Eventually, Ye Chen still picked up the ring, his hand trembling.
Yes, he was crystal clear in his heart.
Son of Destiny? Sweeping all before him? Deciding eras alone?
Without the aid of the old man's remnant soul in the ring, he was just a useless... ordinary person!
"Old Shi, I'm sorry about earlier... Is there a way to remedy this?" he asked, using the last of his strength.
「A long time later.」
The red toxic flush gradually faded from Ye Chen's skin. Old Shi's voice reached his ears, "Alright, with the 'Ice Heart Detoxification Technique' I taught you, the poison from the Triune Seven-extinction Pills has been completely neutralized. You should be fine."
"Old Shi, you saved me once again! I'm sorry! From now on, this Princely Heir will never be disrespectful to you again!" Ye Chen apologized from the depths of his heart.
After all, having lived two lives, despite his reckless nature, he understood the ways of the world to some extent.
This old man, though harboring ulterior motives, is my only support. I can't afford to offend him again!
"Ah, young friend, you're being too formal," the elder inside the ring chuckled grimly, then added, "If you'd just take one piece of advice from me and leave this Qinglan Sect, I would be eternally grateful."
"Sorry, Old Shi, I'm afraid I can't do that..."
"That so-called Immortal Stick, Lin Xiao, keeps opposing me! If I, Ye Chen, don't shred him into a thousand pieces in this lifetime, I swear I'm not a man!"
"I'm determined to enter Qinglan Sect!"
Ye Chen's eyes blazed, seemingly shooting sparks!
With that said, he looked towards the VIP platform ahead and saw that sanctimonious Eldest Senior Brother from Divine Phoenix Peak still watching him!
However, the challenging and ridiculing look in the man's eyes had vanished, replaced by a hint of... concern?
This guy... is he a pervert!?
Damn protagonist, you really scared me to death! Lin Xiao thought, a wave of relief washing over him as he saw Ye Chen resume his usual arrogant demeanor. Thank God, you're okay! As expected of the protagonist, he's tough as nails!
But then again...
Setting aside the issues with the female lead's character design, can a prop like the Seven Absolute Pill also go haywire?
Never mind, I won't dwell on it. Even if the Seven Absolute Pill plot point is gone, there's still a major scene coming up!
Lin Xiao shook his head, his right hand trembling as he took out a pair of snow-white silk socks.
For some unknown reason, he inexplicably took a sniff.
He wouldn't believe it himself... but these personal garments of the beautiful Master... actually smell quite fragrant!
This time, he seemed to fully understand the joy Lin Xiao felt in the book!
PAH!
I'm just acting like a pervert; I'm not actually one!
Forcibly cutting off his wild thoughts, Lin Xiao tucked his Master's ice-crystal silk stockings into his bosom.
This is a key prop for the next stage of the plot.
"Number three hundred and eighty-one—Ye Chen, come to the stage for the examination!"
The voice Lin Xiao had been most eager to hear finally echoed from the stage.
Apparently, the Qinglan Sect was extremely strict in assessing the aptitude of newly enrolled disciples. Therefore, the entire recruitment ceremony was divided into three testing segments: Spiritual Root, Mindset, and Combat.
The Spiritual Root and Mindset tests were, naturally, to determine if a disciple was suitable for cultivation and possessed a steadfast, fearless Dao heart. The Combat test, on the other hand, was tailored for the majority of warriors who already had a foundation in Martial Arts, like the young grandmaster Ye Chen.
Typically, those who administered the combat test were Outer Sect disciples with cultivation levels around the Qi Cultivation Stage.
"Where is Ye Chen? Why hasn't he come up yet?" an inner-sect steward, with the white hair of an old man but the ruddy complexion of youth, called out to the entire square again, holding a registration scroll.
Before his voice faded—
WHOOSH!
A swift black figure streaked across the sky above the square, appearing on the arena in an instant!
The martial artist's lightness skill was so superb it was not inferior to the flying techniques of cultivators!
The young men and women in the crowd gasped, a heated discussion erupting:
"It's Ye Chen! The Princely Heir of Prince Beichuan from earlier!"
"What amazing lightness skill! What a young grandmaster! No wonder he managed to escape from the Empress of Great Zhou!"
"As the saying goes, 'The pinnacle of Martial Arts touches the profound.' The Immortal Path and Martial Arts are intrinsically linked. With such a strong foundation, Chief Su must be deeply regretting her decision by now!"
"Not just the beautiful Chief Su! The people from Divine Phoenix Peak must be wringing their hands in regret right now! HAHAHA..."
At this moment, even the three high-and-mighty Chairmen, who were typically impassive, and a group of Elders, all showed expressions of approval.
Only the great beauty of Phoenix Caw Peak, Chief Su Mei, kept her crimson lips tightly pursed, her expression dark as if she were deep in calculation.
Old Shi, do you feel it? The adoring gazes of thousands?
To stand above all, looking down upon the starry sky—this is what I, Ye Chen, have sought all my life!
A rebellious smile touched the corners of Ye Chen's lips as he stood on the arena.
After a series of setbacks, he had finally recaptured the feeling of being the Son of Destiny!
THUD!
A figure landed opposite him. It was a tall young man dressed in the attire of an Outer Sect disciple.
The youth looked solemn and imposing. He clasped his fists in salute. Though merely an Outer Sect disciple, he exuded the dignified air of a righteous Immortal Sect member.
"I am Xu Cangfeng, a third-generation Outer Sect disciple of Tiandang Peak, here to test you!" he declared.
"Hmph, you're no match for me. Step down," Ye Chen said indifferently, touching his nose. "It'll be over in one move. That won't test much, will it?"
This wasn't mere boasting. At the mere Qi Cultivation Stage, their physical bodies were weak, and their Magic Treasures and Daoist techniques were underdeveloped. With his eighth-level Martial Arts strength, he could crush such an opponent with a flick of his finger!
His arrogant words caused an uproar throughout the crowd!
Several Chairmen also frowned, carefully scrutinizing the haughty young man in black.
An earthy, hearty laugh echoed out. The speaker was the benevolent Chairman of Tiandang Peak, Master Yuanyi. "HAHAHA, little boy, according to you, who among our sect's disciples present today *is* qualified to conduct your Martial Arts test?"
"The Chief Disciple of Divine Phoenix Peak—Lin Xiao!"
"I challenge him!"
"If I can't crush him within ten moves, I, Ye Chen, will kneel and admit defeat!"
"And I ask only for a battle to the death! Life and death to be decided by fate!"
As his words fell, a dead silence descended upon the tens of thousands present!
Even the high-ranking Elders of the Qinglan Sect, usually lofty and rarely showing their emotions, now wore expressions of utter shock!
To challenge the chief disciple of an orthodox Immortal Sect with the body of a worldly martial artist! And to demand a deathmatch!
This young man in black... he's incredibly audacious!
However, in stark contrast to everyone's astonishment, the ethereal, snow-robed Eldest Senior Brother of Divine Phoenix Peak was, at this very moment, tidying his clothes with a playful smirk!
He seemed... positively eager!?
AHAHAHA, here we go! Finally, I can get on stage and get my face slapped! This plot is finally back on track!
At this moment, the most dedicated villain on the field, his worries vanished, began to warm up, a grin stretching from ear to ear!
Just then, a cold female voice cut through the air from a distance, resonating across the entire field:
"You think you're worthy of fighting my Eldest Senior Brother? I'll be your opponent!"
Whoa!
Is that... Third Junior Sister Youwei's voice?
Lin Xiao's heart sank, and the smile on his face froze once more!