The Combat Hall grew silent as Lian Hong stepped into the center of the arena.
Lantern light flickered across the sand-covered floor.Weapons glimmered along the walls.And more disciples continued gathering at the entrance, curious whispers spreading like wildfire.
"Is that him?""The one who killed the assassins?""He doesn't look special.""Don't be fooled—his eyes are terrifying."
Dozens of new outer sect disciples stood along the perimeter, some cracking their knuckles, others drawing their weapons, others sneering openly.
Instructor Wei Feng raised a hand.
Silence fell.
"Listen carefully," he said. "This is not a duel. This is a comprehensive combat assessment."
He pointed at Lian Hong.
"He will face the new disciples in a series of continuous fights.No breaks."
Gasps spread through the crowd.
"No breaks…?""That's insane.""Not even high-ranking disciples do that!"
Wei Feng's lips curled slightly.
"If he wishes to enter the Inner Sect in ninety days…he must show the foundation of someone who deserves the elders' interest."
He slammed his palm against a gong.
BOOM!
"Begin!"
The First Challenger
A muscular disciple stepped forward immediately.
Ranked around mid-level among the newcomers, he wielded a thick wooden staff and grinned confidently.
"Lian Hong, right? I don't care about rumors. Let's see if you're as tough as they say."
He rushed forward—
fast for an early-stage Qi Gathering cultivator.
But to Lian Hong—
it was slow.
Lian Hong sidestepped the first swing, ducked the second, and drove his elbow into the man's ribs.
CRACK.
The disciple flew backward, rolling across the sand.
The arena erupted in shouts.
"He didn't even use qi!""That was pure physique!""His movement speed… impossible!"
Wei Feng made no comment.He had expected this.
The Second Challenger
A slender girl with a spear stepped out next.
"Don't get arrogant. I won't fall in one strike."
Her spear aimed directly at Lian Hong's throat.
The technique was clean.Precise.Deadly.
But—
Lian Hong caught the spear tip with two fingers.
Gasps filled the hall.
He twisted lightly.
The spear flew out of her hands.
A moment later, Lian Hong swept her legs.
She fell hard but unharmed.
"Incredible…""His control—he didn't even injure her!"
The Third and Fourth
Two came at once—one with twin daggers, the other with a broadsword.
Metal flashed.Sand flew.
Lian Hong's body moved like water.
He flowed around the dagger attacks, slipped under the broadsword, and struck both attackers in precise points—collarbone and abdomen.
THUMP. THUMP.
Both collapsed simultaneously.
A ripple of awe moved through the spectators.
"He's not even breathing hard…""How is he fighting so cleanly?""This isn't talent. This is instinct."
Instructor Wei Feng's Observation
Wei Feng narrowed his eyes as he watched.
His foundation is absurd.Too calm. Too accurate. Too efficient.
He tapped his chin.
"He's fighting like someone who has battled for years…not a servant who just started cultivating."
Elder Yu Qing's quiet voice seemed to echo in his thoughts:
"If you pressure him enough, you may glimpse something hidden."
Wei Feng's eyes sharpened.
"Let's raise the difficulty."
The Fifth Challenger – A True Threat
A tall, cold-eyed disciple stepped forward, cracking his neck.
He carried a heavy iron sword.
Zhou Shan, watching from the sidelines, turned white.
"Bro… that's Jiang Tao! Ranked top 20 among all new disciples! He's practically a monster! He can cut stones in half!"
Jiang Tao pointed his blade.
"I have no time for rumors. Show me your true strength."
He charged—and the floor cracked beneath his feet.
His sword carried lethal weight.
Even Lian Hong felt the pressure.
The blade swept horizontally, a heavy strike that could shatter bones.
Lian Hong blocked with his forearm.
CLANG!
The impact shook the arena.
Many disciples flinched.
"What strength!""That's the power of late-stage Qi Gathering!"
Jiang Tao pressed forward relentlessly—
vertical slashhorizontal slashslanted cutthrust
Powerful.Disciplined.No wasted motion.
This was a real test.
Lian Hong's breathing slowed.
His eyes sharpened.
He activated—
〈Shadowstep Phantom Movement〉
He flickered out of the sword's path.
Appeared behind Jiang Tao.
Struck his back with a palm of condensed qi.
BOOM!
Jiang Tao stumbled forward with a harsh cough.
But he didn't fall.
He spun, eyes blazing.
"GOOD!"
He unleashed another heavy strike—
and Lian Hong met it head-on with a straight punch.
CRACK!
The iron sword bent.
Jiang Tao froze.
Silence swept the hall.
Then—
THUD.
He fell to one knee.
Not unconscious.Not defeated.
But shaken to his core.
"I… concede."
The arena exploded into chaos.
"He bent a metal sword with his fist??""Is his body made of iron!?""No—his qi control increased drastically during his last fight!""He's still holding back. I can feel it!"
Instructor Wei Feng's eyes gleamed.
He advanced mid-battle again.This boy…what kind of monster are you?
But the test wasn't over.
Dozens of challengers remained.
Their hostility had not faded.
In fact—
it had intensified.
Many stared at Lian Hong like wolves eyeing the rising moon.
"This is our chance to suppress him!""He's getting too much attention!""We cannot let a servant rise above us!"
Wei Feng raised his hand again.
"Next group," he ordered.
He pointed not to one challenger—
but to five.
"Step forward."
The hall erupted.
"FIVE AT ONCE!?""This is insane!""He'll die!""No—maybe he can do it…"
Zhou Shan clutched his face.
"BRO WE ARE DEAD—!!"
But Lian Hong didn't flinch.
He stepped forward.
Breathing steady.Mind calm.
"Send them."
Wei Feng smirked.
"Very well.Let's see the true extent of your potential."
The five challengers charged—
and the next test began.