Chapter 42: Disciple Selection
It was time for the seventh layer of the Nine-Layered Deathlands to open. Countless experts gathered in anticipation, with both the sky and ground filled with people. Soon the huge door opened and everyone rushed in. The group did not hurry and entered leisurely. The moment they did, inscription circles appeared around them and lifted them up into the air.
Next the servants of the Nether Master explained the rules and asked everyone to channel their soul force through the water spheres, in order to test one's skill and mastery over their soul force. The passing grade was expanding the sphere to one foot, and it was easily accomplished by Nie Li and others. Hong Yue Xian managed to expand it to five feet before it exploded, he might have absorbed a lot of experience but they were the experiences of experts who lacked soul force mastery, resulting in him being equal to Ye Ziyun and Xiao Ning'er in external soul force control.
After the first test was done, all who passed were teleported to the eighth layer and instructed to reach an Anatta Mental State inside the Black Infernal Tower. Hong Yue Xian followed Nie Li and went inside the tower, immediately feeling the burning sensation on his soul. His soul form activated and devoured the black flames using the energy to strengthen his body and Laws of Life and Death in his soul realm.
However, after short cultivation Hong Yue Xian realised his body could not be strengthened any further. He was already at the peak of Demigod rank. The next step was to either become a Spiritual God or use Heavenly Energy to reach Heavenly Fate Realm.
Once the group got accustomed to the flames, all of them proceeded to the second floor, and after cultivating there some more, yet again climbed the stairs up. Honestly, the only reason Hong Yue Xian came to this tower was to become the Nether Master's disciple. He was not interested in anything else and had little to gain from these tests, resulting in him simply going through he motions with the group.
Like the show on the third floor. Hong Yue Xian was interested in the Celestial Qilin as it had Ancient Bloodline, however, he could not take it. First, the beast was perfect for Du Ze. Hong Yue Xian may not give a damn about him, but if he snatched the Qilin, Nie Li and others would oppose.
Most of all, even though she might not say it but he was sure that Xiao Ning'er would take Du Ze's side in her heart as that was the right thing to do. She might choose Hong Yue Xian publicly but she will be discontent and disappointed. So the beast was untouchable.
Second, even though the beast was not fully grown and restrained, it was still not something Hong Yue Xian could defeat at that moment. The same was true for all other beasts trapped in the tower. Hong Yue Xian looked at all of them and vowed to pay another visit to the tower, once he got stronger.
Shortly after, Du Ze gained a Celestial Qilin, and the party climbed to the fourth floor. Hong Yue Xian was aware of the impending clash between Demon Lord and Nie Li, but he did not care and sat down, trying to enter the Anatta Mental State. Shortly, he achieved it and continued to cultivate.
More than ten days later he was suddenly transported to a beautiful garden like place. The idyllic scene around him was breathtaking. Hong Yue Xian observed that he was not alone. There were many others, Nie Li and the party chief among them. There was also Demon Lord. In front of them were seven experts exuding a deep unfathomable aura.
"Hey guys, long time no see." Greeted the smiling Xiao Yu, dumbfounding Nie Li, Ye Ziyun and Xiao Ning'er. It turned out that the Nether Master was her foster-father. Next the Nether Master explained about the Tiny World, Draconic Ruins Realm and cultivation ranks. He then informed that everyone had three months to say their farewells, before joining the sect and waiting five years to return.
At last the time had come for the ambassadors of the sects to choose their disciples. At this moment Hong Yue Xian felt quite anxious, as his plans were based on the Divine Feathers Sect, if he was sent to some other sect... He could not help but shudder at the thought.
After a few agonising moments of suspense, finally the results were out. Nie Li, Lu Piao and Hong Yue Xian were chosen by the Nether Master. Du Ze went to Sky Origin Sect. Ye Ziyun, Xiao Ning'er and Xiao Xue were chosen by Heavenly Note Sect. Duan Jian with Demon Lord went to the Hidden Cloud Sect that was a subsidiary of the Phaseless Sect.
In conclusion everyone was dismissed, with Nie Li asking the Nether Master to protect Glory City. The group exited the Nine-Layered Deathlands but did not return to Glory City. Instead they went in search of the Desert Palace.
After spending more than a week traversing the Eastern Desert, the group finally found the ruins of a palace. Nie Li has been acting strange since entering the desert but no one expected him to suddenly scream in pain and collapse to the ground into a coma like state. Ye Ziyun slapped him before, but now she was distraught and tried to wake him up to no avail.
Left with no choice, Hong Yue Xian helped carry Nie Li back to Glory City. Every day Ye Ziyun would stay by Nie Li's side until Xiao Ning'er could not take it anymore. She volunteered to look after Nie Li to let Ye Ziyun rest but Hong Yue Xian stopped her.
There was no way, he would let his fiancée take care of another man. Instead he himself would stay by Nie Li's side and take good care of him. With that Ye Ziyun was led away by Xiao Ning'er, while the gang and Yu Yan cultivated.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone