Chapter 182: Chapter 157: Challenge to a Duel
True Inheritance disciples who had gone to watch the selection conference furrowed their brows in thought as they looked at the name "Ye Chen" on the True Inheritance Spirit Ranking, wondering, "Could it be that wondrous youth who seized first place in the True Disciple Selection?"
As these True Inheritance disciples spoke, others also began to recall where they had heard the name Ye Chen before.
"The Ye Chen who ranked first in the True Disciple Selection? I heard he can even subdue high-level demons; is it really him?"
"I've also heard that Ye Chen has won the affection of Junior Sister Jiang Yao to the extent that she likes him so much, and he even joined Snowdrift Peak specifically!"
"We haven't heard from him in this period; is he the one who has stormed into the top thirty of the Spirit Ranking?"
The number of True Inheritance disciples gathering under the various Inner Peak's True Inheritance Spirit Rankings was increasing; in the breaks between acquiring true transmission points, what they cared about the most were the changes to the rankings.
Now that Ye Chen and Jiang Yao had suddenly burst into the top thirty of the True Inheritance Spirit Ranking, they drew the attention and speculation of many.
While these True Inheritance disciples were guessing Ye Chen's identity, both Ye Chen and Jiang Yao, having completed the "Phantom Beast Tower" trial, were on their way to the second trial location, "Lingmang Mountain."
When, after an hour, the two emerged from the trial at Lingmang Mountain, all of the True Inheritance disciples who were watching the True Inheritance Spirit Ranking noticed that the names "Ye Chen" and "Jiang Yao" had simultaneously made a leap forward in the ranks.
Jiang Yao had successfully broken into 14th place from 23rd, while Ye Chen had shot up from the 29th to the 16th position!
Seeing such rapid progress and considerable advancement of their ranks, all the True Inheritance disciples came to a realization.
"It must be that Ye Chen!"
"The simultaneous rise in their ranks, and by such a large margin too, must be because they are taking on the three grand trials!"
"My god, the higher you aim on the Spirit Ranking, the harder it gets. To go from the twenties to the teens shows that they must have achieved some of the most top-tier results in these grand trials!"
"Junior Sister Jiang Yao being strong is one thing, but is that Ye Chen really that powerful?!"
"Which of the three grand trial locations are they challenging next? The 'Phantom Beast Tower,' 'Lingmang Mountain,' or the 'Illusory Martial Battle Pool'?"
"Their ranking has changed twice already, meaning they have completed trials at two locations. They must be heading to the third and final location; we have to go see!"
As numerous True Inheritance disciples paid close attention, news spread from both the "Phantom Beast Tower" and "Lingmang Mountain."
The two who had undertaken the trials were none other than Jiang Yao and Ye Chen from Snowdrift Peak!
They entered the trials together and left together!
In every trial, their performance was nothing short of outstanding!
Upon hearing this news, all of the True Inheritance disciples could hardly contain their desire to meet this Ye Chen, who had managed to astonish them repeatedly without even seeing him face to face.
They all wanted to meet the youth who had captured the heart of the breathtakingly beautiful Jiang Yao, whom so many adored!
Eventually, even the truly powerful True Inheritance disciples ranked in the top ten of the Taixuan Sect's Spirit Ranking were stirred by the significant changes in the rankings.
Apart from some True Inheritance disciples who were still undergoing sect trials or who were out on missions, all the disciples started heading toward the third trial location, the "Illusory Martial Battle Pool."
Even the Taixuan Sect elders who had not watched the True Disciple Selection were flocking towards the "Illusory Martial Battle Pool."
The Illusory Martial Battle Pool, nestled amidst the clouds at the center of Snowdrift Peak's eight Inner Peaks.
This trial location was one of the three major trial sites, alongside the "Phantom Beast Tower" and "Lingmang Mountain."
Similarly, each True Inheritance disciple also only had the opportunity to enter the Battle Pool once a month.
The trial at the Illusory Martial Battle Pool involved battling against ninety-nine Illusory Martial War Elephants remaining in the pool, ranging from ordinary ones within the True Qi Realm to those in the late stages of the Spirit Sea Realm, and even half-step Core-Melting Illusory Martial War Elephants!
The more Illusory Martial War Elephants you defeat, the more true transmission points you receive.
This trial location, in the frantic rush to accumulate true transmission points over the past twenty days, had seen nearly all of the True Inheritance disciples use up their monthly opportunity already.
As those True Inheritance disciples eager to witness Ye Chen in person arrived around the Illusory Martial Battle Pool, Ye Chen and Jiang Yao had already entered the mists above the pool and officially commenced their battles against the ninety-nine Illusory Martial War Elephants.
The scene of the battle within the Illusory Martial Battle Pool was not visible from the outside; everyone could only wait.
Their wait was not in vain; after half an hour had passed, everyone saw a young man and woman ascending out of the Illusory Martial Battle Pool.
The girl was dressed in a snow-white pleated skirt, her waterfall-like hair cascading to her waist, with a pale, delicate face radiating otherworldly beauty. The slight dimples that appeared with her small smile and her dazzling, starry eyes exuded an intoxicating charm.
Jiang Yao!
Seeing the girl, everyone's mind echoed with her name.
Countless gazes then turned to the boy beside her, and upon seeing the miraculous silver wind and thunder wings behind him, his calm, smiling face, and those bright, expressive black eyes, everyone was struck inwardly.
Was this that Ye Chen?
The Ye Chen who astonished everyone at the True Disciple Selection?
The Ye Chen who had won Jiang Yao's affection and stayed by her side all this time?
Seeing the throngs of people who had swarmed the outside of the Illusory Martial Battle Pool, Ye Chen and Jiang Yao, who had just flown out, were also slightly taken aback. After exchanging light smiles with the curious-looking True Inheritance disciples and elders, they proceeded to the true transmission point exchange area of the Illusory Martial Battle Pool.