Chapter 494 - 245: Assessment Results Are Out, Jiang Che’s Strength Is Exposed, Elder Xuan Cheng’s Investigation
Chapter 494: Chapter 245: Assessment Results Are Out, Jiang Che’s Strength Is Exposed, Elder Xuan Cheng’s Investigation
Qin Wuya’s gaze flickered as he watched Jiang Che’s silhouette.
Though he had always considered Jiang Che a formidable rival, deep down, he didn’t actually want to see him fall.
Liu Yunfei, on the other hand, stood with his arms crossed, a derisive sneer playing on his lips, ready to enjoy the sight of Jiang Che’s pathetic relegation to the Outer Sect.
He hadn’t forgotten the humiliation of being completely overshadowed by this person, left with no one paying him any attention!
Jiang Che’s expression was calm as he slowly walked up to the high platform.
He stood before the stone stele, feeling the gazes from all around—some scornful, some pitying, some gloating—yet his heart was as calm as still water.
He slowly raised his hand and pressed it onto the stone stele.
Within his body, the Chaotic True Qi—as vast as an abyssal ocean and long suppressed—at this very moment...
Erupted with a roar!
RUMBLE!!!
A deep roar, as if from an ancient dragon, suddenly exploded across the square!
The testing stele trembled violently, and then, a blindingly brilliant ray of light suddenly flared to life!
The intensity of the light instantly surpassed that of everyone who had come before!
And...
Within that gray light, a profound aura seemed to flow—one that encompassed all things and could evolve the heavens and the earth!
"Tenth Layer Great Perfection!!!"
"What?!"
"This..."
"For real?!"
"Holy shit!"
In that instant, the entire Xingdao Peak square erupted into chaos!
Everyone’s eyes widened and their jaws dropped, staring in a daze at the figure bathed in light on the platform.
"Tenth... Tenth Layer?!"
The sneer on Liu Yunfei’s face instantly froze, replaced by endless terror and shock!
’Tenth Layer Great Perfection?! He... he actually reached Perfection?!’
’My first place... is gone?!’
Long Yu’er’s eyes were wide as she stared intently at Jiang Che, as if seeing him for the first time.
A sharp glint burst from Qin Wuya’s eyes!
He’s back! Everything is back!
This was the Jiang Che everyone was familiar with!
Over with the Direct Disciples, the group that had been laughing and chatting moments ago now looked as if they had seen a ghost.
"Holy shit! A Great Perfection came out of this group of country bumpkins?!"
"What the hell, is he a monster?!"
Feng Wuji, who had been so smug, now found the smile on his face completely frozen. His gaze instantly turned sinister, as if facing a great enemy!
He had originally thought he was one of a kind, a monopolist with his Myriad Phenomena Source Qi.
But now, he had a competitor!
And a guy who came from nothing, no less!
Elsewhere, two pairs of eyes were locked onto the dazzling figure on the stage.
It was Lin Xiao and Su Xiaoxiao.
Lin Xiao felt as if she had been struck by lightning, completely unable to believe the scene unfolding before her.
Su Xiaoxiao’s eyes looked like they were about to pop out of her head, her mind a complete blank.
"How is this possible?! How could this be possible?!"
Suddenly, as if struck by a thought, she abruptly pulled on Lin Xiao beside her.
"I think... I think I know why Bao Da was able to break through so suddenly..."
Lin Xiao instantly understood as well.
She bit her lip hard, her face turning ashen.
If... if they hadn’t been so snobbish and distanced themselves from Jiang Che back then...
If they had been like Bao Da and stood firmly by Jiang Che’s side...
...wouldn’t they also have a place on that stage today, basking in glory?
Endless regret washed over her like a tidal wave, nearly drowning her.
"Sister Lin..." Su Xiaoxiao said hesitantly, "Do you think, if we go beg Jiang Che now..."
"We’re going! We have to go!"
Lin Xiao seized this as if it were her last lifeline, hope igniting in her eyes:
"After all, we lived in the same courtyard for a year! There has to be some lingering friendship from that! At worst... at worst, we’ll give him all the points we have! It’s still better than going to that shark Feng Wuji, who devours people whole!"
...
Atop the high platform.
Elder Xuan Cheng was completely stunned.
He blinked, as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
But the light from the stele and the fluctuation of Myriad Phenomena Source Qi—unique to the Perfection Realm—emanating from Jiang Che could not be faked!
’So that’s how it is... So that’s how it is!’
Elder Xuan Cheng suddenly came to his senses, his eyes bursting with ecstatic joy!
’It turns out Master didn’t misjudge him!’
’He isn’t slow-witted; he’s been accumulating power for a massive breakout! He’s been pursuing perfection!’
"Good! What a fine Jiang Che!"
Elder Xuan Cheng strode forward and clapped Jiang Che firmly on the shoulder.
"Good lad! You’ve given this old man a huge surprise!"
"Tenth Layer Great Perfection! Such Talent is rare even in the several-thousand-year history of our Myriad Phenomena Dao Sect!"
In front of everyone, he praised Jiang Che to the skies, sparing no words of adulation.
Then, he lowered his voice, speaking meaningfully in a tone only the two of them could hear:
"Jiang Che, you’ve done very well."
"Later, when it’s time to choose a Branch... remember, the gates of Spirit Void Peak will always be open to you! Master has been waiting for you for a very long time!"
Jiang Che smiled slightly and cupped his hands. "This disciple understands."
With Jiang Che stepping down from the platform, the assessment drew to a close.
In the aftershock of that tremendous surprise, the next few disciples seemed lackluster and were eliminated without any suspense.
Finally.
Elder Xuan Cheng returned to the center of the high platform, his gaze sweeping across the entire audience as he announced loudly:
"The assessment for the Celestial Strategy Guard preparatory disciples is now over!"
"There are four who have passed!"
"First place, Jiang Che! Tenth Layer Great Perfection!"
"Second place, Liu Yunfei! Mid-stage of the Eighth Layer!"
"Third place, Long Yu’er! Early-stage of the Eighth Layer!"
"Fourth place, Bao Da! Early Stage of the Sixth Layer!"
"The four individuals above are now officially listed on the Inner Sect rolls! As for the rest... report to the Outer Sect immediately!"