Martial Arts Overlord-Chapter 618 - 616: Strange Choices

**WHOOSH!**

As the words of the elder from the Sky Sword Pavilion left his mouth, all eyes in the plaza turned towards Yi Wuxue, their gazes filled with a mix of admiration, envy, and reverence.

"The Sky Sword Pavilion actually chose Yi Wuxue. I thought it would be Luo Feng or Ye Siyi."

"After all, Luo Feng has only risen to prominence recently, and he’s a Saber man, while the Sky Sword Pavilion is filled with Sword Cultivators. It’s normal that they didn’t choose him. Besides, I heard that an outer elder of the Sky Sword Pavilion died at his hands."

"The Duanmu Family incident, right? I’ve also heard of it. Setting Luo Feng aside, why didn’t the Sky Sword Pavilion choose Ye Siyi? Ye Siyi is the foremost expert among the younger generation, and he’s also a swordsman."

A spirited young woman with phoenix eyes shook her head and said, "The Sky Sword Pavilion’s swordsmanship is swift and lethal, filled with extreme killing intent. Ye Siyi’s character, however, is as tranquil as water; his swordsmanship lacks that sharp edge. In comparison, Blood Rain Flying Flower Yi Wuxue is undoubtedly more suitable for the Sky Sword Pavilion."

"I see."

Several people nearby nodded, all admiring the young woman’s insight and judgment.

Ye Xiaoshuang, standing next to Ye Siyi, wrinkled her cute little nose and complained, "That old man has no discernment, not even choosing Big Sister!"

Ye Siyi gave a helpless, bitter smile. "Xiao Shuang, don’t be disrespectful. Yi Wuxue is more suited to the Sky Sword Pavilion than I am. Besides, I didn’t plan to join the Sky Sword Pavilion."

At this moment, Yi Wuxue stepped forward from the Chongyue School contingent, bowing to the Sky Sword Pavilion elder. "Disciple Yi Wuxue is willing to enter the Sky Sword Pavilion to cultivate."

"Very well." The Sky Sword Pavilion elder nodded, his five fingers splaying open then clenching slightly.

**HUM!**

The air before him swirled into a vortex, instantly generating a suction force.

**WHIZ!**

The Identity Jade at Yi Wuxue’s waist transformed into a streak of cyan light and flew into the Sky Sword Pavilion elder’s hand.

"Yi Wuxue, from this day forward, you are an Inner Sect Disciple of the Sky Sword Pavilion."

"Thank you, Elder!" Yi Wuxue replied respectfully. His gaze first swept over Ye Siyi, a contemptuous smile touching his lips, then shifted to Luo Feng, the disdain in his eyes deepening.

So what if he’s the foremost young expert of the Six Southern Domains? So what if he ranked first in the second round of assessments? The Sky Sword Pavilion is the head of the Six Great Golden Palaces in the Six Southern Domains. Their choosing me means I am the true number one young talent in the Six Southern Domains!

Luo Feng noticed Yi Wuxue’s provocative gaze, smiled faintly, and paid it no mind.

After Yi Wuxue returned to the Chongyue School’s group, a woman in a jade-green long gown with a voluptuous figure stepped forward on the high platform.

"It’s Elder Lan Qing of the Jade Hall."

Someone recognized the beautiful woman who had emerged.

"The Jade Hall is suitable for both Sword Cultivators and Saber Cultivators. I wonder who she will choose."

"It should be Ye Siyi or Luo Feng, right?"

As soon as the Jade Hall elder appeared, the crowd immediately began to speculate on the next person to be chosen as a Golden Palace Inner Sect Disciple.

"Luo Feng, it’s the elder of the Jade Hall." Bing Ruolan gazed at the high platform, her small face flushed, her excitement palpable.

She knew Luo Feng wished to enter the Jade Hall or Yuangang Hall and hoped he would be chosen by the Jade Hall as an Inner Sect Disciple.

Luo Feng nodded slightly but didn’t reply. He guessed she would likely choose Ye Siyi.

Sure enough, the beautiful woman’s gaze fell directly on Ye Siyi. She spoke, "Ye Siyi, are you willing to enter the Jade Hall to cultivate?"

Ye Siyi stepped forward and nodded. "Disciple is willing."

From the beginning, she had wanted to join the Jade Hall.

Not many were surprised that Ye Siyi was chosen to join the Jade Hall. After all, she was ranked first among the top ten young experts. Being chosen as an Inner Sect Disciple by the second-ranked Jade Hall was a well-deserved honor.

"It’s Yuangang Hall’s turn. Yuangang Hall is most famous for its Saber Techniques. I wonder if they’ll choose Luo Feng or Xie Xuantong," a Saber man from the martial arts world commented.

"Both are Saber men. Luo Feng has comprehended Grand Momentum and ranked first in both assessment rounds; he’s unstoppable. Xie Xuantong’s Saber Techniques are ruthless, and he has rich combat experience. He’s on par with experts like Ye Siyi. It’s hard to say who will be chosen."

The crowd buzzed with discussion, most of them favoring Xie Xuantong.

The Yuangang Hall elder was a robust, middle-aged man with long hair flowing down his back, giving him an incredibly wild appearance. As soon as he appeared, he gave an answer no one expected.

"Shi Zhong, from today onwards, you are a disciple of Yuangang Hall! Do you have any objections?"

**UPROAR!**

His words caused an uproar throughout the assembly. No one had expected Yuangang Hall to choose ’Broken Thought Saber’ Shi Zhong, who was ranked tenth among the young experts.

"Why Shi Zhong?"

"In terms of strength, Shi Zhong is merely ranked at the bottom of the top ten young experts, far inferior to ’Black-faced Killer’ Xie Xuantong. In terms of potential, Luo Feng has comprehended Grand Momentum and ranked first in two consecutive assessments, leaving everyone else in the dust..."

"Hmm, I can’t figure it out either. Why Shi Zhong? I originally thought it would be Luo Feng."

Bing Ruolan clasped her small hands together, her delicate brow furrowed. She knew Luo Feng wanted to enter the Jade Hall and Yuangang Hall, but now, he had been passed over by both Golden Palaces.

"Luo Feng, Purple Extreme Palace isn’t bad either. The Dean was once a disciple of Purple Extreme Palace," Bing Ruolan said, biting her red lip.

"Mm. I know." Luo Feng nodded. As long as his strength was sufficient, he could eventually become an Inner Sect Disciple; it would just take more time.

However, he too was somewhat surprised that Yuangang Hall had chosen Shi Zhong. He had seen Shi Zhong kill Sky Flying Demons in Crack Stone City. Shi Zhong’s Saber Technique was indeed formidable. However, Shi Zhong himself was only a martial artist at the First Level of the Spiritual Rotation Realm, his strength inferior to Xie Xuantong’s. And Luo Feng was confident that his own potential was no less than Shi Zhong’s.

Could it be because...? A thought flashed through Luo Feng’s mind.

In the spectator stands, seeing Luo Feng repeatedly overlooked, Yang Qing’s willow-like eyebrows arched in displeasure. "What kind of judgment do these Golden Palace elders have? Our Feng’er has comprehended Grand Momentum and ranked first in both assessment rounds. How is he inferior to this Shi Zhong?"

Luotian smiled helplessly. "Qing’er, their not choosing Feng’er probably isn’t because he’s inferior to these people."

"Then why is it?" Yang Qing grumbled, still indignant.

Luotian looked towards the high platform. "Feng’er has a life-and-death duel with Yi Tian scheduled in three months. The outcome is uncertain. Moreover, Yi Tian is a disciple of Floating Snow Hall. Choosing Feng’er now would imply they believe he can defeat Yi Tian, which would offend the elders of Floating Snow Hall."

Pursing her red lips, Yang Qing said gravely, "Does that mean no one will choose Feng’er?"

Luotian nodded. "I’m afraid so."

Yang Qing was stunned for a moment, then huffed softly through her nose, saying resentfully, "Once Feng’er defeats Yi Tian, they’ll realize what a mistake their choice was!"

"Thank you, Elder." Shi Zhong, much calmer than anyone expected, stepped out from his group and handed his Identity Jade to the Yuangang Hall elder.

After Yuangang Hall, it was Purple Extreme Palace’s turn. All eyes turned to Luo Feng.

The rumor that the Purple Extreme Palace elder wanted to take Luo Feng as his personal disciple outside Sky Cloud Valley was already widely known. Now seemed like a perfect opportunity to make it happen.

"Senior Brother! Don’t act rashly." 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Two elders from Purple Extreme Palace had come. The taller one frowned as he looked at the Purple Brow Wanderer.

The Purple Brow Wanderer’s gaze fell on Luo Feng. He very much wanted to accept Luo Feng as a disciple. Besides Cang Nanyue’s recommendation, he also greatly admired Luo Feng’s performance in the assessments. However, Luo Feng had a life-and-death duel with Yi Tian scheduled three months later. Choosing Luo Feng now would undoubtedly offend Xue Wuqing. When Luo Feng fought Yi Tian in three months, he would be representing Purple Extreme Palace. If he were defeated, it would be the Golden Palace’s reputation that suffered.

"I know." Sighing, the Purple Brow Wanderer stepped forward and announced, "Liu Changfeng, from this day forward, you are an Inner Sect Disciple of Purple Extreme Palace."

A smug smile touched Liu Changfeng’s lips as he stepped forward. "Yes!"

Seeing this, everyone was greatly surprised; many frowned.

"What’s going on? Wasn’t the Purple Brow Wanderer going to take Luo Feng as his personal disciple? How did he end up choosing ’Heavenly Jade Swordsman’ Liu Changfeng?"

"Strange!"

"Could it be because of Luo Feng’s life-and-death duel with Yi Tian?"

"Yes, that’s probably it. Every Inner Sect Disciple slot is extremely precious. Rather than waste one on someone who might die soon, it’s better to settle for the next best option."

"That makes sense."

"Now only Linglong Hall and Floating Snow Hall are left. Linglong Hall only recruits female disciples, and Yi Tian is a disciple of Floating Snow Hall, so they definitely won’t choose Luo Feng. It looks like Luo Feng is bound to be rejected."

Seeing that even the Purple Brow Wanderer had given up on choosing Luo Feng, the crowd was somewhat stunned, and discussions erupted.

On the high platform, Xue Wuqing looked at Luo Feng with cold eyes, sneering inwardly, You dare challenge a disciple of our Floating Snow Hall and still expect someone to choose you as an Inner Sect Disciple? Dream on!

At this moment, a peerless beauty slowly walked out. The woman’s black hair cascaded like a waterfall, her figure was exquisite, and she wore a water-colored dress, utterly spotless. When she appeared on the high platform, the very air in the plaza seemed to brighten. It was none other than the Linglong Hall elder, Shui Linglong.

With Shui Linglong’s appearance, the entire plaza fell silent for a moment.

A heroic figure from the martial arts world gazed ardently at the peerless beauty on the high platform. "I’ve long heard that the two Hall Masters of Linglong Hall are peerless beauties. Seeing her in person, she’s even more beautiful than the rumors suggest."

Someone nearby nodded and chuckled. "It’s a pity Linglong Hall only recruits female disciples. Otherwise, becoming a Linglong Hall disciple might grant one the advantage of proximity."

The young martial artists nearby all smiled; when they were still academy students, they too had fantasized about entering Linglong Hall.

"Who do you think Shui Linglong will choose?" one person asked.

"Among the top ten young experts, only two are female students: besides ’Fragrance Without Shadow’ Ye Siyi, there’s only ’Heart Locking Double Swords’ Liu Ling. Apart from these two, I also think Qin Yue of Azure Water School, the ’Tide Control Sword’, is a strong candidate."

"Qin Yue’s swordsmanship is indeed formidable. I heard she once cleaved a hundred-meter-wide river in two with a single strike. However, besides those two, I think ’Heavenly Fragrant Woman’ He Qin from Tianlan School of Flowing Cloud Region, and Bing Ruolan from Purple Sun School are also excellent."

"He Qin has comprehended Sword Intent, and that young woman, Bing Ruolan, killed four Sky Flying Demons. Her strength is also remarkable. Both of them definitely have a good chance."

The crowd chattered, each voicing their own opinions, guessing who Shui Linglong would choose.

Amidst the discussions, Shui Linglong’s beautiful eyes scanned the crowd, finally landing on Luo Feng. An alluring smile graced her rosy lips, and her melodious voice echoed through the plaza, "Luo Feng, are you willing to become an Inner Sect Disciple of our Linglong Hall?"