacking the credentials to even try the entrance exam. How am I supposed to face my tribesmen when I return?"

Many of the young people who failed to qualify hung their heads in defeat. The Celestial Sect was undeniably formidable, yet its gates were too challenging to pass through. They were weeded out before they even had a shot at the assessment. However, their attention soon shifted to a particular young man.

Ling Dao didn't leave the area. Instead, he made his way toward the gates of the Celestial Sect. He wasn't a Genuine Qi Stage warrior—in fact, he appeared even frailer than the average person. If he didn't meet the requirements, why was he intent on entering the Celestial Sect? Was he bold enough to challenge the Sect itself?

"I'm just fifteen, not a Zhenqi realm martial artist, but I am determined to join the Celestial Sect!"

His statement rang with conviction, his voice carrying an unwavering resolve. Ling Dao advanced toward the heart of the Celestial Sect with deliberate steps. They weren't quick, but they exuded an unstoppable momentum!