Chapter 1248: Two Auditing Students

Under the guidance of a renowned teacher, they soon arrived at a grand hall.

In the room, Hall Master Wu, Yao Mantian, and others were all present. On the guest seats sat a middle-aged man in brocade robes, and behind him stood two young men.

Stealing a glance, the middle-aged man's aura was hidden within his body like thunder, unfathomable, making it impossible to discern his exact strength.

The two youths had their primordial spirits coiled within their bodies, their power like the sea; they were actually both experts at the middle stage of the Primordial Spirit realm.

Judging by their age, they should be no more than thirty. To possess such strength at so young an age could only be described as 'terrifying.' Compared to Zhang Jiuxiao, they were likely only stronger, not weaker.

"Master Zhang!"

Seeing him enter, Hall Master Wu stood up and introduced with a smile: "This is the guiding envoy from the Saint Son Hall, Zhao Xingmo, Master Zhao! Master Zhao, this is the Master Zhang Xuan I told you about, unparalleled in talent—not only is he the best in the Qingyuan Empire, but among the eight great titled empires, he likely holds a place!"

"Mm."

Glancing over, Zhao Xingmo nodded, his face expressionless.

He seemed long accustomed to such introductions, showing no ripple of emotion.

Seeing that the other had little interest in him, Zhang Xuan couldn't be bothered to pay attention either and looked around.

In the room, there were not only these people but also Zhang Jiuxiao and over a dozen young prodigies from Qingyuan Master Hall.

"Since everyone is here, let's begin!"

After waiting a while, two more people arrived. Zhao Xingmo, seemingly in a hurry, frowned and spoke.

Acknowledging with a sound, Hall Master Wu looked around: "Everyone, I believe there's no need for much introduction regarding this Master Zhao. He is the envoy this time, responsible for the selection of the Saint Son Hall! Now, let him tell us how the assessment will be conducted and what preparations are needed."

The crowd all looked at him in unison.

"No preparations needed. I'll directly state the requirements. Those who don't qualify need not waste time!"

Raising his eyelids, Zhao Xingmo waved his hand, expressionless: "Since you've come for the assessment, you must already have some understanding of the Saint Son Hall. To enter, the first hard requirement is being a thirty-year-old Seven-Star Master with cultivation reaching the Saint Realm, the fourth level, the Fetal Infant Realm, or above... Everyone present seems to fit, but... in my view, the higher the cultivation, the better. Currently, there are two who have reached the fourth level of the Saint Realm. They stay; the others can go back..."

"This..."

"Is the selection over just like that?"

"Isn't that too frivolous?"

Unexpectedly, with just a look at cultivation levels, only two remained after elimination. Everyone exchanged glances.

"The Saint Son Hall is not like the Master Academy, which accepts anyone who qualifies. It is the highest institution on the entire continent, specially established to nurture saints. If your strength is insufficient, don't waste time here!"

Zhao Xingmo frowned. "I don't have that much time to waste with you!"

"Uh..."

Not expecting his words to be so direct, Hall Master Wu was somewhat embarrassed. "Isn't it too arbitrary to decide solely based on cultivation? Master Zhao, how about taking another look? There are many renowned masters whose cultivation might not be strong, but they excel in other areas."

"No need. This is just the preliminary selection. Once we reach Qianchong Empire, there will be a second round, and after entering the Saint Son City, a final assessment. If their cultivation can't even reach the Primordial Spirit realm, they won't pass the second round. Taking them along would be a waste of time!"

Waving his hand casually, Zhao Xingmo said.

"Very well..."

Seeing him speak thus, Hall Master Wu could only smile bitterly and shake his head, then turned to the remaining crowd. "Don't be discouraged, everyone. Cultivate diligently, and you will make great progress wherever you are. It's not necessary to go to the Saint Son Hall!"

"Yes..."

Knowing the hall master's words were meant to comfort, the dozen or so geniuses could only shake their heads and turn to leave.

In truth, they were self-aware. Though their cultivation and talent were not too weak, compared to Zhang Xuan and Zhang Jiuxiao, they still fell far short.

With only one spot for Qingyuan City, it definitely wouldn't be theirs.

Seeing the crowd leave, leaving only Zhang Xuan and Zhang Jiuxiao, Zhao Xingmo's gaze focused on them.

"The Saint Son Hall selects the pinnacle elites of the human race. In the future, they will lead regions and become heroes... To make others submit, no amount of talk is useful; strength is what matters most! Therefore, strength is the greatest criterion."

Zhang Xuan nodded.

He deeply felt this point. Though schemes and disguises could intimidate for a short time, what truly earned trust was one's own strength!

Take him now, for instance. In Qingyuan Empire, he was invincible. With this backing, he feared nothing.

If he relied solely on disguises, his confidence would wane, and he would eventually be exposed.

Thus, a hero never relied on schemes, but on straightforward fists.

If you don't submit... crush you until you do!

The reason the Master Teacher Hall governed the world, convincing people with reason and acting justly, was only part of it. More importantly, it possessed absolute combat power that no other profession dared to refute.

There were once two professions that stirred trouble... the Soul Witch and the Poison Master.

The former was directly annihilated... to this day, its inheritance is severed, not even a ghost can be found; the latter was driven to a corner, not daring to show their true identity.

This was not tyranny, but authority.

Similarly, the Holy Domain clans inspired fear not because their families once produced sages, but because... even now, they possessed awe-inspiring foundations and power.

Only with fists can there be mercy. Without enough strength, no matter how much you say, it's all nonsense.

Zhang Jiuxiao also responded, full of emotion.

Although he was from a collateral branch, if his cultivation had already reached the sixth or seventh level of the Saint Domain, the clan would still value him, and he wouldn't have ended up in a small enfeoffed empire, competing for a quota that was hard to obtain.

Seeing that the two understood, Zhao Xingmo nodded and pointed to the two youths behind him.

"These two are auditing students from the Hall of Saint Sons. Although not outstanding, they are not weak either, and they can cooperate to form a special joint attack formation. Among you, whoever can withstand three moves under their combined attack passes!"

Swish!

With his words, the two youths stepped forward, releasing their power. The entire hall instantly turned cold, making people feel an intense pressure.

"So strong..."

Although they hadn't fought, from their aura alone, one could sense that these two, despite being at the same mid-stage Primordial Spirit realm as him, both had combat power at the peak of the Primordial Spirit realm. When they joined forces in formation, they could probably even fight an ordinary early-stage Out-of-Body realm expert.

In other words, with the two of them working together, even a Out-of-Body realm expert like Hall Master Wu, who had crossed the lightning tribulation, might not be able to win.

This... was just auditing?

Then how strong would the real students of the Hall of Saint Sons be?

"Who goes first?"

After the introduction, Zhao Xingmo looked over.

Zhang Jiuxiao carefully examined the two before him, studied them for a long time, then smiled bitterly and shook his head: "Master Zhang, I didn't know you also planned to enter the Hall of Saint Sons. Since you're going, I... will withdraw!"

"Withdraw?"

Zhang Xuan was startled.

He had thought there would be a fight, but unexpectedly, this genius of the Zhang family had directly conceded.

"Yes, rather than humiliate myself, it's better to voluntarily withdraw..."

Zhang Jiuxiao said helplessly.

Coming from the clan to compete for the only quota here, he naturally yearned for the Hall of Saint Sons. Originally, he was sure to succeed, but who knew... this Zhang Xuan had arrived, and in every aspect, he had crushed his confidence.

Previously, he thought he had talent and believed he could put up a fight, but ever since he learned that the other was a Heaven-Approved Master Teacher, he dared not think further.

Such a person was destined to be recorded in history; he was simply not someone he could contend with.

Moreover, he had just calculated that, given his current strength, the likelihood of him lasting three moves against the other was slim.

"This..."

Seeing his expression, Zhang Xuan hesitated for a moment, then looked up at Zhao Xingmo: "Master Zhao, you just said that whoever can withstand three moves under their combined attack passes the assessment, right?"

"Correct!"

Zhao Xingmo nodded.

"Then, if both of us can withstand them, does that mean the Qingyuan Empire can have two quotas to enter the Hall of Saint Sons?" Zhang Xuan continued.

"Both withstand?" Zhao Xingmo sneered, expressionless. "It's also possible that neither will!"

"Not necessarily!" Zhang Xuan shook his head.

Previously, because of Luo Ruoxi, he had been prejudiced against the Zhang family, but after spending some time together, he found that this Zhang Jiuxiao was merely arrogant and not as bad as he had thought.

The quota to the Hall of Saint Sons was originally his. For this, he had left his hometown and stayed in Qingyuan City for several years. If he directly took it away, he would feel too guilty... If both could go, it would be perfect.

"If both of you can withstand three moves, I will consider it... But don't overestimate yourselves. The three moves of these two are not easy to endure!"

Seeing Zhang Xuan's confident expression, Zhao Xingmo warned.

It was only a consideration; he didn't believe that a master teacher from a small enfeoffed empire could both last three moves.

"Just considering is fine. Whether we can last three moves depends on our own strength..." Zhang Xuan smiled.

"Confidence is good, but I hope it's not arrogance!"

Frowning, Zhao Xingmo said, "Alright, who goes first?"

"I'll go!"

Stepping forward, Zhang Xuan shook his body and released his strength, only at the mid-stage Primordial Spirit realm, appearing insignificant before the two youths.

"Quite the talk. Let us brothers see what strength you have!"

The two youths sneered, one left and one right, and in a flash, positioned themselves on either side of Zhang Xuan.

Though they hadn't moved yet, they had sealed off all avenues of escape around him, giving him the feeling of being locked in a cage.

"Before even striking, they've already applied psychological suggestion and pressure. They have some skill..."

Zhang Xuan nodded to himself.

As expected of experts from the Hall of Saint Sons; before making a move, they had already exerted psychological suggestion. Those with weak minds would probably panic immediately.

Once such an emotion fermented, it would greatly affect the battle. With a slight misstep, it was very possible that one would directly concede before even fighting.

"The method of fighting is good, but compared to me in terms of mental state, you are still lacking..."

Chin raised, Zhang Xuan clasped his hands behind his back and slowly took a step forward.