Chapter 246

Sea of Will, Ninth Pass.

Wang Ping's wooden boat beneath his feet moved as slowly as a crawling turtle; each inch forward felt like opposing the weight of the entire world.

The dark blue seawater was viscous like paste, and the towering waves were no longer pure natural force; they also contained a will impact that struck directly at the soul.

Those fully materialized black shadows were no longer vague outlines; they had taken the form of ferocious demons, enchanting demonesses, and even manifestations of the things Wang Ping feared deep within his heart.

They let out silent roars, wielding weapons condensed from pure malice, and frenziedly assaulted Wang Ping's mind and spirit.

What was even more terrifying was that omnipresent sinking force. It was no longer merely a pull; it constructed one near-perfect illusion after another.

In the previous instant, Wang Ping seemed to have returned to Earth, living an ordinary and warm life.

In the next instant, he seemed to have ascended to the supreme peak, controlling all realms, worshipped by billions.

These illusions pointed directly to the heart's desires; a moment's carelessness would lead to utter loss, willingly sinking into them until the will‑boat capsized.

"Have I reached my limit…?" Wang Ping whispered, fine beads of sweat seeping from his forehead—not bodily fatigue, but mental exhaustion from his will being intensely focused on resistance.

He felt his will as if placed in an iron‑forging furnace, repeatedly hammered, already at the brink of what it could bear.

In the middle section of the Ninth Pass, the threefold pressure of resistance, attack, and confusion stacked together, truly terrifying as such.

"No, it's not the time yet!" A flash of fierceness crossed Wang Ping's eyes, for he had not yet used his final trump card—the Will Star.

Just as he was about to draw upon the power of that brilliant star in his Sea of Consciousness, the outside world, because of his performance, had already stirred up an unprecedented commotion.

Dao Academy Divine Mountain, Sixth Layer.

Vice Dean Zhou Wu stood with his hands behind his back; the screen before him clearly showed Wang Ping's arduous advance through the Ninth Pass.

On his usually calm face, a hint of astonishment now appeared, difficult to conceal.

"Ninth Pass… five hundred meters!" Zhou Wu murmured softly, "This kid's will is actually this tenacious? At early Golden Core, his will strength rivals mid Nascent Soul, even surpassing it! This can't be described by the word 'genius' alone—he's a monster!"

As a Void Refinement Stage expert, he had witnessed countless astonishingly brilliant talents.

But someone like Wang Ping, displaying such heaven‑defying potential in willpower, is also as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.

Spiritual root aptitude might be piled up with resources, Dao comprehension might be honed over time, but this innate—or tempered through trials—supreme will is the most precious foundation of the Dao!

"Issue the order!" Zhou Wu's voice echoed through the boundless space, directly reaching Old Liu outside the Will Sea Cave Abode and the minds of all Great Instructors and Holy Masters inside the side cave abode: "Block all detailed information of Wang Ping's this breakthrough, classify it as a top‑secret of the Dao Academy!"

All those present must swear a heavenly Dao oath, not to leak the specific pass level and distance; they may only say that he broke the record, that his talent is extraordinary.

"Yes!" Old Liu, Dongfang Ba, Zhong GaoYuan and the others tightened their expressions and replied in unison.

They understood this was protection for Wang Ping; as the saying goes, "The tree that stands out in the forest will be blown down by the wind." If such heaven‑defying performance were spread, it would inevitably draw covert attacks from hostile forces or even envious members of his own clan.

Inside the Will Sea Side Cave Abode.

Dongfang Ba watched the screen showing Wang Ping, whose speed, though slow, still advanced resolutely; his eyes flashed with intense longing.

He turned to his old friend Zhong GaoYuan beside him, his tone carrying a rare urgency and determination: "Old Zhong, you've seen it too! This boy ought to be my disciple! My Great Sun Burning Heaven Technique is fierce and domineering, and it places the utmost importance on will!"

His will is the perfect embryo for cultivating this technique! Whoever tries to take it from me, I'll rush to oppose them!

Zhong Gao yuan gave a bitter laugh, pointed upward, then spread his hands: "Dongfang, it's not that I won't help you. But... do you think the Vice Dean, even the Dean, would fail to see this youngster's value? If he stops at the early stage of the Ninth Gate, you might still have a chance. But looking at his present momentum, I'm afraid..."

He hadn't finished speaking, but the meaning was self-evident. The more stunning Wang Ping's performance, the slimmer the hope of these Grand Mentors and Sage Masters to take on disciples.

Such raw jade has already surpassed what they can teach; only those few standing at the peak of the Dao Academy have the qualification and ability to carve it into a vessel.

Dongfang Tuhuo stood aside, watching his forefather's anxious expression, wanting to laugh but not daring to, only able to hold it in. He also admired Wang Ping wholeheartedly in his heart—who would have thought that a few months ago he was still a white-robed disciple needing him to oversee the examination, and in the blink of an eye had become a hot commodity even Void Refining Grandmasters vie for.

Inside the Sea of Will, at the Ninth Gate, six hundred meters!

Wang Ping felt the surrounding pressure suddenly increase again; the illusion became ever more real, and the attacks of those substantive black shadows nearly tore through his mental defenses. He knew he could no longer hide his clumsiness!

Will Star, manifest!

With a low shout in his heart, the silver star formed from pure willpower in Wang Ping's sea of consciousness suddenly burst forth with brilliant light!

A vast, mighty, unbreakable willpower instantly filled his entire body, like pouring an endless ocean into a river about to dry up.

Hum! Hum! Hum!

The wooden boat beneath his feet, which had been perilously close to stalling, suddenly shuddered, and its hull emitted a faint silver glow.

The speed, originally as if stuck in a mire, suddenly surged; although not as lightning-fast as in the previous few gates, it became steady and powerful, breaking through layer after layer of obstacles, advancing resolutely forward.

Seven hundred meters! Eight hundred meters!

Wang Ping's speed once again drew exclamations from the outside spectators.

"He... he still has strength left?!" a Grand Mentor exclaimed in shock.

"It's not leftover strength! It's a breakthrough! His will has sublimated again under pressure!" Dongfang Ba's eyes blazed, his tone full of awe: "Excellent lad! Actually breaking through the will limit in the heat of battle! Such temperament is rare in ten thousand ages!"

Zhou Wu, Vice Dean, had his eyes flash with sharp light, the corner of his mouth curling into a satisfied smile: "Good! Very good! This is worthy of being the future pillar of my Ninth Dao Institute!"

Ninth Gate, nine hundred meters! Nine hundred fifty meters! Nine hundred ninety meters!

Wang Ping commanded the wooden boat shrouded in silver light, advancing all the way with vigorous vigor. The power of the Will Star was like a divine needle stabilizing the sea, allowing him to remain unmoved amidst raging waves and endless temptations.

Finally!

Under the breathless gaze of everyone, Wang Ping broke through the endpoint of the Ninth Gate and stepped into a realm where no Golden Core disciple had ever ventured, not even a first-time challenger—the Tenth Gate of the Sea of Will!

At the instant he entered the Tenth Gate, the entire Sea of Will seemed to tremble slightly.

The water of the Tenth Gate was no longer dark blue but turned into a pure black as deep as the cosmos, silent and soundless, yet harboring immense terror.

Here there were no waves, no substantive black shadows, only boundless darkness and a kind of annihilative will that seemed to reduce all things to nothing.

Wang Ping had advanced only one meter when he felt the light of his Will Star dim somewhat; the annihilative will surged like a tide, seeking to assimilate him and erase every trace of his existence.

"The Tenth Gate... indeed is no ordinary matter." Wang Ping's heart trembled; he knew this was his current true limit. Forcing forward further would likely damage the source of his will.

He decisively stopped, a thought moving him, the wooden boat beneath his feet turned direction and began to return along the way he came.

Challenging the gates does not necessarily mean racing to the end; recognizing and upholding one's own limits is likewise a form of wisdom.

When Wang Ping's figure slowly emerged from the Sea of Will's cavern dwelling, the outside world had long been waiting.

Outside the cavern dwelling, originally there were only a few scattered guards and curious disciples, but now it was a sea of people! Not only white-robed and yellow-robed disciples, but many blue-robed and green-robed disciples as well, even some gold-robed disciples who usually secluded themselves in cultivation were stirred and came to watch.

Although the news was blocked from detailed records, such major headlines as "Wang Ping breaks the Sea of Will record" and "startles the Vice Dean and many Sage Masters" had already spread like wind throughout the Ninth Dao Institute.

As soon as Wang Ping appeared, countless gazes instantly focused on him. There was curiosity, scrutiny, envy, jealousy, but more than that, a shock and awe at witnessing a legendary rise.

"He's out! It's him, Wang Ping!"

"My heavens, he's really just a white‑robe disciple? This aura…… I feel stronger than some gold‑robe senior brothers!"

"I heard even the Vice Dean was alarmed!"

In the crowd, discussions buzzed, the noise tumultuous.

Wang Ping took a deep breath, calming his surging emotions and slightly depleted spirit. His gaze calmly swept over the crowd, then settled on the cave dwelling's entrance.

There, besides the keeper Old Liu, stood several beings whose aura was deep as the sea. They did not deliberately exude pressure, yet merely standing there seemed to merge with the surrounding heaven and earth, involuntarily inspiring awe.

Leading them were the two Holy Masters, Dongfang Ba and Zhong Gao yuan, who had personally come upon receiving a sound transmission from the Vice Dean to handle this matter. Behind them followed several third‑ and second‑rank instructors, including Meng Zhengyang and Lieyang, but for now they could only stand respectfully in the rear.

"Disciple Wang Ping greets you, senior instructors!" Wang Ping did not dare delay, stepped forward a few paces, bowed, his posture neither humble nor arrogant.

Dongfang Ba sized up Wang Ping from head to toe, growing more pleased, he laughed heartily, his voice like a great bell: "Excellent! Excellent, Wang Ping! Do you know what magnificent feat you have achieved by clearing this trial?"

Wang Ping replied respectfully: "Senior, I only know to press forward with all my effort; as for the specifics, I am unaware."

His words were half true, half false; he indeed did not know that outside, because of him, a pot had exploded, nor did he know exactly what his achievement signified, but he guessed it must be extraordinarily astonishing.

Zhong Gao yuan smiled gently and said: "You have broken the first trial‑clearing record held by the Second Dao Institute for a full three million years! Moreover, you have raised that record to a height that leaves latercomers nearly despairing! For our Ninth Dao Institute, you have established great renown!"

Wang Ping's heart jolted; although he had anticipated something, he was still shaken by the words "three million years" and "nearly hopeless." He steadied his mind and said: "Disciple is humbled; it was merely luck."

"It's not mere luck." Dongfang Ba waved his hand, his tone firm: "The Way of Will admits no falsehood; one reaps what one sows. Your achievement stems from your own resolute heart and iron will."

He paused, glanced at Zhong Gao yuan beside him and the instructors behind, then solemnly announced: "By order of Vice Dean Sir Zhou Wu, I now bestow upon Disciple Wang Ping the following rewards:"

"One, reward points: five hundred thousand! In recognition of your record‑breaking feat that brings glory to the institute!"

"Two, special permission to enter the third level of the Dao Institute's secret treasury and freely choose one technique, divine ability, or secret art!"

"Three, reward: three slices of Enlightenment Tea!"

"Four, reward: one treasure worth less than one hundred thousand points!"

"Five, promote him to the treatment of a purple‑robe disciple! Enjoy the corresponding resource quota and privileges!"

With each reward announced, the crowd below burst into an uncontrollable exclamation.

Five hundred thousand points! Free choice of the third level of the secret treasury! Enlightenment Tea! Treasure under one hundred thousand points! Purple‑robe disciple treatment!

Any single reward would drive gold‑robe disciples mad, yet Wang Ping received all five at once! The richness of these rewards is unprecedented!

Wang Ping himself felt his heart race. Five hundred thousand points! This far exceeded his earlier estimate! Plus the qualification to freely choose from the third level of the secret treasury, Enlightenment Tea—a heaven‑earth treasure that can aid sudden insight, a treasure worth less than one hundred thousand points, and an immediate promotion to purple‑robe disciple!

Such immense fortune just fell upon his head!

"Disciple… thank you, Vice Dean Sir! Thank you, seniors, for your generous gifts!" Wang Ping suppressed his excitement and bowed deeply again.

Dongfang Ba nodded satisfactorily, then shifted his tone, his blazing gaze fixed on Wang Ping, his voice hinting at expectation and an offer that could not be refused: "Wang Ping, your will is peerless, perfectly aligning with the true intent of my 《Great Sun Burning Heaven Technique》. I, Dongfang Ba, wish to take you as my closed‑door disciple. Are you willing?"

As these words fell, the entire venue fell silent!

A Holy Master personally taking on a disciple! This is a tremendous opportunity!

However, before Wang Ping could answer, Zhong Gao yuan beside him lightly coughed and smiled: "Dongfang, you're being a bit hasty. Wang Ping, I, Zhong Gao yuan, who cultivate the 《Void Expounding Dao Classic》, have special subtleties in will‑tempering and spatial perception; perhaps I am better suited to help you solidify your foundation. What do you think?"

The two Holy Masters are actually vying for a disciple right before everyone!

This sight left the disciples below and the instructors behind stunned, their eyes red with envy.

Lieyang Instructor, standing in the rear, watched this scene; his last lingering reluctance turned into resignation and reflection. He knew that his mentor‑disciple bond with Wang Ping was ultimately shallow. To witness the rise of a peerless genius firsthand might also be a kind of fortune.

Meng Zhengyang, meanwhile, wore a face full of satisfaction, feeling happy for Wang Ping.

Faced with the olive branches extended by the two Holy Masters, Wang Ping's heart surged with turbulence. He knew this was a pivotal choice that would determine his future path. He took a deep breath, preparing to speak.

Suddenly, a calm yet supremely majestic voice rang clearly in everyone's ears, as if emanating from the very fabric of heaven and earth:

"This child, I share a karmic bond."

Though the voice was not loud, it made the two Holy Masters present tremble simultaneously, their faces showing utmost reverence, even a hint of excitement.

Together with Vice Dean Zhou Wu, who had been concealed somewhere in the void, he revealed his form and gave a slight bow toward a point in the air.

Only then did the space before Wang Ping ripple like water, and an old man in plain white robes, his features blurred, seeming to merge with the surrounding heaven‑earth great Dao, stepped forward silently.

His gentle gaze fell upon Wang Ping, as if beholding an uncut peerless jade.

"I am the Dean of the Dao Institute, Jiang Mingyuan."

"Wang Ping, would you be willing to enter my door and become my… closed‑door disciple?"