Chapter 66: This Might Be Dangerous
On Zhendao Peak, halfway up the mountain, there was a spacious square.
This was the location for registering to become a core disciple, and it also served as the battleground for the core disciple assessment.
Under normal circumstances, this place wouldn't be particularly crowded on the day of registration. After all, the competition hadn't started yet, and there wouldn't be much to see.
But today was different.
As Li Xun and Han Feng approached from a distance, they saw a crowd of inner disciples gathered at the registration area.
"Make way! Senior Brother Li Xun has arrived!"
Han Feng shouted loudly before they even got close.
"It really is Senior Brother Li Xun!"
"I knew it! Senior Brother Li Xun wouldn't miss this year's core disciple assessment!"
"With Senior Brother Li Xun's strength, there's no doubt he'll be the top core disciple this year. The others can just compete for second place."
"Do you feel it? Senior Brother Li Xun seems even stronger than before. Even from this far away, I can feel an overwhelming pressure!"
"Now that you mention it, that does seem to be the case!"
In the distance, many disciples whispered among themselves, their gazes toward Li Xun filled with awe and reverence. Among them, quite a few female disciples looked at him with stars in their eyes.
Some of these people were inner disciples whom Li Xun had saved in the past. Others had come purely because of his growing fame, eager to catch a glimpse of the legend in person.
As Li Xun got closer, the inner disciples, who had initially crowded together, automatically parted to create a clear path for him.
Han Feng led the way at the front, his face full of pride. Among all the inner disciples, how many could claim to walk so closely beside Senior Brother Li Xun?
This alone was something Han Feng could boast about for years to come!
"Junior Brother, please register Senior Brother Li Xun for tomorrow's core disciple assessment," Han Feng said as they arrived at a jade table.
Behind the table sat another inner disciple. The moment he saw Li Xun approaching, he stood up hurriedly, his face full of smiles.
"Senior Brother Li Xun, I've already registered your information in advance."
"This is your registration token. Please bring it with you tomorrow to participate in the trials."
As he spoke, the disciple handed over a palm-sized jade token with the number 1 prominently inscribed on it.
Li Xun accepted the token and casually glanced at the roster spread out on the table. He immediately noticed his name at the very top, with over ten names listed below it.
So it seemed this disciple had pre-registered him before he even arrived?
"Thank you, Junior Brother," Li Xun said with a smile.
"You're too kind, Senior Brother! It's the least I could do. A month ago, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't even be alive today," the disciple replied earnestly.
"Not to mention, you later even gave me a Restorative Pill. Such great kindness is something I will never forget. Being able to do something for you is an honor for me."
"Hmm."
Li Xun cast a glance at the disciple, committing his face to memory.
After the incident with the Otherworldly Demon invasion, even Li Xun himself wasn't entirely sure of the extent of his influence within Profound Sun Sect.
Perhaps it wasn't that significant yet—but it was only a matter of time.
In decades, or perhaps centuries, when these inner disciples matured, the entire Profound Sun Sect might well become a domain ruled by Li Xun's words alone.
"Senior Brother, your first opponent tomorrow will be a fellow disciple at the late stage of the Spirit Meridian Realm. What do you think? If you're not satisfied…"
The inner disciple behind the jade table wore a fawning smile as he spoke, holding a brush in hand. It was clear that if Li Xun so desired, he could handpick any of the ten-plus names on the list to be his opponent.
"You're very considerate," Li Xun remarked, giving the disciple a meaningful glance. He patted the man's shoulder lightly before turning to leave.
At the very moment Li Xun turned away—
Buzz!
A heavy wave of pressure emanated from the distance.
In the eyes of the crowd, it was as if a towering mountain, imbued with surging sword intent, was rising slowly from the horizon.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
Clear footsteps echoed across the square.
From the steps at the far end of the plaza, a towering figure with a massive sword strapped to his back walked forward. His gaze was feral and cold, and his body radiated divine brilliance. His aura, unmistakably that of the late-stage Profound Elixir Realm, was left completely unchecked, instantly suppressing every inner disciple present.
"Zhao Heng!"
A low voice rang out from among the disciples.
"Who is Zhao Heng?"
Many in the crowd weren't familiar with the name. However, those who did know him turned pale the moment they laid eyes on him, as if recalling some unpleasant memory.
"Zhao Heng is the backer of Bai Shaowei. All the spirit stones that Bai Shaowei and his ilk extorted from the outer disciples eventually ended up in Zhao Heng's hands!"
One disciple explained in hushed tones, and his words caused many faces to darken.
Everyone present was an inner disciple, and all of them had once been outer disciples themselves. While some might not have personally encountered Bai Shaowei, they had undoubtedly encountered people like him—many of whom operated under Zhao Heng's orders.
Indirectly or not, they too had been oppressed by Zhao Heng.
"I heard that Senior Brother Li Xun has a grudge with Bai Shaowei, and Bai Shaowei was under Zhao Heng's protection. If that's true…"
Gasps rippled through the crowd as their gazes turned serious, focusing on Zhao Heng.
It wasn't hard to guess that Zhao Heng's arrival was likely to seek vengeance on behalf of Bai Shaowei. After all, Zhao Heng's underlings were numerous, and Bai Shaowei crippling—and eventual death at unknown hands—would surely have unsettled Zhao Heng's followers if he didn't take action.
Logically, Zhao Heng's first target should have been Lu Changge.
Unfortunately, Lu Changge had secluded himself in the Law Enforcement Hall since the incident, leaving Zhao Heng no choice but to confront Li Xun first.
"Zhao Heng has been an inner disciple for 190 years. He completes over 30 sect missions annually. Rumor has it he's exchanged for two Earth-level martial techniques already!"
Another disciple spoke with worry.
To remain an inner disciple for 190 years was already an astonishing feat. The Profound Elixir Realm only granted a lifespan of about 400 years, meaning Zhao Heng had spent nearly half his life in the inner sect!
Moreover, he completed more than 30 sect missions annually—twice the amount required by Profound Sun Sect. Over the decades, the foundation he had built was enough to make anyone's scalp tingle.
Many core disciples had only a single Earth-level technique, yet Zhao Heng, as an inner disciple, had accumulated two through sect missions alone.
In some ways, his foundation already surpassed that of many core disciples.
It was precisely because of this that his appearance filled the hearts of many with unease.
"Senior Brother Li Xun might be in danger this time. Zhao Heng clearly comes with ill intent!"
This thought lingered in the minds of many as they watched the imposing figure of Zhao Heng approach.
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