Chapter 520: Chapter 196: Core Disciple Examination! Get Up Here!

“Hmph,” Luo Cheng coldly threw out one final remark and turned to walk toward the Inner Sect Hall.

The crowd exchanged glances, unsure what Luo Cheng intended to do.

“Let’s go! I want to see what this brat is scheming!”

The youth named Qin Shao sneered and strode after him.

With his cultivation at the Middle Stage of the Seventh Layer of Awakening Vein Realm, he hadn’t taken Luo Cheng seriously from the start.

“Hmph!”

Lu Shaojing’s face darkened as he, along with a few disciples of the Crown Prince Hall, followed behind.

As a distinguished expert on the Xuanhe List, being outright ignored by Luo Cheng had planted a seething anger in his heart. Zhu Lingmei’s previous indifference had only added fuel to the fire!

“Hurry, let’s follow! Luo Cheng is going to clash with the Crown Prince Hall members again!”

The nearby Inner Sect disciples, eager for drama, quickly joined the procession, forming a massive crowd.

Many had heard that a rising faction led by Luo Cheng was emerging within the sect, clearly intent on opposing the Crown Prince Hall!

The conflict between the two sides was undoubtedly irreconcilable.

Luo Cheng entered the Inner Sect Hall and made his way to an inner side hall.

This was where Core Disciple assessments were conducted.

At the entrance stood two Inner Sect Elders on guard.

The two elders, seeing the large group approaching from afar, were already puzzled. Before they could speak, Luo Cheng stepped forward and declared:

“Elder, I’m here to take the Core Disciple assessment.”

The Xuanhe List could wait for now—securing the status of a Core Disciple was his priority. Otherwise, people might mistakenly think he was easy to bully.

“What? Luo Cheng is taking the Core Disciple assessment!”

The onlookers behind him were completely taken aback.

Even the few Crown Prince Hall Core Disciples were caught off guard.

“This brat brought us here—is he planning to challenge us and pass the Core Disciple assessment that way?” one of them exclaimed in surprise.

“That’s impossible. Both you and Brother Qin Shao are at the Middle Stage of the Seventh Layer of Awakening Vein Realm! Luo Cheng must be out of his mind if he intends to do that,” another shook his head in disbelief.

Qin Shao’s narrow, sharp eyes locked onto Luo Cheng, and his face curved into a cold sneer:

“I hope he does lose his mind—then I’ll have a legitimate excuse to teach him a harsh lesson!”

“Heh, Brother Qin is right!”

All three of them fixed their frosty gazes on Luo Cheng, flexing their fingers eagerly as they prepared themselves.

“You’re here for the Core Disciple assessment?”

The two Inner Sect Elders, having overheard the murmurs among the crowd, were both startled by Luo Cheng’s announcement.

One of them—a middle-aged elder appearing to be around fifty—looked at Luo Cheng in surprise and asked:

“Could it be that you’ve already broken through to the Late Stage of Awakening Vein Realm?”

Luo Cheng had only recently become an Inner Sect Disciple!

If he had already advanced to the Seventh Layer, it would truly be astounding!

“Not yet,” Luo Cheng replied with a shake of his head.

Hearing this, the middle-aged elder let out a slight sigh of relief but also furrowed his brows:

“To become a Core Disciple, a cultivation of Seventh Layer Awakening Vein Realm is required…”

Luo Cheng appeared unmoved and responded, “Elder, as long as I can endure ten breaths under the assault of three Core Disciples, I’ll still qualify to become one, correct?”

The Core Disciples were the sect’s elite, forming its backbone!

Cultivation requirements were merely a baseline—what truly mattered was combat ability.

Such a measure ensured that disciples didn’t recklessly consume elixir pills to force a cultivation breakthrough, resulting in hollow strength and a failure to meet genuine standards.

Every Inner Sect Disciple vying for a Core Disciple position had to undergo an assessment—facing an attack from three Seventh Layer of Awakening Vein Realm Core Disciples and lasting for at least ten breaths!

Passing the assessment granted eligibility to become a Core Disciple.

Conversely, even if one’s cultivation reached the Seventh Layer, failure in the assessment meant disqualification.

In other words, cultivation level was not the ultimate criterion—it was actual combat ability that mattered most.

Still, the power of Late Stage cultivators far surpassed that of their Middle Stage counterparts.

Typically, Inner Sect Disciples waited until they broke through to the Seventh Layer before attempting the assessment.

Some even delayed until reaching the Middle Stage of the Seventh Layer!

After all, the assessment showed no leniency.

Those lacking strength risked failing the test, getting injured, and being thoroughly humiliated!

Hearing Luo Cheng’s determination, the middle-aged assessment elder tried to persuade him:

“I understand your eagerness to become a Core Disciple, but don’t underestimate the difficulty of the assessment. Even those who reach the Seventh Layer don’t always succeed, and injuries are common. I urge you to think carefully before proceeding.”

“Elder, why waste so many words on someone like him? If he wants to overestimate his abilities, a little lesson might do him good. Otherwise, he’ll only embarrass our Xuanyuan Sect when he ventures out into the world!” Lu Shaojing sneered.

Luo Cheng cast a cold glance at Lu Shaojing.

Lu Shaojing responded with a smirk, entirely unfazed.

At that moment, the other assessment elder, a female, spoke up: “Since you insist on taking the assessment, then go ahead! The assessment fee is six million taels.”

Conducting the Core Disciple assessment required the involvement of three Core Disciples.

The six million taels served as payment for their efforts.

This arrangement also discouraged disciples from treating the assessment lightly and causing unnecessary disruption.

Luo Cheng promptly took out six million taels in silver notes to pay the fee and stepped into the side hall.

The assessment hall was exceptionally spacious, with a massive platform spanning over a thousand meters in both length and width at its center. Surrounding it stood nine jade pillars as thick as water barrels, carved with lifelike dragons, phoenixes, auspicious beasts, mountains, and clouds.

The female elder maintained her indifferent expression and said, “Take your place on the platform. Shortly, three Core Disciples at the Early Stage of the Seventh Layer of Awakening Vein Realm will step up to fight you. Your task is to endure their combined assault for ten breaths—if you can manage that, you’ll pass.”

Luo Cheng asked, “Can I choose my opponents?”

The female elder was momentarily surprised but then nodded: “You may. However, they must be Inner Sect Core Disciples! Also, don’t think about cheating—any attempts at collusion will result in severe punishment for all involved.”

Luo Cheng smiled and raised his hand, pointing to the trio standing next to Lu Shaojing.

“I choose those three.”

At his words, the atmosphere in the assessment hall instantly shifted.

“What’s going on? Luo Cheng actually chose Qin Shao and his group! Two of them are already at the Middle Stage of the Seventh Layer!”

“Is he trying to make trouble for himself? Does he really think he can last ten breaths against their combined onslaught?”

“Those three are Crown Prince Hall members—they’ll definitely seize the opportunity to go all out! Luo Cheng must have lost his mind!”

Everyone’s gaze turned to Luo Cheng, their faces filled with disbelief.

Even Zhu Lingmei was taken aback. Looking at Luo Cheng with a glimmer in her eyes, she muttered, “Could it be…”

She recalled the shift in Luo Cheng’s demeanor but remained uncertain about the extent of his combat strength.

A three-on-one assault by top-ranking Seventh Layer cultivators was no joke—one misstep could lead to serious injury!

Lu Shaojing, with a faint glance at Luo Cheng, let out a cold laugh: “Junior Brother Qin Shao, since someone is so eager to challenge you, why hesitate? And remember—don’t let a useless pretender become a Core Disciple and tarnish the reputation of our Xuanyuan Sect.”

“Heh, if he wants to become a Core Disciple, he’ll have to get through me first!”

Qin Shao sneered as he leapt onto the platform, his sharp gaze locked on Luo Cheng.

“Come on, brat, get up here!”

The oppressive shout reverberated throughout the entire hall, causing a low tremor to ripple through the building.

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