Chapter 176: Endless Sword Sect Disciple Recruitment Trial (4)

Meanwhile, outside Endless Sword Sect, an earth-shattering change was about to begin.

On the square outside Endless Sword Sect, a large number of Cultivators had already gathered.

Among them were eager young Cultivators accompanied by their Elders.

Everyone was waiting for the start of the Disciple recruitment trial. This was a selection held periodically by Endless Sword Sect. By passing this selection, one had the chance to become a Core Disciple of Endless Sword Sect and obtain more Cultivation resources and Opportunities.

…

Meanwhile…

As Zhang Dansan's Taixu Sword Physique reached its initial unsealing…

The Qi on Zhang Dansan gradually grew stronger, and the surrounding Cultivators couldn't help but cast astonished glances at him.

They could feel the Sword Intent emanating from Zhang Dansan—it was a sharp and endless power.

The square outside Endless Sword Sect was dead silent as everyone felt this chilling Aura.

One after another, they focused their eyes on Zhang Dansan.

Feeling the Aura on himself at this moment, Zhang Dansan exclaimed with a look of disbelief, "Th-this… What's going on?"

…

Right at that moment, a series of booming sounds suddenly resounded in the air…

The sound of the bell chimed, announcing the start of Endless Sword Sect's Disciple recruitment trial.

Some Outer Sect Elders of Endless Sword Sect who were hosting the Disciple recruitment trial walked onto the main platform. Their eyes swept over the many Cultivators, and they nodded slightly in greeting. The trial officially began.

At this moment, Zhang Dansan took a deep breath, having no time to wonder what was happening to his body.

But he could clearly feel that his strength had undergone a qualitative leap!

Looking at Li He beside him, who had a lazy expression devoid of any pressure or tension…

Zhang Dansan murmured to himself in secret, "I really envy big brother!

He doesn't have to worry about these things at all!"

Thinking up to this point…

Zhang Dansan held his sword tightly, feeling the cold sensation from the hilt. Concentrating his mind and steadying his breath, he stepped forward and followed the crowd toward the outer square of Endless Sword Sect.

…

Meanwhile, Li He smiled as he watched Zhang Dansan walk away, unable to help praising softly, "This guy is so nervous. Has he really not noticed the changes in his body?"

Meanwhile…

On the square outside Endless Sword Sect, many people were discussing the Sword Intent Aura that had suddenly appeared outside just now.

Although that Sword Intent Aura was very weak, it was indeed genuine Sword Intent!

At this moment, some Cultivators who actually knew the source of that Sword Intent…

saw Zhang Dansan in their surroundings.

Thus, those Cultivators cast envious glances at him, while some Cultivators felt jealousy in their hearts, many wanting to deal with Zhang Dansan properly in the upcoming recruitment trial.

And right now…

Zhang Dansan took a deep breath and looked firmly at the trial area in the center of the square.

Just as Li He also followed closely behind…

Suddenly, right at this time…

A figure slowly stood up on the distant high platform!

Endless Sword Sect Disciple Recruitment Trial, First Stage!

"Requirement: One person per group. The difficulty of the pathway is determined based on your Cultivation. Pass through the pathway before you!

Those with scores in the top ten thousand can participate in the next stage!"

With an order given, the trial officially began.

…

As that Elder formed hand seals with both hands, in an instant…

Before the tens of thousands of people present, phantom pathways appeared one after another…

Looking at the phantom pathway in front of him and the wooden Puppets inside, Li He felt a trace of surprise in his heart: "A trial of combat strength right off the bat?

Not testing talent first?

Oh well, forget it!

Either way, it's all stuff I can resolve with a single punch!"

Meanwhile, on the spectator stand, a sharp-featured, monkey-like middle-aged man stood at the edge, his eyes slightly narrowed as he looked around, as if searching for something…

Farther away, a muscular man with a sinister grin looked at the phantom pathway before him and said to the minions behind him, "Just a pathway like this? Watch me charge right through it in a matter of minutes!"

Before his voice died down, the minions behind him began flatteringly, "Brother Wang is mighty!"

…

At this moment, Zhang Dansan looked at the phantom pathway in front of him and flashed right into it!

Holding his sword, Zhang Dansan moved like lightning, instantly charging into the trial area.

The sword in his hand danced like the wind, sword light overflowing.

Even with the Taixu Sword Physique only initially unsealed, Zhang Dansan's current strength was already night and day compared to before…

At this moment, the Outer Sect Elders on the spectator stand also vaguely noticed Zhang Dansan.

Simply because his advancing speed was indeed a huge step faster than everyone around him.

…

Looking at Zhang Dansan's figure, the Elders on the platform couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

"This youth's footwork is exceptionally agile, as if weaving through a rain of swords. Even the surrounding wooden Puppets can barely capture his figure.

That faint, indistinct Qi around his body… it seems like the rudiment of Sword Intent!

This youth is incredible! Even if he doesn't meet the standards for a Core Disciple, he can easily rival those Inner Sect Disciples.

Most of those Inner Sect Disciples can barely comprehend a trace of Sword Intent after Cultivating for a dozen or so years!

Yet this kid, how long has he been Cultivating? He was actually able to comprehend a rudiment of Sword Intent and even utilize it!"

At this point, the other Outer Sect Elders around him couldn't help but nod along…

…

Meanwhile, some Cultivators who had been defeated by the wooden Puppets and had already exited the phantom pathways watched Zhang Dansan, who was currently clearing the trial, and marvelled in amazement.

No one expected that a Cultivator who looked about their age and whose Cultivation was only in the Qi Gathering Realm would display such astonishing power.

Just the few sword techniques Zhang Dansan casually executed were enough to elicit marvel from the surrounding spectators…

On the platform, the Outer Sect Elders were also frowning slightly.

For no other reason…

Than because they had originally thought the person most likely to qualify for Core Disciple status in this selection was another Cultivator.

That person was hailed as Endless Sword City's number one sword Dao Prodigy in a century!

But seeing Zhang Dansan's performance, they began to feel that Zhang Dansan might truly be able to contend for that Core Disciple spot!

…

Time passed, and after a few breaths…

Looking at the wooden Puppet blocking him…

Zhang Dansan's sword art grew increasingly fierce, his sword light already able to completely envelop the entire wooden Puppet!

Every strike of his could not only cover the entire wooden Puppet…

It even allowed those watching from the outside to feel a trace of the unique Aura brought by Sword Intent.

Right at this moment…

"Crack!"

As a crisp sound rang out from inside Zhang Dansan's body…

A layer of white flames instantly wrapped around his body, and the Aura on him suddenly rose to a new height.

Void Roaming Level One!

Void Roaming Level Two!

Void Roaming Level Three!

…

At this moment…

Zhang Dansan looked at his hands in disbelief, while the surrounding spectators thought Zhang Dansan was running out of steam and unable to continue, which was why he had stopped…

But the Outer Sect Elders on the platform saw through it.

A voice rang out among the Elders: "This kid made a Breakthrough in battle!

Looks like we're going to harvest two Core Disciples this time!

I didn't expect us to pick up such a treasure this time!

Hahaha!"

…

A few breaths later…

Looking at the last group of wooden Puppets in front of him, Zhang Dansan slashed out with his sword. The sword light was like lightning streaking across the sky—so fast and powerful that no one could withstand it.

The Sword Intent on his sword reached its peak, even truly condensing a trace of Sword Intent! It brought his strength to its ultimate potential.

Under this single sword strike, all the wooden Puppets in the phantom pathway trial area were smashed, not a single one spared.

After the sword light dissipated, the square fell into dead silence. Everyone stared blankly at Zhang Dansan, unable to believe their eyes.

People kept muttering to themselves, "I… I… I feel like I really… really witnessed the birth of a Genius!"

…

Zhang Dansan stood quietly in place, his eyes sweeping across his surroundings.

Feeling the envious and amazed gazes of the surrounding Cultivators, a sense of unreality arose from deep inside him. Looking at his hands, Zhang Dansan couldn't help muttering, "I… I… I… when did I become so strong?!"

Outside Endless Sword Sect, people on the square discussed animatedly. Some marvelled at Zhang Dansan's sword art, some gasped at his strength, and others questioned his identity.

But no matter what kind of discussion it was, nothing could cover his brilliance.

Meanwhile, in a corner of the platform edge, the sharp-featured, monkey-like middle-aged man watched this scene in disbelief, his body trembling slightly as he muttered, "Dammit!

You asked me to deal with this kind of Prodigy?

Is this the 'stronger one' you were talking about?

He must be the one who sent you flying!

Hmph!

I can't afford to provoke this strong Prodigy.

Can't I afford to provoke the other one?

Hmph hmph, little kid, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

Having thought this, that sharp-featured Elder Wang began scanning below, looking for the other unlucky fellow he deemed weaker in his heart…

Suddenly, his eyes lit up slightly!

A cruel smile appeared on his face: "Found him!

Little fellow, if you can't even pass the first stage, you're going to suffer greatly!"

Saying that, he moved his finger slightly, and an inconspicuous beam of light flew into the distance…

…

At this moment…

After stepping into the phantom pathway, Li He had been standing in place without moving. For no other reason than that he didn't want to draw too much attention. After all, the System task required him not to reveal his true identity before successfully reaching the Sect Master of Endless Sword Sect!

So, after pondering for a moment, Li He decided not to act first, waiting until everyone else was almost done fighting before resolving all these things in an instant.

That way, his ranking wouldn't be too high either!

After waiting for a while, Li He estimated it was about time. Just as he was preparing to act…

Suddenly, a beam of light flew in, and in an instant, the wooden Puppet in front changed color…

Changing from wood to mysterious iron!

Looking at this sudden change, Li He felt a bit puzzled in his heart, but didn't think much of it, assuming it was just a normal variation in the trial…

With that thought, Li He gently threw a punch forward…

…