Chapter 206: Unfair Assessment

His name was called.

Tao Zhengjun immediately rose, his muscular body, like an iron tower, striding powerfully to the center of the arena. Knowing Tang Tianlong intended to make things difficult, he remained fearless. He activated his Foundation Establishment fifth-level spiritual power and shouted, "Come on!"

Tang Tianlong responded expressionlessly, "Good!" He immediately unleashed a set of fist techniques, the oppressive wind from his blows creating a series of whistling sounds.

Upon seeing this, Liu Wenchen angrily slapped the table. "Isn't this just shameless? He's directly using the Reincarnation Peak's strongest 'Five Forms Fist'! And attacking with full power at Foundation Establishment eighth-level cultivation! This is clearly an attempt to beat someone to death!"

Everyone was well aware of Tang Tianlong's malicious intent. However, no one anticipated he would be so merciless. The peak masters from the other peaks also frowned in concern.

"This is merely an assessment, meant to evaluate a disciple's cultivation, techniques, and combat experience," one remarked. "To use overwhelming Foundation Establishment eighth-level strength right from the start isn't an evaluation; it's a deliberate attempt to eliminate the opponent! Reincarnation Peak has gone too far!"

Despite the elders' murmurs of disapproval, Feng Guzen remained unperturbed, eloquently stating, "True gold isn't afraid of the fire! If the Sovereign Peak disciples are truly formidable, why would they fear my disciple Tang Tianlong's full power? Only weaklings try to take advantage of chaotic situations."

As he watched Tao Zhengjun struggle on the stage, Feng Guzen felt a sense of satisfaction. He hadn't initially intended to be so blatant. But he had made a significant blunder with the Nascent Soul jade talisman, becoming a sinner of the sect. He had to ensure that Sovereign Peak would achieve a zero score today, without a single 'good' disciple, thereby making the peak a laughingstock. This way, people wouldn't solely criticize Reincarnation Peak.

"Eight moves! Get out!"

Despite Tao Zhengjun's furious counterattack and his fearlessness in the face of Tang Tianlong's brutal suppression, the two were several cultivation levels apart. Furthermore, as a new disciple, Tao Zhengjun's techniques were naturally no match. By the eighth move, he finally succumbed, sent flying by Tang Tianlong's palm. Tao Zhengjun's muscular body was sent hurtling backward, directly towards a sharp wooden stake.

Seeing this, Jiang Fan immediately rushed forward and effortlessly caught him. With cold eyes, he glared at Tang Tianlong, asking, "Is it truly necessary to be so ruthless? Suppression was one thing, but such a vicious attack was another! He completely disregarded the Sovereign Peak disciple's life and death!"

Tang Tianlong replied expressionlessly, "If your skill is inferior, do you blame others for fighting with full strength? If all your Sovereign Peak disciples are such trash, then spare yourselves the effort and return to your peak! Get out of my way; don't interfere with my disciple assessment!"

He walked to the wooden box and drew another slip of paper. "Next! Cuiyun Peak, Wang Yanran!"

Wang Yanran was a senior disciple. She had a Foundation Establishment fifth-level cultivation. Jiang Fan was familiar with her; she was the female disciple who had just been flattering Tang Tianlong, mentioning a promise he had made to her. It was unknown what kind of clandestine deal the two had made privately.

When Tang Tianlong made his move against her, he suppressed his spiritual power and used a rather unremarkable set of fist techniques. Wang Yanran handled it with ease. She easily lasted beyond ten moves. Tang Tianlong smiled and announced, "Wang Yanran, rated 'Good'!"

Wang Yanran was overjoyed and happily stepped down. This left the Sovereign Peak disciples seething with indignation!

"This is unfair! Wang Yanran once sparred with Junior Brother Tao and couldn't even withstand five of his moves! It's ridiculous that she's rated 'Good' while Junior Brother Tao only scraped a 'Pass'! With such blatant favoritism, where is the justice?"

Liu Wenchen was equally enraged. He cupped his hands towards Zhuang Yuanyin and the other Grand Elders present, requesting their intervention. "Grand Elders, you all witnessed this," he pleaded. "Tang Tianlong is completely making a mockery of the disciple assessment! He's failing those who should pass, and arbitrarily passing those who shouldn't!"

The Grand Elders all frowned at this. Tang Tianlong's actions were indeed disgraceful. They severely compromised the fairness of the disciple assessment. However, after exchanging glances, they all chose to remain silent.

Zhuang Yuanyin sighed, "Wenchen, this is an issue for you as the Sect Master. According to our rules, we Grand Elders cannot interfere with internal sect affairs. Otherwise, if all Grand Elders break the rules, your generation will never have the opportunity to shoulder the sect's burdens."

Unless it's a significant matter that impacts the sect's future direction, the Grand Elders will not easily intervene. Even when there are obvious flaws, as in the current situation, they cannot arbitrarily interfere. They can only urge Liu Wenchen, as the Sect Master, to resolve it himself.

Liu Wenchen angrily slammed his fist on the table. "Damn it!" he cursed. If he had sufficient prestige, how would the Great Elder dare to be so presumptuous?

Meanwhile, the assessment on the field continued methodically. For disciples from the other peaks, Tang Tianlong consistently suppressed his cultivation. However, whenever a Sovereign Peak disciple was drawn, he would attack with full force, regardless of their gender or strength. Several disciples who clearly deserved a 'Good' rating only received a 'Pass'.

At this rate, Sovereign Peak might not even have a single disciple rated 'Good'. As the strongest peak, Sovereign Peak was on track to achieve its worst record ever, making them a complete laughingstock.

"Sovereign Peak, Jiang Fan!"

Suddenly, Tang Tianlong drew a slip of paper, and as he unfolded it, a sinister smile spread across his face! He had been waiting for Jiang Fan! For the other Sovereign Peak disciples, he was merely following the Great Elder's instructions to deny them 'Good' ratings. But Jiang Fan! He was the only one whose 'Good' rating he wanted to personally crush! No, in his hands, Jiang Fan wouldn't even *dream* of passing! Not a chance!

Under the watchful eyes of everyone present, Jiang Fan slowly rose. His appearance sparked hushed discussions among the disciples.

"Another one about to face Tang Tianlong's full power!"

"It'll be tough for him to get a 'Good' rating."

"What are you thinking? That's Jiang Fan, a spiritless root disciple. It's questionable if he can even withstand three moves."

Among the elders, however, the sentiment was entirely different. Wen Hongyao's eyes gleamed with anticipation. "It's best if he fails," she mused. "Once he's expelled from Qingyun Sect, I'll bring him back to Medicine Peak."

Zhao Wuji rolled his eyes. "Dream on! Do you truly think Jiang Fan is weak? With such exceptional talent in the Way of the Sword, I highly doubt his cultivation would be subpar."

Li Qingfeng, however, wiped his face and sighed, "It's over! Soon, everyone in the sect will know Jiang Fan's true strength. It's going to be a huge embarrassment."

Meanwhile, among the Grand Elders, a different mood prevailed. Huang Zhantian couldn't help but glance at Liu Wenchen, muttering, "No wonder he arranged for Jiang Fan to enter the arena. He must have long anticipated that Tang Tianlong would go for the kill against Sovereign Peak. That's why he's letting Jiang Fan step in, to teach Tang Tianlong a harsh lesson."

Shi Kaitian scoffed, "Liu Wenchen, that old fox, appears clueless but is quite clever when it comes to getting things done. I knew he wasn't just bored out of his mind by letting Jiang Fan participate in the disciple assessment. He was waiting for this moment!"

Zheng Qiushuang shrugged. "This disciple, Tang Tianlong, is quite oblivious to his own impending doom. Does he truly believe Sovereign Peak is so easily manipulated?"

Amidst the flurry of discussions, Jiang Fan strode to the center of the plaza. Looking at Tang Tianlong before him, he calmly stated, "I had originally planned to just pass the assessment. Now, I've changed my mind."