Tyrant Sky Martial Soul

Chapter 185: Chapter 185: The Real Genius_1

Shi Lei, who had been in closed-door cultivation, had come out as well, his cultivation level having broken through to the late stage of the Martial Vein Seventh Layer, even stronger than Hua Nongying.

This was probably what they meant by an ’innocent heart.’

Because Shi Lei focused on cultivation, whereas Hua Nongying, that fellow, was too fond of playing schemes and tricks. So in the end, he actually hindered his own cultivation, even though he was originally stronger than Shi Lei.

Now he had fallen behind instead.

The night air was cool as water, the bright moon hanging high.

Ling Xiao stopped his cultivation and invited Shi Lei, Yin Ran, Ling Yixue, and Leng Mei to join him for tea and chat.

Everyone’s mood was a bit excited.

Including Ling Xiao’s.

Ever since acquiring the Mountain and River Martial Soul, his cultivation level had been crazily soaring, stepping over many geniuses who were once stronger than him.

But even so, he still didn’t want to miss any opportunity to improve his cultivation.

Because in his mind, he often reminisced about the blue-clad woman he met in the Fulong Mountain Range.

That woman’s cultivation level was shallow at the time, and her Mountain and River Martial Soul wasn’t high-level, so he really couldn’t determine the woman’s age.

But now, upon reflection, that woman’s age probably wouldn’t exceed twenty years old.

A Transcendent Warrior at twenty!

Every time he thought of this, he couldn’t stay calm.

However, he hadn’t lost confidence, only becoming more diligent, more hardworking, and even more unwilling to give up any opportunities.

Now that he had the chance to become a disciple of the Transcendent Warrior Master Baiyun, how could he remain completely calm?

The young martial artists had basically not slept the entire night.

But this wasn’t much of a concern for them.

Once their strength reached the Four-level or above, they basically only needed to rest for half a shichen to fully recover their spirits.

Even more so for a Martial Master like Ling Xiao.

At dawn, the bugle call sounded throughout the military camp.

Along with Ling Xiao, all disciples of Hidden Dragon Camp under the age of sixteen followed General Jiu Yue to White Cloud Temple.

White Cloud Temple was located atop White Cloud Mountain, and there was only one path leading up the mountain, making it easy to defend and hard to attack.

But that was only what met the eye.

In reality, the path was laden with prohibitions.

Starting from the base of the mountain, the selection process had already subtly begun.

Yet many people were unaware of this.

Any martial artist lacking perseverance and determination would definitely not make it, hence the seemingly endless staircase became the first hurdle for all young martial artists.

Normally, martial artists above the Martial Vein Quadruple Layer would be able to reach the top if they persisted.

But the truth was, there really weren’t many who could persist until the very end.

At the foot of the mountain, there were tens of thousands of martial artists who had come for the selection.

Yet before White Cloud Temple, fewer than a thousand remained.

The vast majority could not even endure this much hardship.

But thinking about it, that was normal. Many young geniuses were absolutely revered high-ranking individuals within their own families.

They ate the best food, drank the finest, and used the highest quality items.

So they would wonder, was enduring such hardship worthwhile?

After all, there was no guarantee to be chosen by Master Baiyun.

In front of White Cloud Temple was the second checkpoint.

It tested insight.

The disciples brought over a stone tablet inscribed with a martial arts technique, which contained deep insight within its words.

Only those who comprehended it would qualify to enter White Cloud Temple.

This was even more extreme than the previous checkpoints, reducing the thousand people to just over fifty.

Among them, Hidden Dragon Camp had seven people left: Dai Yuling, Ling Xiao, Shi Lei, Ling Yixue, Hua Nongying, Yin Ran, and Leng Mei.

The remaining forty-some people were all disciples from Heavenly Ninja Academy.

The young martial artists who had come from the outside did not have a single one left; they were all eliminated.

And this was just after two checkpoints.

White Cloud Temple opened.

All fifty-two people entered.

However, as they entered White Cloud Temple, all their breaths grew ragged in an instant.

Inside White Cloud Temple, a terrifying aura pervaded the surroundings.

No one had told them that this was the third trial, testing their courage, nerve, and endurance.

Thud!

Thud!

Just upon entering White Cloud Temple, several people fell to their knees, their faces ashen, drenched in a cold sweat.

If they merely knelt, they were not yet eliminated.

But those who fainted were immediately carried out.

One person, two people, three people...

Soon, the original group of fifty-two was reduced to twenty-two.

Among those from Hidden Dragon Camp, Hua Nongying passed out and was eliminated.

The rest who were eliminated were disciples from Heavenly Ninja Academy.

The current count was six from Hidden Dragon Camp and sixteen from Heavenly Ninja Academy.

Finally, the immense pressure vanished.

Three figures appeared before the crowd.

Lin Ze, Wan 犇, and the master of White Cloud Temple, Real Person Yiran.

These three were all Ninth Layer Pinnacle of Martial Veins experts.

And that terrifying breath had emanated from the three of them.

”It’s actually them!”

”No wonder the aura was so formidable!”

”But why would the Governor and General Jiu Yue, along with the master of White Cloud Temple—all Ninth Stage Martial Artists and renowned, influential figures—be willing to assist Master Baiyun?”

”Hmph, you don’t know, do you? In fact, all three of them are barely considered disciples of Master Baiyun.”

Someone from the Heavenly Ninja Academy’s ranks scoffed.

”Barely considered?”

”Yes, they can’t be considered true disciples of Master Baiyun yet, they’re merely beginner-level disciples.”

The person said, smugly.

What!

Everyone was extremely shocked.

Even Ling Xiao found it hard to believe it was true.

In Baiyun Province, apart from Master Baiyun himself, these three were perhaps the most famous, and their cultivation levels were also at the Ninth Layer Pinnacle. And yet they were not true disciples, only beginner-level disciples?

Regardless of how one saw it, beginner-level disciples were incomparable to true disciples.

”Beginner-level disciples only receive occasional guidance from the master, but true disciples can follow the master and receive his meticulous instruction. Whether it’s resources or conditions, they are much better than what beginner-level disciples get.”

The disciple from Heavenly Ninja Academy continued, ”Our Heavenly Ninja Academy’s Zuo Leng and Ming Tian, the two super geniuses, are true disciples of Master Baiyun.”

Zuo Leng?

Ming Tian?

This was the first time Ling Xiao had heard of these two people.

”You probably haven’t heard, but Zuo Leng is only fifteen years old and with Eighth Layer Martial Vein Peak ability, he can easily kill a Ninth Stage Martial Artist. And that Ming Tian is also only sixteen, the sole under-sixteen Ninth Stage Martial Artist in Baiyun Province!”

”Goodness! There really is always someone better, isn’t there? Whether it’s Zuo Leng or Ming Tian, either of them could easily wipe out Tianfeng City.”

Ling Xiao couldn’t help but take a sharp breath. Those martial artists in Tianfeng City who kept fighting among themselves, thinking back, those so-called geniuses were nothing but a joke compared to these two.

”It’s a pity though, both of these peerless geniuses are Ninja Warriors.”

Another person sighed.

Ninja Warriors!

Ling Xiao clenched his teeth.

This was the territory of the Human Race, yet here in Baiyun Province, belonging to the human race, human martial artists were trampled underfoot by ninja warriors—truly a humiliation.

Zuo Leng and Ming Tian were currently leaning against a pillar nearby, idly chatting, one cold as ice and the other quite talkative.

But what was the same between them was their incredibly formidable auras.

In their presence, all other prodigies instantly seemed dull and colorless.

It was like comparing the light of rice grains to the glow of the full moon.

Many young martial artists lowered their heads, their eyes filled with inferiority and despair.