Chapter 1292: Zhang Xuan's Decision

"Cold Spirit Liquid?"

Zhang Xuan hadn't expected that after apologizing, the other party would also offer a gift. He paused for a moment and looked at the jade bottle.

The bottle was not large, exuding a chilling cold that seemed ready to freeze anyone solid, while also emitting a dense spiritual energy, even richer than top-grade essence spirit stones.

Though he had never heard of this item, a single glance told him it was exceptionally precious. With its spiritual energy, it might even be possible to冲击 the Half-Embryo Soul realm, or even the Embryo Soul realm!

"Yes, I hope Master Zhang will accept it!" Chen Leyao said hurriedly.

Having cultivated the modified technique he provided, there was a half-teacher bond between them, and he was also the young palace master's teacher...

Earlier, if she hadn't thought he was trying to flirt and intended to make a move, she wouldn't have provoked Zhang Qian and caused all this trouble.

Thus, no matter what, she had to make amends and avoid any rift.

"This..."

Zhang Xuan blinked.

Zhao Xingmo had made such a big deal about apologies and compensation... but this woman from the Icefield Palace seemed quite easy to deal with?

"If Master Zhang doesn't accept, we might not be able to sleep or eat in peace..."

Seeing his hesitation, Chen Leyao thought he was still angry and quickly said.

"Well... alright, since it's offered, I won't be polite!"

If he didn't take it, given her attitude, she might just cling to him and refuse to leave. Zhang Xuan felt somewhat helpless, so he reached out, took it, and stored it in his ring.

"Thank you for your understanding, Master Zhang!"

Her eyes brightened, and Chen Leyao breathed a sigh of relief.

Accepting the gift meant he was no longer angry and the conflict was resolved.

"You're too kind..." Zhang Xuan cupped his fists, puzzled. "I was also rude earlier. Why did you... come to apologize instead?"

He couldn't understand.

Earlier, they were furious and ready to fight, and now, so soon, they came to offer gifts...

Wasn't that too quick a change?

"This..."

Chen Leyao exchanged glances with the other women, wearing bitter smiles.

"It's because..."

Just as she was about to explain, the surrounding noise suddenly fell silent. Then, several figures flew straight over from afar, hovering in the air, exuding a terrifying aura.

They were three old men, their strength unidentifiable, but they gave off a powerful sense of intimidation, as if they could tear people apart with a glance.

"More terrifying than Luo Chengxin..."

Raising his eyebrows, Zhang Xuan clenched his fists under his sleeves.

The feeling from these three in the air was even more frightening than Luo Chengxin, whom he had encountered before!

Luo Chengxin was a Saint Realm 7-layer expert... Could these three have reached the 8th layer?

If so, such strength would rank among the very peak of the entire continent!

"These are the three elders of the Saint Son Hall, in charge of this assessment..." Zhao Xingmo transmitted his voice.

"Elders?"

Zhang Xuan gasped.

As expected of the Saint Son Hall—even the elders were terrifyingly powerful!

"Silence!"

The foremost elder looked around and spoke: "This Saint Son Hall assessment is overseen by us three! I am an 8-star master teacher, Liu Haoyu. You may address me as Elder Haoyu! To my left is Elder Hanzhu, and to my right is Elder Lin Qing!"

His voice was not loud, but it resounded in everyone's ears. Even if they covered their ears or shut off their hearing, it would still echo in their minds, impossible to reject.

"That's soul voice... and at an extremely high level!"

Zhang Xuan's expression turned serious.

As a soul voice master, he could immediately discern the peculiarity of the other's speech—it had definitely reached the level of 'the great form is formless, the great sound is soundless.'

Just ordinary speech carried such power; if he were to use the power of his primordial spirit, none of the people on the square would be spared, all easily bewitched.

As expected of an 8-star master teacher at Saint Realm 8th layer—he could casually unleash strength beyond imagination.

"As for the entrance assessment, I believe all the guiding envoys have told you: it's the Mountain Gate Challenge..."

Nodding, Elder Haoyu spread his five fingers and grabbed forward. "Whoosh!" A massive gate appeared before the crowd, shining brightly, its contents indiscernible.

"Could this be... a teleportation array capable of transporting life?"

Zhang Xuan was stunned.

Legend had it that arrays of the 8th level or higher could not only transmit images and text but even life itself.

This gate before him carried strong spatial fluctuations, as if entering it would lead to another world. It should indeed be such a special array.

"It's a teleportation array," Zhao Xingmo nodded and transmitted: "The Mountain Gate Challenge assessment is not held within the academy but in a specific folded space. One must use the teleportation array to enter!"

"Folded space?"

Zhang Xuan nodded.

From the introduction, the Mountain Gate Challenge was far more difficult than the Cage Fight. He had wondered where it could be held to allow ten thousand people to take the assessment simultaneously with varying difficulties... So this was it!

He himself had a folded space and had even refined the Qiuwu Palace left by Qiuwu Gusheng, so he was very familiar with it.

"The Mountain Gate Challenge assessment will adjust its difficulty according to each individual's ability. Everyone's experience is different, so there's no way to learn from others. What's needed is to exert your full strength and bring out your strongest abilities."

Looking down at the crowd, Elder Haoyu continued: "As for the results, rest assured. The Saint Son Hall has an Assessment Jade Stele, which will fairly score you based on your strength and performance in the assessment. The higher the score, the greater your chance of passing!"

"This time, we are recruiting five hundred people. Barring accidents, those ranked within the top five hundred will pass. Those ranked lower have little chance!"

"Only five hundred?"

"There are over ten thousand here, right? Five hundred... that's one in twenty?"

"The difficulty is enormous!"

...

Faces flushing, everyone clenched their fists.

Zhang Xuan also raised his eyebrows.

Those selected to come here were basically geniuses among geniuses, experts among experts. One in twenty... the difficulty was terrifying.

No wonder Zhao Xingmo said that it was very possible none of them would be selected. With such a ratio... success was indeed extremely difficult.

Even he lacked absolute confidence.

However, it also showed how formidable the Saint Son Hall was.

With such geniuses, they still conducted such a brutal selection. How strong must those who remain be?

"Master Zhao, what is the Assessment Jade Stele?"

A master teacher asked in confusion, looking over.

"In the Mountain Gate Challenge, everyone encounters different tests. For example, if you are at the late Primordial Spirit realm and defeat a peak Primordial Spirit sacred beast, your score will naturally be higher than if you defeat a sacred beast of the same level. These scores are converted into numbers and recorded on the Assessment Jade Stele! Accumulated together, the higher the number, the better your result!"

Zhao Xingmo explained.

"Oh..."

Everyone suddenly understood.

"Then... besides defeating sacred beasts, what else in the assessment can earn points?" Another master teacher asked.

Since scores could be converted into numbers, there must be strict standards. Defeating a sacred beast at a higher level earned more points, but there couldn't be sacred beasts everywhere. There must be other tests to earn points.

"In the assessment, defeating sacred beasts, breaking formations, foreseeing danger in advance, giving lectures—all can earn points if performed well... Even special professions demonstrating special effects can earn points. For example, soul awakening, startling swan, painting and calligraphy... As long as you surpass others, you can become a highlight and be recruited by the Saint Son Hall!"

Zhao Xingmo explained: "That is to say, as long as you have something that surpasses ordinary people and you demonstrate it, it will be recorded, tallied, and eventually converted into points to help you stand out!"

Everyone clenched their fists.

What he said sounded simple and fair, but in reality, it was the most difficult.

Competing against one or two people, you might have something others lack, but competing against ten thousand, your uniqueness fades.

If you're good at painting and calligraphy, there's always someone better. If you're good at soul awakening, there's someone even more terrifying.

There is always someone better. To crush everyone and become the pinnacle—the difficulty was imaginable.

"The purpose of the Saint Son Hall is to develop human wisdom and let humanity go further. The requirements are very strict. Even if you have management or leadership skills, you can also earn extra points!"

Seeing the increasing pressure on everyone, Zhao Xingmo smiled: "Don't be nervous. As I said before, as long as you perfectly display yourselves and give your best, you can shine and attract the attention of the Saint Son Hall!"

"Yes!"

Everyone nodded, pondering what their highlights were.

Zhang Xuan also rested his chin in thought. After a moment, he couldn't help shaking his head... He seemed to have no highlights!

Teaching, breaking formations, startling swan, painting and calligraphy... none were weak, but none were the strongest!

For example, his painting and calligraphy had reached the level of a 7-star painter, but there were also geniuses from the Painter Guild who would surely surpass him.

Alchemy, artifact forging... all the same.

Among master teachers, his auxiliary skills were considered impressive, but compared to true professionals, he still fell short.

"If I had to say my strongest... it should be 'pretending'!"

His eyes narrowed as he nodded to himself.

His auxiliary professions were mostly similar, none particularly outstanding.

If he had to name something he was good at, it was... 'pretending to be an expert'!

His disguise as 'Yang Xuan' had fooled even Luo Chengxin, and he had never failed in all those times... That showed his skill.

"But... pretending to be an expert probably won't earn points, right..."

He looked disgruntled.

This was the Saint Son Hall assessment. Going there to pretend to be an expert... to act impressive probably wouldn't earn points!

It seemed his strongest ability couldn't be used.

"Forget it. If it comes to it, I'll just display some unremarkable abilities. Even if I use several, I can still get a decent score!"

Nodding to himself, Zhang Xuan formed an idea.

He absolutely had to enter the Saint Son Hall. It involved Luo Ruoxi, and he would not back down.

At worst, he would display several unremarkable abilities. As long as he did enough, he should be able to earn points and pass the assessment!

He absolutely had to enter the Saint Son Hall. It involved Luo Ruoxi, and he would not back down.

At worst, he would display several unremarkable abilities. As long as he did enough, he should be able to earn points and pass the assessment!