When the second examination began, the thousand applicants were far stronger than they had been in the first round. They had learned from experience and were better able to cope with the test.
In particular, Sword God Li Yunfei, Sword God Zhang Dayou, and Jueyuan, the monk who called himself the Fist God, reduced the puppets to scrap metal within the span of a few breaths. Their tremendous strength was unmistakably on display.
Led by these three, the others also began competing with those around them. One after another, they attacked without holding back, using ruthless moves and fighting with all their might. Their clean, decisive style also sped up the examination for everyone else.
After three incense sticks' worth of time, all the registered students had completed the examination. Three thousand had passed. It seemed like a large number, but compared to the tens of thousands who had registered, the elimination rate was terrifying.
"The second examination hall is now open. All participants will have their cultivation suppressed to the Sacred Realm. As long as you defeat the Divine Realm puppet before you, you will pass the examination and be promoted to outer disciples! Those who fail the promotion will retain their status as miscellaneous disciples!"
The rogue leader in charge of the second examination hall announced the rules. They were quite simple: this round tested one's ability at the Sacred Realm. Those who passed would become outer disciples of East Divine Mountain, while those who failed would not advance. There was no need for them to worry too much, however. They would still be disciples of East Divine Mountain, merely miscellaneous disciples.
However, many disciples became somewhat nervous upon hearing this. Most came from different clans or factions, and even the independent cultivators knew more or less about