Chapter 866
All Replaced
"Wait a minute!" Guo Shouzhen stepped forward. "This is clearly almost turning into purple light, how can it be considered blue light?"
"The stone tablet is displaying blue light, nothing but blue light," the disciple said coldly. "You members of the Guo family should just accept the outcome."
"This is unfair!" Guo Shouzhen exclaimed, somewhat agitated. "Mingxuan's aptitude is clearly close to outstanding, yet you only gave him an excellent grade. What kind of logic is that?"
"What kind of logic is that?" the disciple sneered. "I say it's blue light, so it's blue light. What are you, the Guo family, to dare argue with the Xuan Tian Sect's decision?"
Guo Shouzhen's face turned bright red, but he dared not argue any further.
He knew that the Xuantian Sect's power far surpassed that of the Guo family, and if the Guo family offended the Xuantian Sect, it would be difficult for them to survive in the Tianyuan Domain in the future.
"Never mind, Third Uncle." Guo Mingxuan tugged at Guo Shouzhen's sleeve. "Even those with excellent aptitude can pass the assessment, it's alright."
"But..." Guo Shouzhen wanted to say something, but Guo Xiong stopped him.
"Shouzheng, let's forget about it," Guo Xiong said in a low voice. "We can't afford to offend the Xuantian Sect."
Guo Shouzhen sighed and lowered his head.
Zheng Yi stood aside and watched all of this.
He noticed that the disciple in charge of the test glanced towards the platform before announcing the results. On the platform, a middle-aged man in a gray Taoist robe nodded slightly.
"Something's fishy." A cold glint flashed in Zheng Yi's eyes.
The first round of assessments continues.
Zheng Yi discovered that Guo Mingxuan wasn't the only one being treated unfairly. Those independent cultivators without connections or children of small factions were often assessed as having lower aptitudes than they actually were. Conversely, children of powerful factions were often assessed as having higher aptitudes than they actually were.
"Is this what you call a fair assessment?" Zheng Yi said coldly.
“Sir, this kind of thing is very common,” Guo Shouzhen said helplessly. “People with powerful connections naturally enjoy certain preferential treatment. We people from smaller forces can only accept our fate.”
"Accept your fate?" Zheng Yi shook his head. "I don't accept this fate."
“Sir.” Guo Shouzhen looked at Zheng Yi with some concern.
"Don't worry, I won't do anything reckless," Zheng Yi said. "But if they continue to target Mingxuan in the later assessments, I won't stand idly by."
After the first round of assessments, approximately three thousand people passed. These individuals will participate in the second round of practical competition.
The rules of the practical competition are simple. All those who pass the first round of assessment are divided into several groups, and each group participates in an elimination round. The best performer in each group will then advance to the third round.
Guo Mingxuan was assigned to the seventeenth group, which had about one hundred people.
"Mingxuan, keep it up!" Guo Shouzhen encouraged.
"Don't worry, Third Uncle, I will do my best." Guo Mingxuan nodded and walked towards the competition venue.
The competition for the seventeenth group was held on a ring on the east side of the square. The ring was already surrounded by spectators, all eager to see which outstanding talents this group had.
Zheng Yi and the two elders of the Guo family also squeezed to the side of the arena, ready to watch Guo Mingxuan's match.
The competition has begun.
In the first match, Guo Mingxuan faced off against a rogue cultivator. The rogue cultivator was of average strength, only at the mid-stage of the Condensation Realm, and was defeated by Guo Mingxuan in three moves.
In the second match, Guo Mingxuan faced a disciple from another minor faction. That disciple was slightly stronger than the first rogue cultivator, but was only at the late stage of the Condensation Realm, and was also easily defeated by Guo Mingxuan.
In the third and fourth matches, Guo Mingxuan fought his way through, defeating several opponents in succession and performing exceptionally well.
"Mingxuan's strength is indeed quite good." Guo Shouzhen nodded in satisfaction. "At this rate, advancing to the third round shouldn't be a problem."
However, just before the fifth match began, an accident occurred.
"Next up, the fifth match of the seventeenth group. Guo Mingxuan versus Han Zixuan!" the disciple in charge of the announcement shouted.
"Han Zixuan?" Guo Shouzhen's expression changed.
Zheng Yi looked across the arena and saw a young man in a brocade robe walking towards it. That young man was none other than the Han family member who had cut in line earlier; his expression was arrogant, and a disdainful sneer played on his lips.
"Why is someone from the Han family in this group?" Guo Xiong frowned. "I remember his surname should be listed first, so why was he assigned to group seventeen?"
“It was probably arranged on purpose,” Zheng Yi said coldly.
He had already realized that someone in the Xuantian Sect was targeting Guo Mingxuan. First, they lowered his aptitude rating in the first round of assessments, and now they were arranging for someone from the Han family to compete against him.
Han Zixuan stepped onto the stage and looked arrogantly at Guo Mingxuan.
"So you're from the Guo family?" he sneered. "I heard the Guo family is some powerful clan in Hongyun City. I thought they were something special. But the person they sent doesn't even have a Purple Light aptitude. How laughable."
"You," Guo Mingxuan said, somewhat annoyed.
"Boy, I advise you to admit defeat now," Han Zixuan said. "How can your small family compare to the Han family? If you fight me, you'll only lose."
"The competition hasn't even started yet, the outcome is still uncertain!" Guo Mingxuan said coldly.
"Fine, you've got guts," Han Zixuan sneered. "Then I'll show you what a real difference there is."
"The competition begins!" the referee announced.
As soon as he finished speaking, Han Zixuan moved.
He was incredibly fast, his figure like a ghost, and in an instant he rushed in front of Guo Mingxuan, striking Guo Mingxuan's chest with a palm.
Guo Mingxuan reacted quickly, dodging to the side and drawing his sword to counterattack.
The two fought back and forth on the ring, locked in a fierce and evenly matched battle.
Zheng Yi carefully observed the two's match, secretly assessing their strength.
Guo Mingxuan's cultivation level is at the late stage of the Condensation Realm, and Han Zixuan's cultivation level is also at the late stage of the Condensation Realm, so their levels are almost the same. However, Han Zixuan comes from a prominent family and has received systematic training since childhood, so he is stronger than Guo Mingxuan in terms of skills and experience.
“Mingxuan’s situation is not good,” Zheng Yi said, frowning.
Sure enough, after about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Guo Mingxuan gradually fell into a disadvantageous position.
Han Zixuan's attacks became increasingly fierce, and Guo Mingxuan could only barely parry, with almost no power to fight back.
"Is that all you've got?" Han Zixuan sneered. "I thought the Guo family would send out some formidable figures, but it turns out they're nothing special!"
As he spoke, he intensified his attack, slamming a heavy palm into Guo Mingxuan's chest.
"Ah!" Guo Mingxuan groaned, his body flying backward and crashing heavily onto the ring.
"Mingxuan!" Guo Shouzhen and Guo Xiong exclaimed at the same time.
Guo Mingxuan struggled to get up, but the sharp pain in his chest prevented him from moving.
"Admit defeat." Han Zixuan looked down at Guo Mingxuan. "You are no match for me."
"I won't admit defeat!" Guo Mingxuan said through gritted teeth.
"You won't admit defeat?" Han Zixuan sneered. "Then I'll beat you until you give up!"
As he spoke, he raised his foot and stomped on Guo Mingxuan's head. "Stop!" Guo Shouzhen shouted.
But Han Zixuan ignored him completely and did not stop walking at all.
Just then, a figure suddenly appeared on the arena and blocked Guo Mingxuan's way.
It's Zheng Yi.
He grabbed Han Zixuan's ankle, twisted it gently, and threw Han Zixuan away.
"Who are you?" Han Zixuan steadied himself and glared at Zheng Yi.
"Who I am is unimportant," Zheng Yi said coldly. "What's important is that the competition is over, and you still want to hurt someone. What do you mean by that?"
"The competition is over?" Han Zixuan sneered. "The referee hasn't even announced the results yet, how can the competition be over?"
Zheng Yi looked at the referee beside the ring.
The referee was a middle-aged man wearing a gray Taoist robe, the same person who had given the disciples in charge of the test the secret signal on the high platform earlier.
"Referee, please announce the results of the competition," Zheng Yi said.
The referee hesitated for a moment, then said, "Guo Mingxuan is lying on the ground and unable to continue the match. Han Zixuan wins!"
"Wait!" Zheng Yi said, "Guo Mingxuan hasn't admitted defeat yet, how can the competition end?"
"He's already down and can't get up; continuing the fight will only worsen his injury," the referee said. "For his safety, I hereby declare the match over."
"For his safety?" Zheng Yi sneered. "Why didn't you stop Han Zixuan when he tried to stomp on his head?"
The referee's expression changed, and he said, "That's...that's a normal attack in a match."
"Normal attack?" A cold glint flashed in Zheng Yi's eyes. "The opponent was already on the ground, and you still stomped on their head. Is that what you call a normal attack? Is this the rule of the Xuantian Sect?"
"Who are you?" the referee asked, somewhat annoyed. "What right do you have to question the rules of the Xuantian Sect?"
"Who I am is unimportant," Zheng Yi said. "What's important is that your Xuantian Sect targeted the Guo family's disciples multiple times during today's assessment. First, you lowered Guo Mingxuan's aptitude rating in the first round, and then you deliberately arranged for someone from the Han family to compete against him. Do you think others can't see through these things?"
"You...you're talking nonsense!" The referee's face turned ashen. "The Xuan Tian Sect's assessments have always been fair and impartial; they would never target anyone!"
"Fair and just?" Zheng Yi sneered. "Then let me ask you, in the first round of assessment, the light emitted by the stone tablet was clearly close to purple, so why was it only rated as blue?"
The referee was speechless for a moment, unsure how to respond.
"Also, Han Zixuan's surname is 'Han,' which should be earlier in the order, so why was he assigned to group seventeen?" Zheng Yi continued to press. "Isn't this deliberately arranged?"
"This was decided by drawing lots, it has nothing to do with us!" the referee argued.
"Decided by drawing lots?" Zheng Yi sneered. "Then do you dare to show everyone the drawing results in front of everyone?"
The referee's face grew even uglier, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
At this moment, the surrounding crowd began to stir.
"This person is right. The stone tablet of that Guo family disciple was clearly about to turn purple, so why was it only rated as blue?"
"I also find it strange. How can the Xuan Tian Sect's assessment be so unfair?"
"Does having a powerful background mean you can bully someone with a smaller background?"
The discussion grew louder, with many expressing dissatisfaction with the Xuantian Sect's actions.
On the high platform, Master Xuantian frowned slightly.
He whispered a few words to an elder beside him, who nodded and stood up.
"Quiet!" the elder shouted.
The sound was like thunder, making everyone's ears ring. The crowd immediately fell silent, and everyone looked towards the platform.
“I have heard what that friend just said,” the elder said. “To be fair, I have decided to re-examine Guo Mingxuan’s aptitude test results.”
As he spoke, he floated down from the high platform and landed next to the arena.
"You are Guo Mingxuan?" he asked, looking at Guo Mingxuan who had been helped up by Guo Shouzhen.
“Yes, yes, Elder,” Guo Mingxuan said somewhat nervously.
"Place your hand on this stone tablet." The elder took out a small white stone tablet and handed it to Guo Mingxuan.
Guo Mingxuan hesitated for a moment, then placed his hand on the stone tablet.
The stone tablet began to glow, white, green, and blue light. The light kept changing before finally settling on purple!
"Purple light!" A hint of surprise flashed in the elder's eyes. "Exceptional talent!"
A gasp of surprise rang out from the crowd.
"It really is purple light!"
"I knew it! That Guo family disciple's talent was definitely more than just blue light!"
"The Xuantian Sect has been incredibly unfair this time!"
The referee's face turned deathly pale, and he trembled all over.
“How is this possible?” he murmured.
“Why not?” Zheng Yi looked at him coldly. “You think you can get away with it by tampering with things? The net of heaven is vast, and though its meshes are wide, nothing escapes it. What you’ve done will be exposed sooner or later.”
"You...you..." The referee was so angry he couldn't speak.
On the high platform, Master Xuantian stood up and walked to the front of the platform.
"I have witnessed everything that happened today." His voice was authoritative and powerful, resounding throughout the entire plaza. "Someone engaged in favoritism and cheating during the assessment, tarnishing the reputation of the Xuan Tian Sect. I have decided to severely punish those responsible and conduct a fair and just re-evaluation."
"Guo Mingxuan's qualification test result has been corrected to Ziguang, Excellent Qualification."
"The results of the seventeenth group's match are temporarily void. The match between Guo Mingxuan and Han Zixuan will be restarted after the break."
"Furthermore, the disciples responsible for the first round of assessments and the referees of the seventeenth group are all replaced and handed over to the Enforcement Hall."
As soon as he finished speaking, several disciples dressed in black Taoist robes stepped out from the crowd and took the referee and several disciples in charge of the test away.
Han Zixuan's face turned very ugly.
He hadn't expected things to turn out this way. He had originally thought that with the Han family's power, they could easily deal with the Guo family. Unexpectedly, Zheng Yi appeared out of nowhere, not only exposing their conspiracy but also alarming the sect leader to personally intervene.
"I'll remember this!" He glared at Zheng Yi fiercely, then turned and left the arena.
Zheng Yi ignored him and walked over to Guo Mingxuan.
"Mingxuan, how badly are you hurt?" he asked.
"It's nothing, just some superficial injuries," Guo Mingxuan said. "Thank you for your help, sir." (End of Chapter)