The Five Elements Hall was in an uproar. As posts on the spiritual network went viral with countless replies, and live streams broadcasted the events, phone calls from friends and relatives flooded in, driving all disciples into a frenzy and surging towards the South Gate.
Major events that could shake the Five Elements Hall were rare, and the monotonous life within the sect made them all the more eager for something stimulating to happen.
The arrival of a heaven-defying prodigy with Origin-level aptitude was enough to ignite everyone's insatiable appetite for gossip.
Naturally, the disciples of the Thunder Hall were the most ecstatic.
Because there were very few people in the Immortal Realm with Thunder and Wind attributes, the number of disciples in these two halls of the Five Elements Hall was correspondingly small.
They were often bullied by disciples from other halls when competing for resources. It was only thanks to the presence of Saint Thunder and Saint Wind that other halls did not dare to go too far, but the disciples themselves harbored resentment.
Now, with the emergence of an unparalleled prodigy who possessed the Thunder attribute, all the disciples of the Thunder Hall were driven to madness. They were determined to keep him in the Thunder Hall, and once he grew strong, he would be used to bully the other halls!
In the southwestern part of the Five Elements Hall, within a heavily guarded complex of buildings, three figures flew out.
Chai Lian, who had just completed the handover procedures for the criminal suspect, stretched after exiting the office building.
"Sigh, every time I come to handle a handover, it takes so long. I have to write work reports, arrest procedures, and go through formalities. It's so troublesome!"
"Senior Brother Chai, look at the sky."
A disciple from the Earth Hall pointed to the sky.
Chai Lian looked up. Good heavens, the sky was filled with countless small airships and disciples, obscuring the sun and the day. All these people were heading in one direction: the South Mountain assessment area!
"What's going on? Why are so many people going that way?"
"Who cares? There must be something exciting to see. Come on, let's go take a look too."
Everyone had a desire to spectate and join in the fun, and Chai Lian was no exception.
However, just as the three of them took flight, someone suddenly appeared before them, blocking their path.
The newcomer was wearing a sky-blue dress, was tall and slender, with a stunningly beautiful face. Her demeanor, however, was as cold as frost, giving off an aura that kept people at a distance.
Upon seeing the newcomer, Chai Lian immediately clasped his hands in a bow.
"Greetings, Hall Master."
"Greetings, Saint Wind!"
"Chai Lian."
Ruoshui Qiu's gaze, as calm as still water, did not even glance at him. Her eyes were fixed on the south.
She was the type of woman whose beauty could drive all men wild, yet whose demeanor could make them instinctively retreat.
"This disciple is here."
"I am here to issue a gag order to the three of you. Regarding Wan Lei and Fang Xiaoyu, whom you apprehended, no information whatsoever is to be disclosed to anyone. The gag order is for one year, after which it will be automatically lifted."
Chai Lian and the other two were stunned for a moment, then gasped in disbelief.
As everyone knew, the Hall Master of the Wind Hall was notoriously aloof and never involved herself in the affairs of disciples. The fact that the pure and detached Hall Master of the Wind Hall would personally issue a gag order made them sense a hint of conspiracy.
The water here is too deep, I can't handle it!
"This disciple obeys. However, Hall Master, this disciple has already reported the information to the headquarters' Public Security System..."
"You don't need to worry about that. If I can silence you, I can silence them as well."
"This disciple understands."
"Let's go. For this year, try not to return to headquarters."
"Ah? Then... after a year?"
Chai Lian looked up in surprise. Seeing that the Hall Master had no intention of speaking further, he clasped his hands in a bow, and with his two junior brothers, they returned directly to the Eastern Land, not daring to watch the spectacle.
"After a year, you'd better be ready to be beaten..."
Ruoshui Qiu's thin, alluring lips curved into a perfect arc.
"A little fellow who can be faster than me, what secrets do you possess..."
By the South Gate assessment area of the Five Elements Hall, a sea of people had gathered.
Twenty minutes had already passed, and Wan Lei had reached over seventy thousand steps.
The pressure from the divine sense power here was already extremely strong, and he could no longer jump ten steps at a time.
He could now only jump five steps at a time.
Those he had surpassed, like in the first stage, stared at his rapidly receding back with wide eyes. Some were so shocked that they forgot to resist the impact of the divine sense power and were instantly repelled, falling hundreds of steps before stabilizing themselves.
What kind of monster is this!
Outside, the disciples of the Five Elements Hall were cheering Wan Lei on. They had been mentally prepared, knowing he was incredibly powerful, and did not react with the same astonishment as the other examinees.
After all, they had already passed the assessment and become proud members of the Five Elements Hall.
Those who are favored are always fearless.
Wan Lei's figure continued to leap rapidly. The cheers around him were like a second test, a sonic attack designed to distract him and interfere with his will.
But there was nothing he could do. He couldn't order tens of thousands of people around, and besides, they were here to cheer him on, so he couldn't scold them.
Forget it, I'll endure it. It's not much further anyway.
Wan Lei pondered as he ascended quickly.
"Family in the live stream, let's get the gifts flowing! Thanks to the 'Sky-Piercing Arrow' from my dear friend. Little Suxu is still live-streaming with all her might for everyone.
Little Suxu promises today that as long as a hundred 'Sky-Piercing Arrows' are sent, I'll risk my life to take a photo with that guy. I always keep my word!"
What annoyed Wan Lei the most was the little streamer closest to the steps. That person shouted the loudest, was the most excited, and most disgustingly, he was using this opportunity to make money.
Even more infuriating was that the money earned would not be shared with Wan Lei.
It was just as detestable as those on the other side who had set up gambling to bet on how long it would take Wan Lei to reach the summit.
You're making money off me, but are you going to share it with me?
Wan Lei sighed again.
He wanted to attract attention, but that was to attract the attention of the higher-ups of the Five Elements Hall, so that he could gain a certain degree of resource allocation. More importantly, it would be easier to have his requests granted when he made them.
After all, everywhere in the world, outstanding people always received preferential treatment.
Wan Lei's thoughts raced, but his speed did not decrease at all, as jumping upwards didn't require much thought.
Just as he was about to reach the eighty thousand steps, he suddenly heard someone outside shouting,
"Be careful! After eighty thousand steps, there will be illusions that test your will. Don't rush too much then!"
"That thing is very insidious, be very careful!"
"Go, brother, set a new record!"
Wan Lei's heart stirred upon hearing this. He looked up and saw the eighty thousand step marker not too far above. He became cautious and paused slightly as he stepped onto it.
He felt nothing. Ahead were still steps, and the surrounding crowds were still cheering. The pressure was still gradually increasing.
Perhaps his soul was too powerful, so it automatically resisted the illusion?
Whatever, since there was nothing, he would hurry up.