Chapter Nineteen: The Examination Concludes, Entry into the Canglan Sword Sect

As Zhao Yuanzheng’s voice fell, two sharp gusts of wind swept through the air, and two figures came to a halt.

It was none other than Huo Qing and Ye Hongling.

Huo Qing looked toward Zhao Yuanzheng, raised his hand in a respectful salute, and said, “Thank you for waiting, senior. Have we passed the assessment?”

Zhao Yuanzheng stroked his beard and smiled warmly. “Of course you have. Being able to cross the Black Demon Abyss within ten days shows exceptional talent. There’s no reason for you not to pass.”

After exchanging glances with Mu Tianguan, Zhao Yuanzheng gave Huo Qing and the others some instructions before walking off in another direction.

At that moment, Huo Qing’s gaze shifted, noticing that besides the two guides, there were also a young man and woman nearby.

The young man stared at him with a somewhat hostile expression, clearly looking down on their timely arrival to the checkpoint.

As for the other, she was a delicate-looking young woman sitting quietly on the ground. She was exceptionally beautiful, with large, sparkling eyes and a serene, graceful demeanor that naturally inspired a strong desire to protect her.

Noticing Huo Qing and the others watching her, she smiled softly, stood up, and extended her snowy white hand.

“My name is Luo Jieyu. From now on, we can support each other.”

Huo Qing nodded gently, taking her hand with a smile. “I’m Huo Qing, and this is Ye Hongling. We’re both from Tianshu Prefecture. I hope we can look out for each other in the future.”

“Heh, this is laughable. A mere mid-stage Earth Spirit Realm brat passing the Canglan Sword Sect’s test? Looks like the sect’s admission standards in Tianshu Prefecture are quite lenient,” sneered another young man as he approached. He glanced disdainfully at Huo Qing and the others.

“My name’s Yan Hao, early-stage Heaven Spirit Realm. You’d do well to swear loyalty to me and hand over ten thousand spirit crystals. Maybe once you join the Canglan Sword Sect, I can look after you a bit. You should know that competition there is fierce. With your strength, you’re only fit to sweep the floors.”

He stepped right up to Huo Qing, ignoring Ye Hongling’s furrowed brows, and sneered mockingly. “Understand? You ignorant country bumpkin!”

Then he extended a finger, pointing straight at Huo Qing’s chest.

But in the very next moment, Huo Qing suddenly reached out and grabbed Yan Hao’s provoking finger with a light laugh.

“Friend, if you want to speak, just speak. Why start with violence? Don’t you know that’s very rude? Of course, if you don’t know what manners are, I can teach you.”

A cold glint flashed in Huo Qing’s eyes. If not for the desire to avoid causing trouble for the seniors, he would have dealt with Yan Hao’s insolence long ago.

Yan Hao’s face darkened as a sinister smile spread. “Ungrateful Earth Spirit Realm brat! Don’t think I won’t touch you just because you’ve got a Heaven Spirit Realm girl by your side!”

Before he finished, he slammed out a palm strike, his spiritual power surging violently toward Huo Qing’s head.

“Kid, today I’ll teach you that when you meet someone stronger, you’d better act like a dog!”

Luo Jieyu’s eyes widened in surprise but she shook her head slightly. Huo Qing really was a bit reckless. Even she was slightly weaker than Yan Hao—where did he get the nerve to provoke him?

Yet when she saw Ye Hongling’s calm, smiling face, she was puzzled. Was she not worried about Huo Qing’s safety?

As Luo Jieyu’s thoughts turned, Yan Hao’s palm was about to strike Huo Qing.

Huo Qing extended his hand calmly. A mighty surge of spiritual power erupted, colliding heavily with Yan Hao’s attack.

Boom!

A fierce energy shockwave radiated outward. Huo Qing stood unmoved, but Yan Hao’s expression changed drastically as a terrifying force surged into him, sending him flying backward.

“Ahh!!”

A piercing scream echoed as Yan Hao spat blood violently, his spiritual power rapidly fading.

Luo Jieyu’s expression froze for a moment, then her eyes filled with astonishment as she stared at Huo Qing. This guy actually punched Yan Hao flying?

“What are you doing? Stop this at once!”

At that moment, the two guides who had left earlier returned. Seeing Yan Hao gravely injured and collapsed, Mu Tianguan’s face darkened.

“Ye Hongling, Luo Jieyu, who told you to attack Yan Hao simultaneously? Even in sparring, you shouldn’t go so far!”

Clearly, he blamed the two women for Yan Hao’s injuries. After all, a mid-stage Earth Spirit Realm like Huo Qing should pose no threat to Yan Hao.

Ye Hongling smiled silently, while Luo Jieyu spoke up at the right moment.

“Senior Mu, neither of us struck first. Yan Hao attacked Huo Qing, and it was Huo Qing who defeated him.”

“What? Impossible!”

Mu Tianguan stared at Huo Qing in disbelief, frowning.

“Old Zhao, the people you brought here didn’t cheat their way in, did they?”

He found it hard to believe that an Earth Spirit Realm cultivator could defeat Yan Hao. Coupled with Huo Qing’s crossing of the Black Demon Abyss, something felt off.

Zhao Yuanzheng glanced at Huo Qing, who remained calm, showing no displeasure at Mu Tianguan’s suspicion.

He smiled gently. “I know him. He truly has that kind of strength. Let’s go.”

Mu Tianguan waved his sleeve, still harboring dissatisfaction, but with Zhao Yuanzheng present, he dared not openly express it.

They journeyed through the mountains until reaching a vast teleportation array.

“Once you enter this teleportation array, you will officially become disciples of the Canglan Sword Sect. But do not relax. The sect is divided into inner and outer gates, with a vast gap in cultivation resources. Whether spirit techniques, spiritual treasures, or cultivation methods, they are on completely different levels. If you cannot enter the inner gate within five years, you will permanently lose your qualification. Specific details will be explained once you arrive at the sect.”

Zhao Yuanzheng turned back, his expression solemn.

Hearing this, the group felt a chill. The competition within the Canglan Sword Sect was indeed fierce.

Suddenly, Huo Qing’s hand moved subtly. He thought of Yun Qian.

A faint smile flickered in his heart as a chilling murderous intent surged forth.

Yun Qian, I have arrived as promised. But whether you or I survive this remains uncertain...

Yan Hao stared fiercely at Huo Qing, his resentment palpable.

“Huo Qing, I refuse to believe that’s your true strength. When we enter the Canglan Sword Sect, I will expose you and reclaim everything you took from me!”