Chapter 932: Selection Method

This sacred beast was over ten meters long, its entire body a dark cyan. A pair of enormous wings bore a fiery red color, as if flames burned in the sky with each flap. Even before it approached, it gave off a scorching sensation.

"It's so hot... how can anyone ride it?"

Many renowned masters were filled with doubt.

Even at this distance, they found it hard to bear. Wouldn't their backs be roasted into jerky if they sat on it?

"And... have you noticed? There's no house on the sacred beast's back..."

Someone shouted out, and only then did everyone notice that the back of the flying sacred beast was bare, without any structure for riding. Thirteen people stood upright on the beast's back, motionless, as if they had grown there.

Normal flying spirit beasts or sacred beasts usually had houses of various sizes built on their backs, which could shield against the fierce winds during flight and provide comfort for the riders.

Without such a structure, standing bare on a beast's back covered in flames might be tolerable for short distances, but over long distances, it would be a trial for anyone. Those with slightly weaker cultivation or willpower would not be able to hold on.

"This is a unique training method of the War Master Hall, requiring martial artists to keep cultivating even while traveling..."

Wu Tianqiong lowered his voice.

"Yes, the War Master Hall's approach has always been to cultivate and cultivate again, never allowing any slack. No matter when or where, they cannot relax. Traveling is also a form of cultivation for them..."

Shen Pingchao responded.

Having been a dean for so many years, he had interacted with the War Master Hall many times and knew their habits and practices.

It was precisely because of this dedication to cultivation that the members of the War Master Hall were so powerful.

"If I'm not mistaken, this is a Phoenix Flame Sacred Beast at the Saint Domain third level, with the bloodline of a celestial phoenix. The temperature on its back is no lower than earthly fire. By resisting this heat, true qi becomes purer, and the physical body grows stronger..."

Dean Wu Ran sighed with emotion.

People of the War Master Hall not only needed talent but, more importantly, the willingness to abandon everything and work hard!

Watching all this, Zhang Xuan couldn't help but nod.

Even with talent, it would be futile without putting in every effort in ascetic cultivation.

Take himself, for example. Although he cultivated the Heavenly Dao technique and had a starting point far beyond many, he never slacked off in his training. He always completed it earnestly and meticulously.

It was precisely this attitude that had brought him to his current level of strength.

Whoosh!

Amid the discussions, the flying sacred beast in the sky flapped its wings and slowly descended.

Thirteen figures dressed in master robes stepped down.

Their master robes were different from those of the others. At the stars indicating rank, swords were engraved, giving off a piercing sensation of sword qi from afar.

In the center was a middle-aged man, about forty years old, with raised brows that exuded a heroic spirit. His aura surged, displaying formidable strength.

He was a Saint Domain second level expert, also at that level, but more sharp and aggressive, giving the feeling of a drawn sword.

It was foreseeable that even if his level was lower than Wu Ran's, in a fight, the latter would surely lose.

"Impressive!"

With a sigh of admiration, Zhang Xuan continued to look and suddenly brightened, spotting two old acquaintances.

They were none other than Lu Cheng and Wu Xu, whom he had met in the Red Fire Fruit Valley. He had suspected they might be war masters, and now seeing them, it was indeed the case.

The two of them were noticeably different from two months ago, stronger and more refined. Especially Wu Xu, who had previously been at the peak of the Silkworm Seal realm, had now reached Half-Saint.

Although he had just broken through, he gave off a sense of vastness and inexhaustible power.

"It seems the method I told him worked..."

Zhang Xuan smiled.

Previously, this fellow had planned to break through using the Red Fire Fruit, but Zhang Xuan didn't sell it to him; instead, he gave him some Earth Vein Spirit Liquid.

Using this substance, which was easier to absorb spiritual energy, he could wildly increase his power and then break through... Now it seemed it had indeed worked, and he had successfully broken through to Half-Saint.

"Master Zhang!"

As he saw them, they also saw him and respectfully bowed.

Although war masters were proud, they also had great respect for the strong.

This Master Zhang, though only at the Void Step realm, had thoroughly defeated them. His combat prowess was terrifying, surpassing even theirs. Such a talented person, even they dared not underestimate.

"Wu Tianqiong, Dean of Cloud Void Academy (Shen Pingchao, Dean of Luoqing Academy; Wu Ran, Dean of Green Bamboo Academy; Zhang Xuan, Dean of Hongyuan Academy), pay respects to the war masters!"

The four deans stood up.

"I am Zhuo Qingfeng, centurion of the War Master Hall!" The middle-aged man did not dare to be discourteous, stepped forward, and cupped his fists.

Although he was from the War Master Hall and had strong combat power, the status of the four deans was a level higher than his.

"So it's Master Zhuo!" Wu Tianqiong smiled. "I've heard of you before—'One sword calms three rivers, one qi sweeps nine prefectures.' You once chased the Five Bandits of Qingyuan with a single sword, keeping them from returning home for ten years. Such heroic spirit, I admire it greatly!"

"Dean Wu flatters me. It's just a minor skill!" Hearing that the dean of the foremost of the four academies had heard of him, Zhuo Qingfeng smiled and nodded.

"Becoming a centurion of the War Master Hall is enough to prove your strength!" Wu Tianqiong stroked his beard.

"Regarding this selection of war masters, I have already sent word to Dean Wu. I assume all deans are aware of the changes in the quota."

Knowing that the other was flattering him, Zhuo Qingfeng did not dwell on the matter and looked over.

"We are already aware. This time, we are to select one hundred war masters."

Shen Pingchao and the others nodded.

They had known about this matter before; the quota had doubled, so naturally the chances of passing were much greater.

"That's right. The number selected this time is larger, but the difficulty of the selection is not simpler..."

Seeing that they knew, Zhuo Qingfeng nodded. "It's actually greater."

"Greater?" The deans exchanged glances. Zhang Xuan couldn't help but ask, "May I ask what the content of this competition is? How will the selection be conducted?"

"In previous selections, we held arena battles. The participating students would take the stage to fight, and finally, the required number would be decided..." Zhuo Qingfeng said.

Wu Tianqiong and the others nodded.

Although the selection methods varied each time, they never strayed far from the principle—basically, all participating students would engage in martial contests.

The winners would be automatically selected.

"This kind of competition requires each person to go through several matches. It takes a long time and easily leads to injuries, causing a sharp drop in combat power. Therefore, this time, the method has been changed!"

Zhuo Qingfeng continued.

In the previous arena battles, with eighty people from the four academies selecting ten, it meant each person had to go through at least three matches.

When everyone's cultivation was roughly equal, each match was fought very hard, almost exhausting all strength. After three matches, half a life was gone.

Some, who could have made it to the top ten, encountered a strong opponent in the first match and were eliminated... Even if they barely won, due to severe injuries, they missed the war master quota...

This was a loss not only for the four academies but also for the War Master Hall.

Hearing about the changed method, Wu Tianqiong and Shen Pingchao exchanged glances, each puzzled.

Although this method had drawbacks, it was the fairest and could convince everyone. Changing it rashly might not achieve fairness and could cause trouble.

But their doubts did not last long. Zhuo Qingfeng explained, "This time, the method is simple and faster. That is, our War Master Hall members will test you! At the same level, if your students can withstand three moves from a War Master Hall member, they pass!"

"Three moves?"

Wu Tianqiong, Shen Pingchao, and the others frowned.

It sounded simpler, without various competitions, but in reality, the difficulty had indeed increased.

Others might not know the terror of the War Master Hall, but they had seen it firsthand. At the same level, they were almost invincible. Although their students were strong, they were only outstanding among the same level. If they truly fought against war masters, three moves... might not be so easy to withstand.

"Rest assured, before coming, they were specifically instructed that the three moves they execute will all have the same power. There will be no favoritism or intentional leniency!"

Seeing them deep in thought, Zhuo Dingfeng said.

"We trust the War Master Hall on this point..."

Hearing his words, Wu Tianqiong and the others smiled.

The War Master Hall's own selection would naturally be fair and just; there was no doubt about that.

"Since you trust us, then let's begin now. The sooner, the better!" Zhuo Qingfeng waved his hand, too lazy to explain further, and said indifferently.

"Alright!"

Seeing his urging, the four deans smiled wryly and nodded.

They had made various preparations, but the other side directly had the War Master Hall members conduct the test, catching them off guard.

Although this test was unusual, it had a great advantage: it was hard to defeat the opponent, but it should be easy to hold on for three moves without losing.

"Xu Tai, Chen Zhu, you two test the first-year students first!"

Hearing their agreement, Zhuo Qingfeng waved his hand.

"Yes!"

Two young men stepped out from the crowd.

Both were only seventeen or eighteen years old, with cultivation similar to the first-year students, at the peak of the Harmony Spirit realm. However, their auras were sharper, giving a dazzling feeling.

"I'll go first!"

Xu Tai nodded, his body flickering as he landed on the arena. He looked around and said, "First-year students participating in the test, if you can withstand three moves from me, you pass..."

After speaking, he flipped his wrist, and a long sword appeared in his palm, radiating cold light and dazzling brilliance.

His aura also rose step by step. Although he was only at the Harmony Spirit realm, he gave off a strong soul pressure, as if even a Bridge Heaven realm expert would find it hard to contend with him.

"So strong..."

"I thought the people from Cloud Void Academy were terrifying enough... but these are even more formidable! To cultivate to this level at the Harmony Spirit realm... no wonder they are war masters!"

"Indeed, I'm at the Bridge Heaven realm, yet I feel I'm no match..."

Feeling the aura of this Xu Tai, everyone's expressions tightened.