Chapter 28: Last Seen

But alas, none of them dared to say anything directly to the Thirteenth elder. After all, with Mei Hua’s talent, she really did have the qualification to enter the Six Ocean Sect as an inner disciple. Only those who’ve at least reached the third level of Jie Hai realm was qualified to take an exam inside the Sect to be promoted into the Inner disciple circle.

As such, after being handed a gold badge and careful instructions, Mei Hua proceeded up the flight of stairs.

The green robed young man, who had been patiently waiting, stepped forward. The whole crowd went silent when they saw the youth go forward. If the previous Mei Hua from a small major clan was already so talented, just how much of a genius could a young master from one of the large major clans be?

With a faint sneer on his face, Yang Chen lifted up his palm and placed it on the boulder. In a deep voice, he said: “This humble one is Yang Chen, third young master of the Yang Clan!”

Immediately, the lights on the crystal began to climb.

Seeing this, the previous excited expression returned on Hong Wu’s face. After the light stop, Hong Wu had a slightly shocked expression as he looked at the words on the boulder.

“Fifth stage of Jie Hai realm. Seventeen years old...Earth Root talent!”

Although this Yang Chen’s talent was similar to Mei Hua’s, in terms of cultivation, Yang Chen was slightly higher than the latter. Naturally, Yang Chen was a year older than Mei Hua, so him having a bit higher cultivation was not that big of a deal.

However, in the Long Dynasty, where cultivation resources were already scarce, to even improve a single level was already a huge challenge. The gap between a single level was seen with a greater importance and threat in the Lower Regions. It was the gap that could instantly decide the victor and loser in a life-or-death battle!

“Mmn. Your talent is excellent. You will also enter the Sect as an inner disciple! From now on, if you need anything, you may come find me at the Thirteenth Peak. Take this, and you may go.” Hong Wu smiled as he threw the inner disciple badge to Yang Chen.

The crowd looked up with envy as they understood the meaning behind the thirteenth elder’s words. He was clearly showing favor to Yang Chen! But with the latter’s talent, it could not be helped. The powerful would only associate with those with talent, while the weak could only continue toiling away…

Yang Chen saluted the elder before swaggering up the stone stairs. Looking at Yang Chen’s fading back, Hong Wu could not help but give a sigh as he thought to himself:

“Aiii...if only there was not a sect rule in place that the examination elder could not take in the incoming disciples first...I would’ve made it big this time! Two Earth root talent...if those two could safely live through their tribulations, they should have no problem entering the realm of Dao Ascent, or even beyond!”

Shaking his head, Hong Wu turned to face the last group of participants. “Alright, next!”

One by one, the cultivator went up and tested.

“Third stage of Temporal Di realm. Twenty years old. No root...the hell? Why did you even come participate?! Get the hell out of here! Next!”

“Mmn. NInth stage of Temporal Di realm. 19 years old. Mortal Root talent...pass!”

“Seventh stage of Temporal Di realm. 16 years old. Mortal root...fail!”

“First stage of Jie Hai realm. 17 years old. Mortal root...pass!”

“Second stage of Jie Hai realm. 19 years old. Mortal root...pass!”

“...”

After some time passed, the group of participants had dwindled down until there was only Huang Xue was left. By now, the youth’s presence was known to everyone who was present. Since before, it was only a small group of people around him who recognized the Shen clan’s pendant. With Huang Xue standing at the center of stone square alone, people were able to easily see the jade pendant that was hanging conspicuously around the white haired youth’s waist.

“Look at that pendant on his waist! Doesn’t it look familiar?”

“Wait, I remember now! Th-that’s the Shen Clan’s emblem!”

“What?! He’s from the Shen Clan?? How come I’ve never seen him before? And that white hair…”

“Wahh...this little brother looks so handsome!”

“Could this be one of those hidden members of the Shen Clan? Those major clans always like to hide things from the world anyways.”

Hong Wu slightly frowned when his eyes landed on Huang Xue. “Strange...how come I’m unable to feel any aura coming from him?”

If not for Huang Xue revealing himself, Hong Wu would have neglected to notice the white robed youth within the crowd. Upon hearing the crowd’s comments and seeing the Shen pendant on the youth’s body, Hong Wu slightly relaxed.

“Nevermind...since this person is from the Shen Clan, perhaps he had practiced in a high-level aura concealment technique. Major Clans like those like to use these kind of tricks. No matter, no matter; once he comes up to test, I’ll find out his cultivation and talent anyways!” Hong Wu thought.

Without waiting for the elder to speak, Huang Xue calmly began to walk towards the boulder.

Holding a confident smile, Huang Xue lifted out his hand and placed it on the cool surface of the boulder. With a thought, he sent a few strands of his Qi into the stone. At the same time, in a clear voice, he said: “Shen Huang Xue, third young master of the Shen Clan!”

Using his energy, Huang Xue easily controlled the energy within the boulder, distorting some of its ability. To him, a low level testing tool like was too easy to manipulate around with!

Immediately, the boulder seemed to almost shudder!

Hong Wu’s eyes went wide when he, who was perched on top of the boulder, felt an actual tremor from the boulder. It was one, which had actually made his boulder tremble from the strong vibration!

The crystals began to light up one by one as it steadily climbed upward.

Mortal root...ding!

Earth root...ding!

Hong Wu nodded his head with a smile, before his face became stiff. That was because the crystal which represented Clear Root talent...also lit up a moment after!

A gasp rippled through the crowd as everyone stared at the third bright crystal. To achieve a Clear Root talent...that meant that this person’s potential was far above the other two geniuses who came before him!

“Clear Root talent...it seems he would have the potential to tackle the Heavenly Wang realm in the future, if all goes well.” Hong Wu stared at Huang Xue in awe. To lit the third crystal, this was a talent that was equal to those few core disciples of the Sect!

Two years ago, a strange phenomenon had occurred. There was sudden influx of talented disciples who entered the Six Ocean and had extremely decent potentials. At least compared to this year’s yield of only twenty eight freshmen disciples, the number of freshmen taken in two years ago exceeded forty people! And among them, there were even twelve Clear Root talents!

Those who had such Roots later became Core Disciples of the Six Ocean Sect.

Swallowing his shock and excitement, Hong Wu was just about to announce Huang Xue’s results when his words got stuck in his throat. His eyes nearly bulged out when he saw that the fourth crystal...actually lit up!

Heaven Root talent!

“This...this is…” Hong Wu was at loss with his words.

For someone to have a Heaven Root talent that has not appeared for the last thousand years...this could only mean that if that person manages to survive and mature, they would have absolutely no problem entering...the Empyrean Hun realm! This legendary realm that many could only dream of entering!

When the remaining group of few thousand people saw the fourth crystal lit up, they likewise let out a huge uproar. The previous lighting of the third crystal had already shocked them endlessly, yet before they had time to catch their breath, another crystal had lit up in succession!

In one breath, Huang Xue had instantly surpassed the potential talent of those other two geniuses!

As Huang Xue continued to inject a bit of his Earthly Qi inside the boulder, he could vaguely feel that his limit was not yet set. The fifth crystal, representing Saint Root talent, was about to light up…

Having already noticed the large commotion that was caused by his current performance, Huang Xue felt that it was enough for now. Without hesitation, he pulled away his hand from the boulder before the fifth crystal could absorb anymore of his Qi.

“Shen Clan...Shen Clan…” Hong Wu murmured as he closed his eyes and took a deep breath to calm his shaky nerves.

After opening his eyes, Hong Wu felt that he was now stable enough to announce the youth’s results. However, upon turning to inspect the boulder for the youth’s information, his face once again froze.

He lifted his head up towards the sky for a few moments before looking back down at the boulder. After rubbing his eyes a few times to confirm that he was not seeing things, Hong Wu immediately sucked in a breath of cool air. A look of fear, excitement, and disbelief swirled within his eyes as he slowly glanced over at Huang Xue.

*Gulp*

Hong Wu once again tried to calm himself, before he announced in a trembling voice:

“S-seventh stage of Jie Hai realm. Six..teen years old. H-Heaven root talent!”

The whole surrounding instantly quiet down as the onlookers stared towards the Huang Xue in stupidification.