Chapter 27: Top-Tier Prodigies Enter the Sect!

Throughout the entire sect, everyone, both inside and outside, heard the five loud and resonant tolls of the bell.

It echoed across the heavens!

"Am I hearing this right? Five tolls! How many years has it been since that happened?"
"Could it be that a peerless genius has joined our Lihuo Sect?"

Within the Lihuo Sect, many disciples were shocked beyond measure. Without a second thought, they rushed outside. The significance of five bell tolls was immense—the entire sect was shaken! What kind of prodigy could possibly trigger five tolls of the bell?

Even the two gatekeeping disciples were dumbfounded; their hands trembled as they looked on in disbelief. Previously, they only knew that Elder Lian had issued an order, but they never imagined it would result in five bell tolls!

One toll signified a new outer sect disciple.
Two to four tolls signified a new inner sect disciple. Two tolls meant mediocre talent, three meant excellent talent, and four meant superb talent.
But five tolls... the Lihuo Sect hadn't seen a disciple trigger five tolls in who knows how long! If Su Yuwei were to undergo the assessment, she would be a five-toll level prodigy. As for the last person to achieve this, it was impossible to even recall.

"Fi... five tolls!" Xu Kun stared wide-eyed at Lin Chen, his voice full of disbelief. "Is there no mistake?"
"Why, Elder Xu, does the number of bell tolls signify something specific?" Lin Chen asked, appearing very surprised.
"Naturally. It is based on talent, status, and standing. Outer sect disciples get at most one toll—that is the rule. Inner sect disciples get two to four. Only a disciple with truly explosive talent can trigger the five-toll protocol!" Xu Kun took a deep breath. "This was arranged by Sister Lian. If she hasn't made a mistake, it means she believes you possess the talent for five tolls!"
"That’s right, just look at who this kid’s phantom beast is!" Tuntun stood with hands on hips, looking incredibly smug.
"Little Chen, you’re amazing." Lin Ning’er smiled brightly.

Only she knew how difficult it had been for Lin Chen to pull himself back together after his cultivation was crippled. The scene at the imperial capital of the Great Cang Kingdom was something she would never forget. It was only because of Lin Chen’s indomitable will that he managed to endure it. For anyone else, such a blow would have broken them completely!

Just then, waves of powerful auras flew in from within the sect. Many formidable elders appeared, their eyes fixed on Lin Chen, assessing him intently. In addition to these elders, many disciples—both inner and outer sect—numbered in the hundreds, packing the paths on both sides. Everyone craned their necks, eager to see exactly who this prodigy was that could trigger five bell tolls, and what was so special about him that the sect deemed him worthy of such an honor.

The gazes fell upon Lin Chen, filled with various emotions. This was true fame, with all eyes upon him! Lin Chen, carrying Lin Ning’er on his back, walked steadily behind Xu Kun. Tuntun sat on Lin Chen’s shoulder, looking triumphant.

Elsewhere, Su Yuwei had already returned to her room.
"Miss, with this, I fear his path within the sect will be quite difficult," Aunt Lian said with a bitter smile. The Lihuo Sect was the premier sect of the five nations, and all its disciples were courageous and battle-hardened. If someone who triggered five bell tolls appeared, they would certainly find ways to challenge him to a bout. It might be called sparring, but the competitive spirit behind it was very real!

"Let his path be difficult. He is the grandson of Lin Tianming; it wouldn't be that simple anyway." Su Yuwei’s beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a depth that belied her age. "Moreover, Lin Tianming left some words behind his memorial tablet; he is intentionally tempering this boy!"

Aunt Lian nodded. She had originally thought Lin Chen was in no way qualified to be compared with Su Yuwei, but now it seemed things were not so simple. Lin Tianming clearly held his grandson in high regard. Anyone favored by him might not have a bad future after all.

Xu Kun led Lin Chen to the mountain peak where outer sect disciples resided, found an empty courtyard, and settled them in.
"Sister, you sleep here; I’ll take the side room," Lin Chen said, carrying Lin Ning’er into the room and gently placing her on the bed. Lin Ning’er’s complexion was slightly more rosy than it had been two days ago, and her breathing was no longer as weak.

"A prodigy who can trigger five bell tolls, yet he’s only an outer sect disciple, living here..." Xu Kun sighed deeply. "I truly don't know what Sister Lian is thinking." He was unaware that it was not Lian Qing, but Su Yuwei, who had set the bell to five tolls for Lin Chen.

"The sect doesn't have too many cumbersome rules; everyone is focused on cultivation. Don't put too much pressure on yourself," Xu Kun said. "I heard you were crippled by Feng Bumie and only recovered your peak after switching to a different phantom beast. Your state is prone to an unstable foundation, so don't be impetuous!"

"Thank you, Elder Xu," Lin Chen replied.

After Xu Kun left, Lin Chen entered the side room and sat cross-legged to cultivate. Outside his courtyard, disciples had already gathered.
"Is the guy inside really the one who triggered five tolls?"
"That’s impossible, isn't this the mountain for outer sect disciples?"
"A prodigy who can trigger five tolls could never be an outer sect disciple. Could the sect have made a mistake?"

The group of disciples looked at each other, all very confused.
"Gathering here like this—what kind of decorum is this? Get back to your cultivation at once!" A loud shout echoed from outside the courtyard. The disciples’ expressions changed, and they scattered like birds and beasts.

A tall, middle-aged man walked into Lin Chen’s courtyard with a stern face. Lin Chen opened his eyes and quickly went to the door. "May I ask, Senior, what brings you here?"
"My name is Yan Lin, one of the inner sect elders of the Lihuo Sect. As an inner sect elder, I have the authority to take on disciples. Would you like to be my apprentice?" The middle-aged man was meticulous and expressionless, getting straight to the point.

Lin Chen was stunned. He had only just entered the sect, and already someone was coming to be his master?
"Yan Lin, have you no shame!"
"A prodigy like this—how can you try to get ahead of us!"

Outside, two more voices rang out. An old man with white hair and a man in green robes walked in one after the other.
"Elder Liu, Elder Huo, you two are fast!" Yan Lin said, his face stern. "But everything must follow an order, right? I arrived first, so naturally, I have priority!"

The white-haired elder was Liu Yuan, and the man in green robes was Huo Feng; both were inner sect elders of the Lihuo Sect.
"Priority, my foot! When it comes to snatching an apprentice, whoever offers the best terms is who they’ll choose, right, my young friend?" Liu Yuan said with a smile. "This elder has nothing else, but I have plenty of cultivation resources. As long as you become my disciple, I will cover all your cultivation needs!"
Huo Feng also chimed in, "Whatever they can offer, I can match!"

Just as the three were getting agitated over the matter, a voice rang out from outside the courtyard.
"All of you, withdraw. He will not be taking a master!"

The three of them froze upon hearing this.