Chapter 130: Might Of The False Core, Six-zhang White Ape, Seeking A Disciple
Those with clear consciences were fine, at most feeling some shock in their hearts, finding True Martial Sect’s methods simply unbelievable, with even greater reverence in their hearts, but some with crooked intentions had gloomy expressions, as this was practically publicly executing them under the watchful eyes of everyone!
Especially those few who usually had reputations as heroes; now their hypocritical masks had been completely torn off, but they didn’t dare to get angry. Such a True Martial Sect already filled them with fear.
But these two types weren’t the most panicked.
The most horrified expressions belonged to those few spies hidden among them.
The deepest secrets in their hearts had actually been revealed in public like this.
They already knew.
This mission had failed.
True Martial Sect’s methods exceeded their imaginations. No matter how they concealed their backgrounds, they simply couldn’t resist this Mysterious Gate Array Formation that directly probed the heart. Just now, they had relaxed their minds following Luo Wentian’s words, nearly revealing even the color of their underwear.
In an instant.
Several of them moved.
They had already been separated by other Gang Yuan Realm experts. At this moment, spies from different forces surprisingly showed rare tacit understanding, silently choosing a direction each and bursting away decisively.
What a joke?
True Martial Sect had two Heavenly Human Realm experts sitting in command. Forget Heavenly Sword True Person; even if Dragon Mountain True Person acted, they couldn’t withstand it. If they gathered together to flee now, not one would escape—they’d be wiped out entirely.
But if they fled separately, there might be a slim chance of survival.
At this moment, that Core Elixir Realm middle-aged swordsman, two Jade Liquid Realm experts, and two White Mist Realm experts—a total of five spies—all fled toward the outside of the Heart Questioning Platform.
The scene instantly lost control.
Strands of Gang Qi erupted, shooting in all directions. Some planned to create chaos to make their escape easier.
Ning Qi and Dragon Mountain Daoist watched quietly, with no intention of intervening.
As long as no Heavenly Human Realm expert acted, they wouldn’t act either.
True Martial Sect wasn’t their personal True Martial Sect. Some matters needed Luo Wentian and the others to handle themselves, especially after Luo Wentian succeeded as sect leader. He had always faced criticism in the Martial World for his low cultivation. This was a chance for him to prove himself.
The other elders were the same.
This was tempering for the rest of True Martial Sect.
With those two present, no chaos could truly arise anyway.
Around the Heart Questioning Platform.
Luo Wentian watched the spies act to flee, anger surging in his eyes. They recklessly unleashed Gang Qi toward the surroundings—some toward True Martial Disciples, others toward the children who came for the assessment—trying to delay Luo Wentian and the others this way.
But unfortunately.
Luo Wentian and the others were already prepared.
Before these people stepped onto the Heart Questioning Platform, the children had been protected by True Martial Disciples with top cultivation.
Xiong Shi, Ye Qinghe, and the others also acted, intercepting the Gang Qi.
At this time.
Chaos also erupted among those Gang Yuan Realm experts who failed the assessment.
Several spies were hidden among them too, all bursting out now to leave.
“Outrageous! You dare cause trouble before my True Martial assessment? You shall not be spared!”
Luo Wentian’s Daoist Robe fluttered without wind, a powerful aura already surging. Normally, he naturally couldn’t match Jade Liquid Realm or even Core Elixir Realm opponents, but now, with the many trump cards Ning Qi had given him, if he still couldn’t resolve this crisis, he felt he’d be no different from trash.
In high spirits.
He instantly activated the Thunder Tiger Fake Core in his heart.
In that instant.
A powerful aura erupted, strands of thunder intertwining at his side. He struck with one palm strike, thunder light exploding, utterly domineering, precisely blasting beside those eliminated spies, immediately sending them flying back.
The several White Mist Realm spies had almost no resistance.
The congregation was all stunned.
“Didn’t we hear that Sect Leader Luo is only White Mist Realm cultivation? How is he so powerful?”
“This probably isn’t inferior to Core Elixir Realm, right?”
In that moment, the eliminated Gang Yuan Realm experts’ gazes toward Luo Wentian all changed—this didn’t match the rumors.
But soon, they realized.
True Martial Sect’s foundation was unimaginably powerful.
How could a sect leader have only the rumored level of strength? This was more normal.
Ye Qinghe and the others also showed shock in their eyes, not understanding why Senior Disciple Brother had suddenly become so strong, only guessing it was Master’s doing.
Luo Wentian felt joy in his heart.
He felt himself stronger than ever, all worries gone from his heart. But he knew this wasn’t his own merit. Without the Thunder Tiger Fake Core, he’d at most be stronger than an ordinary White Mist Realm. He marveled inwardly and quietly glanced toward Mingwu Pavilion. He knew two people were watching from there—this was also why he always had ample confidence!
Luo Wentian roared to the heavens:
“Capture all the spies!”
With his previous mighty display, some who had planned to stand by immediately shifted their mindsets.
Some began to act, helping to intercept the spies.
Especially those on the Heart Questioning Platform who performed well—they knew they were already half True Martial Sect members, so they were even more diligent. Of course, these were originally people with good temperament and character; seeing such a change, they wouldn’t stand by idly anyway.
In moments.
The spies were all encircled.
Outnumbered.
Even if these spies had heaven-defying abilities, they were powerless.
The White Mist Realm spies were all captured.
Only three were still fleeing.
The Core Elixir Realm middle-aged swordsman, the Jade Liquid Realm black-skirted beautiful woman, and a Jade Liquid Realm one-eyed man.
The black-skirted beautiful woman and one-eyed man were both from the Demonic Sect; that Core Elixir Realm one was from the Southern Border.
Thunder light surged around Luo Wentian as he caught up to the Core Elixir Realm swordsman and battled him.
The two Jade Liquid Realm ones were blocked by several Jade Liquid Realm experts who performed decently on the Heart Questioning Platform.
Blade Gang and thunder palms clashed repeatedly, shockwaves splashing.
Boosted by the Thunder Tiger Fake Core, Luo Wentian completely suppressed the Core Elixir Realm swordsman. This True Martial Sect sect leader’s momentum was overwhelming, shaking the minds of all the disciples watching—especially the children here for the assessment, their eyes filled with adoration.
They had originally been somewhat panicked, but True Martial Disciples quickly calmed them.
Now the scene was nearly under control, and none of them were injured.
The children felt True Martial Sect’s foundation and strength even more vividly, yearning even more to join True Martial Sect.
Gou Dan watched the scenes unfolding before him, feeling like a door to a new world was opening to him. Looking at Luo Wentian with thunder light rippling around him, he thought he looked extremely majestic.
“If one day I can be as powerful as Sect Leader Luo, my little sister will never go hungry again,” he thought.
Suddenly.
His eyes widened, and he couldn’t help rubbing them.
He almost thought he’d seen wrong.
He actually saw a White Ape wearing a Daoist Robe. The White Ape didn’t look tall, even somewhat skinny, but the fur slightly exposed outside was like silver snow, extremely mystical. This White Ape had silently appeared near those battle sites, and with its small frame, it looked like it had been accidentally caught up in them.
He couldn’t help wanting to shout a warning.
But the next moment, his face went blank.
The White Ape stepped forward, its body suddenly expanding violently, growing with each step. In an instant, a colossal behemoth appeared.
A sixteen-feet-tall giant ape draped in a Daoist Robe, fierce and serene coexisting, its eyes carrying golden intent, seemingly able to see through everything.
In the arena.
The one-eyed man shouted sharply:
“You dare interfere in my Sacred Sect’s affairs? Seeking death?”
He and the black-skirted beautiful woman felt the pressure mounting and had no choice but to invoke the Demonic Sect to intimidate everyone.
Some couldn’t help but change expressions.
This was indeed troublesome. If they failed to join True Martial Sect afterward and were remembered by the Demonic Sect, that would truly be disastrous.
But the next moment.
Some couldn’t help gasping, shock in their eyes.
The one-eyed man sensed something.
He turned to look, his pupil contracting sharply.
A sixteen-feet White Ape had silently killed its way over, its mountain-like body full of terrifying oppressive sense—especially those eyes rippling with golden intent, carrying cold indifference that pierced everything. His heart pounded, he let out a strange yell, Gang Qi erupting fully, sensing an unprecedented sense of crisis.
Yuan Tiansheng roared to the heavens. Having cultivated with Ning Qi for six or seven years, he had never showcased his Ape King True Body.
Now, with Ning Qi’s permission, he finally had the chance.
Golden pupils swept over; the one-eyed man’s movements were laid bare in his eyes. He simply swung a fist, terrifying giant force sweeping out, silver light swirling over his fur, shattering through like bamboo, blasting the one-eyed man’s Gang Qi to pieces.
Then.
It smashed onto the one-eyed man.
Bone-cracking sounds rang out as the one-eyed man was smashed into a pit, vomiting blood nonstop.
All spectators were shocked, not knowing where this ferocious White Ape had suddenly appeared from, suppressing a Jade Liquid Realm with one punch!
Was this also True Martial Sect’s foundation?
They felt they had broadened their horizons today.
But True Martial Disciples were also dumbfounded.
Even the few who usually played familiarly with the White Ape were the same. Though the White Ape had shown some strength before, it wasn’t standout. In their impressions, the White Ape was usually mischievous and naughty, sometimes silly, the Daoist attendant under Ninth Martial Uncle.
But now they knew.
Ninth Martial Uncle’s White Ape Daoist attendant was actually this strong!
Ye Qinghe widened her eyes even more. She never imagined the little monkey she and Ning Qi brought back a few years ago had suddenly become so powerful—stronger than her. Looking at the one-eyed man’s wretched state, she probably couldn’t withstand one punch either.
Was this really that silly monkey who taught her to brew Peach Blossom wine?
Zhuang Chen and Li Ling were also stunned.
The two of them and the ape often hung out together, and suddenly you’re telling me you can punch Jade Liquid Realm and kick Core Elixir Realm!
After their shock, Xiong Shi and the others reacted quickly.
They immediately stepped forward to capture this one-eyed man.
These spies naturally couldn’t be killed so simply.
They needed thorough interrogation to squeeze out every last bit of value. Xiong Shi’s eyes were cold, already thinking how to interrogate these spies.
At this time.
Seeing her companion in such a miserable state, the black-skirted beautiful woman was even more horrified, losing all desire to fight—she just wanted to escape quickly.
But Yuan Tiansheng’s speed wasn’t slow.
With each step like wind and thunder accompanying, in a few strides he was behind the black-skirted beautiful woman. A mountain-like hand reached out; she shrieked in panic, the oppressive sense suffocating her, but resistance was futile.
In mere breaths, she followed in the one-eyed man’s footsteps, pinched in the White Ape’s hand, her tendons and bones snapping.
The White Ape wouldn’t pity the fairer sex, casually tossing her behind him, making the Gang Yuan Realm experts’ scalps tingle.
Too ferocious!
The situation changed too quickly.
In a short moment, only the Core Elixir Realm swordsman was left fighting alone, but he was similarly crushed by Luo Wentian. Strands of thunder light pierced the void onto him, his whole body starting to numb, while his Blade Gang couldn’t break Luo Wentian’s thunder light.
This was impossible to fight.
And now witnessing that sixteen-feet White Ape that suddenly charged out made him even more terrified.
He gritted his teeth, a desperate measure: his saber flew like a dragon breaking through the air, then he forcibly took a thunder light palm with his left arm to borrow force and retreat. This was a risky move—if it failed, he’d be gravely injured and fall into certain doom.
The swordsman spat large mouthfuls of blood.
He flew back at extreme speed.
Luo Wentian was first startled; he ultimately lacked some combat experience against Gang Yuan Realm. But soon, he calmed, a praising smile in his eyes.
The White Ape was already waiting in the distance.
Its eyes rippling with golden light, able to see the tracks of power flow, easily judging the Core Elixir Realm swordsman’s intent.
Waiting like a mantis stalking the cicada.
The giant ape kicked out, as if to shatter mountains, carrying wind-thunder momentum, stomping onto the middle-aged swordsman. Even as a Core Elixir Realm expert, he couldn’t withstand such giant force, flying back even faster.
Luo Wentian struck down with one palm strike, thunder light filling the sky, sealing the deal.
The Core Elixir Realm swordsman coughed blood nonstop, nearly dead.
Xiong Shi personally captured him.
In the blink of an eye, the disturbance settled.
Inside Mingwu Pavilion.
Ning Qi and Dragon Mountain Daoist both smiled.
This response was methodical from True Martial Sect members, completely handling the spies—they were very satisfied.
Dragon Mountain Daoist marveled somewhat:
“Tian Sheng, that little monkey, has unknowingly become this strong?”
He had sensed it before but didn’t know Yuan Tiansheng’s limit had reached this level—this made him practically True Martial Sect’s third strongest!
Ning Qi smiled:
“Tian Sheng has powerful bloodline, plus excellent comprehension and perseverance, firm Dao Heart. Such strength isn’t surprising. His bloodline developed quickly, and he also concurrently cultivates the Martial Way.”
Dragon Mountain Daoist was shocked:
“Martial Way?”
Though Yuan Tiansheng hadn’t shown much earlier, he vaguely discerned something special.
Ning Qi nodded:
“I combined human race Martial Way to create Ape King Stance, Ape King Strength, and Ape King True Gang for him, successfully awakening his bloodline. But lately, the more I observe, the more I find that exotic beasts’ bloodline awakening path may ultimately converge with the Martial Way— not as magical as I first imagined.”
Admiration deepened in Dragon Mountain Daoist’s eyes.
Creating a Martial Way for an exotic beast—such a world-shocking feat was described so casually by his little disciple.
But this was Ning Qi’s true thought.
Now, in the White Ape’s strength composition, bloodline power occupied much. Otherwise, with just his Inner Yuan Realm cultivation, he couldn’t be this powerful. Of course, the various Martial Arts Ning Qi taught were extremely crucial too. The Ape King True Body secret technique was in some ways equivalent to the White Ape’s bloodline ability.
But he also discovered the Martial Way’s two greatest roles for exotic beasts: giving ordinary-bloodline beasts hope for growth and breakthroughs, and helping exotic beasts awaken bloodlines.
Dragon Mountain Daoist just sighed.
Silently, his little disciple had accomplished so many great things.
He sensed carefully again and asked:
“Little Nine, did you sense any Heavenly Human acting?”
Ning Qi shook his head slightly:
“No. If a Heavenly Human appeared, the True Martial Sword Stele would sense it.”
After promoting to Core Elixir Realm, he had reinforced the Sword Intent in the True Martial Sword Stele. Not only could this sword stele be used for comprehension, it could also face enemies at key moments.
“It’s normal for them not to appear. Southern Border people are always cautious. That midnight-assaulting Core Elixir Realm woman earlier was the same. These spies were likely a test—if successful, great, to scout sect intel; if not, just pawns.”
Dragon Mountain Daoist nodded in agreement.
But his gaze gradually sharpened:
“Multiple forces planting spies in our True Martial Sect—partly because a tall tree attracts wind, but the Southern Border Alliance may truly suspect us due to prior events.”
“Afterward, we must remind disciples to be extra careful during external training trips, to avoid being targeted in secret.”
Ning Qi nodded slightly.
He pondered how to respond.
Annihilating the Demonic Sect and Southern Border Alliance wasn’t feasible yet. The only option was to enhance the disciples’ strength as much as possible.
……
In True Martial City.
In a certain inn’s elegant room.
Qin Yun and the Southern Border Saintess were quietly sipping tea, heated discussions drifting in from around them, all about this True Martial assessment.
“Ascension Stairs, Mechanical Man formation, Heart Questioning Platform?” The Southern Border Saintess listened to the news, her eyes flickering.
Specific details on the first two had already come.
Their mystical nature surprised her somewhat. True Martial Sect, founded just a few decades ago, had consecutively produced such wondrous items.
“Holy Son Qin, did you hear of these during your time in True Martial Sect?” she asked curiously.
Qin Yun silently shook his head.
He had left True Martial Sect only four or five years ago, but the changes now exceeded the over twenty years he spent there, leaving him with complex feelings.
He didn’t know where these changes came from.
However.
The Southern Border Saintess’s words made him somewhat uncomfortable. He just said coldly:
“Instead of concerning yourself with me, Saintess, worry about the upcoming Heart Questioning Platform. My intuition tells me big trouble is brewing.”
By time, those pieces should have started the Heart Questioning Platform test.
The Southern Border Saintess was about to retort.
Suddenly her expression froze. Strands of power fluctuations spread, her mind shaking, even her power control imperfect.
Qin Yun’s eyes flashed as he calmly asked:
“Something happened?”
The Southern Border Saintess gave Qin Yun a deep look:
“Holy Son Qin is truly prescient. My Southern Border pieces are all wiped out—that Core Elixir Realm piece included. So, your Demonic Sect’s are probably much the same.”
She had just sensed the fluctuations from the Gu Worms in the pieces’ bodies.
The room fell silent.
Qin Yun sneered coldly:
“I told you long ago not to underestimate True Martial Sect. My master and senior brother aren’t ordinary. Since they opened the sect gates wide, they must have prepared long ago.”
He inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.
He had planned to leak it if the Demonic Sect pieces sneaked in quietly, but that would invite suspicion since he was responsible. He didn’t know about the Southern Border pieces anyway.
This outcome was best.
The Southern Border Saintess stared toward True Martial Mountain, finally regaining calm, smiling lightly:
“Since they’re tough, we’ll take it slow.”
But deep down, she had a sliver of suspicion toward Qin Yun, though she didn’t voice it.
She thought perhaps she could set up a test later.
One failure meant nothing; it only piqued her interest in True Martial Sect more—especially the wondrous items in this disciple assessment. What magic did this Heart Questioning Platform have to root out the pieces in moments?
……
Around the Heart Questioning Platform.
One by one, the spies were captured.
Luo Wentian had calmed the Fake Core power, returning to his previous mild self, no longer domineering with thunder power.
The White Ape also reverted to its usual form.
It respectfully saluted Luo Wentian:
“Martial Granduncle!”
Luo Wentian smiled:
“Tian Sheng, well done.”
He marveled even more at his Ninth Martial Uncle’s methods— even the little White Ape under him was so powerful, and it had never shown this before.
Luo Wentian glanced at the spies and signaled Xiong Shi to take them away.
Now all these spies were captured; they could be interrogated slowly later.
He turned, thanking the Gang Yuan Realm experts who helped before:
“This time, thanks to your aid. True Martial Sect will remember it and surely offer generous gifts!”
The congregation waved their hands repeatedly.
They knew full well that even without them, True Martial Sect could have handled it easily, so they dared not claim credit.
Those Gang Yuan Realm experts confident of passing the assessment to join True Martial Sect now had bright eyes.
Luo Wentian didn’t disappoint them.
He announced the list on the spot.
Of the over thirty who entered the Heart Questioning Platform, five were spies, another dozen failed on temperament—either treacherous and violent or selfish and hypocritical. They had stood by earlier, further confirming the Heart Questioning Platform’s accuracy.
Thus.
Sixteen passed in total.
Twelve White Mist Realm, four Jade Liquid Realm.
Though these had some flaws in aspects, overall they were good people, worthy of initial trust.
After announcing the list.
Luo Wentian smiled:
“From today, you are all True Martial Sect members, temporarily serving as Protectors. Protect True Martial Sect, and True Martial Sect will not stint in treating you well!”
He bowed solemnly.
Though they joined midway, if sincere, Luo Wentian didn’t mind truly accepting them.
The congregation looked serious:
“We pay respects to the Sect Leader!”
They felt some pride at this moment.
Leaving aside Heavenly Sword True Person and Dragon Mountain True Person, just Luo Wentian and that White Ape’s prior displays were extremely powerful—not to mention the many foundations True Martial Sect showed this time. They felt very fortunate.
The envy in the surrounding others’ gazes showed it.
Luo Wentian was in a good mood.
With these sixteen Protectors joining.
True Martial Sect’s mid-to-high-level combat power received a massive boost.
In some time, the original True Martial Nine Sons could successively promote to Jade Liquid Realm or even Core Elixir Realm, allowing a perfect transition.
After this True Martial Mountain assessment spread.
True Martial Sect’s prestige would surely rise another level.
Luo Wentian turned to the remaining children, smiling:
“Little ones, it’s your turn for the assessment. Pass the Heart Questioning Platform, and you’ll be True Martial Sect members from then on!”
The hundreds of children looked at each other.
Having seen Luo Wentian, the White Ape, and the various elders’ strength, they all yearned for True Martial Sect, but now at the critical moment, they instead shrank back a bit—after all, the Heart Questioning Platform’s power had been clearly shown before.
Luo Wentian didn’t urge, just smiled.
In merely one breath, someone responded:
“I, I’ll go!”
Gou Dan was the first to step forward.
Full from eating and drinking, and having watched this great battle, his resolve was firmer. His raised hand was wrapped in bandages, eyes extremely determined. He had naturally seen the Heart Questioning Platform’s wonder, but he feared nothing. He came to join True Martial Sect, not a spy— a clear conscience fears no shadow.
Luo Wentian laughed, even more satisfied:
“Very good!”
Hearing Luo Wentian’s praise, Gou Dan grinned foolishly; the others were envious.
Right after Gou Dan, voices rang out one after another:
“I’ll go!”
“Me too!”
Mostly children who performed well in the first Ascension Stairs.
The others quickly reacted, responding one by one.
But in just these few breaths’ difference, gaps in the children’s temperament and wisdom had emerged.
Fortunately, the Heart Questioning Platform was large enough.
Nearly five hundred entered together.
As before.
The congregation relaxed their minds.
The majestic voice rang out again.
The questioning for the children would be stricter—these were True Martial Sect’s future; their roots couldn’t be crooked.
Respect for master and way, affection for fellow disciples, chivalrous heart, Martial Way temperament… many aspects were queried.
Of course.
It would also ask where they came from.
Some little spies were silently rooted out. Some forces had deep layouts, trying to invade from the root. If a genius rose to True Martial Sect’s upper echelons later, it would be hundredfold gains.
Luo Wentian sneered coldly, having people take these little spies away too.
No one interrupted; others didn’t even know some had been taken.
The questioning continued.
Luo Wentian focused on Gou Dan.
Twice already, Gou Dan left deep impressions; he had taken a liking to this talent.
During the questioning.
Gou Dan’s answers were all extremely firm and pure.
“He has a little sister too? Must be an extremely important person in his life.” Luo Wentian noted slightly.
He intended to take a disciple.
But planned to observe a bit longer.
A sect leader’s disciple, though not the next sect leader, still required caution.
