322: Both levels are super-level

Asking themselves this question, if they were in his shoes, not knowing it was an illusion:

Faced with betrayal from fellow Disciples and treasures within easy reach, could they suppress their killing intent and uphold the Sect rules?

Faced with a Mid Nascent Soul Stage Demonic Path Cultivator threatening a Yao Beast companion, could they remain instantly calm, display both wisdom and courage, and sacrifice themselves to save another?

Faced with the temptation of the Demonic Path that could remedy their greatest flaw and lead directly to the Peak, could they sever their greed and hold fast to the Righteous Path?

Faced with their beloved Revered Master about to perish, could they, without hesitation, burn their own life force and use their body as a shield?

The answer was self-evident, reflected in the pale faces and complex expressions of countless Disciples.

"Loyalty, Filial Piety, Benevolence, Righteousness, Propriety, Wisdom, Trust..."

Sect Head White Cloud Master watched the scene, a brilliant light exploding in his eyes. He clapped his hands and sighed, his voice resonating throughout the venue, filled with immense gratification and excitement.

"Yao Delong! With your actions, you have perfectly interpreted the foundation of our Yin Yang Sect, the glorious Seven Virtues! This was not done deliberately, but driven by your true heart, an innate nature! You shall be the model for our Sect's Disciples! I hope you all will strive to emulate him!"

His gaze swept across the venue like lightning, finally resting on Yao Delong as he announced loudly:

"For the second round, Mortal World Questioning the Heart, Yao Delong is hereby rated—Super Grade!"

Super Grade again! Double Super Grade! The entire Questioning Dao Platform erupted into a frenzy!

Cheers, gasps of astonishment, and sounds of admiration swept through the crowd like a tsunami!

If the Super Grade in the first round was a shock of talent and strength, then this Super Grade in the second round was a testament to his character and Dao Heart!

In the hearts of countless Disciples, the figure of Yao Delong had been elevated to a height difficult to reach!

Grand Elder Long Yu put away her precious mirror. The look she cast toward Yao Delong now carried undisguised appreciation and a hint of... the benevolence of an Elder.

She nodded slightly, her figure gradually fading away, leaving only a single sentence: "Xiao Kui has taken in a good Disciple... very good."

Sect Head White Cloud Master suppressed his surging emotions and looked at the now-calm Yao Delong, saying in a deep voice:

"Yao Delong, the third and final round of the True Disciple assessment: Combat Merit and Comprehensive Ability Assessment! This round is the most complex, divided into internal and external parts. You must choose and complete two of the Sect's tasks!"

He waved his sleeve, and three golden, radiant task scrolls floated in the air:

"Demon Suppressing Cave" Cleanup: Infiltrate a specific area of the "Demon Suppressing Cave," where the Sect imprisons dangerous criminals or Seals evil demons. Within a specified time, independently kill or suppress at least one evil demon or traitor with strength equivalent to the Mid Nascent Soul Stage, and bring back the core token. (Tests combat ability and decisiveness in extreme environments.)

"Martial Arts Contention": Under the supervision of Sect Elders, consecutively challenge three powerful, veteran True Disciples (Mid Nascent Soul Stage or above). You must at least draw or win two matches. (Tests top-tier combat power and adaptability at the same rank.)

"Pill, Artifact, Talisman, Formation" Comprehensive Exam: If a Disciple has extremely high attainments in auxiliary paths such as Pills, Artifacts, Talismans, or Formations, they may choose to complete a corresponding high-difficulty Sect task, such as refining a specified high-grade Medicinal Pill or repairing an important Formation node. (Opens a pathway for special talents.)

Everyone's gaze was focused on Yao Delong. Each of these three options was extremely difficult! Especially "Martial Arts Contention," which required challenging three veteran True Disciples at the Mid Nascent Soul Stage or above consecutively! This was practically Hell difficulty!

However, Yao Delong's gaze merely swept over the three scrolls, his expression calm and unruffled.

"Demon Suppressing Cave" Cleanup? With his current strength and Heart Sword techniques, slaying a Mid Nascent Soul Stage evil demon was as easy as turning over his hand. But it wasn't fast enough, not shocking enough.

"Martial Arts Contention"? It suited his intentions perfectly! He wanted to declare his strength in the most direct and domineering way possible!

"Pill, Artifact, Talisman, Formation" Comprehensive Exam? This was practically a stage tailor-made for him!

He raised his head, his gaze burning, and his voice rang out clearly and firmly across the venue:

"Disciple Yao Delong chooses—'Martial Arts Contention' and the 'Pill, Artifact, Talisman, Formation' Comprehensive Exam!"

"What?!" "He chose Martial Arts Contention and the Pill, Artifact, Talisman, Formation exam?!"

"The Demon Suppressing Cave cleanup is the safe choice! With Senior Brother Yao's strength, slaying a Mid Nascent Soul Stage evil demon is not a difficult task!"

"Martial Arts Contention! That requires challenging three veteran True Disciples consecutively! Each one is at the Mid Nascent Soul Stage or above, and with the resources heaped upon them by the Sect, their combat power far exceeds that of Loose Cultivators of the same rank! No matter how strong Senior Brother Yao is, how can his spiritual energy sustain him in a wheel battle?"

"The Pill, Artifact, Talisman, Formation exam is even more outrageous! It requires top-tier attainments at the same rank! Refining a Nascent Soul Stage Medicinal Pill? Repairing a Nascent Soul-level Formation? How many years of immersion does that require? How old is Senior Brother Yao? He specializes in the Sword Dao; where would he find the time to study these auxiliary paths?"

"Even if he has extraordinary talent in the Pill Dao and refined top-grade Medicinal Pills during the Inner Sect assessment, that was only at the Foundation Establishment Stage! The difficulty of a Nascent Soul-level Medicinal Pill is more than doubled! Not to mention that he would have to do it after the Martial Arts Contention, when his mental energy is severely depleted!"

"He's being too arrogant! Did the Super Grade in the first two rounds make him lose his head?"

Voices of doubt, confusion, and concern rose one after another.

In the eyes of the crowd, Yao Delong was abandoning the relatively safe "Demon Suppressing Cave" cleanup to choose the two most difficult, mentally draining, and foundation-testing assessments—it was practically courting death!

Especially "Martial Arts Contention," facing three powerhouses who had long established their footing among the True Disciples, with ruthless methods and numerous trump cards—to win even one match would be lucky, let alone trying to at least draw or win two? It was as difficult as ascending to Heaven!

High above on the platform, Sect Head White Cloud Master watched Yao Delong, who stood below with a calm expression but eyes as sharp as a drawn sword. Instead of reproach, a trace of admiration flashed in his eyes.

"Good! Not avoiding danger, brave enough to challenge! A Cultivator fighting against Heaven to seize their destiny should have this kind of spirit!"

He spoke aloud, his voice drowning out all the noise. "Yao Delong, since you have made your choice, tomorrow at the Hour of the Dragon, at the 'Contention Platform' on Martial Arts Peak! As for the 'Pill, Artifact, Talisman, Formation' Comprehensive Exam, I will personally open it for you after your martial arts challenge! I hope you... will create glory once more!"

"This Disciple obeys!" Yao Delong bowed to receive the order, his voice steady, showing not the slightest hesitation.

He turned and, under the gaze of countless complex eyes, transformed into a streak of light and flew straight back to Luoxia Peak.

He needed absolute calm to adjust his state to the Peak! Invincible at the same rank? Today, he would verify it with his own hands!

The next day, Martial Arts Peak! As the dawn light faintly glimmered, the area around the massive white jade "Contention Platform" on Martial Arts Peak was already packed with people, a sea of black heads, several times more spectacular than the Questioning Dao Platform yesterday!

The air was filled with a complex atmosphere of excitement, anticipation, doubt, and curiosity.

The news of Yao Delong passing the first two rounds with "Super Grade" had swept through the entire Yin Yang Sect overnight like a hurricane! It shook the upper echelons and ignited the passion of all the Disciples!

Was the Yin Yang Sect truly about to produce another legend like "Dao Changge"?

Yao Delong's group of friends and family were all present: Xiao Huohuo was rubbing his hands together, his eyes burning; Lin Shishi and Han Yun wore looks of worry but could not hide their excitement; Lin Qingxue, Luo Miaomiao, and Liu Rumei stood together, their beautiful eyes fixed tightly on the direction of the arena, with tension and anticipation intertwined.

And the most eye-catching of all were the fifteen figures on the side of the Contention Platform—some with auras as heavy as mountains, some as sharp as swords, and others as ethereal as clouds—the fifteen current True Disciples of the Yin Yang Sect were all present! The lowest cultivation level was Mid Nascent Soul Stage! They represented the Peak combat power of the Yin Yang Sect's younger generation!