Chapter 152: The Impartial and Stern Ling Qinghe (Please Subscribe)

Twenty meters.

Not exactly long, yet not exactly short.

Compared to the distance when first entering the Lingqing River Water Formation, twenty meters was already quite short. But considering the resistance from the fluctuating waves they had to endure, it was hard to say just how much stronger it was than when they were a hundred meters away.

Ling Qinghe was fully confident in his own strength. Even without giving special attention to Luo Tian, under such pressure, anyone would find it difficult to move forward.

Jiang Zihe, an outstanding scion of the Jiang family, was now only a few meters away from Ling Qinghe. Normally, this short distance would be crossed in the blink of an eye, but now it was costing him great effort.

Others fared even worse. No matter how talented the disciples at the Pulse Flow Realm were, when facing an Essence Core Realm expert—especially a genuine powerhouse like Ling Qinghe who had condensed the Primordial Spirit Pill—they all felt powerless.

Yet the scene before Ling Qinghe’s eyes startled him deeply.

Luo Tian seemed to transform into a crimson arrow, swift beyond measure, yet like a flickering flame, erratic and unpredictable, making his path impossible to guess.

The rapidly increasing speed, combined with the strong resistance underwater, caused roaring thunderclaps in Luo Tian’s ears, as if standing beneath a waterfall. But none of this hindered his movement; his sole objective was to break through and reach Ling Qinghe’s side!

Boom—

As Luo Tian surged forward, a violent explosion echoed sharply, instantly drawing the attention of Jiang Zihe, Hua Zefeng, Jin Xishan, and others.

What was that...? Luo Tian?

It really was Luo Tian!

But how could this be? Blocked by Ling Qinghe’s Wave Fluctuation True Intent, how could he still burst forth with such speed?

Moreover, this was not at the beginning, but at the final stage where resistance was greatest—how could this guy still unleash such explosive power like a leopard’s pounce?

Shaken in his heart, Jiang Zihe involuntarily paused his movement.

Splash—

The collision of water waves caused Jiang Zihe’s body to tilt, nearly stumbling and falling.

Damn it!

He hastily activated his primordial energy to stabilize himself, preventing a fall. But even after regaining his footing, his heart remained full of confusion; he could hardly believe what had just happened.

Jin Xishan silently observed Luo Tian, a complex gleam flashing through his eyes. From the sect’s perspective, having an outstanding cultivator join the Wind and Cloud Guard was certainly a good thing.

Yet, among the five great sects, the Goldlight Pavilion was the strongest. As a disciple of Goldlight Pavilion, how could he regard disciples from other sects highly?

But now, during this Wind and Cloud Guard assessment, the spotlight of the Goldlight Pavilion had been entirely stolen by a disciple from the Shenyang Sect. How could one accept this?

Ling Qinghe’s gaze tightened. No good!

He had to block him quickly!

With a thought, countless dispersed water waves suddenly surged back, pressing fiercely against Luo Tian, attempting to impose tremendous pressure once more.

But... too fast!

Luo Tian’s speed rivaled a released arrow, and beneath his feet he stepped with a peculiar rhythm. For some reason, this seemingly awkward footwork appeared even faster than a straight path.

The water churned and roared, leaving the disciples struggling within the formation dumbfounded.

Initially, the pressure was not great. But as it increased slightly, it then abruptly lessened again. This seemingly benefited the cultivators, but in truth, it did not.

Facing fluctuating resistance, the effort required varied constantly, making the youths feel disoriented. Several even lost balance and fell, swept away by the water currents.

The others fared no better; though they struggled to maintain their stance, their strength could not immediately recover, causing them to stagger backward several steps, retreating beyond fifty meters.

Their expressions instantly soured.

What in the world was Ling Qinghe—Commander Ling—doing? What used to be a straightforward test suddenly required him to personally intervene, even adding complexity by raising the mastery of the Wave Fluctuation True Intent to a new level. Instead of simply increasing resistance, he tortured them with unpredictable fluctuations?

To counter such a changeable and deceptive attack, who could guarantee immunity except perhaps the Gravity True Intent from the Earth Law?

This was a trap—truly treacherous!

Outside the formation, a member of the Wind and Cloud Guard revealed a trace of surprise in his eyes. Commander Ling was truly worthy of his reputation. Earlier, he had complained about many who had sneaked into the Wind and Cloud Guard, dragging down its overall strength. At the time, he had thought it was just casual grumbling. Who would have thought he had the courage to boldly risk offending several major families and sects to personally filter out genuine elites?

This culling had swept away many, like a sieve letting only the strongest through. Those insufficient in stature were forced out.

Commander Ling was truly formidable. In terms of fairness and impartiality, he was unmatched.

No wonder it required the steady and gentle Hua Commander to oversee the Wind and Cloud Guard’s operations. If Commander Ling assumed the official leadership, the Wind and Cloud Guard would undoubtedly offend many.

But this arrangement was ideal. Hua Commander absorbed external pressures, while Commander Ling insisted on rooting out imposters. The two complemented each other perfectly, silencing any dissent.

Such a major matter must have been discussed between Commander Ling and Hua Commander, yet even so, the Wind and Cloud Guard’s leadership showed undeniable resolve.

Truly impressive.

The Wind and Cloud Guard member felt his sense of belonging deepen.

In an instant, Luo Tian stood firmly beside Ling Qinghe before the enormous pressure could strike him. He took a deep breath, clasped his fists, and saluted: “Greetings, Commander Ling!”

Only... one meter short!

Jiang Zihe stared at the surging waves, felt the roaring primordial energy within his body, and his heart overflowed with bitter unwillingness. Gazing at the short distance between himself and Ling Qinghe, his eyes reddened!

That bastard Luo Tian had hidden his true speed all along, only bursting out at the end!

No—this wasn’t right!

A Pulse Flow Realm disciple had no right to conceal strength. If he had unleashed everything, he might not have had a chance to take the lead; how could he then hide his power and suddenly surge ahead at the last moment?

It had to be that bastard Ling Qinghe covertly lent him a hand. Otherwise, how to explain that speed just now?

You, Ling Qinghe—who gave you the nerve to undermine the Jiang family’s face in the Wind and Cloud Guard assessment? Do you think I, Jiang Zihe, a branch line scion, will tolerate your wanton disrespect?

With a low roar, Jiang Zihe’s golden light burst forth, his primordial energy raging wildly. Ignoring the damage this reckless move might cause to his meridians, he gritted his teeth and charged forward.

Second place!

Jin Xishan grew anxious as well. Luo Tian had stolen all the limelight. If the rankings ended up dominated by a few families in Wan Feng City, how could he, as the lead disciple of the Goldlight Pavilion, avoid embarrassment?

Disciples from sects and clans alike, seeing Luo Tian and Jiang Zihe break through the water barrier to reach Ling Qinghe’s side, panicked. If others had reached a hundred meters while they still struggled in the water wall, it would be utterly shameful.

Though uncertain why the underwater pressure had lessened slightly, they had no time to ponder it. They all exerted their full strength, even if it might cause internal injuries.

The time for an incense stick passed quickly.

The water wall dissipated, revealing the scene inside. Ling Qinghe’s cold, sharp eyes swept over Luo Tian, then he pursed his lips and snorted coldly.

“Thank you for your guidance, Commander Ling!”

Jin Xishan glanced at the positions of the other Goldlight Pavilion disciples behind him and immediately darkened in expression. Yet he dared not say more, only stiffly saluted Ling Qinghe.

“Commander Ling, your personal involvement in this assessment has certainly made it much stricter!”

Hua Zefeng, unconcerned by others from the Hua family approaching, merely bowed slightly and greeted Ling Qinghe.

Hearing Hua Zefeng’s words, Jiang Zihe swallowed the words he had been about to say.

What more could he say?

He couldn’t possibly accuse Ling Qinghe of giving Luo Tian a green light and secretly boosting him at the last moment to suppress him, could he?

Jiang Zihe’s face twitched awkwardly, but he knew pressing the matter was futile. He cleared his throat and said, “Commander Ling, when does the third stage begin?”

Third stage?

Ling Qinghe’s expression darkened further.

No doubt, it was time to announce the results again. The feeling was unbearable, as if reopening old wounds and sprinkling salt over them.

“First place... Luo Tian!”

“Second place... Jiang Zihe!”

“Third place...”

Ling Qinghe forced down his nausea and finally read out the names of those advancing to the third stage. This time, there was no need for the Wind and Cloud Guard outside to assist.

Several young cultivators who had failed to perform well in the first stage had managed to reach fifty meters in the second, only to fail at the last moment.

Moreover, even some who had succeeded in the first stage were eliminated by Ling Qinghe in the second.

Those once hopeful of entering the third stage, even if failing, felt the trip worthwhile, now felt utterly despondent—some even considered crying.

Of course, they dared not cry here—only humiliation, and no use.

After the names were announced, most youths wore grim expressions except Luo Tian.

The Jiang family’s sole remaining hope needed no mention; Jiang Zhenglong, who might have competed, had been decisively defeated by Luo Tian outside the arena. The Hua, Ling, and Han families each retained only two disciples.

Among the four great sects, the Goldlight Pavilion proved formidable, retaining two disciples; the Great Yuan Sect, Wukong Mountain, and Qianbo Gate each had only one make it past fifty meters.

This Wind and Cloud Guard assessment saw only thirteen pass into the third stage.

Ling Qinghe was no fool. Once these results were out, he would face considerable pressure. But these were minor concerns. As long as he claimed all was for the sake of the Wind and Cloud Guard, others’ gossip mattered little.

Yet this disciple from Shenyang Sect, winning first place for two consecutive stages—what was going on?

Even if Jiang Zihe had tied with him for first in the first stage, it did nothing to tarnish Luo Tian’s achievement. Rather, sharing the lead with Jiang Zihe elevated his status.

Who was Jiang Zihe?

The ruler of Wan Feng City and a branch scion of the Jiang family. For such a person to take first was only natural.

But what about Luo Tian? Born in Shenyang Sect, the so-called weakest sect, yet not only tying once with Jiang Zihe but also holding first place alone once!

Frustrating, infuriating!

Ling Qinghe exhaled deeply, “The others may withdraw. Those who passed the second stage, follow me for the next assessment!”

Leading the way, Ling Qinghe’s eyes gleamed. For the third stage, he must find a worthy opponent for Luo Tian! (To be continued.)