Chapter 380

"What kind of fucking talent is this? Back in my day, it took me centuries to go from Connected Body to Saint Realm!"

"With talent like his, I'd believe he could reach King Realm in a year, let alone centuries!"

"It's truly unbearable—people comparing themselves to others just drives you mad!"

At this moment, the other top experts could no longer hide their inner shock.

They couldn't fathom how a Jin Dan cultivator could forge such a divine sword!

Even the Blue Flower Immortaless herself could only forge such a divine weapon after reaching the Saint Realm.

He, a mere Jin Dan, accomplished what only a Saint Realm cultivator could achieve—how could they believe it?

But they had to believe it, because the truth was right before their eyes!

The elder at the front's stern expression suddenly shifted into roaring laughter.

"Hahaha! Heaven itself aids our Wushi Holy Sect! The higher Lin Bai's talent, the greater our sect's future prestige!"

"I declare—I'm naming Lin Bai the Tenth Holy Disciple right now!"

At these words, everyone froze in stunned silence.

What the hell?

Just moments ago you said we'd wait until after the trial—now you're instantly making him the Tenth Holy Disciple?

Do you even care about the sect's rules anymore?

At this moment, everyone could no longer hold back—you, the Sect Master, are this old and still pulling stunts like this?

Isn't this just telling everyone: Lin Bai is mine, don't you dare take him?

We all agreed the disciples should choose for themselves—now you're just going ahead and announcing it internally?

They weren't fools—Lin Bai's immense potential and talent were undeniably extraordinary!

If nurtured well, the Wushi Holy Sect could one day produce a swordsmith reaching at least the Supreme Realm!

What did that mean?

How terrifying would a swordsmith who could fight and endure be?

Look at the Blue Flower Immortaless—her combat strength wasn't impressive, yet she reached Saint Realm purely through swordsmithing!

Now look at Lin Bai—he's already strong and resilient. Once he grows, he'll be a top-tier powerhouse!

He could even stand alone as the entire sect's face!

You old bastard, you just want to snatch him?

No way!

Absolutely not!

"I told you, Old Lu, you're already over a thousand years old—why are you doing this?"

"You yourself set the sect's rules, and now you're breaking them—doesn't that make our Witch Sect look untrustworthy?"

"How will the prodigies outside view us?"

"How can we possibly accept this?"

"Exactly—how can he become your disciple? It was always meant for Lin Bai to choose for himself!"

"In my opinion, Lin Bai's talent is too rare to waste—staying with you would be a tragedy. Let him follow me instead. I can't promise much, but in combat, I haven't lost in centuries!"

"Bullshit, Old Li—you're shameless! What nonsense about not losing in centuries? When you first joined the sect, didn't I knock you down?"

"..."

In an instant, the few individuals once revered in the outside world for their status, power, and dignity were now screaming at each other uncontrollably.

The grand hall became as noisy as a marketplace!

The crowd was barely holding back from tearing into each other!

At this moment, the Blue Flower Immortaless stood up and said: "Look at yourselves—you don't even resemble top-tier experts!"

"The trial isn't even over, and you're already fighting over him—imagine what the outside world will laugh at!"

"Lin Bai becoming the Tenth Holy Disciple? Let's wait until the trial ends!"

"As for his future, it must be his own choice!"

After she spoke, they all released their grips and coughed awkwardly, exchanging glances.

They'd had their verbal fun, but the Blue Flower Immortaless remained detached and serene—making them deeply ashamed!

They couldn't help but admire her—after all, Lin Bai's talent deserved nothing less than the Blue Flower Immortaless as his mentor!

Yet she didn't fight or compete at all, making them look like petty men.

Yet as everyone continued watching the scene, the Blue Flower Immortaless quietly extended her slender fingers and swiftly formed a hand seal.

She glared angrily at the group in her mind: "You old bastards, dare to compete with me for him?"

"Don't you even know what kind of talent Lin Bai has?"

"If you get him, who knows what damage you'll do to him!"

After muttering, she cast the seal's energy directly into the scene—none of them noticed!

…

Meanwhile!

In the secret realm, Lin Bai crossed through the dense forest, looked up, and immediately frowned.

Before him, on this desolate land, appeared a horrifying sight.

The lake's surface was no longer clear and calm—it was made of blood. Crimson water reflected a scarlet glow under the sun, radiating a chilling, terrifying aura.

Everything around the lake was drenched in crimson: withered, yellow trees trembled by its shore, dripping red fluid from their branches—as if the lake's blood had poisoned their life. The wind grew strange and icy, brushing the surface and whispering eerie, unnerving murmurs.

The air reeked of thick, cloying blood—the stench nearly choked them. Piles of corpses lined the lake's edge, their blood seeping into the earth, forming a grotesque, horrifying scene.

The corpses' faces were twisted, still frozen in the terror of being consumed by death—like cursed spirits.

A low moan rose from the lake, as if tormented spirits struggled desperately within the blood, and twisted images surfaced on the water's surface—ghostly faces emerged, their eyes cold and terrifying.

These specters seemed to be releasing curses and the power of death into the human world, filling hearts with deep dread.

Standing at the lake's edge, the icy wind howled, enveloping body and soul in terror; this lake of blood exuded a strange and indescribable evil that sent shivers down the spine.

A terrifying aura enveloped all, as if the land had been forever swallowed by darkness.

Lin Bai stared at the lake in confusion—what kind of trial was this?

A trial of terror?

At that moment, Meng Meng Zining and the others caught up, their faces flushed and disheveled—Lin Bai had run too fast.

So fast they couldn't catch him, and now they were gasping for breath!

Suddenly!

Everyone felt voices whispering beside their ears!

【Congratulations, chosen ones from the five lakes and four seas!】

【You have reached the first trial of this test!】

【Explore the Heart!】

…….