Chapter 42: Another Instant Kill! . . .
Whenever the advancement test occurred, it invariably drew a substantial crowd of students eager to witness the proceedings. The outcome of the test held the potential to influence their standings within the ranking hierarchy.
A luminous screen showcased everyone's test progress outside the Illusionary Spirit Tower.
"Wait, someone passed the test so quickly? It's Ye Yuan!" exclaimed someone, observing the rapid change in the light screen.
"Isn't that Ye Yuan, the one who defeated Fei Qingping in the deathmatch? That guy is something else!"
"But it's his first advancement test, right? This should be the Entry Advancement test."
"Even so, it's remarkable! Considering the time, he should have just started. Even though it's the Entry Advancement test, he has to face five Fourth Level Essence Qi Realm fighters. Could it be that he instantly killed them all?"
"That's a possibility! How formidable is his combat prowess? Back when I did the Entry Advancement test, it took me the time for a burning incense stick to finish them off! Even Fei Qingping, who broke through, might not be able to kill five Fourth Level Essence Qi Realm opponents instantly, right?"
"I see. I made the right choice coming today. Ye Yuan made a stunning entrance. I'm eager to see how far he can go in this test!"
Ye Yuan's swift defeat of five martial artists of the same level sparked a fervor among the students.
All present had undergone the Entry Advancement test, yet not one dared claim the ability to instantly slay five peers at the same level. The prowess Ye Yuan displayed, killing Fei Qingping at the Third Level Essence Qi Realm, now at the Fourth Level, intensified the curiosity surrounding his combat strength.
While many attendees initially sought to witness who might advance to Heaven Rank, the spotlight shifted unexpectedly to Ye Yuan.
Huyan Yong silently observed the light screen, distinguishing himself from the crowd. Unlike others, he harbored a profound interest in Ye Yuan's test.
Upon witnessing Ye Yuan's success in the Entry Advancement test, the astonishment Huyan Yong experienced equaled that of the other students.
At the Fourth Level Essence Qi Realm, defeating five martial artists simultaneously was well within his capability. However, instantly killing them was an accomplishment beyond his reach.
Ye Yuan's prowess continued to astound.
"Look! Wan Yuan and Liu Ruoshui are here too. They've probably come to assess just how strong Ye Yuan is."
"I wonder what they thought when they saw Ye Yuan pass the Entry Advancement test instantly."
Amidst the crowd, someone noted the arrival of Wan Yuan and Liu Ruoshui. The tension between Wan Yuan and Ye Yuan was no secret, and their presence signaled a direct interest in Ye Yuan's performance.
As Wan Yuan scrutinized the light screen, his expression darkened. Witnessing Ye Yuan's swift advancement, even in the Entry test, left him unsettled. Unaware of Ye Yuan's progression to the Fourth Level Essence Qi Realm, Wan Yuan couldn't fathom the speed at which Ye Yuan excelled.
...
Inside the Illusionary Spirit Tower, the Dream Tapir gazed at Ye Yuan with an air of bewilderment. Having assessed countless students, each exhibiting power surpassing their peers, he now faced a novel experience with Ye Yuan—someone capable of instantly slaying five opponents at the same level.
Typically, reaching a Seventh Level Essence Qi Realm was necessary to achieve such a feat. Jumping ranks was common among genius students, but transcending an entire minor stage was an extraordinary challenge.
Ye Yuan, formerly unable to contend with Fei Qingping at the Third Level Essence Qi Realm, demonstrated an unparalleled ascent.
"My apologies. I forgot to tell you that I'm here to take the Yellow Rank Advancement test," Ye Yuan casually disclosed, a light smile playing on his lips.
The Dream Tapir, slightly displeased with Ye Yuan's demeanor, frowned and responded, "Alright. The Yellow Rank Advancement test begins now. Meet your opponent."
With a wave of the Dream Tapir's hand, five black-clothed martial artists materialized. Astonishingly, they were all at the Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm.
"Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm? The difficulty doesn't seem to have increased much," Ye Yuan mused to himself.
As Ye Yuan declared, the Yellow Rank Advancement test, despite being more challenging than the Entry Advancement test, still presented a manageable difficulty. The adversaries, five Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm martial artists, posed a considerable threat, yet their collective strength fell within a range that diligent students could confront.
With time's passage, as students' cultivation realms ascended, confronting fighters at the Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm would become less formidable. The true crucible lay in the Black Rank Advancement test and the Earth Rank Advancement test.
The challenges escalated in these advanced tests. The Black Rank Advancement test pitted students against a more formidable challenge — facing five Eighth Level Essence Qi Realm martial artists. The pinnacle was the Earth Rank Advancement test, requiring students to contend with five adversaries at the First Level Spirit Condensation Realm. Typically, overcoming these trials mandated a commensurate increase in one's cultivation realm.
The notion of "one cultivation realm, one layer of heaven" underscored the conventional progression. Save for extraordinary talents like Long Tang, the average student struggled to surmount this hierarchical constraint. Notably, ascending to the Spirit Condensation Realm was imperative to qualify for the Earth Rank Advancement test, a prerequisite for becoming a Heaven Rank student.
Wan Yuan's breakthrough to Earth rank with his Seventh Level Essence Qi Realm cultivation was a remarkable achievement, testament to his exceptional potential and the academy's substantial investment in his development.
Facing five Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm opponents was a substantial challenge. Yet, for Ye Yuan, who effortlessly dispatched Fei Qingping at the Third Level Essence Qi Realm, these adversaries posed little difficulty. His rapid ascent to the Fourth Level Essence Qi Realm further diminished the challenge presented by the five Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm fighters.
As the assailants closed in, Ye Yuan maintained a sheathed sword, opting instead for a palm strike — the Stacking Waves Layered Palm, Second Layer Wave.
The impact sent the five black-clothed martial artists hurtling through the air, disappearing from view.
The Dream Tapir, observing in disbelief, found himself awestruck by Ye Yuan's prowess. The seemingly impossible feat left the Dream Tapir contemplating the extent of Ye Yuan's capabilities.
In the meantime, Huyan Yong, keenly observing the light curtain, registered a second instant kill. The Yellow Rank Advancement test, designed with five Sixth Level Essence Qi Realm fighters, appeared inconceivable for an instant kill.
Ye Yuan's ease in overcoming the Yellow Rank Advancement test left Huyan Yong in disbelief. The opponents, each two minor cultivation realms higher than Ye Yuan, should have presented a formidable challenge. The sheer ease with which Ye Yuan disposed of them defied expectations.
Witnesses among the students echoed the sentiment of shock and amazement. Ye Yuan's prowess transcended imagination, prompting discussions on his monstrous capabilities and the unprecedented nature of his feats.
Wan Yuan, confronted by the spectacle on the light screen, grappled with a profound sense of threat. Ye Yuan's meteoric progress hinted at an impending gap in their abilities during the Endless Trials.
In the face of this perceived threat, Wan Yuan harbored an adamant resolve — Ye Yuan must be eliminated.