Chapter 24: The Elder's Challenge: A Three-Day Test

Chapter 24: The Elder's Challenge: A Three-Day Test

Following the elder's proclamation, a pin-drop silence fell over the entire hall. A 'Level 0' disciple becoming an Elder? This was beyond the rules and comprehension of cultivation within the Xiao family. Everyone's eyes were wide with disbelief, their mouths agape, their gazes fixed on Duan Liyang.

Duan Liyang stood calmly, his face impassive, but a deep, glowing resolve shone in his eyes. 'Elder!' he thought. This was a position he had never even imagined. It was the highest honor in the family, which would grant him unlimited resources and access to the family's deepest secrets.

The four new Core Disciples – Xiao Guang, Xiang Rui, Chen Xiao, and Xiao Yue – were also completely in shock. Xiao Guang's eyes were vigilant, casting a serious, thoughtful look at Duan Liyang. Chen Xiao's mouth was slightly agape in disbelief. Surprise was etched on Xiao Yue's face, while Xiang Rui's eyes held a deep sparkle, her smile now even more knowing and proud.

The Fifth Elder, seated in the spectator stands, trembled with rage and disbelief. His face was completely flushed red, his lips tightly pressed. 'This! What kind of justice is this?! A 'Level 0' worm becoming an Elder? This is an insult!' he roared internally, his fury boiling.

The revered elder on the stage observed the crowd's reaction. A faint smile touched his lips. He raised his hand, and silence once again fell over the hall.

"Duan Liyang," the revered elder said, his voice echoing throughout the hall. "This challenge is unprecedented. But the Xiao family values capability. You will be given this opportunity. Now, which of these four Core Disciples would you like to challenge? Or do you wish us to draw lots?"

Duan Liyang's eyes swept across the four new Core Disciples. Xiao Guang was at Level 8 Peak, the most powerful. Xiang Rui was at Level 8 Medium, his own 'Big Sister.' Chen Xiao and Xiao Yue were at Level 8 Low.

For a moment, he thought about the way he had defeated Wang Xiao – a distant pull and a powerful punch. The power of 'Ocean Blast' had grown immensely. He trusted his capabilities.

"I accept the challenge," Duan Liyang said, his voice calm and firm. "However, I have one condition."

The elders' brows furrowed. "A condition?" the revered elder asked, a hint of surprise in his voice.

"Yes," Duan Liyang stated. "I am ready to challenge any Core Disciple. But I wish the fight to take place in three days." He recalled his 20-day challenge against Wang Xiao and his preparation. He knew he would have to train even harder this time.

Whispers immediately started in the crowd again. Three days? That was very little time! The Core Disciples would also have very little time to prepare, but it would be even more difficult for Duan Liyang.

Xiang Rui's grandfather looked at the revered elder. A faint sparkle was in his eyes.

"Three days?" the revered elder pondered, then nodded. "Very well, Duan Liyang. Your condition is accepted." He looked at the four Core Disciples in the arena. "Now, Duan Liyang, whom would you like to challenge?"

Duan Liyang took a deep breath. His eyes first fixed on Xiang Rui, then on Xiao Yue, Chen Xiao, and finally on Xiao Guang. He knew he had to choose the most powerful one to make his victory the most impactful.

"I challenge," Duan Liyang said, his voice resounding throughout the hall, "the No. 1 Core Disciple, Xiao Guang!"

The entire hall fell into complete stunned silence. It was a silence so profound that one could hear their own breathing. No one had expected Duan Liyang, a 'Level 0' disciple who had just received an opportunity to become an Elder, to choose the most powerful young talent of the family, the No. 1 Core Disciple, Xiao Guang! A wave of disbelief swept through the crowd, followed by an explosive roar of surprise and excitement.

Xiao Guang, who had been vigilant, looked at Duan Liyang, a new, deep glint in his eyes. This fight was unexpected even for him.

A mix of pride and concern was etched on Xiang Rui's face. She looked at Duan Liyang, a firm resolve in his eyes. She knew Duan Liyang had taken an incredible risk.

Chen Xiao and Xiao Yue were also surprised. They had thought Duan Liyang might choose one of them.

After this major challenge, Duan Liyang was immediately escorted out of the hall by Xiao Heng. They had to prepare for this historic battle that would take place in three days. Duan Liyang knew he would have to undergo the toughest training of his life. He would have to push his 'Ocean Blast' technique to even greater heights, and perhaps consider using the remaining drops of the mysterious liquid he possessed. This was an all-or-nothing moment for him.

For the next three days, Duan Liyang engaged in the most arduous training of his life. He did not go to his old, secluded forest in the outer grounds of the Xiao family. Instead, under Xiao Heng's guidance, he gained access to a special, more mysterious training area within the inner compound – an ancient ruin surrounded by dense spiritual energy, where some rare and dangerous beasts resided, nurtured by the family members themselves to serve as training opponents for high-level cultivators.

Duan Liyang fully leveraged his three months of practice in the cultivation chamber during these three days. He wandered through the inner parts of the forest, around the ruins, keeping the blue particles in his eyes active. He was specifically looking for Level 8 beasts, which were the most common powerful creatures in this area.

A massive, green Furry Bear attacked him, its roar shaking the ground. This was a Level 8 Furry Bear, its aura so powerful that an ordinary Level 8 cultivator would think twice before engaging it. Duan Liyang's eyes held firm resolve. He immediately concentrated the power of 'Ocean Blast' in his fist; wind formed an invisible vortex around him.

The bear pounced, its claws swinging in the air. Duan Liyang saw its every move with his heightened senses, and evaded every strike using his incredible speed. He was no longer just defending; he was demonstrating his newly developed offensive power. As the bear unleashed another ferocious claw strike, Duan Liyang swiftly moved beside it and delivered a powerful 'Ocean Blast' punch to the bear's head. 'Boom!' The bear stumbled with a shriek and fell to the ground. Duan Liyang pursued, and with several more 'Ocean Blast' punches, he killed the bear.

He went on to face another Level 8 Furry Wolf, its power greater than ever. He dodged the wolf's attacks, and then, with a concentrated 'Ocean Blast' strike, sent it crashing to the ground as well.

For the next two days, Duan Liyang pushed his capabilities to their limit. He ventured deeper into the inner parts of the forest, where Level 8 beasts roamed in herds. He systematically took down one Level 8 Furry Bear after another, then Furry Wolves, and even some flying Vultures. His speed was now so blinding that he could slip through these beasts like an invisible ghost. His 'Ocean Blast' fist had become so powerful that it could severely wound a Level 8 beast with a single strike, and kill them in two or three blows.

He defeated dozens of Level 8 beasts. His body felt stronger than ever, the flow of his internal energy like a surging tide. The blue particles in his eyes appeared even more active, as if absorbing more cosmic energy with every victory. Headaches still came occasionally, but they were now only signs of his pushing his limits.

Unfortunately, he did not find any beast above Level 8. He searched everywhere in the inner parts of the forest, using his heightened senses, but found no creature of Level 9 or above that could challenge his vastly increased power. He knew that his abilities were now far superior to Level 8 opponents, and he felt confident enough to defeat Xiao Guang. However, Xiao Guang was at Level 8 Peak, and Duan Liyang knew he still had to push his own limits even further.

The three-day period passed swiftly. Duan Liyang had completed his final preparations. He was ready for battle.

End of Chapter 24