Chapter Forty-Five: The Scholar Arrives

Inner Sect of the Sect of Sole Sovereignty.

Upon the Fifth Mountain.

After the martial examination, all disciples participating in the Law Enforcement Hall selection entered a brief period of rest, regaining their strength and nurturing their spirits in preparation for the coming written exam.

As the candidates readied themselves, news of the martial trial began to spread throughout the sect.

Given the unique status and importance of the Law Enforcement Hall, many disciples were keenly interested in this round of selection.

Particularly, attention was focused on the top four, for they would be admitted into the Law Enforcement Hall as the new generation of enforcers; so much so that even those who placed fifth or sixth garnered little interest.

"The results for the first round of the Law Enforcement Hall martial trial are out!"

"Indeed, I heard the fourth place went to Tony Mu."

"What? Tony Mu only came in fourth?"

"He's a six-star prodigy! Who took third, then?"

"Heh, you’d never guess—it's the little junior sister who’s always trailing behind Wang Ran!"

"It’s her?"

"Why not? She scored top marks in the A division."

"Second place went to Zhao Xiaobai, a true reincarnation of a god of slaughter—his reputation is well deserved."

"But if we’re talking about the most impressive, it’s Wang Ran in first place!"

"Wang Ran is a ten-star Foundation Establishment cultivator; it’s no surprise he took first. What was his score? A+?"

"Hmph, I’ll wager you’ll never guess!"

The disciples buzzed with speculation, while those privy to the inside story wore secretive smiles.

"How could we not guess? The highest martial trial score is A+, unless he broke the sky itself and Elder Liu gave him an A++?" someone scoffed, annoyed by the secrecy.

But the insiders only smiled mysteriously, unfazed. "His score was zero!"

"Zero?"

Many disciples stared in confusion.

The Law Enforcement Hall selection had been held many times, with scores ranging from C- to A+, all strictly regulated. But never had a score of zero been heard of.

Noting the shock in their audience, one of the insiders explained, "The reason is simple... He shattered the Spirit Martial Stone!"

At these words, a heavy silence fell over the crowd.

Then, like a tidal wave, the discussion erupted.

"Impossible!"

"That Spirit Martial Stone is a divine artifact, harder than anything. Even though it’s only of the lowest grade, it can withstand the full-force strike of a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator. How could he shatter it?"

"Right, only a Golden Core cultivator could accomplish such a feat."

"Does this mean Wang Ran’s strength rivals that of a Golden Core expert?"

"That’s unthinkable."

Most disciples refused to believe the news when it first spread; it simply defied their understanding of power.

Yet those who had witnessed the miracle only smiled coldly. "Elder Liu himself presided—could it be faked? Senior Brother Wang Ran’s strength is beyond our imagination!"

In this world where martial prowess reigned supreme, Wang Ran’s feat on the Fifth Mountain—shattering the Spirit Martial Stone with a single strike—won him the awe and admiration of many disciples present.

Thus, the tale spread like wildfire. Those who had doubted at first were eventually forced to accept it.

For the first time since reaching the ten-star Foundation Establishment, Wang Ran’s name resounded throughout the Sect of Sole Sovereignty, from the most gifted inner sect disciples to the lowest outer sect laborers.

The astonishment was widespread, and Wang Ran reaped a sudden harvest of Dao Validation Points.

All through the noon hours, the system’s notification chimes rang incessantly.

Meanwhile, before the main hall of the Law Enforcement Hall on Fifth Mountain—

At this very moment, the square was packed tighter than ever.

Though logic dictated that the martial trial’s conclusion meant anyone outside the top five had no chance and could leave early, the crowd only swelled, not diminished.

Even disciples who hadn't participated in the selection flocked to Fifth Mountain, leaving no space uncovered.

All eyes were drawn, without exception, to the solitary figure standing atop a massive stone at the center of the square.

"Is that Wang Ran?"

"Yes, that’s Senior Brother Wang."

"He looks frail—can he really be so formidable?"

"Hmph! Senior Brother Wang shattered the Spirit Martial Stone with a single palm. Hundreds witnessed it. Is there any doubt?"

"Look at the ground—there are still fragments of the Spirit Martial Stone lying about."

"Heavens, he really split the stone in two!"

"So this is the might of ten-star Foundation Establishment? Terrifying indeed!"

Upon seeing the shards scattered on the ground, the last remnants of skepticism dissolved. All gazed, shaken, at the figure before them.

Wang Ran stood atop the giant stone, hands clasped behind his back, his expression indifferent, betraying neither joy nor sorrow. A cold wind fluttered his violet and white long robes, heightening the air of solitary mastery.

He even let slip a hint of kingly aura, barely perceptible yet sweeping around him, enough to make many hearts tremble. In that moment, his presence and bearing reached an unprecedented height.

The disciples behind him were dumbstruck, each subdued by the overwhelming atmosphere.

"Senior Brother Wang is indeed an unparalleled prodigy—his composure is far beyond ours!"

"They say he’s a dragon among men, the sect’s foremost genius. I used to doubt it, but today I’m convinced."

"Indeed, to possess such cultivation at the Foundation Establishment stage—there are but a handful like him."

"Senior Brother Wang is truly a model for all cultivators."

Voices of awe and admiration rang out one after another. The little junior sister, Yan Wanrou, gazed at him with starry eyes, utterly enthralled.

Only Wang Ran, the eye of the storm, remained unchanged, seemingly indifferent to fame and fortune, exuding the poise of a recluse untouched by the world.

Yet, if one looked closely, they would catch a glint of irrepressible pride in his eyes.

"Alas, my life is destined to be bathed in glory," Wang Ran mused inwardly, unable to suppress the smile tugging at his lips.

While the entire sect buzzed with talk, the second round of examinations was upon them.

Zhao Xiaobai, Tony Mu, and the others awakened from meditation and, under Elder Liu’s guidance, filed into the examination hall.

In truth, the martial trial had already determined the rankings. For those beyond fifth place, the written exam held little meaning; their elimination was all but certain.

Yet, many still wished to challenge themselves. After some thought, burning with fighting spirit, they entered the hall.

In all, more than a hundred and twenty, including Wang Ran, took their seats in a grand hall on Fifth Mountain, in a scene reminiscent of ancient imperial examinations.

By virtue of his outstanding first-round score, Wang Ran was seated in the front row, directly under the invigilating elder’s stern gaze, which only increased the pressure.

Many snickered at the sight, but Wang Ran was unfazed.

A joke—wasn’t he a renowned champion of the imperial examinations in his past life?

He dipped his brush in ink, eyes brightening.

It was time to show them what a true scholar looked like!