Chapter 78

In the early morning, the sun shone upon the earth, the air was fresh, and the spiritual energy was very strong.

"Bang!"

On this day, a bell sound echoed throughout the Nine Yang Martial Mansion, the reverberations lingering for a long time.

The Inner Mansion Selection had begun!

In the disciples' living area, Lin Tian naturally heard this sound, his eyes flashing with a sharp light. He took the Guiyuan Sword out of the stone ring and tied it to his back. After saying a few words to Lin Xi, he headed towards the training ground.

When he arrived at the training ground, it was already surrounded by a crowd.

These people were not all participating in the Inner Mansion Selection, as one needed certain qualifications to participate. One's cultivation must be at least the Seventh Level of Body Tempering. This alone was enough to eliminate most of the disciples. At least, among the more than a hundred new disciples, only a limited few had the qualifications to participate in the Inner Mansion Selection.

Therefore, most of the people who came here were there to watch the selection process.

"This time, the rewards for the Inner Mansion Selection are said to be very generous. The top overall performer is said to receive a Spirit Pulse Pill! A Body Tempering Ninth Level martial artist can directly advance to the Spirit Pulse Realm after consuming it!"

"Really? They are willing to use such a pill as a reward?!" Someone nearby was surprised. "It seems the Martial Mansion is really going all out this time!"

"Indeed! This time, many geniuses have emerged among the Outer Mansion disciples. The Martial Mansion naturally values them. Besides the Spirit Pulse Pill, there are other generous rewards, all of which are extraordinary. However, there are only five spots for Inner Mansion disciples. I wonder which five will stand out this time."

Many disciples gathered together, discussing in small groups. Those without the qualifications to participate looked on with envy and longing, while those with the qualifications were filled with anticipation and excitement.

The reason for this was that the Inner Mansion and the Outer Mansion had a huge difference. Simply put, entering the Inner Mansion meant receiving more cultivation resources. Entering the Inner Mansion was also a form of recognition for the Martial Mansion disciples. Once they could enter the Inner Mansion, they would be highly sought after wherever they went after leaving the Martial Mansion.

In a corner, Lin Tian heard these discussions and was also surprised.

" Spirit Pulse Pill?"

Lin Tian muttered to himself.

To be able to directly advance from the Body Tempering Ninth Level to the Spirit Pulse Realm, this Spirit Pulse Pill was indeed astonishing, absolutely more valuable than the Nine Curves Essence Pill! Thinking about it, Lin Tian's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he couldn't help but feel some anticipation. If he could obtain this Spirit Pulse Pill, wouldn't he be able to directly advance to the Spirit Pulse Realm?

Like him, many disciples around him were also thinking about the Spirit Pulse Pill.

"The Spirit Pulse Pill, it can directly advance one from the Body Tempering Ninth Level to the Spirit Pulse Realm. If I could get this pill, it would be great."

Someone looked forward to it with anticipation.

"Forget it, don't daydream! Not to mention other things, the Spirit Pulse Pill has already been reserved for someone."

"Reserved? What do you mean?"

"That Zhou Hao, you know him, right? It's said he has already advanced to the Spirit Pulse Realm and doesn't even need to participate in the examination. He can directly enter the Inner Mansion, and this top prize, the Spirit Pulse Pill, will naturally be his."

"What? Already advanced to the Spirit Pulse Realm?!"

Many people were shocked.

The Nine Yang Martial Mansion had a history of several hundred years, and in those hundreds of years, the number of people who could reach the Spirit Pulse Realm while still in the Outer Mansion could be counted on one hand. Zhou Hao had already reached the Spirit Pulse Realm before joining the Inner Mansion, how could this not be surprising? Hearing this news, many Martial Mansion disciples widened their eyes.

At this moment, someone nearby raised a doubt, saying, "This... already having advanced to the Spirit Pulse Realm, wouldn't giving the Spirit Pulse Pill to Zhou Hao be a waste?"

"Waste? How could that be! Do you know the value of a Spirit Pulse Pill? After Zhou Hao gets the Spirit Pulse Pill, he can take it to the Treasure Exchange Pavilion for auction. The transaction amount would be at least two million spirit coins, equivalent to a middle-grade treasure weapon!"

"This..."

A middle-grade treasure weapon could increase a martial artist's combat power by eighty percent!

"This Zhou Hao has already advanced to the Spirit Pulse Realm. Even if he doesn't participate in the examination, the Martial Mansion will still give him the Spirit Pulse Pill. This is only right, and I believe no Martial Mansion disciple would object."

"That's true, but it still seems like a waste. If the Spirit Pulse Pill were given to other Body Tempering Ninth Level disciples, wouldn't that be better? At least it would be a good thing for the Martial Mansion, as it could cultivate more Spirit Pulse Realm disciples."

"Probably the Martial Mansion didn't expect someone to reach the Spirit Pulse Realm before entering the Inner Mansion. The rewards have already been announced, and it can't be changed now." The person rolled his eyes and said, "But if you really think it's a waste, you can challenge him. If you win, the Spirit Pulse Pill will naturally be yours."

"Challenge a Spirit Pulse Realm expert? That would be asking for humiliation. I was just saying. Besides, I'm only at the Sixth Level of Body Tempering, far from the Ninth Level."

"Good to know."

Voices echoed in the field.

Hearing these words, Lin Tian's lips curled up slightly. The day of his duel with Zhou Hao coincided with the Inner Mansion Selection. Defeating Zhou Hao, the Spirit Pulse Pill would be his!

At this moment, not far away, a commotion arose in the crowd as two young men walked over. The one in the lead wore a golden robe, exuding a majestic aura.

"Zhou Hao!"

Many people were surprised and spontaneously made way for him.

The first person in the Outer Mansion, and already at the Spirit Pulse Realm, many faces showed a look of reverence.

Zhou Hao walked over, accompanied by another person in a green robe, who was none other than Lu Sheng.

Lin Tian looked up, his eyes immediately turning cold as he gazed at Zhou Hao and Lu Sheng.

These two were already on his blacklist.

Seemingly sensing Lin Tian's gaze, Zhou Hao looked over. "Brother Lin?" He paused and smiled, "During the last Outer Mansion trial, I saw Brother Lin being dragged away by a centipede beast. I was really worried for a long time. Now seeing Brother Lin standing here safe and sound, I am truly relieved."

"Relieved?" Lin Tian smiled faintly, "Why do I feel disappointed?"

"How could that be, Brother Lin is joking."

Zhou Hao's expression remained unchanged.

Lin Tian narrowed his eyes, examining Zhou Hao, and found that Zhou Hao's aura had indeed changed, giving him a sense of immense pressure. He had indeed advanced to the Spirit Pulse Realm.

Many people around noticed this and showed looks of surprise.

"Who is that young man with the long sword? He can actually speak to Zhou Hao!"

"Damn! You don't know this person?"

"Is he famous?"

"Of course! His name is Lin Tian, with a nine-star talent, first in the new disciple examination. In the recent Outer Mansion ranking trial, he was second, just below Zhou Hao! And he had only been in the Martial Mansion for a month at that time!"

"So strong! Does this mean he can enter the Inner Mansion in this selection?"

"Very likely! Although he is far from matching Zhou Hao, he has at least a seventy percent chance of entering the Inner Mansion."

"This..."

Many people were amazed.

Some of the older disciples looked embarrassed, a mere newcomer had surpassed them in fame!

Lin Tian naturally heard these discussions but paid no attention to them.

Turning his head to look at Lu Sheng, Lin Tian smiled faintly, "Speaking of which, when we met in the Dark Forest last time, you must have benefited a lot from my trail, right?"

"I don't understand what you're talking about!"

Lu Sheng said coldly.

"Is that so?" Lin Tian said curiously, "After we met in the Dark Forest, didn't you tell the Mo family about my whereabouts in the Dark Forest? After all, I have a grudge with the Mo family, and they are trying every means to kill me. Telling them this information, you should have received a substantial reward."

Lu Sheng snorted, "Don't judge a gentleman by a small man's standards! I, Lu Sheng, stand tall and straight, and I wouldn't stoop to such tricks! The Mo family's pursuit of you in the Dark Forest has nothing to do with me!"

"Oh? How do you know the Mo family pursued me in the Dark Forest? I don't seem to have mentioned this." Lin Tian narrowed his eyes, "Or did the head of the Mo family need to report to you before going to the Dark Forest to pursue me?"

"I..."

Lu Sheng was speechless, his face turning ugly.

Lin Tian sneered, "A gentleman's heart? Standing tall and straight?"

Staring at Lu Sheng, a murderous intent brewed in his eyes.

Facing such a cold gaze, Lu Sheng couldn't help but tremble and step back.

At this moment, another bell sound rang out in the training ground.

"Bang!"

This bell sound was even louder than the first.

This bell sound was to gather the participants of the Inner Mansion Selection.

Lin Tian looked towards the source of the bell sound, where a high platform stood. This platform had just been built for the Inner Mansion Selection. After the bell sound, everyone headed towards the platform.

Soon, the area became empty.

Lin Tian gave Lu Sheng a cold glance and turned to leave.

"Brother Lin, wait a moment." Zhou Hao, who was not very concerned about the bell sound, called out to Lin Tian and smiled faintly, "Speaking of which, the duel we agreed upon three months ago, Brother Lin hasn't forgotten, right?"

Lin Tian stopped, turned to look at Zhou Hao, and narrowed his eyes slightly.

After a moment, he smiled slightly, "Of course, I remember it clearly."

"That's good." Zhou Hao smiled, "Then, let's set the match after the Inner Mansion spots are determined. What do you think, Brother Lin?"

Lin Tian stared at Zhou Hao, and after a while, his smile became more pronounced, but with a hint of wickedness, "Coincidentally, we had the same idea."

With that, Lin Tian turned and walked towards the platform.

Watching Lin Tian's retreating back, Lu Sheng's eyes turned venomous.

"This brat! Too arrogant!"

Lu Sheng clenched his fists.

"Arrogant people don't live long. Why bother getting angry with them?"

Zhou Hao smiled.

Lu Sheng was taken aback, "Young Master Zhou, what do you mean?"

Without answering Lu Sheng, Zhou Hao still smiled and said, "I just checked, and his current cultivation is at the Ninth Level of Body Tempering."

"What!? How is that possible!"

Lu Sheng was shocked. He had been in the Nine Yang Martial Mansion for over a year and was only at the Eighth Level of Body Tempering. Lin Tian had only been in the Martial Mansion for three months and was already at the Ninth Level of Body Tempering, surpassing him!

"With his current strength, he should be able to enter the Inner Mansion."

Zhou Hao still smiled.

Lu Sheng put away his surprise, looked at Zhou Hao's smile, and showed a puzzled expression, cautiously saying, "Young Master Zhou, I don't understand. Lin Tian entering the Inner Mansion doesn't seem to be a good thing. Why do you look so happy?"

"When the Inner Mansion spots are determined, and one finds out they can enter the Inner Mansion, anyone would be happy, right?" Zhou Hao still smiled, but a ruthless look flashed in his eyes, "At this moment, if something unexpected suddenly happens, leading to injury or death, wouldn't one feel that the whole world has turned dark in an instant?"