"If you had known this would happen, why did you do it in the first place!" Sha Yan remained unmoved by Xiao Yao's pleas, his face expressionless. "Chang Yao, you are demoted from an inner-city disciple to an outer-city disciple and must re-enter the Outer City Purple Thunder Hall.

If you show genuine repentance, you may participate in the Six Halls Grand Competition again in a year to re-enter the inner city." "This is unfair!" Xiao Yao's face was ashen, and he rasped, "Though I spoke of killing Nie Kong, I never actually took action. It was Nie Kong who first summoned spirit beasts to attack me, and when I activated the 'Emerald Inscription Jade Slip' to leave the Illusionary Space, he struck directly at the crown of my head, trying to kill me.

He also violated the rules of the 'Six Halls Grand Competition,' so why does he face no punishment while I am expelled from the inner city?" The outer-city disciples in the hall couldn't help but curl their lips upon hearing this. You wanted to kill Nie Kong, and you begrudge Nie Kong wanting to kill you?

What nonsense! Gu Changgong squinted at Nie Kong and suddenly asked, "Nie Kong, is this true?" "It is true." Nie Kong's mind raced.

He first admitted the fact, but then sharply shifted his tone, "However, immediately after entering the Illusionary Space, this disciple was attacked by an 'Shadow Streamer Beast.' Although I eventually succeeded in killing it, my spiritual energy was completely depleted. Therefore, I consumed a 'Jade Fragrance Pill' to recover." "After that, this disciple was pursued by Xiao Yao.

I had almost no time to recover my spiritual energy through cultivation during the chase, so even when Xiao Yao activated the 'Emerald Inscription Jade Slip,' my spiritual energy had not fully recovered. With my strength at that time, even striking the crown of Xiao Yao's head could not have posed any real threat to him.

The reason I still chose to strike was merely to frighten him, not to kill him!" "As for the efficacy of that 'Jade Fragrance Pill,' Lord Sha Yan can certainly attest to it." If Nie Kong had completely denied Xiao Yao's statement, his credibility would have been severely diminished. But now, with this half-truth, his believability was greatly enhanced.

Furthermore, his final remark dragged Sha Yan, the Deputy Hall Master of the Medicine Heart Hall, into the matter, naturally making it easier for people to believe. As soon as his words fell, many people in the hall nodded in agreement.

Although a fifth-grade Spirit Fusion Realm master striking the crown of the head with full force could shatter the shield of the 'Emerald Inscription Jade Slip,' if that master's spiritual energy was largely consumed, even a full-force blow might not be effective. Knowing he couldn't kill Xiao Yao by striking that spot, why else would Nie Kong have attacked other than to scare him?

This way, Chang Yao's claim that Nie Kong intended to kill him became invalid. Seeing everyone look towards him, Sha Yan nodded, "Indeed, Nie Kong once presented the formula for the Jade Fragrance Pill, which he invented himself, to the Medicine Heart Hall.

If Nie Kong's spiritual energy was depleted beforehand, even one Jade Fragrance Pill would be considered excellent if it restored even ten percent of his energy." He paused, then continued, "A fifth-grade Spirit Fusion Realm master encountering an 'Shadow Streamer Beast' and not being forced out of the Illusionary Space, but instead successfully slaying it, only to have his spiritual energy entirely consumed—such an outcome is already extremely rare. What Nie Kong said should be accurate." Hearing this, the Hall Masters and Deputy Hall Masters on the high platform subtly nodded.

As the administrators of the Spirit Imperial City's outer city, they were perfectly clear about the strength of the spirit beasts within the Illusionary Space. The Shadow Streamer Beast was notoriously tough-skinned, lightning-fast, and one of the spirit beasts that caused the most trouble for disciples participating in the 'Six Halls Grand Competition.' The credibility of Nie Kong slaying it at the cost of all his spiritual energy was exceptionally high.

"How is this possible?" Seeing that everyone around him believed Nie Kong's words, Xiao Yao's face contorted into a savage grimace, and he shrieked madly, "You didn't see his condition when he emerged, and neither did I! How could he possibly not have recovered his spiritual energy then?

I was nearly killed by him!" "Stop your specious arguments!" Sha Yan swept his broad sleeve and coldly roared, "Remove his golden badge, take off his waist token, and hand him over to the City Supervision Institute Master to process his departure from the inner city." Two more middle-aged men appeared before Xiao Yao. "Unfair, unfair, un..." Xiao Yao wailed hoarsely, like a wronged wife abandoned by her husband.

Unfortunately, this "wronged wife" soon experienced the same treatment as Luo Sheng; his cries were abruptly cut off as he was slapped unconscious and then dragged out of the Lingxiao Hall like a dead dog. "Hong Guang!" Sha Yan's gaze fell upon another inner-city disciple, Hong Guang, the second disciple forced out of the Illusionary Space by Nie Kong.

"Disciple is here!" Hong Guang’s legs nearly buckled, and he almost collapsed. Large beads of sweat emerged on his forehead.

The fates of Luo Sheng and Xiao Yao just moments ago had truly chilled him to the bone, and he was filled with regret. If he were expelled from the inner city like them, how could he ever show his face in the Spirit Imperial City again?

"You released the signal that attracted Luo Sheng and the many other inner-city disciples, which indeed violated the rules of the Six Halls Grand Competition. However, considering you had no intent to personally kill your fellow disciples, you may temporarily remain in the inner city..." Hearing this, Hong Guang's pale face immediately flushed red with excitement, and tears were close to falling.

As long as he wasn't kicked out of the inner city, it was fine. But the following words from Sha Yan instantly turned his face deathly pale again, "...Suspended from entering the 'Spirit Cultivation Illusionary Realm' for half a year, to observe future conduct!" The Spirit Cultivation Illusionary Realm—this was a major source of the Spirit Imperial City's sustained strength.

Within this realm, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth was several times denser than in the outside world. Cultivating there would advance one's power far faster than outside.

Many outer-city disciples fought desperately to enter the inner city precisely for access to this 'Spirit Cultivation Illusionary Realm.' Now, with Hong Guang banned from it, his cultivation speed over the next six months would inevitably lag far behind his peers. How could this bring him any joy?

Sha Yan paid him no further mind and called out another name: "Lin Ran!" "Disciple is here!" "Suspended from entering the 'Spirit Cultivation Illusionary Realm' for half a year!" "......" "Cui Wuxin!" "Disciple is here!" "Suspended from entering the 'Spirit Cultivation Illusionary Realm' for half a year!" "......" "Fei Tong!" "Disciple is here!" "Suspended from entering the 'Spirit Cultivation Illusionary Realm' for three months!" Watching Fei Tong, whose face was also somewhat pale, Miao Ge opened her beautiful eyes in disbelief and muttered, "I only complained to Tai Ji and Ru Jie after coming out, saying that this Fei Tong clearly had the ability to force me out of the 'Illusionary Space' but pretended to have low cultivation just to toy with me. I never thought the Hall Masters would overhear this and punish Fei Tong right away?" It wasn't just Fei Tong; several other inner-city disciples also received punishments, ranging from three months to half a year, for deliberately humiliating outer-city disciples within the Illusionary Space.

Given the cautionary examples of Luo Sheng, Xiao Yao, and Hong Guang, the punished inner-city disciples remained silent, not daring to even breathe loudly. Conversely, the outer-city disciples were all uplifted and invigorated.

If they were forced out due to insufficient strength, they could only accept their bad luck. But being humiliated and then expelled from the Illusionary Space because of lack of strength—who could swallow that insult?

After the round of punishments, more than half of the inner-city disciples were affected, all looking dejected and listless, like eggplants frosted by the cold. Even those inner-city disciples who were not implicated felt a loss of face upon hearing the murmurs around them.

"Gentlemen!" Sha Yan's rock-like solemn face finally revealed a faint smile. "Due to the chaos that occurred in the Illusionary Space this time, the fairness of the 'Six Halls Grand Competition' has been significantly compromised.

Therefore, the Six Hall Masters have discussed and decided to hold a supplementary test to select the inner-city disciples." "A supplementary test!" Everyone paused in astonishment. Sha Yan continued, "As for who will participate in this supplementary test, aside from the more than five hundred disciples who emerged when the Illusionary Space was sealed, all outer-city disciples who were forced out after the spirit beasts scattered in the middle stages of the Illusionary Space are eligible.

A total of one thousand one hundred and thirteen disciples from the Six Halls can participate. The list will be announced shortly.

Return to the Lingxiao Hall in five days, and you will know the content of the supplementary test then." "......" "Disciples who left after the spirit beasts scattered? That means I am one of them!

Haha, I still have a chance to enter the inner city this year." "I was besieged by dozens of spirit beasts and forced out at that time, but I wasn't reconciled! Now, the Hall Masters and Deputy Hall Masters are wise!" "......" As soon as the decision for the supplementary test was announced, the hall immediately erupted in a buzz.

Some were excited and radiant, while others beat their chests and sighed in despair. Those who were happy were naturally the Spirit Imperial City disciples who had been forced out after the spirit beasts scattered, as they still had a chance to enter the inner city.

Especially the higher-cultivation outer-city disciples who were besieged by large numbers of spirit beasts were overjoyed. Those who were disappointed were the ones who had been forced out earlier.

Unfortunately, before Nie Kong released the spirit beasts, their elimination was relatively normal—either driven out by one or two spirit beasts, or forced out by inner-city disciples... The main reason was insufficient strength; there was no scenario where they were besieged by large numbers of spirit beasts.

The approximately five hundred people who left when the Illusionary Space sealed looked somewhat gloomy. They had all speculated that to successfully enter the inner city, these five hundred people would inevitably have to fight another battle, but they hadn't expected the final number to swell to over a thousand.

Sha Yan's eyes swept over the crowd, seemingly guessing the thoughts of this group, and he said with a gentle smile, "The supplementary test in five days will be calculated based on points. The disciples who emerged last, over five hundred of them, will all receive a certain starting score beforehand.

As for the exact number of points, that will also be announced in five days." Upon hearing this, the disciples who emerged later finally smiled broadly. Although those who were forced out earlier felt a bit dejected, they could only accept it, as this opportunity was entirely something they had stumbled upon.

If their strength was sufficient, even if they started with lower initial points, they would certainly be able to catch up during the test. Similarly, if some later-emerging disciples managed to cling on until the end through sheer luck, even with higher initial points, they would ultimately be eliminated in the supplementary test.

In this way, only the truly skilled outer-city masters would pass. Of course, this was predicated on the events of today's Illusionary Space not recurring.

Miao Ge smiled and said, "I knew it. If we who came out later had no advantage at all during the supplementary test, wouldn't this entire Six Halls Grand Competition be practically void?

This arrangement is a win-win for these thousand-plus people. Nie Kong, you must be careful; it would be a huge waste if you got filtered out during the supplementary test." As she spoke, Miao Ge winked conspiratorially at Nie Kong.

Nie Kong laughed heartily, "You don't need to worry about that. I am determined to enter the inner city this year!" "Gentlemen, the list has been posted outside the Lingxiao Hall.

If you are unsure whether you are on the supplementary test roster, you may go out and check now." Sha Yan's voice echoed in the hall again. Looking up, the crowd realized that Gu Changgong and the other six Hall Masters, along with the other five Deputy Hall Masters, had vanished from the high platform at some unknown time.

With matters concluded in the Lingxiao Hall, everyone walked towards the exit with mixed feelings. "Nie Kong, you stay behind for a moment; the Hall Master wishes to see you!" As most people were leaving, Nie Kong was about to depart when a familiar voice reached his ears.

Turning his head, he saw Sha Yan had quietly approached him, a gentle smile fixed on his face. "Oh?" Nie Kong's heart stirred; he vaguely guessed something.

Seeing Sha Yan walk towards the side door of the Lingxiao Hall, Nie Kong quickly followed. Watching the receding figures of Nie Kong and Sha Yan disappear through the side entrance, Miao Ge, touching the beauty mole at the corner of her lip, blinked with a hint of suspicion...

In a small side hall adjacent to the Lingxiao Hall, Nie Kong saw that imposing, burly figure. Besides the newly arrived Nie Kong and Sha Yan, only Gu Changgong was in the side hall.

He was currently seated cross-legged on a cushion, his expression completely lacking the solemnity and severity he displayed in the Lingxiao Hall moments before. His gaze was warm, and his face carried a benevolent smile that easily inspired a sense of kinship.

Nie Kong stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Greetings, Hall Master." "No need for formalities, sit!" Gu Changgong pointed to the cushion opposite him and smiled gently. "Thank you, Hall Master." Nie Kong did not refuse and naturally sat down cross-legged.

Sha Yan sat beside Gu Changgong, but his position was slightly further back. Gu Changgong smiled faintly, "Nie Kong, speaking of which, this is our second meeting today." "The Hall Master has seen me before?" Nie Kong was slightly surprised.

He had assumed Gu Changgong knew of him because Gu Jian had mentioned him, but he hadn't expected him to have actually seen him before! Gu Changgong nodded, "I saw you in the Medicine Heart Hall on the day the new disciples registered." Seeing the confusion in Nie Kong's eyes, Gu Changgong didn't explain further and smiled, "Nie Kong, the reason I called you here is to ask you about the 'Blood Scale Parasol'—how did you manage to bring it in?" Nie Kong had initially intended to deny everything concerning the Blood Scale Parasol, but after a moment's thought, he changed his answer, "Hall Master, what I brought in was not actually the Blood Scale Parasol, but a medicine concocted to imitate it.

The shape and medicinal properties of that drug are extremely similar to the Blood Scale Parasol." The body search conducted in the Medicine Heart Hall used a spiritual inscription artifact. If a person carried anything other than medicine, the green light on the artifact would turn red.

That drug had to be refined; natural herbs would also trigger the artifact's color change. It was even more accurate than a manual inspection.

This spiritual inscription artifact was created precisely to prevent anyone from smuggling drugs like the 'Blood Scale Parasol' into the Illusionary Space. "Is that so?" The smile on Gu Changgong's face did not diminish...

P: Today was quite a close call! The power went out for a long time tonight, and I didn't know when it would return.

I had already sent a message to the editor asking him to post a notice that tonight's update wouldn't be ready. Just as the editor replied, the power came back on, and in the end, I managed to write this third chapter.

Brothers, if you still have any leftover votes, please support me. Many thanks (word count excluded).