197: Chapter 197 The Trial of the Heavenly Pavilion has quietly begun!

This time, the heroes of Snow Moon City gathered, originally to witness the engagement between Su Rui and Li Hanyi.

However, Su Rui made very few appearances, causing the plans of many who wished to use this opportunity to curry favor to fall through completely.

But immediately after, a piece of news passed from Su Rui through Baili Dongjun and Sikong Changfeng set off a massive wave throughout Snow Moon City.

The intensity of the shock was no less than the aftermath of the Great Demonic Sect War on Qingyun Terrace years ago.

In the past, wanting to enter the martial arts hall for cultivation was as difficult as ascending to heaven.

But now everyone knew that Su Rui held countless profound Cultivation Techniques in his hands, and his ability to teach Disciples was truly Heaven-Defying.

The Disciples under him had made rapid progress in just a short time, actually standing side-by-side with experts of the older generation, and even slightly surpassing them.

How long had it been?

The major powers had already investigated the timing of Su Rui's appearance; altogether, it had only been a few months.

If one could have their own Genius join his tutelage, even if they only reached the Carefree Heaven Realm, it would already be a stroke of immense luck;

If they went a step further and stepped into the Half-Step Divine Roaming Realm or even the Divine Roaming Profound Realm, that would be an extraordinary blessing from their ancestors.

Moreover, Su Rui's own strength was unfathomable.

Just being associated with him was enough to make a Sect's status soar.

Unfortunately, his criteria for taking Disciples had been extremely strict before, and almost no one could catch his Dharma Eye.

This time, all parties came with a glimmer of hope, wanting to test if they could send their outstanding Disciples into the martial arts hall.

As it turned out, they could hardly even catch a glimpse of him, and even if they happened to meet, it was always with many people present, leaving no chance for private conversation.

Just as everyone was feeling disappointed, a shocking piece of news suddenly spread from Snow Moon City, shaking the whole city and causing a sensation everywhere—

[Anyone who can reach the top of the Ascending Heaven Pavilion can enter the martial arts hall as a Named Disciple and receive personal instruction in Cultivation Techniques from the Hall Master; if they pass the final trial, they can be listed as a Personal Disciple.]

The news swept through like a gale, spreading throughout the city in an instant and quickly diffusing to the surrounding areas.

The whole city rejoiced, and the masses were invigorated.

In the past, the path ahead always felt bleak, but now, although the Ascending Heaven Pavilion was full of obstacles, a glimmer of hope had finally appeared.

Regarding Snow Moon City's current situation of serving the martial arts hall, Sikong Changfeng and Baili Dongjun were both somewhat amused and frustrated.

In the past, those who challenged the Ascending Heaven Pavilion did so either to make a name for themselves or to join Snow Moon City.

But now, Su Rui had taken the lead and seized control.

"Actually, this might not be a bad thing."

Baili Dongjun spoke leisurely.

Recently, he had obtained a wine-brewing recipe from Su Rui, and his heart was feeling quite cheerful.

"What's so good about it? If this continues, it won't be long before our Snow Moon City becomes a mere appendage of the martial arts hall!"

Sikong Changfeng frowned and sighed.

"Even our Master has joined the martial arts hall, so why are you still worrying about this?"

Baili Dongjun waved his hand dismissively.

"Besides, do you think that person really cares about these empty titles?"

Over these past few days, he had gained some understanding of Su Rui.

Usually, he just guided a few Disciples in the martial arts hall and occasionally took them out for a walk; he almost never interfered in external affairs.

Baili Dongjun even felt that if the Demonic Sect hadn't caused trouble, Su Rui probably wouldn't have even batted an eye.

Hearing this, Sikong Changfeng could only nod helplessly.

He had no grievances against Su Rui to begin with, and he certainly didn't dare to have any.

After all, his own daughter, Sikong Qianluo, had seen her strength approach his own in just a short time.

One must know, Qianluo was not even thirteen yet.

At this age, let alone contending with him, even stepping into the Carefree Heaven Realm would already make her a once-in-a-century prodigy.

He knew his daughter's talent was outstanding, but such rapid progress was still hard for him to believe.

He truly felt grateful to Su Rui in his heart.

But as one of the City Lords of Xueyue City, he also had to consider the entire city.

"Changfeng, besides, if we relax the requirements slightly at the Ascending Heaven Pavilion and let a few Disciples pass the fifteenth floor, even if they can't become formal Disciples of the martial arts hall, becoming a Named Disciple isn't a loss."

Baili Dongjun took a sip of wine and said in a low voice.

Sikong Changfeng was startled, lowered his head in thought for a moment, then suddenly looked up and stared at him.

"You've really thought this through deeply!"

"Pfft—"

The sentence made Baili Dongjun choke and spray out his wine; fortunately, Sikong Changfeng dodged quickly, otherwise his face would have been covered.

"You guy!"

Sikong Changfeng laughed out of frustration.

"You call this devious? This is obvious! Since the news came from Su Rui, do you think he wouldn't expect people to look for loopholes?"

Baili Dongjun wiped the corner of his mouth and rolled his eyes.

"You mean... he's intentionally releasing some Cultivation Techniques?"

Sikong Changfeng was stunned, then suddenly understood.

"Exactly.

With the Grandmaster appearing this time, plus the conversation between the Hall Master and him during the previous battle with Di Shitian, it's enough to show that the world is far from as peaceful as it seems on the surface."

Baili Dongjun's gaze was deep.

"And the wine recipe he gave me this time—I have a feeling it might be the key to my Breakthrough into the Divine Roaming Profound Realm.

Next, I'm going to look for some Materials needed for brewing the wine. I'll leave Snow Moon City in your hands for a while."

Sikong Changfeng's face immediately fell.

But he didn't stop him.

Although having the burden pressed onto his shoulders was indeed a headache.

But he was still happy in his heart that his old friend had a chance to Breakthrough.

"Roughly how long?"

He asked.

"Hard to say, it shouldn't be too long."

Baili Dongjun answered vaguely.

"In that case, go ahead."

After a pause, he added: "You are also nearly at the Half-Step Divine Roaming Realm now; the opportunity is right before you.

Qianluo is highly regarded by Su Rui; why don't you take this chance to seek a path for your own Breakthrough as well?"

"Forget it, there's no need for now."

Sikong Changfeng shook his head.

The words made sense, but he didn't want to make things difficult for his daughter.

As they were talking, Yin Luoxia hurried over.

"You two, the Teacher said that this time, the sixteenth floor of the Ascending Heaven Pavilion will be personally guarded by a Disciple of the martial arts hall."

This one sentence left both of them stunned on the spot.

"Wait, Fairy Luoxia, isn't this arrangement too strict? If a Disciple from the martial arts hall is stationed there, who could possibly break through?"

"Passing the fifteenth floor allows one to become a Named Disciple and receive guidance; the sixteenth floor is set for those who aim even higher.

Victory or defeat is not the only criterion; the person on duty that day will make the judgment."

Yin Luoxia relayed Su Rui's instructions exactly.

"I see, that's reasonable then."

The two looked at each other and nodded simultaneously.

"By the way, Fairy, I heard the Hall Master is going out again?"

"Yes, this time the Empress of Great Zhou is going to hold a Fengshan Ceremony at the altar, and she specifically invited the Teacher to attend as a guest."

Yin Luoxia replied softly.

"Then he must hurry back and not delay the important matters!"

Sikong Changfeng's heart tightened; if he stayed away for too long, wouldn't things at the Ascending Heaven Pavilion be delayed?

"It shouldn't be too long.

The Teacher's Kunpeng Wind-Riding Technique is very fast; he can reach the Great Zhou Dynasty in an hour or two, and he will set off to return as soon as the ceremony ends."

"That's good then."

After Yin Luoxia finished speaking, she turned and went back to the martial arts hall.

Meanwhile, the trials of the Ascending Heaven Pavilion had quietly begun.

Just like before, there was a constant stream of challengers, and Snow Moon City also arranged for many Disciples to take turns guarding the passes.

This not only avoided exhaustion but also served to hone the practical combat skills of the younger generation, killing two birds with one stone.

The one responsible for guarding the sixteenth floor today was none other than Shi Feixuan.

Su Rui originally thought that today there would surely be many people passing the trial and becoming Named Disciples—after all, too many people had been waiting for a long time.

But this time, he was mistaken.

Many locals were watching and hesitating, but instead, several wealthy travelers from foreign lands directly took action to pass the trials.

Seeing the sun sinking in the west, Su Rui looked at the dozen or so people who had been brought in, his expression slightly strange.

"Hall Master, I already have a wife, and also several close friends."

Ximen Chuixue, dressed in white, spoke in a calm tone, but his words were startling.