57: The sword-slaying demon bear test is passed; the masked man appears, his intentions unknown.

Wang Wantang pointed her sword forward and calmly assigned tactics: "Wait for it to fall into the formation, then disperse immediately. You must avoid engaging it head-on."

"I will attract its attention, while the rest of you focus all your efforts on attacking its wounds."

Her words fell upon the ears of the Disciples.

"Yes! Senior Sister."

The Yao Beast bear sensed that the group had not scattered under the command of a member of the Human Race. As it charged, its gaze grew even more furious, and the viscous liquid flowing from its mouth dripped onto the ground.

With a click, the Yao Beast bear finally stepped into the confinement of the formation.

Instantly, the surrounding air solidified, and eight spiritual power chains shot out, firmly binding it in place.

The other Disciples immediately sprang into action, each unleashing their own proficient Spells and Cultivation Techniques.

Some launched long-range Spell attacks, while others used their agility to try and distract the bear.

Wang Wantang, like a streak of lightning, charged straight at the Yao Beast.

Her long sword emitted a blinding radiance under the sun, and her exquisite sword technique made her seem like lightning weaving through a storm.

She thrust her sword out, striking heavily against the Yao Beast bear's wound. The sword light collided instantly with the bear's skin with a dull thud.

But it was like scratching an itch.

Even though it was injured, such a High Grade Yao Beast could not be easily harmed by her.

"Roar!"

The Yao Beast bear's pained roar disrupted the battle. It suddenly broke free from the spiritual power chains binding it.

Fierce flames ignited in its angry eyes as it stared straight at Wang Wantang.

The bear extended its paw and swiped viciously at Wang Wantang.

Wang Wantang showed no fear, her expression remaining calm, as her body flashed by like a ghost, nimbly dodging the blow.

Her sword technique was agile and elegant, like a dancing butterfly, yet it concealed a deadly killing intent.

While dodging, she left wounds on the Yao Beast bear's body.

"What grade of movement technique is Senior Sister Wang using? It is so exquisite!" one Disciple exclaimed, his eyes full of admiration.

"Senior Sister Wang is truly worthy of being a top figure on the Outer Sect Disciple ranking!" another Disciple said enviously, secretly admiring her.

Watching Wang Wantang weave between the Yao Beast bear like a dancer, everyone couldn't help but be shocked by her strength.

However, Wang Wantang was secretly anxious.

Although she kept attacking, it felt like scratching the bear, having no effect at all. After a brief moment of thought, she finally made up her mind to use that move.

"Universe Thunderbolt Invincible Underworld Sword Slash!"

Her long sword instantly rose high, and Wang Wantang's figure vanished like a flash of light.

In an instant, she appeared in mid-air, tracing a beautiful arc.

At that very moment, the long sword suddenly expanded.

It transformed into a giant sword and slashed down violently, striking directly at the Yao Beast bear's chest.

Crackle, crackle—countless shattered scales from the bear's chest flew out, black scales dancing in the air. The bear sat down heavily on the ground.

The power of the sword pierced through the bear's chest, shredding many of its organs and viscera.

"Roar!"

The Yao Beast bear let out a heart-wrenching roar of pain and swiped its claw again. It missed the target but hit a tree.

A grove of ancient trees was easily snapped by the blow.

On the verge of death, its wild nature was thoroughly ignited, making it even more insanely ferocious.

...

Meanwhile, in a hidden formation.

A young man observing the battle frowned upon seeing this scene.

"I cannot even fathom the grade of this Cultivation Technique of hers."

"It even makes me feel a lingering fear."

...

After using the move, a look of obvious exhaustion appeared on Wang Wantang's face.

She immediately took out two Medicinal Pills and swallowed them quickly, panting heavily.

Clearly, using that last sword strike had consumed a great deal of her energy. Seeing this, the Disciples felt a surge of fighting spirit and increased their attack intensity, their Spells assaulting the Yao Beast bear like a fierce storm.

The Yao Beast bear struggled angrily to stand, attempting to break free from the group's siege.

However, with their tacit cooperation, it was unable to escape its predicament.

After a brief adjustment, Wang Wantang steadied her mind, and her sword momentum rose again.

Her sword technique was still like a gale and rain, every strike piercing fiercely into the Yao Beast bear's wounds.

The Yao Beast bear struggled in pain, unable to withstand Wang Wantang's attacks. Finally, under the siege of the group, the Yao Beast bear struggled in agony, its injuries becoming increasingly severe.

Roar, roar, roar!!!

With one final roar, this bear had reached the end of its life.

Its life force gradually dissipated, and with a dull thud, it collapsed heavily, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Next was the time to divide the spoils.

The entire bear, including meat and bones, was completely divided among everyone.

After they finished dividing the spoils, Wang Wantang took out a Yao Beast core that emitted a faint glow.

This High Grade Yao Beast core was the target of their trial. With this, they had completed the trial.

"Senior Sister Wang, you contributed the most, so you should keep this Yao Beast core." one Disciple said respectfully, with a flattering smile on his face.

"That's right, Senior Sister, this is all your credit, we are truly grateful to you!" another Disciple nodded in agreement, his eyes revealing admiration for Wang Wantang.

Everyone present knew that this Yao Beast core was worth over a hundred Spirit Stones, and everyone coveted it.

However, they understood clearly that in this battle, and indeed the entire trial, they were only supporting roles; the one who truly contributed the most was her.

"Fine, since that's the case, you can take these things and divide them." Wang Wantang nodded and put away the Yao Beast core.

Subsequently, she took out a batch of Materials from her spatial ring, which were other spoils she had obtained in this Trial Grounds.

Selling these Materials would earn a few Spirit Stones, but the value was worlds apart from the Yao Beast core. Giving them away now was nothing.

"Many thanks, Senior Sister Wang." Everyone naturally accepted it, as an extra bit of cultivation resources meant an extra bit of strength.

"The trial is over, let's go." Wang Wantang said, and everyone used their Sect tokens to teleport out of the Secret Realm.

Not long after everyone left, several Disciples dressed in Cloud Heaven Sect attire stepped into the chaotic battlefield.

However, unlike ordinary Cloud Heaven Sect Disciples, each of them was wearing a pitch-black mask.

One of the Disciples, with a tall and upright figure, slowly tossed out a Formation Plate.

The Formation Plate landed on the ground, and layers of runes immediately lit up. A formation, like a ripple, quickly expanded, covering a radius of five miles.

"Fellow colleagues, what do you think of this assessment?"

"The assessment subject, Wang Wantang, has mastered a Cultivation Technique comparable to a Profound Rank Medium Grade or even High Grade while still in the Qi Refinement Stage."

"It is truly inconceivable. Whether in terms of opportunity or Aptitude, I give her a rating of Superior." One masked person spoke, their voice filled with a hint of awe and admiration.

"Assessment subject Wang Wantang, movement technique reached Major Achievement, rating: Superior."

"Assessment subject Wang Wantang, Superior."

"Since everyone has given a Superior rating, then the assessment subject Wang Wantang shall be classified as Superior." The leading Disciple smiled slightly, a glint of satisfaction seemingly revealing itself beneath the mask.

"Now... let us express our congratulations to this future new colleague."

...

After exiting the Secret Realm, Wang Wantang and the other Disciples immediately felt a familiar and solemn Aura surging toward them like a tide.

When they regained their senses, they were already standing before a magnificent square.

Above the high building of the square, a majestic plaque hung, with three vigorous and powerful characters—"Yunxiao Platform"

These characters seemed to contain some mysterious power, making people involuntarily feel a sense of awe.

All around, the viewing platforms were filled with countless Cloud Heaven Sect Disciples, most of whom were Outer Sect Disciples.

In the crowd, low whispers wove into a lively atmosphere.

"Look, another batch of Disciples has returned."

"I wonder how many people passed the assessment."

...

"We're back!" a young male Disciple shouted excitedly, his voice echoing across the square.

At this moment, flashes of light pierced through space.

Teleportation channels gradually opened, and Disciples with dejected or excited expressions were teleported out one after another.

A middle-aged Cloud Heaven Sect Elder arrived, stepping on a Flying Sword.

Amidst the flickering sword light, his figure landed before the crowd.

His gaze was as sharp as a hawk, scanning the area. After confirming that they were in no emergency, he looked at the leader of each team.

The Elder waved his hand slightly, and the air shimmered with a faint light as three identity tokens flew before him.

"Team information verified as correct. Now, display your assessment results."

The Elder's voice was steady and dignified. Upon hearing this, Wang Wantang and another team leader immediately took out a round, plump Yao Beast core from their robes.

The two Yao Beast cores shimmered with a faint luster under the sunlight.

The Elder flicked his wrist slightly, and the two Yao Beast cores flew towards him instantly. After a brief inspection, the Elder announced the assessment results.

"Qu Songjin's team, failed to obtain a Foundation Establishment Yao Beast core, assessment result: Fail."

"Fang Changyu's team, obtained one Thorn Spider Yao Beast core, quality: Low Grade, assessment result: Pass."

"Wang Wantang's team, obtained one Black Armored Earth Bear Yao Beast core, quality: Medium-High Grade, assessment result: Good!"

After announcing the results, the Elder flicked his finger, and the two glowing Yao Beast cores flew back into their hands.

The Elder said indifferently: "Both of your teams have passed. Everyone will receive double the cultivation resources for the next year, and each team will receive one advancement quota."

"Allocate the quota among yourselves. The final trial will be held in seven days."

"Yes, Elder." The Disciples of the three teams responded in unison.

Immediately after, space rippled again, and the next batch of Disciples who had completed the assessment were about to return. The Elder waved his hand gently, signaling that these three teams could leave.

Wang Wantang and the others left Yunxiao Platform, and the quota naturally fell to Wang Wantang without dispute.

Apart from Wang Wantang, the others were Disciples whose talents were not particularly strong.

In their view, being able to pass this second round of Outer Sect trial was already quite difficult, and as for the final round, they didn't even dare to think about it.

This final round of trial, needless to say, would surely be a fight between experts on the Outer Sect ranking. How could ordinary Disciples like them dare to join in the excitement?

"Many thanks to Senior Sister Wang for this trial, Senior Sister, farewell." one Disciple said shyly, his eyes flickering with gratitude and a hint of something unusual.

Another female Disciple waved: "Wuwu, Senior Sister, let's chat again next time."

"Senior Sister, fighting! I will definitely be there to cheer you on when the time comes."

Amidst the farewells of the group, some left easily, while others hesitated to speak. In the end, they chose to turn around, walking further and further away.

"What's the matter, are you still pining for Senior Sister Wang, kid?" With a smack, Mo Fanghai patted the shoulder of a disheartened male Disciple, and Tian Xun was immediately startled.

"Are you trying to kill me? I finally managed to calm down, and after being startled by you like that, it's easy to have an accident."

"Haha, who told you to have such a dazed look in your eyes whenever you look at Senior Sister Wang recently? This doesn't look like you at all."

Mo Fanghai looked teasing, seemingly having long seen through his thoughts.

"I heard that you and several other followers of Senior Sister Wang are planning to move to One Pillar Supporting Heaven Peak recently."

"However, as fellow Disciples, I still have to reveal some things to you." He lowered his voice and said: "Our Senior Sister Wang is not simple. As far as I know, she is suspected to have some entanglements with a certain Senior Brother from the Inner Sect with vast Divine Ability."

"And that Senior Brother's status in the Sect is probably not low."

"Otherwise, how do you explain Senior Sister Wang's abundance of cultivation resources?"

"And so many High Grade Cultivation Techniques?"

Although Senior Sister Wang's background was somewhat unusual, it was absolutely impossible for her to possess such abundant resources. Even if she did, what about the Cultivation Techniques she used? Which one wasn't a hundred times more exquisite and powerful than the techniques they learned?

"However, Junior Brother Tian, don't be discouraged. Work hard on your cultivation; perhaps you will still have a chance to make Senior Sister Wang look at you a few more times." Mo Fanghai said casually, clumsily encouraging the dejected Tian Xun.

"Ah, Junior Brother Tian, why are you crying again?"

"Look forward, look forward." The two went off, bickering, their figures stretching long in the sunset glow.

The night was like ink, the starry sky brilliant, like countless bright pearls embedded in the sky.

Wang Wantang had just returned to her residence when her eyes impatiently scanned the surroundings, as if looking for something.

However, her courtyard was silent, leaving only her figure wandering alone in the moonlight.