Novel Full Chapter 1276 - 662: Endure
Chapter 1276 - 662: Endure
"The Seven Great Sacred Lands recruit disciples every three years. This time, Qinghe Holy Land is said to be accepting three hundred people."
Ling Xiao explained in a low voice.
"With so many people, it’ll be easy for us to blend in."
Gu Sheng nodded.
"But once we enter the Holy Land, our disguises..."
"Let’s take it one step at a time."
Ling Xiao interrupted him.
"It’s better than being hunted outside."
At that moment, a golden bell flew out from within the stone gate and hovered above the plaza.
The bell’s sound was melodious, yet it contained an intimidating power that instantly silenced the noisy crowd.
"It’s starting."
Ling Xiao was somewhat excited.
"Dong——"
The resonant bell sound reverberated through the sky as Ling Xiao’s eyes sparkled brilliantly.
"Is it necessary?"
Gu Sheng glanced at him sideways, his voice lowered to a whisper.
"For a competition of this level, we could win with our eyes closed."
Ling Xiao chuckled and rubbed his hands together.
"You wouldn’t understand the thrill of overwhelming novices."
The tense contestants looked like lambs to the slaughter in his eyes.
Gu Sheng shook his head helplessly, about to speak when he suddenly froze.
An extremely terrifying aura descended from the sky, causing his breath to stop.
He quickly looked up to see a shadow drifting down from the direction of Qinghe Holy Land.
"Beyond the Tribulation Crossing Realm..."
Gu Sheng’s pupils contracted, and the Spiritual Power in his body instinctively activated to resist the pressure.
A silver-haired elder lightly landed, his black robe fluttering without wind, his deep eyes sweeping over the plaza. Wherever his gaze passed, contestants all lowered their heads.
Gu Sheng felt a pang of fear, hastily restraining his aura, afraid that the elder would notice something unusual.
"The selection for Qinghe Holy Land is divided into three rounds."
The elder’s voice was not loud, yet it reached everyone’s ears.
"The first round, aptitude screening."
As soon as the words left his mouth, the ground shook violently.
Gu Sheng lost his footing, nearly falling, but quickly steadied himself.
The ground in the center of the plaza cracked open, and a dazzling Light Gate rose from the ground, its white light soaring skyward.
"Those who pass through the Light Gate are deemed qualified."
After the elder spoke, he waved his sleeve, announcing the start of the selection.
The crowd erupted instantly, rushing toward the Light Gate in a frantic scramble.
Screams echoed continuously as many figures were thrown back by the Light Gate, crashing heavily to the ground.
"Interesting."
Ling Xiao chuckled, stroking his chin.
Gu Sheng tried to probe the Light Gate with his Divine Sense, but a powerful force rebounded, causing sharp pain in his Sea of Consciousness.
"Don’t bother."
Ling Xiao patted his shoulder.
"I’ll go test it out for you."
"Wait!"
Gu Sheng hurriedly transmitted a message.
"Pay attention to details in the Light Gate’s inspection, especially—"
"Got it, got it!"
Ling Xiao impatiently waved his hand and strode boldly toward the Light Gate.
Gu Sheng watched his friend’s back nervously.
As Ling Xiao stepped into the Light Gate, the white light enveloped him completely.
The light was intensely penetrating, as if it could see through the most hidden corners of the human body.
But after just a moment, Ling Xiao casually walked out and turned back to make a face at Gu Sheng.
"How was it?"
Gu Sheng transmitted a question, his palms already sweaty.
"Didn’t feel much."
Ling Xiao responded nonchalantly.
"Just the white light scanned over, felt like a tickle. Maybe I’m too exceptional, it didn’t have time to react."
Gu Sheng’s mouth twitched.
"Be serious! Did it probe your Sea of Consciousness or... any special areas?"
"Don’t worry."
Ling Xiao got serious for a moment.
"It was just a regular aptitude test, no secrets involved. But..."
He suddenly lowered his voice.
"I sensed a strange aura in the depth of the Light Gate, like..."
"Like what?"
Gu Sheng’s heart tightened.
"Can’t say, we’ll talk when you come out."
Ling Xiao gestured for him to hurry and take the test.
Gu Sheng walked slowly toward the Light Gate.
Each step felt like walking on the edge of a blade, his mind flashing with countless possibilities—what if the Gate of Eternal Life was discovered? What if their identities were exposed?
At the Light Gate, he paused for a moment, then gritted his teeth and stepped in.
In an instant, blinding white light enveloped him completely.
Gu Sheng felt countless hair-thin energies penetrating his body, traveling along his meridians, exploring every corner.
He inwardly inspected himself, horrified to find the white light spreading toward the depths of his Dantian, closing in on the ancient aura emanating from the Gate of Eternal Life.
"No..."
Gu Sheng screamed in his heart, his muscles tensing up.
Just as the white light was about to touch the Gate of Eternal Life, a tremendous force suddenly struck from behind, pushing him out of the Light Gate.
Staggering a few steps before steadying himself, Gu Sheng, frightened out of his wits, checked his body to confirm that the Gate of Eternal Life was safe, and finally relaxed.
"See, I told you it would be fine."
Ling Xiao playfully grinned as he approached, but as he got closer, he whispered in a voice only the two could hear.
"Better safe than sorry."
Gu Sheng gave Ling Xiao a big eye roll.
They stood on the plaza’s edge outside Qinghe Holy Land, surrounded by a cacophony of voices, yet Gu Sheng always felt like eyes were watching them from the shadows.
Ling Xiao, however, stretched lazily, laughing indifferently.
"Stay calm, the more carefree you are, the less likely others will notice you."
He casually pulled a Spirit Fruit from his Storage Bag and bit into it, juice running down his chin without a care.
Gu Sheng frowned and sent a message.
"This is the enemy’s stronghold, can’t you..."
"Relax."
Ling Xiao interrupted him, wiping his mouth with his sleeve.
"Look over there—"
He discreetly pointed to several cultivators in blue robes maintaining order from afar.
"The strongest among them is only at the Nascent Soul Stage, which means they don’t really see us as a threat."
Gu Sheng followed his gaze and, indeed, as Ling Xiao said, the disciples Qinghe Holy Land sent to maintain order were of mediocre cultivation.
His tense nerves slightly relaxed, and he nodded minimally.