The Unparalleled Sword Emperor Chapter 2664 - 2639: Tang Long Dharma Protector

Following Uncle Fatty’s completion of Lin Bai’s necessary paperwork, the trio, including Ban Ye, made their way towards the grand assembly hall.

En route, Uncle Fatty explained, "The guest official assessment conducted by the Tang Family is remarkably straightforward. Upon reaching the rear courtyard, members of the Tang Family skilled in combat will engage you. Should they deem your prowess sufficient, you will be granted the status of a guest official."

Lin Bai considered this rule to be quite clear and unambiguous.

Reaching the courtyard, Lin Bai observed a Martial Arts Arena of modest size. Numerous cultivators were already present, observing as two individuals engaged in a spar within the arena’s confines.

As Uncle Fatty and Ban Ye entered, a middle-aged man clad in purple robes, positioned at the arena's edge, addressed them with evident arrogance. "Fatty, why are you neglecting your duties at the Guest Quarters? What brings you here?"

Fatty performed a cupped fist salute and replied, "Deacon Tang De, this is Lin Bai, who has been recommended by Guest Official Ban Ye. I have finalized his registration and brought him here for the guest official evaluation."

"Lin Bai, this gentleman is the steward overseeing the Guest Quarters, Deacon Tang De, and he is in charge of this assessment."

Lin Bai promptly returned the cupped fist gesture with a smile, "I am Lin Bai, and I pay my respects to Deacon Tang De!"

Lin Bai took note that Deacon Tang De had reached the Great Perfection stage of the Death Reversal Realm, indicating considerable strength.

Upon scrutinizing Lin Bai, Tang De’s brow furrowed slightly. "He is so young; does he possess the necessary strength?"

Uncle Fatty let out an awkward chuckle; this concern had also crossed his mind.

Nevertheless, Ban Ye had vouched for Lin Bai’s capabilities with strong conviction.

Overhearing the exchange between Tang De and Fatty, the other cultivators awaiting assessment turned their gazes toward Lin Bai, murmuring amongst themselves. "So young, here for the guest official position? Does he even have the strength?"

"Likely just another hopeful looking for a shortcut; we see plenty of those among the Eight Great Clans!"

"Just wait and see; he'll be defeated within the first round of the assessment!"

"At his age, what kind of skills could he possibly possess?"

These individuals, all vying for the same position, joined in the chorus of skepticism.

Tang De addressed Lin Bai with a neutral expression, exhaling slowly. "Given Ban Ye's recommendation, we will permit you to attempt the assessment, but heed my warning!"

"Should you prove to be lacking in genuine ability and merely here to waste time, the Tang Family will not be lenient!"

Lin Bai offered a cupped fist salute and a smile, responding, "Understood."

Tang De gave a nod. "Wait by the side. Once the current participants conclude, it will be your turn!"

Lin Bai surveyed the area and observed nine other individuals waiting near the arena’s edge. With a slight smile, he joined them, taking a position behind the existing group.

Assessing the strength of these nine, Lin Bai noted that the majority were cultivators at the seventh or eighth layer of the Death Reversal Realm, a respectable level given the scarcity of resources in the Northern Continent.

Meanwhile, the two combatants currently locked in a fierce duel within the arena had reached a conclusion.

One participant, attired in a robe fashioned from animal hides, dejectedly wiped the blood from his lips. "I have lost!"

His opponent, a middle-aged man with a bare, muscular torso resembling coiled dragons, let out a chuckle. "Though you were defeated, your combat ability is noteworthy."

"If you are amenable, you may remain with the Tang Family as a standard guest official, receiving ample spirit liquid and cultivation resources each month. What say you?"

The warrior in beast-skin robes responded, "I accept."

"Excellent," replied his opponent. "Brother Tang De, please direct him to handle the guest official registration procedures."

"Next candidate, please step forward!"

The man announced.

As the beast-skin clad warrior exited the arena, another cultivator from the waiting line promptly entered the center. The two exchanged salutes with cupped fists before commencing a vigorous battle!

Lin Bai stood at the perimeter of the arena, observing the intense combat between the two warriors, his expression calm and betraying no sign of apprehension.

In stark contrast, the other individuals gathered at the arena’s edge watched the ongoing match with serious countenances, as if one of the combatants possessed an overwhelming aura of power.

At this juncture, Ban Ye approached Lin Bai’s side and casually remarked, "The individual overseeing this guest official assessment is a dharma protector within the Tang Family, known as Tang Long!"

"His cultivation has reached the Great Perfection of the Death Reversal Realm! He is not to be underestimated!"

"Do you feel confident?"

"He is unlike the demon beasts, possessing only raw strength without intellect; he has defended Black Water City for many years, accumulating extensive combat experience!"

"It is even rumored in Black Water City that he once managed to evade the grasp of a powerhouse in the Wending Realm!"

Ban Ye inquired with curiosity.

Lin Bai, in turn, asked with his own intrigue, "Does he also wield the 'Black Water Divine Thunder Skill'?"

Ban Ye shook his head, replying, "No! Brother Lin Bai, you may not realize it, but although the 'Black Water Divine Thunder Skill' is the foundation of Black Water City, its cultivation process is exceedingly slow, and its power is not particularly formidable!"

"Consequently, very few warriors bother to cultivate the Black Water Divine Thunder Skill!"

Lin Bai expressed his surprise, "The power of the Black Water Divine Thunder Skill is weak? But that day, when I witnessed the black lightning you wielded, it obliterated more than a dozen Earth Snakes in an instant. Wasn't that powerful?"

Ban Ye offered a bitter smile, "Brother Lin Bai, do you have any idea how many years I dedicated to cultivating that 'Thunder Shock Skill'?"

Lin Bai remained silent, shaking his head.

Ban Ye, with a deep, sorrowful smile, stated, "I spent a decade, a full ten years, just to achieve this level. How many warriors would willingly dedicate their time to mastering a single martial technique?"

"Therefore, the majority choose cultivation skills that offer rapid progress and great power!"

A sudden understanding dawned on Lin Bai, and he nodded in agreement.

Following several more rounds of combat, out of the nine individuals who had appeared before Lin Bai, three successfully passed the assessment, while the remaining six were all disqualified!

Finally, it was Lin Bai's turn to step forward.

"Next, step up!"

At this command, Tang Long, the protector of the Tang Family, shouted out.

"I'm next, Uncle Ban Ye," Lin Bai replied with a smile.

Ban Ye cautioned him, "Be careful. If it becomes too overwhelming, do not push yourself too hard."

Lin Bai gave a slight nod, gripping his Blackwood scabbard, and made his way into the Martial Arts Arena.

Tang Long stood within the arena's confines, observing Lin Bai as he approached step by step. He saw a young man in his mid-twenties, clad in white, who appeared exceptionally young, with a faint smile gracing his lips.

Upon recognizing Lin Bai's face, Tang Long's brow furrowed. He mused inwardly, 'How can such a young warrior be here to undertake the assessment for a guest official? Does he truly possess the requisite strength?'

However, when Tang Long's gaze fell upon the Blackwood scabbard Lin Bai carried, his eyes visibly narrowed. He sensed that concealed within the scabbard was a sword of utmost sharpness, one that sent a shiver down his spine and exuded a terrifying killing intent!

This killing intent was incredibly subtle.

Yet, it was precisely this faintness that compelled Tang Long to re-evaluate Lin Bai.

For a warrior to project an aura of killing intent was relatively simple; however, to suppress it to a level almost imperceptible was immensely difficult!

A warrior capable of effortlessly restraining their killing intent must surely be a formidable individual.

And Lin Bai fit this description precisely; he had already reined in his killing intent to an almost nonexistent degree!

"Returning to simplicity? Such a young age, and I hadn't anticipated such a profound mastery of swordsmanship!" Tang Long watched Lin Bai draw nearer, his eyes slightly squinted, a sense of surprise stirring within him.