The competitions didn't end until the sun set behind the western mountains. About one-third of the participants failed, while those who passed walked away with confidence.

"We are very satisfied with today's assessment. For those who didn't pass, don't lose hope. You'll have another chance next year. Each of you who didn't pass will receive ten Spirit Pills before leaving. We hope you'll come back stronger. Next year, Danxuan Gate will still welcome you," Elder Xuanyu, standing on the platform, spoke up.

The expressions on the faces of those who didn't pass brightened upon hearing about the Spirit Pills. These pills were made from earth-level materials. Just one pill could ward off all illnesses and enhance one's beauty. In the secular world, they were considered treasures.

"For those who passed, don't get too proud. Tomorrow is the final test. Only by passing the last test can you become disciples of Danxuan Gate. Rest tonight, and the assessment will continue tomorrow," Elder Xuanyu reiterated to those who had passed.

After speaking, Elder Xuanyu flew towards the mountain peak.

The atmosphere below became lively again. Many youths approached the four young men and women who had reached the Spiritual Warrior Realm. They flattered them one by one.

"Senior Brothers and Sisters, all four halls' candidates are here. With your strength, you will definitely be admitted to the halls. Your future achievements will be extraordinary. Please take care of us juniors in the future," a triangular-eyed youth said.

"Not bad, with the strength of a late-stage Spiritual Warrior, I happen to need a follower. From now on, you'll be my follower. I won't mistreat you," a youth in black said. The other three didn't respond.

"Thank you, Senior Brother," the triangular-eyed youth hurriedly expressed gratitude.

Many people surrounded them, but Chen Xuan and Xie Yunsheng didn't join them. However, with Chen Xuan's Soul Power, which could penetrate about twenty to thirty meters, he could still grasp the situation over there. It seemed that the strong were always respected.

"I now understand the drawbacks of compressing True Qi. Although I have more True Qi than others, and its quality is better, the amount of spiritual energy I need is about three times that of others. Now, just stepping into the Spiritual Warrior Realm requires three times the spiritual energy. If I advance beyond that, the demand for spiritual energy might be even greater. Advancing will be difficult for me every step of the way. But once I reach the Spiritual Warrior Realm, ordinary Spiritual Warriors won't pose a threat to me. Even against a True Warrior, I might have a chance to escape," Chen Xuan thought to himself.

"Chen Xuan, you now realize the drawback of compressing True Qi. Although you have more and better-quality True Qi than others, your spiritual energy needs are about three times higher. Just stepping into the Spiritual Warrior Realm requires three times the spiritual energy. If you advance beyond that, the demand for spiritual energy might increase even more. Advancement will be difficult for you every step of the way. But once you reach the Spiritual Warrior Realm, ordinary Spiritual Warriors won't pose a threat to you. Even against a True Warrior, you might have a chance to escape," Elder Li didn't forget to discourage Chen Xuan.

"Li Lao, I always feel that Swallowing Heaven Technique is not that simple. It's impossible for me to absorb only some spiritual energy from the demon beasts' inner cores," Chen Xuan said.

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"I watched you cultivate. There's nothing wrong with your cultivation. But now it seems that you haven't reached the level described in the books. 'Swallowing everything' might not be possible for you yet. Perhaps every time you advance a step in Swallowing Heaven Technique, there will be changes. You don't need to think about this for now. Focus on getting through the current test. When you enter Danxuan Gate, you may receive some cultivation resources and quickly break through to the Spiritual Warrior Realm. Yesterday, I saw a young man named Ling Feng. He seemed to have ill intentions toward you. He had a faint murderous intent in his eyes. Be careful when you join Danxuan Gate. Your current strength is not enough to deal with him. Dealing with ordinary Spiritual Warriors is no problem, but don't think you're great just because you killed a few Spiritual Warriors in Hongling Town. Those few were the weakest among Spiritual Warriors," Elder Li warned.

"I understand," Chen Xuan said and sat down cross-legged without wasting any time for cultivation. Every bit of spiritual energy he absorbed brought him closer to the Spiritual Warrior Realm. The spiritual energy here in the square was much richer than that of his clan's place.

Time passed quickly during cultivation. The next day arrived as scheduled. All the youths gathered on the square again, with Chen Xuan naturally among them, standing in the middle of the square.

This time, there were about twenty more people flying over than the previous day, with Elder Xuanyu still leading. Landing on the high platform in the square, the atmosphere tensed immediately. Chen Xuan felt a riot in his dantian, and he couldn't even lift his head. It was the suppression of spiritual pressure.

The weaker cultivators began to tremble, and some even seemed like they wanted to kneel down. In front of the strong, they had no resistance.

"Not bad," Elder Xuanyu spoke up. "Facing our pressure without kneeling down shows that you can withstand even one percent of it. Your aptitude is outstanding."

As soon as the words were spoken, the tension in the square eased, and everyone withdrew their spiritual pressure.

"Today is the final day of the assessment. Same as yesterday, you'll still fight against puppets. But unlike yesterday, today you'll face opponents one level higher than you. If you pass, your chances of survival in the future will be higher. Once you encounter battles against opponents one level higher outside, your chances of survival will also increase. The cultivation world is a jungle where the strong prey on the weak. Many of the disciples who join Danxuan Gate every year never return from the Demon Battlefield. Are you ready? If you choose to withdraw now, it's still possible. Danxuan Gate doesn't need cowardly disciples. Since you've chosen to enter the cultivation world, you must be prepared to sacrifice at any time. Of course, by entering the cultivation world, you'll gain stronger power, extend your lifespan, and have more opportunities to reach the Heavenly Realm. From then on, you'll be free to pursue the path of longevity."

"We are ready!" came a resounding shout from below.

"Good. The next step is the assessment. After discussing yesterday, all four halls have unanimously decided that the four youths who have already reached the Spiritual Warrior Realm do not need to participate in the assessment today. They will directly rank in the top four, with the right to choose their hall. Of course, those in the top fifty also have the right to choose their peak. If someone performs exceptionally well, the four halls will also consider accepting them. Others, get ready. The rules are the same as before. As long as you can withstand ten moves without losing, you'll pass. But if anyone defeats their opponent, they will rank higher."

Chen Xuan didn't immediately step onto the platform but waited to observe others' battles.

On more than a hundred platforms, youths were being eliminated every moment. Those who passed were in the minority. It seemed that fighting against opponents one level higher was indeed challenging. Chen Xuan noticed that every youth who passed was extraordinary, with at least a profound-level cultivation technique and high-grade martial skills.

One platform to the right caught Chen Xuan's attention. A youth on that platform was not very tall, probably around sixteen or seventeen years old. He wielded a heavy-looking sword, much heavier than Chen Xuan's. It was the kind that opened and closed broadly. From his swordsmanship, Chen Xuan could tell that this set of swordsmanship was at least at the earth level, with at least twenty attack positions for each move.

Only martial skills at the earth level could have such powerful attacking abilities. The puppet retreated steadily under the onslaught, and the gaze of the dozen or so people on the platform turned towards him, all showing a hint of surprise.

"Not bad, the puppet is no match for him," one middle-aged man said.

"This kid is good. Our Douling Peak wants him."

"Why should it be your Douling Peak? Our Rehai Peak also wants him," said a middle-aged man on the left.

"Diefen, Lou Yue, your Rehai Peak is ranked second. Even if he chooses, he'll choose our Douling Peak first," said Li Jinshan, the peak master of Douling Peak.

"I'll wait and see," the two didn't say anything more.

Before they finished their discussion, the youth on the right platform had already dispersed the puppet.

"Pass," the referee on the platform said.