Chapter 225: The True Disciples of Each Sect
When Gu Mo studied the twenty-some disciples of the Yin-Yang Sword Sect, he suddenly noticed two unfamiliar faces absent from the Heavenly Chosen Ranking. Drawing on the intelligence he had gathered, he quickly identified their status.
These two were undoubtedly the sect's true disciples, just like Miao Lu and Ji Xinglan. As for their exact combat strength, Gu Mo had no information, but it was safe to assume they were anything but weak.
Moreover, one of them had comprehended the Sword Intent of Extreme Yang, while the other grasped the Sword Intent of Extreme Yin. Their sword intents resonated with each other—it was clear they had cultivated some kind of joint strike technique.
A dual true-disciple combination technique—now that was worth looking forward to. This was likely one of the Yin-Yang Sword Sect's hidden trump cards.
Aside from these two hidden true disciples, the sect also had two who were already listed on the ranking. Their information, however, had been exposed, so the demonic sects would almost certainly prepare counters.
Finally, Gu Mo withdrew his gaze from Ming Yueyue—someone he had once trained alongside—and concluded his observation of the Yin-Yang Sword Sect's disciples.
Next, his eyes swept toward the Taiqing Sect. This time, they had sent more than ten participants, including two true disciples who were not on the ranking.
Gu Mo knew even less about the Taiqing Sect. He had at least some grasp of the Yin-Yang Sword Sect thanks to his own experience with yin-yang sword intent, but when it came to Taiqing, he was utterly in the dark.
Those two true disciples in particular carried an aura of ethereal transcendence, matching perfectly with the common image of celestial immortals. It was no wonder that when Taiqing disciples went out to temper themselves, mortals often mistook them for immortals descending from the heavens.
Of course, the other sect disciples scoffed at them for "putting on airs." Still, they had to admit that the Taiqing disciples were undeniably formidable.
Unlike the Yin-Yang Sword Sect's extreme killing edge, Taiqing's disciples were more well-rounded—skilled in virtually everything. For that reason, the Taiqing Sect's ranked true disciple had the thickest dossier of all.
As Gu Mo observed the Yin-Yang and Taiqing disciples, they too were examining his group—particularly Miao Lu and Ji Xinglan, the two true disciples who had yet to reveal themselves.
Soon, the true disciples of the three sects began exchanging voice transmissions. After all, they would need to cooperate in the upcoming Heavenly Chosen War against the demonic sect's true disciples. It was natural for them to learn about each other and coordinate their plans.
Gu Mo, Ding Shiyan, and Du Jinping—ordinary Heavenly Chosen of Shennong Valley—were clearly not invited into this inner circle.
Not that Gu Mo cared to join anyway.
The Yin-Yang Sect's four, Taiqing's three, plus Shennong Valley's two made nine true disciples from the three great sects. Combined, the three sects had nearly forty participants in total.
The remaining sixty slots were filled by true disciples from various righteous Nascent Soul sects and even some Golden Core sects.
From this distribution, one could see the depth of the three great sects. For those Nascent Soul sects, only their very best true disciples qualified to enter the ranking.
In fact, some of these ranked disciples were still weaker than the inner disciples of the great sects.
Of course, this didn't mean there weren't hidden prodigies. Many sects sheltered disciples whose talents could rival the great sects' true disciples, keeping them secret.
Such disciples would never be sent to the Heavenly Chosen War. For them, the risks outweighed the opportunities. Unlike the great sects, who could afford to lose even a true disciple or two, smaller sects might take centuries to produce a single outstanding genius. To lose one prematurely would shake the very foundation of the sect.
The Hundred Flowers Sect was a prime example. Chu Feifei, blessed with the Sacred Body of a Hundred Flowers, was key to their rise. Naturally, the sect guarded her identity closely. That the demonic sects had yet to list her on the ranking was proof of how well they had hidden her.
Gu Mo's own incarnation within the Grand Yan Sword Sect served as another example. Were it not for constant surveillance from the demonic sects, he could have remained hidden.
If Xuan Tianhen had discovered Gu Mo's sword talent earlier, he would have immediately concealed him, only revealing him once he had fully matured.
"Hmph!"
Since his sword incarnation couldn't stay hidden, Gu Mo saw no reason to keep a low profile. Sensing several hostile glares, he coldly snorted, his sharp eyes meeting them head-on.
At once, many of those stares faltered. Yet a few remained, filled with curiosity and amusement.
Clearly, those belonged to the true disciples of the three demonic sects.
A quick glance revealed there were nine of them as well, three from each sect—none of whom had appeared on the ranking before.
The demonic sects had originally placed one true disciple on the ranking: Zero of the Corpse Yin Sect. But he had crossed paths with Gu Mo and been cut down.
With their only ranked disciple gone, the demonic sects had to dispatch replacements to maintain parity.
As for why they didn't send more true disciples to secure an advantage, the answer was simple: once inside the island, both sides' placements would be random. Numbers might be an advantage, but only if they regrouped quickly.
What's more, the island also housed powerful demon beasts—including beast kings. More people meant higher chances of stumbling into one. If they fought to mutual ruin only to be picked off afterward, it would be a disastrous loss.
"No surprise, the Grand Yan Sword Sect's sword cultivators really are mad—he actually provoked the demonic sect's true disciples." Gu Mo's incarnation locking eyes with them was naturally noticed by all.
Given the longstanding enmity between the Grand Yan Sword Sect and the demonic sects, the scene surprised no one.
"He really is arrogant."
A hulking young man in black sneered, bloody killing aura pouring off him—clearly a true disciple of the Blood Demon Sect.
He was displeased by Lin Wu's insolence; no one had ever dared glare at him so brazenly.
"Perhaps we should teach him a lesson."
A thin, sickly-looking youth beside him chuckled softly. Yet his laugh sounded like the wail of ghosts, chilling all who heard it.
"I've no wish to be disqualified." The muscular youth shook his head. Any fighting before the war began would result in immediate disqualification.
"Then we won't fight. Just a little trick of the eyes should be fine." The gaunt youth's dark pupils fixed on Gu Mo's incarnation—clearly preparing to unleash some soul art.
The Taiqing Sect Master, who was overseeing the participants, frowned and was about to intervene.
But the ten thousand ghost Sect Master merely smiled and said, "My disciple knows his limits. It's normal for young men to have a little fire."
"Ah!"
Before his words had even faded, a scream rang out. The gaunt youth staggered back, clutching his bleeding eyes.
"That was your disciple—overestimating himself and suffering backlash." The Taiqing Sect Master was momentarily stunned, then let out a quiet laugh.
"This sword intent!"
Not far away, the Sect Master of the Yin-Yang Sword Sect fixed his gaze on the blazing sun shining within Gu Mo's incarnation's eyes. His expression was one of utter shock. The Great Sun Sword Intent—someone had actually comprehended it.
This was the advanced form of Extreme Yang Sword Intent. Even the Yin-Yang Sect's ancestral founder had fallen just a step short of it.
"Could it be… when the sword intent within the Ancestor's Inscription was stirred, it was because of him?" The sect master recalled the incident not long ago.
At the time, the Yin-Yang Sect had searched high and low after the Ancestor's Inscription reacted, trying to identify which young genius had caused the phenomenon. Yet no one had been found.
Now the truth was clear—the prodigy was not from their sect at all, but from the Grand Yan Sword Sect. Most likely, when he had unleashed his Great Sun Sword Intent near their territory, the Inscription had sensed it and responded.
The mystery was solved, but the sect master felt no joy. To think that such a heaven-defying genius had ended up in the Grand Yan Sword Sect instead of his own…
If only he had joined the Yin-Yang Sect…
His eyes drifted toward Xuan Tianhen. But faced with the other man's vigilant stare, he had to extinguish his fantasy. If he himself possessed such a disciple, he too would fight tooth and nail against anyone who tried to snatch him away.
"Sigh…"
Seeing the Yin-Yang Sect Master withdraw his gaze, Xuan Tianhen exhaled in relief. He had known this would happen—the moment his disciple revealed the Great Sun Sword Intent, it was inevitable the Yin-Yang Sect would take notice.
If possible, he would have hidden Lin Wu away. But that was already impossible.
From here on, there was no doubt. Gu Mo's incarnation would become the demonic sects' top-priority target—ranked even above the three great sects' own true disciples.
After all, the Great Sun Sword Intent, with its absolute yang force, was a natural bane to all manner of demonic arts.
Take, for example, that true disciple of Ten thousand ghost sect who had just tried to probe him—he had been burned instantly. Had Gu Mo not held back at the last moment to avoid breaking the Heavenly Chosen War's rules, the youth's injuries would have been far worse than bleeding eyes.
"Next!"
The Ten thousand ghost sect Sect Master's face was dark as she called out. Being humiliated like this was galling, but she could only swallow it. Her disciple had been the first to provoke, and this time they had run headlong into a burning-hot iron wall.
"Showing off really does feel good!"
Bathed in awed and reverent gazes, Gu Mo couldn't help but sigh. Of course, the price was clear—he would now be targeted with full force in the war to come.
But then, even if he had kept a low profile, his sword incarnation would still have been targeted. Since that was inevitable, why not enjoy a little swagger now?
Sure enough, when his gaze swept toward the demonic sect side, not a single person dared meet his eyes.
"I'll kill him with my own hands!"
The hulking black-clad youth of the Blood Demon Sect pulled back just as their stares nearly crossed. He wasn't skilled in such contests of willpower. He would take back his satisfaction in battle, not with glares.
"To think that beyond the three great sects, there is still such a peerless talent…" Many of the observing cultivators could not help but sigh in admiration at Gu Mo's display.
With no one left willing to challenge him, Gu Mo strode forward, ready to undergo inspection.
"Truly an outstanding young man."
The Ten thousand ghost sect Sect Master regarded him with a smile, as if the humiliation from moments ago had never happened.
"You flatter me, Sect Master." Gu Mo offered a polite bow. Faced with a sect master of a top-tier sect—and one of the examiners for the Heavenly Chosen War—he would not be discourteous.
At this, the Taiqing Sect Master gave a faint nod. This youth had arrogance, but not without restraint. He understood when to show deference. That was good.
Unable to find any excuse to discipline him, the Ten thousand ghost sect Sect Master raised her hand and sent out a strand of soul-probing light. This spell was meant to confirm whether a participant carried another's soul or hidden power within them.
At the same time, the Taiqing Sect Master cast a Treasure-Seeking Spell, designed to detect any talismans, artifacts, pills, or arrays. Anything infused with spiritual energy would be exposed.
Both spells landed on Gu Mo—without eliciting the slightest reaction. His incarnation had already handed everything to Xiaohua, who had delivered it to his true body.
What remained had all been sealed within the Black Mist Space. Once inside the island, Gu Mo's true body would find a chance to hand them back.
"Pass!"
With no response to the spells, Gu Mo's incarnation passed inspection. That was the final check; nothing more would be tested.
Every genius carried their own secrets. Neither side would allow outsiders to probe too deeply. These young elites cultivated the core inheritances of their sects—allowing such secrets to leak was unthinkable.
Thus, anyone capable of concealing things from two Nascent Soul Perfection experts could bring them inside. The difficulty, of course, was monumental.
After the inspection, Gu Mo was handed a token. Beyond proving identity, it was also a life-saving trump card.
Participants were forbidden from carrying life-preserving treasures. Without some form of safe exit, neither side would have agreed to the war. Hence, the token.
Once activated, it would immediately transport the bearer out of the island.
Of course, activation took a brief moment. If the enemy struck too swiftly or too fiercely, even the token could not guarantee survival.
Here lay the contradiction—each side wanted their own disciples to withdraw safely, yet also hoped to slay their opponents before they could escape.
Thus, this token was the compromise hammered out after endless negotiation.
Receiving it, Gu Mo's incarnation moved to the waiting area. Once everyone had completed inspection, the Heavenly Chosen War would begin, each participant randomly transported onto the island.
Before long, Gu Mo's true body also cleared inspection without issue—just as he had expected. Neither sect master had detected anything of the Black Mist Space.
The only question was: had anyone else managed to sneak something through?
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