CHAPTER 99: CHAPTER 98: DRAWING LOTS_1

「At a waterfall behind the mountain.」

Ling Chen sat cross-legged, the Heavenly Mansion Sword, along with its scabbard, laid across his knees. He entered a profound and ethereal state, a trance of self-forgetfulness.

The rumbling sound of the falling waterfall did not affect Ling Chen. In his perception, the world was no longer the same. Sound had completely disappeared, and the speed of the falling waterfall became slower and slower. Finally, it seemed to move in slow motion, with tendrils of water cascading down, occasionally releasing a few droplets that shimmered with a seven-colored brilliance in the sunlight, like the most dazzling crystal stones.

When, in his perception, the waterfall became utterly still, Ling Chen opened his cool eyes.

He drew his sword and slashed!

The motion was fluid, without a hint of hesitation.

Silently, the waterfall before him split in two, its sections falling separately, unable to rejoin.

BOOM! BOOM!

Two loud crashes echoed as water splashed everywhere.

"What a pity." Ling Chen looked at the waterfall, now flowing again, and shook his head faintly. If that last strike could have completely severed the waterfall’s flow, it would have been magnificent. Only by comprehending Sword Intent, the very soul of the Sword Way, could one achieve such a feat.

Water flows downwards; this is a natural law. Even the most exquisite martial arts cannot change this. Only something as profound and mystical as Sword Intent could potentially accomplish it.

Sword Intent is what every swordsman dreams of. It is formless and elusive, its origins inexplicable. For a swordsman, Sword Intent manifests when they truly understand the essence of the sword. They can then bring out its inherent characteristics, where formlessness surpasses form, and every action flows from their true heart. When they merge with their sword and fully embody their comprehension of it, the sword comes alive. That is Sword Intent.

Sword Intent was beyond his reach for now. However, Ling Chen wasn’t without gains. During this time, he had mastered White Dragon Breath, the fifth move of the Dragon Seeking Sword Technique.

HUUU!

A breath, like mist yet sharp as an arrow, expelled from his lips. Ling Chen slowly stood up, his body giving a slight tremble as it emitted a faint but distinctively sharp aura.

Though not true Sword Intent, its essence could be considered an embryonic form of it.

Having sat before the waterfall all afternoon, Ling Chen rose, ready to call it a day.

「Outside the Wuchen Courtyard.」

Seeing Ling Chen return, Xiao Muyu couldn’t help shaking his head, "You, always appearing and disappearing when least expected. It’s really not easy to find you."

"What’s up? Do you need something?" Ling Chen asked.

He was a bit surprised. What could Xiao Muyu want with him at this hour?

"The True Disciple Examination is about to start, isn’t it? There are only three days left. You need to go draw lots first." Xiao Muyu spread his hands. "I’m here to guide you to the lot drawing."

"Draw lots now?" Ling Chen was taken aback. The examination is in three days, but we’re drawing lots already?

"Yes. First, you draw lots and register your name. This allows the Deacon Disciples to arrange the groups and schedule the matches. It’s standard procedure," Xiao Muyu explained with a helpless shrug.

"Alright, let’s go then!"

On their way, Ling Chen learned from Xiao Muyu that the upcoming True Disciple Examination would be divided into three groups, each with about fifty participants. Each group would go through dozens of rounds of matches. Scores would be calculated based on wins and losses, and the highest-scoring participant in each group would earn the status of True Disciple.

Three groups of fifty participants each totaled one hundred fifty people. These one hundred fifty were all elites among the Inner Disciples, carefully selected from hundreds of their peers.

「Deacon Hall.」

A wooden box sat there, flanked by two Deacon Disciples.

At that moment, quite a few Inner Disciples were already drawing lots.

"Damn it, my luck is terrible! How did I end up in the same group as ’Cloud Blade’ Bai Ruhui?"

"You think that’s bad? My group has ’Ghost God’ Xiahou Lin! Who can possibly beat him? It’s hopeless. If I draw him, I’ll just have to forfeit."

"The first group has ’Cloud Blade’ Bai Ruhui, the second has ’Divine Fist’ Murong Ye, and the third group even has ’Ghost God’ Xiahou Lin. No matter which group you’re in, you have to face one of these titans."

A look of dawning realization crossed Ling Chen’s face as he waited in line.

This makes sense. Only the top participant from each of the three groups can attain the title of True Disciple.

Soon, it was his turn.

He reached into the lot-drawing box, pulled out a thin wooden tablet, and examined it. It read: "Group Two, Number 28."

Nearby, a Deacon Disciple recorded Ling Chen’s name and group number.

"Huh, isn’t that Ling Chen?"

A few disciples recognized him. After all, Ling Chen had once been a prominent figure in the Divine Intent Sect.

"He’s also participating in this True Disciple Examination? Wasn’t he already a True Disciple?" an Inner Disciple asked in surprise.

"Did you forget? He was stripped of his True Disciple status. It looks like he’s planning to reclaim it through this examination."

"That won’t be easy. With those three around, breaking through will be incredibly difficult, no matter which group he’s in."

Many of the Inner Disciples were not optimistic about Ling Chen’s chances. His previous True Disciple status had been largely due to his father’s influence, coupled with his own extraordinary talent, leading to an exceptional promotion. Things were different now. If it came down to pure strength, successfully regaining his True Disciple status would be very challenging.

After drawing their lots, the two of them left the crowd. Xiao Muyu asked, "Which group are you in?"

"Group Two. From what I hear, the strongest opponent in that group is someone named Murong Ye," Ling Chen answered indifferently.

"Murong Ye?" Xiao Muyu frowned slightly. "He’s a tough one. I’ve heard Murong Ye is exceptionally talented and was born with immense strength. By age ten, he could lift a hundred-pound cauldron. He cultivates the external Cultivation Technique, ’Beast Body Tempering Secret,’ and often fights Exotic Beasts barehanded. His physical strength was horrifying, estimated to be no less than three thousand pounds. A single punch from him could reduce even a strong Martial Artist to a bloody pulp."

"Indeed, quite troublesome."

Ling Chen nodded. Based on Xiao Muyu’s description, Murong Ye’s strength was truly terrifying. Still, it was to be expected. To become a True Disciple, one had to be prepared to face all kinds of opponents. Murong Ye was certainly strong, but compared to Xiahou Lin, he was likely still a notch below.

"Let’s head back. For the next couple of days, don’t push yourself so hard with your cultivation. It’s better to rest properly and conserve your energy," Xiao Muyu advised.

He knew Ling Chen was a cultivation fanatic, but at a time like this, desperately training might actually be detrimental to his performance in the examination.

"That won’t be necessary. I’ll just proceed as usual. It’s not a monumental event. Even if I don’t become a True Disciple, it will simply mean my strength was insufficient. There’s no need to force it."

Ling Chen maintained a relaxed attitude. He had weathered far greater storms in his life; the True Disciple Examination didn’t seem overly important to him.

After parting ways with Xiao Muyu, Ling Chen returned to the Wuchen Courtyard.

「On the eve of the examination.」

Ling Chen had solidified his cultivation at the peak of a Second Level Martial Artist and had also thoroughly mastered the fifth move of the Dragon Seeking Sword Technique. Now, everything was prepared; he just had to wait for the examination to begin.