Clan Leader: My strength equals to that of the entire clan

They are here to participate in the disciple-recruitment ceremony of the Heavenly Sword Sect.

The Heavenly Sword Sect, one of the top sects in Guanghe Prefecture, boasts powerful martial artists of the Innate Realm.

Each time they recruit disciples, it’s a big deal for all the major counties under Guanghe Prefecture.

Joining the Heavenly Sword Sect means gaining access to abundant resources and the chance to learn cultivation techniques of the Innate Realm, becoming a martial artist of the Innate Realm.

Martial artists of the Innate Realm can take on a thousand soldiers single-handedly and breaking mountains and cracking stones is as easy as pie.

Most importantly, martial artists of the Innate Realm have undergone physical refinement, extending their lifespan to around one hundred and fifty years.

Longevity is a temptation that anyone would find hard to resist.

“Twenty-five years old, only managed to cultivate to the eighth level of body forging, unqualified.”

Examining bones, testing aptitude.

Checking cultivation levels, determining who will have the final opportunity to join the Heavenly Sword Sect.

The Heavenly Sword Sect has very strict criteria for accepting disciples, they only accept three disciples from each county.

“Isn’t that Xue Changgui? I’ve heard that he made it to the Postnatal Realm at the age of just twenty-two.”

“One of the three spots is already taken.”

Almost all the young martial artists with some reputation in Wanlu County have come to take part in this ceremony.

One by one they are tested and eliminated at a fast pace.

Even many martial artists in the Postnatal Realm, due to their age exceeding twenty-five years, don’t get the chance to advance to the second round.

Soon, it was Ye Jinhai’s turn.

After the Postnatal Realm martial artist from the Heavenly Sword Sect examined Ye Jinhai’s musculature, he immediately lifted his head and looked at Ye Jinhai, saying, “What’s your cultivation level?”

“Early Postnatal stage, successfully refined one meridian.”

“Twenty years old, early Postnatal stage, pass. Take this token and wait at the back.”

The martial artist from the Heavenly Sword Sect handed Ye Jinhai a token and instructed him to wait with the other martial artists who had passed the first stage.

The martial artists around who heard Ye Jinhai’s age and cultivation level were instantly taken aback.

Twenty years old, in the early Postnatal stage, isn’t his cultivation speed faster than those prodigies of Wanlu County?

From which family does he come from? He seems to have popped out of nowhere.

Ye Jinhai was quite unfamiliar to them. Usually, he would mostly stay at home and cultivate, hardly giving anyone an opportunity to know him.

Before long, Ye Jinhai’s name began to circulate among the nearby martial artists.

Many of them wanted to see what this individual, who was on track to becoming the top prodigy of Wanlu County, looked like?

Outside the crowd, a young man’s face turned darker as he heard Ye Jinhai’s age and cultivation level.

Zhao Mu was feeling rather upset. Originally, his achievement of reaching the early Postnatal stage at the age of twenty-five made him third in Wanlu County.

And with three spots available for recruits from Wanlu County in the Heavenly Sword Sect, he was certain he would secure a place.

However, with Ye Jinhai’s emergence, he could potentially be pushed to fourth place. How could he not be upset?

Joining the Heavenly Sword Sect could give him a slight chance of becoming a martial artist in the Innate Realm.

If he doesn’t make it, he would lose all hope.

“Big brother, go and investigate where this Ye Jinhai comes from.”

The first round of testing ended and the second round of testing, carried out by top Postnatal Realm experts to weed out potential cheaters, finally began with the final test.

While a martial artist’s cultivation level is important, so is their combat power.

Those below the Postnatal Realm are basically there for the spectacle.

What really matters is the martial artists of the Postnatal Realm.

There were only a handful of Postnatal Realm martial artists in their twenties In wanlu county.

Soon, it was Ye Jinhai’s turn.

And Ye Jinhai’s opponent was Zhao Mu.

Ye Jinhai casually selected a longsword, pointing its tip at the ground, radiating an air of chivalry.

Zhao Mu’s weapon was a saber, held level, with him staring fervently at Ye Jinhai.

If he was inferior to Ye Jinhai in terms of aptitude, and if he was also outmatched in fighting skills, then he would have no chance left.

It would be best, if he could totally incapacitate his competitor, Ye Jinhai, during this fight.

“Flying Star Saber!”

Zhao Mu excelled in swift saber techniques. His saber moved so fast it left a series of illusions, striking at Ye Jinhai.

Ye Jinhai subtly shifted his stance, gracefully drifting backward.

His stylish movements drew squeals from the women in the crowd.

As Zhao Mu’s strength waned, Ye Jinhai swiftly made his move.

Gentle Wind Sword, a thrust!

He thrust his sword out, as fast as lightning, appearing instantly at Zhao Mu’s fifth limb!

Zhao Mu only felt the hairs on his body stand erect. In an instant, he exploded with unprecedented speed, moving away from Ye Jinhai.

Feeling the slight chill at his crotch, Zhao Mu’s view of Ye Jinhai changed.

Initially, he thought Ye Jinhai was a modest gentleman. Unexpectedly, he is this kind of person!

The squealing from the women suddenly stopped. The gentleman they had in their eyes seemed a bit off.

Ye Jinhai gave a faint smile, entirely unconcerned about the change in people’s gaze towards him.

Thrusting the sword, aiming for the feet, the eyes, wherever the vulnerability lied, Ye Jinhai’s sword would appear there.

In Ye Jinhai’s view, swordsmanship is swordsmanship.

No matter how bizarre the swordsmanship, it could not change his true nature of being a fine gentleman.

Zhao Mu exposed another opening, Ye Jinhai’s sword appeared in an instant.

This time, Zhao Mu could no longer muster the speed that wasn’t his own.

Staring at the sword nearing his fifth limb, Zhao Mu swallowed hard: “I quit, I quit.”

Ye Jinhai elegantly twirled his sword before sheathing it: “Thank you for admitting defeat.”

Zhao Mu turned and left. This was too embarrassing.

Before Zhao Mu left, he shot a vicious glance at Ye Jinhai. His eyes were filled with resentment.

This Ye Jinhai, not only did he snatch away his spot, but he also caused him to lose face, he deserved to die!

Ye Jinhai’s mouth hinted a smile. It seemed he would be busy tonight.

“Ye Jinhai, well done!”

The peak Postnatal Realm martial artist responsible for the second-round examination patted Ye Jinhai on the shoulder, a smile covering his face. “A disciple like you is just what my master would like.”

Liu He was very pleased. Having this freakish disciple, his master would finally stop tormenting him.

Ye Jinhai felt Liu He’s kindness but couldn’t make any sense of it.

What’s happening, did this elder martial brother’s master adhere to the same code of conduct as him, hence the affinity?

Without any surprises, Ye Jinhai passed the exam and became one of the three disciples from Wanlu County accepted by the Heavenly Sword Sect.

Seven days later, the martial artists from Heavenly Sword Sect would return to Wanlu County to take them to the Heavenly Sword Sect.

Those seven days provides them with the opportunity to spend time with their families.

After all, the Heavenly Sword Sect is located in Guanghe Prefecture; it’s not easy to return once they leave.

Once Ye Jinhai returned home, he immediately sought out Ye Fan.

“Father, do you know how to prepare poison?” Ye Jinhai said, getting straight to the point.

“Poison? I do know how to make it, but why do you need poison?” Ye Fan looked at Ye Jinhai. He had the feeling that this son of his had a devious streak.

“Today, I participated in the disciple-recruitment ceremony of the Heavenly Sword Sect. I suspect I have been marked, and there might be an attempt on my life tonight…”

Ye Jinhai then recounted his grudge with Zhao Mu that afternoon, and shared his suspicions.

After listening to the story, Ye Fan was greatly surprised.

He was proud of being part of the Ye family lineage, how did he end up having such a cunning descendent like Ye Jinhai?

However, Ye Fan found himself quite pleased with this characteristic..