Obtaining Cheers

Chapter Sixteen: Obtaining Cheers

The Registered Disciple selection was actually very simple. There were only two tests.

The first was lifting a cloudstone. Anyone who could raise a fist-sized piece passed.

The second was a martial arts demonstration on the platform. In truth, it was simply a match between two disciples. Since most candidates hadn't yet become Registered Disciples and weren't very strong, the fights weren't especially exciting, so they called them demonstrations.

Every year, several hundred people took part in Qingyang Sect's Registered Disciple selection. They were all fresh blood, and the sect's upper ranks took the matter very seriously.

Today was no different. The person overseeing the selection was none other than Ling Xin Ya, Qingyang Sect's Deputy Sect Master.

Ling Xin Ya had refined features and an air of authority that made people afraid to meet his gaze.

He was a powerful expert in the Return to Void stage of the Mortal Transformation Realm, one of the top figures in all of Jiu You City.

Ling Xin Ya raised a hand, and Ming Feng Valley fell silent.

"The rules are unchanged. The Registered Disciple selection begins now."

Without wasting a word, Ling Xin Ya gave the order, and the selection officially began.

All the candidates formed a long line of their own accord, their discipline impeccable.

Bi Fan took his time joining the back of the line.

Before Yu Xiao Feng went up to the viewing platform, she leaned close to Bi Fan's ear and said, "Bi Fan, good luck."

A sweet fragrance drifted into Bi Fan's nose. Yu Xiao Feng had already walked away.

Bi Fan was a little intoxicated. He drew in a deep breath.

Quite a few people around Bi Fan looked at him with both envy and jealousy. Who wouldn't want to win the favor of a beautiful woman?

"She's gorgeous, brother. Is she your girlfriend?" asked a young man behind Bi Fan.

Bi Fan didn't answer. He merely nodded, thinking, These lechers. I can't let them bother Sister Xiao Feng. If I don't go to hell, who will? I'll just take the hit and pretend to be her boyfriend.

If Yu Xiao Feng had known what Bi Fan was thinking, she would surely have blown her top right there. "You're taking the hit? I'm the one suffering here. You're the one getting a bargain!"

Yu Xiao Feng wasn't Bi Fan's girlfriend, but he still didn't want other men getting close to her. Perhaps that was a common failing among men.

When the young man saw Bi Fan nod, his face fell. Then he asked, "Brother, do you know any other girls? Introduce one to me, would you?"

Bi Fan still didn't speak. He only shook his head blankly, too lazy to entertain the man behind him. The other male disciple was sorely disappointed.

The first test, lifting cloudstone, was very simple. Ten fist-sized pieces of cloudstone sat on the platform, allowing ten disciples to take the test at once. The process was very quick.

Most of those who came to take the Registered Disciple selection had some confidence in their chances, and the majority lifted the cloudstone without trouble.

A fist-sized piece of cloudstone weighed a thousand jin. Being able to lift one meant that a person had reached the Martial Force Realm.

Candidates cycled through the platform one group after another. Some were quite showy, lifting two pieces of cloudstone at once. One brawny man named Iron Bull even lifted three at a time, leaving the disciples below so stunned their jaws hit the floor.

Bi Fan took a look and saw that Iron Bull hadn't cultivated inner breath at all. He had lifted three pieces of cloudstone through sheer physical strength—a truly born strongman.

Ling Xin Ya watched the candidates' performances from start to finish, sometimes shaking his head and sometimes nodding.

Before long, it was Bi Fan's turn. He walked up at an easy pace and lifted one piece of cloudstone without difficulty. He had passed, and he hadn't tried to show off.

"Bi Fan of Jade Maiden Peak, passed!" the person in charge of recording called out.

Many of the older disciples had heard of Jade Maiden Peak. They all knew it was where Yu Si Yan, Qingyang Sect's foremost prodigy, cultivated.

They also knew that Jade Maiden Peak had never had a male disciple, so they couldn't help looking at Bi Fan in surprise.

Though Bi Fan hadn't revealed his strength, Ling Xin Ya could see through him.

Ling Xin Ya could tell that Bi Fan had reached the peak of the Inner Breath Realm, and that he was very young. He nodded and made a note of him.

Soon, the first test ended. Of the six hundred and thirty-two candidates, four hundred and fifteen remained after the first test.

The second test was one-on-one martial arts demonstrations.

The order was decided by drawing lots: number one faced number two, number two faced number three, and so on.

Bi Fan drew number one hundred and thirty-five, so he would have to wait a while.

Ming Feng Valley had only ten platforms. Even with matches happening simultaneously, the process would take quite some time.

Qingyang Sect's disciples began taking their turns on the platforms in an orderly fashion. Most hadn't cultivated inner breath yet, and naturally hadn't learned martial techniques. At most, they knew a few moves for training their bodies.

The demonstrations were so dull that Bi Fan nearly fell asleep.

When it was finally his turn, his opponent turned out to be Iron Bull.

"Hello, I'm Iron Bull. Please." Iron Bull looked burly and rough, but he was quite polite. He must have been taught his manners.

"My name is Bi Fan. Please," Bi Fan replied calmly.

Bi Fan took his stance, not daring to be careless. Iron Bull was a born strongman, and Bi Fan had to be on his guard.

"Little Brother Bi Fan, watch out!" Iron Bull roared and charged at him.

Does he call everyone smaller than him 'little brother'? Bi Fan couldn't help rolling his eyes.

Iron Bull spread his arms, trying to grab Bi Fan. At nearly two meters tall and weighing two hundred jin, if he got his arms around Bi Fan, it would be nearly impossible to break free. Bi Fan slipped aside, unconsciously using the basic footwork of the Misty Dance. In an instant, he was at Iron Bull's side.

Following through, Bi Fan gave him a light shove. Combined with Iron Bull's own momentum, it nearly sent him flying off the platform. Iron Bull steadied himself, confused. He couldn't understand how Bi Fan had done it, and he stopped taking him lightly.

"Good!" Many people below cheered.

At first, everyone had thought Iron Bull was certain to win. No one had given Bi Fan a chance—not even Yu Xiao Feng.

But the situation had changed so quickly. Iron Bull had nearly lost in a single move.

"Quick on his feet, with a keen sense for combat. He's worth cultivating," Ling Xin Ya said with a nod and a smile as he watched Bi Fan.

Iron Bull shook his huge head, planted his feet again, then charged at Bi Fan.

"Ah!"

He shouted as he ran, trying to build up his courage.

Iron Bull's fist was as big as a bowl, and he aimed it straight at Bi Fan's face.

Bi Fan didn't move. When Iron Bull's fist drew close, he turned slightly and let the attack pass. Then, with a lightning-fast motion, he seized Iron Bull's arm and forcefully sent it outward.

"Ah... ah..." Iron Bull cried out in alarm. Bi Fan had sent him clean off the platform with a deft use of leverage, and he landed below.

"Impressive!" "That was great!" "Good!" ...

Bi Fan's mind went blank. His soul seemed to have flown off somewhere, and it took him a long while to come back to his senses.

He could hardly believe that he had finally won the applause and cheers of so many people.

The martial arts demonstrations weren't about winning or losing. They were simply a way for Qingyang Sect to assess its new disciples.

Ling Xin Ya and the other Qingyang Sect leaders had watched both Bi Fan and Iron Bull. They would make their own judgments.

Bi Fan strode down from the platform to a wave of applause.

To be honest, he wasn't used to so many people staring at him. His face turned slightly red.

As for what was in his heart, there was no need to say it—he was incredibly excited. He had once only hoped to be able to cultivate. He had never imagined he would stand on a platform and win a match.

I've finally taken my first step. From now on, I'll keep climbing higher, cultivate hard, grow stronger, and become a mighty expert! Bi Fan swore to himself, his blood already boiling.

"Ah!"

Bi Fan let out a roar, releasing all the pent-up resentment in his heart.

After that one great shout, Bi Fan felt lighter all over, his spirits soaring.

At that moment, he seemed like a different person, brimming with determination and confidence, leaving his lowly status behind.