Chapter 210: Chapter 140: Outer Sect Trial: Within the Erosion Land_2
"Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer stone bead counts as two Stone Skill."
"Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer stone bead counts as four Stone Skills."
"Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer stone bead counts as ten Stone Skills."
"The higher the Stone Skill, the higher the ranking."
Liou Yuan listened to Zhao Zhuoran’s explanation from the high platform and nodded secretly: "Indeed, it’s similar to the way the Outer Sect trials were conducted in previous years."
The Outer Sect trial is a tradition of the Five Extremes Mountain, and there has been almost no change in the rules.
Zhao Zhuoran’s voice continued, saying: "Outer Sect disciples meet the standard by obtaining three Stone Skills through the Outer Sect trial."
"The trial lasts three months, and those who do not reach three Stone Skills will fail."
There were hardly any cultivators below Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer among the disciples who could participate in the Outer Sect trial.
In other words, even the outer sect disciples with the lowest cultivation may have the chance to kill the Star Erosion Demon.
For example, Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer disciples only need to slay three Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer demons, exchange the stone beads for three Stone Skills, and pass this trial.
"The difficulty is indeed a bit high for ordinary disciples," Liou Yuan judged Zhao Zhuoran’s stated passing standard.
According to the description in the ancient texts, the Star Stone Demon’s defense is extremely strong and has resistance to various Magic.
It is exceedingly difficult for cultivators of the same level to kill even one Star Erosion Demon.
This time the Outer Sect trial actually requires killing three.
Only the disciples under Five Extremes Mountain are so brave that Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer disciples can reach a fifty percent pass rate.
In other sects, even a thirty percent pass rate would be a struggle.
Of course, that difficulty is significant primarily for the Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer disciples; it poses no issue for those above Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer.
Zhao Zhuoran had already finished reading the Outer Sect trial rules.
He put away the booklet in his hand, and his stern, aged face looked at the large group of outer sect disciples gathered below the high platform, an expression in his eyes deep with meaning.
"Five Extremes Mountain does not prohibit dueling, similarly, everyone is free to use whatever means in the Erosion Land."
These words brought a sudden quiet to the atmosphere of the gathering.
Zhao Zhuoran’s implication, in essence, informed the Outer Sect disciples present that internal conflict is permissible within the Erosion Land.
Liou Yuan’s mind quickly grasped the hidden meaning in Zhao Zhuoran’s words and grinned, saying to Qiu Ming: "He’s implying that one can increase their Stone Skills by seizing the stone beads of other disciples."
It’s only fitting that the Five Extremes Mountain even makes the Outer Sect trial so nerve-wracking, placing pressure on everyone invisibly.
Those disciples merely at Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer naturally found this news bitterly disappointing.
Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer practitioners are nearly at the bottom tier in the Outer Sect trials, and the bar of three Star Erosion Demons can already block many.
Now they also have to guard against their fellow disciples.
Meanwhile, disciples with slightly higher cultivation at the Qi Cultivation Seventh and Eighth Layers were smiling with some intrigue.
Liou Yuan also noticed that when Zhao Zhuoran mentioned this.
The gaze of the entire outer sect disciple crowd subtly focused on three figures within the group.
A woman dressed in blood-stained attire was particularly eye-catching amidst the crowd, resembling a cold flame radiating an aura that pushed others away.
Her ink-black long hair was casually tied back, with several strands falling messily beside her pale yet icy face.
Beneath her high nose bridge was a pair of tightly lined thin lips; sensing the concentrated gazes around, she slightly lifted the corner of her mouth, revealing a faint cold smile with no warmth, only pure disdain.
A man stood with a tall, agile posture, donned in azure clothing, with silver sword patterns embroidered at the hem glinting faintly in the sunlight.
He stood there nonchalantly, feet slightly apart, his stance steady like a mountain yet exuding an agile aura. His right hand, gripping a sword, hung naturally with fingers lightly resting on the hilt, appearing casual.
When Liou Yuan looked at him, he seemed to sense it too, meeting Liou Yuan’s gaze, a self-assured smile tugging at his lips.
This was his peculiar way of greeting Liou Yuan.
The last person, however, appeared somewhat different.
On his shoulder floated a small, golden disc emitting a faint buzz; a string of rustic bells hung at his waist, jingling melodiously with his movements.
A pair of bracelets emitting a dim glow adorned his wrist, covered with strange engravings.
Liou Yuan was astonished to discover that all three items were Magical Artifacts, none of which were below the quality of a top-grade Magical Artifact.
"These three are the ones Xie Miaobo mentioned, the four most likely disciples to rank top three in this Outer Sect trial."
"Other than that Six-Star Star Acupoint prodigy, everyone else is here."
According to their demeanor and looks, Liou Yuan could roughly identify each one’s name.
The girl dressed in blood-stained clothes must be Yan Yingsi; only a place like the Disciplinary Hall can nurture a disciple with such an aura of Evil Qi.
The man in azure must be Wang Ze Wen, the Sword Dao talent of the First Peak.
That last man with all the Magical Artifacts must undoubtedly be Zhan Huaping from the Artifact Refining Pavilion.
As for the final member, the Six-Star Star Acupoint prodigy, Liou Yuan glanced around but didn’t see them.
Or perhaps, even if this prodigy were amidst the crowd, he might not notice them.
After all, to date, no one in the Outer Sect had seen the true appearance of this prodigy, not even knowing if they’re male or female.
Everything that needed to be said, Zhao Zhuoran had made clear enough.
Afterwards, he went on to mention some crucial matters concerning the Erosion Land, especially not to lose the Outer Sect disciples’ waist token.
The Sect uses these waist tokens to teleport Outer Sect disciples in and out of the Erosion Land.
