Chapter 24: Drumbeats Determine Rank

Chapter 24: Drumbeats Determine Rank

The Huntian Sacred Mountain was the location of the sect headquarters of the Huntian Sect, one of the top ten forces in the Eastern Wasteland.

The Sky Patrol Giant Ship came to a halt halfway up the Huntian Sacred Mountain. Tens of thousands of disciples from hundreds of Dao Academies disembarked and gathered on the vast plaza in front of the Disciple Hall of the Huntian Sect.

The Disciple Hall towered before them like a small mountain, exuding an ancient and timeless aura.

The plaza was enormous—even the kilometer-long Sky Patrol Giant Ship occupied only a tiny corner of it. The tens of thousands of Dao Academy disciples gathered here had yet to fill even half of the space.

The disciples looked around in curiosity and awe. Everything they saw here was novel and awe-inspiring to them.

It was as if they had leaped out of a well and beheld the boundless expanse of the world for the first time.

Soon, the attention of the tens of thousands was drawn to the object standing in front of the Disciple Hall.

It was a drum!

A massive war drum, fully ten meters in diameter, hovered three meters above the ground. Its body was bronze-colored, deep and archaic, exuding the vicissitudes of endless time—indestructible and eternal.

The drum’s surface was covered in faint, densely interwoven patterns, as though they contained the infinite profundity of the Great Dao.

"Silence!"

A majestic voice, like divine thunder, resounded across the heavens and earth, instantly quieting the murmurs and chatter of the tens of thousands of disciples.

Streaks of light flew in and appeared around the plaza. They were figures soaring through the air, each wreathed in radiant divine light and auspicious glows, their presence profound and unfathomable.

"They’re not using Artifact Flight… they’re flying without artifacts…"

Someone sharp-eyed noticed that the approaching figures had nothing beneath their feet and was momentarily stunned.

"Artifact Flight… Flight Without Artifacts…" Chen Feng narrowed his eyes, deep in thought.

Was there a difference in level between the two?

If so, which was higher?

Lacking sufficient cultivation knowledge, Chen Feng dared not make a hasty judgment, but he still had a faint guess in his heart.

"Welcome, all of you, to the Huntian Sect. This drum is our sect’s treasure—the Huntian Drum."

The one who appeared above the Disciple Hall was a towering, long-bearded elder with a robust complexion. Divine light blazed around him, and an overwhelming pressure radiated from his body—though restrained, for otherwise, none of the tens of thousands of Dao Academy disciples could have withstood it.

"I am the Disciple Hall Master, presiding over your examination."

"Your test is simple: strike the Huntian Drum with your own strength."

"Striking the Huntian Drum has nothing to do with your cultivation level—it is entirely tied to your foundation. In other words, regardless of your current cultivation, the drum treats everyone equally."

"One drumbeat within one breath—qualifies as an Outer Sect Disciple."

"Two drumbeats within one breath—qualifies as an Inner Sect Disciple."

"Three drumbeats within one breath—qualifies as a Core Disciple."

"Four drumbeats within one breath—qualifies as a True Disciple."

"Five drumbeats within one breath—qualifies as a Quasi-Sect Heir."

"Six drumbeats within one breath—qualifies as the Sect Heir."

"Before your arrival, disciples from the main academy in Huntian City have already taken the test. The highest achieved was five drumbeats."

The tens of thousands of Dao Academy disciples were instantly astonished.

During their time aboard the Sky Patrol Giant Ship, everyone's understanding of the Huntian Sect had deepened significantly.

There were hundreds of Huntian Dao Academies, but all were branch academies—only one main academy existed, located in Huntian City at the foot of Huntian Sacred Mountain.

What did this mean?

It meant that disciples of the Huntian Dao Academy Main Academy were closer to the Huntian Sect, enjoying superior cultivation environments and resources compared to the hundreds of branch academies. It also meant more prodigies gathered there.

And yet, even among them, no one had ever managed to strike the drum six times.

This realization ignited a surge of determination in the hearts of many among the tens of thousands of disciples.

Six drumbeats!

Not only would it overshadow the brilliance of the Main Academy’s top talents, but it would also elevate one directly to the status of Sect Heir.

What did being a Sect Heir mean?

They didn’t know!

But judging by the old man’s words, the status of a Sect Heir was incomparable to any other rank among the disciples.

"Now, the examination begins. Remember—give it your all. What level of disciple you become depends entirely on your own ability," the burly elder said with a faint smile.

With tens of thousands of disciples taking the examination, it would undoubtedly take a long time. Chen Feng was queued in the middle, so his turn wouldn’t come for a while. Unhurried, he continued contemplating the Wind Shadow Sword Technique.

"Over half a month on the Sky Patrol Giant Ship, I’ve finally comprehended the eleventh sword and integrated it into the Wind Shadow Annihilation Style. But the twelfth sword remains elusive..."

"Could it be... that the Wind Shadow Eleven Swords is the limit?"

"Still, mastering the eleventh sword and the Treading Waves Ten Steps has refined my strength considerably, even if my cultivation hasn’t advanced. That’s an unexpected boon."

As he pondered, someone swiftly approached the Huntian Drum.

The person was less than 2 meters tall, appearing minuscule next to the drum, which hovered 3 meters off the ground with a diameter of 10 meters.

Dashing forward like the wind, his legs suddenly exerted force, unleashing the full power of his Eighth Level of the Body Forging Realm strength to propel himself several meters into the air. His arm arched like a fully drawn bow, channeling immense force straight into his fist.

A punch—striking the Huntian Drum with no reservation.

The moment his full-powered blow landed on the ancient and mystical drum surface, it trembled slightly before releasing an ear-splitting boom. The shockwave surged outward like a tangible force, instantly repelling the attacker.

He crashed to the ground!

Staggering back several meters before steadying himself, his strength scattered, unable to be quickly reassembled.

"One drumbeat—qualified as an Outer Sect Disciple. Wait over there," the burly elder declared.

The Eighth Level Body Forging cultivator couldn’t help but look dejected.

He had thought he could strike the drum three times, but only managed one.

The next candidate immediately rushed forward.

To be fair, the first one always had it harder, but with insufficient foundation, the difference wasn’t significant.

Leaping up, his bronze staff struck the drum like a thunderbolt, producing another deafening sound. The rebound shockwave sent him flying back several meters, his strength dispersed, leaving him unable to deliver a second strike.

The third examinee failed to produce even a single sound from the Huntian Drum.

"Failed to strike the drum. You have two choices: train in Huntian City or serve as a laborer for the Huntian Sect," the burly elder said.

"I..." The person stood there, bewildered.

"Wait aside first. Think carefully before making your choice," the elder instructed.

The examination continued.

One by one, the disciples stepped forward to take their turn.

Some were unable to strike the Huntian Drum, indicating impure strength and shallow foundations, rendering them unworthy of becoming disciples of the Huntian Sect.

Some managed only a single strike, earning the status of Outer Sect Disciples.

By the time the assessment reached its hundredth participant, a drumbeat sounded, followed swiftly by a second.

"Two drumbeats—Inner Sect Disciple. Wait to the side," the burly elder remarked, a faint smile appearing.

As more candidates participated, the number of those achieving two strikes gradually increased.

Qin Haoyu stepped forward, his speed escalating rapidly, the howling wind roaring around him.

First strike!

The drum's surface trembled, emitting a thunderous boom.

The tangible shockwave rebounded, slamming Qin Haoyu to the ground, but he surged upward once more.

Second strike!

Another resonant boom echoed.

The rebounding shockwave grew even stronger, halting Qin Haoyu's momentum mid-air. His eyes suddenly blazed with radiant light, like twin auroras piercing the sky, and he leaped again.

With a low shout, he delivered his third strike.

"Radiant Eyes—impressive. If refined to their peak, they can not only see through illusions and blind foes but also evolve into Radiant Divine Eyes, capable of unleashing divine light to pierce all things," the burly elder nodded, his smile deepening.

Qin Haoyu—three drumbeats—Core Disciple.

When it was Lei Zhan's turn, he struck the drum three times. The elder praised his Iron Arms, noting their potential to surpass Body Forging limits and develop Copper Skin Iron Bones.

Yan Ling's Wind Spirit Body and another's Golden Spirit Body were deemed certain to reach the Condensing Truth realm.

Fan Quan's Illusion Pupils were praised for their potential to evolve into Illusion Demon Pupils, capable of weaving peerless illusions.

Generally, those with Innate Divine Peculiarities all struck the drum three times, earning Core Disciple status.

Talents with solid foundations but lacking such peculiarities managed only two strikes, while elites with decent foundations could muster just one.

Those who failed to produce even a single strike were mostly individuals who had relied on copious pills to reach the later stages of Body Forging.

Yang Xuening also participated, striking the drum once and becoming an Outer Sect Disciple—her true level of ability.

"Brother Yun, you can do it!" Yang Xuening cheered as Ye Yunqi stepped forward. "You’ll surpass everyone."

Ye Yunqi's gaze was distant, almost detached, but when it settled on the Huntian Drum, an indescribable brilliance ignited in his eyes.

Step by step, his aura grew increasingly refined.

The burly elder watched intently, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

Ye Yunqi's presence intensified with each stride, his pace quickening. Faintly, the sound of surging waves emerged, as though the air beneath his feet had transformed into rolling tides, carrying him forward.

One step, two steps, three steps...

Nine steps!

In an instant, Ye Yunqi's speed surged by ninety percent, his form blurring into a dark-green streak as he charged the Huntian Drum. His left fist, condensed with immense force, slammed into the ancient drum's surface, producing a deafening roar like thunder.

The rebounding shockwave surged toward him, but Ye Yunqi's right hand drew his blade. A dazzling arc of light split the air, nine phantom slashes shattering the shockwave effortlessly before striking the drum a second time.

The sight drew gasps from the crowd.

Even Qin Haoyu and the other Innate Divine Peculiarity holders were forced back by the rebound waves before surging forward to strike the drum again.

The second rebound wave grew even more violent, sending Ye Yunqi's body flying backward before he crashed to the ground. Yet, he rose once more, gripping his long blade with both hands. The air beneath his blade seemed to transform into surging tides, split apart by the overwhelming force of his strike.

Boom!

A third deafening drumbeat resounded.

The rebound intensified, and this time, Ye Yunqi was blasted back several meters before hitting the ground.

"Bloodline Awakening!"

With a low shout, a flash of azure light flickered in Ye Yunqi's eyes. The sound of roaring waves surged from within his body, as if his blood had transformed into a vast, rushing river. Instantly, a crimson glow enveloped his body.

The glow pulsed like violent tides, layer upon layer, granting Ye Yunqi even greater power.

"To think he possesses a bloodline physique—the Tidal Bloodline, a water-based one at that," the burly elder murmured in astonishment. "And from the looks of it, it's a King-Class Bloodline. Excellent, he has potential worth nurturing."

Empowered by his bloodline, Ye Yunqi swung his blade with devastating force, slashing it against the Huntian Drum.

Boom!

A fourth drumbeat erupted.

Instantly, the rebound force surged violently, crashing into Ye Yunqi. The crimson, tide-like glow around him trembled violently, as if on the verge of shattering.

Yet, enduring the terrifying backlash, Ye Yunqi surged forward once more, blade raised high.

For a moment, the entire crowd held their breath, eyes wide with anticipation.

Could he… achieve five drumbeats, just like the top talents of the main sect?