Chapter 14

Above the two heavy-looking stone doors, water waves, carp, a glittering dragon gate, and a carp transforming into a dragon as it leaps over the gate were engraved—the Carp Leaping the Dragon Gate.

The name "Fish Dragon Path" was derived from this meaning.

At this moment, around seven to eight hundred people had already gathered near the entrance of the Fish Dragon Path. Apart from the chosen candidates from various service peaks, most were black-clad outer disciples of the Qiyun Sect.

The Fish Dragon Path, which was specially opened for service disciples every year, was a fun and lively event for the outer disciples who lived and cultivated on Donglai Peak.

"I, Jin Yuanbao, have opened a betting pool for the Fish Dragon Path. Feng Haoran from Shiyu Peak, odds 1:1; Shi Tianjia from Dongqi Peak, odds 1:1.1; Wang Qi from Nanjiu Peak, odds 1:1.1..."

"Senior Brother He, how many do you think will pass the Fish Dragon Path this year? Twenty, or less than ten?"

The black-clad outer disciples gathered together were extremely lively, especially the betting pool opened by Jin Yuanbao, which attracted a steady stream of bettors.

As a result, the service disciples who were the subjects of Jin Yuanbao's bets also received considerable attention.

For example, Feng Haoran from Shiyu Peak, a rather proud seventeen-year-old youth. His thin lips were slightly pursed, his face full of confidence and pride. Despite being only seventeen, he had a physique comparable to an adult, with prominent temples, a sharp and energetic appearance, and a ruddy complexion, indicating abundant vitality.

Shi Tianjia from Dongqi Peak, with a square face, seemed more approachable. Although his expression was gentle, the confidence that occasionally flashed in his eyes was quite astonishing.

The most intimidating, however, was Wang Qi from Nanjiu Peak. His massive figure stood out among the service disciples like a crane among chickens. Even compared to outer disciples in their early twenties, his build was exceptionally robust, with few who could match him.

Anyone who saw his fan-like large hands would not doubt the terrifying strength they contained.

Looking at Wang Qi's figure, Ye Zhen vaguely understood that Wang Qi was probably a naturally gifted person with divine strength. Such people, born with divine strength, would unleash terrifying power once their cultivation reached the third level of Blood Qi Condensation.

Ye Zhen, the sudden dark horse from Baosong Peak, naturally did not have the qualifications to be the subject of Jin Yuanbao's bets.

After carefully observing the service disciples who were the subjects of Jin Yuanbao's bets, Ye Zhen decided that once he entered the Fish Dragon Path, he would avoid conflict with these outstanding candidates from various peaks unless necessary.

His goal—successfully passing the Fish Dragon Path and becoming an outer disciple!

Just as Ye Zhen was about to report to the sect steward waiting at the entrance of the Fish Dragon Path with his token, two black-clad young men suddenly blocked his way. The one in front had his hair tied with a black headband and a fierce expression.

"Are you Ye Zhen?" the black headband-clad young man asked with a hostile look.

"I am. May I ask the two senior brothers?" Ye Zhen hurriedly bowed in greeting.

In the Qiyun Sect, the hierarchy was strict. Service disciples had to yield and greet outer disciples, inner disciples, true disciples, and sect stewards. Outer disciples had to do the same for inner disciples, true disciples, and sect stewards.

However, in the Qiyun Sect, the actual status of true disciples was higher than that of sect stewards. Sect stewards would take the initiative to greet true disciples.

The black headband-clad black-clad disciple in front of him was an outer disciple. If Ye Zhen did not greet him, and he encountered someone with a small mind, Ye Zhen might be beaten to near death without any place to seek justice.

Seeing Ye Zhen nod, the black-clad young man's face immediately darkened, appearing even more sinister with the black headband.

"I wondered who it was. It turns out my cousin Ma Yuanwu was crippled by you!" Ma Hui roared angrily. "If it weren't for my cousin sending a message, I wouldn't have known he was beaten so badly by you that he couldn't even get up, and you even took his place as a candidate."

"Brother Ma, why bother with him? He's just a lowly service disciple. Beat him up first," Ma Hui's companion, an outer disciple named Li Xuelong, barked rudely, rolling up his sleeves as if ready to fight.

Hearing Li Xuelong, Ma Hui glanced at the sect steward not far away, his eyes flashing with a fierce light, and his aura rising, clearly ready to fight.

"Hmph, try to lay a hand on him. I've been in the Qiyun Sect for forty-three years, and I've never heard of anyone daring to attack a service disciple candidate before the Fish Dragon Path!" A slightly sinister voice rose from behind Ma Hui and Li Xuelong, belonging to Zhao, the steward of Baosong Peak.

Zhao's appearance immediately quashed Ma Hui and Li Xuelong's intentions to fight, and they had to greet him.

Anyone who could serve as a steward in the Qiyun Sect was at least a former outer disciple who had contributed to the sect, so they couldn't act recklessly.

"Ye Zhen, don't be afraid of them. Steadily pass the Fish Dragon Path, and you'll become an outer disciple. In the Qiyun Sect, private duels among outer disciples are forbidden. What can they do to you?"

Zhao's words immediately darkened Ma Hui and Li Xuelong's faces. Zhao was right; once Ye Zhen became an outer disciple, they would have little recourse against him.

"Thank you, Steward Zhao!"

Ye Zhen thanked him again, and Zhao patted his shoulder, saying, "The performance of Baosong Peak this year depends entirely on you. I'll be waiting for you outside the Fish Dragon Path."

Seeing Ye Zhen and Zhao talking amicably, Ma Hui, who had been seething with anger, was about to explode.

His elders had asked him to look after Ma Yuanwu. After giving him a few pointers and seeing him dominate Baosong Peak, he had not paid much attention. He had only been waiting for Ma Yuanwu to become an outer disciple, but unexpectedly, Ma Yuanwu was crippled by Ye Zhen.

Since Ye Zhen could easily defeat Ma Yuanwu, who was at the peak of the third level of Blood Qi, Ma Hui, with his keen eye, could see that Ye Zhen had a good chance of passing the Fish Dragon Path.

Having failed to protect Ma Yuanwu, he was already embarrassed. If he couldn't avenge him now, he would lose face in his family.

Gritting his teeth, Ma Hui took out a pill bottle and smiled sinisterly at Ye Zhen.

"This Cleansing Marrow Pill was originally for Ma Yuanwu. Since he can't become an outer disciple and use it, let this Cleansing Marrow Pill avenge my cousin Ma Yuanwu!"

In the next moment, Ma Hui held up the pill bottle and shouted loudly.

"Cleansing Marrow Pill! One Cleansing Marrow Pill! After the Fish Dragon Path opens, whoever can kick this bastard, Ye Zhen, out of the Fish Dragon Path will get this Cleansing Marrow Pill!"

Swish!

The eyes of nearly a thousand people gathered at the Fish Dragon Path immediately focused on Ye Zhen, and some of the gazes on him became intensely eager.

The Cleansing Marrow Pill was a must-use pill when breaking through to the fourth level of Blood Qi and refining the body. The effectiveness of refining the body directly affected when an outer disciple could condense essence and gather energy.

The effectiveness of refining the body was closely related to the number of Cleansing Marrow Pills an outer disciple possessed.

A single Cleansing Marrow Pill cost one hundred contribution points in the sect hall, and the market price was even higher, over a thousand silver taels.

For every outer disciple, each Cleansing Marrow Pill was extremely precious.

The candidates from various peaks stared intently at Ye Zhen, and some even memorized his appearance, ready to seize the opportunity to get the Cleansing Marrow Pill.

Zhao, who had just turned away, immediately hated Ma Hui with a vengeance.

As long as Ye Zhen didn't seek conflict, his chances of successfully passing the Fish Dragon Path were very high. However, now, Ma Hui's reward had instantly placed Ye Zhen in a dangerous position, making it impossible for him to stay low.

In such a situation, Ye Zhen's chances of successfully passing the Fish Dragon Path plummeted.

"His reward is good. Whoever has the ability, come and get it!" Ye Zhen shrugged confidently, ignoring the anxious gazes of the candidates from various peaks, and walked toward the sect steward at the entrance of the Fish Dragon Path.

Not far away, Feng Haoran's eyebrows shot up, and Shi Tianjia's forehead furrowed slightly.

"Steward, Ye Zhen from Baosong Peak is here to report!" Ye Zhen respectfully handed over his token.

"Wait here!" the sect steward said expressionlessly.

After waiting for a while, once all the candidates from various peaks had arrived, the sect steward suddenly snapped his fingers, producing a sharp metallic sound that made everyone's eardrums ring, immediately silencing everyone.

"This year's Fish Dragon Path, open exclusively for service disciples, follows the old rules. Any service disciple who successfully passes the Fish Dragon Path, regardless of cultivation, can become an outer disciple.

At the same time, the top ten disciples who pass the Fish Dragon Path first will receive rewards. The first disciple to pass will receive one Cleansing Marrow Pill and ten Blood Essence Pills! The second and third will receive ten Blood Essence Pills, and the fourth to tenth will receive five Blood Essence Pills!"

A chorus of gasps immediately filled the air, and Ye Zhen was also deeply moved, especially by the reward for first place.

Ten Blood Essence Pills were enough for an outer disciple for fifty days, not to mention the Cleansing Marrow Pill for first place. Whoever got first place would likely see a significant boost in strength.

However, Ma Hui's reward of one Cleansing Marrow Pill seemed very powerful, almost matching the reward for first place in the Fish Dragon Path.

Without giving Ye Zhen much time to think, the sect steward casually sent out a beam of light, and with a creak, the heavy doors of the Fish Dragon Path slowly opened.

"Disciples, enter the Fish Dragon Path in order."

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