The Third Trial! The Final Challenge!

The crowd wore solemn expressions. They weren't asking if Ning Fan and Yun Qingyao had gained anything; rather, they seemed certain the two had reaped a harvest and were merely confirming what it was.

The reason was simple.

Just moments ago, a golden light had erupted from the stele, piercing straight into the clouds-a clear sign of an anomaly. This stele, excavated from the ancient ruins, had never shown any reaction despite years of study by numerous Sect disciples and Elders. Yet just now, it had released a soaring pillar of golden light.

Regardless of what happened, Ning Fan and Yun Qingyao must have gained something from it.

"This disciple is untalented, but I managed to comprehend a martial art."

Ning Fan cupped his fists.

"A martial art?!"

"To actually comprehend a martial art from the ancient ruin's stele, this..."

"Impossible! Countless disciples and Elders have tried to comprehend this stele for years without the slightest success. How could this Ning Fan and Yun Qingyao comprehend a martial art from its inscriptions!?"

"Is this real or fake..."

"..."

Voices of shock rang out one after another. Ever since the stele emitted its golden light, more and more disciples and higher-ups of the Sect had gathered around.

The crowd was now several times larger than before. Even on the nearby hillside, silhouettes shifted as people gazed toward Ning Fan's location from afar.

"Disciple Ning Fan, did you truly comprehend a martial art from the stele?!"

Gui Yazi narrowed his eyes, sizing Ning Fan up and down as if trying to see right through him.

"..."

Splendor rippled in the beautiful eyes of the Changming Peak Master. Her body trembled slightly from excitement, and she clenched her fists tight, suppressing the surging emotions within.

Ning Fan and Yun Qingyao were actually able to comprehend the contents of the stele.

Didn't this mean-

The previously worthless ancient ruins might gradually be unearthed following Ning Fan's joining. Changming Peak might not instantly leap to become one of the top two peaks, but it would undergo a true revival. More and more disciples who wished to stay true to their Dao Hearts would no longer be forced to join the other four main peaks due to Changming Peak's decline!!

"..."

Feeling the myriad gazes fixed upon him, Ning Fan raised his hands. His fingers flicked continuously, and one profound, mysterious seal after another materialized at his fingertips.

The next moment.

An earthen-yellow seal appeared before him. It wasn't large-roughly the size of a palm-but it exuded an ancient, desolate aura.

-The Human Seal!!

Upon sensing the ancient, desolate aura radiating from the Human Seal, everyone couldn't help but widen their eyes. The aura of this seal was exactly the same as the stele's.

It was absolutely a legacy from the stele!!

"Disciple Ning Fan, what grade of martial art is this?!"

The Changming Peak Master asked, her gaze focused.

"Xuan-grade."

Ning Fan replied after a brief moment of thought.

There was nothing wrong with this answer.

A half-step Earth-grade martial art still fell under the Xuan-grade category. As long as it hadn't truly broken through to the Earth-grade, it was still a Xuan-grade skill!!

As for the Earth Seal, the Heaven Seal, and the Wushi Seal.

Ning Fan had no intention of revealing them to the crowd. As the saying goes, 'an innocent man will be targeted if he carries a treasure.' If he exposed that he possessed such a powerful technique...

It would definitely draw the covetous eyes of others.

"Xuan-grade..."

Upon hearing Ning Fan's answer, a hint of disappointment surfaced in the Changming Peak Master's eyes. Xuan-grade martial arts were a dime a dozen across the entire Yin Yang Divine Sect. There were at least eight hundred, if not a thousand of them. It truly wasn't anything worth paying special attention to.

The other Peak Masters, Gui Yazi included, also had subtle shifts in their gazes. The wariness in their hearts vanished into nothingness the moment they heard the word 'Xuan-grade.'

"Regardless, Disciple Ning Fan has successfully comprehended a martial art from the inscription. He should be considered to have passed this trial."

The Changming Peak Master spoke.

"Mn."

"Indeed."

"That is only proper."

The other Peak Masters nodded in agreement. None of them had expected Ning Fan to actually pass the second trial, even if he had only comprehended a Xuan-grade martial art from the stele.

But comprehension was comprehension.

"Disciple Ning Fan has passed the trial."

Gui Yazi declared.

"Whoosh-"

A wave of discussions surged through the surroundings like a tide. Upon hearing the explicit confirmation that Ning Fan had passed, everyone couldn't help but feel profoundly shaken.

"This Ning Fan actually passed two trials?"

"This innate talent is somewhat terrifying."

"No wonder he received invitation letters from all five main peaks and was targeted by the Yin Yang Peak Master's special snatching privilege. He truly lives up to his reputation."

"But Changming Peak's ancient ruin is a bit garbage, isn't it? Such a majestic stele, yet it only contains a Xuan-grade martial art. It's just an impressive-looking shell!"

"Who knows if Ning Fan can pass the third trial."

"I'm afraid we might just be witnessing history today."

"I wonder how difficult this third trial will be. It definitely won't be simple."

"..."

The chatter gradually died down as gazes gathered on Gui Yazi, waiting for him to announce the contents of the third trial.

"The first trial tested a disciple's aptitude. The second trial tested their comprehension and compatibility with the main peak. As for the third trial..."

"...it is an all-around trial of a martial cultivator's capabilities."

"Combat!!"

Gui Yazi said in a ringing voice.

"Combat."

Ning Fan's expression grew solemn.

The first two trials were a test of himself, but the third trial required him to face off head-on against another disciple. There were no tricks to be played here.

A win was a win, and a loss was a loss.

The problem lay in his opponent's strength. Just what level of opponent would he be facing?

"Disciples Ning Fan and Yun Qingyao must choose one person to fight against a disciple who has already joined a main peak. Defeating them means successfully passing the final trial."

Gui Yazi stated.

"..."

Ning Fan furrowed his brows.

To actually fight a disciple who had already joined a main peak!?

Someone like Luo Ming, a disciple from two cohorts ago, was still preparing to join a main peak. That meant Ning Fan's opponent would have to be from at least three cohorts ago.

A disciple from at least three cohorts prior.

"Tch."

Ning Fan couldn't help but click his tongue lightly.

The others also blanked for a moment upon hearing that Ning Fan's opponent would be a main peak disciple. A disciple who entered the Sect at least three cohorts ago...

Moreover, a disciple's cultivation was only considered truly orthodox and structured after joining a main peak. The disparity in strength between a main peak disciple and a non-main peak disciple was immeasurable.

"You can only blame that Ning Fan for his bad luck."

"If it were a normal peak entry, the opponent would just be a disciple from the last cohort, or perhaps two cohorts ago. But as it happens, Ning Fan is making an exceptional entry."

One sentence made everyone instantly understand the reason for Ning Fan's predicament.

Ning Fan was making an exceptional peak entry!

His realm and strength were already inherently weaker compared to disciples who entered a peak through normal means. Undertaking the trials of a snatched disciple under these circumstances...

It was naturally going to be difficult!!

"Zou Yu, you will act as his opponent."

Gui Yazi looked behind him.

"Yes."

The Talent Scout from before stepped forward, walking out of the disciple ranks. He gazed at Ning Fan from afar, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes.

"Ning Fan!"

"You sneak-attacked me earlier, didn't you? Now, let your Senior Brother properly teach you what respect means!"

"Heh heh."

"Wait until you are defeated by me and forced to join the Yin Yang Peak. Your Dao Companion..."

"..."

The Talent Scout named Zou Yu looked toward Yun Qingyao with a lecherous smile.

But just as he continued to step forward.

A fierce gale suddenly howled.

At the exact same time.

An aged roar rang out, the voice crashing down like a massive bronze bell, causing everyone's eardrums to throb with pain.

"Who."

"Who is Ning Fan!!!!"

"..."

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