Chapter 1392 - 1392: The Elder Council's High-Level Maneuvers

Closing the palace doors, Brother Cheng put the materials into the system warehouse.

Then he opened the system refining technique and selected the pills that could be refined.

Finally, he pressed start and lay down comfortably.

This grand alchemical project, which seemed incredibly busy to outsiders, set sail once again in his dreams.

Outside, it was equally bustling and lively.

The newly formed 'Ten Directions Hall' was packed with people.

Over 1.3 million disciples from the inner and outer sects, along with steward elders, gathered together—what a spectacle.

A crowd of tens of thousands seemed endless, let alone hundreds of thousands.

However, the Elder Council was not idle either. If Gong Qing could organize and coordinate such a scene well, so could they.

Moreover, they made it quite interesting.

Upon arriving at the venue, the first thing people saw was not the elders and stewards collecting materials.

Rather, it was a massive testing immortal array.

It could accommodate ten thousand people at once.

Once inside, they immediately encountered an unconventional assessment.

Inside the immortal array, cultivation realm tests were conducted first, followed by talent and aptitude evaluations, resembling entry-level assessments.

Each test ended with different evaluation scores.

At the end, there was a special unconventional assessment.

Everyone unexpectedly entered a unique scene.

There, they continuously received high-level commands from the array, some from Gong Qing, some from Yuan Guang Daoist Saint, and others from different elders.

Most of these commands were mutually contradictory.

Some disciples realized abruptly, while some were utterly perplexed, unsure of what was being tested.

After the first batch of ten thousand completed the assessment, they were automatically transmitted to different zones according to their total scores.

The second batch quickly followed.

The entire process wasn't too lengthy; a full day later, the grand-scale testing was completed.

Disciples distributed in Zones A, B, C, and D were abuzz with discussion.

"What on earth is going on?"

"Yeah, we handed in materials for alchemy, so why test us?"

"I only got 311 points, assigned to Zone C, is there a problem?"

The crowd quickly discovered the pattern.

Those who scored above 750 points were placed in Zone A, about 150,000 people.

Those with scores above 550 were distributed in Zone B, roughly 400,000 people.

Those scoring above 300 were in Zone C, totaling 600,000 people.

Lastly, Zone D had people with scores even as low as two digits.

Disciples in Zones B, C, and D began to feel uneasy.

"I have a bad feeling about this."

"Yeah, being placed in different levels, won't that cause issues?"

"Doesn't matter, as long as it doesn't affect our alchemy."

At this moment, Yuan Guang Daoist Saint flew into the sky, announcing a decision.

"Zone A may register immediately!"

"Zone B can automatically be selected next time by registering then."

"Zone C, strive hard, and aim to be selected next time, reflect on why your scores are so low when you return."

"As for Zone D, you're on your own."

Dropping these brief four sentences, he directly vanished from his spot.

And the scene was already igniting with these words.

Zone A disciples were all smiles, but those in Zones B, C, and D had vastly different feelings.

Especially the last two zones, they simply couldn't accept these results.

"Why is this?"

"Shouldn't everyone get a share?"

"For alchemy, shouldn't there be no ranking differences?"

"Supreme Palace Master never said they wouldn't help us with refining pills, right?"

"Indeed, he never said he wouldn't accept anyone's materials. On what grounds are you doing this?"

"It's because the sect doesn't support idle people!"

Several Daoist Venerable elders simultaneously flew over the crowd.

The pressure from the strong people covered the entire scene, suppressing all voices.

"A sect needs competition."

"When geniuses and ordinary disciples receive the same treatment, what motivation is there for the geniuses to cultivate?"

"This assessment was entirely scored by the immortal array, with no human intervention, anyone who disagrees should not protest!"

"Moreover, we're not completely cutting off your chances."

"Once Supreme Palace Master refines this round of pills, we'll arrange the next selection test."

"Whether you are chosen depends on your own efforts, don't blame others!"

Their words were clearly not convincing.

Many disciples showed faces of intense dissatisfaction.

Originally, it seemed everyone would have a share, but suddenly it became a selection elimination, which hit them hard.

Especially those in Zone D, who looked utterly despairing.

With their scores, even if the test were conducted multiple times, they would likely never be selected, right?

Wouldn't that mean they'd never have the opportunity for Supreme Palace Master to refine pills for them?

"I'm not convinced, I'm a True Disciple, my cultivation has reached Supreme, so why have I been placed in Zone B?"

"Most people in Zone A, both in terms of strength and talent, aren't as good as me, right?"

"Indeed, with my talent, how could I possibly be in Zone C?"

"This testing isn't fair at all."

A Daoist Venerable in the air, with a stern face, coldly said, "That's because your performance in the last test was too poor, we never said this test score is purely based on talent and power."

"Low scores mean you need to reflect carefully."

"Stop constantly questioning fairness."

This test was meticulously arranged by the Elder Council.

It comprised several projects.

The earlier tests covered conventional projects such as cultivation, aptitude, perception, and so on.

The final test examined under whom disciples obeyed when faced with conflicting sect orders.

It assessed their inner allegiance and group inclination.

The entire test scored out of a thousand points, with the last test accounting for five hundred.

Anyone biased towards the Ten Directions Alliance and other elders could easily earn scores of three to four hundred.

It was easy to pass.

But those favoring Gong Qing received apologies...

This explained why some disciples with high talent and realm were assigned to Zones B and C.

In fact, some astute disciples sensed this intention during the test and intentionally leaned towards the Elder Council.

The Elder Council didn't mind these individuals.

Ultimately, this was just a test; it couldn't fully reveal people's hearts, having a rough idea was sufficient.

"Those not selected should go back and reflect well, don't always blame fate and others."

They aimed to embed the idea of the Elder Council's inviolability in the disciples' minds through this method.

From afar, Gong Qing and several Bone Kings and Corpse Kings were watching this scene.

After a long while, Golden Wings and Zhan Yan spoke successively.

"They're using this opportunity to subdue all the disciples."

"This move seems foolish but is in fact sinister. Once successful, the Palace Master's orders will become meaningless in the future."

"We have to do something now."

However, Gong Qing didn't seem anxious at all.

"They and you all forget one thing, this Ice Palace isn't mine nor theirs, but Supreme Palace Master's."