The arena was still buzzing with excitement. The name Xian Zhen had spread like wildfire throughout the Martial Hall.
Defeating Lu Ren, the strongest outer disciple, was unheard of. Yet, Xian had done it with ease.
As the battle ended, Elder Bai stood up and announced, "From this moment forward, Xian Zhen is an elite disciple of the Martial Hall!"
The crowd erupted in gasps and whispers.
"Elite disciple? Just like that?"
"This has never happened before!"
"Hmph! He's strong, but can he survive among the true elites?"
Xian smirked, ignoring the jealous voices.
Suddenly, Elder Bai spoke again, "Xian Zhen, follow me. The Martial Hall has much to offer you."
Without hesitation, Xian walked toward him, leaving behind the defeated Lu Ren and the stunned crowd.
The Elite Disciple Quarters
Elder Bai led Xian through a grand corridor toward the Elite Disciple Quarters. Unlike the outer and inner disciples' simple rooms, these were luxurious residences, each surrounded by spiritual energy formations that enhanced cultivation.
"This will be your residence," Elder Bai said, pointing at a large courtyard with a mystic waterfall. "It is equipped with a cultivation chamber, a training ground, and a library of martial techniques."
Xian whistled. "Not bad. I like it."
Elder Bai smiled. "You've earned it. But remember, being an elite disciple isn't just a title. You must prove yourself every day."
Xian smirked. "Tch. As long as there are strong opponents, I won't get bored."
Elder Bai chuckled. "Good. Rest for now. Your journey has just begun."
Meeting the Other Elites
The moment Xian stepped into his courtyard, he sensed three powerful auras approaching.
WHOOSH!
Three figures landed before him.
The first was a tall young man with sharp silver eyes and a cold expression. He wore a blue robe, and lightning crackled around his hands.
The second was a beautiful woman with long green hair, her aura filled with wind energy. Her eyes were playful but dangerous.
The third was a muscular warrior with red markings on his face, carrying a giant war hammer. His aura was heavy like a mountain.
The silver-eyed man stepped forward. "So, you're the newcomer?"
Xian smirked. "Yeah. And who are you?"
The man's eyes narrowed. "I am Lei Shang, ranked third among the elite disciples."
The green-haired woman smiled. "I'm Feng Yu, ranked fifth. Nice to meet you~"
The muscular warrior grinned. "I'm Jiang Hu, ranked sixth. You fight well, kid."
Xian raised an eyebrow. "You guys ranked third, fifth, and sixth… Does that mean the top two are even stronger?"
Lei Shang's eyes darkened. "That's right. The strongest elite disciple is Ling Tian. And second place… is someone you don't want to mess with."
Xian chuckled. "Tch. Sounds fun. I'll fight them soon enough."
Feng Yu laughed. "I like your confidence. But be careful—not all elite disciples will welcome you. Some will see you as a threat."
Jiang Hu grinned. "If anyone tries to mess with you, just punch them like you did to Lu Ren!"
Xian smirked. "Heh. Don't worry. I can handle myself."
A New Challenge Appears
As the three elite disciples left, Xian sat in his courtyard, absorbing the spiritual energy around him. He could feel his dark and white powers growing stronger.
But suddenly—
BOOM!
A loud explosion shook the Martial Hall.
Xian's eyes snapped open. "What the hell was that?"
WHOOSH!
A disciple rushed toward him, panting. "Xian Zhen! Something has happened! The Beast Master Hall has been attacked!"
Xian's expression darkened. "Attacked? By who?"
The disciple's voice trembled. "A mysterious black-robed figure… And he's looking for you!"
Xian's smirk faded. For the first time, his eyes grew serious.
"Tch. Interesting."
Without hesitation, he stood up and vanished in a flash of black and white energy.
The real battle was about to begin.
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