A white mist enveloped the thousand-zhang colossal tower, resembling the celestial pillar from myth and legend! This was the true core of the Sacred Martial Hall; only the mightiest martial artists were qualified to reside on its higher floors. Bai Sheng stood nervously behind Fidero, covertly sizing up the circular conference room.

There was no dazzling gold or pretentious calligraphy scrolls—the simplicity was rather startling. Aside from a series of chairs and a massive round table, virtually nothing else occupied the space. As part of the Foreign Affairs Hall Invitation Department, a fourteen-star Stellar-level martial artist like Bai Sheng normally had no right to access the upper echelons of the tower, let alone meet the rarely-seen powerhouses of the Sacred Martial Hall.

Seated to the right of Mocarajá Fereiro, with eyes closed in repose, was the blonde beauty known as Jennifer, the Head of the Foreign Affairs Hall, honored with the title 'Auspicious Celestial Maiden.' Jennifer was not tall, perhaps 1.67 meters, but her figure was exquisite, rivaling the top models; describing it as 'devilish' would not be an exaggeration. Her Caucasian skin lacked the freckles or large pores common to her race, instead possessing the delicate texture often found in Black skin. Her green eyes were deep, imbued with an indescribable mystery, perfectly complemented by her flowing, golden, shawl-like hair—fitting her reputation as one of the three great beauties of the Sacred Martial Hall.

The lights in the conference room dimmed, and six holographic projections of martial artists appeared hovering over the table. Bai Sheng’s expression grew even more solemn and tense. The Six Sacred Stars!

Today's meeting had actually convened the Six Sacred Stars—beings almost supreme within the Sacred Martial Hall. Even Martial Venerables often consulted their opinions before making final judgments. Star of Sacrifice, Demon Star, Righteous Star, Benevolent Star, General Star, Devil Star.

Each of the Six Sacred Stars had the Big Dipper embroidered on the chest of their martial uniforms, but with a subtle difference: the brightest star in each man’s Big Dipper constellation varied, signifying their individual star designation. "Everyone is present," Fereiro coughed slightly. "We requested everyone's presence today because our Invitation Department has discovered a few exceptional talents." "Exceptional talents?

Just for that?" Bai Sheng followed the slightly displeased voice to see Dashi Atiya of the Internal Affairs Hall’s Discipline Department. His pale complexion had long since turned a dark purplish-red, a clear sign of achieving mastery in the New Martial Art, the Great Thunder Technique. Fereiro didn't even lift his eyelids to look at Dashi Tian Atiya, instead directing his gaze toward the other high-ranking martial artists of the Sacred Martial Hall.

Almost all of them shared Atiya’s expression of mild disdain. What kind of place was the Sacred Martial Hall? A gathering of geniuses!

Discovering new talents here? Every martial artist who received an invitation to the Sacred Martial Hall was already considered an exceptional talent. The Invitation Department was clearly making a mountain out of a molehill.

Jennifer leaned back languidly, her jewel-like eyes constantly half-closed, a faint smile playing on her lips. The others' reactions were perfect; this nonchalance was precisely what she sought, otherwise her earlier shock would have seemed rather embarrassing. Fereiro was also smiling.

Disdain, was it? He would shock all of them in a moment! The projections of the Six Sacred Stars remained silent.

Their expressions betrayed no emotion whatsoever—neither surprise nor indifference was evident. It seemed as if nothing in this world, save for the vastness of the Martial Way, could capture their attention. Fereiro glanced sideways at Gao Yuan standing behind him.

"Xiao Gao, why don't you present the matter." "The matter is this," Gao Yuan nodded slightly. "A group of youths whom our Invitation Department had invited arrived on the island today. They successfully passed the Three Sacred Trials." Dashi Tian Atiya furrowed his bluish brows, his eyes flickering with impatience.

What was so strange about passing the Three Sacred Trials? If the young martial artists invited by the Invitation Department couldn't even pass those, the department should just dissolve. Fereiro casually picked up his fine tea and began sipping it with ease.

"Subsequently, they entered the Three Bell Stone Gate..." The Three Bell Stone Gate? A flicker of interest finally stirred in the audience. Had someone managed to strike the stone bell louder than the temple gong again?

"Of them, only one failed to sound the stone bell, while the others all struck it," Gao Yuan continued, seeing the lack of strong reaction. "By inference, everyone present should be capable of sounding the temple gong..." What? The eyebrows of everyone present twitched subtly, mirroring Fereiro’s initial reaction.

Only the Six Sacred Stars remained impassive, showing no change in expression. Talent alone does not guarantee mastery in the Martial Way; being able to sound the stone bell was certainly good, but nothing more than merely good. "Two of them then managed to forcefully strike the paper bell," Gao Yuan observed the sharp glints appearing in their eyes and felt a secret surge of satisfaction.

These lofty grandmasters had finally been startled by his news. This would be a topic for bragging for years to come. Bai Sheng kept his gaze fixed on the Six Sacred Stars.

These six figures, holding almost supreme status in the Sacred Martial Hall, hadn't even twitched their facial muscles, much less their eyes—it was as if truly nothing in the world could astonish them. Gao Yuan noticed this and felt a twinge of annoyance, secretly vowing to squeeze some reaction out of the Six Sacred Stars as well. "One of them casually struck the paper bell with a finger, producing the sound of a massive temple gong," Gao Yuan surveyed the crowd and continued, "The other, during a strike with his hair-splitting Iaijutsu blade, produced the resounding clang of metal colliding." "What?" Everyone snapped their heads up in unison, staring into Gao Yuan's earnest eyes in silence.

It seemed the Sacred Martial Hall was about to gain two more monstrous young men. "What a pity! If they had appeared before that other monster, it certainly would have been invigorating.

Now, as individuals who haven't set the records themselves, they merit only minor appreciation." Dashi Tian Atiya’s brow was heavy with dissatisfaction. "Is that all? For matters like this, your Invitation Department should convene with the Martial Discourse Department.

Why alarm us all?" The experts from various departments nodded in agreement. Why call a meeting for this? A monster had appeared before, so they could just follow the existing procedures for that individual!

A martial artist with such potential at a young age would clearly be obsessed with the Martial Way and naturally seek entry into the Inner Sacred Martial Hall. Such a trivial matter—were they trying to show off the Invitation Department’s insight? "The matter is not concluded," Bai Sheng spoke softly, breaking the quiet of the conference room.

Under Fereiro's encouraging gaze, he stood firm against Dashi Tian Atiya’s glare of disapproval. The Sacred Martial Hall was a world where martial achievement dictated respect. Bai Sheng’s words were almost a direct challenge to a department head.

While perhaps not outright insubordination, it still wounded Dashi Tian’s pride. Any department head venturing out was usually afforded significant deference. Bai Sheng straightened his chest, enduring the questioning looks, and announced loudly, "One of them struck the Mist Bell..." "What!?" A small ripple of chaos stirred the silent conference room.

In the dimmed space, it was as if hundreds of lightning bolts flashed continuously—the sharp brilliance erupting from every expert after their shock. The Six Sacred Stars, previously like clay sculptures, could no longer maintain their expressionless facade. Shock flooded their faces.

Even though they were only virtual projections, Bai Sheng clearly saw their massive emotional shift. Fereiro gave no one a chance to utter "Impossible." With a flick of his wrist, he pushed the projector to the center of the table, and the scene of Qin Fen sounding the Mist Bell immediately appeared before them. ...

The conference table fell into an unprecedented silence, so deep that Bai Sheng could only hear the breathing of the assembled figures. No other sound echoed. The Six Sacred Stars stared grimly at the projection.

This Mist Bell, meant only to instruct and discipline new recruits, had actually been sounded? After a silence lasting several seconds, Bai Sheng saw the woman seated opposite Fereiro, Ashura Feng Huadan Yun, the Head of the Martial Discourse Hall, be the first to reveal an excited smile. Her eyes, like clear blue water, shone with the light of interest.

Bai Sheng drew a sharp, cold breath, feeling his lower abdomen and internal organs practically freeze. This wasn't the chill of the air, but the terror inspired by the presence of Ashura Feng Huadan Yun that caused an internal crystallization. Feng Huadan Yun earned the title 'Ashura' in the Sacred Martial Hall not because her appearance resembled a hideous demon god.

On the contrary, she was exceptionally beautiful, counted among the three great beauties alongside Jennifer. Jennifer's beauty lay in her seductive allure; Feng Huadan Yun’s was an entirely different kind. She was tall, possessed a pristine melon-seed face, and her eyes were dark as a deep pool.

Her black, waterfall-like hair was tied back in a ponytail, and a white belt cinched her purple martial uniform tightly, further accentuating her towering figure. The title 'Ashura,' held by the Head of the Martial Discourse Hall, usually conjured images of ruggedness, brute force, a broad back, a beefy physique, and a fierce countenance. Most people meeting Feng Huadan Yun would struggle to associate her with the bearer of the Ashura title.

With three parts innocence, three parts acuity, three parts agility, and one part indescribable purity, she seemed like a being refined from the very essence of heaven and earth—the very Head of the Martial Discourse Hall. Bai Sheng understood clearly the immense destructive power hidden beneath that harmless exterior. Just a year ago, in the battle to claim the title of Ashura, the then twenty-nine-year-old Feng Huadan Yun, against almost all expectations, completely crushed the former Ashura, Stephen Lunsart.

Since then, the Martial Discourse Hall had entered the era of Feng Huadan Yun. Almost every martial artist in the Sacred Martial Hall became her plaything. She would frequently spar with people, or if she spotted a promising talent, she would step in to train them.

Almost everyone she trained ended up spending time in the Sacred Martial Hall hospital. Even the martial artist known as the 'monster' would intentionally sidestep her when he saw her after his one session under her tutelage. (Personal reflection: If the 'monster' is Brother Zhan, then he left the Sacred Martial Hall only a year ago?

Given she only started seeking sparring partners after entering her era, that implies a short overlap, perhaps?) It was precisely because the 'martial maniac' was the only person she trained who didn't end up hospitalized that people better understood the true depth of this young man's talent. Seeing the interest in Feng Huadan Yun’s gaze, Bai Sheng began to worry if this 'Demoness' with the title Ashura might actually cause Qin Fen to end up in the hospital. The Six Sacred Stars fell silent collectively, then huddled together for a brief discussion.

Finally, Bogut, the sole Black member among the six, the Devil Star, stepped forward to announce the decision. "The martial artist who sounded the Mist Bell shall be rewarded with one Star Pill. The two who reported this discovery shall each be awarded one Vivifying Creation Pill." Vivifying Creation Pill?

Star Pill? All of Bai Sheng's muscles stiffened rigidly. With the help of these two pills, his chances of rebirth had increased again.

Qin Fen was truly a great lucky star! It hadn't been in vain that he risked breaking the rules to secretly let him read the books that night. Dashi Tian snorted coldly through his nose, his face gloomy as he spoke again.

"Sounding the Mist Bell is indeed astonishing, but this alone shouldn't have necessitated summoning everyone. According to precedent, it should just be reported to the Six Stars." Fereiro looked at Atiya, the guardian of iron discipline, with a half-smile. "Of course, if it were only this, I naturally wouldn't have called a meeting." The heads of the various departments looked at Fereiro with curiosity.

Was there something even more surprising? "Here is the situation," Fereiro spread his hands. "Except for the martial artist who didn't even strike the Stone Bell, all the youths I mentioned have switched their contracts to the External Sacred Martial Hall Foundation Track." Bai Sheng distinctly felt the air in the conference room violently vibrate!

It was as if a thunderclap had erupted from nowhere, rolling thunder shaking the very atmosphere. Atiya’s face gradually darkened, resembling rusted bronze marred by pale green verdigris. "Mocarajá, what are you trying to say?

Do you intend to make them revise their contracts again?" Mocarajá Fereiro shrugged indifferently. "A newcomer who can sound the Mist Bell has never appeared in the history of the Sacred Martial Hall. Facing this situation, I am unsure whether to adhere to the usual customs, which is why I sought consultation." Ashura Feng Huadan Yun stared with wide, glistening eyes and asked quite curiously, "Mocarajá, you said they all switched to the External Sacred Martial Hall Foundation Track?

Then before this..." Bai Sheng covertly observed Feng Huadan Yun from the side. This woman looked no older than her early twenties; how could anyone tell she was already thirty? "Yes, they switched," Mocarajá nodded slowly under everyone's gaze as he recounted what Bai Sheng had told them earlier.

Silence descended once more. The expressions of the various department heads were laced with heavy contemplation. A person capable of sounding the un-soundable Mist Bell—to place such talent on the External Sacred Martial Hall Track could only be described as a waste of heavenly gifts.

If cultivated seriously within the Inner Sacred Martial Hall, they could potentially nurture a Divine Beast-level martial artist, which would bring immense prestige. Cultivating a Divine Beast martial artist had always been the singular regret and shortcoming of the Sacred Martial Hall. Many powerful martial artists in the current Federation originated from the Sacred Martial Hall, yet the Hall had never produced a Divine Beast martial artist.

While the Martial Venerable might possess the strength of one, he was never formally acknowledged by the Divine Beasts and never earned the true title. Nurturing a Divine Beast martial artist was nearly the fervent desire of every member of the Sacred Martial Hall. The 'martial maniac' had always been considered the most promising candidate; now, with a young martial artist who could sound the Mist Bell appearing, everyone’s ambitions grew.

If their luck was truly off the charts, they might cultivate two Divine Beast martial artists at once, and the influence of the Sacred Martial Hall would surely far surpass that of the Divine Beasts themselves! Bai Sheng stealthily observed the expressions of those in the conference room. The Six Sacred Stars remained like inscrutable sculptures, revealing nothing of their thoughts.

The Auspicious Celestial Maiden Jennifer of the Foreign Affairs Hall, and Zhen Fan, the Great Brahma King of the Internal Affairs Hall, were likewise unreadable. Dashi Tian Atiya’s sharp eyes, gleaming with the acuity of a hawk, slowly spoke. "What kind of place is the Sacred Martial Hall?" The five other department heads, who had been deep in thought, paused simultaneously, clarity instantly shining in their pupils regarding the meaning of Atiya’s question.

What kind of place was the Sacred Martial Hall? Every martial artist in the Federation knew it: a sacred ground of martial arts, where receiving an invitation was an unparalleled honor. "Precisely," Atiya said, his face, rarely seen smiling, now showing a proud grin.

"Confidence is beneficial for a martial artist's cultivation, but arrogance is an obstacle. These youths are clearly too self-assured. After they spend time on the External Sacred Martial Hall Foundation Track and realize their cultivation speed is inferior to those in the Inner Hall, they will naturally apply to join us.

At that time..." Atiya’s expression suddenly turned icy. "If they wish to enter the Inner Sacred Martial Hall, they will still have to undergo an extremely harsh test, making them understand what the Sacred Martial Hall truly is. There have only ever been undiscovered geniuses; the world has never lacked for talent!" Bai Sheng noticed that while the Six Sacred Stars and the heads of the Inner and Outer Halls showed no outward signs of support, they were nodding frequently, indicating their alignment.

Qin Fen and the others must not be allowed to modify the Sacred Martial Hall contract again! "Mocarajá, you have done something utterly tedious today. I seriously doubt your continued competence as the Head of the Invitation Department," Atiya stated coldly, showing no mercy.

"A path is chosen by the person themselves. Since a choice was made, one must bear responsibility for it." Fereiro’s long eyebrows rose slightly, his pupils flashing with unconcealed fighting spirit. "What?

Has the title of Dashi Tian become too comfortable? Do you want me to help you remove it?" Icy coldness coursed ceaselessly through Bai Sheng's bones, and his chest felt as if it had been struck by a massive hammer. His usually steady face turned the color of gold foil, and he involuntarily stumbled backward several steps, staring at the two department heads in shock.

This was the power of department heads; the mere clash of their auras was enough to make a fourteen-star martial artist gasp for breath. Terrifying! Gao Yuan circulated his internal energy through his bloodstream repeatedly to resist the terrifying clash of auras between the two powerhouses.

The other department heads showed no inclination to mediate; they watched the confrontation between the two heads with excitement. The Sacred Martial Hall was a purely martial world; it was no place for magnanimity, nor was it a place for supposed grandmasters to be detached and serene. Strengthening the body?

One didn't need to come to the Sacred Martial Hall for that; practicing the simplest Tai Chi and maintaining healthy habits would suffice. They didn't need to pursue formidable combat prowess. A martial man flies into a rage and blood stains the ground ten steps away!

Without ferocity, what kind of martial artist is one? Experts, even more so, demand respect for their standing. Meeting provocation and insult with a faint smile?

That was the affair of a Confucian master, not a martial artist, and certainly not the affair of a department head. "Gentlemen, have you both forgotten the rules set by the Martial Venerable? Conflicts between department heads require the Martial Venerable's consent, or must be settled during the biennial Head Star Lord Contest," the voice emanating from the projection of the Six Sacred Stars commanded with innate dignity.

Bringing up the Martial Venerable’s rules dampened the intensity of the aura clash between the two heads, though their anger did not significantly subside. Bai Sheng knew that the immediate tension had been suppressed by the Martial Venerable’s decree, but the two heads would not let the matter rest. In the next Head Star Lord Contest, these two might very well risk forfeiting their Head privileges just to strike the other from their position.

"Heh heh, since there's no show to watch, I think I’ll go check on the new little fellows," Ashura Feng Huadan Yun’s voice drifted to Bai Sheng, but she was already gone from the conference room. "Hmph," Dashi Tian Atiya sneered. "I expect she’s heading to the hospital now?" Hospital?

Bai Sheng’s lips curled with a hint of disdain. Qin Fen was a martial artist capable of sounding the Mist Bell; this young man could absolutely not be assessed by normal standards, or one would be greatly shocked.

Di Shitian watched Bai Sheng’s indifferent smile, adding a few more degrees of coldness to the corner of his lip: "The gong striking of the Mist Bell achieved through trickery only proves that his control over true Qi vastly surpasses that of other martial artists his age, but it also confirms the insufficient concentration of his true Qi. Outside, he might be able to challenge those above him, defeating an Eleven-Star with the strength of a Ten-Star. But this is the Sacred Martial Hall. Any martial artist here is qualified to challenge those above their rank. His advantage is useless here!"

Bai Sheng straightened his chest, about to speak, but feeling the sharp, lightning-fast glare from Di Shitian Ajiya, he instinctively took half a step back. Immediately, he felt a large, powerful hand press against his back, solid as leaning against Mount Everest.

Mahoraga Ferero! Without needing to turn around, Bai Sheng knew this large, steady hand signaled the Invitation Chief’s support.

"What do you want to say?" Ferero stood beside Bai Sheng, asking with a smile, "Are you perhaps going to say that those young men will definitely break this tradition?"

Bai Sheng nodded vigorously. Having witnessed the monstrous Qin Fen during the Rookie Tournament, he possessed absolute confidence in this matter.

"Is that so?" Ferero’s eyes held a slight query. Noticing the unprecedented determination shining in Bai Sheng’s dark eyes, he pondered for two seconds, then looked up past the aloof, businesslike expression of Di Shitian Ajiya: "We are temporarily bound by rules and cannot act, but Di Shitian, do you dare to make a wager with me? Let's bet on those boys."

"How so?" Ajiya tilted his chin slightly, looking down at Ferero as if from a superior height: "Mahoraga, you plan to trust the judgment of an Invitation Officer and wager against me?"

"Afraid to?" Ferero patted Bai Sheng’s shoulder. "This time, I aim to prove that even the judgment of the Invitation Officer I select is superior to yours."

Bai Sheng stared at the hand on his shoulder in disbelief. The Chief was patting his shoulder? Good heavens! If this got out, a whole host of martial artists would die of envy. Qin Fen, you truly are my great lucky star! Because of you, the Chief is even touching my shoulder.

Since martial combat was prohibited, making wagers became the method for the two Chiefs to settle their grievances.

Ajiya took a step closer to Ferero, their eyes meeting as if prepared to spark tangible fire. He spoke coldly, "Mahoraga, what stake are you putting up?"

Ferero looked back at Bai Sheng once more, feeling a curiosity himself at the sheer level of confidence his subordinate placed in this newcomer, judging by that resolute gaze.

At this juncture, retreat was impossible! Retreating would destroy his momentum, affecting any future direct confrontations. "My genuine personal martial arts notes, plus half of the total medicinal pills accessible through a Chief’s privilege."

Ferero’s voice wasn't loud, but it elicited a series of gasps from the other Chiefs. This was unquestionably a staggering gamble. True personal martial arts notes recorded the core essence of martial cultivation. For martial artists of similar disciplines, possessing such a note was equivalent to acquiring an invaluable secret manual, provided their skill levels weren't too disparate. For martial artists of different disciplines, obtaining it meant grasping many secrets of the opponent’s path, granting a massive advantage before a fight even began.

It could be said that if Ferero won this gamble, based solely on the records within that note, he could potentially defeat Di Shitian Ajiya with crushing ease in the future Chief Succession Contest.

Conversely, if Ajiya won the wager, Ferero would effectively have surrendered before the Succession Contest even commenced.

Half of the total medicinal pills from a Chief’s privilege? Hearing this, Bai Sheng’s heart nearly exploded from its rapid beating. To be a Chief—a position almost every member of the Sacred Martial Hall aspired to—was not just about honor, but also immense benefits.

Even the most basic martial artists in the Outer Sacred Martial Hall received a certain quality and quantity of medicinal pills from the Hall to aid their cultivation. The quantity afforded to a Chief was astonishing, and the quality of those pills made every other martial artist envious. Half the quantity? The other Chiefs nodded repeatedly; these two were setting an extremely high price for the next Succession Contest in advance.

"Fine! I accept the wager!" Hearing Ajiya's unwavering reply, Ferero increased the pressure on Bai Sheng’s shoulder by several more degrees.

Any Chief was a true master of martial arts, understanding clearly that the quantity and quality of true Qi were equally vital. Qin Fen’s control over true Qi was indeed the strongest among the Sacred Martial Hall rookies, and he should be able to fend off the first wave of martial artists coming to uphold the glorious tradition. But what about the second wave? The third?

The Sacred Martial Hall wasn't established overnight; it had already built a formidable echelon of strength.

"Let’s go! We head to the monitoring room."

Ajiya spoke and vanished from the meeting room. The other Chiefs quickly followed, all heading towards the monitoring room.

This kind of wager rarely happened even among the Chiefs, and everyone wanted to see the outcome.

Bai Sheng followed silently behind Ferero, secretly praying in his heart: Qin Fen, you absolutely must hold steady! The Chief has staked so much on this. Based on his habits, if he wins, he’ll certainly distribute a substantial portion of the medicinal pills as rewards. If he does, I’ll give every single one I receive to you! You must hold firm!

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