Chapter 27: Top Genius

The entire sect, both inside and out, heard the resounding and ancient toll of the bell. "It can't be wrong, can it? Five tolls of the bell! It's been years since we last heard that!" "Could it be that a peerless genius has joined our Fiery Fire Sect?" Inside the Fiery Fire Sect, many disciples were astonished. Without hesitation, they rushed out. Five tolls of the bell carried a weighty significance! It caused a sensation throughout the sect! What kind of prodigy could trigger five tolls of the bell? Even the two gatekeepers were dumbfounded, trembling as they looked on in disbelief. Before, they only knew that Elder Larson had given orders, but they never expected it to be five tolls of the bell! One toll represented the initial entry of an Outer Sect Disciple. Two to four tolls represented the initial entry of an Inner Sect Disciple. Two tolls indicated lesser talent, three tolls excellent talent, and four tolls exceptional talent. And five tolls... It had been so long since Fiery Fire Sect had seen a disciple trigger five tolls of the bell! If Rana were to participate in the assessment, it would signify a prodigy of the five-toll level! As for who the last one was, it was truly beyond recall. "Five... Five tolls!" Magar's eyes widened as he stared at Iwao incredulously. "Am I mistaken?" "What, Elder Sexton, is there a special significance to this tolling?" Iwao was surprised. "Naturally. It's based on talent and status. Outer Sect Disciples get at most one toll, that's the rule. Inner Sect Disciples get two to four tolls. Only truly exceptional disciples with explosive talent can trigger five tolls!" Magar took a deep breath. "This was arranged by Sister Lilly. If she's not mistaken, it means she believes you unquestionably possess the talent for five tolls!" "Of course, look who this kid's Illusionary Beast is!" Swallow put her hands on her hips, feeling proud. "Iwao, that's amazing," Tammy said, showing a heartfelt smile. Only she knew how difficult it was for Iwao to bounce back from being discarded to where he was now, especially in that unforgettable scene in the Imperial City of the Great Cyan Empire. It was Iwao's unwavering willpower that got him through. If it were anyone else, they would have crumbled after such a blow! "Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!" At that moment, powerful auras flew out from within the sect. Many terrifying Elders appeared, their gazes falling on Iwao as they scrutinized him. Apart from these Elders, there were also many disciples. Inner Sect, Outer Sect... There were hundreds of them, crowding both sides of the road. Everyone eagerly anticipated seeing the prodigy who could trigger five tolls of the bell, and what made him so special that the sect deemed him worthy of it! As all eyes fell on Iwao, the atmosphere was charged with various emotions. This is what truly captures everyone's attention! Iwao, carrying Tammy on his back, walked steadily behind Magar. Swallow stood proudly on Iwao's shoulder. Meanwhile, Rana had already returned to her room. "Miss, with this development, his path within the sect is going to be extremely difficult," Lilly said with a wry smile. Fiery Fire Sect is the number one sect in the Land of the Five Kingdoms, and all its disciples are valiant and warlike. If someone capable of triggering five tolls of the bell were to appear, they would surely try to spar with him, fueled by their competitive spirit! "Just let him face the difficulties. He's Adino's grandson; things are never that simple with him," Rana said, her eyes narrowing slightly, exuding a depth that belied her age. "And, Adino left me some words behind the tablet; he was deliberately training this kid!" Lilly nodded. Initially, she thought Iwao wasn't even worthy of comparison with Rana. But now, things weren't so straightforward. Adino valued this grandson of his quite highly. Anyone he valued might not necessarily fall short in the future! Magar led Iwao to the hill where the Outer Sect Disciples resided, finding an empty courtyard to settle them in. "Sister, you sleep here. I'll take the bed in the room," Iwao said, carrying Tammy into the room and gently laying her on the bed. Compared to two days ago, Tammy's complexion had regained some color, and her breathing wasn't as weak. "A prodigy capable of triggering five tolls of the bell, yet only an Outer Sect Disciple and settled here..." Magar sighed deeply. "I don't know what Sis Lilly is thinking." He didn't know that it was Rana, not Lilly, who arranged for the five tolls of the bell for Iwao! "The sect doesn't have many formalities; everyone is focused on cultivation. Don't put too much pressure on yourself," Magar said. "I heard you were once crippled by Mateo, and it was only after you changed Illusionary Beasts that you were able to recover. Your current condition might lead to unstable foundations, so don't rush!" "Thank you, Elder Sexton," Iwao nodded. After Magar left, Iwao entered the room and began meditating. Outside his courtyard, disciples had already gathered. "Is the guy inside really capable of triggering five tolls of the bell?" "It's impossible. Isn't this the area where Outer Sect Disciples live?" "A prodigy capable of triggering five tolls of the bell couldn't possibly be an Outer Sect Disciple. Could the sect have made a mistake?" The group of disciples looked at each other, all very puzzled. "So many people gathered here, what kind of decorum is this? Get back to your cultivation!" a loud voice resounded from outside the courtyard. The disciples' faces changed, and they quickly dispersed. A tall middle-aged man with a stern face walked into Iwao's courtyard. Iwao opened his eyes and quickly opened the door. "May I ask what brings you here, senior?" "I'm Timon York, one of the Inner Sect Elders of Fiery Fire Sect. As an Inner Sect Elder, I have the authority to make disciples. Would you like to be my disciple?" the middle-aged man said with impeccable precision, without a hint of emotion. Timon got straight to the point with his question. Iwao was taken aback. He had just entered the sect, and someone was already knocking on his door to be his master. "Timon, have you no shame?" "Such a prodigy, how can you let him slip away?" Two more voices came from outside. An elderly white-haired man and a young man in a green robe walked in one after the other. "Elder Lewis, Elder Hudson, you're both quick on your feet!" Timon said with a stern face, "But, isn't it a matter of first come, first served? I was here first, so naturally, I have priority!" The white-haired elder was Homer Lewis, and the young man in the green robe was Danyl Hudson, both of them were Inner Sect Elders of Fiery Fire Sect. "What priority? Isn't it just snatching disciples? Whoever offers better conditions naturally gets the disciple, right, young man?" Homer said with a smile. "I don't have much to offer, just plenty of cultivation resources. As long as you become my disciple, I'll cover all your cultivation resources!" Danyl quickly chimed in, "Whatever they can offer, I can offer too!" Just as the three of them were getting anxious about this, a voice rang out from outside the courtyard. "You all step back. He's not taking on any masters!" Upon hearing this, the three of them were stunned.