Chapter 512: Candidate Ceremony Advanced, the Executioner!

"We request that the candidate ceremony be started early!"

The voice of the Heaven Thunder Peak master, neither humble nor arrogant, rang throughout the Azure Dragon Great Hall.

Sturdy Stone Pillars supported the entire Azure Dragon Hall, each bearing a carved soaring dragon upon its surface.

They released a faint pressure of awe.

At this moment, within the Azure Dragon Hall, the nine Peak masters gathered, and at the highest seat, the Azure Dragon Hall master crossed their legs, their snow‑white jade limbs gently swaying.

Below, the Heaven Thunder Peak master stood before several Peak masters, bowed to the Azure Dragon Hall master, and immediately spoke.

When those words were spoken, many of the Peak masters frowned slightly.

The Blood Prison Peak master turned to the Heaven Thunder Peak master and said gravely, "Advancing the candidate ceremony is not something that can be done casually; it requires the consent of at least five Peak masters to be initiated."

The Heaven Thunder Peak master smiled faintly and looked at the few people beside them.

The masters of Heaven Sword Peak, Jade Pure Peak, Upper Pure Peak, and Great Pure Peak stepped forward and bowed to the Azure Dragon Hall master aloft.

"We, hereby, agree to start the candidate ceremony early!"

The agreement of the four, plus the Heaven Thunder Peak master who was the initiator, made a total of five.

The Blood Prison Peak master, with a somewhat grim expression, looked at the five and asked, "Are the five of you already this impatient?"

The Jade Pure Peak master smiled faintly, "Blood Prison, that's inaccurate. Now the Vermilion Bird Palace, the Black Tortoise Sect, and the White Tiger Gate have all produced saintly sons and Daoist daughters, yet our Azure Dragon Hall has not even selected a candidate, which is truly becoming a subject of gossip."

"As a top force among the four great realms, the Azure Dragon Hall must set an example."

"Otherwise, some factions might think our Azure Dragon Hall is no longer capable!"

The Dan Peak master said calmly, "The Azure Dragon Hall has its master seated; I doubt any other faction would dare speak otherwise."

The Heaven Sword Peak master opened coldly, "Other factions might not say much, but the three forces of the Vermilion Bird Palace will not refrain from speaking up just because of the master's prestige."

"Therefore, the candidate must be selected immediately; only then can we prepare for the trial from that place!"ＷＷw. ＧóΠъ. oяＧ

Seeing the Heaven Thunder Peak master and others refuse to budge, the Blood Prison Peak master furrowed his brows and looked at the Azure Dragon Hall master, after all the final decision rested with them.

The Azure Dragon Hall master sat upon the high seat, their beautiful eyes calm as a vast lake, unruffled.

"Fine!"

Within the Azure Dragon Great Hall, the Azure Dragon Hall master's crisp voice rang out.

The five Heaven Thunder Peak masters, upon hearing the voice, showed a smile.

"If so, then we will go down and properly arrange the trivial matters of the candidate ceremony."

"Then let the candidate ceremony be set for a month later; I wonder what the master's intention is?"

The Heaven Thunder Peak master stared at the Azure Dragon Hall master without a hint of a smile.

However, to his disappointment, the Azure Dragon Hall master remained utterly calm, as if not angered by the five's provocation.

They simply replied lightly, "Fine!"

The Heaven Thunder Peak master felt a slight disappointment, but the matter had already achieved his aim, so he did not continue the challenge.

They left the Azure Dragon Hall with a few companions.

The Dao Yan Peak master, watching the five depart, hurriedly said to the Azure Dragon Hall master.

"Master, you should know the intentions in the hearts of these five; granting their request so easily will inevitably bring variables to the candidate ceremony!"

The Azure Dragon Hall master replied calmly, "So what? This rule was set by the teacher originally; can I simply choose not to obey?"

"If they wish to contest, then let them contest."

"As for whether it will succeed in the end, their words don't count!"

Cold light flickered in the Azure Dragon Hall master's eyes.

The other three Peak masters exchanged a glance, helpless, and could only take their leave.

With the candidate ceremony advanced, news quickly spread throughout the nine Peaks of the Azure Dragon Hall.

"Hey, have you heard? The candidate ceremony is being moved up!"

"Advanced? Can this thing even be advanced?"

"It is said that the Heaven Thunder Peak master, together with four other Peak masters, advised the master, who, forced by helplessness, could only agree."

"Hiss... advancing the candidate ceremony is clearly targeting Su Yu, and the master actually agrees?"

"What can you do if you disagree? With more than five Peak masters signing, even the master must agree! This is still the rule set by the master's teacher!"

For a moment, disciples across the nine Peaks of the Azure Dragon Hall debated the advanced candidate ceremony.

Finally, an official announcement came from the Enforcement Hall.

"The candidate ceremony is set to take place on Azure Dragon Peak a month later!"

The release of this news effectively sealed the date of the candidate ceremony.

Many disciples were shaken by it.

Seven days later, within the Azure Dragon Pool of Azure Dragon Peak.

Su Yu sat cross‑legged in the Azure Dragon Pool.

During those seven days, Su Yu's cultivation did not noticeably advance, yet a stronger pressure emanated from his body.

It seemed as if some terrifying thing were gestating within Su Yu.

The figure of the Azure Dragon Hall master appeared outside the Azure Dragon Pool.

She gazed at Su Yu's silhouette, waiting quietly.

After an unknown amount of time, Su Yu, still seated in the Azure Dragon Pool, suddenly opened his eyes.

A beam of brilliance burst from Su Yu's eyes, rippling across the void.

In the next instant, behind him, two great paths of different colors materialized instantly.

Rumble!!!

The booming sound echoed throughout the entire Azure Dragon Pool.

The already extremely pure corporeal Dao, at this moment, seemed further refined, becoming even more pure, even transparent.

It was like that red agate—crystal clear and luminous.

It was still a length of 700,000 li, yet compared to before, its power was a few degrees stronger.

Obviously, under the enhancement of the Azure Dragon Pool, the quality of the corporeal Dao had improved considerably.

And the Unity of Ten Thousand Dao, after seven days of strengthening, successfully rose from seventh‑grade quality to eighth‑grade quality.

It saved a great many synthesis points.

Su Yu leapt out of the Azure Dragon Pool, stepping on the void, stirring up successive storms.

Cool!

Su Yu let out a long howl, his qi rippling outward, releasing supreme power.

"With my current combat strength, even against a 900,000‑li strong opponent, I could defeat them easily."

"Unless I meet a ninth‑grade Dao master whose cultivation exceeds 950,000 li, no one can match me!"

A faint smile appeared on Su Yu's face.

Now, the Unity of Ten Thousand Dao has already risen to the 800,000‑li level.

Relying solely on the Unity of Ten Thousand Dao, one can already compare to a 900,000‑li strong opponent.

Its quality has further risen to eighth‑grade.

Below 950,000 li, Su Yu fears no one.

If I also add the corporeal Dao…

Su Yu felt that unless one meets a demonic genius who has comprehended the ninth‑grade Dao, no one could be his opponent.

And a demonic genius capable of grasping the ninth‑grade…

Probably only the Central Immortal Realm has such a being!

Su Yu's heart swelled with joy.

He had been in the Azure Dragon Hall for less than five months, yet had advanced so much.

I must admit, the Heaven Beyond Heaven is truly alluring.

At that moment, Su Yu also noticed the figure of the Azure Dragon Hall Master, hurried over to his side, and bowed to him.

"Senior sister!"

The Azure Dragon Hall Master slightly nodded, sized up Su Yu, and said softly, "Not bad. In seven days you've raised the Dao to eighth‑grade quality; with this, you can dominate the Four Great Domains!"

Among the Four Great Domains there are many geniuses, yet those whose Dao reaches seventh‑grade are exceedingly rare.

Let alone eighth‑grade.

Take the Azure Dragon Hall as an example; in several decades, producing an eighth‑grade prodigy is already remarkable.

Much less anything above eighth‑grade.

Now, aside from Su Yu, only the direct disciple of the Heavenly Thunder Peak Master has reached eighth‑grade.

Thus, eighth‑grade Dao is exceedingly rare.

Su Yu chuckled, thinking that receiving praise from his senior sister was indeed good news.

The Azure Dragon Hall Master said helplessly, "But there's a piece of bad news—do you want to hear it?"

"Hm?" Su Yu looked at his senior sister in surprise, "What bad news?"

Su Yu sensed something was off, for a senior sister to utter the words 'bad news' clearly indicated something troublesome for her.

The Azure Dragon Hall Master's expression grew slightly solemn, "The candidate ceremony has been moved up!"

"Oh!"

"Why aren't you at all anxious?"

The Azure Dragon Hall Master, seeing Su Yu's calm demeanor, couldn't help but ask.

You should know that these past few days she has been rather anxious.

The candidate's status not only represents the future Hall Master's selection, but also grants the right to partake in that place's trial.

Even the Azure Dragon Hall Master, who is at the Venerable Realm, cannot ignore this.

Su Yu smiled and said softly, "Senior sister, is the candidate status important to you?"

The Azure Dragon Hall Master, looking at Su Yu with a hint of frustration, said, "To me, who the candidate is doesn't matter. But to you, the candidate's identity is extremely important!"

"Why?"

Su Yu was a little surprised.

Honestly, who the candidate is doesn't concern Su Yu much; he only thinks of quickly advancing to the Law Realm and returning to the Ten Thousand Tribes Continent.

To resolve the conflict between the Ten Thousand Tribes and the Human Race.

The reason for participating is purely out of respect for Slay Dragon King and his senior sister.

Thus, from Su Yu's heart, who the candidate is is not something he cares much about.

The Azure Dragon Hall Master took a deep breath and, helplessly looking at Su Yu, said, "Also, there are some things I haven't told you."

"Do you remember I said before that only after you reach the Law Realm can you return to your ancestral land?"

Su Yu nodded, surprised, and said, "So does the candidate status have any relation to my return to the ancestral land?"

Su Yu wasn't a fool; the fact that the Azure Dragon Hall Master brought it up now meant it was indeed related.

The Azure Dragon Hall Master nodded and said gravely, "It's not entirely so. To return from Heaven Beyond Heaven to the ancestral land, one must have the approval of a faction before one can go back."

"Otherwise, even a saint‑level master like the Teacher must descend in a split form, and cannot transcend the ancestral land's restrictions."

"Otherwise, if that faction discovers you, even a master as strong as the Teacher will face considerable trouble."

Upon hearing this, Su Yu's expression instantly grew solemn.

The Azure Dragon Hall Master continued, "And to obtain that faction's approval, the most direct way is to become a member of that side."

Su Yu looked at the Azure Dragon Hall Master and said in a low voice, "Senior sister, how can one become a member of that faction?"

The Azure Dragon Hall Master explained, "That faction is one of the top forces in the Central Immortal Realm. Every so often, it holds assessments among the Four Great Realms."

"Moreover, each time only two people can enter it."

"But to obtain an assessment opportunity, either one is selected by one of the four top forces of the Four Great Realms, or one is valued by the locals and given an assessment token."

"Therefore, if you wish to join that faction, before obtaining an assessment token the simplest and most direct way is to become a candidate!"

The Azure Dragon Hall Master relayed all the information.

Su Yu fell silent.

He had not expected that the status of a candidate could involve so many connections.

He took a deep breath, looked at his senior sister, and asked, "Senior sister, what is that faction called?"

The Azure Dragon Hall Master replied without hesitation, "Blade Holding Court!"

Blade Holding Court!

Just hearing the name, Su Yu could feel an extremely fierce aura resonating from the Azure Dragon Hall Master's words.

Su Yu inhaled fresh air, his mouth curling slightly, "If so, then the candidate status is indispensable!"

Su Yu's voice was tinged with a faint heat.

The Azure Dragon Hall Master, seeing Su Yu regain his desire, smiled faintly and said, "Becoming a candidate is not that simple; your opponent is no pushover."

"Hmm?"

Su Yu's nostrils twitched slightly.

The Azure Dragon Hall Master waved a hand and said softly, "In principle, any true lineage disciple of Nine Peaks can attend the candidate ceremony."

"However, there is an unwritten rule that the first true lineage disciple of Nine Peaks must attend."

"Here at Azure Dragon Peak, don't worry; you will represent Azure Dragon Peak."

"The only concern is the three individuals from Thunder Peak, Sword Peak, and Jade Clear Peak."

Su Yu said cheerfully, "Senior sister, are those three strong?"

The Azure Dragon Hall Master gave Su Yu a blank stare and said irritably, "To me, of course they're not strong."

"But for your current cultivation, they still pose a considerable threat."

"Among them, the disciple of the Thunder Peak master is the one you must watch most; that person last raised the Dao to eighth‑rank quality in the Azure Dragon Pool."

"He is your greatest opponent this time!"

The Azure Dragon Hall Master said in a deep voice.

Su Yu's eyebrows lifted slightly, and he smiled.

"Don't worry, senior sister; since the candidate status concerns whether I can return to the ancestral land."

"Then this status can only be mine!"

Su Yu's tone was extremely calm, yet within that calm was a distinctly arrogant expression.

As if no one could snatch the candidate status from Su Yu's hands.

The Azure Dragon Hall Master watched Su Yu's confident demeanor, and for some unknown reason, felt an unusual emotion stirring within.

After endless unconsciousness, Shi Yu sprang up from the bed. Please,

He gulped fresh air, his chest trembling.

Confusion, incomprehension, a flood of emotions rose in his mind.

Where is this?

Then Shi Yu subconsciously surveyed his surroundings, becoming even more bewildered.

A single dormitory?

Even if he had been rescued, he should be in a ward now.

And his own body… how could there be no injury at all?

With doubt, Shi Yu's gaze swept the room quickly, finally resting on a mirror at the bedside.

The mirror reflected his current appearance: about seventeen or eighteen years old, looking very handsome.

But the problem is, this isn't him!

His former self was a strikingly charismatic young man in his twenties, who had been working for some time.

Now, no matter how he looks at it, this appearance is that of a high‑school student…

This change left Shi Yu stunned for a long while.

Never tell him the surgery was a great success…

Body and face have changed; this is no longer a matter of surgery but of celestial technique.

He has completely become another person!

Could it be… he has transmigrated himself?

Besides the mirror whose placement was obviously bad feng shui, Shi Yu also found three books beside it.

Shi Yu picked one up, and the titles instantly left him speechless.

'Beginner Keeper's Essential Beast‑Raising Manual'

'Post‑natal Care for Pet Beasts'

'Guide to Evaluating Cross‑Species Beast‑Ear Maidens'

Shi Yu:???

The first two titles seem normal; what's up with the last one?

"Cough."

Shi Yu's gaze hardened, he reached out, but his arm stiffened instantly.

Just as he was about to open the third book, wanting to see what this thing actually was, his brain suddenly felt a sharp pain, and a flood of memories surged like a tide.

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