Chapter 102: Shattered

Night Jiuyao paid no heed to the stares of the crowd. After all, he had endured far too many such looks in his lifetime; how could these people possibly disturb his state of mind?

Yet someone still spoke up.

"Hey, where did this trash crawl out from? Can't even walk properly, and you think you have extraordinary talent?"

"Exactly. Why haven't we noticed him before? A useless piece of trash like him actually dares to step up for the test? Aren't you afraid of making a fool of yourself?"

"..."

Scornful remarks rang out one after another once that ninth-grade fellow opened his mouth. Yet Night Jiuyao paid them no heed, walking instead toward the Spirit Testing Stone.

The representatives of the four great powers were growing displeased as well. Their time was far too precious to be wasted by others.

At once, the men from Xiongying and Daliu Kingdom among the four powers rose to their feet, and in an instant, everyone's gaze turned toward them.

"Enough. All of you, step down. Do not waste our time. Do you not know that we cultivators cherish every moment as if it were our very lives..."

"Oh?"

Night Jiuyao tilted his head to look at the two powers' men, then cast his gaze upon the Spirit Testing Stone that was within arm's reach, and could not help but shake his head.

"Never mind. A little time wasted is nothing."

"Indeed. Two more people won't make a difference. Plenty of others before them have already wasted time as well."

The people from Qianye Sect and Fanshi Kingdom interrupted, for although they were displeased as well, they had seen things clearly enough—those who were making a ruckus were all people who had just lost their qualification.

"Very well, then. We'll grant this brother some face. Go ahead." The man from Daliu Kingdom spoke to Night Jiuyao as if bestowing alms upon him.

"Daliu, Xiongying... I have noted you both." Night Jiuyao muttered inwardly, then turned to Luo Qingyu with a smile.

"Qingyu, you go first."

"Alright."

Luo Qingyu nodded obediently and released her hold on Night Jiuyao's arm. Her jade-like hand pressed against the Spirit Testing Stone, and the vital energy within her body surged forth.

Suddenly, light began to emerge upon the Spirit Testing Stone, one beam, two beams, three... until the ninth beam, and the crowd's expressions had turned utterly astounded.

As for the disciples of Xiongying and Daliu Kingdom, at this moment they wished they could simply die. Another ninth-grade disciple—if she were to join either of their two sects, they would never have a peaceful day again.

And when their gaze fell upon Night Jiuyao, their faces grew even uglier still, for they feared birds of a feather flocking together.

"N... Ninth grade?!"

"No, wait—look!"

Just as the crowd below was stunned, someone suddenly shouted once more. The light upon the Spirit Testing Stone had changed yet again.

The nine beams of radiance that had been dazzling beyond compare abruptly merged into a single beam—yet one that was even more brilliant, more blinding than the nine combined!

"S... Super first grade!"

"Such terrifying talent! She... she surpassed the ninth grade and became super first grade!"

"Hiss... Good thing I didn't run my mouth just now..."

"............"

Suddenly, the crowd below erupted in fervor.

Meanwhile, the disciples of Xiongying and Daliu Kingdom on the stage had gone pale as death, their expressions like mourners at a funeral as they stared at the elegantly standing young maiden, a chill creeping into their hearts.

"Super first grade~" Luo Qingyu playfully blinked at Night Jiuyao, her appearance utterly adorable, causing a wave of hearts to flutter among the wolves below.

"Not bad."

Night Jiuyao praised her, then stepped forward. Drawing a deep breath, under the gaze of all present, he slowly extended his hand toward the Spirit Testing Stone.

The crowd was still immersed in Luo Qingyu's super first grade result, and at this moment, expectant looks filled everyone's eyes, hoping that Night Jiuyao would deliver another shock.

"Hah!"

Night Jiuyao let out a low shout, pressing his right hand onto the Spirit Testing Stone. A terrifying surge of vital energy exploded forth, drilling straight into the stone.

"Crack..."

"Crack!"

A faint, almost imperceptible sound of fracturing arose, then grew louder and louder. The Spirit Testing Stone began to rapidly crack starting from where Night Jiuyao's hand pressed.

"What?!"

"The Spirit Testing Stone... broke?"

Everyone felt it was utterly unreal. The Spirit Testing Stone, renowned for being indestructible, had shattered—and under the hand of a frail, seemingly insignificant youth at that. No one would believe it if told.

"The Spirit Testing Stone... broke?" Those from the four great powers mumbled in a daze.

Night Jiuyao was stunned for a moment as well, then realization dawned. His talent, or perhaps this stone... could not withstand it.

"Then... this... what should I do about it?" Night Jiuyao asked with some embarrassment, for he had, after all, damaged someone else's property.

"Allow us to report this to our sects and deliberate." The four great powers spoke in unison, for such an occurrence was unprecedented—they had never encountered anything like it.

Soon, the four powers sent messages to their respective sects. Yet the only reply they received was permission to allow him into the sect, with no further instruction.

"Would you be willing to join our Xiongying Kingdom?"

"And our Daliu Kingdom as well is willing to open its gates wide..."

"Scram!"

Night Jiuyao showed not the slightest courtesy, spitting out the word lightly.

"You!"

"You court death!"

The men of both kingdoms glared at Night Jiuyao with fury.

"Qingyu, you should go to Fanshi Kingdom. I wish to experience training within a sect. After all, a courtly kingdom does not suit me."

"Mn. Take care of yourself."

Luo Qingyu understood that staying by Night Jiuyao's side would only bind him with too many constraints. It was better for her to seek her own opportunities, and once their strength was sufficient, they would return together.

After all, they bore the burden of family vengeance and national hatred. Strength was the very foundation for standing in the world of cultivation. Thus, she did not hesitate in the slightest.

"Senior brother, senior sister, may I ask if I can join the Qianye Sect?"

"Well met." The young man laughed heartily.

"May I join Fanshi Kingdom?"

"Well met." The man from Fanshi Kingdom likewise laughed uproariously. He had thought this trip would end in loss, yet unexpectedly, he had received a pleasant surprise.

"If that is so, then we shall take our leave."

The men of Xiongying and Daliu Kingdom wore grim expressions as they looked at Night Jiuyao. Under the words of the Qianye Sect youth, they departed with fury simmering in their hearts.

As for that ninth-grade youth who had joined Daliu Kingdom, he kept looking back at Luo Qingyu with every step, the desire and possessiveness in his eyes laid utterly bare.

"Then let us return as well."

"Very well."

The young men and women of Qianye Sect and Fanshi Kingdom each took their leave with a salute.

"Wait for me." Night Jiuyao said no more.

"I will." Two simple words from the two of them—that was a promise.

The two great powers each departed with their people, yet within Qianye City, the tale of the super first grade and the shattered Spirit Testing Stone began to spread.

...

"We've arrived. This is Qianye Sect. Take your tokens and familiarize yourselves with the place. We must go report our mission."

"As for where you'll stay, that will be changed once your period of menial service is over. For now, go with your senior brother to collect your sect robes."

The youth who had brought Night Jiuyao and the others called out, and a man walked over, a plaque bearing the words "Steward Hall" hanging at his waist.

"Follow me."

The man led Night Jiuyao and his group straight into the depths of Qianye Sect.

Along the way, many disciples were roaming about the sect. Night Jiuyao spotted a place where a large crowd had gathered, and from within it, terrifying bursts of power erupted from time to time, as if some kind of sparring was taking place. This stirred a ripple of excitement within Night Jiuyao's heart.

After all, there were many things he had yet to fully comprehend, and only through combat could he truly integrate and master them. This sparring ground was the best place for that.

The man from the Steward Hall led Night Jiuyao and the others to collect their sect robes, arranged lodging for everyone, and then drifted away.

Just as everyone was preparing to familiarize themselves with the new environment and attempt some cultivation, a voice of provocation and trouble-making came from outside the door.