Testing Ends, Rewards Issued!

While the Peak Lords above discussed matters, the testing on the platform continued.

The disciples after Courtyard D-15 generally had mediocre results. Only one had reached the Qi Refining Third Layer. Though the number of disciples at the Qi Refining Third Layer gradually increased afterward, with Han Yuan's brilliance before them, they all seemed to lose their luster.

Many Outer Sect Disciples no longer watched the platform at all. Instead, they focused on Courtyard C-1, where those true geniuses sat cross-legged in cultivation, preparing to break through!

But how could a breakthrough be so easy?

Especially a breakthrough at the last minute.

Yet Courtyard C-1 truly deserved to be called a gathering place for geniuses. The test had only just reached Courtyard C-20 when an aura of breakthrough shot into the heavens, drawing cries of surprise from the crowd.

"Yang Yuanyang broke through! He really broke through the moment he said he would! His talent is simply too high!"

"So he hadn't been unable to break through before—he had truly been building up his foundation. In terms of aptitude, Han Yuan can't even compare to the lowest-ranked person in Courtyard C-1!"

Even Qin Feng beside Han Yuan wore an expression of deep admiration. He sighed, "What a genius! He's almost on par with Brother Han."

Han Yuan asked, "Does he have a High-grade Spiritual Root?"

"Of course not!" Qin Feng asked in confusion. "What are you trying to say?"

"Only those with High-grade Spiritual Roots and above are geniuses. They entered the Inner Sect long ago!" Han Yuan shrugged. "What kind of geniuses are middling talents like us? We're just picking the taller ones among short people."

"Uh..." Only then did Qin Feng realize in astonishment that Han Yuan was right.

The real geniuses had long since been recruited into the Inner Sect. Somehow, he had simply forgotten about them!

He felt that his vision truly fell far short of Han Yuan's!

Yet Han Yuan's thoughts reached even farther than Qin Feng imagined.

What did the sect's high-grade geniuses amount to? Across the entire Cultivation World, there were surely peerless prodigies with top-grade talent, perhaps even unparalleled heavenly talents beyond top grade. Some possessed special constitutions, some had reincarnated, and some were Descendants of Immortals. Han Yuan knew that his tiny bit of cultivation amounted to nothing. He had to remain vigilant at all times and keep reverence in his heart!

"Nangong Zhuiyue broke through too! From now on, I'll follow Senior Sister Nangong!"

"Huh? Another disciple broke through!"

At Courtyard C-1, disciples broke through one after another, stepping into the Qi Refining Layer 4. Han Yuan's originally dazzling result immediately lost its color, and all the spotlight was snatched away by Courtyard C-1!

Han Yuan was quite satisfied with this. That way, he could receive the reward while hiding his achievements and fame away. It was simply perfect!

Before long.

Lei Jiuxiao's voice rang out. "Courtyard C-1, come up for assessment immediately!"

His voice interrupted more than ten Outer Sect Disciples who were attempting to break through.

The disciples were filled with unwillingness.

"Just a little more! Ah! I could have broken through to the Qi Refining Layer 4—I had one of the top ten spots snatched away!"

Some were so depressed they even spat blood.

Quite a few disciples looked toward Han Yuan in the distance, their faces full of resentment.

Han Yuan looked at his nose, his nose looked at his heart. Can't see me, can't see me!

Lei Jiuxiao had already called over a disciple to begin the assessment.

As expected.

Qi Refining Third Layer Peak, with upper-mid Spiritual Power Quality. This cultivation level was enough to rank within the top thirty, yet at this point, it could not draw anyone's attention at all.

In truth, everyone already had a rough idea in their hearts. They had more or less predicted what the rankings would be.

When Lei Jiuxiao finished the assessment, he loudly announced, "The annual Cultivation Assessment for Class 58 Outer Sect Disciples has officially concluded! The top ten in this Cultivation Assessment are: Yang Yuanyang, Nangong Zhuiyue... Han Yuan, Lei Ming! Congratulations. You have obtained Inner Sect Disciple privileges in advance. The top three may become Personal Disciples of Foundation Establishment Elders. Congratulations once again! Now, the top ten disciples, please come onto the platform."

Beside Han Yuan, Qin Feng was even more excited than Han Yuan himself. "Senior Brother Han, you ranked ninth! You made it into the top ten! Hahaha, congratulations, congratulations!"

Han Yuan nodded with a smile. The tenth-ranked cultivator happened to be at the Qi Refining Third Layer Peak as well, and that person's Spiritual Power Quality had even reached upper-mid grade. If he had not exploited a bug, he truly would not have had a chance to seize a top ten ranking.

Under everyone's gaze, he stepped onto the platform together with the other nine.

Yang Yuanyang glanced at Han Yuan, his eyes filled with disdain. The others did not regard Han Yuan highly either; some even showed a clear trace of disgust on their faces.

Nangong Zhuiyue, on the other hand, curiously looked Han Yuan over a few more times.

Han Yuan remained composed, standing calmly on the platform with his head slightly lowered. Among the top ten disciples, he appeared utterly inconspicuous. Even Lei Ming, ranked tenth, drew more attention than he did.

"Very good. To rank among the top ten out of five hundred Outer Sect Disciples, none of you lack talent, diligence, or comprehension. I hope that in the future, you will successfully achieve Foundation Establishment and become the sect's mainstay! Now, on behalf of the sect, I grant each of you three Qi Condensing Pills as a reward!" Lei Jiuxiao said with satisfaction.

The ten stood in a line, accepting Lei Jiuxiao's rewards one by one as they received the scrutiny of the gathered disciples.

At this moment, these ten were the brightest boys in the arena, already regarded as future Foundation Establishment Elders!

After a moment, Lei Jiuxiao said, "Prepare yourselves. Follow me to the peak summit to pay respects to the Sect Master!"

At those words, Yang Yuanyang's face lit up with excitement. He had cultivated so painstakingly for this very moment!

The top three had the opportunity to choose their own peak, something he had known long ago!

He had already made his decision!

The others were also extremely excited. Only beneath Han Yuan's calm exterior was there a trace of nervousness. If the Sect Master discovered that he had cheated to obtain the reward for the Qi Refining Layer 4, wouldn't he be finished? When the Magic Tool had malfunctioned at the start of the assessment, he could have explained it, but he had not. He could not explain it clearly, so he had simply gone along with the flow. That already made it seem as though he had cheated and concealed it, leaving him unable to refute it.

After announcing the end of the assessment, Lei Jiuxiao led the ten toward the peak summit.

Han Yuan only felt his body grow light. Looking down, he saw that he was standing atop a huge long board. Looking more closely, it was astonishingly an enlarged flying sword.

"Go!"

Lei Jiuxiao controlled the flying sword, carrying the ten of them into the clouds at the peak summit within a few breaths.

Han Yuan closed his eyes. When he opened them again, he found himself before a high platform atop the peak. He saw more than a dozen powerful figures—some refined, some explosive, some sinister, some unfathomable—examining them.

Lei Jiuxiao cupped his hands toward a gentle, refined middle-aged man in the center. "Lei Jiuxiao pays respects to the Sect Master. The top ten disciples of this assessment have been brought here!"

"You have worked hard, Peak Lord Lei!"

Lei Jiuxiao replied, "It is my duty."

He turned to the ten and said, "Why haven't you paid respects to the Sect Master?"

"Disciples pay respects to the Sect Master!" *10.

Feng Jianming smiled faintly. "No need for such formality. Peak Lord Lei should have told you that all of you may enter the Inner Sect. However, the Inner Sect has fourteen peaks. The top three may choose their own peaks, while the latter seven will be selected by the Peak Lords. If no one selects you, you will be assigned to the peak where you are currently staying temporarily. Do you have any objections?"

"No!" *10.

"Since that is the case, first, Yang Yuanyang—which peak do you choose?"

Yang Yuanyang immediately said, "I choose Alchemy Peak!"

Dai Yinzhu laughed heartily. "Not bad, not bad. Come stand behind me!"

Yang Yuanyang said joyfully, "Yes, Peak Lord!"

Feng Jianming showed no surprise and turned to the second person. "Nangong Zhuiyue, which peak do you choose?"

Nangong Zhuiyue seemed to have anticipated this long ago and directly replied, "I choose Heavenly Water Peak!"

The Peak Lord of Heavenly Water Peak was a beautiful woman. Hearing this, her eyes curved into a smile. "Little one, come over."

Nangong Zhuiyue smiled sweetly. "All right."

Feng Jianming looked at the third person and said, "Yu Ji, what is your choice?"

"I wish to join Weapon Refining Peak!"

Xia Jiuyou laughed loudly. "Not bad. The lad has good eyes!"

He beckoned for Yu Ji to come over.

Feng Jianming paused, then said, "Next, the various peaks may select Inner Sect Disciples. Do any of you Peak Lords have someone in mind? Select in order. Does anyone wish to contend for the fourth-ranked Outer Sect Disciple?"

"My Talisman Crafting Peak will take him!"

"Spirit Beast Peak can accept him!"

"Nether Earth Peak wants him!"

Three Peak Lords immediately spoke up to make their selections.

Clearly, the fourth person was quite sought-after as well!

Feng Jianming said, "By order, it is Talisman Crafting Peak's turn. This disciple will belong to Talisman Crafting Peak!"

That disciple happily walked behind the Peak Lord of Talisman Crafting Peak.

Next, Feng Jianming called them out one by one in order. When it came to Han Yuan, the entire venue fell silent for a full three seconds.

Even the eighth-ranked disciple had two peaks competing for him. Yet when it came to Han Yuan, the scene seemed to go cold.

Quite a few Peak Lords secretly looked toward Du Yuanhe, the Peak Lord of Spirit Script Peak, wondering what the old man was doing.

Yang Yuanyang and the other disciples secretly delighted at the sight, finding it immensely satisfying.

Yet when Han Yuan saw that no one had chosen him, he showed no disappointment. Instead, he secretly rejoiced. His cheating had not been discovered—perfect!

As for not being selected, what was the big deal? Staying at Ancient Wood Peak was fine too. With the Random Buff Multiplier Golden Finger in hand, he could rise anywhere.

Du Yuanhe secretly observed Han Yuan and found that this youth was not only talented and perceptive, but also possessed decent temperament. Thus, after five seconds, he said, "Spirit Script Peak wants him!"

Feng Jianming had been waiting for him all along. He said, "Mm, no problem. Continue with the tenth person!"

Lei Ming, who ranked tenth, likewise caught the eye of three peaks. This immediately made Han Yuan, the disciple chosen by only one peak, seem quite ordinary.

Sect Master Feng Jianming smiled. "Now that the selections have been made, everyone may disperse!"

Everyone bade farewell to the Sect Master and departed one after another aboard various Magic Tools.

Han Yuan was also swept onto a flying sword by Du Yuanhe, vanishing into the distance in an instant.

Flying through the air, Han Yuan cautiously studied the old man before him.

However, at that moment, the old man ahead spoke. "You only just broke through to the Qi Refining Third Layer, didn't you?"

Though phrased as a question, his tone was certain.

Han Yuan's heart skipped a beat, and he nearly fell off the flying sword!