Chapter 244

Void Refining Stage great experts, aside from facing heavenly tribulation threats, have virtually no lifespan worries.

To them, a span of one or two years is vague; they often retreat for hundreds or thousands of years, which to them is merely the blink of an eye.

Besides the Dean, who is a crowned king existing in the Unity Stage, the Ninth Dao Academy also has a Vice Dean and four Holy Instructors, all of whom are Void Refining Stage beings.

Academy instructors are divided into five types: first‑level, second‑level, third‑level, Grand Instructor, and Holy Instructor.

First‑level instructors are all Nascent Soul Great Completion cultivators, capable of slaying ordinary Spirit Transformation genius students who have transformed into them.

Second‑ and third‑level instructors are Spirit Transformation cultivators, though third‑level instructors generally only qualify if they have reached late Spirit Transformation and meet the required qualifications and merits.

Grand Instructors are beings who have reached the Half‑step Void Refining level; they are rarely seen in the academy, and at this level their most important task is to break through Void Refining and become great experts.

In the academy, disciples wearing gold robes and below are overseen by second‑level instructors; only the appearance of a stunning genius would alarm third‑level instructors and Grand Instructors.

Ji Changkong once, with his astonishing talent that amazed everyone, successfully drew the attention of a Grand Instructor who had been in seclusion for a long time.

There are rumors that he may already have been taken as a disciple by that Grand Instructor.

A Golden Core stage disciple reaching the fifth level on his first attempt at the Sea of Will is not worth alarming a third‑level instructor, even if his speed is quite fast.

But when such a disciple reaches the sixth level, it is a significant record‑breaking sensation.

Not only will third‑level instructors be alarmed, but it is even likely to rouse a Grand Instructor in seclusion who is attempting a breakthrough.

When Meng Zhengyang arrived at the Sea of Will Cave Abode, he found many second‑level instructors gathered there; most were in seclusion, all drawn by the news of Wang Ping's level‑clearing.

The place where second‑level instructors stay differs from that of ordinary disciples; they observe from a separate specially opened cave abode.

Even first‑level instructors are not qualified to enter here.

Upon seeing Meng Zhengyang approach, many instructors greeted him; among all second‑level instructors, he ranks in the top three in both strength and merit.

It is said that in the next instructor evaluation, Meng Zhengyang has a high chance of becoming a third‑level instructor; once he does, his status will be completely different from theirs.

Just as all the instructors were greeting Meng Zhengyang, another instructor entered from the cave mouth.

Unlike the indigo-blue Dao robes worn by second-rank instructors, this instructor wears a crimson-red Dao robe, the crimson-red Dao robe that only third-rank instructors in the Dao Academy may wear.

Meng Zhengyang saw the arrival, a hint of joy appearing on his face, and called out: "Third Senior Brother, how did you come here?"

Other instructors were not as casual as Meng Zhengyang, after all, he is a fellow disciple of the same master.

"Greetings, Senior Lieyang!"

Lieyang nodded at these instructors, then smiled at his junior brother and said:

"I heard there is a disciple with impressive willpower here; I came to take a look, and if suitable, I will take him as my disciple, after all finding a disciple with good willpower depends on fate."

Meng Zhengyang suddenly realized that his third senior brother's self-created Blazing Sun Illuminating Sun Sutra was tremendously powerful and infinitely profound.

To cultivate, one must possess willpower two or even three times greater than that of an ordinary cultivator.

His third senior brother's cultivation is about to reach the half-step Void Refinement realm, and these years he has been seeking a disciple to inherit his mantle.

But after several decades, he still hasn't found a suitable successor—not because strong-willed disciples are too rare, but because such disciples are either discovered early and taken by others as disciples, or they are unwilling to train in this technique.

If they are unwilling to cultivate, Lieyang can do nothing about it.

However, Wang Ping makes a fine choice—he comes from the lower realm, has no complicated ties, and no one pays attention to him; surely he would be very interested in the self-created technique of an instructor on the verge of half-step Void Refinement.

After all, such a technique simply does not exist in the resource-poor lower realm.

Thinking of this, Meng Zhengyang smiled and congratulated: "Then let me wish Third Senior Brother success in finding an excellent disciple this time."

Lieyang's face showed a hint of a smile, he nodded, and after learning a bit about Wang Ping, he was quite pleased.

As long as the opponent emerges from the sixth level, he will take him as his disciple.

Thinking this, he turned his gaze to the image above: Wang Ping was standing on a small boat, continually pressing forward!

Lieyang glanced at the progress beside him—five hundred meters!

This speed?

Lieyang felt a faint uneasy premonition: this kid won't rush into the seventh level, will he?

That is the exclusive domain of purple-robed disciples.

He knew the guardian of the Sea of Will would inform some promising disciples that the limit for first-time challengers of the Sea of Will is the fifth level.

But Lieyang knew that was merely a saying for ordinary disciples, and by 'ordinary disciples' he meant those of the Dao Academy who wear gold robes or lower.

But for disciples above purple robe, the first-time limit is eight hundred meters in the seventh level—this is the record of the Ninth Dao Academy, while the record for all ten Dao Academies is one hundred meters in the eighth level.

This record has stood for three million years, unbroken by anyone.

Recently, the much-anticipated Ji Changkong, upon his first foray into the Sea of Will, reached eight hundred meters in the sixth level, but he received no reward, because upon entering the Dao Academy he was given the treatment of a purple-robed disciple.

His reason for rising from white-robed disciple was his arrogance.

While thinking this, Lieyang also kept an eye on Wang Ping's progress.

Six hundred meters!

Seven hundred meters!

Eight hundred meters!

Nine hundred meters!

Meng Zhengyang, watching from the side, furtively glanced at his senior brother, and a hint of sympathy welled up in his heart.

At Wang Ping's speed, the sixth level is not his limit; if he charges into the seventh level, it will surely alarm all the great instructors, and they'll be competing for spots with the great instructors—can his senior brother outdo them?

As for sage instructors of the grand-adept level, that's still impossible—unless Wang Ping enters the eighth level!

But is that possible?

Meng Zhengyang wondered uneasily.

"This disciple is extraordinary—he's about to break through the sixth level!" an instructor couldn't help but exclaim in praise.

Not long after he finished speaking, Wang Ping piloted the wooden boat out of the sixth level's sea and entered the seventh level's sea.

That is, within three breaths after Wang Ping broke through to the seventh level, all the great instructors of the Ninth Dao Academy received a green message.

For a moment, the fifth layer of the Dao Academy's divine mountain burst forth with astonishing pillars of light in myriad colors.

In the side cave dwelling beside the Will Sea, Meng Zhengyang anxiously glanced at his own senior brother.

Sensing his junior brother's gaze, Lie Yang only felt a hint of bitterness well up in his heart.

He just wanted to find a disciple, why is it so difficult!

Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!

Suddenly three pillars of light descended; all the instructors, upon seeing this, were startled—only a Grand Instructor or beings above a Grand Instructor could appear in such a manner.

And these three were obviously just Grand Instructors.

"Greetings, Grand Instructor!"

Meng Zhengyang and Lie Yang exchanged a glance, then also began to pay their respects.

Will Sea, Seventh Gate!

Wang Ping had no idea what kind of storm the outside world had stirred up because of him; after passing the Seventh Gate, his heart could be described as overjoyed to the extreme.

After breaking through his limit, at a rate of one hundred points per meter, he had cleared the entire Sixth Gate—wasn't that a gain of one hundred thousand points?

Furthermore, he sensed the intensity of the Seventh Gate; he still felt it was easy.

If he also cleared the Seventh Gate, that would be another hundred points added, and thus the spiritual object needed to fuse with the platinum-colored divine light and blue-black divine light would have a source.

Thinking of this, Wang Ping felt delighted; two hundred thousand points! Not to mention white-robed disciples, even purple-robed disciples would find it hard to earn such a terrifying amount of points all at once.

The seawater of the Seventh Gate had changed from deep blue to bluish-black.

The whole ocean was raging with towering waves; the strong wind and ever-increasing resistance slowed Wang Ping's advance just a bit.

These resistances and pressures meant nothing to Wang Ping; he hadn't even used his Will Stars yet.

This gave him great confidence; Wang Ping had a premonition that the Seventh Gate was not his endpoint.

With such confidence, Wang Ping controlled his small boat and set off toward the depths of the Will Sea.

The surrounding shadows had become substantive; they no longer tried to affect Wang Ping through sound, movement, or terrifying visions.

Instead, they could launch substantive attacks; Wang Ping either had to resist them with pure will or resolve them using his own methods.

Regardless of which method, both would impose tremendous pressure on his will!

Will, unlike spiritual power and divine sense, does not get consumed; its special nature lies in the fact that as long as you can withstand sufficient pressure, you can ignore all obstructions on the Will Sea.

After advancing five hundred meters in the Seventh Gate, the wind and waves became more urgent, the oceanic resistance greater, and the shadows' attacks more frequent.

The pressure on Wang Ping began to surge dramatically; even so, he still had not used his Will Stars.

He could still withstand these pressures!

Meanwhile, outside, the instructors watching Wang Ping's challenge all showed looks of shock.

During this period, another five Grand Instructors arrived, plus over twenty Third-rank Instructors; as for Second-rank Instructors, hardly any came. These instructors all came out of special closed-door cultivation to come here and watch Wang Ping's challenge.

An instructor, seeing Wang Ping's challenge speed, hesitantly spoke:

"Looking at Wang Ping like this, he'll probably break into the Eighth Gate soon! That's the realm of Nascent Soul-level Will!"

This remark reminded the many instructors present, and one instructor spoke:

"I think not only that; seeing Wang Ping's speed, after entering the Eighth Gate he's very likely to break the record that the Second Dao Institute has held to this day, hahaha! If that's really the case, I ought to thank this disciple named Wang Ping. Next time I see the instructors of the Second Dao Institute, I can really brag!"

The instructors' eyes lit up; indeed this is possible. Among the Ten Great Dao Institutes, the Ninth Dao Institute is on the third tier; often when they gather or organize a trial, they are shown off by other institutes, especially the instructors of the First and Second Dao Institutes.

Hearing such talk often makes the many instructors of the Ninth Dao Institute feel itchy inside; outwardly they chat and laugh, but inwardly who knows how envious and longing they are for such a moment to show off.

"If that's the case! Wang Ping, you'd better fight for honor! As long as you let me show off once in front of the instructors of the First and Second Dao Institutes, I'll reward you with ten thousand points as a prize! I'm sure Wang Ping will be grateful to tears!"

An instructor spoke with an anticipatory tone.

"Come on! Instructor Liu, still grateful to tears? Who knows if they'd even look down on your ten thousand points?"

That instructor surnamed Liu said doubtfully:

"How come disciples are now so wealthy? They don't even look down on ten thousand points?"

"An instructor beside him said: 'Instructor Liu, it's not that other disciples look down on it; it's that Wang Ping looks down on it. He entered the institute as a grey-robed disciple, and now he's a white-robed disciple; all benefits and treatment are according to the white-robed disciple standard!'"

The Liu-surnamed instructor said dismissively: "That's like..."

After saying that, he suddenly fell silent, as if he'd thought of something, his eyes widened dramatically, and then he spoke in a somewhat incredulous tone:

"You mean he's currently enjoying the reward of one hundred points per meter?"

The surrounding instructors nodded in agreement.

The Liu-surnamed instructor closed his mouth, suddenly feeling a bit stifled; when did ten thousand points become something disciples look down on?

But thinking of the points Wang Ping has now obtained—having cleared the Seventh Gate, he at least got two hundred thousand points—this gave him a feeling that things are completely different now.

"Moreover, Old Liu, this disciple named Wang Ping is extraordinary; just after breaking through to white-robed disciple, he reaped over two thousand points!"

An instructor spoke up to remind.

The Liu-surnamed instructor, as soon as he left his seclusion, came here; he hadn't yet gotten to know Wang Ping well, so he immediately asked. After understanding, his face showed a hint of strange color; this Wang Ping is quite interesting!

"We're about to reach the limit of the Seventh Gate!" an instructor spoke.

"Judging by the situation, breaking into the Eighth Gate is absolutely no problem!"

"It just depends on whether he can break the record of the Ten Great Dao Institutes!"

The eight Grand Instructors each glanced at one another, then transmitted voices:

"It looks like breaking into the Eighth Gate is already a certainty; it just depends on whether this kid can break the record! If he really can break the record, hehe! That would be a fortune— that person would probably be delighted and directly take him as a disciple!"

"Do you think we should send a message to that esteemed person?"

A Grand Instructor hesitantly asked.

"No need!"

"Or just wait a bit longer!"

"What I mean is we don't need to transmit; I've already transmitted to that esteemed person!"

Silence! Stillness!

The remaining seven Grand Instructors gazed at the calm Dongfang Tuhao who had spoken those words, feeling utter contempt in their hearts.

Sensing the strange atmosphere in the venue, Dongfang Tuhao asked in surprise:

"What's wrong? As a junior of the adult, I should naturally convey this delightful news to his elder!"

The other Grand Instructors helplessly shook their heads, almost forgetting that Dongfang Tuhao was a descendant highly valued by that adult.

There's nothing blameworthy about doing that!

"I've broken through to the Eighth Gate!" an instructor shouted!

Actually, all the instructors had been constantly monitoring Wang Ping's movements, but shouting it out felt especially significant!

All the instructors were silently counting in their hearts.

One meter, two meters! Three meters!

Thirty meters! Forty meters!

Usually, the instructors had a faint sense of time, but at this moment they felt a single breath to be overly long.

"Ninety meters!"

"Ninety-one meters!"

"Ninety-two meters!"

Each instructor took turns shouting out every meter of Wang Ping's advance in the Sea of Will!

In the anticipatory gazes of all the instructors, Wang Ping finally reached the Eighth Gate, at the ninety-nine-meter mark!

One breath!

One and a half breaths, two breaths!

He had broken through; when Wang Ping rushed past the hundred-meter mark to reach one hundred and one meters, all the instructors were thrilled.

The record that had stood for three million years was broken by the white-robed disciple of their Ninth Dao Academy!

Most importantly, Wang Ping did not stop his steps; he continued to move forward.

This gave all the instructors a sense of anticipation: where does this disciple's limit lie?