Boom.
Gao Han landed upon the opposite platform, his immense strength spiderwebbing the entire stone surface, his feet sinking deep into the rock.
The violent tremor shook everyone standing atop the platform off balance. Fortunately, all those present possessed formidable lightness skills, and they leaped into the air in unison.
Only when the platform stilled did they descend once more.
Zhu Jin, the Boulder-Shattering Hand, studied Gao Han with grave solemnity and turned to a companion. "Dual cultivation of physical body and spiritual energy. I never imagined his physical prowess could have reached such a height."
"Indeed, Brother. Judging by the aura of his physique, he stands at the peak of the First Tier Martial Body," the man replied, having carefully sensed Gao Han's physical power.
Elder Bai's mind was thrown into tumult. "At such a young age, he has reached the Third Layer of True Essence, and his physical strength matches that of a True Essence cultivator. How in the world has he cultivated so swiftly?" For once in his life, he felt a flicker of envy toward another's talent.
In his youth, his own aptitude had been promising—he had reached the First Layer of True Essence at seventeen. Yet from that point onward, his potential had withered, his progress stalling. Decades later, he remained at the Fourth Layer of True Essence.
Of his former cultivation brothers, even the least accomplished had become inner-sect elders, their cultivation at minimum the Seventh Layer of True Essence. He was the weakest among them all.
Elder Bai stared dumbfounded at Gao Han, unable to utter a single word.
"Old Bai! Make the announcement already!" Zhu Jin prompted from beside him.
"Ah—yes! Yes!" Elder Bai snapped back to his senses. "Gao Han, you have passed! Prepare yourselves for the next trial—it will be far more grueling than the last."
The group followed Elder Bai toward the final stage, with the inner-sect disciples trailing closely behind.
"Brother Zhu, that boy's talent is simply monstrous. Should he join any of the five peaks as a true inner-sect disciple, life will grow even harder for us independent disciples."
Inner-sect disciples fell into two categories: those under the five great peaks, known as true inner-sect disciples, and those unaffiliated with any peak, simply called inner-sect disciples.
The sect's inner-sect rankings included both groups, yet the top hundred spots were dominated by independent disciples. Having no path to promotion as true disciples, they honed their strength relentlessly.
The most powerful among them had reached the Sixth Layer of True Essence, capable of rivaling the top true disciples.
"For years, we suffered oppression and humiliation at the hands of true disciples. Only in recent times have strong fighters emerged from our ranks to free us from their bullying. If Gao Han rises to power…" One voice trailed off in concern.
Zhu Jin chuckled softly. "Perhaps he will not join any peak at all. Your worries are premature."
The others behind him shot him skeptical glances. It was nothing but self-deception. With Gao Han's extraordinary talent, the five peaks would surely vie for his allegiance, offering lavish rewards and privileges that would tempt even them.
Zhu Jin knew his words were unrealistic and laughed awkwardly.
Gao Han's talent was truly peerless. His lightness skill alone surpassed even that of Zhao Xingfeng the Whirlwind Lad—Zhu Jin could never match it. At present, only his cultivation and combat experience edged out Gao Han's, he mused.
"Brother Zhu, how do you think Gao Han's lightness art compares to Senior Brother Kong Liankong, the Wind Wanderer?" one inner-sect disciple asked.
Zhu Jin scoffed. "Gao Han is far from his level. Senior Brother Kong's movement skill has attained divine perfection; it is said he can manifest several whirling vortices, rendering his true position impossible to discern. Only brute force can shatter his evasive technique."
"Truly. Senior Brother Kong has climbed into the top ten rankings thanks to his peerless lightness skill. The nine warriors above him possess overwhelming strength, capable of breaking his movements with sheer power alone."
As they conversed, the group arrived at a vast underground chamber. The basement held over twenty cages, each spanning hundreds of square meters.
Most cages contained a demonic beast, while others stood empty. Behind each empty cage lay a door leading to a sealed chamber forged from special alloy, its surface radiating unyielding hardness.
The beasts within the cages behaved diversely: some rested lightly, some dozed, others paced restlessly with feral agitation, and a few fixed their bloodshot eyes upon the newcomers.
Gao Han roughly sensed their power. Most were early First Tier demonic beasts, far weaker than ordinary beasts of their rank, with far less savage bloodlust than their kin.
Elder Bai glanced at the remaining five candidates and nodded grimly. "This is the final examination. Endure the assaults of these demonic beasts for the span of one incense stick—and you shall pass."
Once he confirmed they understood, he added, "I will assign beasts according to each of your individual strengths."
The group stared in surprise. A Second Layer True Essence disciple spoke up. "Are they not all First Tier demonic beasts?"
Elder Bai shot him a contemptuous glance. "Do you truly believe the examination would be so simple? If so, every candidate could delay their attempt until they reached a higher realm, guaranteeing success. Would cowards and schemers such as that deserve to be inner-sect disciples of the Misty Sect?"
The disciple hung his head in shame, falling silent.
"First candidate—" Elder Bai began, only to shudder violently. The temperature around them plummeted by more than ten degrees.
Everyone flinched from the sudden chill, even Zhu Jin feeling a faint frost creep over his skin.
All eyes turned to the source of the cold: Gao Han.
The inner-sect disciples fared slightly better; as Fourth Layer True Essence cultivators, they circulated their true essence and dispelled the chill.
"May I ask—were you speaking of me just now?" Gao Han's voice was icy and menacing, the frost radiating from him growing ever more bitter.
Elder Bai's heart jolted at Gao Han's suppressed power, and he regretted his earlier words. He had spoken in general terms, never intending to include Gao Han.
Yet Gao Han's reminder laid bare his carelessness. What stunned him even more was the sheer intensity of Gao Han's cold energy—chilling enough to make his body tremble.
Gao Han readied himself to strike. The word "coward" was a wound buried deep in his heart, a forbidden term.
Once, before his physique mutated, even the household servants had mocked him as a coward. For someone to utter it now was unforgivable.
Gradually, golden radiance flickered in his pupils. If matters escalated, Gao Han would enter his frenzied state, and disaster would follow. Assaulting an examination elder was a felony punishable by expulsion from the sect.