The Unparalleled Sword Emperor
Chapter 431 - 430: Core Disciple Assessment

Chapter 431: Chapter 430: Core Disciple Assessment

Under the darkness of a winter day in the Imperial Capital, a heavy snowfall beautifully decorated the world in a coat of silver.

However, the daytime was graced by the radiant sun.

During these five days, Lin Bai, accompanied by the First Princess, leisurely wandered the Imperial Capital. Although it was not exactly an idyllic trip, it had a unique charm.

As for the nights...

They were filled with music and festivities.

Ever since Lin Bai embarked on his Martial Art journey, he had never lived such a joyful life.

Indeed, as the ancient saying goes, "men are steel, and women are lubricants."

Throughout these five days, Lin Bai completely set aside the dangers of the Martial Art and indulged in the pleasures of life.

However, all good things must come to an end.

On this clear morning, Ji Bei paid a visit to the Princess Chang Mansion.

"Lin Bai, I didn’t disturb you two, did I?" Ji Bei asked with a smile.

Lin Bai and the First Princess came side by side and sat opposite Ji Bei.

Lin Bai responded with a light smile, "No problem, Elder. I take it that you must have some important matters to discuss, given the sudden visit."

Ji Bei replied with a chuckle, "Lin Bai, have you forgotten? The Core Disciple Assessment is imminent. We have stayed in the Imperial Capital for quite some time now; it’s time to return to the Spirit Sword Sect."

Lin Bai was taken aback and began to recall the timeline.

It had been almost thirteen days since Lin Bai went to the East Sea. He delayed for ten days in the Southern Region and delayed a few more days inside the Imperial Capital. The month’s duration was almost over.

The Spirit Sword Sect’s Core Martial Artist Assessment was about to start.

Lin Bai sighed lightly and said with a wry smile, "I’ve been a bit too relaxed these few days; I almost forgot about the important matters."

Ji Bei chuckled, "As the old saying goes, a gentle township is the Hero’s grave."

Lin Bai responded with a resigned smile.

The First Princess sat quietly beside Lin Bai without any complaints.

Lin Bai then asked, "So, when are we returning to the Spirit Sword Sect?"

Ji Bei replied, "Haha, I won’t rush you. Let’s meet at the East City Gate of the Imperial Capital tomorrow morning."

"Alright."

Lin Bai nodded slightly.

Ji Bei then stood up to leave.

Once Ji Bei had left, the First Princess turned to Lin Bai and asked, "You’re leaving?"

Lin Bai smiled, "My journey is not yet over."

The First Princess responded, "I’ve already sent scouts into the territory of the Shenwu Kingdom to find out about your parents’ whereabouts. I’ll notify you immediately once we get any news."

Lin Bai replied, "That would be best."

The First Princess asked, "You’re returning to the Spirit Sword Sect to participate in the Core Disciple Assessment?"

"Indeed. It’s a crucial step for me."

As Lin Bai spoke, he remembered the true expertise of Ling Tianzi. Only after Lin Bai had become a Core Martial Artist would it be passed on to him.

Lin Bai was particularly curious about what Ling Tianzi referred to as his true expertise, what could it possibly be?

Li Shanqing had once said that Ling Tianzi was proficient in four arts throughout his life.

Elixir Dao, Saber Dao, Sword Art, and Array Dao.

The Elixir Dao was passed down to the Senior Brother.

Saber Dao was passed down to the Second Senior Sister.

Array Dao was passed down to Li Shanqing.

And this final Sword Art was supposed to belong to Lin Bai.

Being considered Ling Tianzi’s trump card, this Sword Art must be extraordinary.

Ling Tianzi had also mentioned that if Lin Bai could learn his Sword Art, it would become one of Lin Bai’s significant support on his Martial Art journey.

"You must be careful then. I won’t be able to accompany you to the Spirit Sword Sect anymore," the First Princess said.

"On the bright side, after you leave, I can start dealing with matters in the Southern Region. I’ve been indulging myself a bit too much these past few days," the blushed First Princess confessed.

"Hmm, that’s good."

Lin Bai nodded faintly, "I have been in the Imperial Capital all this time and I haven’t seen the Ninth Princess, what’s going on?"

The First Princess laughed, "She went on a trip with the sword-master from the royal family a few days ago. I heard they’ve gone to see the martial arts competition in the 700 states of Lingdong from the Heavenly Sword Dynasty."

Having said this, the First Princess felt some remorse towards Bai Zhiyuan.

"Lin Bai, the Ninth..."

Bai Zhiyuan murmured.

Lin Bai laughed, "I know what you are trying to say, but I see Zhiyuan like a sister."

"But the Ninth’s feelings for you are more than just sibling love." The First Princess responded.

Lin Bai laughed, "Don’t worry, time will take care of everything."

"Perhaps."

The First Princess unable to think of better solutions, decided to let fate take its course.

That night was exceptionally long.

Early the next morning,

The First Princess sent Lin Bai to the Imperial Capital and found Ji Bei.

The other disciples, like Lijian Xing, Ji Bai, Wang Hao, Sun Qian, had already returned to the Spirit Sword Sect to prepare for the Core Martial Artist Assessment three days ago.

But Ji Bei delayed his departure by two days to wait for Lin Bai.

After bidding farewell to the Princess,

Lin Bai and Ji Bei rode their horses back to the Spirit Sword Sect.

On the way, curious Lin Bai, asked, "Elder Ji Bei, I still don’t know what the standards for the core martial artist assessment are?"

Ji Bei casually replied, "It’s simple, the core martial artist examination is divided into two phases. One is the preliminary examination, and the other is positioning."

"The preliminary examination allows all disciples of the Spirit Sword Sect to challenge the Martial God Tower, which has nine floors. Each floor is guarded by martial artists from the Heaven Martial Realm Ninth Layer."

"If one can pass this Martial God Tower, then they pass the preliminary examination."

"Once you pass the preliminary examination, you get nine pass tokens."

"For the positioning, as we all know, there are always nine positions in the core martial artists of the Spirit Sword Sect."

"The martial artists who hold these tokens can challenge each other until the final nine core martial artists are decided."

"The one who fails should leave their token. The sequence of the nine core martial artists is then determined by the number of tokens they hold."

Ji Bei explained calmly.

Lin Bai asked, "What happens if, in the end, all the pass tokens end up with one warrior?"

"Uh..."

Ji Bei was stumped by Lin Bai’s question and laughed awkwardly, "It would be unlikely. In the annual core martial artist assessment, almost no one was able to hold all the tokens."

"Such a situation essentially doesn’t happen, not even Jian Xuan did it."

"If such a situation really does occur, the Spirit Sword Sect would only have one core martial artist for the year."

"Oh, I see." Lin Bai nodded in understanding, "Elder Ji Bei, will Su Cang take part in the core martial artist examination?"

Ji Bei responded, "Yes."

"Lin Bai, but I must warn you, unless something unexpected occurs, Su Cang’s cultivation should already be in the middle stage of the Half-step Divine Pill Realm for this core martial artist examination."

"You should hold back for now, it’s best not to clash with him head-on."

Lin Bai smiled faintly and said, "Why not? I want to have a good fight with him. Besides, Elder, do you think Su Cang will easily let me go?"

"Even if I don’t go looking for him, he will come to me."

"But this time, it’s still uncertain who will win and who will lose."

Lin Bai said coldly.

Su Cang, he is the Young Sect Leader of the Spirit Sword Sect.

The title ’Young Sect Leader’ was bestowed upon Su Cang simply because his father, Su Zhan, is the Sect Leader of the Spirit Sword Sect.

But in reality, Su Cang’s status among the disciples of the Spirit Sword Sect is still a core disciple.

Thus, Su Cang will participate in the core disciple’s assessment.