The Heavenly Realm Sect's Grand Arena was full of people.
Thousands of outer disciples had come to watch the Inner Sect selection.
Everyone was excited.
Only the strongest disciples would be chosen.
Xu Yao quietly walked into the arena.
He wore a simple grey robe.
On his back was his sword, Frostblade.
As soon as people saw him, they started talking.
Isn't that Xu Yao?
The guy who couldn't cultivate?
Didn't he beat Zhao Wei last month?
I thought that was just a rumor.
How did he get so strong?
Xu Yao heard them.
But he didn't care.
After everything he had been through, words like these meant nothing.
He kept walking.
The elders were already sitting on the high platform.
Elder Yun Tianhai sat in the middle.
Elder Han Wusheng sat beside him.
Elder Ling Yeyun was there too.
She rarely left Moonpeak Hall, so many people were surprised to see her.
Behind the elders stood the six strongest Inner Disciples.
Lan Xuan.
Bai Chen.
Ling Qiu.
Wei Rong.
Mo Qinghai.
Su Yaoqing.
Many outer disciples felt nervous just looking at them.
Lan Xuan looked at Xu Yao and smiled a little.
Su Yaoqing also looked at him.
She didn't smile.
She didn't look down on him.
She simply watched him.
Bai Chen noticed.
Bai Chen: you know him?
Lan Xuan nodded.
Lan Xuan: A little
He's worked very hard.
People like him don't stay weak forever.
Ling Qiu smiled.
Ling Qiu: "You think he'll surprise everyone?
Lan Xuan smiled back.
Lan Xuan: We'll see.
Just then...
Boom!
A loud drum sounded across the arena.
A huge stone tablet floated into the middle.
An elder stepped forward.
The first round...
"The Strength Test begins!"
Zhao Wei walked up first.
He looked confident.
He punched the stone.
Boom!
The numbers appeared.
68 Strength Points.
His followers shouted happily.
Senior Brother Zhao is the best!
No one can beat him!
Zhao Wei looked at Xu Yao with a proud smile.
Xu Yao said nothing.
He calmly walked to the stone.
He took a deep breath.
Then he threw a punch.
Crack!
The stone shook...
The runes shined brightly.
A moment later...
92 Strength Points.
The whole arena became silent.
Everyone stared at the stone.
Some people rubbed their eyes.
Others couldn't believe what they had just seen.
Even the elders looked surprised.
Behind her veil, Elder Ling Yeyun's eyes opened slightly.
That strength...
That cold aura...
It reminded her of something from long ago.
Elder Yun Tianhai smiled proudly.
Good....
He didn't waste this past year.
Elder Han Wusheng nodded.
Elder Han: His foundation is solid.
There's no sign of forced cultivation.
This strength is completely his own.
Wei Rong laughed loudly.
Wei Rong: Haha! The kid is stronger than I expected!
Mo Qinghai narrowed his eyes.
Mo Qinghai: No secret technique.
No borrowed qi.
He built this strength himself.
Su Yaoqing stayed silent.
But she noticed the thin layer of frost around Xu Yao's fist.
Lan Xuan smiled.
He wasn't surprised.
Lan Xuan: So... you've finally stopped hiding.
Zhao Wei's face turned red.
He pointed at Xu Yao with a shaking hand.
Zhao Wei: "Y-You cheated!"
"That's impossible!"
Not far away, Zhao Liang watched everything in silence.
His eyes were fixed on Xu Yao.
The elder in charge struck the ground with his staff.
Boom!
The drums sounded again.
Elder Han Wusheng: "The Strength Test is over!"
His voice echoed across the arena.
Xu Yao lowered his fist.
He didn't smile.
He didn't celebrate.
He simply turned around and walked off the stage
Calm...
Quiet...
Confident...
The crowd watched him leave.
Whispers spread through the arena.
Xu Yao came first in the Strength Test
How strong has he become?
Who is he really?
The wind grew colder.
And everyone knew...
The sect would remember this day.