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Chapter 22: Denying the Obvious in the Face of Conclusive Evidence
Chapter 22: Denying the Obvious in the Face of Conclusive Evidence
At the testing grounds, a queue had already formed, with several people waiting in line.
Yao Xiaoyu, a direct disciple, considered using her privileges to cut in line, but decided against it.
Su Chen signaled that he could wait a little longer.
It was a good opportunity to observe how others were being tested.
As a cultivator, Su Chen's test would be straightforward.
At nineteen years old, he had just reached the Eighth Stage Essence Refining Realm.
Compared to the top disciples, his strength was significantly inferior.
However, entering Tiangang City was more than enough for him.
Achieving the Eighth Stage at his age was already quite an accomplishment.
Soon, it was Su Chen's turn to be tested.
With a single move, he demonstrated his prowess in the Initial Stage Essence Refinement Realm, and his age was also revealed.
Su Chen's appearance made it evident that he was relatively young.
A nineteen-year-old at the Eighth Stage Essence Refinement Realm was more than qualified to be an Outer Sect Disciple.
To advance further and become an Inner Sect Disciple, just like in the Yunyang Sect, he needed contributions and merit.
After the test, there would be an enrollment ceremony the next day.
It was a ceremony marked the new disciples' entry into the sect, and the sect's elders and some guests might attend.
This gesture demonstrated Tiangang City's importance to its new disciples.
Yao Xiaoyu, on the other hand, offered Su Chen some advice.
"The enrollment ceremony tomorrow will be attended by all the sect's elders."
At that time, Senior Brother Wu Yi will publicly announce your merits."
While becoming a direct disciple was unlikely, he would at least gain some recognition.
In the future, when you cultivate in Tiangang City, the senior elders will also provide you with guidance."
The instructor, Senior Brother Wu Yi, has been arranged for you. He has nurtured many direct disciples, including Elder Ouyang Chuan."
Upon hearing this, Su Chen expressed his gratitude to Yao Xiaoyu.
After spending time with Senior Brother Wu Yi and his group, Su Chen found them to be genuinely kind.
That night, Su Chen stayed in Lin Tian's courtyard.
Lin Tian, the senior brother, had even prepared a new set of clothes for Su Chen to wear during the ceremony.
Su Chen recalled the fellow disciples he had saved on the Yunyang Sect's frontline.
In their eyes, his actions seemed to have ulterior motives.
Compared to Lin Tian, his treatment of those he had saved was worlds apart.
After a night's rest, Su Chen arrived at the sect's boundary at the third hour.
Other disciples had also arrived early and were waiting.
Around the second hour, a senior sister from the sect came to guide them.
Together, they headed towards the martial training ground in Tiangang City.
The spacious grounds had hosted numerous sect ceremonies.
Su Chen stood among the crowd, awaiting the ceremony's commencement.
By the fourth hour, the sky was fully illuminated.
The enrollment ceremony officially began.
The ceremony attracted not only sect members but also many outsiders.
In the center, the speaker was Tiangang City's Grand Elder, Shang Xuan Zhenren.
"Tiangang City stands tall in the south of Great Zhou. For seven hundred years, it has vanquished evil and banished demons."
"Today, as new disciples join our sect, let us uphold justice and protect the people of Great Zhou."
The Grand Elder spoke at length.
To many, his words might seem like common sense.
But when Su Chen first joined the Yunyang Sect, it was with the noble intention of upholding justice and slaying demons.
Today, as he joined Tiangang City, he carried more personal motives.
After several elders spoke, Tiangang City's instructor introduced himself.
In Tiangang City's imitation school, disciples address their instructors as 'teachers,' and they call themselves 'students.'
New members of Tiangang City need not offer anything in return and can cultivate here for a year.
The instructors will also provide guidance.
After all, they cannot send new disciples to the frontline as soon as they join the sect.
That would be akin to deliberately sending them to their deaths.
Upon hearing the instructors, Su Chen realized he wasn't the only one in such a situation.
Many people had come to aid Tiangang City, guarding this defense line with peace.
In the interactions, Tiangang City naturally wanted to recruit these talents to serve under them.
After the first three recommendations, they received evaluations from the elders.
The instructors also spoke up, welcoming them to join their tutelage.
Wu Yi was the fourth to step forward.
"Respected elders and seniors, I, disciple Wu Yi, recommend my junior brother, Su Chen."
Junior brother Su Chen arrived in September to assist. He is quick-witted and has a calm and steady temperament.
During this time, he has repeatedly uncovered the demons' plots and established new merits, contributing greatly.
Through our interactions, I have seen that junior brother Su Chen is modest and well-mannered, and so I recommend him."
Upon hearing Wu Yi's recommendation, Su Chen, like the others, stepped forward.
However, before the elders could comment, another person stood up from the audience.
"Respected elders, if I, Xia Kun, have not mistaken, the disciple before you is the Su Chen who was expelled from our Yunyang Sect."
This sudden statement startled everyone present.
The elders at the center also frowned.
Wu Yi felt a bit regretful; he should have anticipated that members from Yunyang Sect would be present for the ceremony.
In the past two years, Yunyang Sect's demon-slaying campaigns have been extremely successful, while Tiangang City has faced numerous challenges.
This year, they invited many powerful members from Yunyang Sect to provide guidance.
"Elder Shang Xuan, this Su Chen's abilities are ordinary, but his methods of stealing credit are truly formidable.
Today's recommendation, I believe, is also a result of this child's deception.
Accepting such a person into the sect will bring no benefits."
Xia Kun bowed to the Grand Elder of Tiangang City and spoke.
Beside him, another elder of Tiangang City stood up with a somber expression.
"Wu Yi, did you thoroughly understand the disciple you are recommending?
Disciples recommended to the sect must possess upright conduct. Did you investigate this clearly?"
Su Chen also didn't expect that his recommendation would cause Wu Yi to be scolded.
Although scolded by the elder, Wu Yi showed no signs of backing down.
"Respected elders and seniors, I have interacted with junior brother Su Chen for over a month and am aware of his nature.
Regarding these rumors, I am aware of them and have discussed them with junior brother Su Chen.
The accusation of seeking glory and stealing credit lacks clear evidence from Yunyang Sect. Nonetheless, I am still explaining on his behalf."
In his words, Wu Yi continued to defend Su Chen.
Generally, the relationship between Yunyang Sect and Tiangang City was good.
However, both sects were secretly comparing themselves to each other.
Accepting a disciple who was expelled from their own sect was indeed embarrassing.
Xia Kun's public statement gave the impression that Tiangang City lacked the ability to discern outstanding young talents.
"Young people always think that there aren't that many deceptions in the world, but the facts can be distressing.
At the end of summer, our Yunyang Sect launched a purge campaign.
This Su Chen before you, his contributions even surpassed Liu Xingwan.
This child has gone too far and is too foolish.
If he hadn't sought glory and stolen credit, could his contributions have surpassed Liu Xingwan?"
Yunyang Sect's two most outstanding disciples, Fu Jianyun and Liu Xingwan.
Their performances are indeed a standard for others.
Achievements beyond their reach are also difficult for other young people in Great Zhou.
Not to mention a young man like Su Chen, who is relatively unknown.
"Su Chen, do you think this basis is sufficient?"
Xia Kun raised his eyes to look at Su Chen and asked.
The surrounding crowd's gaze fell upon Su Chen.
Su Chen remained calm, showing no signs of panic.
Just as his mother said, walking upright and sitting straight, he feared nothing.
"In response to Hall Master Xia's words, this basis is indeed insufficient.
I also participated in the summer purge campaign, so why can't my contributions surpass others?"
Hearing Su Chen's response, Xia Kun's face subtly frowned.
"Still denying in the face of conclusive evidence, is this kind of argument interesting?
A disciple with your talent, could he possibly surpass Xing Wan in demon-slaying abilities?"
(End of Chapter)
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