Celestial Refining Divine Scripture

The immortal flames here far surpass the fire seeds used in the newcomer assessment; these are truly formidable immortal flames, each possessing its own unique might.

If one can refine them, one can truly wield them, strengthen their own cultivation and power, and continuously ascend.

At the very least, within Black Fire Immortal Mountain, securing any of these immortal flames is a rare and distinguished fortune.

"The five strands of immortal flames are the highest-grade flames possessed by Black Fire Immortal Mountain, their potential is astounding; whoever obtains one may claim the corresponding Immortal Techniques freely from the Hall of Immortal Arts!"

Obtaining an immortal flame also requires a matched immortal technique.

This was enough to excite the crowd.

Though only two slots exist for the seed disciples, there are five such immortal flames.

Gaining just an immortal flame would greatly enhance one’s strength, and coupled with a free, special immortal technique, one’s power would soar all the more!

For all those disciples who had little hope of competing for the seed disciple places but still wielded some strength, these five immortal flames were undoubtedly perfect targets.

"There are two grand rounds to this tournament. The first: a melee. Those who remain within the designated area after a quarter-hour pass will be deemed to have cleared the round, and shall be bathed in Refined Immortal Spirit Qi!"

"The second round: Do you see that towering peak?"

The Tongmin Golden Immortal pointed his finger at a striking summit within the distant mountains.

The crowd all turned to look.

"Tokens representing the seed disciple slots, the five immortal flames, and all sorts of treasures and resources, are placed upon that mountain; within the mountain are puppet war champions. Climb the mountain and defeat your foes—only then may you claim fortune!"

The Tongmin Golden Immortal halted his words, flicking his sleeve with a flourish.

Whoosh!

A swath of immortal light, like a thin mist, swept out and spread, in the blink of an eye shrouding an area several thousand feet in breadth.

All the new disciples were enveloped within.

"In this contest, wounding unto death is forbidden; violators will be severely punished!"

"Round one, the melee—time limit, a quarter-hour. Begin now."

Boom!

As the words of Tongmin Golden Immortal finished, a peerless domineering aura surged across the shrouded field.

Thousands instantly erupted into action, each turning their hand toward the nearest competitor.

The fewer who remain, the more fortune one may snatch upon ascending the mountain later.

This was the simplest truth.

Moreover, for those harboring grudges or discontent, this provided the perfect, justifiable opportunity to vent their resentment.

"The two seed disciple quotas should have little suspense this time."

"Duan Tianyang will surely claim one—congratulations, Fourth Elder."

"Hahaha, the competition is not especially fierce this time," the Fourth Elder said with considerable pride, laughing aloud.

No matter how uncompetitive, to claim a seed disciple slot in the new disciples’ grand competition was a point of great pride.

"For the other slot, it’ll come down to Xu Yang, Wang Li, Ji Qingshu, or Hu Qin, those four."

"That Xu Yang is interesting—though he’s yet to reveal his hand. I don’t know what real strength he possesses; yes, he made it to second in the third trial of the Fire Demon Cavern, but I wager that’s due to a strong Primordial Spirit and some special means. After all, with only a first-rank immortal weapon’s cultivation—how strong can he possibly be?"

"All the same, this one is remarkable; in terms of potential, perhaps even more impressive than Duan Tianyang."

Even the Fourth Elder did not deny this!

"By the way, which one of you favors Xu Yang?"

An old man curiously glanced at the others.

Of the seven elders, six suddenly all turned to look at one person in unison.

Hong Wei’s face remained unchanged; he said blandly, "If he wants to become my direct disciple, he needs to seize a seed disciple slot!"

"Hahaha, so it really is you, old rascal."

"Old Hong, isn’t that requirement a bit much? Wasn’t Xu Yang’s performance in the Fire Demon Cavern enough for you?" the Fourth Elder teased with a grin.

Hong Wei snorted. "I intend to take only one direct disciple—naturally, I must be prudent. Unlike you, with four or five direct disciples already."

The Fourth Elder’s face instantly darkened.

"Look!"

Suddenly, a startled shout from an elder.

The others hurriedly looked over.

They watched as, on the field, six figures suddenly burst forth with astonishing might, blasting dozens from the boundary and converging with murderous intent upon one person.

"Good gracious."

"Duan Tianyang, Wang Li, Ji Qingshu, Hu Qin, Ye Yunfei, and Yang Xiao! All wielding second-tier immortal weapons—six of them, Duan Tianyang is at the Late Stage of True Immortal Realm, while the other five are all Middle Stage True Immortals."

"And all of them are going straight for Xu Yang."

"Is he really such a threat?"

"Six joining forces to attack Xu Yang—he’s doomed. They’re planning to eliminate him in the very first round."

The elders were all astounded—even the Sect Leader, the Tongmin Golden Immortal, looked on in surprise.

Someone covertly cast a glance at Yang Yuan.

"Old Hong, looks like you won’t find a suitable disciple this year either—hahaha!" Fourth Elder immediately jeered.

Hong Wei’s face grew darker still.

No matter how he imagined it, he could not envision Xu Yang escaping this calamity!

No matter how many means Xu Yang possessed, his cultivation spoke for itself—a mere first-grade immortal weapon; how strong could he be?

Much less when faced with the combined might of the strongest new disciples this year.

Each possesses a second-tier immortal treasure!

"Goodness, this is madness."

"This has to be the Yang brothers’ doing."

"Every one wielding a second-tier immortal treasure, six attacking together—even were Xu Yang to sprout wings, escape would be impossible."

"Utterly ruthless!"

...

Ye Qingchen and the other seed disciples witnessing this were dumbfounded.

The watching disciples stood stupefied, as if turned to stone!

"Xu Yang, you are finished."

"You’ll be eliminated in the first round; the seed disciple slot, and every other fortune, will be completely out of your reach!"

"How dare you offend me, and show no respect for my elder brother? This is your fate!"

Yang Xiao was radiantly triumphant.

Xu Yang’s expression did not change, though inwardly he was taken aback.

With Yang Xiao’s means alone, it could not have come to this.

It must have been Yang Yuan personally persuading these others to act.

"Six against one, all wielding second-tier immortal treasures—hmph!"

Xu Yang snorted coldly, facing the six with not a trace of fear.

"You brought this upon yourselves."

Boom!

Xu Yang flashed forward, surging straight for Duan Tianyang’s group, Black Saber gripped tightly in hand.

"Get out of my way."

The six encircled, immortal treasures radiating, crossing bright arcs as each unleashed mighty immortal techniques.

Duan Tianyang’s eyes glinted with icy laughter. "Xu Yang, let’s see how strong second place in the third level of Fire Demon Cavern truly is!"

Rumble!!

Towering immortal technique radiance flared skyward, enveloping Xu Yang in overwhelming might.

In this instant—

Countless onlookers wore expressions of pity or regret.

Too ruthless!

This maneuver would leave Xu Yang with no escape!

Eliminated in round one: no matter his potential, he’d meet a dead end, powerless!

"Heaven Locking Intent!"

The six figures froze, motionless for an instant.

Duan Tianyang’s eyes nearly bulged from their sockets as he struggled madly. "Impossible!"

He’s locked me down?

Yang Xiao looked as if he’d seen a ghost.

And high above, every elder gave a startled "Eh?" in surprise.

Boom!

A figure, as if struck by lightning, spat a mouthful of blood and was sent flying clear out of the field.

Ah~~

A heartrending scream finally pierced the air.

"That was... Yang Xiao?"

"Hiss!"

Rumble!

"Ten Thousand Blades Melody!"

"Blazing Sun Heart-Burning Saber!"

Boom!

Bang!

Ji Qingshu, Hu Qin, and Ye Yunfei were forced back in utter disarray, their immortal treasures chiming and shrieking, completely overpowered.

"How can this be?"

"You wish to eliminate me in the first round?"

Xu Yang, like a War God, swept forth from the immortal light storm, immortal qi surging, saber whistling in a sweeping arc.

Hu Qin, Ye Yunfei, and Ji Qingshu barely had time to react before being blasted out with a savage sweep.

Yang Xiao struggled to his feet, only to see the three crash to the ground beside him, thunderstruck, lost in a waking dream!