The long staircase stretched out before them, its thousands of stone steps climbing endlessly upward.
At the foot of the mountain stood the grand plaque of the Moonlight Sect.
The area was guarded year-round by disciples, making it impossible for ordinary people to enter.
As for the other directions around Moonlight Mountain, they were sheer cliffs and precipices, impassable even for common birds, let alone martial artists.
Thus, this staircase was the only path into Moonlight Mountain, unless one had reached the Heavenly Human Realm and could truly fly.
Otherwise, even with a flight-based martial soul, crossing was impossible due to the poor quality of internal energy.
“Let’s go, we’re already late!”
Master Baiyun, fearing they’d arrive too late, had urged his disciples to set out ten days early. Yet upon reaching the base, he found hundreds of people already gathered.
Among them, the teenagers and youths under twenty were likely the prodigies here for the assessment.
Those over twenty were probably escorts for these young talents, given the perilous journey.
Ling Xiao and his two companions followed Master Baiyun to the foot of the mountain.
“Baiyun, old man, still kicking, eh?”
“Xu Ling!”
No sooner had they arrived than a voice called out Master Baiyun’s name with blatant disrespect.
Master Baiyun looked up, startled.
Ling Xiao turned to see the speaker.
The man appeared to be in his mid-forties, his cultivation likely on par with Master Baiyun’s. What was most surprising, however, was the four people beside him—three of whom were familiar.
Zhuhua, Diewu, and Luxing!
The fourth was a stranger, a boy of about fourteen or fifteen, dressed extravagantly. His cultivation was notably stronger than the other three, already at the early stage of Martial Vein Ninth Layer.
This talent seemed comparable to Ming Tian and Zuo Leng.
Ling Xiao knew of Xu Ling. On the way to the Moonlight Sect, Master Baiyun had briefed them on the general situation of the Heavenly Dragon Continent, particularly regarding mortal martial artists.
Xu Ling was the only mortal martial artist of the Ninja Clan at present, and the girl with early Martial Vein Ninth Layer cultivation was his daughter, Xu Ying.
In the Ninja Nation, Xu Ling was royalty, a true descendant of the Xu Dao.
Interestingly, Xu Ling was also a disciple of the Moonlight Sect, though of higher status than Master Baiyun, which granted him four recommendation slots.
“Baiyun, old man, no need to get worked up. We’ve had our grudges, but with the sect expanding recruitment, we’re both in the weaker group. We should cooperate. No need to introduce the other three—this is my daughter, Xu Ying, whose potential rivals Ming Tian and Zuo Leng.”
Xu Ling spoke with evident pride.
He had been hesitant about whom to recommend, but Baiyun’s clash with Demon Flame Heavenly Sovereign led to several Ninja Clan disciples leaving, which worked in his favour.
Though Zhuhua, Diewu, and Luxing’s potential paled compared to Xu Ying’s, with the sect’s expanded recruitment, the standards were likely lower, giving them a chance to join.
Many shared this mindset.
Ling Xiao glanced casually at the crowd. Among the teenagers and youths at the mountain’s base, the oldest was exactly twenty, the youngest barely twelve or thirteen.
The strongest had reached the peak of Martial Vein Ninth Layer but was already twenty.
The weakest were at Martial Vein Seventh Layer, aged twelve or thirteen, meaning they were here to compete on potential, not strength.
Facing these prodigies, Ling Xiao remained unfazed.
At fourteen, he was already at the peak of Martial Vein Eighth Layer, despite wasting over a decade.
His true training began at thirteen.
Otherwise, his cultivation would be astronomical by now.
In just over a year, he had advanced from Martial Vein First Layer to the peak of Martial Vein Eighth Layer.
In terms of potential, he feared no one.
Most of these teenagers and youths were geniuses gathered by the Moonlight Sect’s outer disciples from various regions.
Since the Moonlight Sect’s territory was in the Northern Han Nation, the majority of the prodigies hailed from there.
A few came from the Ninja Nation, the Blue-Eyed Nation, and the Barbarian Tribes.
There were also some from other vassal states of the Human Sacred Dynasty, though their numbers were fewer.
“All four princes and one princess of the Northern Han Nation are here. I wonder how many will be selected,” Dai Yuling said, pointing at a group surrounded by the crowd.
Ling Xiao followed her gesture.
Indeed, five individuals stood out, dressed in lavish clothing exuding noble aura.
Aged between fourteen and eighteen, they all met the age requirement.
Among them, the most eye-catching was the beautiful princess, Zhao Ci.
Zhao Ci was about Ling Xiao’s age and cultivation, both at the peak of Martial Vein Eighth Layer, indicating exceptional potential.
Of course, while these five drew attention, their potential and cultivation weren’t the strongest.
Ling Xiao gave them a glance and moved on, observing the others.
In his soul-entering state, he could easily gauge their qualifications and potential.
Among them, the two with the greatest potential were Xu Ying and the Northern Han Nation’s third prince, Zhao Zhi.
Their potential was on par with Ming Tian and Zuo Leng.
Indeed, beyond Baiyun Province, prodigies were abundant.
Even so, Ling Xiao merely noted it mentally, his emotions unshaken.
He had already killed Zuo Leng.
Potential was one thing, but combat skill was equally vital—otherwise, one might end up like Zuo Leng.
Not only was his potential no less than Ming Tian or Zuo Leng’s, but even if it were slightly inferior, he had nothing to fear.
Sometimes, surviving longer could outweigh potential.
“Hmph, Xu Ling, spare me your crocodile tears. Everyone knows you’re always kissing up to Demon Flame. No wonder these three youngsters followed you—no need to face Demon Flame’s oppression,” Master Baiyun snorted coldly.
Though he understood why Zhuhua and the others made their choice, he was still deeply displeased.
What master could tolerate disciples betraying their sect?
His restraint from killing them was already remarkable.
“Heh, that’s called knowing the times and acting wisely. You don’t kiss up, but didn’t Demon Flame Heavenly Sovereign still snatch your best disciple, Ming Tian?” Xu Ling taunted.
“Hmph!”
Master Baiyun snorted, offering no explanation.
He didn’t want to reveal Ling Xiao’s potential, even if it meant enduring some humiliation.
Xu Ling smiled and suddenly turned his gaze to Ling Xiao.
“This is the kid who killed Zuo Leng, right?”
“That’s right, it’s me!” Ling Xiao nodded.
There was no point hiding it, nor could it be hidden.
“Good! Very good! You even dared to kill Zuo Leng—you’ve got some nerve! My dear daughter, take a good look. This is the murderer who killed your fiancé!” Xu Ling said to his daughter with a cold smirk.
