388: Reverse Life (Part 6) (Bonus Chapter by the great author Mu Dong!)

The Heavenly Sword Sect Annual Grand Competition officially began.

The Inner Sect Disciples and Outer Sect Disciples stood in separate areas, clearly demarcated.

Most Inner Sect Disciples looked arrogant and were dressed splendidly, while the Outer Sect Disciples appeared more nervous and constrained.

On the high viewing platform, all the Sect's high-ranking officials, led by the Third Elder, were seated, their gazes sweeping over the thousands of Disciples below with varied expressions.

Amidst the crowd, Li Ran and his few followers were openly casting scornful glances at Wang Yun and Zhu Wen, who stood at the very end of the Inner Sect Disciple line.

“Look, that piece of trash actually dared to show up.”

“He's going to have a rough time later.”

Zhu Wen felt the malicious gazes; he clenched his fists, worried for Wang Yun beside him.

Wang Yun's expression, however, was as calm as water, as if everything around him had nothing to do with him.

“Silence!”

The Third Elder stood up, his authoritative voice suppressing the noise across the Training Ground.

“The Sect Grand Competition begins now! Round one: Inner Sect Cultivation Test!”

He announced the rules.

“Inner Sect Disciples whose cultivation has not reached the Heavenly Spirit Realm will immediately have their Inner Sect status revoked and be demoted to Outer Sect!”

As soon as these words were spoken, a small commotion arose within the ranks of the Inner Sect Disciples.

The test quickly began.

One Inner Sect Disciple after another walked up to the Test Stone ahead and placed their palm upon it.

Light flashed, and the results were announced one by one.

“Heavenly Spirit Realm Early Stage.”

“Heavenly Spirit Realm Middle Stage, passed.”

Most people passed smoothly.

Soon, it was Zhu Wen's turn.

He took a deep breath, walked forward, and pressed his hand onto the Test Stone.

Buzz!

The Test Stone erupted with light far more brilliant than that of the previous participants.

“Heavenly Spirit Realm Peak!”

The Steward responsible for recording shouted the result, his voice carrying a hint of surprise.

The Elders on the viewing platform couldn't help but look over, casting glances of approval toward Zhu Wen.

“This child has a firm Heart-Nature and has encountered a fortuitous opportunity. His future is promising.”

The Third Elder stroked his beard and nodded.

Li Ran's expression turned ugly; he hadn't expected Zhu Wen's progress to be so rapid.

Zhu Wen returned to the line, but there was little joy on his face; he only looked worriedly at the person about to step up next.

“Next, Yun.”

When this name was called out, the entire Training Ground instantly fell silent.

Countless gazes—schadenfreude, curiosity, and contempt—all focused on Wang Yun.

Under the scrutiny of all eyes, Wang Yun calmly walked forward.

He stretched out his hand and gently pressed it onto the Test Stone.

The stone was silent for a moment before lighting up with a weak glow, pitifully dim compared to the radiance of the previous Heavenly Spirit Realm Disciples.

“Earth... Earth Spirit Realm?”

The Steward's voice sounded uncertain.

After a brief silence, a torrent of laughter erupted from the crowd of Disciples.

“Hahaha! It really is the Earth Spirit Realm! He's actually not a Mortal anymore?”

“Going from a Mortal to the Earth Spirit Realm in half a year is quite a miracle. It seems this Mortal might have had some fortuitous encounter, but alas, the Inner Sect rules are ironclad!”

On the viewing platform, the Elders also exchanged glances.

But this couldn't change anything.

Rules were rules.

“Yun, cultivation Earth Spirit Realm. Round one test, failed!”

The cold voice echoed throughout the Training Ground.

“Effective immediately, his Inner Sect Disciple status is revoked!”

Li Ran couldn't hold back anymore and burst out laughing.

“Congratulations! The fastest demoted Genius in Heavenly Sword Sect history has been born! Hahaha!”

Zhu Wen trembled with anger, but he was stopped by a calm look from Wang Yun.

The Third Elder ignored the commotion below and continued his announcement.

“All Inner Sect Disciples who passed the test, proceed immediately to Training Platform Two for the second round: ‘Arena Battle’!”

As his voice fell, Stewards guided Zhu Wen, Li Ran, and the other Inner Sect Disciples toward another direction.

Zhu Wen looked back repeatedly, worriedly watching Wang Yun, who remained alone.

When Li Ran passed by Wang Yun, he whispered contemptuously:

“Trash, enjoy staying in the Outer Sect!”

Afterward, the Third Elder's gaze returned to Wang Yun.

“As for you, Yun.”

“Considering your recent entry into the Sect, the Sect will grant you one last chance.”

“Although you have lost your Inner Sect qualification, you can still participate in the subsequent Outer Sect Grand Competition as an Outer Sect Disciple.”

“Their second round is ‘Asking the Sword’. If you can perform exceptionally well in Asking the Sword, you might regain your Inner Sect status.”

To the crowd, these words were merely the last formality the Third Elder went through to save the Sect's face.

What exceptional performance could an Earth Spirit Realm Cultivator possibly achieve in “Asking the Sword”?

Wang Yun nodded calmly and silently walked out of the Inner Sect Disciple line that had once been his, joining the massive crowd of Outer Sect Disciples on the other side.

Behind him were countless mocking and disdainful glances.

All the Outer Sect Disciples, led by the Sect Stewards, headed toward the next Trial Grounds.

The Asking the Sword Platform.

That was an ancient stone platform suspended above a sea of clouds.

In the center of the platform was planted a massive heavy sword, entirely black and lacking an edge.

It was precisely the Sect Suppressing Treasure left behind by Sage King Bei Hong.

The Elders were already seated on the viewing platform opposite the Asking the Sword Platform.

An Elder looked at the ancient sword and sighed emotionally:

“To think that since the Ancestral Master, our Heavenly Sword Sect hasn't seen a Genius capable of eliciting more than six sword cries from the Ancestral Master's Sword for thousands of years.”

Another Elder chimed in:

“Don't worry. I heard that among the newly admitted Outer Sect Disciples this time, there is a prodigy possessing the ‘Innate Sword Saint Body’. Perhaps he can bring us a surprise.”

Upon hearing this, the Third Elder also showed a hint of expectation in his eyes.

The second round of Asking the Sword officially began.

The Outer Sect Disciples approached the stone platform in order, placing their hands on the hilt of the edgeless heavy sword, attempting to elicit a sword cry.

“No reaction.”

“One sword cry.”

“Two sword cries, not bad.”

Most Disciples could only elicit one or two sword cries, or even none, and were thus judged to have mediocre Aptitude.

Finally, it was the turn of the Genius possessing the “Innate Sword Saint Body,” on whom great hopes were placed.

As soon as he appeared, he drew the attention of the entire Training Ground.

He walked up to the ancient sword, took a deep breath, solemnly pressed his palm onto it, closed his eyes, and focused his spirit.

Buzz—

The first sword cry rang out, clear and prolonged.

Buzz!

Buzz!

Immediately following, the second and third cries rang out in succession, each one louder than the last.

The breathing of all the Disciples present halted.

Buzz!

Buzz!

Buzz!

The fourth cry!

The fifth cry!

The sixth cry!

When the sixth sword cry echoed through the clouds, the entire Asking the Sword Platform trembled slightly.

The Elders on the viewing platform suddenly stood up, their faces filled with excitement and ecstasy.

“Six cries! It's six cries!”

“Heaven protects my Heavenly Sword Sect!”

The Genius Disciple's face flushed red. Encouraged by the Elders, he let out a roar, attempting to elicit the seventh sword cry.

However, the ancient sword only trembled slightly, and a majestic force rebounded outward.

He let out a muffled groan, a trace of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth, and he was knocked back several steps, signaling failure.

Nevertheless, this was enough.

Although the Elders felt regretful, they were mostly excited.

The Third Elder calmed his excited state and loudly announced to the entire Training Ground:

“An Aptitude that elicits six cries is a grand occasion unseen for thousands of years! This child's future is limitless! It seems this will be the best result of this Grand Competition!”

His words prematurely concluded this round of Asking the Sword.

In everyone's view, the outcome was decided.

The Elder presiding over Asking the Sword calmed his emotions, picked up the roster, and rather perfunctorily called out the next name.

“Yun.”

When this name was called, everyone's gaze focused once again.

Only this time, their eyes were full of the intent of watching a show.

Amidst countless contemptuous and curious glances, Wang Yun, with a calm expression, slowly walked toward the ancient sword in the center of the stone platform.