Only the sound of breathing filled the room, plunging it into a pin-drop silence. Everyone’s jaws hung open for the second time as they stared at the Peak Master, who had just said something so absurd that he seemed like a lunatic. His lips twitched under their doubtful gazes.
"Hah, looks like you’ve been working too much and finally lost your mind. Since I already have to do three months of your paperwork as punishment, how about I take on another three months? Maybe then you’ll come back to your senses," the Peak Master punished by Hui Mei mocked, his voice dripping with pity.
’Bastard...’ The other Peak Master’s forehead veins bulged as he noticed everyone looking at him with the same pitiful expression.
"No, I’m completely sane. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be saying this so confidently," he replied after taking a deep breath.
"Peak Master, do you understand what you’re suggesting? You’re saying that a mere disciple—not even a Core Disciple—killed Pan Lie, someone only Sect Masters, Supreme Elders, or Peak Masters could handle. Are you implying that disciple is at the same level?" Hui Mei asked, her voice heavy.
"Yes, Sect Master. My subordinates confirmed it," the Peak Master answered firmly.
"Could your subordinates be lying?" Tang Ning asked, her voice filled with disbelief.
"Do you know the disciple’s name?" Hui Mei inquired.
"No, Sect Master. The city lord said the disciple killed thousands of cultivators alongside Pan Lie. When my subordinates asked for the name, the city lord said the Yang-Yin Sect made him sign a soul contract forbidding him from revealing the name before the tournament... which only confirms my suspicion," the Peak Master explained.
"This..." The room fell into silence once more. The other Peak Masters, who had been mocking him moments ago, now wore grim expressions as they realized his claim might be true.
"Do you understand now why I said Disciple Tang Ning has zero chances of winning the tournament? Imagine someone who could kill thousands of Peak Core Formation cultivators and even Pan Lie. What is their cultivation? What kind of technique did they use?" The Peak Master’s words sank in, casting a heavy shadow over everyone present. Read exclusive adventures at freewebnovel
" Definitely from a hidden family"
"Fuck."
"Damn."
"Shit."
The curses echoed one after another as despair settled in the room.
---
Few Minutes ago
[ Sect Promotion Exam Channel Announcement ]
[ Bai Lingxi is the first to kill 10 beasts ]
[ Bai Lingxi is the first to kill 100 beasts ]
[ Bai Lingxi is the first to clear the starting area ]
Wang Ming, she...," Min Li said in surprise when she saw the name that appeared and the sudden announcement. She raised an eyebrow upon noticing she had cleared the starting area but wasn’t too shocked, as she knew her strength.
"Heh, looks like this time they’re ahead of me," Wang Ming said with a chuckle.
"Well, we need to catch up soon," Wang Ming said casually as he walked toward the rack where the free steel swords were kept. His brows furrowed as he examined them.
"These look very fragile... who built them?" Wang Ming muttered under his breath. However, the shopkeeper NPC heard him and immediately started cursing.
"You beggar! Are you insulting my work? What do you mean by ’fragile’? And who built them? Are you looking down on me? Do you want to fight?"
Wang Ming was left speechless at the NPC’s behavior, while Min Li chuckled nearby.
’This NPC is a bit too realistic...’ Wang Ming’s lips twitched. Ignoring the cursing NPC, he grabbed a few swords and walked to the training field where several dummies stood.
"Heavenly Sword Art – Second Form: World Slicing Strike," Wang Ming muttered, taking his stance. He felt the energy building up in the sword, ready to unleash the technique.
Clang!
Before the attack could land, a metallic sound echoed, and Wang Ming watched with a frown as his sword shattered into pieces.
"System, what the hell just happened?" Wang Ming asked in confusion.
[System Message: This sword is a normal steel sword and cannot withstand the spiritual energy used in the technique. Only high-quality swords, like the Flowing Flower Sword the user purchased from the system, can endure such energy. If the user attempts to use a lower-quality weapon, the result will be the same. Better weapons can also boost the technique’s attack power. So, what are you waiting for? Save karma and buy better weapons to become formidable!]
Wang Ming furrowed his brows as he read the message. When he reached the last sentence, his lips twitched.
’Is this system a salesman or what?’
"System, what about my other sword arts?" Wang Ming asked.
[System Message: Try it on the dummy and see the results for yourself.]
"Heavenly Sword Art – First Form: Flickering Strikes," Wang Ming muttered as he teleported from his spot and directly struck the dummy with his sword.
Bang!
With a loud noise, the wooden dummy shattered into pieces. Wang Ming frowned and looked at his sword, which also shattered a few moments later.
"Looks like it can withstand just one strike," Wang Ming muttered.
Min Li, who had been watching, walked towards him.
"Looks like you need to buy better swords since your techniques are too strong for ordinary weapons to handle. But how are you going to collect cores if your swords keep breaking like this?" Min Li asked with a frown.
Hearing her, Wang Ming pondered for a moment before an idea struck him, and a smirk appeared on his face.
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"What are you smiling about? Didn’t you hear me?" Min Li asked, raising an eyebrow.
"The shopkeeper NPC said all the steel swords are free, right?" Wang Ming grinned.
Min Li, still confused, nodded her head.
---
A few moments later...
The shopkeeper NPC stood dumbfounded, staring at the departing figures of Wang Ming and Min Li, his face dark with rage.
"That bastard robbed me! Is he trying to make me suffer a loss?"
A string of profanities escaped the NPC’s mouth as he watched them disappear into the distance.