33: Chapter 33 Opening the Mountain Gate

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.

Outside Tianyuan Mountain, the scene was now roaring with noise; a massive, surging crowd of tens of thousands had gathered! The clamor reached straight to the heavens.

"Look! That is the immortal land that moved mountains and filled seas half a month ago! The Moonshadow Sect has a Golden Core True Person guarding it!"

"Such an immortal Sect opening its gates is a once-in-a-millennium opportunity; I must try, even if it costs me my life!"

The crowd seethed, their eager gazes fixed on the cloud-shrouded mountain gates.

However, there were also some discordant whispers within the crowd:

"Hmph, so what if they have a Golden Core True Person? The Huoyan Sect has several Golden Core Old Ancestors guarding it!"

"Exactly, I heard the Huoyan Sect has already declared they will destroy this Moonshadow Sect. Isn't going in now just courting death?"

"Yeah, yeah, we should just wait and see..."

These pessimistic comments were like cold water, causing many who were originally fired up to instantly calm down, their steps becoming hesitant.

Ling Hao stood before the Sect Main Hall, his gaze calmly overlooking the surging sea of people below, as well as the magnificent Nine-Turn Corridor that spanned across Wendao Peak!

That corridor was no ordinary path; it was formed by nine massive white jade arches connected in sequence.

Each arch was engraved with profound and intricate patterns, shimmering with a faint spiritual light.

Clouds and mist swirled between the arches, and the steps wound upwards, straight into the clouds, exuding a solemn and mysterious Aura that inspired awe in all who gazed upon it!

At this moment, Yu Lingshuang stepped into the air, her robes fluttering. The morning sunlight plated her body in a hazy golden glow, as if a Fairy had descended to the mortal realm!

Her cold, clear voice, imbued with spiritual power, resonated distinctly in everyone's ears:

"The Moonshadow Sect's grand opening ceremony begins now!"

"For the entrance examination, we do not ask about your background! We do not care about your age! We do not check the level of your Spiritual Root!"

"The only standard—step onto the Nine-Turn Corridor before Wendao Peak! Advance relying on your own will!"

"Those who pass the sixth turn will be recorded as Outer Sect Disciples!"

"Those who pass the seventh turn will be promoted to Inner Sect Disciples!"

"Those who pass the eighth turn will be selected as True Disciples!"

"Those who pass the ninth turn will be Core Disciples of the Sect!"

This unprecedented declaration instantly ignited everyone's passion!

Especially the phrase "we do not check the level of your Spiritual Root," which was music to the ears of those with mediocre talent!

"Good heavens! No check on Spiritual Root?!"

"Charge! Today, I will reach the ninth turn and become a Core Disciple!"

"Immortal destiny is right before our eyes, charge!"

The emotions of the crowd were completely ignited, like a bursting dam, as they scrambled to rush towards the magnificent Nine-Turn Corridor!

As for all that talk about the Huoyan Sect destroying the Moonshadow Sect, that could wait for later!

On the edge of the chaotic crowd, an old man with a white beard watched this fanatical scene, his face as gloomy as water.

His first plan had not worked. But it didn't matter... he still had a second plan!

He looked up at the corridor that towered into the clouds, a sneer of utter contempt curling his lips:

"Heh, no check on Spiritual Root? Relying only on this broken corridor? Truly, heaven is helping me!"

"Perfect! It will be even easier for the people I carefully selected to sneak in! So what if they have a Golden Core guarding them? Watch how I turn your Sect upside down!"

However, as the sun gradually rose, the smug smile on Tong Xiu's face slowly solidified, vanished, and finally turned into a livid, ashen color!

One hour... two hours... none of the henchmen he sent to cause trouble had managed to pass the sixth turn of the corridor!

"Trash! A bunch of absolute trash!"

Tong Xiu was so angry he nearly pulled out his own beard, roaring in his heart.

In fact, up to this point, only a mere sixty or so people had successfully passed the sixth turn, a few had passed the seventh, and only one had passed the eighth.

Strangely, all those who had passed the sixth turn were women.

Soon, dissatisfied voices of questioning arose from the crowd.

"What's going on? Why does it seem like everyone who passed is from near Liuling Town?"

"Right, right! Are we who came from afar being treated differently?"

"Exactly! Are you discriminating against us outsiders?"

A man dressed in brocade, with an arrogant expression, pointed at a girl in worn-out clothes who had just walked off the corridor with a timid expression, and loudly questioned:

"On what grounds?! She, a mere Yellow-grade Spiritual Root, can pass! I, with a dignified Profound-grade Three-Spiritual Root, have talent far exceeding hers; why can't I even pass the sixth turn?! There must be something fishy about your examination!"

Profound-grade Three-Spiritual Root! That was considered quite good among the younger generation in the Qing State! As soon as this person spoke, he instantly attracted the attention of everyone present.

"Right, something is fishy! A mere Yellow-grade Spiritual Root actually managed to pass the eighth turn!"

"The Moonshadow Sect is playing us for fools!"

The crowd became increasingly restless.

On the edge of the crowd, Tong Xiu watched this man in brocade, a fleeting sneer flashing in his eyes, and he nodded slightly.

This person was originally a pawn he had carefully selected to send into the Moonshadow Sect. But he couldn't even pass the sixth turn; he was truly trash!

However, seeing him know how to take advantage of the situation to incite doubt and stir up trouble, he could still be considered somewhat useful.

Zhao Hong saw everyone's gaze focused on him, the arrogance on his face grew even more intense, and he raised his voice: "Hmph! I, with a dignified Profound-grade Three-Spiritual Root, am even sought after by the Huoyan Sect! Yet this broken corridor blocks my path? Fine, if this place won't have me, there are other places that will!"

He changed his tone, pointing his spear directly at the Moonshadow Sect: "And fellow Daoists, see clearly! This Sect is clearly biased towards locals! We outsiders are just making a wasted trip!"

This malicious rhetoric made many of the visiting Cultivators look grim.

Just then, a pink silhouette drifted down from the mountain gate like a light swan, shielding the girl with the Yellow-grade Spiritual Root and facing Zhao Hong directly.

At this moment, Chi Wanhe's pretty face was frosted, her eyes sharp, and her whole body exuded a cold Aura, a completely different person from the coquettish and naive girl she was in front of Ling Hao.

Her cold gaze swept over the crowd: "Vice Sect Master Yu has already made it clear: the Nine-Turn Corridor does not check Spiritual Roots!"

"What this corridor tests is the heart's source! It is the sincerity towards the Sect!"

"A month ago, my Revered Master waved his hand to suppress a storm, saving thousands of lives in Liuling Town! They are grateful for this kindness, and with a heart full of sincerity, they were able to pass the sixth turn!"

Chi Wanhe's gaze was like lightning, piercing towards Zhao Hong: "May I ask, Your Excellency, you keep claiming you want to join the Sect, but do you have even half a shred of sincerity in your heart? Or... do you have ulterior motives?!"

Her words were like a hammer, striking the crowd into silence, and many showed looks of shame.

The girl gathered her courage and stepped forward, saying tearfully:

"The Fairy is right! During the storm half a month ago, my parents... they both died. If it weren't for the Sect Master, I would have followed them. When I was going through the corridor, I just thought, this life of mine was saved by the Sect Master, and I must repay it! Even if I had to crawl, I would crawl up!"

The girl's simple and fervent emotions were moving. Many people from Liuling Town felt the same way.

Zhao Hong frowned deeply, his irritation growing even more, and he sneered sharply:

"Absurd! The world of Cultivators is one where the weak are prey to the strong! Repaying kindness? That's just the weak deceiving themselves! Your Sect is probably just a facade, relying on trickery!"

Chi Wanhe's eyes turned completely icy:

"What the Moonshadow Sect rejects is exactly the likes of you, heartless, unrighteous, and harboring ulterior motives!"

Zhao Hong was startled by her gaze, but immediately, he looked over Chi Wanhe's beautiful figure, a contemptuous, lewd smile curling his lips:

"Hmph! It's not your turn, little girl, to lecture me! I see you must be a Moonshadow Sect Disciple? Perfect, let me, your Revered Master, weigh the worth of your 'sincerity is what matters' Sect!"

"The weak have no right to speak!"

Before his voice faded, Zhao Hong struck fiercely!

"Green Vine Entanglement!"

He formed seals with both hands, and several thick, emerald green vines burst from the ground, winding towards Chi Wanhe's feet like poisonous pythons!

Facing this insidious entrapment, Chi Wanhe's expression did not change.

"I, the Senior Sister of the Moonshadow Sect! Today I shall take your head to uphold the truth!"

Golden light flowed between Chi Wanhe's slender hands. A crimson Talisman was thrown to the ground, instantly transforming into a sea of fire; the entangling vines were burned to ashes, breaking and withering in an instant!

Then she lightly raised her fair hand, and a deep blue Talisman flew from her hand! "Ice Rain Technique: Freeze!"

A cold chill descended suddenly! Countless fine ice crystals poured down like a torrential rain, carrying a bone-chilling cold, covering Zhao Hong's head! The range was vast, and there was nowhere to hide!

A cry of surprise suddenly rang out from the crowd.

"Heavens! Is that Fairy in the pink dress... not Chi Wanhe from the Chi Family in Fushan City, who was kicked out for having 'no Spiritual Root'? How did she become a Moonshadow Sect Disciple?!"

"What? That abandoned daughter of the Chi Family? No Spiritual Root?!"

"Impossible! The spiritual power fluctuations she just used to burn the vines and activate the Talisman were clearly Qi Refining Level 8! How could someone with no Spiritual Root reach Qi Refining Level 8 in just a few months?!"

"Qi Refining Level 8?! Could the Chi Family have been... blind back then?!" The words recognizing Chi Wanhe's identity exploded like a thunderclap!

All eyes instantly focused on her, filled with incredulous shock! The huge contrast between "no Spiritual Root" and "Qi Refining Level 8" caused the entire scene to fall into a dead silence!