Mu Ziying was not surprised by Lu Yin’s decision, but he still warned Lu Yin. “Brother Lu, I know that your strength is very impressive, but I still have to warn you: the inner disciples from my Cosmic Sect are not weak. Although they might not be your match in a one-on-one battle, an entire day is more than enough time for a lot of disciples to challenge you. Also, there’s one more thing: the evaluation never specified that the challenges have to be solo combat.”
Lu Yin slowly turned around. “Brother Mu, I’m not particularly concerned about that.”
Mu Ziying smiled bitterly. “Please, Brother Lu.”
Lu Yin was left with no other choice, and Mu Ziying led him toward where the evaluations for the true disciple promotions were being held.
Countless stars were revolving around the Cosmic Sect, and there was a particular planet among the closest stars that had been specially set aside to hold evaluations for people attempting the true disciple promotion. It was known as Skystar, and beating the drum on Skystar meant that one had successfully been promoted to a true disciple. Doing so represented them leaping into the skies with a single bound, as their status would undergo a complete change. Skystar was also a planet with a special meaning, and anyone who was able to safely return from that planet would be considered a blessed child of the starry sky.
At this moment, there was a girl on Skystar emitting an icy white vapor from head to toe. The chilly vapor formed an endless ice jail that extended out from her. In front of her, there were several cultivators who were being overwhelmed by the ice as they desperately dodged around. There was only one man among them who looked serious, and he raised a hand, causing ninety nine stars to appear and explode as they collided with the icy prison.
The ground vibrated and cracked as the void warped.
The girl leaped forward, directly confronting the man with an open palm.
The man was overwhelmed. “Show mercy, Senior!”
The girl’s hand streaked past the man’s cheek, and she grabbed hold of the massive drumsticks that lay behind the man and did her best to raise them up. It seemed that the drumsticks were too heavy, as the girl was actually incapable of moving them.
Behind her, the man spoke up. “The drumsticks used to sound the promotion drum are as heavy as a planet, and wanting to sound the promotion drum requires one to use an enormous amount of star energy to support them. In theory, it’s impossible for anyone who hasn’t reached the Hunter realm to sound the drum, let alone make it echo throughout the entire Cosmic Sect. Senior, please give up.”
The girl fiercely growled, “Shut up!”
The man had said his piece, so he helplessly stepped back. All around them, the other nine cultivators also retreated. They were experts on the Cosmic Sect’s internal rankings. This girl’s name was Yun Feifei, and she had chosen to undergo the first promotion method, and she was actually ranked second on the sect’s internal rankings. Nobody could stand against her in terms of combat, but it was still extremely difficult for her to move the drumsticks.
Further away, countless Cosmic Sect disciples watched on with high expectations, and many of them cheered. “Come on, Senior Feifei! You have to become a true disciple!”
“Senior Feifei, use more strength!”
“Senior Feifei, you can do it!”
…
Yun Feifei exerted her full strength, and she even bit her lips to the point of bleeding. Finally, she picked up the drumsticks and used them to fiercely bang against the war drum.
With a tremendous bang, Skystar trembled as ripples shot out through the void and dispersed. Visible sound waves spread across the entire Cosmic Sect, and they showed Yun Feifei’s determination to be promoted to the true disciple position.
In Skystar’s Great Hall, the Cosmic Sect’s Sect Leader, Yuan Qiong’s eyes opened wide, but then he sighed. “She needed just a little bit more, unfortunately.”
The sound of the war drum spread through Skystar’s Great Hall and continued on towards the countless stars that lay outside the Cosmic Sect.
Many of the Cosmic Sect disciples looked up. “That must be Senior Feifei. She’s going to be promoted to a true disciple.”
“Senior Feifei will definitely be able to do it.”
“Senior Feifei, we support you!”
…
On Skystar, Yun Feifei stared expectantly at the ripples that radiated outwards, but they ultimately dispersed before reaching every corner of the Cosmic Sect.
Yun Feifei’s expression fell as she opened her hand, letting the drumsticks fall to the ground. “I failed again?”
Next to her, the man bitterly commented, “Senior, just wait another month. There are still almost two months before the contest at the Astral Tower starts. Thus, you still have a chance.”
Yun Feifei shook her head. “There’s only one month left, and I can’t do it.”
The man sighed.
In the distance, countless Cosmic Sect disciples also sighed.
At that moment, a handsome man approached, and he looked at Yun Feifei with a relaxed expression. “Junior, it’s my turn.”
When Yun Feifei saw the handsome man, her eyes frosted over. “Yao Ji, if I can’t do it, then neither can you.”
Yao Ji revealed a faint smile. “Junior, don’t forget that you’re second on the rankings while I’m first.”
Many of the Cosmic Sect disciples stared at Yao Ji with aggression in their gazes. They supported Yun Feifei because Yun Feifei was good-natured and never bullied juniors. Yao Ji on the other hand, was completely different. He was the grandson of True Elder Yao Shan, and he had lived a prince’s life since birth, acting condescending;y towards everyone. Nobody liked him.
Yun Feifei sneered. “You won’t even be able to touch the drumsticks, as I’ll block your path to becoming a true disciple.”
Yao Ji showed a massive smile as his lips crept upwards. “I’m sorry, but this senior has chosen to undergo the second method.”
Yun Feifei and the others were all stunned, “You’ve already become a three star Perceptive Intermediate Lockbreaker?”
Yao Ji laughed and activated his gadget. He then shared his Lockbreaker profile page with them, revealing that the emblem of a three star Perceptive Intermediate Lockbreaker was actually displayed on it.
Yun Feifei’s face went pale, as she was completely unwilling to accept this. She was just a two star Perceptive Intermediate Lockbreaker, and she knew that it was not simple to become a three star Perceptive Intermediate Lockbreaker. It was just like beating the war drum; although she was only lacking a tiny bit, it would take a long time to make up for that tiny bit.
“Alright, Junior, don’t be discouraged. I’ll take your place and have fun playing with those people from the Innerverse. I can’t believe that the trash from that barbaric Innerverse actually wants to compete over my Neoverse’s Astral Tower. I believe that, even if I can’t become one of the Cosmic Five, I’ll definitely be able to entertain those people quite well. Since this is how things are, will you be satisfied?” Yao Ji arrogantly declared.
Yun Feifei released her hands and helplessly moved to the side.
Yao Ji’s gaze swept past Yun Feifei and to the man standing behind her. “Junior Yan, are you trying to block this senior’s path?”
The man’s name was Yan Kun, and he was ranked third on the sect’s internal rankings. Yun Feifei had chosen the first promotion evaluation method, and that method required one of the top three ranked experts to obstruct her path, and he had been the one fulfilling that role.
Yan Kun also moved aside.
Yao Ji walked over to the promotion drum with high spirits. He then bent at the waist, grabbed the drumsticks, but at that moment, his expression suddenly changed.
All of the Cosmic Sect disciples stared at him.
Besides the disciples, some of the older experts in the Cosmic Sect were also watching. Not only was Yao Ji ranked first on the internal rankings, but he was also the grandson of the sect’s True Elder. Thus, he was basically guaranteed to be successfully promoted to a true disciple, and many people were waiting to hear the resounding drumbeat when the Cosmic Sect’s number of true disciples increased.
In the distance, Mu Ziying and Lu Yin were also watching.
Lu Yin’s gaze swept past Yun Feifei. He felt that it was a pity, as this woman was somewhat unable to make full use of her own strength. She could have succeeded if she had used the Cosmic Palm to move the drumsticks, but unfortunately, she was not able to control her strength well enough to do so.
Yun Feifei was only a little weaker than Yao Ji, and she had found it difficult to move the drumsticks. Thus, Yao Ji was the same.
Under everyone’s attention, Yao Ji struggled to pick up the drumsticks, after which he firmly struck them against the promotion drum.
There was a bang that caused Skystar to vibrate, and the sound waves spread out, radiating outwards as they made their way towards Skystar’s Great Hall.
Sect Leader Yuan Qiong nodded. “Enough.”
The sound wave gradually spread out until it reached the endless stars that lay outside the Cosmic Sect, allowing everyone from the Cosmic Sect to hear it.
As the sound wave vanished, a voice rang out through the sect, announcing, “Inner disciple Yao Ji has been promoted to become the fourth true disciple. Protect my Cosmic Sect from ever falling.”
“Congratulations, Senior Yao Ji.” In the distance, many of the inner disciples helplessly bowed, including both Yun Feifei and Yan Kun.
Within the Cosmic Sect, countless disciples bowed. “Congratulations, Senior Yao Ji.”
“Congratulations, Senior Yao Ji.”
…
Countless voices rang out in the Cosmic Sect, as the sect’s fourth true disciple had just appeared. This event would not only shock the Cosmic Sect, but it would also stun the rest of the Neoverse.
Each true disciple would become a pillar of strength for the Cosmic Sect in the future.
Yao Ji clasped his hands behind his back and looked around. He had been waiting for this day for a long time, and it had finally arrived.
Ever since he had been little, with his grandfather’s guidance, he had always stood a cut above the rest. However, despite that, he had still been suppressed by Qiu Shi, Mu Ziying, and Hua Xiao. Everyone had envied Yao Ji, but he in private, had always been severely punished by his grandfather for being unable to compare to the others. But at this moment, he had finally become the fourth true disciple, and next, he would defeat Hua Xiao, Mu Ziying, and step to an even loftier status.
As for Qiu Shi, Yao Ji’s eyes grew heated. That woman would be his.
Yao Ji looked around, as at this moment, everyone had to lower their heads to him. That was because his status had just reached a completely different level.
Eh? Why aren’t those two aren’t bowing their heads? He turned around to get a better look, and his expression changed as he slowly smiled. “So it’s Senior Mu. Junior Yao Ji greets Senior Mu.”
Yun Feifei and the others looked over in astonishment, and they quickly bowed as well. “Greetings, Senior Mu.”
Mu Ziying nodded. He did not care for Yao Ji, so he did not really respond. Instead, Mu Ziying told Lu Yin, “Brother Lu, that’s the promotion drum. You have to stay in front of it for a full day without falling.”
Lu Yin nodded. “I got it.”
Off in the distance, Yao Ji frowned as he looked at Mu Ziying before looking back at Lu Yin. He then coldly asked, “Brother Mu, who is this junior? Is he a new disciple? Why haven’t I ever met him before?”
“He’s a newly arrived inner disciple,” Mu Ziying said.
Lu Yin looked over at Yao Ji and nodded. He then looked around at the rest of the disciples. There were many disciples here, and not a single one of them was weak. It was no wonder why the Cosmic Sect was considered a powerful force even within the Neoverse.
Lu Yin’s nonchalant attitude angered Yao Ji. He had just become a true disciple, and his arrogance had been renewed. Every disciple needed to bow to him, but not only did this person not bow his head, but he was even putting on such a casual attitude. Yao Ji barked, “Brother Mu, it seems that this junior doesn’t understand the rules.”
Yun Feifei and the others all looked at Lu Yin with curiosity. He was an unfamiliar face, so was he a new arrival? However, he was able to stand next to Senior Mu, and his attitude was not normal.
Mu Ziying introduced, “This is Lu Yin, from Eversky Island. He’s representing Eversky Island as an exchange disciple who’s come here to the Cosmic Sect to study. Thus, he’s an inner disciple for the moment.”
The crowd instantly understood.
Yao Ji was shocked. “So it’s a junior from Eversky Island. Junior is called Lu Yin? Your surname is Lu? A primeval surname?”
Lu Yin simply replied, “Legal status.”
Yao Ji laughed. “I know, as otherwise, you wouldn’t have been able to visit my Cosmic Sect.”
Mu Ziying looked at Lu Yin. “Brother Lu, have you thought it through?”
Lu Yin nodded and moved closer to the promotion drum.
Yao Ji’s brows rose, and he stared at Lu Yin with a slight look of incomprehension.
The other Cosmic Sect disciples also looked at Lu Yin with strange expressions.
Mu Ziying spoke up, “Juniors, Brother Lu intends to undergo the third promotion method to become a true disciple. I ask all juniors to please start off leniently.”
The crowd was stunned, and then a commotion broke out.
“Did I hear wrong? The third method?”
“He can’t fall for a full day in front of the promotion drum while any disciple can attack him. What’s more, there aren’t even any limits to how many people can go up at once!”
“Even true disciples can participate. Since ancient times, nobody’s been able to succeed through this method.”
“There have been some, but they are very, very few. And that was only when there weren’t any really outstanding disciples in their generation or when the true disciples were away.”
“He actually wants to use the third method to get promoted? That’s just looking down on us too much.”
