Chen Xun Takes the Challenge, Bone Age Twenty

Within Nine Stars Valley, Chen Xun led Big Black Ox inside. Every face was unfamiliar. They walked about everywhere, while the rogue cultivators hurried along, their eyes filled with thirst for strength.

Three days later, people from the Ten Great Immortal Sects arrived, and countless voices erupted in clamor. Chen Xun and Big Black Ox silently watched the raised platforms.

The people sent by the Ten Great Immortal Sects differed every year, but they were all Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators.

"Old Ox."

"Moo!"

"The challenge."

Chen Xun led Big Black Ox toward Purple Cloud Sect's platform. A Group Of rogue cultivators looked on in astonishment. This man was actually bringing an ordinary ox to take the challenge—it was truly absurdly comical.

Atop the platform, three women stood With Hands Behind His Back, their gazes sharp as lightning as they Turned Towards the hooded man. Amusement Flashed through their eyes.

The first stage was puppet beasts: ten mechanism puppets at Qi Condensation Stage 5. Avoid their attacks and step into the next level. Quite a few rogue cultivators had their attention drawn to Chen Xun.

He was actually a Qi Condensation Stage 7 cultivator.

As Chen Xun stepped in, a burst of red light Flashed across the puppet beasts' bodies. They formed an array in all eight directions and attacked Chen Xun, fearless of death.

Chen Xun stomped hard, leaving an afterimage On the Spot. With One Hand, he lifted Big Black Ox and swiftly evaded several spells, arriving behind a puppet beast in an instant.

Flames spread across Chen Xun's palm. The puppet beast's back melted as though consumed by lava, exposing a crystal. The puppet beast abruptly became unable to move.

Using the same method, Chen Xun brought speed, precision, and ruthlessness to their utmost limits. All ten puppet beasts were dealt with, seemingly without much effort.

"What... what spell did this man use just now?"

"Purple Cloud Immortal Sect's puppets were actually dealt with by him in One Hand. You have to know that the materials for such puppets are exceedingly valuable."

"This is truly Eye-Opening. At most, we only evade during the challenges, yet this man destroyed every one of these puppets. What terrifying strength!"

Waves of uproar rose beneath Purple Cloud Sect's platform. They had never heard of anyone dragging a black ox with One Hand while using the other to deal with ten puppet beasts.

Atop the platform, shock Flashed through the eyes of the three women.

"Senior Sister Yun, wasn't this rogue cultivator a little too much?"

One woman said indignantly. These were Purple Cloud Sect's assets, and he had ruined all of them.

"Interesting."

Senior Sister Yun parted her thin lips and spoke blandly, utterly unconcerned. "I would like to see what aptitude he truly has."

As soon as she finished speaking, all three took out a token.

The second stage: testing bone age and aptitude.

Chen Xun brought Big Black Ox into a grand hall. The hall shimmered with a riot of colors, and an array stood at its center. He stepped directly into it.

"Bone age twenty?!"

The woman looked at the token in her hand, her voice trembling. "Aptitude... Five Elements Mixed Spirit Root..."

"What a pity. Still, among rogue cultivators, he could be considered a noteworthy figure."

Senior Sister Yun spoke with slight regret. This rogue cultivator had clearly not used his full strength in the first stage, but Purple Cloud Sect's requirements for cultivation aptitude were extremely strict. Combat strength at the Qi Condensation Stage was not important to them.

Inside the hall, Chen Xun smiled faintly. His purpose had been achieved. Purple Cloud Sect valued aptitude above all else, so there was no longer any need to continue the challenge.

The first stage had merely given everyone hope. He had observed this place for years and had long since seen through Purple Cloud Sect's methods.

"Old Ox, Let's Go."

"Moo!"

Chen Xun left through another door without taking any further challenges, as though he knew his aptitude was insufficient. Senior Sister Yun merely gave Chen Xun a deep look before turning her gaze elsewhere.

Purple Cloud Sect also sent out several disciples, who released puppet beasts from their Storage Bags. A new round of challenges began.

"Fellow Daoist, please stay."

A Middle-Aged Man in green robes, with kindness in his eyes, called out to Chen Xun beyond the other door.

Hunters often appeared in the guise of prey. Chen Xun led Big Black Ox and Turned Towards him blankly. "What is it, Fellow Daoist?"

"I am Yin Jun, a Five Elements Sect Disciple from Zhiyang Province."

The Middle-Aged Man introduced himself, then sighed softly. "I observed Fellow Daoist's valiant combat strength just now, yet you are Limited By your aptitude. It is hard not to feel regret."

Qian Kingdom had nine provinces, while the Ningyun Mountain Range lay in Yongquan Province, separated by a vast distance. Traveling on foot would take at least half a year.

Five Elements Sect was also a major immortal sect of Zhiyang Province. Though it could not compare to the Ten Great Immortal Sects, its name still rang loudly throughout the Qian Kingdom Cultivation World.

Five Elements Sect was also on good terms with Purple Cloud Sect. It was said that their higher-ups had an excellent relationship, which was why Yin Jun had been able to come here to pick up leftovers.

"So you are a Five Elements Sect Disciple. I have long admired your sect."

Chen Xun gave a Cupped Fist Salute, understanding dawning in his eyes as he waited for what came next. This man was actually a Qi Condensation Stage 9 cultivator.

"Would Fellow Daoist be interested in joining Five Elements Sect?"

Yin Jun smiled. Yongquan Province had no major sects, and its cultivation resources were relatively lacking. In the past, those rogue cultivators had all felt deeply honored upon receiving such an invitation, with no objections whatsoever.

"How will Fellow Daoist prove that you are a Five Elements Sect Disciple? I cannot possibly follow you just because of a single sentence, can I?"

"I have actually observed for quite some time. Why do some sects always seek rogue cultivators with greater combat strength while caring nothing for aptitude? I ask Fellow Daoist to tell me truthfully."

"After joining Five Elements Sect, what would I need to do? There has never been a free lunch in this world. I understand that principle."

"And most importantly, can I bring along my family's ancestral Big Black Ox?"

Chen Xun spoke in a grave voice. These questions had weighed on his mind for a long time. They were also the greatest reason he had truly not dared join the Ten Great Immortal Sects.

The disciples of these middle-tier sects could still be reasoned with, but those Foundation Establishment Realm seniors would not waste breath arguing with you. What if they told him to get rid of Big Black Ox?

When he had first arrived, that little fatty had told him it would be best to dispose of Big Black Ox. He might as well kill Chen Xun instead.

Yin Jun was dumbfounded, his mouth opening wider and wider. What was wrong with this man? Had he suffered some enormous trauma in childhood...?

"This is a Five Elements Sect disciple token. Fellow Daoist, please examine it."

Yin Jun took out a green token from his Storage Bag. The words "Five Elements" were inscribed upon it, its patterns mysterious. At a glance, it was clearly no ordinary item.

"If this token is activated, it allows Five Elements Sect disciples within a hundred li to sense it and come to provide aid."

Yin Jun was slightly speechless. If recruiting a qualified disciple did not bring benefits, he would never have wasted so much breath.

"Then activate it and let me see. Fellow Daoist, please Don't take offense. As a rogue cultivator, I cannot compare to disciples of great sects like yours."

"When the valley closes, I will activate it. At that time, Fellow Daoist will naturally be able to distinguish truth from falsehood."

"Good." Chen Xun nodded with a smile, looking at Yin Jun expectantly.

Yin Jun drew a deep breath, blinked, and said, "Actually, it is not much of a secret. It concerns the lifeblood of Qian Kingdom's low-level cultivators."

"Please speak plainly, Fellow Daoist."

"It concerns the spirit herbs for Foundation Establishment Pills..." Yin Jun began to explain slowly.