Chapter Sixty-Eight: The Fat Sheep Comes Knocking

As Elder Li's words faded, Yang Yan, Liu Zhengqing, as well as Zhang Lin and Zhang Fei from the Zhang family, each stepped forward to collect their identification tokens one after another.

“Once we enter the Hundred Hunts Ground, Liu Zhengqing and I will strive to gather ‘Soul Hunt Points’ as quickly as possible. No matter which one of us makes it into the top hundred first, the other three must immediately move to rendezvous!”

Because entry into the Hundred Hunts Ground was through the stone gate’s teleportation, all participants would be scattered randomly across the grounds. In order to avoid falling into danger, it was wise to promptly meet up with trusted companions.

The three nodded solemnly at his words, especially Zhang Lin and Zhang Fei. Though both possessed the strength of the second stage, peak Sense Spirit Realm, which was considered quite decent among the younger generation in Jinhuan City, in the Hundred Hunts Ground—where geniuses from all sides gathered—they were nothing out of the ordinary.

Moreover, Yang Yan’s recent meteoric rise had transformed their earlier scorn and mockery into genuine admiration. Unconsciously, they had come to trust the third young master’s words more and more.

“Let’s go. Be careful, everyone.”

With one final reminder, Yang Yan hesitated no longer and was the first to step through the stone gate. At that moment, a vortex of swirling light erupted from within, followed by a terrifying suction force that swept him inside, swallowing him whole in an instant.

Behind him, Liu Zhengqing and the other two wore grave expressions as they entered the gate one after another.

They understood that the most arduous part of the Azure Profound Sect’s disciple selection was only just beginning.

A dull thud shattered the silence of the early morning forest. The body of a serpent-like magical beast was flung heavily to the ground.

Upon closer inspection, this beast not only possessed wings but also several-inch-long, razor-sharp claws beneath its belly, glinting coldly. Its body was much like any ordinary snake, though its head was the size of a human’s, with crimson eyes and a long, flickering tongue. Although it looked fierce and terrifying, by now it was barely clinging to life—its breaths shallow, its end near.

The Eight-tiered Demon Beast, Soaring Winged Serpent, was equivalent in strength to a human cultivator at the eighth or ninth stage of the Body Tempering Realm—a considerable force among demon beasts. However, to Yang Yan now, it posed no threat at all.

Back before he reached the Sense Spirit Realm, Yang Yan had encountered a Soaring Winged Serpent in the Zhang family’s back mountains. At that time, when he was at the peak of the Body Tempering Realm, subduing such a beast required a strenuous battle.

Although the serpent was slightly weaker than Yang Yan then, demon beasts naturally boasted superior physicality compared to human cultivators. It wasn’t that Yang Yan’s foundation in the Body Tempering Realm had been lacking.

“Only 10 points? How pitifully little.”

As the Soaring Winged Serpent took its last breath, a faint green light drifted from its corpse and, with a soft whoosh, was drawn into the identification token in Yang Yan’s hand. Instantly, the number ‘10’ lit up brightly in crimson on the token.

Somewhat dissatisfied, Yang Yan tucked the token away and, without hesitation, leapt lightly from the ground, heading deeper into the forest.

...

“Seventy points so far. At this rate, it won’t do...”

Along the way, Yang Yan had encountered many magical beasts, but all were of the demon beast class—like the twin-winged Gale Wolf or the basin-sized Black-Haired Spider. Each kill netted him just 10 Soul Hunt Points. Even lesser beasts, not even reaching the fifth tier, yielded a mere 5 points.

“It seems only by hunting spirit beast-class monsters can I earn more Soul Hunt Points. The other method is to seize others’ tokens.”

Yang Yan rested his chin on his hand, pondering quietly.

“Well, speak of the devil and he appears!”

With a smirk, Yang Yan vaulted into a tree, concealing himself among the thick leaves.

Strangely, despite it being deep winter, the Hundred Hunts Ground was as warm as spring. Trees vied for life, radiating vitality—a testament to the Azure Profound Sect’s wondrous powers, filling Yang Yan with both admiration and longing.

“Hey, do you think we’ll manage to pass the trial this time?”

“It’ll be tough. Yesterday, there were those geniuses with grade four, grade five, even grade six innate spirit constitutions. They’re all likely at the peak of Sense Spirit Realm’s second stage by now. With our meager cultivation, just entering the second stage, I’m afraid our prospects aren’t good.”

“They’re from the Jade Sword Pavilion of Hanxiang City...”

Yang Yan’s eyes narrowed. In the distance, two youths approached—one plump, one thin—wearing blue and white robes adorned with a sword emblem on their chests. They were undoubtedly disciples of the Jade Sword Pavilion, but the youth named Leng Yuetian, who had shown hostility to Yang Yan the previous day, was not with them.

“Let’s just stay put. Once the ‘Top Hundred Ranking’ activates, we’ll see where Young Master Leng is. With his strength, taking us through the trial should be no problem at all,” said the thin youth, stopping in his tracks.

“Exactly. Unless he encounters that genius girl from the Sun family in Jinhuan City with the sixth-grade talent, there shouldn’t be any trouble,” the plump youth replied, his face lighting up.

“Hmph, even if he does, so what? Talent doesn’t equal strength! I heard that Sun family girl was beaten in the last Jinhuan City clan tournament by some so-called... Yang Yan, that good-for-nothing. If you ask me, the younger generation of Jinhuan City’s immortal families are all just for show!”

The thin one snorted, his disdain clear.

High in the treetops, Yang Yan couldn’t help but smile at this.

“So, my reputation as the ‘good-for-nothing young master’ isn’t just famous in Jinhuan City—it’s ‘spread far and wide’ to neighboring cities as well...”

All the better. Let them witness what the so-called good-for-nothing from Jinhuan City can really do!

With this thought, Yang Yan ceased hiding and drifted lightly down to the ground.

Facing two newly advanced Sense Spirit Realm cultivators, there was no need for sneak attacks.

“Who’s there?!”

Startled by the sound behind them, the two boys spun around, eyes wary and scanning their surroundings.

When they saw it was only one person, their tense expressions relaxed, replaced by mocking amusement, as though looking at a fool.

“Who am I? I’m the very ‘good-for-nothing young master’ you were just talking about...”

Yang Yan spread his hands in feigned helplessness, his tone calm.

“Good-for-nothing young master?... You’re... Yang Yan!”