Chapter 196 - 119: Really Becoming a Celestial Pride

Unfortunately, Zhang Su was not a disciple of Thousand Mechanism Peak.

He had even killed Wei Yunzhou, creating a grudge between him and Thousand Mechanism Peak.

Tuoba Cangshu shook his head, casting these stray thoughts from his mind.

’What’s done is done. It’s no use having regrets.’

"Sect Leader, Zhang Su has yet to complete the second assessment of the Celestial Pride Trial, after all..."

At this, Zhao Qianfeng spoke up.

Although he was also very happy that Zhang Su was on the path to becoming a Celestial Pride, the matter concerned every aspect of the Guiyuan Sect and had far-reaching implications.

He didn’t want to give anyone a reason to gossip about Zhang Su.

Once Zhang Su properly defeated a Gang Force Martial Artist and completed the second assessment of the Celestial Pride Trial, the Sect could make the official announcement. Only then could Zhang Su formally become a Sect’s Celestial Pride.

Zhao Qianfeng, though excited, remained calm.

He knew it was too early to celebrate.

The second test of the Celestial Pride Trial was so difficult that not even Yu Hualong had passed it. It wouldn’t be easy.

Although he felt Zhang Su would most likely pass, there was always an off chance.

’What if something unexpected happens?’

Therefore, he preferred to be more cautious. It wouldn’t be too late to celebrate after Zhang Su had truly passed the trial.

Meng Shouzhen naturally knew what Zhao Qianfeng was worried about.

He smiled faintly. "Of course. The Celestial Pride Trial has a total of two assessments. Both must be completed to become a true Celestial Pride! Zhang Su has currently completed the first assessment. As for the second, defeating a Gang Force Martial Artist..."

After a pause, Meng Shouzhen’s gaze fell upon Zhang Su.

"The Three Sects Exchange Conference is tomorrow. I originally wanted you to participate in the competition for those below Pill Force as a Huajin martial artist and win the championship for our Sect. But now that you have achieved Embracing Pill, you can no longer participate in that event."

There was a hint of regret in Meng Shouzhen’s tone.

In the competition for those below Pill Force, the Guiyuan Sect had placed last for three consecutive sessions.

He had originally hoped Zhang Su could lead the Guiyuan Sect to turn the tide and reclaim first place.

But now that Zhang Su had achieved Embracing Pill, he no longer met the participation requirements.

This was a minor, unexpected turn of events.

However, compared to the pleasant surprise of Zhang Su achieving Embracing Pill, this small regret was not worth mentioning.

"Zhang Su, since you’ve achieved Embracing Pill, you can participate in the Three Sects Gathering of Heroes!"

"As long as you can defeat any Gang Force Martial Artist during the Three Sects Gathering of Heroes, you will have passed the second part of your Celestial Pride Trial. Then, you can rightfully become a Celestial Pride of our Guiyuan Sect. What do you say?"

Meng Shouzhen looked at Zhang Su, his eyes filled with anticipation.

The Three Sects Gathering of Heroes was the main event of the Three Sects Exchange Conference.

The participants were all the most outstanding young martial artists from the Three Sects and the Jianghu.

Defeating an opponent at the Heroes Gathering was an honor in itself.

Zhang Su hesitated slightly.

"Sect Leader, what exactly is this Three Sects Gathering of Heroes? This disciple has been in seclusion recently and truly knows nothing about it."

Zhang Su said truthfully.

During this period, he had truly shut himself off from the outside world, focusing solely on his closed-door cultivation.

He knew almost nothing about the arrangements for the Three Sects Exchange Conference.

"I didn’t realize you were such a Martial Fool that you don’t even know about the Three Sects Gathering of Heroes. Lately, all the disciples in the Sect have been restless and impetuous. How many can actually quiet their minds for closed-door training?"

Meng Shouzhen was quite satisfied with Zhang Su.

Among the many young disciples, it was indeed rare to find one like Zhang Su who could settle his mind and focus on training in seclusion.

So, he explained, "The Three Sects Gathering of Heroes is the most important competition of the Three Sects Exchange Conference. In the past, countless Celestial Prides from the Three Sects made their names by fighting their way through the Three Sects Gathering of Heroes, later becoming the Celestial Prides of their respective Major Sects."

"For example, Shi Buyi of the Five Elements Sect, Lu Danxi of Medicine Valley, and our Guiyuan Sect’s own Yu Hualong all rose to fame this way."

As Meng Shouzhen spoke of this, his tone carried a trace of gratification.

Yu Hualong was one who first made a name for himself at the Three Sects Gathering of Heroes.

That year, with his Gang Force Cultivation, Yu Hualong defeated several top Gang Force Martial Artists from both the Five Elements Sect and Medicine Valley, fighting his way into the top three.

From that battle onward, Yu Hualong’s fame was secured!

"The registration requirements for this Three Sects Gathering of Heroes are simple: Cultivation is limited to the Postnatal Realm, and age must not exceed forty. Whether you’re a disciple or Steward of the Three Sects, or even Jianghu Martial Artists, anyone who meets the conditions can sign up."

"Once you break into the top ten, you’ll receive all sorts of rewards. If you can take the top spot and become number one, the rewards are even greater! You’ve just achieved Embracing Pill, so you don’t need to fight for a top-ten placement. You just need to defeat a Gang Force Martial Artist."

Meng Shouzhen’s requirement for Zhang Su sounded very low.

Defeat one Gang Force Martial Artist.

At the Three Sects Gathering of Heroes, there would be plenty of Gang Force Martial Artists.

Just fight one match and win.

But Zhang Su understood that it wasn’t that simple.

The Gang Force Martial Artists at the Three Sects Gathering of Heroes were not ordinary Gang Force Martial Artists.

Those who could register for the Heroes Gathering were all the cream of the crop among those at the Gang Force stage.

They were either elite disciples specially nurtured by the Three Sects, or they were renowned Loose Cultivator masters from the Jianghu.

Not a single one was an easy opponent.

However, Zhang Su was not afraid.

Having just achieved Embracing Pill, he needed to fight against strong opponents to test his own strength.

’Just how powerful is the hundred-fold burst of my Pure Yang Force?’

He needed a real battle to find out.

’As for this Three Sects Gathering of Heroes, it’s probably the true highlight of the Three Sects Exchange Conference.’

The geniuses of the Three Sects.

The top-tier experts among the Jianghu Martial Artists.

Every single one of them had their eyes on the Three Sects Gathering of Heroes.

They all wanted to make a stunning debut at the Heroes Gathering.

Meng Shouzhen’s expectations for Zhang Su weren’t high; defeating a Gang Force martial artist would be enough.

’As for taking a high rank?’

’If Zhang Su were at the Gang Force stage, he might have a shot at the top three, or even first place.’

’But Zhang Su had only just achieved Embracing Pill.’

’No matter how breathtakingly talented he was, securing a good rank would be incredibly difficult!’

After all, the top Gang Force experts from the Three Sects were terrifyingly powerful.

And there were also some Gang Force Martial Artists from the Jianghu who were bottling up their strength, preparing to soar to fame at the Three Sects Gathering of Heroes.

For a martial artist who had just achieved Embracing Pill to contend with so many Gang Force Martial Artists was already impressive. To also expect him to achieve a high ranking would be asking too much of Zhang Su.

"This disciple is willing to fight!"

Zhang Su agreed immediately.

’This is a good thing.’

’After all, one doesn’t normally get to encounter so many Pill Force and Gang Force Martial Artists.’

’Only by fighting the strong can I discover my own shortcomings.’

’And the Three Sects Gathering of Heroes is the perfect stage for it.’

"Good! You may go and prepare. Do not let word of the Celestial Pride Trial get out, lest it cause unnecessary complications."

"Yes, Sect Leader."

Zhang Su bowed to the Sect Leader, then bowed again to his master.

He glanced at Zhao Qianfeng and saw the pride and relief in his master’s eyes, and a warmth spread through his heart.

Then he turned and walked out of the Sect Grand Hall.

He needed to go back and prepare thoroughly for tomorrow’s Three Sects Gathering of Heroes.

Inside the great hall, Meng Shouzhen withdrew his gaze and looked around.

"Everyone, regarding the matter of Zhang Su’s Celestial Pride Trial, not a word is to be leaked before the Three Sects Exchange Conference ends. We must avoid any unexpected incidents."

Although the Three Sects Exchange Conference was being held at the Guiyuan Sect, and there shouldn’t be any incidents, it was better to be safe than sorry. Caution was paramount!

The Five Elements Sect and the Medicine Valley Sect would not just stand by and watch the Guiyuan Sect produce another Celestial Pride.

If they found out about Zhang Su’s situation, they might try to secretly cause trouble.

Playing tricks during the exchange conference—such things had happened before.

"We will obey the Sect Leader’s command!"

The assembled Elders all nodded in agreement.

Although they each had their own positions, they could still present a united front on major issues involving the Sect’s interests.

With the meeting concluded, the Elders departed from the Sect Grand Hall one after another.

They were well aware that after the Three Sects Exchange Conference, the Sect would have another Celestial Pride.

When that time came, the Guiyuan Sect would once again witness the glorious spectacle of "Two Celestial Prides in One Sect"!