Chapter 95

**Slaughter Sword (7-star magical artifact): Requires Pulse Channeling Second Stage, Attack 10-20 (+189), Passive: Each time a target with higher cultivation is slain, gain 1 additional attack point, up to a maximum of 500 points. Durability 45/45, Weight 10.**

On that day, in the territory of the Winged People, after the Golden-Winged Great Peng that Zhuge Xiang brought was slain, the Slaughter Sword dropped. However, before he could take it out to examine it, he was taken to the territory by the Winged People. It wasn't until later, after they left, that he had the time to check the Slaughter Sword.

When he first saw that the attack only increased by a mere 20 points, Zhuge Xiang almost thought his eyes were deceiving him. A 7-star weapon, and it only increased the attack by 20 points? But when he saw the passive effect, Zhuge Xiang understood the power of the Slaughter Sword. It truly lived up to its name of "Slaughter." The more powerful opponents it slaughtered, the stronger it became.

Over the course of two months, Zhuge Xiang fought his way through. Initially, with only a 20-point attack increase, it was indeed very difficult for him. Fortunately, Xiaoyue was there to assist him. Later, the effects of the Slaughter Sword gradually became apparent. Although it only increased by 189 additional attack points, in terms of attack power alone, the Slaughter Sword finally surpassed the Slashing Sword.

At the Pulse Channeling Second Stage, Zhuge Xiang was already stronger than Zhang Kuang. With the Slaughter Sword, which increased his attack by over 200 points, even though Zhang Kuang was a battle maniac with a terrifying combat intuition, after a fierce struggle, he was finally defeated by Zhuge Xiang, contributing 600 experience points.

"You're a freak. I won't lose to you," Zhang Kuang said without showing any signs of dejection after his defeat. He looked at Zhuge Xiang seriously, then left the Green Bamboo Peak.

"I welcome your challenge anytime," Zhuge Xiang said with a smile as he put away the Slaughter Sword. If there were a hundred or so people like Zhang Kuang challenging him every day, his leveling speed would be incredibly fast.

Three days, neither too fast nor too slow, the Inner Gate Selection Examination registration had already begun. Zhuge Xiang, Lu Yuling, and even Zhang Kuang all signed up. During these days, everyone was constantly adjusting their state. The content of the Inner Gate Selection Examination changes every year, but no matter what, improving one's strength and maintaining one's state is always the right approach.

After three days, the Asura Sect was unusually bustling. The central core area of the Asura Sect's headquarters, which consists of a hundred peaks, was open to all outer gate disciples today. The crowd was dense, and both the disciples participating in the selection examination and those watching were eagerly awaiting the start of the examination.

"Five years! Five years ago, I was only at the Pulse Channeling Third Stage and didn't dare to participate in the selection. Now I have reached the Pulse Channeling Ninth Stage, I will definitely pass," some disciples in the crowd clenched their hands, full of confidence.

"Those who can pass the Inner Gate Selection Examination are the best among the Pulse Channeling stage. I want to see how strong these people are," of course, there were also disciples who came to observe.

"Today is the start of the Inner Gate Selection Examination. With so many people, I'm sure to make a fortune," of course, there were also people with different intentions. One of them shouted loudly, "Come, come, everyone, take a look. There are elixirs to heal injuries and magical artifacts to increase attack speed. Don't miss out!"

...

"Having been in the Asura Sect for two years, this is the first time I've seen such a bustling scene," standing in the core area, looking at the dense crowd, Zhuge Xiang couldn't help but say.

"That's because you've been in the Endless Mountains for a long time," beside Zhuge Xiang, Hua Nongying, still as lively and cheerful as ever, gave him a glare.

In two years, Hua Nongying had grown even more beautiful. Wearing a fiery red dress, she exuded a youthful and vibrant aura, and her cultivation had reached the Body Tempering Seventh Stage.

"Do you think I was there for sightseeing? I see you staying on the mountain, and your cultivation hasn't improved much. Look at Niu Geng, who has already caught up with you while studying poisons. As for me, you can't catch up to me," Zhuge Xiang retorted without hesitation.

"Do you think everyone is as freakish as you?" Hua Nongying pouted.

"Thank you for the compliment," Zhuge Xiang turned his head away, no longer paying attention to her.

"You..." Seeing Zhuge Xiang's indifferent expression, Hua Nongying was helpless and finally pouted, no longer paying attention to him. She turned to Lu Yuling and said, "Senior Sister Lu, look at him, always bullying the weak."

"You know you can't argue with him, so why provoke him?" Lu Yuling smiled and shook her head at Hua Nongying. Beside her, Niu Geng couldn't help but laugh at Hua Nongying's expression.

"What are you laughing at? You and Zhuge Xiang are a pair of bad people," Niu Geng's laughter made Hua Nongying unhappy. She put her hands on her hips and pointed at Niu Geng, looking like a fierce tigress.

"That... that..." Niu Geng, being straightforward and honest, was flustered by Hua Nongying's pressure. He waved his hands, trying to explain but couldn't find the words. Seeing Niu Geng's flustered state, Zhuge Xiang smiled and wanted to speak up to defuse the situation, but someone was faster.

"What? Your mouth is on your face, why should you care if I laugh? If I stop you from speaking, wouldn't I have to sew your chattering mouth shut?" Seeing Niu Geng's helpless state, Zixiang couldn't stand it anymore. She stepped forward, hands on her hips, and her usually gentle expression turned fierce. Her chest, instantly overwhelming Hua Nongying.

"You... you wicked woman... don't think just because you have a bigger chest, I...," Zixiang's chest immediately made Hua Nongying feel inferior and shrink back. She wanted to retort but quickly held back, realizing it was embarrassing to discuss such a topic in public.

"What are you looking at? I have a bigger chest, and you, a little thing, don't even have a pound of meat on your chest. What are you pretending to be mature for?" Hua Nongying, with her thin skin, was embarrassed to say it, but Zixiang had no such qualms. Her bold words drew the attention of many people around.

"You... you..." Her delicate fingers trembled, and Hua Nongying was so angry she could have fainted.

Although her chest couldn't compare to Zixiang's, at sixteen, Hua Nongying was still quite beautiful, and her chest was already well-developed. Saying that her chest didn't even have two ounces of meat was indeed very hurtful.

As the saying goes, three women make a drama. The argument between these two women was not to be underestimated. Zixiang's boldness was understandable to Zhuge Xiang, but for her to change her usual gentle demeanor for Niu Geng's sake? This made Zhuge Xiang inwardly surprised. It was clear that Zixiang and Niu Geng had a special relationship, but he didn't know what it was after more than a year.

"Alright, stop fooling around, it's starting," Lu Yuling pulled Hua Nongying, who was still pouting, and shook her head, shifting everyone's attention.

Sure enough, a middle-aged man descended from the sky, riding a gourd, and landed, clearly at the Soul Transformation stage. Looking up, on each of the 108 floating peaks in the core area, there was a Soul Transformation expert descending.

Landing on the ground, the Soul Transformation expert stomped his foot, and the earth trembled slightly. A stone platform about twenty feet in diameter rose a meter high, forming an arena. The use of magic was breathtaking.

"I am the host of the first round of the Inner Gate Selection Examination on this Little Bamboo Peak today. All the work for the Inner Gate Examination on Little Bamboo Peak today is my responsibility," after landing, the magical gourd at his feet turned into a light point and merged into his forehead. The middle-aged man spoke, attracting everyone's attention. His calm voice, though not loud, was clearly heard by all the disciples.

"The Inner Gate core disciples are the sharp swords of the sect. When they go out, they represent the sect's honor. Therefore, we have relatively high requirements for your strength. Originally, only disciples at the Sky Splitting stage and above are eligible to become Inner Gate core disciples. However, to provide opportunities for a few exceptionally talented disciples at the Pulse Channeling stage, we have this selection examination. You must prove with your actions that even without the cultivation of the Sky Splitting stage, you are still among the best of your peers. Use your actions to earn the benefits of being an Inner Gate disciple."

The middle-aged man spoke clearly, his calm words stirring the blood of those present.

Becoming a core disciple not only brings higher benefits but also the honor of representing the sect. Plus, it proves your talent. Who wouldn't be tempted? Even Zhuge Xiang clenched his fists. Why did he come to the Asura Sect? To stand out, become a leader, and not be bullied by others.

"Alright, I won't say more. For the first round of the Inner Gate Selection Examination, you must fight six beasts of the same cultivation as yourself and slay them all to pass. Who will be the first to step up?" The middle-aged man's eyes swept over the crowd as he spoke.

*Hiss...*

When the first round's task was announced, thousands of people on Little Bamboo Peak collectively drew in a breath. The surge of enthusiasm that had just risen was immediately dampened.

Although human cultivators are generally stronger than beasts of the same level due to their martial arts and equipment, the difference is not significant. Fighting and slaying six beasts of the same cultivation alone? When this content was announced, Little Bamboo Peak fell silent, and no one dared to speak up.

Without naming anyone, the examiner simply asked who would step up. Although at least a hundred people had registered for the Inner Gate Examination on Little Bamboo Peak, many would likely back down after hearing the task, saving a lot of trouble.

"I'll go!" Before Zhuge Xiang could speak, Zhang Kuang, beside him, shook his long spear and leaped onto the arena.