When Law Enforcement Hall Elder Wei Jingcheng turned his gaze toward Molten Fire Peak and Dharma Seal Peak, Zhong Ming understood instantly. The decline of the Sword Cultivator lineage was finally having an impact on the Seven Profound Sect, an impact that was now gradually revealing itself.

Sword Cultivators were purely combat-focused Cultivators. They never concerned themselves with production, only with battle and slaughter. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

But it was very difficult for a sect to do without Sword Cultivators.

After all, the Cultivation Realm wasn’t a modern society with strict rules. Here, might made right.

The fist *was* the authority!

And Sword Cultivators were synonymous with overwhelming power.

To be sure, anything was possible in the Cultivation Realm, and peerless prodigies with overwhelming combat strength could emerge from other disciplines as well.

Magic Cultivators who controlled Thunderbolt, Body Cultivators with special physiques, or even supreme geniuses of Artifact Refining and Alchemy—all were capable of contending with Sword Cultivators.

’It’s just that a Sword Cultivator only needs to comprehend the Sword Heart to gain overwhelming combat power. In contrast, Body Cultivators, Magic Cultivators, and those who practice Alchemy or Artifact Refining must be true prodigies to match them.’

’And how many prodigies could one sect possibly have?’

’Furthermore, there are exceptionally brilliant prodigies among Sword Cultivators as well. Their combat strength is...’

In any case, Zhong Ming was not optimistic about the sect’s strategy. Clearly, the surrounding families weren’t either, which was why this probing attack had occurred.

As for why the sect hadn’t moved to annihilate these provocateurs with thunderous force, Zhong Ming had his own theory.

’Other sects must be holding them back.’

Zhong Ming hadn’t forgotten that the Seven Profound Sect wasn’t the sole power around Jade Lake City. Even setting aside external forces like the Golden Jade Tower, there were still the Golden Armor Sect and the Mist and Smoke Sect, two powers on par with their own.

The three Major Sects kept each other in check, giving the lesser families beneath them the leeway to waver.

’It’s even possible that this provocation was secretly instigated by the other sects.’

...

"Elder, please rest assured. No matter who our opponents are, we will not be defeated!"

While Zhong Ming was silently pondering the deeper meaning behind all this, the dashing Han Yu had already stepped forward. Cupping his hands in a salute, he made his promise to the Law Enforcement Hall Elder, Wei Jingcheng.

His promise, however, did not satisfy Wei Jingcheng. "I don’t want ’not defeated’! Power and responsibility have always been two sides of the same coin. Since you all wish to become number one among the Seven Peaks, then you will break every last one of the enemy’s probing claws for me!"

The moment he said this, Zhong Ming was certain: the Law Enforcement Hall Elder was definitely a Sword Cultivator.

Among all the various disciplines, the Sword Cultivator lineage was the most unyielding and decisive, their sharp edges always on full display.

When faced with a provocation, they didn’t beat around the bush. Sword in hand, they would cut down anyone who dared to defy them.

’It’s because Longxi Peak has declined that these families dare to test us. Otherwise, even with the other two Major Sects watching, the Seven Profound Sect would likely have moved with thunderous force to annihilate all dissenters.’

The deterrent power of a Sword Cultivator was just that strong.

Han Yu from Dharma Seal Peak, with his somewhat modest words, had clearly failed to satisfy Wei Jingcheng.

Yan Chen’s reply, on the other hand, was utterly domineering:

"Break them? That goes without saying. I will crush them like ants, make them understand the gap between themselves and the Seven Profound Sect, and I will make them realize that the Seven Profound Sect has *never* declined!"

Upon hearing this, Wei Jingcheng stared at him for a long moment as a terrifying pressure descended directly upon Yan Chen.

Yet, facing that pressure, Yan Chen didn’t bow his head in the slightest. Instead, he met the elder’s gaze for a long time.

The sight made Wei Jingcheng nod in satisfaction.

"Remember your words."

With that, Wei Jingcheng withdrew his gaze. He said no more on the matter, instead beginning to brief Zhong Ming and the others on the upcoming assessment.

"This assessment has two stages. The first is a combat elimination trial."

"The sect will use the treasured Heaven-Filling Map as a core to construct an Illusory City occupied by Demonic Fiends. Your soul projections will be cast into it during the day. Your task is to struggle to survive while being hunted by Demonic Fiends, ghouls, and other Evil Spirits."

"Whether you run, hide, or use disguises, as long as you stay alive, you will continuously accumulate points."

"The longer you survive, the more points you’ll obtain."

"If you are killed by the fiends before dusk, you will only receive half of your accumulated points."

"Surviving past dusk earns you a 1x multiplier. If you make it past midnight, your points will be multiplied by two. If you hold out until dawn of the next day, you will have cleared the trial, and your total points will be multiplied by ten!"

"Of course, you can also earn points by slaying Demonic Fiends during the trial."

"In the end, the one with the most points wins."

"The points of the first-place winner will be tripled."

"As for the overall ranking in the Seven Peaks Grand Competition, that will be determined by the total combined score of all disciples from each peak."

At this point, Wei Jingcheng paused, allowing the disciples in the Profound Secret Hall a moment to process the information.

Once Zhong Ming and the others had understood everything, Wei Jingcheng revealed the second stage of the assessment.

"The second stage is an arena tournament... After the rankings from the first stage are decided, any peak dissatisfied with its position can issue a challenge to seek a higher rank."

"The arena tournament is also a team event. All A-rank and B-rank disciples from the Seven Peaks must participate. The victor of the challenge’s first stage gets to choose the format: a rotation system where disciples fight one-on-one sequentially, or a group battle where everyone fights at once."

"Furthermore, the winning peak from the combat elimination trial will receive a reward from the sect at the conclusion of that first stage."

Hearing this, Zhong Ming immediately understood. The sect placed far more importance on the first assessment, the combat elimination trial.

The winning team wouldn’t just get to choose the format for the second stage; they would also receive rewards that would boost their strength.

’But that makes sense. An arena tournament isn’t a real battle. It’s just a match confined to a small area, and it only tests direct combat strength.’

’Real-world combat is far more complex. When facing Demonic Fiends and human treachery, a Cultivator needs more than just the power for a head-on fight. They have to guard against ambushes, assassinations, curses... The battles and choices made under such complex circumstances are a much better reflection of a person’s true potential.’

A genius who lives to maturity is a prodigy. One who perishes along the way is just a failure.

’The sect must have been spooked by the deaths of previous prodigies. This time, they’re emphasizing survival.’

While Zhong Ming was lost in thought, Wei Jingcheng finished explaining the assessment details, then turned and left without another word.

But after he was gone, the crowd of prodigies in the Profound Secret Hall did not disperse.

Having understood that the sect was prioritizing survival, they were now even more eager to form alliances.

After all, longer survival meant more points. Under these conditions, joining forces was clearly more advantageous than fighting alone.

At that moment, Su Lingya stepped forward. "Everyone, as the Law Enforcement Hall Elder said, to achieve a good score in the Heaven-Filling Map this time, we will have to endure for a long time. Therefore, sustaining our Magical Power and healing injuries will be crucial. Our Cuixiang Mountain excels in these areas. If any of you are interested, we can cooperate."

Besides Su Lingya, the prodigy from Little Bamboo Peak, You Zhiyu, also had a flash of inspiration.

"If the goal is to endure for as long as possible, then nothing is more useful than setting up an Array!" he declared. "Everyone, I can send disciples from Little Bamboo Peak to your positions to set up defensive Arrays for you."

"In exchange, you will have to give us a portion of your points and guarantee the safety of the disciples who go to set them up..."

In order to survive longer, the various peaks played their hands, all seeking alliances and cooperation.

Some peaks tried to recruit others into their groups. Others, like the clever You Zhiyu, played to their peak’s strengths and sent their disciples out to various locations—a way of diversifying their investment and avoiding being wiped out by the Demonic Fiends in a single blow.

Amidst the bustling negotiations, Yan Chen of Molten Fire Peak was also swayed by Su Lingya and prepared to cooperate.

"Senior Brother Yan Chen, I know you are confident in your strength. But if you want to be the leader of this generation of the Seven Profound Sect, you must do more than just defeat us; you must also leave a good impression on the sect’s elders."

"And nothing would satisfy them more than surviving to the second day and clearing the Heaven-Filling Map trial."

"Don’t be so quick to say you can pass on your own. The Law Enforcement Hall Elder dared to offer a tenfold point bonus to anyone who clears it. That means the final stage of the trial is incredibly difficult—perhaps even impossible for us to pass."

"What could be more classic than the sect elders using a safe environment to teach us arrogant prodigies a lesson? To take us down a peg and make us understand that there’s always someone better out there? Isn’t that their favorite pastime?"

"..."

Yan Chen... was unable to refute Su Lingya’s words.

Most sects did, in fact, enjoy doing such things.

And you couldn’t really say it was a bad thing, either.

Prodigies were naturally confident. Constant victory could easily lead to arrogance and conceit, making them lose perspective.

When such disciples went out into the world to gain experience, their arrogance would inevitably lead them to provoke powerful enemies or fall for simple tricks, leading to their untimely deaths.

Giving them a painful lesson in a controlled environment, however, would make them much more cautious.

However, while this was likely the elders’ plan, actually managing to overcome the challenge they set would earn even greater recognition.

Yan Chen said, "You’ve convinced me. I’m willing to offer three thousand points in exchange for a few of your Cuixiang Mountain disciples to accompany my team. And while your disciples are with me, they will have my full protection. They’ll survive longer."

Hearing this, Su Lingya gave an elegant smile. Her reply, however, was, "Not enough."

As she spoke, a cunning glint entered Su Lingya’s eyes. "Senior Brother Han Yu, you see, is very much hoping that your team will be without any Elixir Masters or healers..."

Su Lingya and Yan Chen began to haggle over the price in points. Elsewhere, the other disciples were also busy contacting allies and discussing strategies.

And it was in the midst of this that Zhong Ming led his group away.

This scene made Mo Shuying unable to hold back any longer. "Zhong Ming, are you really not going to find anyone to cooperate with?"

"The Demonic Fiends are savage and the Evil Spirits are treacherous. You’ll have to hold out in the Heaven-Filling Map for a long time. With help, it would be so much easier."

Every word Mo Shuying said was reasonable, but Zhong Ming still refused without hesitation.

"There’s no need."

Waving a hand dismissively behind him, Zhong Ming walked on without the slightest pause in his stride.

"With the sword in my hand, I can cut down anything."

"Before us, there are no foes."