I Have A Trillion Protagonist Halos - Chapter 172: Blood Pupil · Soulquake

“Speaking of which, the quality of our inner disciples has been declining year after year. In my opinion, our sect shouldn’t be open for external recruitment of disciples. Inner disciples should be promoted from the outer sect. Only this way can we ensure the quality of disciples on Beast-Taming Mountain!”

“Indeed, directly recruiting young martial artists in the Martial Master realm from outside to join the inner sect might rapidly increase the number of our inner disciples, but it would lower the overall quality. Just like that guy earlier, he even said he wanted to meet the Patriarch!”

“The Patriarch is a Saint realm expert and has never met anyone below the Fish-Dragon Realm unless they possess truly extraordinary talent. Even then, the chance is slim.”

“Do you think that guy looks like someone with extraordinary talent?”

“Definitely not!”

“I don’t think so either. Probably just some so-called ‘genius’ from a small place who thinks too highly of himself, haha!”

The two guards chatted and laughed.

Meanwhile, Su Zhan had already blended in with the group of young martial artists. Many people cast a glance at him.

Apart from a few girls being attracted by Su Zhan’s otherworldly aura and stealing a few more glances, nothing else happened. Of course, this was because Su Zhan hadn’t activated his charm halo.

The protagonist’s halo effect naturally strengthened as his cultivation level improved. If Su Zhan were to activate his charm halo now, those girls in the Martial Master realm might find it difficult to even walk properly.

Speaking of which…

Could the charm halo be used as a form of crowd control in the future? If he were surrounded by a large number of female cultivators intent on killing him, he could simply activate the charm halo, instantly diffusing the crisis, right?

However, if that were to happen…

Thinking of the possible scenario, Su Zhan shook his head repeatedly. That would definitely be scarier than them directly attacking him!

Not long after, he followed the group of young martial artists to a small square on Little Cloud Mountain.

As they stepped onto the square from the stone steps, a young man dressed in inner disciple attire approached and said, “You must be here for the assessment, right?”

With that, he produced a pale blue sphere in his hand and continued, “This is a tool that tests whether your cultivation is qualified and sufficient for the assessment. All you need to do is place your hand on it. If you have reached the Martial Master realm, nothing will happen. If you haven’t, it will activate and emit a red light.”

“Alright, you can come over now.”

As soon as the words fell, a martial artist walked forward. Placing their hand on the sphere for a second, they then walked past the young man.

One after another, the martial artists followed suit.

The warriors who could come here would certainly not be foolish enough to attempt the inner disciple assessment without sufficient cultivation. The procedure on Beast-Taming Mountain was just a precautionary measure.

Inner disciple assessment? Were these people here for the assessment?

Hearing the young man’s words, Su Zhan furrowed his brows slightly, but he didn’t say much. His previous visit to Sole Sword Sect had taught him that it was pointless to ask these low-level disciples. They knew nothing.

To meet the Patriarch of Beast-Taming Mountain, he would have to start with that Fish-Dragon Realm elder. After all, the last time he met the Sect Master of Sole Sword Sect, it was also thanks to a Fish-Dragon Realm elder in golden robes who guided him.

With such thoughts in mind, Su Zhan, like the others, passed the test. Subsequently, he followed the group to the center of the square.

In the center of the square stood a stone stele covered in inscriptions.

“This is the Basic Beast Taming Technique. Those of you who have no foundation can take a look. Even though you probably won’t understand much, it’s better to look than not. When the elders assess you later, it might come in handy.” The young man put away the blue sphere and pointed to the stone stele.

Upon hearing this, the disciples all turned their gaze towards the stele. Su Zhan also curiously glanced at it.

【 Ding! Achievement ‘First Time Learning Beast Taming Technique’ completed. Unlocked new halo: [Protagonist Beast Taming Halo]! 】

【 [Protagonist Beast Taming Halo]: As the protagonist, riding true dragons and phoenixes and having heart-to-heart chats with nine-tailed celestial foxes is just too normal, right? After activating this halo, the success rate of beast taming increases, imposing a stronger presence on demon beasts, enhancing affinity, and greatly amplifying the halo’s effect when facing divine beast bloodlines! 】

Hearing the prompt sound in his mind from the system, Su Zhan was momentarily stunned and felt somewhat speechless. Did this halo start a bit too hastily? The Alchemy Halo at least required observation of how someone practiced alchemy! Just a glance at the stele and it activated?

Moreover, why was this Beast Taming Technique so terrible? And it needed to be learned?

Under the effect of the Beast Taming Halo, Su Zhan spent about two seconds digesting all the contents of the stele. When he looked at it again, he found these basic Beast Taming Techniques incredibly simple.

Right at that moment, a streak of light descended from the sky near the stele.

It was an old man with a hooked nose. As soon as he steadied himself, a young warrior approached respectfully and said, “You must be Elder Ye in charge of the assessment, right? I am Lin Hao from the Lin Clan in Sifang County. I greet Elder Ye!”

“Lin Hao?”

The old man’s expression softened slightly. “So, you’re the renowned genius from Sifang County. Not bad, not bad. I heard you’re only fifteen years old and have already reached the peak of the Martial Master Realm. Such talent, I’m afraid no one among the participants in this assessment can compare!”

Pleased with Elder Ye’s praise, Lin Hao’s heart was elated, though his face maintained a modest smile. “Elder Ye is too kind. I am merely—”

“This Elder, I have urgent matters to discuss with your Patriarch. I would appreciate it if you could take me to see your Patriarch.” Su Zhan couldn’t be bothered to listen to these people blabber on. He walked over and spoke directly.

“You want to see the Patriarch?”

Elder Ye’s gaze landed on Su Zhan, and he paused for a moment before his expression turned cold. “Which clan are you from? How come you lack manners? Get lost!”

At this point, Lin Hao also directed his gaze towards Su Zhan and scolded, “Didn’t you hear what Elder Ye said? Why don’t you—”

“You’d better not say too much.” Midway through Lin Hao’s sentence, Su Zhan suddenly looked at him.

A trace of killing intent flickered in his eyes, and Lin Hao felt a chill run down his spine. He involuntarily shut his mouth, refraining from continuing.

Damn it!

He’s here for the assessment just like me! Why should I be afraid of him!

Lin Hao felt anger welling up within him, but as he recalled the killing intent in Su Zhan’s eyes, he forcibly held back his emotions. Watching from the side, he was curious to see how this arrogant individual would be dealt with by Elder Ye.

At this point, Elder Ye’s displeasure had grown upon seeing that Su Zhan hadn’t retreated. Furthermore, when he witnessed Su Zhan blatantly threatening Lin Hao right in front of him, completely ignoring him, he became greatly infuriated.

“I’ll give you one last chance. Kneel down now, admit your mistake, and I’ll allow you to leave Little Cloud Moutain alive!”

Huh?

Kneel down and apologize? Are they going to kill me?

Even if they don’t want to take me over, it shouldn’t come to this, right?

Su Zhan frowned in displeasure and retorted, “I merely wish to see your Patriarch. If you’re not willing to take me, at least have the courtesy to inform him that Su Zhan wants to see him. Is that too much to ask?”

“Su Zhan? What kind of worthless creature is Su Zhan? I’ve never even heard of him!”

A murderous intent emanated from Elder Ye as he sneered, “Fine, fine! Since you’re seeking death, I’ll use you as an example today to show everyone the consequences of arrogance in our Beast Taming Mountain!”

With that, his eyes suddenly turned a pale blue.

He locked his gaze onto Su Zhan’s eyes, projecting an icy intent that surged into Su Zhan’s mental consciousness.

“Why isn’t Elder Ye doing anything?”

“Yeah! Why isn’t he attacking? Wasn’t he going to use this as a warning?”

“Humph! What do you all know!”

Hearing the discussions among the young warriors behind him, Lin Hao coldly snorted and spoke with a trace of arrogance, “This is a visual technique unique to Little Cloud Moutain, called the Frozen World Gaze! Don’t be deceived by how unremarkable this kid looks right now. In reality, his consciousness is already trapped within an extreme icy cold!”

“In just a matter of seconds, his mental awareness will be completely shattered by this frigid intent. By then, he might still be alive, but he’ll be nothing more than a walking corpse, a fate worse than death!”

How terrifying!

The others’ expressions all changed.

At this moment, Su Zhan couldn’t help but want to laugh.

Facing Elder Ye’s visual technique, he couldn’t even be bothered to activate his Mental Strength Halo.

Abilities like visual techniques and mental attacks of spiritual techniques were based on having a strong advantage in mental strength.

Currently, Elder Ye’s mental strength was far from sufficient. He dared to use a mental attack against Su Zhan, but it wouldn’t be effective. Even a small counterattack from Su Zhan would backlash against Elder Ye, causing him headaches for days.

However, Su Zhan had no intention of launching even a small counterattack. In the next moment, his pupils abruptly turned a vivid red, reflecting in Elder Ye’s pale blue eyes.

Suddenly, Elder Ye’s initially smug expression transformed into one of shock. Then, an uncontrollable look of horror took over his face!

Blood Pupil · Soulquake!