"Hahaha! I, Old Zhu, have succeeded!"

Zhu Mo leaped up, somersaulted nine and a half times in mid-air, landed on the back of his head, and scrambled up seeing stars, absolutely ecstatic.

He spread open his palm. A dull, murky azure light, meandering and viscous, flowed within. The strangely varied Lei Mang was like thick syrup.

This was quite different from Qi Xiu's Yang Thunder, which was wide-ranging and powerful, fiercely masculine, and embodied pure Yang to the extreme.

The Yin Thunder, primarily generated from the kidney's water-aspected yin qi, was more insidious and cold. Although weaker than the majestic and forthright Yang Thunder, it was harder to guard against and possessed an uncanny power to erode the mind and corrupt the will.

"You really know how to pick your moment. Today is the last day."

Seeing Zhu Mo master the Palm Thunder just in time, Qi Xiu and Yan Baizhe showed a trace of relief in their eyes.

"We mustn't delay. The third round of the assessment is about to begin, and we need to make our way to the island's center as soon as possible."

Yan Baizhe waved over two of his companions and gestured for Qi Xiu and Zhu Mo to mount the giant wolves.

"To the island's center? What has happened?"

Noticing a hint of gravity in Yan Baizhe's words, Zhu Mo couldn't help but ask.

"It's a long story. We'll talk more when we get there."

Mounted on the broad, soft back of the wolf, Yan Baizhe gave a low command. The giant wolf let out a soft howl, its four paws pounded the earth, and it transformed into a swift, silent blur, racing towards the island's center.

「…」

The island's center was the White Jade Square where Qi Xiu and the others had first arrived.

Now, nearly forty examinees had gathered here.

The alien creatures that had landed on the island were restless.

They lurked in dark, cold corners, incessantly spying on the examinees on the island.

Once the second round of assessment ended and the Shenxiao Sect began the third, these powerful and hard-to-kill monsters would go completely berserk, swarming them like a tidal wave.

AWOOO—

The wolf howls echoed sonorously.

The examinees who had spontaneously gathered here all raised their heads in unison.

They had returned to this starting point.

Meeting everyone's gaze, Qi Xiu lowered his eyes slightly and scanned the area.

Compared to their first day, there were over twenty fewer people. Besides the few still scattered across the island, the rest, presumably, had already perished in the earlier struggles.

"It's that guy!"

In a corner of the White Jade Square, a bandaged man was silently whittling a wooden knife. He instantly recognized Qi Xiu on the giant wolf, and his visible eye blazed with fury.

But the current situation clearly did not allow for his revenge.

Otherwise, it would be a flagrant violation of the tacit cease-fire. It would undoubtedly provoke everyone's ire and could even lead to expulsion.

Qi Xiu also felt a gaze as sharp as a spear tip fixed on him. He met that gaze.

He saw the silly-looking bandaged man.

An acquaintance, eh.

A slight smile touched Qi Xiu's lips as he nodded faintly at the bandaged man.

Provocation! He's provoking me!

SNAP! The wooden knife in the bandaged man's hand shattered. His one visible eye widened, his teeth grinding audibly.

Withdrawing his gaze, Qi Xiu and his group found an open area to sit down.

The White Jade Square was surprisingly quiet, despite the large number of examinees gathered there.

Everyone was preoccupied with their own affairs, silent and indifferent to the rest.

"They are all proud and arrogant, disdaining each other's company, yet they must huddle together for warmth. Look over there. Several are sitting far apart, yet their eyes often meet with unconcealed hostility. They must have become enemies earlier in the assessment. It's just that there's no opportunity for revenge right now."

Sensing the subtle and tense atmosphere around him, Qi Xiu rolled up his sleeves, surveyed the surroundings thoughtfully, and closed his eyes to rest.

Time kept slipping away.

As if sensing that many examinees had congregated here, the alien creatures also began to converge on the island's center.

The sky was dim, the night thick and dark.

On the deathly still White Jade Square, a bonfire blazed merrily. Diligent figures were still engrossed in barbecuing.

The savory fragrance of roast meat filled the entire square.

Many gazes, full of incomprehension, were fixed on the figure who hadn't forgotten to eat, even with a great battle looming.

Seated a good distance away, Qi Xiu and Yan Baizhe turned their faces away, muttering in their minds.

I don't know him, I don't know him…

"Hey, Old Qi, Old Yan, and you guys, the roast is about done! We can eat!"

After sprinkling on some seasoning, Zhu Mo laughed and turned to signal Qi Xiu and the others.

Qi Xiu was speechless.

Yan Baizhe was speechless.

CRACK-BOOM—

The thunder that suddenly resounded through the Sky Dome interrupted the thick awkwardness.

The thunderclouds radiated a suppressive and tense energy.

Dark as ink, they appeared even more ominous against the night sky.

The clouds hung low, threatening to drown everyone in their gloomy and oppressive atmosphere.

[The second round of assessment has ended!]

[The third round of the assessment will start at dawn tomorrow. Survive ten days under the attack of the alien creatures!]

[After the third round of assessment, those who have mastered Palm Thunder will advance to the Inner Sect for cultivation. Those who have not will be listed as alternate Disciples and may enter the Outer Sect for cultivation.]

[Alternate Disciples who master Palm Thunder within three years may be subsequently admitted to the Inner Sect!]

Ten days!

This daunting number weighed heavily on the hearts of all the examinees.

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have a word."

Just as everyone was contemplating how to endure these arduous ten days, a man with the air of a young noble, holding a folding fan, stood up. His voice was crisp and clear.

"I am Li Guanqi, of Hexi the Li Family. The details of the assessment have been announced. To survive these ten days, we must join hands and advance or retreat together. I know that many of us have had disagreements in the past. But no matter what, survival is our paramount concern at the moment. Therefore, I, Li, shall take the liberty of proposing a plan. If anyone deems me unsuitable, please speak freely. I will hold no grudges."

After Li Guanqi finished speaking, everyone's gaze wandered, but no one voiced any opposition.

After all, while over forty examinees were gathered in the square, they were effectively a disorganized crowd.

Indeed, they needed a leader to coordinate their efforts. This task was distracting and laborious, with no guarantee of personal gain in the end. It wasn't a bad thing for someone to step forward first.

Seeing that no one was opposed, Li Guanqi gently fanned himself, a smile on his face.

"Since that is the case, I, Li, thank you all for your trust. Then, I would like to ask any colleagues present who are skilled in the Dao of array formations to step forward."

"Should I go…"

As he handed a chicken leg to Qi Xiu, Zhu Mo wiped his hands and asked softly.

Qi Xiu's gaze flickered. He assessed this distinguished young master from Hexi the Li Family and gave a slight nod.

"The greater good takes precedence."

"Alright."

As Zhu Mo stepped forward first, four more examinees came out one after another.

"Loose Cultivator Zhu Mo."

"Ye Qing of Linliang Valley."

"Luo Zhaihua, former disciple of Datong Xuanzong."

"Hua Chun of Moyun Peak."

Each of the four announced their names while the other examinees showed varied expressions, whispering among themselves.

"A former disciple of Datong Xuanzong? Is that the sect whose Sect Leader was abducted by the Joyful Demon Temple?"

"That's right. It's said their Sect Leader is now the Left Protector of the Joyful Demon Temple and even married a princess from Qingyun Country. He's supposedly much happier there than at Datong Xuanzong."

"The Hua family of Moyun Peak and the Ye family of Linliang Valley. These two families are famously antagonistic. Won't those two start a fight?"

"That chubby fellow who was barbecuing earlier is actually an Array Dao cultivator? Truly, appearances can be deceiving."

"If I may trouble the four of you to come with me."

Li Guanqi bowed respectfully and then led Zhu Mo and the other three away, apparently intending to first set up defensive formations around the square.

This would establish the first line of defense against the alien creatures.

This night was destined to be busy.

After arranging for Zhu Mo and the other three to lay down multiple layers of formations around the White Jade Square, Li Guanqi returned to ascertain everyone else's particular skills.

He meticulously planned everyone's position and assigned them areas of responsibility. He even designated individuals to watch out for specific others and provide aid when necessary.

He even subdivided them into an assault team, a support team, a defense team, and a containment team, among others.

By the time all this was done, the sky was gradually brightening. Dawn was approaching!

THUD—

The ground suddenly began to tremble, as if a colossal beast were striding across it.

Countless terrifying alien creatures surged from the darkness. Their bodies were huge and twisted, covered in scales or wart-like protrusions.

Some alien creatures brandished massive teeth and claws, their attacks ferocious enough to devour everything. They emitted ear-piercing roars and terrifying shrieks that chilled one to the bone.

Other alien creatures had grotesque appearances and horrifying abilities that could make one's blood run cold.

In the darkness, they transformed into twisted, ever-changing shadows, flitting through the air.

A cold and foul stench spread, making it difficult to breathe.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The alien creatures crashed into the pre-arranged formations. The yellowish light barriers vibrated wildly, sending out infinite ripples. The sound of intense friction was accompanied by countless sparks, generating visible shockwaves.

"We've held them off."

Wiping sweat from his brow, Hua Chun, a sturdy man wearing a floral bandana, managed a smile.

The four of them had collaboratively constructed the Xuan Yuan Middle Yellow Great Formation.

Not only was its defensive power astonishing, but it could also continuously draw Earth Qi to repair itself automatically.

Even a great cultivator of the Blood-Stained Realm would struggle to breach it quickly.

"But it won't hold for long."

Zhu Mo's expression tightened as he keenly sensed the formation nodes beginning to strain and break under the intense assault.

There were seventy to eighty alien creatures before them.

Although these alien creatures did not use Techniques or the Martial Path, their physical might was terrifying. They also possessed instinctive Divine Marvels, and they relentlessly bombarded the formation.

No formation, however strong, could withstand such an onslaught for long.

The formation might shatter at any second.

Sure enough!

Having held for less than an hour, the Xuan Yuan Middle Yellow Great Formation was torn asunder by a jackal-like alien creature. The dissolving formation light scattered like a rain of sparks.

The formation was broken!

The instant the formation shattered, the Martial Path cultivators, who had been seated on the ground, slowly rose. They activated their True Gang and circulated their Qi and Blood.

A fierce killing intent erupted from the ground!

TOOOOT—

Yan Baizhe took the horn from his waist and blew a long, powerful blast!

This horn was a Magic Artifact.

As the deep, stirring call of the Magic Artifact horn resounded, an invisible, blood-red Divine Marvel surged forth like a raging tide. The Martial Path cultivators present instantly felt the circulation speed of their Qi and Blood triple.

A strong and resolute warrior's will to fight swelled uncontrollably in their chests!

"Fight!!!"

...

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