Chen Hong's entire body had been ravaged under the assault of the black leopard. He tried to move, but the only motions that came out were shakes and trembles.This once proud disciple of the Striking Thunder Sect had been reduced to an immobile bloody mess before the surrounding cultivators.
"This isn't over yet..." Chen Hong could barely say the words without choking. He coughed out a pile of blood, but since he couldn't move it flowed back into his throat.
"Hard to hear with you gagging on your own blood. I think you said something about not giving up? Normally, I would give you some face by helping you back onto your feet, but as you said respect should be given to those who deserve it. Therefore, I think I'll just leave you down there."
Once descending back onto the arena, Yin Hui gave the black leopard a pat on the head. The leopard let out a happy cry as it nestled it's head against Yin Hui's chest.
The cultivators spectating on the lower level took several steps back. Despite Yin Hui and the black leopard sharing a gentle moment together, their outward appearances made it seem like the opposite. With the leopard's demonic and ferocious features, even it's joyful expression looked sinister. Yin Hui was no better. His pale skin, violet eyes, and dreadful aura gave him the air of a demon despite his low cultivation.
Mo Gang silently flew over to Chen Hong and analyzed his wounds. He had a serious expression on his face that was enough to pressure the spectating cultivators into complete silence.
Chen Hong was not in any mortal danger. While his wounds were serious, it was nothing a cultivator of his level couldn't heal from. The Tang Clan were masters in dealing the highest possible amount of suffering without leaving any permanent injury. From his own personal experience and watching others face their wrath, he had a strong understanding of what was lethal and what was not.
After receiving that sneak attack from Chen Hong at the start of the match, Yin Hui had resolved to end the fight as painfully as he could.
Putting the leopard back into his bag of holding, Yin Hui was about to proceed to the second floor with the others who passed when a strong force held him back.
"Where do you think you're going?" Mo Gang said meancingly.
Yin Hui narrowed his eyes, but his expression remained calm.
"Backing out of our deal? I defeated him without using the item we discussed. Therefore, I pass and also get to keep the item."
"A spirit beast does not count as a treasure! It is the same as having another fight in your place, therefore it counts as cheating and thus disqualifies you! Ask the others whether my words are correct or not!"
There was a brief moment of hesitation between the spectators before they began to nod their heads.
"We side with the elder and believe that using a spirit beast should not be allowed." One of the passing applicants said.
"I agree as well with the elder's statement." Another added.
Mo Gang nodded as if he expected this result.
"Since you were disqualified the moment you pulled out that spirit beast, then this could not be considered a duel, but rather an assault on the sect!"
"This old man would punish you here, but if you turn in the item in your bag I will be lenient."
Yin Hui frowned. It was clear the Mo Gang was just making whatever excuses he could to get the Blood Sacrifice Sword.
"Elder I disagree, I believe the usage of a spirit beast was no violation at all." Zhang Shi said while rising from his seat.
Mo Gang snapped his head towards Zhang Shi.
"Zhang Shi... Don't think that because you have good talent I won't punish you for interfering. Speak such lies again and your time in the sect will not be a graceful one." He threatened.
Seeing that his word wasn't enough, Zhang Shi sent a voice transmission to Wu Fangli.
"Brother Wu, if you help me defend this applicant, I can disregard our little wager from earlier. Actually, in return, I promise to owe you a single favor."
Wu Fangli narrowed his eyes when he heard Zhang Shi's request. He could not understand why Zhang Shi would go out of his way for an applicant that he obviously just met today. He didn't even know the applicant's name! However, the idea of Zhang Shi owing him was extremely tempting. In the end, he let out a sigh and stood up from his seat.
"Elder Mo, I agree with Zhang Shi. Even if this applicant does not have good talent in cultivating, he has an affinity with spirit beasts. His talent for it is to the degree that he can even control a beast with much higher cultivation than himself. He has demonstrated decent battle prowess just now, so why not just substitute aptitude for cultivation with aptitude in spirit taming?"
Mo Gang's face darkened.
Seeing that Yin Hui had the support of the two strongest geniuses of the group, Yu Zhuwa smiled.
"Elder Mo, isn't it your job as elder to further the sect as much as possible? It sounds like you're acting out of your own self-interest instead of for the benefit of the sect."
Boom~
Suddenly, Zhang Shi, Wu Fangli, and Yu Zhuwa felt a massive pressure bear down upon them. They fell back into their seats with pained expressions.
The cultivators sitting near Zhang Shi and Wu Fangli quickly distanced themselves from the two. Just feeling the residual pressure radiating off them was enough to cause sweat to run down their foreheads.
"You dare slander me in such a manner?! Don't forget you still have not been fully accepted into the sect yet. If you continue to anger me I will revoke each of your acceptances right now!"
Mo Gang pointed at Yin Hui and directed the pressure towards him as well. Under Mo Gang's spiritual pressure, Yin Hui was quickly brought to his knees.
"I am the evaluator. As long as the test itself complies with sect regulations, I may judge as I see fit! You may have the battle prowess, but you are sorely lacking when it comes to understanding the structural hierarchy and politics! At this moment, my word is law! If I say you fail then you fail! Anyone want to object? If so, this old man will show you your place right now."
Woosh~
All of a sudden, a gentle breeze swept through the arena. As it did, the crushing pressure exerted by Mo Gang began to gradually dissipate.
Mo Gang pupils shrank.
"Is that so? Then please show this ignorant one his place Elder Mo Gang." A soft voice rang from above.
The applicants below all looked up to see a kind looking man in a green robe descending gracefully towards them.
"M-m-master Tranquil Wind!" Mo Gang exclaimed.
"That's Master Tranquil Wind?" One of the applicants asked in shock.
"No way! One of the Striking Thunder Sect's Four Winds!" Another said with admiration.
Upon landing, Master Tranquil Wind slowly walked over to Chen Hong. Peace and tranquility radiated from his body, casting away the tense atmosphere that was set just moments ago by Mo Gang.
Briefly analyzing Chen Hong's wounds, Master Tranquil Wind took out a small bottle from the inside of his sleeve. Turning it over the fallen cultivator, a teal colored liquid splashed on top Chen Hong's body.
The blood that covered his body began to shine and slowly seep back inside. As it did, color returned to Chen Hong's face and body. He was still covered in wounds, but Master Tranquil Wind quickly sealed them with bandages.
After he was done, he walked over to Mo Gang with a gentle smile on his face.
Mo Gang immediately lowered his head.
"Master Tranquil Wind, please forgive me. This old man did not know that you were overseeing the examination. I am willing to accept any punishment you deem necessary."
Everyone was not surprised at Mo Gang's behavior. Master Tranquil Wind was one of the four distinguished masters that ruled the Striking Thunder Sect. If he were to give a command, no one but the Sect Master or the other three masters would be able to object.
Master Tranquil Wind quickly scanned the crowd of cultivators gathered at the arena before letting out a sigh.
"Elder Mo, your test was simply too difficult. In fact, this examination had some of the hardest conditions I've ever seen in the sect."
"First of all, you changed the formation so that anyone who used it would score much lower. It was changed so much from the official standard that everyone potentially scored an entire color lower then they should have."
Upon hearing this, the faces of the cultivators who did not pass the aptitude test turned red. Even the ones who did pass had dark expressions. Most of the applicants who came and did not pass had talent levels of red. This meant that there was a high chance they could've scored blue if Mo Gang used the proper formation. If Master Tranquil Wind wasn't still speaking, they would have started denouncing Mo Gang at that moment.
Mo Gang was silent and simply nodded.
"Second, you dismissed the original list of disciples who were supposed to be part of the combat trial. Instead, you set your own disciple Chen Hong, who you've been grooming for years as the only available option for these juniors to challenge."
The cultivators who were originally going to leave upon learning that Chen Hong was the only option clenched their fists. They were getting angrier and angrier as Master Tranquil Wind revealed more and more of Mo Gang's changes to the test.
Mo Gang did not refute and clasped his hands.
"I have no excuses. You may punish me however you see fit."
Master Tranquil Wind, who still had a gentle expression on his face shook his head.
"It is fine. No one can keep their inner desires in check all the time. It is difficult for mortals, but even moreso for cultivators considering the nature of our world. Just don't do it again."
There was a flash of coldness within Master Tranquil Winds eyes as he said the last few words. No one except for Mo Gang noticed and his entire body trembled.
"Y-yes... Master."
After, Master Tranquil Wind turned his attention to Yin Hui.
"You are quite the interesting one. That item you have in your bag is truly extraordinary. Keep it safe and don't show it recklessly. Aside from that, I'm impressed with how you handled yourself in the combat trial. Would you like to become my disciple?"