Chapter 100: The Assessment Is Not Over Yet (Chapter 11)

Chapter 100: The Assessment Is Not Over Yet (Chapter 11)

The one-month assessment period had concluded, and all the young talents who participated had returned to the Imperial City, gathering once more outside the Heavenly Gate. The crowd was massive, filling the area to the brim.

Outside the Heavenly Gate stood a towering jade platform, the sacred altar used to open the Heavenly Gate, with a history spanning over a thousand years. Seats had been arranged on the jade platform, occupied by countless influential figures.

They all looked down from above.

Sect leaders, martial house masters, various marquises, and even the Yulan Emperor himself had arrived in person, seated at the very top of the jade platform, exuding the majestic aura of a ruler.

Of course, aside from these prominent figures, several instructors from the Emperor's Martial Palace also appeared on the jade platform, each possessing extraordinary bearing. Their eyes scanned the young martial artists below, searching for outstanding candidates.

Representatives from the four major academies of the Emperor's Martial Palace were present, all at the deputy dean level.

In the square below stood over thirty thousand young martial artists.

They had just returned to the Imperial City, and the majority of them were in sorry states—some severely injured, some disabled, and some already dead, wrapped in burial cloths.

Only a handful of top-tier experts showed no visible injuries.

On the jade platform, the gathered marquises wore luxurious robes as they sat in their chairs. The Earth Martial Essence radiating from their bodies distorted the surrounding air, making it impossible for the martial artists below to clearly see their true forms.

The Heavenly Elephant Marquis wore a faint smile as he conversed with a nearby marquis. "I’ve already inquired with the young warriors from the Heavenly Elephant Marquis House. This time, two of them obtained Black Firewood Pearls and will enter the Emperor's Martial Palace. These two were the very talents I had high hopes for from the beginning, and they certainly didn’t disappoint."

The Shocking Sky Marquis laughed. "Our Shocking Sky Marquis House is bound to shine this time. I expect at least four of our disciples to enter the Emperor's Martial Palace."

The Heavenly Elephant Marquis gestured for the Shocking Sky Marquis to look to the left.

The Shocking Sky Marquis glanced at the Jian Pavilion Marquis seated in the upper-left corner, a meaningful smirk appearing on his face. He nodded subtly at the Heavenly Elephant Marquis and whispered, "I heard the Jian Pavilion Marquis House suffered a great calamity—nearly wiped out by the Cloud Marquis House. Look at Old Ning’s expression. Hah! He’s probably seething with rage. Do you think he’ll pick a fight with Yue Wuyang?"

The Heavenly Elephant Marquis smiled faintly. "Yue Wuyang isn’t faring much better either. The Cloud Marquis House was already lacking in foundation, and the few elites they painstakingly cultivated were all slaughtered by that sickly brat from the Jian Pavilion Marquis House. I even heard Yue Wuyang’s direct disciple was killed by him."

The Shocking Sky Marquis remarked, "Shouldn’t the Jian Pavilion Marquis be even more devastated? Ning Xiaochuan and his sister were top-tier geniuses capable of competing for the top ten spots this year. If they had grown up, the Jian Pavilion Marquis House’s strength would’ve soared. Unfortunately, both died in the Fire Demon Mountain Range. That’s a massive blow to him."

Ning Xiaochuan slew five of the younger generation's top experts: the Second Leader of the Dark Emperor City, Tian Ling, Yao Jindao, Zhuo Yichan, and Hua Ruyue. This propelled his name into the ears of numerous marquises and sect leaders, cementing his reputation as a peerless genius.

Yet, such a genius never had the chance to shine—having already perished in the Fire Demon Mountain Range—instead paving the way for another outstanding individual to rise to fame.

Ming Yang, inheritor of the Supreme Sword Dao.

With a single strike, he slew Ning Xiaochuan and Princess Lanfei, shaking the world with his name.

He became the most eye-catching figure among this year's examinees.

The Jian Pavilion Marquis sat in his seat, listening to the surrounding discussions, yet he remained outwardly calm, suppressing the fury and grief in his heart.

His most beloved were Ning Xin'er and Ning Xiaochuan. Seeing Ning Xiaochuan's Congenital Ailment cured had filled him with indescribable joy, and he had held high hopes for this assessment. Never did he expect that both siblings would perish in the Fire Demon Mountain Range.

Had he known this would be the outcome, he would never have allowed them to participate in the assessment.

"The fact that this youth, Ming Yang, has mastered the Supreme Sword Dao is indeed extraordinary," the Shocking Sky Marquis remarked. "However, he has also offended both the Jian Pavilion Marquis House and a certain high-ranking figure from the royal family. It's likely someone will move to assassinate him."

The Heavenly Elephant Marquis chuckled. "Ming Yang has already caught the eye of one of the Emperor's Martial Palace's deputy deans. Today, he will likely be taken through the Heavenly Gate. The Jian Pavilion Marquis House will find it difficult to kill him."

"Such a supreme genius is naturally a coveted prize for all factions."

This assessment was a mix of joy and sorrow for many. Some major powers had dozens of disciples admitted into the Emperor's Martial Palace, celebrating in triumph. Meanwhile, factions like the Jian Pavilion Marquis House, the Cloud Marquis's estate, and the Tianyin Sect suffered heavy losses—how could they possibly be in the mood to rejoice?

A valiant man clad in white armor stepped onto the center of the jade platform, holding a freshly compiled register in his hands, and announced:

"This Emperor's Martial Palace assessment has concluded successfully. Total participants: 84,570. Survivors: 35,847. Those admitted into the Emperor's Martial Palace: 1,685."

"Tomorrow morning, the Emperor's Martial Palace will publicly announce the Ranking List. The top ten names will also be released simultaneously. All admitted candidates are granted a seven-day break. Those who fail to enter the Heavenly Gate within seven days will be considered to have voluntarily forfeited their status as students of the Emperor's Martial Palace."

The armored man closed the register and presented it before Emperor Yulan.

Emperor Yulan skimmed through the names on the list, memorizing the top ten, then shut the register and declared:

"I hereby announce the official conclusion of this year's Emperor's Martial Palace assessment!"

The crowd began to disperse. Some noble houses discussed hosting grand banquets to celebrate their achievements, while sect elders deliberated on how to reward their disciples who had gained entry into the Emperor's Martial Palace.

This was a frenzied feast—yet for many, it was anything but a joyous occasion.

"Congratulations, congratulations! What a tremendous honor for the Jian Pavilion Marquis House to have one admitted into the Emperor's Martial Palace," the Lingxi Sect Leader said with a cold smile, offering a mocking bow to the Jian Pavilion Marquis.

Yue Wuyang walked alongside the Lingxi Sect Leader, his expression cold and grim.

Everyone knew the Lingxi Sect Leader was mocking the Jian Pavilion Marquis. For such a grand house as the Jian Pavilion Marquis House, only one martial artist had managed to enter the Emperor's Martial Palace—was that really something worth congratulating?

Out of the seventy-five examinees sent by the Jian Pavilion Marquis House, only six had returned alive. This was a devastating blow to the house. Naturally, rival factions seized the opportunity to taunt them.

The Jian Pavilion Marquis shot a cold glare at the Lingxi Sect Leader and said, "Are you enjoying yourself? Your sect’s top young genius was still slaughtered by a descendant of the Jian Pavilion Marquis House. How many of your disciples even made it into the Emperor's Martial Palace?"

This assessment had also been disastrous for the Lingxi Sect. Their elite talents had been nearly wiped out by Ning Xiaochuan.

The Lingxi Sect Leader sneered, "At least many of our disciples are still alive. Unlike your house, where an entire generation of geniuses has been wiped out. The Jian Pavilion Marquis House is surely on the decline."

"We’ll see about that," the Jian Pavilion Marquis replied icily.

Just as the crowd began to disperse, a Roaring Moon Golden Lion pulling an ancient carriage charged into the Imperial City, sending market stalls flying as it raced straight toward the Heavenly Gate.

Before long, the carriage arrived outside the Heavenly Gate and came to a halt.

"ROAR!"

Murong Wushuang yanked the chains tightly, forcing the Roaring Moon Golden Lion to rear up on its hind legs with a thunderous roar.

Murong Wushuang leaped down from the carriage and shouted toward the white jade platform, "The assessment isn’t over yet! There are still examinees returning!"

The crowd, about to leave, turned their attention toward him at the sound of his voice.

The Lingxi Sect Leader, already irritated from his verbal sparring with the Jian Pavilion Marquis, was further displeased by the commotion. Disregarding decorum, he barked at Murong Wushuang, "Don’t you know loud disturbances are forbidden outside the Heavenly Gate?"

Murong Wushuang didn’t back down. "Aren’t you also making noise?"

The Lingxi Sect Leader was momentarily speechless. Realizing how undignified it was to argue with a junior, his face flushed red, and he fell silent, though he shot Murong Wushuang a venomous glare.

A deputy dean of the Emperor's Martial Palace, intrigued by the bold young man who dared to rebuke a sect leader, asked amiably, "Young man, were you also an examinee in the Fire Demon Mountain Range?"

Murong Wushuang nodded and produced his number tag. "Examinee No. 250—Murong Wushuang."

The deputy dean gestured for someone to verify the tag. After inspection, the examiner nodded in confirmation.

The deputy dean asked curiously, "You didn’t arrive at the designated rendezvous point on time, so you made your own way back from the Fire Demon Mountain Range?"

"I was… slightly delayed," Murong Wushuang admitted awkwardly.

"Ah… you’re also a little too late."

The deputy dean of the Heaven and Earth Academy wore a helpless expression. This situation was entirely unexpected. Since the Jade Orchid Emperor had already declared the assessment concluded, even if someone rushed back from the Fire Demon Mountain Range, they naturally wouldn’t qualify to become a disciple of the Emperor's Martial Palace.

Just as everyone was unsure whether Murong Wushuang would be accepted or not— Three more ancient carriages raced into the Imperial City one after another, arriving outside the Heavenly Gate.

Ning Xiaochuan, Yu Qianqian, and Ning Xin'er stepped down from the carriages and strode swiftly toward the jade platform.

Ning Xiaochuan's voice erupted like Heavenly Thunder, booming loudly: "The assessment isn’t over yet! There are still participants returning!"

After leaving the Fire Demon Mountain Range, Ning Xiaochuan and the others had immediately rushed to the nearest town, purchased four carriages, and sped back to the Imperial City without rest.

Murong Wushuang's Roaring Moon Golden Lion carriage was the fastest, so he had arrived first, ahead of Ning Xiaochuan and the others.