Chapter 153: The Enlightenment Chamber!

"Senior Brother Xishan, do you think this Luo Tian... has a chance of taking first place?"

Zhao Zhiping's lips moved slightly as he silently sent a voice transmission to Jin Xishan.

The Golden Light Pavilion had two disciples participating in the third round of the Gale and Cloud Guard assessment, and Zhao Zhiping was one of them. Although he was unremarkable in appearance, he was extremely diligent in his cultivation and had laid a very solid foundation. Advancing smoothly through the first two rounds was no more than what he deserved.

"Junior Brother Zhao, to be honest, I also hope he can take first place!"

Jin Xishan replied with a blank expression: "After all, for so many years, the first place in the Gale and Cloud Guard assessment has always been monopolized by a few prominent families within Wanfeng City, and occasionally some rogue cultivators snatch the crown. Our sect-affiliated faction has always remained at a disadvantage."

Hearing this, Zhao Zhiping nodded slightly, agreeing in his heart.

"However, the third test evaluates actual combat!"

There was no trace of worry in Jin Xishan's tone; instead, he appeared rather eager to try: "It will be conducted personally by formal members of the Gale and Cloud Guard, at the very least reaching the level of the Two-Change Meridian Stream. Out in the world, they are even capable of fighting ordinary Four-Change Meridian Stream experts. They are formidable indeed!"

"Then... how is anyone supposed to fight them?"

Zhao Zhiping was instantly somewhat puzzled: "Senior Brother Xishan, the Gale and Cloud Guard is unquestionably a concentration camp of the strongest meridian stream cultivators. If that's the case, how can we possibly fight?"

It wasn't that he doubted the feasibility of the assessment, but if members of the Gale and Cloud Guard were truly to go all out, who could possibly pass?

This left Zhao Zhiping full of doubts; there had to be some sort of compromise.

"It's not as if they are trying to keep people at a distance."

Understanding what Zhao Zhiping meant, Jin Xishan smiled and replied, "Generally speaking, we only need to last for ten breaths of time. Although the gap between us and them is quite large, once the Gale and Cloud Guard recognize that we possess moldable talent, they naturally hold back."

"If that's the case, wouldn't the authority of the Gale and Cloud Guard expand invisibly?"

Zhao Zhiping couldn't figure it out. How could there be such a method of assessment? If someone chose to water down their efforts, wouldn't passing become a foregone conclusion?

"In fact, passing the first two rounds has already demonstrated our talent and strength. Even without the third round, it wouldn't be much of a problem. However, first, actual combat can better display our combat prowess; and second, the operational flexibility is quite high—if they need people, they go a bit easier; if they have enough, they tighten the standards. The benefits and perks of the Gale and Cloud Guard are beyond compare. Individuals from our several major sects and prominent families squeeze in droves, and even they wouldn't be able to handle that kind of influx."

Jin Xishan finished and added another sentence: "Even though the mortality rate of the Gale and Cloud Guard is not low, the numbers still have to be controlled."

"Mortality rate?"

Zhao Zhiping was stunned, his steps halting for a moment before he hurried to catch up: "The Gale and Cloud Guard are so powerful, why is their mortality rate still high?"

Hearing this, Jin Xishan couldn't help rolling his eyes inwardly: "If the mortality rate were low, why would they keep recruiting? No matter how powerful the Gale and Cloud Guard are, they are not invincible. Those enviable benefits and perks aren't given away for nothing. The saying 'wherever there is a need, there is the Gale and Cloud Guard' is no empty phrase. Hunting demonic beasts, exploring mystic realms, and even going out to exterminate evil forces can get one killed."

"What kind of forces dare to kill us?"

Zhao Zhiping shivered slightly. He had never imagined that the real Gale and Cloud Guard, whom he had never truly understood in the past, would look like this.

It was utterly shocking. Taking risks was expected, but how could any force dare to oppose the Gale and Cloud Guard?

"What forces wouldn't dare? They just lack the capability!"

Jin Xishan looked at this junior brother who was entirely devoted to cultivation and said earnestly, "Any experienced member of the Gale and Cloud Guard carries at least two superior treasured artifacts, and everyone's wealth is an astronomical figure, not to mention a considerable number of rare natural treasures. Who wouldn't want to take them?"

Seeing that they were almost at their destination, Jin Xishan spoke at a rapid pace: "I heard that the most tragic incident before was when several powerful dark forces joined hands to set a trap, directly annihilating more than a dozen Gale and Cloud Guard members on a mission. Of course, they were later hunted down and completely wiped out by the commanders leading their captains."

Zhao Zhiping swallowed hard, his thoughts complex.

"This is the testing ground for the third round."

Ling Qinghe's indifferent voice rang out as he pointed to the platform ahead and said, "And they are your upcoming opponents."

Luo Tian had naturally already caught sight of the scene ahead.

In the center was a large circular platform where quite a few Gale and Cloud Guard members, their bodies glowing with protective vital energy, were training. Some were sparring with one another, while others stood alone in a corner, continuously testing something with their weapons.

Around the platform, five rooms were evenly distributed like the five points of a pentagram. Seeing this, Luo Tian couldn't help furrowing his brow slightly; this scene felt as though he had seen it somewhere before.

Outside this area stood yet another single, isolated building, its purpose unknown.

"Commander, are these the little fellows participating in the new assessment?"

"Commander, let me step up this time and teach them some manners!"

"Shut your mouths, it's my turn this time... Don't fight me for it; I can take ten by myself!"

Seeing Ling Qinghe lead the group over, several Gale and Cloud Guard members immediately stopped what they were doing and crowded around. Other cultivators on the platform, even if they had little interest in the matter, quietly cleared the space without leaving, clearly intending to watch the show.

A cold sneer hung on the corner of Jiang Zihe's lips.

Take ten?

Hmph, if you happen to come up in a moment, you will absolutely not be able to suppress me within ten breaths!

Seeing that the person speaking was merely at the Two-Change Meridian Stream realm yet boasting so shamelessly without fear of the wind blowing away his tongue, Jiang Zihe grew instantly furious.

Perhaps... he could even launch a counterattack while defending and punch that guy a couple of times?

That would truly be too perfect!

Hearing the open contempt for them in the words of these formal Gale and Cloud Guard members, although these young cultivators harbored anger within their chests, most of them actually lowered their heads slightly. After all, these were genuine elites; could they... possibly compare?

Even so, a few youths still had rebellious and warlike lights flashing in their eyes.

"Let me state this first: this is the cultivation zone. Aside from the circular plaza in the middle, which is generally used for sparring, the other rooms will be of immense benefit to you."

Ling Qinghe ignored the Gale and Cloud Guard members clamoring for a fight and instead turned back to address the newly participating youths: "The Qi Condensation realm is merely touching upon cultivation; it counts for nothing. Only upon entering the Meridian Stream realm does one truly begin the path of cultivation."

With these words, the group of youths immediately wore expressions of agreement.

In fact, it was fair to say that true engagement with cultivation began only from the late Qi Condensation realm, as one possessed the ability to comprehend true intent by then. However, only the physical strength of the Meridian Stream realm possessed the qualification to carry the perfect manifestation of true intent.

"These five rooms are called Enlightenment Chambers! They possess great utility in helping you comprehend true intent!"

Ling Qinghe spoke in a calm tone, yet his words were startling.

They could help cultivators comprehend true intent?

What kind of astonishing and yearning place was this?

"Of course, the price to pay for entering is not small. Once you become formal members of the Gale and Cloud Guard, you will come to know. However... the first place winner of this assessment will be granted direct entry once!"

Scanning these wide-eyed youths with satisfaction, Ling Qinghe nodded inwardly. This served as some encouragement for them; otherwise, upon hearing that they had to fight members of the Gale and Cloud Guard and immediately shrinking back in cowardice, the number of recruits this time would likely have been meager once again.

"The next third test is very simple in content: it is to persist for ten breaths of time under the hands of a formal Gale and Cloud Guard member... I will judge whether someone can become the first place winner, or... whether they have the qualification to enter the Gale and Cloud Guard based on everyone's performance!"

Ling Qinghe cast a calm glance across the contestants, lingering only on Luo Tian for a brief moment. (To be continued.)