Chapter 3681: The Two Core Disciples

There were two divisions for the core disciples’ test: one for gods and one for Kings of Gods. The difficulty of the tests corresponded to the inner disciples’ cultivation bases.

‘Inner disciples who were gods who fail to become Kings of Gods after reaching 5,000 years old will be stripped of their titles as inner disciples. They will then become outer aides and be sent out of the main estate to manage the sect’s properties outside. On the other hand, regardless of their cultivation bases, Kings of Gods will no longer be inner disciples once they reach the age of 10,000. Those who are intermediate Kings of Gods or stronger will become inner elders while those rudimentary Kings of Gods will become outer elders.’

After spending some time in the Hidden Fog Sect, Duan Ling Tian gained a deeper understanding of the sect’s inner workings as well.

In the Hidden Fog Sect, outer elders, outer aides, and outer disciples were ranked at the bottom. Whereas in the inner sect, ranked in descending order, were the sect leader, supreme elders, vice sect leaders, guardians, core elders, core disciples, inner elders, inner aides, and inner disciples.

Usually, outer aides were at least advanced gods, and outer elders were rudimentary gods; inner aides were at least intermediate Kings of Gods while inner elders were at least advanced Kings of Gods.

Even if they shared the same cultivation bases, naturally, their strengths would vary. The difference in strength between advanced Kings of Gods who were core elders and inner elders was rather vast.

As for the supreme elders and guardians, they were all mostly Lords of Gods. Due to their high status, the treatment their disciples, even if they were just gods, received was on par with that of an inner elder.

Apart from that, due to the difficulty of the core disciples’ test, there were no more than 100 core disciples in the Hidden Fog Sect before. Hence, core disciples were highly valued since they would become core elders of the sect at least in the future.

‘I won’t have to worry about the members of the Hidden Fog Sect looking for trouble with me after I become a core disciple. After all, core disciples are highly valued.’

While Duan Ling Tian made his way to the Trial Pavilion to take the core disciples’ test, he began to think of his next move. He did not forget the reason why he had risked his life to come to the Profound Energy Land; he was here to raise his cultivation base as quickly as possible. After that, he would head to the Divine Offering Land to rescue his wife, Ke’er, so their family would be whole again.

At this time, there were many inner disciples around Duan Ling Tian as well. Although some of them were qualified to participate in the core disciples’ test, they knew it was unlikely they would pass. Nevertheless, they decided to participate to gain experience.

“Although I know I won’t pass the test to become a core disciple, I’m still excited to see how Duan Ling Tian performs during the test!” one of the inner disciples, who was a god, said excitedly.

Another inner disciple, who was a King of Gods, said enviously, “Since I’ll be taking the test for Kings of Gods, I won’t be able to watch Duan Ling Tian while he takes the test!”

Over the last few months, Duan Ling Tian had grown even more popular than before. Among all the disciples, only the core disciples were more popular than him. After all, not only did he rank first in the Heavenly Stairs Battle shortly after joining the Hidden Fog sect, but he even killed Qi Yu, one of the ten strongest gods among the disciples, with ease. For these reasons, his fame skyrocketed and many people were eager to see his performance during the core disciples’ test.

Since a long time ago, everyone had already known of Duan Ling Tian’s intention to participate in the core disciples’ test. In the beginning, no one paid attention to him since he was just an unknown newcomer. Things naturally changed after his shocking performance during the Heavenly Stairs Battle and Qi Yu’s death. Currently, almost everyone in the sect was looking forward to watching Duan Ling Tian’s performance.

…

A huge stone tablet hovered horizontally in the sky above the Trial Pavilion.

An aloof young man with sword-like brows who dressed in a long black robe hovered above the stone tablet with his hands on his back as he looked down at the Trial Pavilion.

At this moment, a voice rang from afar.

“Shi Tong Ming, you came to watch the show as well?”

Soon enough, a young man dressed in a long green robe appeared behind the black-clad young man. His eyebrows were slender, and he carried a sheathed long sword on his back. He looked surprised to see the black-clad young man at the Trial Pavilion.

“Why did you come, Lin Yi Jian?” Shi Tong Ming, the black-clad young man, asked as he glanced at the green-clad young man.

Lin Yi Jian, the green-clad young man, chuckled before he said, “I have nothing better to do so I came to watch the show. I bet you’re curious like me and want to see how Duan Ling Tian performs, right? Although I doubt he’ll be able to pass the test, I still look forward to his performance. After all, he has comprehended the Sword Dao to the rudimentary stage.”

Shi Tong Ming shook his head. “No, I only came because my master sent me here. If Duan Ling Tian passes the test, my master wants me to bring Duan Ling Tian over to meet him. He intends to accept Duan Ling Tian as a disciple.”

“Really?!” Lin Yi Jian was shocked upon hearing Shi Tong Ming’s words. After all, he knew that Shi Tong Ming’s master was the strongest Supreme Elder in the Hidden Fog Sect. Even the Sect Leader of the Hidden Fog Sect was very respectful to Shi Tong Ming’s master. How could he not be shocked when he learned of Shi Tong Ming’s master’s intention to accept Duan Ling Tian as a disciple if Duan Ling Tian passed the core disciples’ test?

Those inner disciples who had been in the Hidden Fog Sect for a long time would easily recognize Shi Tong Ming and Lin Yi Jian. They were two of the 62 core disciples of the Hidden Fog Sect. One could only imagine how strong and talented they were.

…

This was Duan Ling Tian’s first time coming to the Trial Pavilion.

It was quaint, and the entrance archway was tall and wide. After passing through the archway, one would see a vast field.

At this time, a loud voice rang from the Trial Pavilion.

“Only inner disciples participating in the test are allowed in. Those who have no business here should leave now. Otherwise, they’ll be punished.”

With this, a group of inner disciples hurriedly left the Trial Pavilion. At the same time, they began to complain among themselves.

“Why aren’t we allowed in there?”

“There’s never been such a rule before.”

“Perhaps, there are too many participants this time?”

“I wouldn’t have bothered coming if it weren’t for Duan Ling Tian.”

Despite their complaints, they could only obey the order given. After all, inner aides had the authority to kill them if necessary.

When the group of inner disciples who were not participating in the core disciples’ test left, the number of people on the field decreased drastically. In the end, there were only about 100 people on the field. Due to how big the field was, it looked like they were not many people.

“Inner disciples who are Kings of Gods, you may enter now.”

As soon as the voice fell, a spatial tear appeared at the end of the field.

Duan Ling Tian was not surprised to see it was completely dark in the spatial tear. He had learned beforehand that the tests would be conducted in independent realms created by the Pavilion Master and the Vice Pavilion Master of the Trial Pavilion.

“Normally, inner disciples who are gods will be tested in the Vice Pavilion Master’s Little World while Kings of Gods will be tested in the Pavilion Master’s Little World. All this while, inner disciples who are gods would enter the Little World first. Why is the other way around this time?”

“Something’s not right. The force from this Little World for the Kings of Gods seems like it’s from Elder Tang Chun! It’s the aura of an advanced King of Gods.”

“Huh? This Little World is from Elder Tang Chun?”

“Shouldn’t it be from the Pavilion Master who’s a Lord of Gods? He’s a guardian of the sect, and all 19 guardians are Lords of Gods!”

“Don’t tell me the Kings of Gods are taking the test in Vice Pavilion Master’s Little World while the gods are taking the test in the Pavilion Master’s Little World?!”

“Why would they do something like this?”

Naturally, no one, including Duan Ling Tian, knew that the Pavilion Master of the Trial Pavilion who was in charge of the core disciples’ test had changed his mind at the last minute due to Duan Ling Tian..

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