Martial Conquest of the Nine Desolates
Chapter 110 - 108: Three Tough Challenges

Chapter 110: Chapter 108: Three Tough Challenges

The duel between Xiao Ye and Leng Feng had surpassed everyone’s imagination; the strength of either of them far exceeded that of any Inner Sect Disciple.

"Hmph, I want to see if your trump card can withstand my Martial Arts True Intent!" Above Leng Feng’s head, a flood of weapon-shaped torrents radiated sharp chills, ready to pierce through Xiao Ye’s body with just a thought.

Facing such a terrifying attack, Xiao Ye showed no fear.

"Now, there’s no need to hide my Martial Arts True Intent any longer." Xiao Ye’s robe fluttered, his gaze intense and profound, filled with an awe-inspiring War Intent.

Previously, his strength was meager. Revealing high-level Martial Arts True Intent too early could lead to jealousy and underhanded attacks.

But now things were different. He was unrivaled within the Inner Sect, and even Leng Feng before him was no match; he was confident in his ability to protect himself.

Moreover, revealing his Martial Arts True Intent now could also catch the attention of the Black Robed Elder.

Just when Xiao Ye had made up his mind, ready to unleash his Martial Arts True Intent, a black figure suddenly descended into the canyon, followed by a Golden Robed Elder.

The black figure belonged to a beautiful mature woman; she was graceful despite the white at her temples, with no sign of age on her face.

"Both of you, stop right there!" The beautiful woman’s eyes shot out two cold gleams, like Sword Lights, simultaneously striking Xiao Ye and Leng Feng.

Xiao Ye’s body trembled as if struck by lightning, and the Heavenly Termination Saber in his hand clanged to the ground.

And Leng Feng didn’t fare much better; the weapon torrent above him lost control and fell like rain.

With just a glare, two Heavenly Prides lost their Combat Power simultaneously. How terrifying.

"Third Elder!" Leng Feng’s face turned pale as he quickly retracted his Martial Arts True Intent and respectfully bowed.

This woman in a black robe was none other than the Third Elder among the Four Black Robed Elders and appeared surprisingly young.

Xiao Ye looked up, and as he saw the woman’s face, his memories thundered, and the past sealed within them surfaced.

"It’s her!"

Five years ago, it was this woman who had traveled to Xiao Family Village, taken Liu Yiyi as a disciple, and brought her to the Chongyang Sect.

"No wonder Liu Yiyi became a Direct Disciple." Xiao Ye’s eyes turned cold.

Without a doubt, Liu Yiyi’s personality transformation, presenting Elixir to sever ties with Xiao Family Village, must have been approved by the Third Elder, so Xiao Ye wasn’t fond of her.

"Tomorrow is the day to recruit Direct Disciples, and if either of you wishes to duel, there will be plenty of opportunities. Now, both of you stand down," said the Third Elder coldly.

Hearing this, Leng Feng nodded and looked at Xiao Ye: "Our duel isn’t over. I will defeat you publicly on the day of the Direct Disciples recruitment."

After speaking, Leng Feng, holding his spear, turned, and left.

"I never thought I could misjudge someone. That wild youth from the past has grown to this extent," the Third Elder turned her gaze to Xiao Ye, speaking indifferently.

"If you think this way, you can get close to Yiyi; you are far too naive. I advise you to give up, as Yiyi’s future achievements are not something you can compare with. I hope you’re aware of your own limitations."

"As her Master, I wouldn’t want her to be pestered by some delusional clowns," the Third Elder continued, her tone filled with indifference, echoing Liu Yiyi’s words from before.

Hearing this, Xiao Ye’s gaze turned even colder; the Third Elder was too presumptuous, even treating him as a clown.

"Third Elder, you are thinking too much; my entry into the Chongyang Sect is for the pursuit of Martial Arts, nothing to do with Liu Yiyi," Xiao Ye coldly retorted.

"Just some Dark Acupoints and a bit of good fortune, fortunate enough to have cultivated the Four Tripod Heavenly Technique, and you dare to talk about pursuing Martial Arts?" The Third Elder’s face showed a hint of mockery.

Good luck?

Anger rose in Xiao Ye’s heart, thinking, what is wrong with this old woman, mocking and targeting him at every turn.

"You don’t understand my Martial Arts!"

After leaving those words behind, Xiao Ye picked up the Heavenly Termination Saber, too lazy to pay her any more attention, and strode away.

The numerous Inner Sect Disciples watched in amazement; Xiao Ye was audacious to insinuate that the Black Robed Elder didn’t understand his Martial Arts.

"This young man!" The Third Elder raised her eyebrows, a cold gleam flowing in the depths of her eyes.

"If it weren’t for the First Brother’s orders to stop this, you’d have already died by Leng Feng’s hand. Yet you’re ungrateful and even dare to talk back to me?" The Third Elder left with a frosty expression and a flick of her sleeves.

However, she was unaware that if she hadn’t intervened, the one who would have been defeated in the end was surely Leng Feng.

The duel between the two Heavenly Prides was unexpectedly interrupted due to the Third Elder’s arrival. While the spectators felt regret, they were also extremely excited.

The clash was so stirring that they were filled with fervor and wished they could be the two Heavenly Prides, fighting a fierce battle once more.

In a short while, Xiao Ye’s name echoed throughout the Inner Sect, standing shoulder to shoulder with Leng Feng as the Inner Sect’s two great Heavenly Prides.

The debate about who among them was stronger spread rapidly within the Inner Sect, with supporters of Xiao Ye and Leng Feng split down the middle, endlessly arguing.

It wasn’t long before a Golden Robed Elder of the Inner Sect arrived, announcing that there would be a Black Robed Elder appearing to select Direct Disciples from the top ten the following day.

The entire Inner Sect was abuzz with anticipation, even those who weren’t qualified to participate looked forward to the next day.

"Direct Disciple recruitment, divided into three difficult trials?" Xiao Ye obtained more precise information from Ling Yang.

"Setting up these three trials is actually to observe your performance comprehensively. Generally speaking, when Black Robed Elders pick Direct Disciples, they don’t focus on strength alone. Only those with a strong overall performance have a chance to be selected," Ling Yang said meaningfully.

Xiao Ye nodded, understanding that becoming a Direct Disciple was not as simple as he had thought.

"I will become a Direct Disciple!" Xiao Ye’s body was filled with immense self-confidence.

He firmly believed that in every aspect, his performance would not be inferior to others.

The next morning, when the early sun began to rise, a Golden Robed Elder stood tall at the peak of the mountain.

"Top ten Inner Sect Disciples, follow me to the site of the martial arts selection!" The majestic voice thundered throughout the Inner Sect.

Swoosh!

The ten prepared youngsters all opened their eyes, brimming with spirit.

"Xiao Ye, our duel begins with this selection." Leng Feng, holding a long spear exuding war intent, stepped out of the Chongyang Secret Realm with great strides.

He had already seen Xiao Ye as his rival.

"Having a rival to compete with is always better than none." Xiao Ye grinned and followed.

The ten strongest disciples of the Inner Sect quickly stood before the Golden Robed Elder.

"Depart!" The Golden Robed Elder glanced at everyone, waved his hand grandly, and led them toward the depths of Chongyang Mountain Range.

Behind them followed other Inner Sect Disciples who had come to watch the excitement.

Before long, the group, under the guidance of the Golden Robed Elder, arrived at a clearing deep within the Chongyang Mountain Range.

Surrounded by mountains, the scenery was pleasant and beautiful, with a vast lake in the distance.

"Is this the site of the selection?" Xiao Ye’s gaze swept around, not finding anything special about this place, not even the presence of the Black Robed Elder.

Swoosh!

Swoosh!

Swoosh!

At that moment, three shadows in black suddenly stepped through the air. Their robes billowing, a daunting aura swept across, weighing heavy on everyone present.

Three Black Robed Elders arrived together!

"Stepping through the air!" Xiao Ye narrowed his eyes to look at the three Black Robed Elders.

"It is said that those at the Innate Limit can tread through the air, and strong warriors of the Xuanwu Realm can break free from the earth’s shackles and roam the world!" A hint of longing surged in Xiao Ye’s eyes.

To fly through the air, what freedom that must be? This is what every Martial Artist aspires to.

"That’s not right, why have only three Black Robed Elders come?" Xiao Ye’s brows furrowed, sensing something amiss.

His gaze swept over and saw the leader, with white hair and beard, appearing like dried wood, his figure thin – it was the Great Elder he had seen on the Sealing Jade Token taken from Zhao Qian.

To the left of the Great Elder was a slightly plump old man, whose cold expression sent shivers down onlookers’ spines.

To the right of the Great Elder was a beautiful woman, also an old acquaintance of Xiao Ye, the Third Elder.

"I see no sign of the Fourth Elder," Xiao Ye thought to himself.

He had seen the Fourth Elder in the Judgement Hall and, had it not been for the Fourth Elder, he wouldn’t have had the chance to enter Death Swamp.

Therefore, he harbored no resentment towards the Fourth Elder.

Other Inner Sect Disciples also noticed the absence of the Fourth Elder.

"I heard the Fourth Elder is quite eccentric and has so far taken only one Direct Disciple. It seems he has no intention of taking any this time."

"Alas, I’ve long heard that the Fourth Elder’s strength is not inferior to the Great Elder’s. I’d hoped to become a disciple under the Fourth Elder."

The Inner Sect Disciples participating in the selection whispered among themselves.

The three Black Robed Elders stepped through the air, landing before the crowd. Despite their aged bodies, they held an undeniable power.

"Greetings, Lord Elders!" Both the top ten disciples participating in the selection and the spectators from the Inner Sect bowed respectfully.

The status of the Black Robed Elder within the Sect was highly revered, second only to the Sect Leader and Deputy Sect Leader.

The Third Elder gave Xiao Ye a fleeting glance before shifting her gaze away.

"This selection for Direct Disciples breaks down into three challenges. The first challenge is meditative sitting on this object." The Great Elder with white hair and beard flipped his palm, and a circular White Jade Stone Platform rapidly enlarged.

Boom!

The enlarged White Jade Stone Platform, with a diameter of ten meters, slammed onto the ground.

Xiao Ye curiously observed the White Jade Stone Platform. Meditative sitting on it was a challenge?

"You ten, go sit quietly on it," the Great Elder commanded, his voice filled with an unquestionable suppression.

Swoosh!

Leng Feng was the first to charge up.

Swoosh!

With someone taking the lead, several others immediately rushed up as well.

With curiosity in his eyes, Xiao Ye stepped onto the White Jade Stone Platform and sat down cross-legged.

"Hehe... Little fellows, the White Jade Stone Platform may seem simple, but once you sit on it, getting back up is not going to be easy," the Great Elder said with chuckling, stroking his white beard.

(At my hometown, using the shared network from my phone, the speed is too slow. It took half an hour to upload this Chapter, and finally, I managed to post it using my phone. I’m on the verge of collapse, making everyone wait for so long.)

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