Chapter 37: The Disciple Initiation Ceremony

The next day arrived all too soon. Jiang Wan had still not been found, yet the Disciple Recruitment Ceremony was already set to begin.

A group of children sat in the courtyard, kept there to prevent them from wandering off and getting lost. It would be a catastrophe if one of them were to be abducted by a demonic cultivator just like Jiang Wan; after all, these little ones were the future hope of the sect. Although they could not go out to play during such a lively event, they were allowed to watch it through the projection array set up before them.

"What are we waiting for? Find a way to get us down there; we'll go and block him!" Wang Zhaoyang shouted.

Yun Teng, moving with practiced ease, carried a piece of timber in one hand while wrapping his other arm around Lan Ruoxin's waist, then took flight with a powerful beat of his wings.

Moduo glanced at the startled Lan Ruoxin and continued his explanation. "That is why the vast majority of males prefer female beast-folk—it is for this very reason. You may not know this, but no male wishes for his mate to suddenly transform into a wild beast after giving birth to their young, never to regain her human form again."

"Alright, I have finished my explanation. What about you? How did you end up here?" Ye Kaicheng did not intend to let Xu Zuoyan ponder for too long and steered the conversation elsewhere.

Wan Tongtian, Xia Qingfeng, Luo Yuechen, Ma Long, and other elite players from Huaxia all nodded or voiced their support.

Xu Zuoyan stole a glance at Ye Kaicheng. Seeing that he remained completely unfazed, Xu Zuoyan couldn't help but grit his teeth, though he dared not cause any more trouble.

"As far as I am aware, no. We have received no such reports. How did you get in?" Andrei asked.

Lan Ruoxin rolled her eyes, placed her hands on her hips, and roared fiercely, "You have the nerve to ask me! Even if I am your hostage, and even if you want me as your slave to abuse and torture me, that doesn't excuse leaving me for over ten days without a bath!"

Tianya looked at him, bewildered. It was only then that she recalled he had just called her; was her voice really that recognizable?

As for those with the strength to challenge Yue Shazhi, Wan Tongtian and Honglian were both out of reach—one was trapped on the Burning Immortal Platform hundreds of meters from the shore, while the other remained on the cliff across the water.

The crowd fell silent, closing their eyes in deep contemplation. Wang Bao simply sat down on the steps, hanging his head and putting on a dejected display.

Deep within the Ruyi Pavilion, several high-ranking members nearly coughed up blood. Once they realized what was happening, they were so overcome with excitement they couldn't even tell which way was up.

Magistrate Zhou wiped tears from his eyes as he spoke, acting as if he were truly remorseful for the events unfolding outside.

However, by this point, the Purgatory Asura had sustained over eighty percent damage; to continue fighting would risk an explosion at any moment.

Xiao Yehong’s expression turned blank, her flawless face cold and devoid of any emotion.

"Haha, I’m killing two birds with one stone. First, to welcome my nephew Li Zhen, and second, to host a banquet. We shall entertain you all at the Zhuge Villa tomorrow—naturally, that includes you, nephew, and Miss Cui'er!" Zhuge Wushuang said hurriedly, handing over an invitation.

Originally, this was meant to be a mere entertainment match, but it gradually spiraled out of control. Major factions from every corner of Europe flocked to Rome, hoping to demonstrate their power by emerging victorious in the tournament.

As he spoke, the Taoist priest muttered an incantation, pulled a bronze mirror from his robes, and slapped it firmly against Shang Mingyue’s face.

"Since you have confessed, I shall act on behalf of the heavens. Do not blame me for showing no mercy." Shui Xiaoxing stepped into a Heavenly Dipper formation, preparing to strike.

Although he was an assassin of the Old Man of the Mountain, in the end, all the assassins in this organization were merely ordinary humans. They had honed nothing but the relentless art of assassination. While their physical strength surpassed that of ordinary humans, it still fell far short when compared to other non-human races.

These words shocked everyone once more: Miss, is there not a flaw in your logic? Granted, the situation you described might indeed occur, but have you never wondered why that shop sells such broken junk at such exorbitant prices?