From Five Animal Exercises to being hailed as a saint and ancestor

In the temporary headquarters of the Heavenly Dao Academy in the Great Xia Royal City, in a side hall of the council chamber, which was isolated by multiple arrays.

The atmosphere was so heavy it was almost palpable.

Elder Li Xun sat in the main seat, his brows furrowed.

Below, the captains and elders from various sects and families in the Eastern Region gathered together, numbering nearly three hundred at a glance.

Even the lowest cultivation level was at the Divine Bridge Realm, and among them were several beings with profound auras who had already touched the threshold of the throne.

It can be said that representatives of nearly half of the top forces in the Eastern Region have gathered here at this moment.

All eyes were focused on Li Xun, and the black-clad man beside him who stood with his eyes closed, holding a sword, seemingly out of place with everything around him.

"Elder Li!"

An elderly man dressed in a crimson robe, with his beard and hair standing on end, spoke first. His voice was booming, and he was none other than Elder Liehuo of Lihuo Valley.

"Isn't setting the practical assessment in the Silent Soul Abyss a bit too frivolous?"

"That's one of the ten forbidden areas, infamous for its dread!"

"Two days ago, an extraordinary phenomenon of a saint's fall occurred, indicating that danger lurks within!"

"Sending a group of juniors whose average cultivation level is only at the Opening Meridian or Spirit Sea stage is tantamount to sending them to their deaths."

"If there is anything that Li Huo Valley can do to serve us, our sect will do its best."

"However, I cannot agree to send my sect's younger generation!"

"Elder Liehuo is absolutely right!"

Beside him, an old man in an earth-yellow robe, with a kind face but shrewd eyes, spoke up. He was Shi Chongshan, the elder leading the Houtu Sect this time.

"The rules of the Silent Soul Abyss are bizarre and unpredictable; how could it be a place for training?"

"If anything were to happen to our disciples, how could we face the sect and our families?"

"That's right!"

"That's too dangerous!"

"We urge Elder Li and Sword Master to reconsider!"

Immediately, voices of opposition rose and fell, and the vast majority of elders looked worried and spoke vehemently.

They brought with them the most core members of their respective factions, and losing any one of them would be heartbreaking.

Li Xun smiled bitterly to himself; he knew this would happen.

He took a deep breath, raised his hand to suppress the discussion, and said in a deep voice.

"Gentlemen, please hear me out."

"How can a fledgling eagle soar through the heavens without experiencing the trials and tribulations of wind and rain?"

"Practical assessments inherently carry a certain degree of risk. If we only pursue absolute safety, how can we cultivate truly outstanding talents?"

"Moreover, the rules of the Silent Soul Abyss are special, and the suppression and danger to intruders are closely related to their own strength."

"The lower one's cultivation level, the safer one is inside."

"As long as one doesn't trespass into certain clearly forbidden areas, the risk of moving around in them with the cultivation level of the Opening Meridian or Spirit Sea Realm isn't too high."

"at last!"

He glanced at Lin Shouzheng, who was still standing beside him with his eyes closed.

"Sword Master Mingxin has personally gone to investigate and designated a relatively safe area as the scope of this assessment to ensure that there are no dangers beyond the disciples' ability to cope."

However, this explanation failed to quell public anger.

The risk isn't too high? Relatively safe? Why don't you go in and see for yourself? Anyone can talk big.

Just then, a slightly effeminate voice rang out.

"Elder Li is right. Although the Abyss of Silent Souls is dangerous, opportunities often go hand in hand with risks."

"Our Xuan Yin Sect believes that it is not unreasonable to take this opportunity to hone our disciples."

Everyone looked over and saw a pale-faced middle-aged man wearing a dark blue robe slowly speaking.

He is Youquan, an elder of the Xuan Yin Sect.

Immediately afterwards, two or three elders from other factions echoed their support.

As these elders spoke, their eyes subconsciously and subtly glanced in the direction of Mingxin Sword Master. Although they quickly looked away, the tension and fear they felt at that moment did not escape the eyes of some old foxes.

Shangguan Hong sat in his seat at Qinglu Academy, understanding the situation perfectly.

These companies were probably "given a heads-up" beforehand.

He remained silent, observing the situation.

Opposition remained dominant, and the council chamber was filled with noise and deadlock.

Just then, Mingxin Sword Master, who had been resting with his eyes closed, slowly opened them.

In an instant, the temperature in the entire council chamber seemed to drop by dozens of degrees!

An invisible, extremely sharp sword intent spread out, not violent, but like millions of fine ice needles, piercing the souls of everyone, making all the noise stop abruptly!

All eyes, filled with fear, were fixed on the Sword Master, whose name for slaughter was known throughout the continent.

Lin Shouzhen's gaze swept calmly over the crowd. His voice, though not loud, reached everyone's ears clearly, carrying an undeniable air of authority:

"A special task has been added to this assessment."

He paused, then continued:

"If any disciple can complete this task, I will directly accept them as my last disciple."

"If you can provide concrete clues, you may become my disciple."

"In addition, all disciples who participate in this assessment will be given a 'protective talisman' specially made by our Heavenly Dao Sect, which can withstand a full-force attack from a cultivator at the Divine Bridge Realm."

"The documents will not be retrieved after the assessment is completed."

Closed-door disciple! Registered disciple! Heavenly Dao Sect protective talisman!

These three conditions immediately caused a huge uproar among the elders!

What kind of status does the closed-door disciple of the Sword Master Mingxin have?

He is almost destined to become one of the top powerhouses on the mainland!

Even being a nominal disciple means instant advancement!

And that protective talisman is a lifesaver in a critical moment!

Faced with such a great temptation, many elders' breathing became heavier, and the opposition in their eyes began to waver.

However, some people still persist.

An old Taoist priest from the secluded "Liuyun Temple" flicked his whisk and said in a deep voice.

"Sword Master, the opportunity is indeed good, but one must also be alive to enjoy it. The Abyss of Silent Souls is ultimately a forbidden area; what if..."

Lin Shouzhen frowned almost imperceptibly.

He knew that he couldn't reassure everyone by simply offering bribes.

There were too many people, so he couldn't really incur public wrath.

He sighed softly, seemingly with a headache, but his tone remained calm.

"I am naturally aware of your concerns."

His gaze sharpened, and he spoke slowly.

"I cannot guarantee absolute safety; under the Heavenly Dao, there is no absolutely safe path."

"But I can swear by my sword heart that during the assessment period, I will closely monitor the movements of the Silent Soul Abyss. If any unexpected changes occur, I will take immediate action and do my utmost to ensure the safety of all disciples."

Kenshin swears an oath!

For a pure sword cultivator, the sword heart is related to the foundation of the Dao, and this vow is of utmost importance!

Upon hearing this, even the most stubborn opponents softened their expressions considerably.

A sword master with combat power comparable to a saint swears an oath with his sword heart to do his best to ensure safety; this carries considerable weight.

However, a very small number of people, such as the old Taoist priest from Liuyun Temple, still looked troubled, as if they wanted to say something.

Just as his lips moved slightly, before he could utter a sound—

"Buzz!"

A sword aura far more terrifying and condensed than before, like a sleeping ancient beast suddenly awakening, suddenly emanated from Lin Shouzhen's body!

The entire council chamber seemed frozen and solidified!

The defensive array runes on the walls and ground flickered wildly, emitting mournful cries of unbearable strain!

All the elders, including those who had just reached the threshold of the throne, turned pale instantly, feeling as if an invisible sword was hanging over their heads, ready to strike at any moment!

Cold sweat instantly soaked through my back.

Lin Shouzhen's gaze, like two tangible sword beams, fell upon the old Taoist priest of Liuyun Temple. Though he remained silent, the restrained killing intent and domineering presence he exuded spoke volumes.

You've already given them face and given them a way out; if they still don't know when to back down...

The old Taoist priest swallowed back the words that were on the tip of his tongue. His face turned pale and then red. Finally, under the sword force that almost suffocated him, he lowered his head in despair and dared not utter another word.

A deathly silence enveloped the entire side hall.

Everyone understood that there was no turning back now.

Through bribery, vows, and finally, military intimidation, Mingxin Sword Master had done everything he could.

Further opposition would not be a discussion, but a provocation.

Seeing this, Elder Li Xun sighed inwardly, knowing it was time for him to step in and clean up the mess.

He stood up, looked around, and said in a deep voice.

"Since the Sword Master has sworn an oath with his sword heart and bestowed a protective talisman to ensure the safety of his disciple."

"So, regarding the change of the practical assessment location to the Silent Soul Abyss... does anyone have any objections?"

Silence fell over the hall.

After a long while, people began to speak one after another:

"...As Sword Master and Elder Li have said."

With the tide turning against them, and faced with the unparalleled strength and dominance of the Sword Master Mingxin, as well as the irresistible temptation and final guarantee, the elders ultimately had no choice but to compromise.

A meeting that concerned the fate of ten thousand young geniuses came to a close amidst this interplay of power and compromise.

The Silent Abyss awaits these young visitors in silence.