At this moment.
In another location within the core region.
Over a hundred young martial artists were recuperating.
All of them were disciples of the great sects and clans from the Eastern Region.
After escaping from that valley, they had found a place to rest and recover.
The fierce battle in the valley had left most of them, if not all, with injuries of varying severity. They were covered in bloodstains, looking utterly disheveled.
Whenever they recalled their experiences in the valley, these young geniuses from the great sects and clans felt somewhat dejected and despondent.
"I wonder what happened to that scoundrel Ye Yunfei?
Do you think he managed to snatch those Ancient Demon Crystals?"
"Impossible!
Although that scoundrel is decently strong.
facing so many Earth Corpse Monkeys alone, he absolutely couldn't have escaped unscathed!"
"Indeed.
All of us, hundreds working together, couldn't defeat those Earth Corpse Monkeys.
Alone, it's even more impossible for him to prevail!"
"I bet that scoundrel Ye Yunfei has now been devoured by those Earth Corpse Monkeys, leaving not even a hair behind."
...
During their rest, these young martial artists couldn't help but discuss Ye Yunfei.
"Alright, everyone, no need to pay further attention to that scoundrel Ye Yunfei.
Now, there are less than two days left before the assessment ends.
We must seize the time to collect Ancient Demon Crystals.
Otherwise, it will be difficult for us to pass the assessment."
Jun Changsheng, the leading figure from the Xuanhuang Sacred Land, stood up and said in a clear voice.
His golden robes fluttered in the wind, his profound spiritual power surging like tides.
"Well said!"
The others all nodded in agreement.
Thus, these young martial artists stood up one after another and set off to collect Ancient Demon Crystals.
At this moment.
Outside the core region.
On the ship.
More and more young martial artists were teleporting back here.
Most were forced to teleport back because they had encountered danger.
These young martial artists looked dejected and sighed repeatedly.
Because they had lost their chance to enter the Hudao Academy.
A very small number of young martial artists had teleported back because they had collected one hundred Ancient Demon Crystals.
With excited hearts, these young martial artists handed over their hundred Ancient Demon Crystals to Elder Dongfang, who was in charge of the assessment.
Of course, the number of martial artists who had successfully gathered one hundred Ancient Demon Crystals was extremely small.
So far, there were only twelve!
Suddenly.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Three figures appeared simultaneously on the ship.
They were none other than Xiao Hui, Wu Heishan, and Yuan Dayong.
"Brother, we're back."
Xiao Hui said joyfully.
"Enough talk. Turn in the Ancient Demon Crystals first."
Wu Heishan walked up to Elder Dongfang, pulled out a hundred Ancient Demon Crystals, and handed them over.
"With your level of strength, you actually managed to pass the assessment. I have to say, your luck is quite good."
Elder Dongfang said with some surprise.
"Ahem... Senior, good luck is also a form of capital."
Wu Heishan said shamelessly.
"Haha... Indeed, luck is indeed a form of capital.
Moreover, sometimes luck is even more important than strength.
Alright, you've passed the assessment."
Elder Dongfang laughed heartily.
"Thank you, Senior!"
Wu Heishan trembled with excitement.
"I'm now a formal student of the Hudao Academy!
From now on, the beauties from those great sects and clans in the Eastern Region should look at me in a new light, right!"
Wu Heishan was getting a bit carried away, feeling proud and complacent. His gaze also started to wander, sweeping over the young female martial artists on the ship.
Brother and sister Xiao Hui also stepped forward, pulled out their Ancient Demon Crystals, and handed them over.
"Hmm?
Your bloodline... feels a bit peculiar!"
Suddenly, Elder Dongfang's gaze fixed intently on Xiao Hui.
"So it's a True Phoenix Constitution!
Good, very good!
Finally, I've discovered a promising seedling!"
Elder Dongfang said excitedly.
"Girl, I am Elder Dongfang of the Hudao Academy. Would you be willing to take me as your master?"
Elder Dongfang inquired.
"What?!
Senior, are you saying... I can become your disciple?"
Xiao Hui wondered if she had misheard.
Hearing Elder Dongfang's words, the three middle-aged men standing nearby were also greatly astonished.
They of course knew that Elder Dongfang held a very high position within the Hudao Academy and possessed terrifyingly formidable strength.
He was one of the most famous experts on this continent.
In the Central Prefecture, countless young geniuses yearned for the chance to become his disciple but never got the opportunity.
Who would have thought that now he had actually taken a liking to her.
"Yes.
Are you willing?"
Elder Dongfang smiled.
"Xiao Hui, quick, quickly bow to him as your master!"
Yuan Dayong urged excitedly.
Becoming a disciple of an elder from the Hudao Academy was an incredibly great stroke of fortune for any youth from the Eastern Region, the equivalent of their ancestral graves producing bluish smoke of great luck!
"Of course I am willing. Xiao Hui pays her respects to Master!"
Although Xiao Hui was naive, she wasn't foolish. She fully understood just how precious an opportunity it was to become the disciple of an elder from the Hudao Academy.
"Haha, excellent. From this moment on, you are my disciple."
Elder Dongfang was extremely pleased.
All the young martial artists on the ship cast envious looks towards Xiao Hui.
It could be said that from now on, Xiao Hui's status and position were far higher than those disciples from the great sects and clans of the Eastern Region!
At this moment.
Within the core region of the ancient battlefield.
Time flew by.
Unknowingly, over a day had passed.
By now, at most, half a day remained before the assessment ended.
Once the time was up, all the young martial artists had to leave this core region.
During this day or so, Hu Miao had been cultivating the entire time.
Ye Yunfei remained nearby, acting as her guard.
Huff... puff...
An endless stream of demonic energy, attracted by an invisible force, drifted over from afar, continuously converging into Hu Miao's body.
Boom...
At a certain moment, a powerful surge of demonic power suddenly erupted from within Hu Miao's body.
Rumble...
The area within several miles trembled violently.
Then, Hu Miao's beautiful eyes slowly opened.
"Hu Miao, you broke through?"
Ye Yunfei asked happily.
"Yes."
Hu Miao stood up, her graceful jade-like figure curving. She nodded as she spoke.
"What's your current strength?"
Ye Yunfei inquired.
"My current realm is equivalent to a mid-level True Manifestation Realm human martial artist.
However, even if I encountered a late-stage True Manifestation Realm practitioner, I wouldn't be afraid."
Hu Miao said.
The combat power of demon beasts was generally stronger than that of human martial artists of the same level.
"Hu Miao, since your cultivation session is complete, let's head out."
Ye Yunfei said.
"Wait, Master.
Do you not find the demonic energy in that valley... quite peculiar?"
Hu Miao said.
"Indeed.
It is rather peculiar."
Ye Yunfei nodded.
What Hu Miao was referring to was precisely that valley inhabited by the Earth Corpse Monkey nest.
"The demonic energy in that valley is not only of high quality but also carries an ancient aura.
It's absolutely impossible that it was produced by those Earth Corpse Monkeys.
Master, I suspect that it's highly likely there exists a corpse of the Ancient Demon Race within that valley."
Hu Miao stated.
"A corpse of the Ancient Demon Race?"
Ye Yunfei couldn't help but be startled.
"Hmm, that possibility does exist."
Ye Yunfei thought for a moment and then nodded as well.
"Hu Miao, are you perhaps thinking of going there to absorb the demonic energy from the Ancient Demon Race corpse?"
Ye Yunfei asked.
"The demonic energy I absorbed these past two days is already sufficient.
For the time being, I can't absorb any more.
Master, have you forgotten?
The Heavenly Devil's Blood-Forging Body Art you cultivate requires a large amount of Bloodline Essence.
The demon bodies of the Ancient Demon Race are extremely formidable, and their bloodlines are exceptionally noble.
Even if they perish, as long as their corpses remain undamaged, they will still contain a vast amount of Bloodline Essence within.
Master, if you could obtain the Bloodline Essence of an Ancient Demon Race, it would be countless times better than the Bloodline Essence of ordinary demonic beasts or magical beasts."
Hu Miao explained to Ye Yunfei.
"Hu Miao, you're absolutely right!"
Upon hearing this, Ye Yunfei's spirits lifted, and his eyes began to gleam.