The legendary warrior

"No, no, don't misunderstand. Those who don't pass the Demon Eliminating Pool's test are still disciples of the Misty South Palace. But unfortunately, they lose any chance of becoming core disciples," Neil hurriedly clarified.

"Oh, and one more thing, the consequences of failing the Demon Eliminating Pool's assessment is more severe for the core disciples since they will be demoted to ordinary disciples. I guess you can consider the Demon Eliminating Pool the more accurate test for whether you are qualified to be a real core disciple or not," he added.

"Okay, I think I understand now. I have one more question, though. How does an ordinary disciple become a core disciple after passing the Demon Eliminating Pool's test?" Mordechai asked out of curiosity.

"Well, there are two ways to become a core disciple. First is the competition specifically designed for selecting core disciples. The only other way is to make it to the top three thousand on the Ranking List," answered Neil. "As for those who get selected as special core disciples, they must make it to the top three thousand within ten years or they will be demoted to ordinary disciples."

"Can you tell us more about the Demon Eliminating Pool? What exactly is the test all about?" Ricky chimed in, seeking more information on the test so that he could prepare himself.

"Some say that the very first founder of our sect acquired the water in the Demon Eliminating Pool from the chaos. Through three distinct tests for each aspect, it can assess any creature's character and strength," revealed Neil.

"Six tests in total will be administered, but the candidates do not need to pass them all. In other words, they only need to pass one or more tests from each aspect, and once they do, the Demon Eliminating Pool will baptize their identity cards. For example, if you pass all three tests on character but fail to pass any of the tests on strength, your name won't be written in the Ranking List. You will just be an ordinary disciple,"

he further explained.

"That sounds interesting," Mordechai remarked, his eyes gleaming with intrigue.

"Let me tell you now that the tests concerning the strength are much easier to pass compared to the tests concerning the character. Many talented disciples easily pass because of their strength, but they still fail because of their poor performance on tests of character," Neil added.

"When will the Demon Eliminating Pool's test begin?" Ricky cut in this time.

"Anytime! But before you head for the Demon Eliminating Pool, you need to choose a place to stay in the First Palace's territory and cultivate there for a few days.

After all, you need to be in your best mindset if you want to pass the Demon Eliminating Pool's test," reminded Neil sincerely.

After that conversation, Ricky and his companions proceeded to the First Palace to choose where they would stay. Since Neil had met them ahead of time, they become the First Palace's disciples.

Chief had asked Neil to pick them up just in case other palaces tried to

stop the competition among them. It was accepted and even somewhat encouraged because the healthy competition among the palaces encouraged their disciples to

had their designated area where they lived, and their amenities were much loftier. Ricky could have gone there and enjoyed himself, but he opted to stay with Mordechai and his

to pay attention to, Neil

and then made their way to the Demon

to remain behind. There were a lot of warriors that didn't belong to the Misty South Palace there. Some of them, like Amelia, had followed the Misty South Palace's disciples to the Misty South Palace, while some had come especially to cultivate in the Misty South Palace's special places, which were

Pool stood stark

medium-sized lake with beautiful cyan water. Although it wasn't

could feel one thing about the Demon Eliminating Pool—its purity. Besides that, he couldn't sense anything else, not even a trace of its power.

arrived, they noticed that many of the disciples already had their eyes closed.

those that had just become Misty South Palace's disciples.

most people present. He was, after all, as famous as other talented misters, even though he wasn't the best

on Paul's inheritance, but they couldn't do anything in the Misty South Palace, so they had no choice but to keep their

test is about strength," Mordechai remarked before jumping into the Demon Eliminating

Amelia in on their test through telepathy,

cultivating in seclusion. The water in the pool quickly flowed into his body. It flowed through every vein, and swirled in every cell,

his

that he was at the first grade of Skin Refinement

was happening though, knowing that it must be

front of him. It looked like a creature made of clear water, and

this the first test of strength?" Ricky murmured

moved quickly and launched a

a single punch, he shattered his opponent into tiny droplets. The water

Ricky found that it was