"I've seen narcissistic people, but never one as self-absorbed as you!"
Lu Fan said coldly, "I owe Shenji Mountain a favor, so how can I easily watch Shenji Mountain's eldest disciple die tragically."
Liuli was slightly surprised. She hadn't expected Lu Fan to intervene for her.
"You..."
Shen Yehong's expression changed. She had thought Lu Fan was acting for her, which was why he had rashly made a move. Now it seemed she had been overly sentimental.
"Let's go!"
Lu Fan said casually, then soared into the sky. As for the narcissistic Shen Yehong, he paid her no mind.
Not long after, Lu Fan and the others arrived at Tongtian Mountain. Within Tongtian Mountain, several figures were already present. These individuals were not ordinary; the aura they exuded was clearly stronger than others.
"Did you obtain the Sacred Sword?"
The Eighteenth Elder looked towards Lu Fan and the others, his gaze filled with some doubt.
"Naturally!"
Zhao Hanxue nodded. "If we hadn't obtained the Sacred Sword, how could we have come to Tongtian Mountain!"
After speaking, Zhao Hanxue produced the Sacred Sword.
"Very good. Besides him, you are likely the fastest to arrive at Tongtian Mountain!" The Eighteenth Elder pointed to a man before them.
Lu Fan also noticed at this moment that the man before them wore a coronet and a white robe. Coupled with his delicate features, he appeared even more ethereal.
After a period of waiting, quite a few people arrived at Tongtian Mountain. However, they were covered in blood, clearly having gone through a fierce battle.
Being able to bring the Sacred Artifact out of the Ten Thousand Demon Cave required courage, but being able to truly bring the Sacred Artifact to Tongtian Mountain represented their extraordinary strength.
"Hmm, not bad, not bad!"
The Eighteenth Elder nodded with satisfaction as he looked at these individuals. "The fact that you could obtain the Sacred Artifact and bring it back to Tongtian Mountain is sufficient proof of your strength!"
Following these words, many of the men showed resolute expressions. They were well aware of the great price they had paid to bring the Sacred Sword to Shenji Mountain.
After counting the numbers, the Eighteenth Elder said with satisfaction, "There are exactly thirty-six Sacred Artifacts. You now have the qualification to undergo the assessment for entering Tongtian Academy!"
"Qualification for entering the academy?"
Everyone present was stunned. They clearly didn't understand what was happening. In their understanding, as long as they could obtain the Sacred Sword, they could become academy disciples. But now, it seemed that was not the case.
"The assessment has two tiers. You have only passed the first tier," the Eighteenth Elder stated directly. "To enter Tongtian Academy, you must still pass the Tongtian Bridge. Only then will the assessment be considered complete."
"Tongtian Bridge?"
Many of the men present frowned. They had thought they could enter Tongtian Academy, but they never expected there to be another trial. This was quite a torment for them.
"Of course, if any of you do not wish to undergo the assessment, Tongtian Academy will never force you," the Eighteenth Elder said with a smile. "Tongtian Academy's admission standards have always been quality over quantity. If you do not meet the standards, you will not be able to enter Tongtian Academy."
The men were somewhat helpless and could not say much. This was the rule of Tongtian Academy, and they could only abide by it.
Following the Eighteenth Elder, they soon passed through a formation and arrived at Tongtian Academy. Within Tongtian Academy, there were numerous palaces, and even lakes and waterfalls, making it quite spectacular.
"I didn't expect there to be such beautiful scenery on Tongtian Mountain!" Zhao Hanxue exclaimed. "I've been in the Triangle Domain for so many years and have never seen anything like it."
"This is also normal. This is Tongtian Academy," Lu Fan said. "How can ordinary people enter? Only the disciples of Tongtian Academy can come and go freely."
As they were conversing, many figures emerged from the palaces within Tongtian Academy. However, their gazes were arrogant, and they did not take Lu Fan and the others seriously at all.
"Are these the new disciples of this session? They don't seem all that impressive!"
"Who says not! The standard for recruiting disciples at Tongtian Academy is getting lower and lower. If this continues, the entire Tongtian Academy will be finished!"
"That's right, that's right. But with these new students joining, Tongtian Academy will be more lively in the future."
As they were talking, a white-haired old man walked over from not far away. He glanced at the senior students and said, "You people spend all day not cultivating, just freeloading in the academy, and yet you're here talking about the low standards of the new students. I'm afraid it won't be long before they surpass you!"
"Elder Twelve, you speak as if we are old students. For them to surpass us, it's probably unlikely," a woman said proudly. "Besides, breaking through to the Saint realm is not that easy. Even long periods of meditation are useless. It's better to come out and gain some insights, perhaps even achieve enlightenment."
"You always have reasons for whatever you do. But when you are surpassed by new students, it will be you who lose face," Elder Twelve waved his hand, his body stooped, and his face filled with kindness.
The disciples, however, remained unconvinced. Although they were the lowest-ranking disciples of Tongtian Academy and could not be compared to the peerless prodigies, they still felt confident about these new students.
Not long after, everyone arrived at the Tongtian Bridge. The Tongtian Bridge was not large, but it was about a hundred meters long. On both sides of the Tongtian Bridge were lakes, appearing turbulent.
"This Tongtian Bridge is the testing ground!" the Eighteenth Elder declared. "Only those who can pass the Tongtian Bridge can enter Tongtian Academy to cultivate. Who wants to go first?"
The crowd exchanged glances, hesitant to make the first move. They did not know what was so formidable about the Tongtian Bridge, and the opportunity to enter Tongtian Academy was rare, so they did not want to miss it easily.
"I'll go," Lin Jiutian's voice was indifferent as he stepped onto the Tongtian Bridge. He appeared as calm as still water, as if no obstacle could shake him in his eyes.
The Eighteenth Elder stood by, nodding silently. Lin Jiutian, in terms of both strength and courage, far surpassed others, which made him quite pleased.
And not long after, as Lin Jiutian stepped onto the Tongtian Bridge, the lake water around the bridge suddenly surged. Each stream of water possessed an internal force, pressing down on the Tongtian Bridge, appearing extremely terrifying.
At this moment, the senior students in the pavilions all wore expressions of sighing. When they had sought to enter Tongtian Academy, they too had to pass the Tongtian Bridge, and they had endured much hardship. If it weren't for their strong will, they would likely have been washed into the Tongtian Bridge by the lake water and would have lost their chance to be associated with Tongtian Academy.
Lin Jiutian stood firm, his expression growing even more indifferent. Even in the face of the powerful impact, he remained unshaken.