Chapter 307 - 156: Dragon Destruction

"Any Transforming Force Disciple who performs exceptionally well will receive five times their previous cultivation resources. They may also be promoted to become a Direct Disciple of the Hall Master and be taught the Hidden Dragon Secret Technique."

Cao Miao’s tone was grave. As he finished speaking, his gaze slowly swept over the four Transforming Force Disciples present.

Zhuang Zhen, Kuang Yifeng, and Gu Kaishen all shared a surprisingly similar expression—a mix of anticipation, apprehension, and careful consideration in their eyes.

Gu Kaishen’s face, however, was etched with an even deeper haggardness and weariness.

He had been attacked by a Red Moon Cultist and his entire left arm had been severed. After more than a month of recuperation, he could barely get out of bed to walk, and his internal injuries had yet to heal.

He stood there, sickly and frail, like an old tree half-blasted by lightning, looking as if he could topple over at any moment.

The last of the four, Zhao Tianlai, wore a starkly different expression.

He stood alone, a short distance from the others, as if separated by an invisible barrier.

He looked old for his age, but he was only in his early twenties. His already abnormally tall and powerful physique, more imposing than an iron tower, was somehow still growing.

His shoulders had grown wider, his back broader, and his arms now hung past his knees. His neck was a size thicker, and his veins stood out starkly, writhing from his collar up to the back of his ears like gnarled serpents.

The tanned muscle beneath his clothes bulged, stretching the fabric taut. Every inch of him seemed to be forged from pig iron hammered a thousand times over, as dense and heavy as a mountain.

He was already Hall Master Wan Qianshan’s Direct Disciple and Closed-door Disciple.

A "Direct Disciple" was one taught personally by the Hall Master, with whom a formal master-disciple relationship was established. This bond, echoing the saying "a teacher for a day is a father for life," added a layer of kinship beyond that of an ordinary disciple.

A "Closed-door Disciple" was the Hall Master’s final Direct Disciple—an heir to his legacy, cultivated with all his effort, treated as both disciple and son.

Before today, Wan Qianshan had only taken six Direct Disciples in his entire life. Two were pursuing advanced training in the main Sect, one held a key position in the Prefecture City, and two others had died years ago in Jianghu conflicts.

Only Zhao Tianlai remained by Wan Qianshan’s side. The Hall Master had even publicly declared that Zhao Tianlai was his Closed-door Disciple, the heir to his legacy.

This meant that Zhao Tianlai was entitled to the highest, most exclusive treatment in the entire Dragon Mountain Hall. All favor and resources were his, making him the undisputed future Hall Master.

But now, Wan Qianshan had suddenly decided to take on more Direct Disciples. This meant that everything Zhao Tianlai possessed would be carved up and shared with others.

To Zhao Tianlai, it felt as if a piece of his own flesh was about to be brutally torn from his body.

That was why his face was now as dark as a thundercloud.

The sun at his back cast his massive frame in a sprawling shadow, causing the other disciples to instinctively keep their distance. Even Gu Kaishen, who had once been close to him, did not dare to approach.

He remained silent, but the light in his eyes was like magma churning deep within the earth—scalding, violent, and ready to erupt and spew its fury upon anyone nearby.

"Everyone..."

Cao Miao took in everyone’s expressions. After a moment of contemplation, he continued in a solemn voice:

"We are currently facing a monumental crisis. The Hall Master is grievously injured and has not yet recovered. Morale in Dragon Mountain Hall has plummeted, and more than half of our Upper Courtyard Disciples have already left..."

"True character is revealed in times of hardship! The fact that you are all still standing here today proves that you will never abandon Dragon Mountain Hall in the future!"

Cao Miao paused, his tone growing more intense.

"I’ll be blunt. This impromptu examination is for one purpose and one purpose only: to identify those among you with the potential to reach the Secret Inheritance Entry Level, so that we can cultivate you as the future core of Dragon Mountain Hall."

"The immediate crisis with the Red Moon Sect is over. And while our Dragon Mountain Hall has suffered a devastating blow and our strength is greatly diminished, as long as a few more of you can master the Secret Inheritance, the spirit of Dragon Mountain Hall will not be extinguished!"

Cao Miao clenched his fist and struck it firmly against his chest.

"This examination today isn’t about short-term victories; it’s about laying the foundation for Dragon Mountain Hall’s future! In the years to come, in the decades to come... you will be the backbone of our revival!"

At these words, all seven disciples present were visibly moved.

They all held genuine affection for Dragon Mountain Hall.

Gu Kaishen, Fatty Fang, and Kuang Yifeng had been with the hall for nearly ten years, growing from clueless youths to where they stood today.

However, while Kuang Yifeng appeared moved, an almost imperceptible, unusual glint flickered in his eyes.

Zhuang Zhen had entered seven years ago; the best and worst times of her life had been spent in the Middle Courtyard.

Zhou An and the sturdily-built female disciple, Lu Juan, had both joined about five years ago.

Moreover, when his brother Zhou Ping had been gravely injured and on the brink of death, Dragon Mountain Hall had done everything in its power to save him. Zhou An had never forgotten this debt of gratitude.

At this moment, even the gloom on Zhao Tianlai’s face seemed to dissipate.

He had once been just a cowherd in the countryside. That year, famine was followed by bandit raids. His village was burned to the ground, leaving him as the sole survivor of his family. Starving and little more than skin and bones, he had curled up in a muddy ditch by the road, waiting to die.

It was Wan Qianshan who, passing by chance, pulled him back from the brink of death. He brought him to Dragon Mountain Hall and taught him how to read, how to practice martial arts, and how to be a man.

Seven or eight years had passed in a flash.

The starving cowherd who had been on the verge of death had grown into a strapping young man, even more imposing than an iron tower.

But the master who had plucked him from that muddy ditch was now a decrepit old man, a flickering candle in the wind who struggled even to speak.

A moment ago, everyone had been filled with apprehension; Zhao Tianlai, in particular, had been consumed by resentment.

Only now, after Cao Miao had laid everything bare, did they finally understand...

There were no ulterior motives behind today’s examination. There was only the last wish of an old man who knew his time was short and wanted to ensure the continuation of Dragon Mountain Hall.