The Yun Cang Mountain Range is vast and boundless, with many fierce beasts roaming within, becoming more dangerous as one ventures deeper.
The Yuncang Sword Sect is located deep within these vast mountains. The Five Great Inner Peaks don't appear particularly majestic, but they connect like a giant palm, firmly sealing an abyss of immeasurable depth.
Within that abyss, thick black fog spreads, making it impossible to see the end. Just one glance induces a shiver, as if terrifying fierce beasts lie dormant within.
The five main sects—Cyan Cloud, Yellow Dragon, Profound Crane, White Rainbow, and Chixiao—inherit five peerless Sword Scriptures, which when united, form the Yuncang Sword Sect's Unparalleled Divine Skill, the Great Five Elements Extinction Divine Light Sword.
In ancient times, the founding ancestor of the sect, with only a sword, slew seventeen Beast Kings in the depths of the Yun Cang mountains. With one sword, he suppressed the Trapped Dragon Abyss, sealing the surging beast tide deep within the mountains.
Now, after thousands of years, the Yuncang Sword Sect has already become a colossal entity in the Northern Lands. Generations of disciples commit themselves to suppressing the Yun Cang Mountain beast tide. Countless disciples sacrifice and bleed to keep the Northern Lands peaceful, earning them an extremely high prestige.
Lu Chengfeng participates in the Outer Peak Elder assessment at the Transmission Hall near the Inner Five Peaks. This place is bustling, always filled with disciples from various Outer Peaks coming and going in haste.
The Transmission Hall oversees the assessments of Outer Peak Elders and disciples as well as the sect's Dharmic transmission. It is one of the sect's Eighth Halls, and all elders are True Inheritors from the Inner Peak.
Upon arriving here, Lu Chengfeng applied to the hall's elder. The relevant assessment process within the sect has long been extremely complete; after verifying his identity, the elder couldn't help but furrow his brow slightly.
"Lu Chengfeng, are you sure you want to apply for the Outer Peak Elder assessment?"
Lu Chengfeng replied, "Naturally."
"To be an Outer Peak Elder, one must cultivate an external skill to the tenth layer or above. I see you're just over twenty and not an Inner Peak True Inheritor, don't come here to mess around," the Transmission Hall elder said with a somewhat unsightly expression, his tone carrying reprimand and admonition.
It's important to know that the sect examination isn't child's play; it involves great risk, and a slight carelessness can result in death.
Though blunt, the words carried a hint of good intention.
Lu Chengfeng did not get angry; he cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Elder. I am aware of these things and am fully confident in this assessment. I kindly request your approval."
Upon saying this, the elder opposite was slightly taken aback. Then he scrutinized the young man closely; his gaze was clear, and his expression was firm, not at all like those conceited and deranged individuals.
He furrowed his brow again and asked, "Are you sure you want to participate in the Outer Peak Elder assessment?"
Lu Chengfeng solemnly said, "This disciple's intention is resolute."
Such a determined attitude immediately aroused the elder's curiosity, pondering, "Could it be that the Outer Peak has produced a young prodigy? Could he have already mastered skills to the tenth layer at such a young age?"
A thought flashed through his mind, and he said, "Since you have decided, then come with me."
Lu Chengfeng followed him through the paths and quickly arrived at a beast cage forged from iron and steel. Inside lay a black-haired iron-armed ape over a zhang high, lying asleep on the ground.
"This is a middle-tier fierce beast with immense strength, and its iron body is impenetrable by anyone who hasn't reached the tenth layer of martial arts skill."
"You merely need to engage this black-haired iron-armed ape head-on for the time of an incense stick and injure it to pass your assessment."
The Transmission Elder reminded again, "Are you prepared? There's still time to regret otherwise, as insufficient strength will have you torn apart alive by this black-haired iron-armed ape."
Lu Chengfeng slowly placed his right hand on the sword's hilt, "Elder, please open the cage."
Seeing this, the Transmission Elder said no more, pulling out a large black-gold key to unlock the iron lock hanging on the cage.
With a crisp click, the iron cage was slowly opened, revealing an opening just large enough for one person to enter.
Lu Chengfeng executed the Cyan Cloud Sword Manual's cultivation technique. With a flick of his body, he slipped through the cage's opening.
"Roar!"
The commotion with the iron cage instantly awakened the sleeping black-haired iron-armed ape. This fierce beast, hungry for a long time, abruptly opened its blood-red eyes and let out a furious roar.
Upon seeing Lu Chengfeng, it sprang from the ground, standing upright. Its iron arms pounded its chest, and savage white fangs protruded from its bloody mouth, ready to devour someone at any moment.
Boom!
Amidst the vast mountain forest, this fierce beast's ferocity and killing power far exceeded ordinary imagination. Though incredibly tall, its actions were exceptionally swift and rapid.
Its arms, as if heavenly pillars, suddenly slammed down, smashing fiercely toward Lu Chengfeng.
With narrowed eyes, Lu Chengfeng dodged at the last moment.
At his previous position, those iron arms hammered the ground, creating cracks, dust arose, and the cage rattled violently.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
This black-haired iron-armed ape was too wild. After discovering this prey, it frantically pummeled with its arms, and shadows filled the place in an instant.
Lu Chengfeng was constantly forced to dodge, only realizing then the terrifying aspect of this middle-tier fierce beast. Such brute strength, if met head-on, would crush him into mince.
When cornered to one side of the cage, he saw the beast's wide-open arms and its gaping mouth spew a green mist.
Lu Chengfeng sensed the foul stench, his heart sank, and he hurriedly held his breath, circulating the Bixiao inner cultivation heart method, elevating his Essence, Qi, and Spirit to the peak in an instant.
"It seems this disciple lacks experience, not even familiar with the attack methods of the black-haired iron-armed ape. To still dare challenge like this truly is a bit arrogant," the Transmission Elder couldn't help shaking his head.
All who dare undertake the Outer Peak Elder assessment have been honed in the deep mountains, well acquainted with the fierce beast's habits and battle tactics, daring to engage in cage combat only then.
"Youth indeed, but this body technique is quite exquisite, already reaching a proficiency above the seventh layer. Surely staying alive is not difficult."
"For young people, facing setbacks and learning from lessons aren't necessarily bad things."
The Transmission Elder, being an Inner Peak True Inheritor himself, discovered Lu Chengfeng's refined technique and admired his talent.
He protruded his hand from his left sleeve, unnoticed, holding a Willow Leaf Saber. The blade emanated a blue halo, clearly poisoned.
This poison was specifically prepared for the black-haired iron-armed ape, making it fall into a slumber just a few breaths after hitting, crafted especially to save those undergoing assessment.
Despite this, unexpected incidents are inevitable during assessments, so every disciple is cautious when applying.
At this moment, Lu Chengfeng seized the opportunity as the beast's arms spread, flashing to the beast's flank.
The permeating green mist took time to reach this dead angle.
Clang!
With a clear and melodious sword cry, a dazzling sword light flashed by. From the Cold Cicada Treasure Sword, fierce white sword qi emerged, extending a foot and slashing out in an instant.
Puff!
Blood splattered as the sword qi penetrated, tearing open a bloody gash in the black-haired iron-armed ape's lower limb.
Lu Chengfeng followed the sword, in a blink of an eye, from under its arm to behind the beast, delivering another slash that left another bloodied gash on its back.
"Roar!" the black-haired iron-armed ape, in pain, let out an angry roar.
But at that moment, a flash of cold light, and a Willow Leaf Saber pierced its body precisely.
The black-haired iron-armed ape's body trembled, its arms writhing violently as it bared its fangs, about to turn and kill Lu Chengfeng.
However, as it turned, its body collapsed with a loud thud.
"Junior Brother Lu truly possesses remarkable skills; congratulations on passing this assessment," the Transmission Elder expressed amazement, "At your age and martial level, you are fit to become an Inner Peak True Inheritor. I will report this to the Hall Master. I expect there will be news from the Inner Peak soon."
"Congratulations, Junior Brother Lu!"
The elder now addressed him as Junior Brother, his tone much warmer than before, eyes filled with praise and disbelief.
"To have polished swordsmanship over the tenth layer at just over twenty, when did the Outer Peak gain such a prodigious talent? Once the news spreads, it will likely shake the entire sect."