Third Elder Returns to Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to Teach Nine Treasure Arts, Ning An Tests Spirit Power

Facing the old man's almost broken, humble plea, Ning An merely shook his head lightly.

Without another word, his indifferent demeanor had already made his meaning clear.

The old man stared fixedly into Ning An's cool, unruffled eyes. There was not the slightest trace of pity in them, nor any sign of wavering. He was serious.

The last shred of hope in his heart shattered completely, vanishing without a trace.

After a long while, he drew a deep breath of icy air. His chest heaved violently, cold sweat streaming down his aged face. His once-straight back finally slumped completely.

Endless desolation and helplessness enveloped his entire body.

"I understand."

The old man's voice was hoarse and dry, filled with deep weariness and deathly stillness. None of his former sect elder's dignity remained—only bone-deep exhaustion and dejection.

He slowly bent forward and bowed deeply to Ning An, his posture humble to the dust.

"I ask that Young Sect Master keep his promise. Once that bastard disappears, this matter will be settled, and the Jade Water Sect as a whole will not be implicated."

This was his final bottom line, and the only thing he could still fight for on behalf of the sect.

Abandon one person to preserve the entire sect.

Cruel, tragic, yet also their only path to survival.

Ning An lowered his gaze slightly and calmly uttered two words. "Naturally."

Those simple words were as good as an imperial decree.

Upon hearing them, the old man's taut nerves abruptly relaxed, only to be replaced by endless sorrow and numbness.

He said no more. Turning around, he walked toward the Jade Water Sect's Young Sect Master, who had collapsed ten meters away and already fallen into a semiconscious state.

The richly dressed youth's face was a bloody mess. His entire body twitched, and his consciousness was muddled. Not a shred of his former arrogance remained; he resembled a dying stray dog.

The old man bent down and easily seized the back of his collar with one hand, lifting him as though he were carrying a lifeless dead pig. His movements were numb and mechanical.

The youth's limp body dangled in the air as the old man dragged him away. His hair was disheveled, his fine robes stained with blood, and he looked utterly miserable.

The countless soul masters watching instinctively stepped aside, opening a path. As they watched the old man's desolate, lonely back, chills ran through their hearts.

They vaguely guessed what would happen next.

A Jade Water Sect elder was personally taking away his own Young Sect Master. Once he left, they would be separated by life and death forever.

To preserve the sect, he would personally execute the direct heir and Young Sect Master.

Such a brutal choice made everyone's scalps tingle and their backs turn cold.

When the crowd looked again at Ning An, standing tall in white robes with a gentle, tranquil bearing, there was no longer a trace of contempt in their eyes—only utmost awe and apprehension.

This youth, who appeared refined and elegant, possessed a ruthless dominance deep in his bones that far surpassed everyone's imagination!

With heavy steps, the old man carried the unconscious youth and slowly left the assessment square, disappearing into the distant woods.

Once the two figures had completely vanished, the entire square fell deathly silent.

Just then, Ning An's gaze shifted slightly as he spoke calmly.

"Come out."

The moment his words fell, a gray figure appeared soundlessly.

The Third Elder stood there with a respectful bow.

"Young Sect Master."

Ning An looked in the direction the old man had departed, his tone unhurried.

"Follow them."

"See with your own eyes that that fool is killed."

After a pause, a cold curve lifted at the corner of his lips.

"Then return directly to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

"The entire sect is to immediately begin cultivating the Nine Treasure Arts I taught with all their strength. Everyone is to improve themselves and build up our power."

"When the time is ripe, I will personally lead the way and flatten the Jade Water Sect!"

Let them go?

That was right. I had spared you now, but my future self had no intention of sparing you!

He had never been a good man who repaid grievances with virtue.

The Jade Water Sect's long-standing debts of abusing its power to bully the weak—one day, he would personally come calling and settle every last one!

A sharp glint flashed through the Third Elder's eyes. With a knowing smile, he bowed and answered in a deep voice.

"This subordinate obeys Young Sect Master's command!"

He had long found the overbearing Jade Water Sect unpleasant. Their Young Sect Master was broad-minded, yet clearly distinguished gratitude from grudges. He never slaughtered innocents indiscriminately, but neither would he ever tolerate evil men!

Flatten the Jade Water Sect!

That day would come sooner or later!

As his words fell, the Third Elder's figure flickered, turning into an afterimage once more as he silently gave chase at an inconceivable speed.

Ning An withdrew his gaze, his expression returning to its usual gentle composure. He turned to look at the Shrek Academy examiner, who had remained silent throughout.

This middle-aged teacher in charge of the first-round soul power test had seen plenty of bullying, line-cutting, and troublemaking. But as long as it did not affect his own interests—

he simply would not interfere.

If they had not entered Shrek, they were not Shrek students. They offered him no benefit at all, so even if they died here, what did that have to do with him?

Ning An understood perfectly well that this man was a damn "good teacher." It was clear that Shrek had started rotting from the bottom up.

Still, Shrek Academy was not a bad choice as a stepping stone.

"Alright, the foolish people are gone."

"Now, you can begin testing me for the entrance examination."

With a single sentence, he drew everyone's attention back.

The deathly silent square instantly erupted into commotion. Countless gazes focused on Ning An in unison, their eyes filled with intense curiosity and anticipation!

Everyone was extremely curious about what level of soul power this young man in a glazed brocade robe possessed!

Countless guesses rose in people's hearts. Quiet whispers began to spread as everyone held their breath and stared fixedly at the center of the square.

"His physical attributes are very high. I think his soul power level can't be that high!"

"Yeah! No one can cultivate both at once, can they?"

Under the gaze of the entire crowd, Ning An calmly walked up to the soul power testing crystal ball.

Following Shrek's examination rules, he casually took out ten gold soul coins to pay the examination fee, then handed over a top-tier letter of recommendation personally issued by the main city.

The examiner accepted them with both hands and quickly verified them. He then hurriedly raised a hand to indicate that the crystal ball test could begin.

"Young friend, please raise your hand."

Ning An nodded slightly. His fair, slender right hand slowly rose and gently rested against the cool, translucent surface of the crystal ball.

The next instant—

Bzzzz!!!

A blinding golden light instantly burst forth from the core of the crystal ball!

The dazzling golden radiance surged, spread, and rose at a visible speed!

The once ordinary, transparent testing crystal ball was, in that moment, completely filled with a brilliant golden glow!

The light broke through the crystal ball's confines and spread outward!

The blinding golden radiance made everyone's vision blur, and they instinctively raised their hands to shield their eyes!

Surging soul power fluctuations erupted like a tsunami, and the pure pressure of soul power crashed down upon everyone's hearts.

Everyone's pupils shrank sharply. Their faces went blank, and their minds became completely empty!

"With light this intense, his soul power level has definitely surpassed that of a Soul Master."

"Is he a Grand Soul Master? Or has he already approached the level of a Soul Elder?"

"Impossible! He's clearly about the same age as us. His physical attributes are even that strong—his soul power level can't possibly be high."