Chapter 64: The Sea Election Ends

  "Ding! Congratulations, Host's Swordsmanship has reached Level 10. Proficiency of Water Shadow Sword +5000."

  ……

  A cold system prompt sounded in Fang Yan's mind, the comments from the audience below him were like a tidal wave, but he was unmoved, playing as he pleased. The envoy of the Proud Cold Sect was present, wanting to make a killing move to kill Gao Jin, it was simply impossible. In the great battle with Gao Jin, Gao Jin had become Fang Yan's sparring partner.

  After a long attack, Gao Jin wanted to defeat Fang Yan with one move, but at the most critical moment, Fang Yan's "Collapse Mountain Fist" could always turn danger into safety. This made Gao Jin extremely frustrated. The "Collapse Mountain Fist" had reached the level of a master, and it had some incredible power that could transform decay into magic. Moreover, Gao Jin had only incorporated the "Phantom Sword Technique" into the "Tiger Soul Severing Soul Knife", as for the "Phantom Sword", he didn't dare to use it, once used, it would definitely arouse the suspicion of the head of the Gao family, he was a usurper, and he couldn't afford to take this risk. However, without taking risks, he couldn't defeat Fang Yan, which made Gao Jin extremely conflicted.

  "What a delightful little fellow!" Fang Yan was in the midst of an intense battle with Gao Jin, the stage was ablaze with excitement, and the audience below was cheering and shouting to the heavens. Wei Mingshan, the elder of the Haohan Sect, sat on the main platform, twirling his mustache with a smile.

  "Wei Lao, have you figured something out? The young talents of our Yangzhou city are still in your eyes, aren't they?" Mo Shi'an, the lord of Yangzhou city, asked with a smile towards Wei Ming Shan.

  "Ah, good!" Weiming Shan nodded with a smile.

  "Wei Changlao, what's wrong with this Fang Yan guy? He's been fighting till now but only defending and not attacking. Doesn't he know that in a martial arts competition, one should fight vigorously and valiantly instead of just passively taking the beating like a turtle hiding its head?"

  "You don't understand, this Fang Yan seems to be at a disadvantage, being beaten passively, but this is only temporary. Do you know what he's doing? He's taking advantage of this intense sword practice. Can't you see that his swordsmanship is improving every moment? This is an invaluable talent!" Wei Mingshan glanced at Li Yuncong and couldn't help but say.

  "Ah, Elder Wei is right. Fang Yan is indeed a genius. To think that he's only at the 8th level of Qi Refining and can already contend with those in the Violent Air Realm... such talent is extremely rare. We must definitely recruit him into our sect." said Xia Nianxiang from the side.

  "Gao Jin, this useless thing, isn't it that he guaranteed to capture this kid with his mouthful of boasts? How can he still not capture him now?" Hearing the praise from the elder and Xia Nianyu, Li Yuncong suddenly had a belly full of anger, looking at Gao Jin on the battlefield with evil fire bursting forth, he hated that he couldn't go on stage to replace Gao Jin and severely deal with Fang Yan.

  "Wei Lao, this fight between Fang Yan and Gao Jin is still undecided for the time being. The sea selection has not ended yet. Should we let them stop for now and settle the outcome during the formal assessment?" Just then, a middle-aged man in brocade clothes from the Ao Han Sect spoke up.

  "Alright, this guy is using his superior skills to prolong the fight. It's not going to end anytime soon, so let's just stop them!" Wei Mingshan nodded in agreement upon hearing this.

  "The two young masters can give up now, this round is a draw. Both of you have passed the preliminary selection and will wait for the next stage of assessment." The middle-aged man in the embroidered brocade of the Ao Han Sect waved his hand, and with a loud voice, he used pure true energy to attack and separate the two from their intense battle.

  "Hmph... This time I'll let you off, but next time you're going to regret it." Gao Jin glared at Fang Yan with a menacing tone.

  "Defeated by a subordinate, how can you speak of bravery? Let's see who comes out on top." Fang Yan gave Gao Jin a cold glance, turned his back and jumped off the stage.

  "In half a time, the proficiency of Water Shadow Sword has increased by nearly one million. If I could fight for another day and night, my Water Shadow Sword would reach the realm of a generation master." Looking at the Shenzhou system interface in his mind, the proficiency of Water Shadow Sword had reached two million, Fang Yan was somewhat disappointed and muttered to himself.

  Fang Yan's proficiency in Water Shadow Sword rose so quickly, thanks to Gao Jin. The opponent's Tiger Soul Breaking Knife technique incorporated the Phantom Sword Manual, with a mix of reality and illusion, making it difficult to distinguish between true and false. Fang Yan's Water Shadow Sword was barely able to withstand the attack with all his might, and if his proficiency hadn't increased, it would have been a strange occurrence.

  Returning to Fang Zhen and Fu Qingxue's side, Fang Yan was pondering whether he should let Fu Qingxue accompany him in his cultivation. Fu Qingxue had also cultivated the Phantom Sword Technique; if they practiced together, he might have a chance to break through to the realm of a first-rate grandmaster in the near future.

  As Fang Yan and Gao Jin's battle was stopped by the envoy of the Hao Han Zong, several more Bo Qi Jing cultivators took to the stage for a trial by combat. After all the Bo Qi Jing cultivators who met the conditions had taken their turn on stage, several more cultivators in the 9th layer of Qi Refining were named and challenged the Bo Qi Jing cultivators. In the end, none of them lost, no one was a match for the Bo Qi Jing cultivators. Crossing realms to challenge others was only possible for a select few.

  The challengers on the stage all retreated until no one was left to challenge, and only then did the envoy of the Hao Han Zong announce that this sea election had come to an end.

  "Everyone, calm down."

  "Here, I would like to congratulate all of you who have passed the sea selection. You have taken another step closer to my proud clan, the Haohan Clan. Although we are not a top-notch sect in the vast world of cultivation, within the borders of the Great Song Dynasty, we are still considered one of the best. Joining the Haohan Clan has many benefits, with abundant resources for cultivation and a wide range of techniques at your disposal. As long as you become a disciple of the Haohan Clan, becoming a powerful cultivator is just around the corner." Wei Mingshan raised his hand to quiet the crowd and spoke loudly.

  "This time, a total of 108 people have passed the sea selection. You all prepare well, tomorrow, you will participate in my Hao Han Zong's entrance examination. As long as you pass, you can return to Hao Han Zong with us for cultivation. If you are unwilling to take part in tomorrow's assessment, you can also give up, we will not force you."

  "This assessment is a trial by fire, you will be fighting for your lives against ferocious beasts and fugitives from the Song Dynasty. The danger is immense, and there will inevitably be casualties. Don't rush to make any promises now, let's wait until tomorrow's formal assessment before making any decisions." Looking at the crowd below, who were all excitedly thumping their chests in guarantee, Wei Mingshan smiled and shook his head. The previous preliminary selection was just an appetizer, but tomorrow's assessment would be the main course.

  It's not easy to pass the sea selection, and no one is willing to choose to quit halfway. Because they know that once this village is passed, there will be no such store, and if it is missed, it will be difficult to enter the Seventh Product Sect again. It can be said that even knowing there are dangers, not a single person chose to quit halfway, and they disdain Wei Ming Shan's advice.

  Some were overjoyed, while others were disheartened. The ones who passed the assessment were ecstatic, while those who failed hung their heads in shame. Among these 108 people, the Fang family, as one of the three major families in Yangzhou City, wielded immense power and influence. However, only three members of the Fang family had passed the assessment: Fang Yan, Fu Qingxuan, and Fang Qing. In contrast, the other two major families, the Gao and Wang families, had 14 or 15 people pass the assessment, which was five times that of the Fang family. As a result, the Fang family suffered ridicule and mockery from the Gao and Wang families during the dispersal ceremony.

  "Wang Doufu, don't be so smug. Just because you passed the sea selection doesn't mean you've really joined the Hao Han Sect. What do you have to be proud of?" The Wang family, led by Wang Doufu, was mocking the Fang family with the most vicious words, and Fang Zhen was truly unable to bear it, his face darkening."

  "Father, no need to bother with these clowns. Let's go." Fang Yan sneered, now let you guys be proud first, wait until the assessment and then we'll see who's good.

  "Fang Yan, don't be so smug. When the assessment comes, pray that you won't meet me, or else..." Wang Chuyi, the genius of the Wang family, sneered coldly and made a throat-slitting gesture at Fang Yan, with a flash of murderous intent in his eyes.