555: Chapter 555 January 1, 2027

"Clang—!"

"Clang—!"

"Clang—!"

Three long, resonant tolls of the bell echoed throughout the entire plaza!

The bell's sound possessed immense penetrating power, as if it could reach the depths of one's Soul, causing every Disciple immersed in battle, spectating, or discussing to instantly fall silent.

The tolling announced the end of this month's assessment.

Streaks of golden light cascaded from the dissipating thrones, gently enveloping every Disciple and delivering them steadily to the ground.

Qin Yan stood up and stretched his muscles.

He hadn't fought a single match during this month's assessment.

He was happy to enjoy the leisure.

"The month-end assessment has concluded."

Yun Nishang's voice drifted down from high above, cold and majestic.

Most Disciples assumed she would leave directly as usual, but she continued speaking.

"I have an announcement to make!"

Her voice became solemn as her gaze swept over the thirty thousand-plus Disciples below.

"This matter concerns your entry into the Inner Court."

As her voice fell, the Disciples below were instantly struck with shock!

It concerned their entry into the Inner Court!

One must know that in the Taixuan Holy Land, only by entering the Inner Court could they be considered to have truly entered the Holy Land's core levels.

Their goal was always to enter the Inner Court!

Now that the Dean was mentioning this, they were naturally shocked.

However, many Disciples showed no signs of shock on their faces.

They had received the news in advance.

For instance, Qin Yan, the Disciples who had passed the Heavenly Ladder, and some well-informed Special Grade Disciples...

To them, this news had long ceased to be a secret.

Yun Nishang ignored the noise below and continued:

"Over the next three months, the Holy Land will issue a large number of missions for you to accept."

"Accepting missions will earn you taixuan points."

"The top six thousand Disciples who accumulate the most taixuan points within these three months—"

She paused, her gaze sweeping across the thirty thousand-plus Disciples.

"Will enter the Inner Court!"

As Yun Nishang's words fell, the Disciples below instantly erupted in excitement.

"The top six thousand! With thirty thousand Disciples, that's the top six thousand—a one-in-five chance!"

"I must enter the Inner Court!"

"Me too! I've been waiting for this day for so long!"

Cheers, discussions, and excited shouts intertwined, echoing throughout the plaza.

Yun Nishang didn't give them much time for excitement before continuing her announcement:

"The Holy Land has also opened a team mode this time."

"In teams of five, the team that ultimately obtains the highest total taixuan points will receive rewards from the Holy Land."

"This time, teaming up is not limited to the East Courtyard; you can also form teams with the other three courtyards."

"Specific reward details, teaming methods, rules, and taboos have already been sent to your tokens. You can check them yourselves later."

She paused and finally said:

"Now—"

"I declare that the Inner Court competition has officially begun!"

As her words fell, her figure transformed into a streak of red light and vanished into the sky.

After Yun Nishang disappeared, the Disciples throughout the plaza began discussing fervently.

"Teaming up! Who wants to team up?"

"Me! Me! Me! I'm a Third Grade Disciple with formidable combat power!"

"A Third Grade Disciple dares to shout? You should at least be Second Grade or higher!"

"Five-person squad, looking for three more. Anyone coming?"

"Is there any Special Grade Disciple willing to carry me? I can pay taixuan points!"

The clamor rose and fell; some began forming cliques, some started searching for teammates everywhere, while others stood aside alone, lost in thought.

Qin Yan did not participate in the commotion.

He projected his Mental Energy into the token to review the matters regarding the Inner Court assessment.

The rules were basically consistent with what he had previously understood.

Killing one another was forbidden, stealing the fruits of others' missions was forbidden, and relying on non-Holy Land Disciples to complete missions was forbidden...

Every single rule was written clearly.

Violators would have taixuan points deducted at best, or have their eligibility revoked at worst.

The rewards were also the same as what Yin Li had said originally.

The top six thousand in individual points would enter the Inner Court.

The top ten in team points would gain the qualification to enter that newly discovered Small World.

Qin Yan finished reading quickly.

Right at that moment, a scorching aura emanated from beside him.

That aura was like being near a mass of burning flames—searing and overbearing.

"Qin Yan, let's start teaming up."

Huang Jiuli's voice rang in his ear.

Qin Yan turned his head to see Huang Jiuli standing beside him in her red robes, her phoenix eyes slightly upturned, holding her token.

"Alright."

Qin Yan nodded.

He had already finished reading the information and knew how to form a team.

The two of them took out their tokens simultaneously and tapped them together gently.

"Buzz—"

From the tokens, a golden thread of light shot out from each!

The threads were as thin as hair, yet as condensed as substance, emitting a faint golden glow.

Qin Yan and Huang Jiuli simultaneously struck a blast of True Qi into the golden lines.

The two golden threads intertwined, coiled, and fused in the air—

Then, they slowly dissipated.

Qin Yan sank his Mental Energy into the token.

Sure enough, a new interface had appeared within the token.

【Inner Court Assessment】

【Team: Qin Yan, Huang Jiuli】

【Qin Yan's Contribution: 0】

【Huang Jiuli's Contribution: 0】

【Cumulative Contribution: 0】

"It's done."

Qin Yan put away his token.

Huang Jiuli nodded.

"Fine, then during this period, hurry up and do missions."

She looked at Qin Yan, her tone casual.

"I'll go find Yin Li to join the team in a moment."

Qin Yan nodded.

Since he and Huang Jiuli were already teamed up, once Huang Jiuli teamed up with Yin Li, it meant Yin Li had successfully teamed up with him as well. There was no need for him to perform a separate operation.

"I'll be going then."

After Huang Jiuli finished speaking, her figure transformed into a streak of fire and vanished from the plaza.

Qin Yan watched the streak of fire depart, then turned to leave as well.

After returning to his own courtyard, Qin Yan did not rest.

He picked up his long spear and continued training.

Spear shadows layered upon each other, and Spear Intent permeated the air.

As the Ice Flame Spear Technique was deployed, deep blue and crimson intertwined, with cold and heat alternating.

The Nirvana Spear Intent enveloped the spear's body, and the pitch-black Spear Intent filled the room.

He knew that the next three months would be his final three months in the Taixuan Holy Land's Outer Court.

He must enter the Inner Court.

He must also go to the Small World.

What he needed to do now was to prepare himself to meet the upcoming challenges.

One thrust, two thrusts, three thrusts...

He was untiring.

The next day, another year had passed.

Sunlight from outside the window spilled into the room, dispelling the night's chill.

Qin Yan stood by the window, looking at the distant mountain peaks, an inexplicable feeling of nostalgia rising in his heart.

The date was now January 1st, 2027. Unknowingly, he had been at the Taixuan Holy Land for over three months.

Three months was not long, yet not short either, but it was enough to change many things.

Qin Yan took a deep breath, feeling the surging blood and the circulating Five Elements True Qi within his body, a slight smile touching the corners of his mouth.

A new day, a new year, a new beginning.