Translator: yikaii Editor: yikaii

As the helm leader with the highest cultivation in the entire helm and someone who had undergone systematic training at headquarters, learning the true essence of the demonic path, what scene had he not witnessed?

Yet, this was a scene he had never encountered before.

He could understand if the stewards were considerate of his hardships and made preparations in advance; he might even feel relieved.

But whats the deal with you three? Where did you spring out from?

The helm leader figured out the issue, his gaze chilling enough to kill. These three were impersonating examiners, weeding out competitors in advance.

What a clever tactic! the helm leader said through gritted teeth.

The three continued to impersonate examiners, with Lu Yang propping his legs up on the table: You think you can pass the assessment without bribing us? Next?

The next person respectfully presented spirit stones as a tribute to the three examiners. Meng Jingzhou found it insufficient and asked, Do you have any experience in joining the demonic sect?

No.

Oh, sorry, we dont take people without experience. Go back.

It felt to him as though the examiners might as well have written Were not recruiting on their faces.

The helm leader appeared behind the three like a ghost, his breath frosty with the unmistakable aura of a Golden Core stage cultivator, slapping them against the wall: You three have some nerve, impersonating examiners here!

If he had arrived any later, everyone would have run off!

Lu Yang peeled himself off the wall and quickly said, Your Honor, its a misunderstanding, we truly have the demonic sects best interests at heart!

The helm leader was so angered he laughed, asking, Oh really? Then tell me, how exactly are you considering the demonic sects best interests?

Consider this, Your Honor. As cultivators of the demonic path, we should be suspicious and questioning, not easily trusting others. Yet, look at these people. The moment we sat here, they believed we were the examiners without a single doubt.

Being so easily fooled, wouldnt they be easily deceived by others? If the righteous path had some clever individuals, they could deceive them one by one.

Moreover, only righteous path cultivators would believe whatever theyre told. I even suspect there are righteous path spies among these people. Your Honor, you must thoroughly investigate their identities to prevent righteous path cultivators from infiltrating!

As he said this, Lu Yang looked suspiciously at the people taking the test, as if convinced there were spies among them.

Lu Yangs earnestness seemed entirely for the sake of the helm leader.

The helm leaders expression softened slightly.

Meng Jingzhou was even more sincere than Lu Yang, his words clearly heartfelt: Moreover, as selfish and self-interested cultivators of the demonic path, we naturally had to find ways to reduce our competition with so many people attending the test!

If theyre fooled and outmaneuvered, who can they blame? Only their lack of experience in deceiving others!

The helm leaders frown relaxed, sensing the honesty in their words.

Indeed, cultivators of the demonic path are lawless and extreme. When he joined the demonic sect, he also used every trick in the book to gain the favor of the higher-ups, securing his position today.

These three had even outdone his past self, exceeding the teacher.

Barbarian Bones statement was the most straightforward: We genuinely want to join the demonic sect and promise not to do a single good deed!

The helm leader nodded slightly, thinking perhaps these three could also gain the favor of the higher-ups, elevating the reputation of the Yanjiang Rudder.

The crowd glared at Lu Yang and his companions. They were known troublemakers, scoundrels, and liars in the world of cultivation, but none as shameless as these three, who deceived so blatantly!

Had the helm leader not been there, they would have wanted to rush up and tear these three to pieces!

The helm leader didnt care about the thoughts of those below him; a bunch of mediocrities couldnt compare to the value of these three.

What are your cultivation levels?

Lu Yang respectfully answered, All of us are in the early stages of Foundation Establishment. The three of us brothers came from afar to Yanjiang County a month ago. Hearing by chance that the demonic sect was recruiting, we decided to give it a try. Seeing too many competitors, we came up with this strategy.

Well done. The more the helm leader looked at them, the more satisfied he became. They were promising talents, all contributing to his own achievements.

With a casual wave of his hand earlier, any ordinary cultivator in the early stages of Foundation Establishment would have been injured, yet these three were unharmed, indicating their exceptional strength even among their peers.

If these three performed well in the tests, promoting them to stewards was not out of the question.

Those eliminated by Lu Yang gradually returned, called back by the helm leader.

These eliminated individuals harbored even more resentment towards Lu Yang. Lu Yang thought that killing them now would probably turn them directly into vengeful spirits.

The helm leader opened the stone wall again, telling everyone, Come on in.

Behind the stone wall was a vast and dim space, with giant stones suspended and connected by chains, a rather magnificent sight.

Lu Yang guessed correctly; the Yanjiang Rudder was located in a cave heaven.

The helm leaders attitude towards the three was clearly different from the others: Your thinking was good, trying to eliminate competitors, and what you did was noteworthy. But you were wrong from the start. Eliminating these people, or even if only you three participated in the test, doesnt guarantee youll pass.

What do you mean? The three of them were puzzled.

The helm leader, smiling under his mask, stepped on a floating stone and led everyone to the largest one.

This was a platform, with complicated and exquisite patterns etched on the ground and four ancient stone pillars standing in the four cardinal directions. Eleven stewards in black robes each took their positions at the edge of the platform.

Spread out and sit down, relax your minds.

After everyone did as instructed, the helm leader moved to the center of the platform, where a green stone suspended in mid-air was engraved with dense mysterious symbols.

The helm leader channeled spiritual energy into the stone, activating the array beneath his feet, which began to rotate, expand, and multiply, quickly covering the entire platform.

The platform, like an ancient beast awakening, used the mysterious power from the ancient times to transport everyone to an unknown space.

In the white space, figures stood shadowy and confused, not understanding what had happened.

Seeing the white space, Lu Yang always wondered if a Tofu Celestial Master might suddenly emerge from the crowd.

Lu Yang realized Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone were not beside him, surrounded instead by strangers.

Brother, where are you from? Lu Yang asked quite familiarly, but the man wasnt very receptive to his warmth.

Feeling it rude not to respond, the man said, From Huangyue City.

Lu Yang asked several people and found they came from different demonic sect strongholds, all transported here through a giant formation.

Lu Yang roughly understood the helm leaders intention. This selection wasnt conducted by each stronghold independently but was organized by the headquarters, with all demonic path rogue cultivators participating simultaneously.

This feels like astral projection, but different, Lu Yang muttered to himself, feeling that what was transported was not their physical bodies but something like their consciousness.

How interesting. I wonder if the eldest senior sister could Lu Yang stopped his thoughts. If they were in a state of consciousness, perhaps the Dao Seeking had ways to detect what he was thinking.

Better to be cautious.

Suddenly, the entire space dimmed, and a figure emitting a white glow appeared in the air.

The figure spoke indifferently, I am the vice leader of the Everlasting Sect. I have set up three challenges for you all. Those who pass all three may join our sect.

(End of the chapter)