Violent Thunder Sword-Drum Formation

Violent Thunder Sword-Drum Formation

The Warforge Residence held a prestigious position in Xuan King City. For generations, they had excelled in the art of forging and refining divine weapons.

The former master of Warforge Residence possessed the remarkable ability to create fifth-ranked divine weapons. However, despite his skill, he remained an elderly figure who couldn't break through the barrier of Heavenly Dipper to reach Celestial Phenomenon. This limitation dampened his enthusiasm for his craft, even though he could forge fifth-ranked divine weapons.

Daily affairs at Warforge Residence were managed by the younger generation. While they couldn't reach the level of creating fifth-ranked divine weapons, crafting fourth-ranked ones presented no challenge for them.

On this particular morning, numerous cultivators flocked to Warforge Residence to commission custom-made divine weapons. The approaching test date for entry into the nine great sects prompted these individuals to spare no expense in acquiring powerful divine weapons. They believed that such weapons would improve their chances during the disciple recruitment selection.

Among the crowd, a black-robed young man concealed his identity. This individual was Qin Wentian, who sought to forge additional weapons to further obscure his true self from prying eyes.

"What kind of divine weapons do you desire?" an executive inquired, facing Qin Wentian.

"I want a top-grade fourth-ranked spear and a top-grade fourth-ranked axe. Additionally, craft ordinary replicas of these weapons in spear and axe form. Is the Warforge Residence up to the task?" Qin Wentian's tone carried a hint of arrogance, as he requested two top-grade fourth-ranked divine weapons.

The executive's eyes narrowed, responding to Qin Wentian's audacious request with keen scrutiny. His confidence inquired whether the Warforge Residence was capable of such a feat.

"You doubt our capabilities?" Qin Wentian inquired, his face displaying a subtle hint of displeasure as he emitted an invisible pressure.

"Your cultivation base should be more than sufficient for a mid-grade fourth-ranked weapon to unleash your combat prowess. You're here to order divine weapons for the disciple recruitment selection of the nine great sects, right? High-grade and top-grade fourth-ranked weapons are way out of your league. Using divine weapons means you're relying on external aid instead of your own strength. How do you expect the examiners to hold you in high regard?" The executive on the stairs was joined by a young woman with flawless skin, adding a touch of drama to her words. She had an air of capability and experience, despite her delicate beauty.

Qin Wentian nodded in acknowledgment. The maiden felt a bit deflated as he brushed off her advice, but there was something extraordinary about this young man. He exuded a presence that set him apart from the others, even making her feel a faint sense of pressure. Her cultivation level was far from low, and she too would participate in the disciple recruitment selection.

"What about the rest of you?" She turned her gaze toward Qin Wentian's companions. Almost all of them wanted mid-grade fourth-ranked divine weapons. Using slightly less powerful divine weapons would complement their strength better and prevent others from accusing them of relying on external objects during the trials. After noting their preferences, the maiden left the area.

"Yun Rou from the Warforge Residence becomes more beautiful with each passing year. She's not just pretty; she's also incredibly talented," a man in a yellow robe remarked, injecting some humor into the conversation.

"Interested in Yun Rou, Brother Huang?" another man in simple white robes teased.

"What's strange about it? Humans are drawn to beauty, after all," the yellow-robed man replied, appearing casual. The man in white couldn't resist a sarcastic comment, "But I doubt Yun Rou would even spare you a glance."

"Hmph," the yellow-robed man snorted, then turned to Qin Wentian, "Are you participating in the event too? Depending on such powerful divine weapons, you might not qualify even if you pass the entry test."

"That's not your concern," Qin Wentian replied emotionlessly, prompting the man in white to laugh, "Brother Huang, this person is too proud to appreciate your good intentions. Just ignore him."

"Hehe," the yellow-robed young man chuckled coldly. After a brief moment, Yun Rou emerged from the Warforge Residence with several executives, carrying a large number of divine weapons. The prices were clearly displayed at the entrance, so customers knew what to expect. Qin Wentian examined the weapons Yun Rou handed him, noting two identical-looking axes and two identical-looking long spears.

However, appearances could be deceiving; the auras they emanated were entirely different.

"Thank you," Qin Wentian said, passing an interspatial ring to Yun Rou. She accepted it and glanced at him, nodding slightly. "I'm Yun Rou. If you're also participating in the selection for the nine great sects, we could team up and go together."

Qin Wentian gazed at her for a moment, then shook his head with a touch of drama. "I prefer to wander alone. Farewell." With that, he turned and strode away from the vicinity of the Warforge Residence. Yun Rou stood there, stunned. It took her a while to regain her composure, and as she did, a strange curiosity lit up her eyes. Her figure flickered as she decided to follow Qin Wentian. Meanwhile, the two young men in white and yellow exchanged despondent looks. They had hoped to strike up a conversation with Yun Rou, but she didn't even spare them a glance. Yet, the young man who acted so aloof had managed to capture her attention?

In the central region of Xuan King City, all the representatives from the nine great sects had already gathered. In this vast, open space, a magnificent stage had been erected, capable of accommodating over ten thousand people. Clearly, this stage had been constructed for the recruitment event organized by the nine great sects.

A sea of people had converged in the vicinity, creating a bustling atmosphere. "Look at the nine flags on the stage, each representing one of the nine great sects," someone in the crowd commented.

Indeed, on the stage, nine flags were positioned in different directions, each one designating a specific sect, and each flag bore a unique emblem.

"The flag with the image of mountains represents the Qinghua Mountain Sect."

"The one with the great axe symbolizes the Heaven Cleaving Manor."

"The flag displaying the great earth signifies the Great Earth Sect."

"The lightning bolts indicate the Violet Thunder Sect."

"The demonic dragon emblem belongs to the Divine Dragon Castle."

"The scorpion emblem represents the Sky Poison Valley."

"The demonic halberd emblem belongs to the Blood Devil Palace."

"The flag with beautiful ladies on it stands for the Forgotten Immortal Tower."

"And the one with a sword emblem is for the Battle Sword Sect."

All the experts from the nine sects were already present, standing on the magnificent stage. Interestingly, this stage didn't belong to any of the nine great sects but was instead the property of the royal clan of Grand Shang. The royal clan had dispatched their own representatives for this occasion.

Even the royal clan itself was puzzled by why the nine great sects had chosen Xuan King City as the venue for their disciple selection event instead of the Grand Shang capital. Moreover, the origins of this recruitment seemed to trace back to the Battle Sword Sect. The Battle Sword Sect had broken its ten-thousand-year tradition by accepting disciples, and it remained a mystery why they had chosen Xuan King City as the location.

At this very moment, the representatives all gathered upon the grand stage. The sight of these formidable figures set the hearts of the onlookers ablaze with anticipation. This was a rare opportunity indeed. One must grasp the significance that each of the nine great sects wielded power equivalent to the royal clan of Grand Shang. To be selected as a disciple would be an extraordinary honor.

"This time, the nine great sects are only looking for true core disciples. The criteria for interested applicants is that they must be at the sixth level of Heavenly Dipper or below. Anyone who can pass the Violent Thunder Sword-Drum Formation will earn the privilege to step onto the stage. Show your abilities to the fullest, for perhaps one of the nine great sects might consider you," declared a representative from the royal clan, who then took his seat once more. The representatives from the nine sects remained silent, their demeanor seemingly casual, but their eyes sparkled with keenness as they scanned the crowd.

A wave of excitement surged within the hearts of those present. Both the nine great sects and the royal clan were recruiting? Such a rare occurrence was truly a once-in-a-blue-moon opportunity.

"The Violent Thunder Sword-Drum Formation," the crowd murmured, their eyes fixed on the pathway leading to the magnificent stage. This path, over ten meters wide, was flanked by battle drums embedded with sharp swords on both sides. Hovering in mid-air was a bead of lightning, casting its eerie glow upon the battle drums and swords. The energy from the bead fueled the formation, and lightning-infused sword qi crackled menacingly, sending shivers through the spectators.

The entry test imposed no time limit by the nine great sects, implying that the event would continue until they were satisfied. Only those who successfully navigated this Violent Thunder Sword-Drum Formation would be deemed qualified for the consideration of the nine sects. Once the weak were separated from the strong, intense battles among the geniuses would likely unfold.

"I'll give it a shot," declared a confident individual stepping forward. Draped in a green cloak, he possessed sharp, sword-like eyebrows, exuding an aura of keenness. As he ascended the inclining path toward the Violent Thunder Sword-Drum Formation, his astral novae burst into existence, forming a protective screen of swords around him.

The Sword-Drum formation suddenly sprang to life, crackling with bluish arcs of lightning. These lightning bolts, generated by the hovering lightning bead, slammed into the battle drums, filling the area with an overwhelming, chaotic killing intent. However, one individual had moved with such lightning speed that he found himself trapped in the very heart of the formation, with no way to retreat or advance.

"OUT OF MY WAY!" A furious roar echoed through the air as his astral novae bore down on the battle drums lining the pathway.

"BOOM, BOOM..." The deafening sounds reverberated through the air, the thunderous impact causing him to cough up blood. But what followed was even more devastating. The shockwaves from the backlash, triggered by the collision of his astral novae with the battle drums, were many times more powerful than the strength of his attacks.

"Puchi..." A beam of sword light pierced through him, and with the added resonance of the booming battle drums, the unfortunate cultivator was swiftly torn into pieces. The gruesome spectacle sent shivers down the spines of those watching. It was a horrifying formation.

The nine great sects and the royal clan were not places one could easily join. The powerful cultivator who had been the first to step forward was now nothing more than a bloody mess.

In a distant corner, Qin Wentian, dressed in black, quietly observed the events. He carefully studied the representatives from the nine sects: the Qinghua Mountains exuded an air of inscrutability; the Heaven Cleaving Manor radiated immense power... While the members of the Battle Sword Sect were few in number, they sat casually, giving off an air of nonchalance. Yet, beneath that casual demeanor, there was an unmistakable air of sharpness.

Then, Qin Wentian shifted his gaze towards the royal clan of Grand Shang. With the main royal clan in attendance, the members of the side branches residing in the King's Manor of Xuan King City were also present. Aside from Shang Qi and Shang Yue, outstanding talents from other major powers like the Yin Clan, Golden Fire Aristocrat Clan, and Wind Roc Aristocrat Clan were also in attendance.

"Yin Ting is going to give it a try?" an expert from the King's Manor inquired, watching as a young man made his way towards the lightning formation. This young man was none other than Yin Ting, chosen from the Yin Clan.

The experts from the Yin Clan couldn't help but smile at the question. One of the older generation's stronger powerhouses spoke with confidence, "Let's hope one of the nine great sects recognizes Yin Ting's potential and accepts him."

That powerhouse had no doubt that Yin Ting would successfully pass the Violent Thunder Sword-Drum Formation.