Chapter 128 - The First True Disciple He Mingye
Chapter 128: The First True Disciple He Mingye
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
The roars of demon beasts were full of intensity.
For some disciples who had just entered the faction, or just those who lacked actual combat experience, they had all begun to look scared.
Even in the cages, the demon beasts exuded tremendous pressure.
“So many demon beasts…”
Xu Ning was in the stands, watching the iron cages being continuously brought forward.
Some of the cloths did not tightly cover the cages. As such, it was even possible to see that in some cages, there was more than one demon beast inside.
Moreover, the aura that was leaking out from the cages got stronger and stronger with every cage.
Xu Ning could feel the existence of a void realm demon beast in one of those cages.
“So plentiful.”
Xu Ning sighed. “However, using so much manpower and material resources to catch demon beasts and hold a demon slaying conference just to test the strength of the disciples in the sect…”
After hearing Xu Ning’s doubts, Le Caiwei explained, “That is one of the reasons, but not all of them.”
“300 years ago, there was a terrifying demon beast wave in State Jifeng. That wave of beasts reduced the whole State Jifeng into a sea of beasts. There was even a pack of beasts that split off from the main pack in State Jifeng and rushed into State Feiyun, which in turn caused the collapse of the Feiyun Dynasty, forcing it to enter a turbulent era. It wasn’t until the Source Sect of State Feiyun took action before order was restored.”
Le Caiwei continued, “Even State Feiyun, which was only indirectly affected, went through a tumultuous situation, no need to mention State Jifeng, which was the center of the demon beast attack.”
“In State Jifeng, the various forces set aside their prejudices and confronted the enemy together. The major factions all formed alliances and helped each other, gradually stabilizing the situation.”
“But even then, State Jifeng was still in a state of disrepair and the masses were dying. In despair, heroes like Shi Fengxu joined hands with the top masters of the various factions and families to completely remove the demon king “void beast”. In the end, we defeated the demon beasts, establishing the human race as the lords of State Jifeng again.”
“Afterwards, Shi Fengxu briefly established a dynasty in State Jifeng, but after his disappearance, the dynasty collapsed after 30 years, leaving State Jifeng under the rule of many different factions.”
“Nowadays, ordinary people and warriors have forgotten about the demon beast invasion from 300 years ago. However, major factions have still maintained the habit of holding a demon slaying conference, just to stay on guard.”
Xu Ning listened and nodded silently.
‘So State Jifeng has such a dark past.’
Xu Ning understood the significance of this demon slaying conference now.
“Look, that is Brother He Mingye!”
Le Caiwei suddenly pointed to the square stage, her voice a little excited.
Xu Ning looked around and saw a young man wearing a dark blue long shirt walking onto the stage.
He had long flowing hair and a longsword strapped on his back. He was like an unsheathed weapon, as people could clearly feel his sharp edge.
“He Mingye…”
Xu Ning had heard rumors about this person before.
He was the first core disciple of the Yuelan Sect, Sect Master Mi Xingye’s disciple.
There had been rumors that this person’s strength was at least in the void realm seventh stage: superlative realm. At only 30 years old, he was already comparable to faction elders.
He Mingye’s appearance attracted the attention of thousands of people.
When He Mingye appeared on the stage, a huge cage was also pushed forward.
The huge cloth on top of the cage was pulled off, revealing a ferocious beast appeared in front of everyone.
The giant beast was about ten meters tall, covered in dark green scales, with cruel red eyes. Its limbs were stubby, and its tail was full of spikes.
There were yellow lines along its body, and there was a dark yellow aura current in its breath.
The cage door opened.
The moment the giant beast walked out, its violent aura was exuded from all sides.
Even Xu Ning felt nervous.
“I’m afraid the strength of this demon beast is no longer in the mid level void realm…”
Although it was far away, Xu Ning felt a deep sense of threat from this giant beast. “It should be a high level void realm demon beast. It must be comparable to a void realm seventh stage warrior!”
The moment the giant beast walked out of the cage, the four corners of the square stage suddenly burst out with light beams, and after the light beams intertwined with each other, a transparent light curtain was formed above the stage.
‘Is this the power of a void realm seventh stage: superlative realm?’
Xu Ning looked at the transparent light curtain and thought to himself.
This transparent light curtain should be similar to a “barrier”, which would isolate the fight from the crowd.
The fourth to sixth stages of the void realm were said to be the stages where the accumulation of understanding of characteristics would be formed.
And above the seventh stages, a void realm martial artist would display methods that surpassed ordinary martial arts.
In Xu Ning’s opinion, their methods were quite strange and otherworldly.
Inside the light curtain, the giant beast roared and stared at He Mingye.
The yellow lines along its body became brighter and brighter.
Roar!
The giant beast stepped on the ground. On the stage, several long strips of soil and rocks suddenly hovered upwards, and as if they were alive, they suddenly flew towards He Mingye.
Seeing this, He Mingye didn’t panic at all. He just waved the longsword in his hand, causing his sword to burst out with aura, which he then smashed into the incoming rocks.
A layer of yellow sheen appeared on the scales of the giant beast.
It then waved its giant claws towards He Mingye.
He Mingye tapped his toes and jumped into the air, facing eye-to-eye with the giant beast.
Swish!
The longsword in He Mingye’s hand slashed left and right.
Light blue sword shadows instantly enveloped the giant beast.
The yellowish scale armor on the giant beast’s body was gradually torn open, blood flowed across its body.
It began to roar in pain, agitated.
The giant beast waved its limbs and tail, trying to smash He Mingye to death, but it was to no avail.
The giant beast was already covered with wounds, when suddenly the longsword in He Mingye’s hand suddenly made a sharp sound.
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Afterwards, the blue light intertwined on the body of the giant beast. In an instant, it was completely in wounds before turning into a rain of blood.
A high-level void realm demon beast was easily killed by He Mingye.
Almost immediately, there was a wave of cheers from the stands.
Thousands of disciples were shocked by He Mingye’s opening fight.
Xu Ning finally witnessed the power of a high-level void realm warrior.
“So strong…”
Xu Ning felt that he was not He Mingye’s opponent at all.
However, Xu Ning was not discouraged. As long as he gave himself enough time, he would definitely be able to reach He Mingye’s level of strength.
Amidst the cheers of everyone, the light curtain disappeared, and He Mingye walked off the stage.
“Sect Master, Mingye has already advanced to the eighth stage, right? Did he also cultivate the Water Cross Sword to the ninth level?”
The white-haired elder asked, as he sat beside Mi Xingye.
Mi Xingye stroked his beard and nodded silently with a smile.
He was extremely satisfied with his disciple.
“Master.”
He Mingye walked down and sat next to Mi Xingye.
“Not bad.”
Mi Xingye praised him.
He Mingye kicked off a perfect start for today’s demon slaying conference.
After He Mingye walked off the stage, the disciples standing next to him immediately cleaned the stage.
Afterwards, the elder host of the demon slaying conference stepped onto the stage. He faced thousands of people, and with his chest and lungs pumped up, his voice filled the stage.
“He Mingye, a core disciple, has already slayed a high level void realm demon beast. Up next, it will be your guy’s turn to perform.”
The elder host said, “I hope that all the disciples who face demon beasts, whether you’re an outer, inner or core disciple, will muster up the courage to fully demonstrate your strength! Your performance will be seen by the elders and deacons. If you perform well and receive the approval of the elders and deacons, you will be able to step into the inner sect from the outer sect, and from an inner disciple to an in-name disciple!”
The elder host’s words immediately made the hearts of thousands of disciples tremble.
Such a promotion would not only change their status, but also the amount of resources they would get.
The higher the disciple’s status, the better the resources they would enjoy, and the better their future would be.
“Next, we will carry out fifteen rounds of demon slaying with outer disciples!”
The elder host said, “Each round, one hundred outer disciples are allowed to take the stage to fight demon beasts. During this period, you may be seriously injured by the demon beast, but you don’t have to worry about dying, as the elders will rescue you if need be!”
“One hundred spots, fight for yourself. The first round of demon slaying begins now!”
As soon as the elder host finished speaking, some outer disciples began to rush to the stage.
“They are all so eager…”
Xu Ning looked at the rushing outer disciples. He could clearly feel their excitement.
“Of the first hundred people who came forward, nearly half of them are void realm martial artists…”
Xu Ning estimated the proportion of void realm martial arts among the hundred people based on his perceptions of the outer disciples who had just jumped on the stage.
There were close to 3,000 disciples in the outer sect of the Yuelan Sect.
These 3000 people were from ordinary backgrounds. They were unlike Xu Ning and the others, who were recommended by the Yuelan Sect’s subordinate families.
Among the outer disciples, most of them were ordinary martial artists.
If they wanted to leap from the outer sect to the inner sect, they could only perform well at this demon slaying conference.
The first 100 people who took the initiative to take the stage were all outstanding outer disciples that were expressing their eagerness.
“Among the outer sect disciples, there are nearly 100 martial arts masters in the void realm, which is close to how much the inner sect has.”
Xu Ning whispered.
“Yes, don’t underestimate the outer disciples.”
Le Caiwei sighed a little. “And as an inner disciple, I haven’t broken through the void realm yet, so I feel a little embarrassed.”
“Senior Sister Le, don’t belittle herself.” Xu Ning comforted, “There are 3000 outer disciples, so the proportion of void realm martial artists is less than 30 to 1. It is normal for the older outer disciples to advance to the void realm.”
Le Caiwei nodded when she heard these words.
Of course she knew the positions of these outer disciples.
Even if some of them had advanced to the void realm, they had only practiced a low-grade void realm secret scroll after all, causing their future to be extremely limited.
Even if an outer sect void realm martial artist entered the inner sect, they would only play a minor role. They would be set aside to conduct small chores, and they would never become a centerpiece of the faction.
“The first round between outer disciples and demon beasts has begun…”
On the stage, the light curtain was re-woven and more demon beasts were sent in.
These demon beasts that were sent in consisted of those in the void realm and the mortal realm. After being placed on the stage, they immediately started fighting with the outer disciples.
On the stage, there were sounds of fighting and screaming.
“These outer disciples are really desperate…”
Xu Ning noticed that many outer disciples were trying desperately to display themselves in a flattering manner, in order to be recognized by the inner deacons.
Xu Ning could also feel the sadness of some outer disciples.
Soon after, the round was over.
Compared to He Mingye’s finesse from before, the outer disciples looked a little embarrassed after the fight.
After the demon beasts in the first round were all killed, only six to seven void realm martial artists remained on the stage.
Four of them performed well and were favored by the inner sect deacons, so they gained the status of inner sect disciples.
Subsequently, the second round began.
In the second round, the number of void realm martial artists was even smaller.
After all, the strong ones had already gone on stage during the first round.
“Everyone is still very anxious…”
There were 3000 outer disciples, and only half of them had a real chance to get on stage.
With the elders’ protection, they didn’t have to worry about their life, so everyone wanted to try fighting these demon beasts.
“At this rate, fifteen rounds will take at least three hours.”
Xu Ning calculated that it would take a long time before inner disciples took the stage.
By the time the outer disciples had conducted all fifteen rounds, two and a half hours had already gone by.
‘It’s almost time for the inner disciples to play.’
After the rounds with the outer disciples were over, Xu Ning knew that it was almost their turn to fight.
Xu Ning was a little eager to try. In his mind, he could even tussle with a mid level demon beast.
“Next, we proceed to the inner disciple segment of the conference!”
The elder host stood on the stage and spoke.
“The fight between inner disciples and demon beasts will be divided into five rounds, with 20 people in each round!”
“There are only 20 people in each round…”
Xu Ning frowned. “So little…”
“Xu Ning, are you ready?”
Ning Xun came over: “Which round are you going to fight in?”
“The first round is bound to be filled with elites of the inner sect. The leaders of the inner sect groups will definitely be the first to make their appearances, so it will be very stressful to compete with those people.”
Before Xu Ning could answer, Ning Xun said, “I suggest you fight in the second round, so I can fight with you. I will also assist you when fighting against those demon beasts, in order to help you display your strength better and show your face in front of the elders.”
Xu Ning heard his advice and thought about it. “Brother Ning, I will fight in the first round.”
“The first round?”
Ning Xun asked, “But the opponents in the first round…”
“It’s okay.”
Xu Ning said, “The stronger the opponents, the better I perform, the more I will be favored by the elders, and the greater the probability that I will be chosen as an in-name disciple.”
Xu Ning knew the benefits of being promoted to an in-name disciple. Having an elder as his backer would help both his own future and the future of the Seven Boxers.
“But the strength of the leaders…”
Ning Xun still wanted to persuade him otherwise, but Xu Ning had already made up his mind.
“Brother Ning, don’t worry.”
Xu Ning smiled, stood up, and took the initiative to walk to the center of the stage.
The moment Xu Ning got up, Gu Yishang, the Leader of the Knife Moon Crowd, also got up at the same time.
Both of them saw each other.
Their eyes made contact. They could see the hostility in each other’s eyes.
“Xu Ning?”
Gu Yishang showed a mysterious smile.