Chapter 409: Departure

After Jun Wushuang, the censer's flames surged again. Two streaks of white light flared, and two more Jade Tokens were spat out in quick succession.

The names on these two Jade Tokens were Gu Muyun and Ouyang Cheng.

No one was the least bit surprised. If the three most powerful disciples of the Cyan Nether Sword Sect's younger generation didn't qualify for the Pengze Immortal Island trial, then who possibly could?

Afterward, the flames in the giant censer billowed and churned as Jade Tokens continuously flew out.

"Huyan Ke, Four Vein Disciple, Ninth Layer of the Earth Profound Realm!"

"Nangong Kuang, Four Vein Disciple, Ninth Layer of the Earth Profound Realm!"

"Mu Wantong, Inner Sect Disciple, Eighth Layer of the Earth Profound Realm!"

"Zhong Hong, Inner Sect Disciple, Fifth Layer of the Earth Profound Realm!"

...

One by one, names were announced by the Steward Elder standing to the side.

Those whose names were called stepped out from the crowd one after another.

In a short while, a dozen or so people had stepped forward. All of them were disciples at or above the Fourth Layer of the Earth Profound Realm.

From the side, Wan Hai watched as the disciples emerged one by one, growing increasingly nervous. Based on strength alone, his cultivation at the Fifth Layer of the Earth Profound Realm should be enough for him to be chosen.

But compared to the younger disciples in the sect, he was far too old.

On the path of cultivation, talent was often more important than hard work, because your upper limit was set. No matter how hard you tried, it was useless—unless, of course, you were a cheater.

But just as Wan Hai was at his most nervous...

RUMBLE!

The flames inside the censer surged, and another Jade Token flew out.

The Steward Elder picked it up, glanced at it, and slowly announced, "Wan Hai!"

Hearing this, Wan Hai immediately sighed in relief.

Shen Daoxing turned to Wan Hai and gave a faint smile. "Congratulations, Senior Brother!"

Wan Hai then walked out and stood before the Steward Elder.

By now, there were quite a few Inner Sect Disciples, in addition to the Four Vein Disciples, totaling around sixty to seventy people.

Seeing that the censer had fallen silent, the Steward Elder by the side slowly began to speak. "Alright. Will all disciples please follow me? We will now proceed to Pengze Immortal Island for the trial."

However, the moment he finished speaking...

The flames in the giant censer before the Divine Altar suddenly flared. With a WHOOSH, another Jade Token shot out.

The Steward Elder was stunned for a moment, then picked up the Jade Token, glanced at it, and slowly announced, "Shen Daoxing."

And when they heard the name Shen Daoxing, the surrounding disciples were baffled.

"Huh? Shen Daoxing? Who is this Shen Daoxing? How have I never heard of him?"

An Inner Sect Disciple immediately voiced his confusion.

The Cyan Nether Sword Sect was, in a way, both large and small. Ultimately, the true prodigies among prodigies, the ones who really stood out, always numbered just a handful.

And without exception, those chosen this time were all geniuses among geniuses, each one already well-known.

But no one had ever heard the name Shen Daoxing. The crowd looked completely bewildered.

At that moment, Shen Daoxing slowly stepped forward.

The crowd's eyes fell upon him. But when everyone saw he was dressed in the robes of an Outer Sect Disciple, they froze.

"Huh?"

"???"

"Who is that? He's an Outer Sect Disciple?"

"How could the Celestial Mirror Order have chosen him!"

"Does an Outer Sect Disciple even have the right to participate in the Immortal Island trial?"

The crowd instantly erupted, with many voicing their objections.

Even the Steward Elder was taken aback, staring at the Identity Jade Token in his hand and checking it again and again, as if to confirm what he was seeing.

"Exactly, Elder! How can this Outer Sect Disciple be qualified for the Immortal Island trial?"

The Inner Sect Disciples who hadn't been chosen were especially vehement in their protests.

That's right!

'Even we Inner Sect Disciples weren't chosen. On what grounds was an Outer Sect Disciple picked by the Celestial Mirror Order? What right does he have?'

Just as the situation was about to spiral out of control, Grand Elder Wang Guyuan's commanding voice suddenly echoed, "Enough! Any disciple of the sect's younger generation is eligible for this Immortal Island trial, whether they are from the Inner Sect or the Outer Sect. Since he has received the Celestial Mirror Order's approval, he is qualified to participate."

Immediately, Grand Elder Wang Guyuan's imposing figure slowly descended from the sky and landed among the crowd.

Now that the Grand Elder himself had spoken, who would dare object?

"Grand Elder!"

On the training grounds, all the Inner Sect Disciples stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

Shen Daoxing also clasped his hands and bowed deeply. "Grand Elder!"

Grand Elder Wang Guyuan seemed to recognize Shen Daoxing. He looked at him with a benevolent expression and gave a meaningful nod.

For the elder before him was none other than the Cyan Nether Sword Sect powerhouse who had, on multiple occasions, scared off the Flood Dragon for Shen Daoxing with a mere shout.

Since the Grand Elder had spoken, the Steward Elder naturally had no further objections.

The Steward Elder nodded to Grand Elder Wang Guyuan, then picked up Shen Daoxing's Identity Jade Token. "Alright. Shen Daoxing, Outer Sect Servant Disciple, Ninth Layer of the Spirit Transformation Realm. Please come with us to Pengze Immortal Island for the trial."

"Heh! So he's only in the Spirit Transformation Realm!"

"What right does a mere Outer Sect Servant Disciple have to participate in the Immortal Island trial?"

"How are any of us worse than him?"

When the other Inner Sect Disciples nearby heard that Shen Daoxing was only at the Ninth Layer of the Spirit Transformation Realm, they began to mutter among themselves again. However, with Grand Elder Wang Guyuan present, they didn't dare say anything more.

Only Wan Hai beamed with joy upon seeing Shen Daoxing walk over. "Junior Brother, I never thought you'd be chosen! Hehe, this is a huge opportunity! Although it's a pipe dream to snatch a Celestial Mirror Order from those true prodigies, as long as we can pass the Immortal Island trial, we can also become Immortal Island disciples. You have to seize this opportunity."

With that, Wan Hai pulled Shen Daoxing into the line of disciples following the Steward Elder.

"Thank you, Senior Brother, for the reminder."

Shen Daoxing smiled faintly.

The group then mounted their swords, rising into the air and flying toward the depths of the Inner Mountain.

Before long, the imposing Pengze Immortal Island appeared before their eyes.

Pengze Immortal Island was enormous, floating high above Yun Meng Lake. A towering mountain on the island pierced the very clouds. A stream meandered down its slopes to the island's edge, where it plunged into the lake below, creating a spectacular waterfall.

Now and then, Spirit Birds would fly out from the island's forests, making it seem like a celestial paradise, a veritable Peach Garden.

At this moment, however, a faint golden barrier of light covered the surface of Pengze Immortal Island, sealing it off completely.

After everyone had arrived, Grand Elder Wang Guyuan made a tossing motion with his hand. With a WHOOSH, the Celestial Mirror Order transformed into a streak of golden light, shot out from his sleeve, and imprinted itself upon the golden barrier covering Pengze Immortal Island.

The Celestial Mirror Order then flared with brilliant light. Ripples spread across the golden barrier, and it slowly began to part.