Tang San, Seven Bell Chimes!

Half a day later.

By then, more than half of the several thousand people had been eliminated.

A thousand people had gathered at the mountaintop.

These thousand people had fought their way through over ten thousand others, successfully reached the summit, and passed the test.

Each of them happily chatted with one another.

They celebrated having reached the top. Every one of them knew only too well how difficult the journey had been.

They had gritted their teeth and persevered, encouraging themselves with every step: Hold on a little longer... try a little harder!

They had climbed to the summit step by step through sheer perseverance.

"There aren't many of you left. Now, we'll proceed with the second round—the talent test."

After Ye Bai spoke, he noticed that some looked dejected while others were delighted, so he continued.

"You are now considered disciples of Ye Emperor Hall, so don't be discouraged even if you fail the second round."

"Passing the first round makes you a Utility Disciple. Passing the second makes you an Outer Disciple."

"Utility Disciples will have rankings every two months. The top ten will be promoted to Outer Disciples. The same applies to Outer Disciples: every two months, the top ten on the rankings will be promoted to Inner Disciples."

"So long as each of you cultivates diligently, you will all have the chance to become Outer Disciples, or even Inner Disciples."

These rules had been decided by Ye Changge after discussing them with the others, meant to motivate the disciples.

Competition was what created drive, no matter where one was.

Ranking positions were determined purely by strength. Each ranking listed only the top hundred, and any disciple could challenge those ranked above them at any time.

In other words, if you had what it took, then take their place.

Those who had passed the Heavenly Stairway eagerly followed behind the elders into Ye Emperor Hall.

The day had finally come. They had entered the sacred cultivation ground they had dreamed of.

The moment they entered the sect, they saw spiritual energy condensed into mist, with towers, pavilions, and terraces that made the place seem like an immortal realm.

It was shocking!

A level of shock they had never experienced before!

When they thought about how they were now disciples of Ye Emperor Hall and could cultivate and live here in the future—

They grew even more excited. Before this, they had only known that Ye Emperor Hall was powerful, a supreme sect that dominated the entire Jia Ma Empire.

Now, they understood just how deep Ye Emperor Hall's foundations were. With a sect like this, how could it fail to rise?

Bi Bidong narrowed her eyes. This Ye Emperor Hall was no simple place!

The density of Dou Qi here far surpassed everywhere outside!

Could it be that she had stumbled into a reclusive great sect by accident?

Even the Pope, Bi Bidong, was stunned!

Tang San and Yu Xiaogang were even more so.

What kind of place was this...

He had just been bragging to his disciple that there was no grand scene he had not seen before.

But damn it... he truly had never seen a scene like this!

By then, the Emperor Dao Bell had already been brought over. It had been prepared three days ago.

"This is the exclusive treasure used by Ye Emperor Hall to test talent."

"Strike it with all your strength. Four bell chimes means you pass the test and may become an Outer Disciple."

"Four chimes are quite easy to achieve, so relax."

Being able to produce four chimes meant one's talent was already far from ordinary; they could be called a genius.

Bi Bidong was stunned again. She could sense the great bell constantly absorbing and releasing energy as it suppressed fortune. Could such a supreme treasure be a divine artifact?

And you were telling her Ye Emperor Hall used a divine artifact just to test talent?

How extravagant!

She had begun to doubt that Ye Emperor Hall could still be described merely as a reclusive great sect. Could it be a divine sect from the Upper Realm?

Using a divine artifact to test talent was such a waste! You really knew how to flaunt your wealth!

Upon hearing the elder's words, everyone immediately showed disbelief.

Striking it four times was easy?

You said the same thing about the Heavenly Stairway earlier! Easy?

Elder, you had no martial virtue!

This was probably going to be another extremely difficult test.

Everyone lined up and stepped forward one after another for the test.

"Hah!"

A young man struck the Emperor Dao Bell with all his might, then looked at it expectantly.

"Dong, dong!"

"Two bell chimes. Failed. Next."

"Dong, dong!"

"Failed. Next."

"Dong, dong, dong, dong!"

"Four chimes, Elder!"

"I passed! Hahaha!"

A man spoke excitedly. His talent had never been poor since childhood.

However, after seeing more than a hundred people ahead of him eliminated one after another, he had still felt uneasy. Now, the weight in his heart had finally lifted.

"Four bell chimes. You have passed the assessment."

The test continued.

More people were eliminated, while others passed.

Each person experienced their own joys and sorrows.

Several people achieved four chimes, and one exceptional genius even achieved five.

Only after the elder explained did they understand that four chimes meant one's talent exceeded that of ordinary geniuses, placing them above average but not among the very best.

Five chimes, on the other hand, signified the talent of a peerless genius.

Though the person who achieved five chimes was excited, he did not say much. After all, regardless of how many chimes they produced, everyone who passed was an Outer Disciple. Their true worth would have to be proven through strength in the future.

There was also someone named Jini Taimi who was especially unfortunate. His bell had only sounded three and a half times, so he failed the assessment.

He immediately put on a face of utter agony, flailing his arms as he burst into tears.

Even Elder Ye Bai felt it was too great a pity. Half a chime had stopped this disciple in his tracks.

Next, it was Tang San's turn to take the test.

Like everyone else, Tang San walked expectantly up to the Emperor Dao Bell.

He had always heard his master talk about how extraordinary his talent was. At last, he had the chance to test it himself.

He just wondered how many chimes he could produce.

According to the elder, the person who had struck five chimes possessed the talent of a peerless genius.

Tang San believed he was absolutely no worse than that person.

Even Yu Xiaogang at his side was expectant. Such an incredible treasure would certainly test talent accurately.

If Little San could astonish everyone in a single stroke and earn the sect's favor—

Then with the backing of such a great sect, his plan to teach and nurture students within it would surely be secure!

Little San stopped thinking further. He circulated the Dou Qi within his body and threw a punch.

"Dong, dong, dong, dong, dong, dong, dong!"

The Emperor Dao Bell rang exactly seven times before falling silent.

"Holy shit! Seven chimes!"

"How are those of us with two chimes supposed to live with ourselves?"

"Yeah! That's two or three times as many as ours!"

They had thought the person with five chimes was already enough to utterly crush them. Who would have thought someone even more formidable would appear?

Who was this person? He was actually this fierce!

Everyone present stared at Little San in shock, thinking that he was indeed the ruthless person who had sprinted up the Illusionary Heavenly Ladder during the first round!

He had an unwavering heart, perseverance, and such unparalleled talent. It would be impossible for someone like him not to soar!

"Very good. I was right about you."

He had been the first person to swiftly pass the Heavenly Stairway. Earlier, the elder had deliberately examined him with his divine sense and discovered that the youth possessed a powerful special constitution.

He had known that this youth's talent test in the second round would not be low, but he had never expected him to produce seven chimes!

"Those who produce seven chimes—"

"Possess the potential of a Dou Zong. You will certainly become a Dou Zong in the future!"

Elder Ye Bai declared.

"Holy shit, shit, shit, shit!"

After the elder's words, the already shocked crowd was even more stunned!

What kind of existence was a Dou Zong?

They had never even seen a lofty Dou Huang before. A Dou Zong was an existence they had not even dared to imagine.

Now, the elder was telling them that this person... no, this senior brother, would certainly become a Dou Zong in the future. The impact this had on them was unimaginable.

"Elder, with talent worthy of seven chimes, what kind of disciple will I be?"

Little San asked expectantly.