Chapter 127: Mystical Power Test

An imposing elder was in charge of evaluating Yun Che's group. Standing before the Profound Stone, he swept his gaze across everyone and declared in a deep voice, "The first assessment is a profound energy test. I will reiterate the minimum entry requirements for the academy: fifteen years old for first-level Profound Realm, sixteen for third-level, seventeen for fifth-level, and eighteen for sixth-level. Those under fifteen or over eighteen, as well as those whose profound energy falls below the minimum standard, should withdraw voluntarily. Do not delude yourselves into thinking there will be any errors with the Profound Stone's test!"

Such warnings were repeated multiple times each year at the Blue Wind Profound Palace. Yet, a large number of young profound practitioners were eliminated in the first round annually. This was due to many being unwilling to give up, holding onto false hope, not wanting to come for nothing, or wishing for the Profound Stone to malfunction. Therefore, despite clear and strict standards being in place, more than half of the applicants were still filtered out in the initial round.

After the elder finished speaking, no one in the crowd withdrew. With a wave of his hand, he moved to stand beside the Profound Stone and announced, "Now, the first round of assessment begins. When I call your name, please come up and place your hand on the Profound Stone." As he spoke, the elder picked up his list and called out, "First: Han Chi!"

"It's starting... Brother-in-law, you're in the sixteen-year-old age group, and your profound energy is a full seven levels above the standard! In a moment, you're sure to astound everyone," Xia Yuanba said, his face beaming with excitement, as he followed behind Yun Che. Ever since Qin Wuyou promised to arrange his placement in the Profound Palace's outer court, his excitement had not subsided; he still felt as if he were dreaming.

The one whose name was called was a youth who appeared to be sixteen or seventeen. He stepped before the Profound Stone, carefully placed his hand on it, and his face revealed a tense expression.

Soon, the Profound Stone flickered, and three clear lines of text appeared on its surface:First line: Age: 17 years old.Second line: Profound Energy: Fourth Level of the Profound Realm.Third line: Disqualified.

This Profound Stone could not only test profound energy but also age! Yun Che was struck by the thought that a seventeen-year-old at the fourth level of the Profound Realm would undoubtedly be an elite disciple in the New Moon Profound Palace. Yet, here at the Blue Wind Profound Palace, he didn't even meet the minimum threshold. After all, the Imperial City was indeed the Imperial City.

"Disqualified. Step down," the elder stated, his expression stern as he looked at the Profound Stone's result.

The youth named Han Chi grew frantic. He bowed deeply to the elder, almost pleading, "Senior, I am only one level short, and I'm just a hair's breadth away from a breakthrough; perhaps I could achieve it tomorrow. Please, senior, make an exception and let me pass. I will be eternally grateful, and in the future, I will..."

"No!" The elder waved his hand sharply. He had witnessed such situations too many times, and his expression remained unchanged. "What do you think the Blue Wind Profound Palace is? There will be no exceptions! Step down immediately."

"Senior, please!" Han Chi was so anxious that tears were on the verge of falling as he earnestly begged, "Senior, it's been my dream to enter the Blue Wind Profound Palace. My arrival here carries the hopes of my entire family. Please, if you'll just let me pass, I'll agree to any condition."

"If you don't meet the standard, no one will make an exception, even if you kneel until you drop dead! Leave. You are only seventeen this year; you have one last chance next year. Seize your final opportunity well. If you persist in pestering me, I will strip you of your last chance to even apply for the Blue Wind Profound Palace."

The elder's final words instantly paled Han Chi's face. He dared not utter another word and left with a crestfallen expression.

The first test candidate's dramatic display was nothing new to the palace instructors, who were accustomed to such scenes. However, many young profound practitioners waiting for their turn began to sweat profusely.

"Next, Liu Changqing.""Age sixteen, second level Profound Realm, disqualified! Next...""Age eighteen, fifth level Profound Realm, disqualified! Next...""Age fifteen, second level Profound Realm... Qualified! Hmm, quite good for such a young age. You've passed the first assessment. Next."

The tests continued. On average, only one out of every three or four individuals passed, a low success rate that astonished Yun Che. Learning from the first failed applicant's example, the young profound practitioners who didn't pass left dejectedly, none daring to plead further. Those who did pass, of course, were overjoyed, some even covering their faces and weeping with excitement.

These young profound practitioners came from all over the nation. Countless individuals had arrived with their greatest lifelong dreams, and many more carried the expectations of their entire families. Achieving the status of a Blue Wind Profound Palace disciple bestowed an incredibly dazzling aura, no matter where one went.

"Age seventeen, ninth level Profound Realm, qualified!"As the numbers appeared on the Profound Stone, gasps immediately rippled through the crowd. Gaze after gaze, filled with admiration and envy, converged on the young man standing before the stone. Even the elder conducting the test nodded, a faint smile appearing on his face. "Very good. Before leaving the outer palace, you have a strong chance of entering the middle palace. Work hard."

Upon hearing the words "middle palace," nearly all the young profound practitioners revealed expressions of profound longing and aspiration. If one could enter the middle palace, they would attain a significantly high status not only elsewhere but even within this Blue Wind Imperial City—an achievement glorious enough to bring honor to their entire family.

The young man removed his hand from the Profound Stone, a confident and proud smile playing on his lips. He gazed arrogantly at the young profound practitioners who had passed and those still waiting, declaring, "I am Ao Yan. I hope my future fellow disciples will offer much guidance. However, I have already secured first place in this group."

Ao Yan's demeanor was exceedingly arrogant, but at seventeen years old and at the ninth level of the Profound Realm, he certainly had reason to be proud. Whispers about him immediately arose among the crowd, who then learned that Ao Yan hailed from Giant Desert City in the west. His family was the undisputed dominant power in Giant Desert City, no weaker than any local sect.

"Next, Yun Che." The elder's voice came again."Brother-in-law, it's your turn!" Hearing Yun Che's name, Xia Yuanba immediately grew excited.

Yun Che stepped before the Profound Stone, extended his right palm, placed it on the stone, and subtly channeled his profound energy.

The Profound Stone instantly glowed."Sixteen years old, tenth level Profound Realm, qualified."As the elder announced this result, a collective gasp erupted from the surroundings. Numerous gazes, several times more astonished than before, instantly converged on Yun Che. Ao Yan's previous achievement had already impressed and envied the crowd, but the young man who followed him possessed profound energy one level higher than Ao Yan. Furthermore, their difference was far greater than just one level; Yun Che was actually a year younger than Ao Yan. If Yun Che were also seventeen, surpassing Ao Yan would be far more significant than just one level.

Ao Yan, who had been standing proudly to the side, felt his face suddenly stiffen. His eyes were fixed intently on the results displayed on the Profound Stone; he simply couldn't believe what he was seeing. Slowly, his face began to burn... Just moments before, he had arrogantly declared that first place in this group belonged to him. Immediately after, someone even younger than him had directly surpassed him. His earlier words felt like a living slap to his own face.

"Haha, only sixteen years old and already half a step away from the True Profound Realm, truly excellent!" The elder slowly nodded, a deeply approving smile on his face. "You are the most outstanding test candidate I've seen today. If you maintain your talent, you might be able to enter the middle palace in less than two years. Work hard."

Yun Che nodded and calmly took his place among the qualified candidates. Countless gazes continued to follow him, and incessant whispers filled the air around him.

"Who is that person? He must be the young master of some prominent family, right?""Is that even a question? People from major sects don't enter the Profound Palace. Besides those sects, only large families with deep foundations and abundant resources can cultivate such super talents... The instructor said he might enter the middle palace within two years. It's enough to make one die of envy."

"Big brother, you're truly incredible! Only sixteen, and you're already nearing the True Profound Realm! May I ask... may I ask what your name is, big brother?"As soon as Yun Che joined the group, the fifteen-year-old boy who was the first to pass the test approached him, his face full of admiration. He hadn't clearly heard Yun Che's name when the elder called it earlier.

Yun Che remembered the fifteen-year-old boy's name was Yun Xiaofan, who shared his surname, Yun. He seemed very innocent, with pure eyes. Yun Che smiled and said, "My name is Yun Che. I remember your name is Yun Xiaofan, right?"

"Yes, yes!" Seeing that Yun Che actually remembered his name, Yun Xiaofan's face lit up with excitement and surprise. "Ah? You're also surnamed Yun? What a coincidence!""Fate," Yun Che said with a chuckle, feeling quite fond of Yun Xiaofan.

"Hehe," Yun Xiaofan thought, feeling a warmth in his heart. He had expected someone with such astonishing achievements to be arrogant and cold, but Yun Che was so amiable. His nervousness dissipated considerably, but the admiration in his eyes grew. "Big Brother Yun, where are you from? You're so powerful, you must be the young master of a prominent family, right?"

Yun Che smiled and shook his head. "I'm not the young master of any prominent family; I'm just an ordinary person. By the way, I'm from Floating Cloud City."

"Uh, Floating Cloud City?" Yun Xiaofan paused, thought hard for a moment, then showed an embarrassed expression. "I'm young and haven't seen much of the world. I don't think I've ever heard of that city."

"Hmph! It's just a small city in the east, not much bigger than a town. Hardly anyone knows of such a backwater place; even more people have never heard of it."

A sarcastic voice came from the side. Ao Yan cast a sidelong glance at Yun Che. Upon hearing Yun Che claim he wasn't a young master from a prominent family but "just an ordinary person," and that he hailed from what was effectively the smallest city in the Blue Wind Empire, a sense of disdain immediately welled up within him. He sneered, "Yun Che, don't think that just because your profound energy level is higher than mine, it means anything. Profound energy doesn't represent combat power. Only profound practitioners with powerful profound arts and profound skills deserve to be called true profound practitioners—a concept that, unfortunately, someone from a small place like you couldn't possibly understand. Even though your profound energy is one level higher than mine, let alone one level, even if it were three levels higher, you still wouldn't be my match."