Three days later, the Misty Cloud Sect bustled with activity, the air thick with tension and anticipation.
Clang, clang, clang.
The mighty peal of a bell suddenly rang out like rolling thunder.
Its resonant toll carried far, each peal striking every inch of the Misty Cloud Sect's grounds and echoing through every corner.
Then an elder's powerful voice thundered throughout the sect: "This year's Gate of Life and Death trial is about to begin. All disciples, deacons, and elders, proceed to the Gate of Life and Death!"
His voice echoed endlessly among the mountains, making everyone's eardrums ache.
No one who heard it dared dawdle. They all hurried toward the Gate of Life and Death on the Back Mountain.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.
In an instant, countless figures shot out from every direction like arrows loosed from their bowstrings.
Among them were young disciples brimming with excitement, rubbing their fists and flexing their palms in anticipation; deacons with solemn expressions and penetrating gazes; and elders whose faces radiated authority.
Along the way, the disciples' chatter rose and fell as they traded remarks about every aspect of the upcoming Gate of Life and Death trial.
Naturally, the person they discussed most was Xiao Qian.
"Have you heard? The sect master opened this Gate of Life and Death trial specifically for Senior Brother Xiao Qian," a young disciple said to a companion, his face full of curiosity and his tone tinged with surprise.
After all, the Gate of Life and Death trials had always followed their regular schedule. Opening one early for a single person was something scarcely seen in a hundred years.
"He won first place in the Imperial Capital Hunting Competition, and now he's the undisputed number one in the Inner Sect. Even if he became the sect master's personal disciple