The Day of the Trial

Soon, after finishing the Skin Scraping, Gu Changge's cultivation advanced to the second level of the Skin Scraping Realm.

With Xiao Yan's miserable departure, everyone returned to their respective peaks to continue their cultivation.

The next day.

Tianyuan Academy became lively once again, as today was the annual trial day for the disciples, deacons, and elders of Tianyuan Academy.

The so-called trial day meant that ordinary handyman disciples could become outer disciples through the trial, outer disciples could become inner disciples through the trial, and so on.

At this moment, whether it was the handyman disciples and outer disciples in the outer areas of the Tianyuan Mountain Range, the inner disciples in the inner areas of the Tianyuan Mountain Range, or the core disciples on the core peaks, they were all rubbing their hands together, preparing for today's trial.

"Today is the annual trial day, I must prepare well,"

said a newly admitted outer disciple of Tianyuan Academy.

"I've been stuck as an outer disciple for four consecutive years. If I can't pass this year, someone like me with no background can only continue to stay at Tianyuan Academy as a deacon."

said another veteran outer disciple.

"Outer disciple, I must join the outer disciples,"

a handyman disciple muttered to himself.

"Heh heh, the treatment of core disciples is much better than that of inner disciples. I wonder if I'll have a chance to join the core disciples this year."

an inner disciple chuckled.

"Hmph, after three months of cultivation, my strength has advanced another step, making me arguably the strongest among the core disciples. The position of Dao Child, I must contend for it this year."

a seasoned core disciple said confidently after emerging from seclusion.

"I'll try to enter the inner sect this year and become an inner deacon,"

an outer deacon said to himself.

"I have to be an inner deacon for five consecutive years and complete over a hundred missions before I can be promoted to inner elder. Instead of that, I might as well participate in this year's trial and see if I can enter the core peak and become a core deacon."

an inner deacon said.

Generally speaking, whether it's outer, inner, or core deacons, after staying on their respective peaks for three, five, or ten years, and completing dozens, hundreds, or thousands of missions, they can be promoted to Elder.

Alternatively, they can participate in the annual trial, directly entering the inner sect from the outer sect, or being promoted to core from the inner sect.

"Haha, I, this old man, have been preparing for this year's trial for a whole year. This time, I am determined to become an inner elder."

said an outer elder.

On the sixty peaks of Tianyuan Academy, it could be seen that disciples, deacons, and elders alike were excitedly preparing for the trial that awaited them today, making the entire Tianyuan Academy lively.

Although the atmosphere in Tianyuan Academy was very lively at the moment, it had little to do with Gu Changge.

This was because Gu Changge was already the highest-ranking Dao Child in Tianyuan Academy and did not need to participate in the trial.

"Although I don't need to trial now, it doesn't hurt to watch the junior brothers and sisters of the academy."

Gu Changge, having nothing else to do, said.

Thus, Gu Changge arrived at the outer mountain range of Tianyuan Academy and watched the trials of the outer disciples and handyman disciples.

On this trial day, the first to be assessed were the handyman disciples.

On a peak named "Yu Peak" in the outer mountain range of Tianyuan Academy, all the handyman disciples of the academy were gathered.

"Today is the annual trial day for our Tianyuan Academy. The first to undergo the trial are the handyman disciples. All handyman disciples are gathered here."

"The trial requires you to hunt ten Demonic Beasts of the Tendon Lengthening Realm within one hour in the Tianyuan Mountain Range. Hand over the ten Demonic Cores to the deacon in charge of the trial. If you pass, you will become an outer disciple."

an outer elder said, standing in the center.

The handyman disciples had various reactions upon hearing the trial rules.

Some were overjoyed, while others were dejected.

In fact, this requirement was already considered relatively low. If they hadn't even reached the Tendon Lengthening Realm, they were either lazy or had poor talent. Such disciples could only remain handyman disciples at Tianyuan Academy.

Moreover, unlike outer or inner disciples, if handyman disciples remained in that status after their three-year term was up, they would be expelled and wouldn't even be able to become deacons, having to return to where they came from.

"The trial content for handyman disciples is the same every year, as long as they hunt ten Demonic Beasts of the Tendon Lengthening Realm."

"Yeah, the handyman disciples' trial is really not much to see."

Some of the outer disciples watching the trial were discussing amongst themselves.

Soon, all the handyman disciples were dispatched, beginning to search for and hunt Demonic Beasts.

"Lin Langtian, just you wait. What if you're a core disciple of Tianyuan Academy? I will eventually kill you and avenge my father."

A young man with a delicate appearance gritted his teeth and said to himself.

"Ding, new Son of Heaven's Mandate detected. Does the Host wish to view it?"

At this moment, the System's prompt sounded.

"A new Son of Heaven's Mandate?"

Gu Changge was a little surprised, not expecting to encounter a second Son of Heaven's Mandate at Tianyuan Academy.

"Yes, view."

Gu Changge thought to himself.

Son of Heaven's Mandate: Lin Bing

Realm: Marrow Cleansing Realm Triple Layer

Physique: Ice Devouring Physique

Destiny Value: 500

Destiny Treasure: Ice Devouring Talisman

"As expected of a Son of Heaven's Mandate, hiding so deeply. As a mere handyman disciple, he possesses cultivation comparable to a core disciple."

Gu Changge couldn't help but think.

One must know that outer disciples of Tianyuan Academy generally have the strength of the Tendon Lengthening Realm, inner disciples have the strength of the Skin Scraping Realm, and core disciples have the strength of the Marrow Cleansing Realm. Yet, Lin Bing, as a handyman disciple, possessed cultivation comparable to a core disciple. This either meant he was hiding his strength profoundly or had encountered some incredible fortuitous encounter.

"Does anyone know any news about this Lin Bing?"

Gu Changge asked at this moment.

"Dao Child, I know."

An outer sect Elder, upon hearing Gu Changge speak, immediately said eagerly.

This was the Dao Child, in other words, the next Palace Master of Tianyuan Academy. He usually cultivated on the core peaks, rarely seen. Today, on the day of the trial, he had actually graced them with his presence and visited the outer peaks.

"Dao Child, this Lin Bing is a disciple from the Lin family in a small city under the Lingxu Divine Dynasty. Three months ago, his aptitude was tested and found to be only the lowest grade, White-tier."

"I wonder why the Dao Child is interested in such a low-level disciple?"

The outer sect Elder said.

"Do you know his cultivation?"

Gu Changge asked.

"This... if I remember correctly, it should be the strength of the Tendon Lengthening Realm, first or second layer."

The outer sect Elder was taken aback, then thought for a moment before replying.

"As expected, pretending to be weak to eat the tiger. The standard for a Son of Heaven's Mandate..."

Gu Changge thought to himself.

It seemed that Lin Bing's current strength of Marrow Cleansing Realm Triple Layer was unknown even to the outer sect Elders.

It seemed that according to the typical plot, on this trial day of Tianyuan Academy, Lin Bing would display his prowess, make a strong comeback, be noticed by some Supreme Elder, and be directly taken as a disciple, becoming a core disciple. He would then avenge his enemies and soar to great heights in his future path.