Chapter 16

As the fish and dragons danced outside, the miscellaneous disciples, drenched and looking like drowned chickens, climbed out of the water one by one, and everyone's expressions grew increasingly expectant.

Especially the outer gate disciples Ma Hui and Li Xuelong, their eyes bulged like those of fighting cocks, staring intently at the water hole of the Fish Dragon Path, as if they could make Ye Zhen's figure appear from that water hole by sheer will.

Because, any miscellaneous disciple who fell into the Fish Dragon Path could only emerge from this water hole.

Not far away, the eyes of several miscellaneous peak managers, especially Manager Zhao of Hundred Pine Peak, were also fixed on this water hole.

However, Manager Zhao's gaze was the opposite of Ma Hui's. He was afraid that Ye Zhen's figure would appear in this water hole, for he had placed high hopes on this dark horse.

From time to time, Manager Zhao's gaze would sweep over the exit of the Fish Dragon Path, hoping to see Ye Zhen's figure. If a disciple successfully passed the test, they would appear from the exit of the Fish Dragon Path.

"Old Zhao, stop staring. Even if your eyes bleed, Ye Zhen won't successfully pass the Fish Dragon Path. With the cultivation of the third level of Blood Training, even if he has extraordinary talent, it's already difficult to pass the Fish Dragon Path. Now, with the reward of a Bone Washing Pill, someone might just kick him out."

Moreover, the first place hasn't even come out yet. Are you staring at the exit of the Fish Dragon Path, thinking Ye Zhen might still take first place? I tell you, the performance of Hundred Pine Peak this year is finished..."

Suddenly, the manager who was speaking abruptly stopped, his mouth wide open in shock.

"He's out, he's out!" Manager Zhao exclaimed in excitement, then suddenly froze, "First place, impossible!"

Beside him, Ma Hui and Li Xuelong, whose eyes were bulging like fighting cocks, couldn't help but rub their eyes when they saw Ye Zhen emerge first from the exit of the Fish Dragon Path.

Silence!

As Ye Zhen emerged first from the exit of the Fish Dragon Path, the Fish Dragon Path gate suddenly fell into silence. The many outer gate disciples watching the spectacle stared intently at Ye Zhen, as if trying to see something.

"First place in this year's Fish Dragon Path, Ye Zhen!"

"Dark horse, hahaha, a dark horse has won! The house wins, the house wins!" After the sect's manager confirmed Ye Zhen's ranking, the gold ingot who had set up the betting table did a backflip onto the table and roared in excitement.

On the contrary, the outer gate disciples who had placed bets were furious, tearing up their betting slips in anger.

The top three of the Fish Dragon Path were thus decided. However, Wang Qi, who was favored by many outer gate disciples for his innate divine strength, although he successfully passed the Fish Dragon Path, only ranked ninth.

In the end, a total of 347 miscellaneous disciples entered the Fish Dragon Path, but only 16 successfully passed and became outer gate disciples, with an astonishing elimination rate. Basically, only those with the fourth level of Blood Training had a chance to pass the Fish Dragon Path.

"Ye Zhen, this is the reward for the first place in the Fish Dragon Path: one Bone Washing Pill and ten Blood Essence Pills. You can take the Blood Essence Pills to enhance your cultivation, but the Bone Washing Pill should only be used when you break through to the fourth level of Blood Training to cleanse and temper your body."

Qiyun Sect's handling of affairs was extremely efficient. Moreover, while the Fish Dragon Path might be an annual grand event in the hearts of many miscellaneous disciples, to the higher-ups of Qiyun Sect, it was as common as eating and drinking. Therefore, the reward was distributed on the spot by Manager Liu, who was in charge of the event.

What surprised Ye Zhen slightly was that when Manager Liu handed him the reward for first place, many of the outer gate disciples watching were envious.

Clearly, this reward was not insignificant even for outer gate disciples.

"Brother, thank you! You made me a lot of money today!" Gold Ingot, as his name suggested, looked a bit like an ingot, but he exuded shrewdness and was very friendly.

Coming to Ye Zhen, he didn't care whether Ye Zhen wanted to or not, and immediately became friendly, as if they were old friends who hadn't seen each other in years.

"Brother, don't mind that Ma. You're now an outer gate disciple. As long as you don't fight him on the martial stage, and your luck isn't particularly bad during the year-end competition, he can't do anything to you." Gold Ingot blinked and looked at the distant Ma Hui, who was grinding his teeth in hatred.

"Brother, to get first place in the Fish Dragon Path with the third level of Blood Training, that's impressive!"

"Brother..."

"Brother, you don't need the Bone Washing Pill right now. Sell it to me?"

When Ye Zhen finally had a chance to speak, he couldn't help but roll his eyes. It turned out that Gold Ingot had his eye on the Bone Washing Pill in Ye Zhen's hand.

Without a doubt, Ye Zhen refused Gold Ingot, but Gold Ingot didn't get angry. Instead, he patted Ye Zhen's shoulder with a smile, "It's fine if you don't sell it. I understand." It made it seem as if Ye Zhen owed him something by not selling it.

"Brother, remember me, Gold Ingot. If you need anything or have any problems, come to me. I, Gold Ingot, will definitely make you satisfied."

"Gold Ingot is just a trader from East Peak. If you need to trade something or are missing something, you can find him. Don't underestimate him; even I have to seek his help sometimes." Manager Zhao, with a delighted expression, came to Ye Zhen's side as Gold Ingot left.

"Heh, you've given me a big surprise! If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed you could take first place in the Fish Dragon Path! Now, my Hundred Pine Peak is guaranteed a special excellence in performance!"

"Luck, I guess I benefited from the chaos." Ye Zhen modestly recounted the events in the Fish Dragon Path. To be honest, although Ye Zhen was strong, he didn't have a sure win against Feng Haoran or Shi Tianjia, who had family martial techniques.

"Before long, you'll realize that luck is also a part of strength!"

Manager Zhao sighed, "Back in the day, among my fellow disciples, those with luck always went further and achieved more. Those without luck, like me, could only manage you young rascals."

In the distance, the sect's manager who had overseen the Fish Dragon Path was already urging Ye Zhen.

Although Ye Zhen had successfully passed the Fish Dragon Path and become an outer gate disciple of Qiyun Sect, becoming an outer gate disciple wasn't a simple matter. There were still many procedures to complete, and it was said that he had to pay respects to the ancestors.

For Qiyun Sect's miscellaneous disciples, the title was just a name. Removing the word 'disciple' was their true identity before. But becoming an outer gate disciple meant being officially recognized by Qiyun Sect.

"Ye Zhen, go quickly. Becoming an outer gate disciple is a serious matter."

"Ye Zhen, remember, after completing the various procedures for becoming an outer gate disciple, when the sect's manager calls you new outer gate disciples to select martial techniques from the scripture hall, you should decline. Don't enter the scripture hall to choose martial techniques for now; come see me first." Manager Zhao instructed.

"Why?" Ye Zhen was somewhat surprised.

Manager Zhao narrowed his eyes, "Don't you trust me? Do you think I would harm you?"

"How could I?" Surprised, Ye Zhen nodded, "Thank you for the advice, I understand." With that, he hurried to join the group of new outer gate disciples led by Manager Liu, including Feng Haoran.

"Sorry, it seems your reward wasn't enough!" Passing by Ma Hui, Ye Zhen chuckled, immediately making Ma Hui furious!

Young and impulsive, enjoy the moment, who cares about the future!

"Ye Zhen, you wait! Even if you become an outer gate disciple, I will avenge my cousin. Just wait and see!" Seeing Ye Zhen's happy face, Ma Hui, who had lost face due to the failed reward, gnashed his teeth in anger!

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PS: I have something to attend to, this is an auto-post by Old Pig. Considering how hard Old Pig works, brothers, please give me some recommendation tickets!