Wang Ruoxie's brow slightly furrowed, then he turned his head to see a proud figure walking in from outside.

This was a handsome young man with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, about twenty-three years old, his hair bound by a jade crown, and his body tall and sturdy.

From the appearance alone, he could be considered a graceful and handsome man.

The young man was also wearing a disciple robe, but the small sword embroidered on his chest was purple and gold like Xiao Ningyue's.

This meant that the young man was also a true disciple.

However, for some reason, Wang Ruoxie seemed to see hatred and murderous intent in the young man's gaze towards him.

In his memory, he had never seen this young man, let alone had any grudge against him.

"Yang Honglie greets the Sect Leader."

The young man walked in front of Chu Li and respectfully bowed.

As the young man's words fell, Wang Ruoxie's heart suddenly relaxed, so it was Yang Honglie, no wonder he held hatred and murderous intent towards him.

Yang Honglie was Yang Hongwu's elder brother, and since he had killed Yang Hongwu, it was natural for the other party to want to kill him in revenge.

Previously, the Martial Arts Hall Elder Fan Wenbo targeted him to curry favor with Yang Honglie.

"No need for formalities."

Chu Li nodded with a faint smile, and said.

"Wang Ruoxie, the Sect Leader taking you as a direct disciple is a blessing cultivated over eight lifetimes, and yet you brazenly refuse, isn't that too presumptuous?"

Turning his gaze, Yang Honglie coldly watched Wang Ruoxie and spoke.

In his heart, he was quite jealous of Wang Ruoxie, wondering what deserved such regard from the Sect Leader.

One must know that once becoming a Sect Leader's direct disciple, the hope to compete for the Sect Leader's position after becoming a true disciple would be far greater than other true disciples.

Although his master was the Supreme Elder of the sect, besides status, the benefits he could gain were far less than those of the Sect Leader's direct disciples.

"No matter what, this guy must not become the Sect Leader's direct disciple."

Yang Honglie's eyes flickered, and he thought to himself.

If Wang Ruoxie became the Sect Leader's direct disciple, it would be infinitely more difficult to kill him for revenge for his younger brother.

He couldn't openly target Wang Ruoxie, let alone blatantly kill him, otherwise, he would incur the Sect Leader's wrath.

"Whether or not to acknowledge the Sect Leader as my master is my own business, what does it have to do with you?"

Wang Ruoxie indifferently looked at Yang Honglie and replied.

"Could it be that you think the Sect Leader isn't qualified to take you as a direct disciple?"

A cold, sarcastic smile flashed in Yang Honglie's eyes, and he spoke again.

Upon hearing this, a streak of cold light flickered in Wang Ruoxie's eyes. This guy was blaming him for refusing to acknowledge the Sect Leader as his master while framing him for the offense of humiliating the Sect Leader.

In this way, even if he changed his mind, the Sect Leader probably wouldn't accept him as a direct disciple and might even punish him severely.

"Alright, Yang Honglie, Wang Ruoxie naturally has no such intention, since he doesn't want to acknowledge a master, there's no need to force it."

At this point, Chu Li spoke.

His tone was extremely calm, his face still carrying a faint smile, as if he had not become angry with Wang Ruoxie due to Yang Honglie's words.

In fact, let alone that Wang Ruoxie had no such thought, even if he did, Chu Li would not punish Wang Ruoxie over such a trivial matter.

Because Wang Ruoxie, besides being a well-qualified inner sect disciple, is also a Third Grade Alchemist.

Hearing Chu Li's words, Yang Honglie's eyes froze slightly. He originally thought his words would at least cause Chu Li to dislike Wang Ruoxie greatly, possibly even punish him heavily.

He never expected such a result.

However, it was clear that Wang Ruoxie could no longer be the Sect Leader's direct disciple, which was the best result for him.

"Wang Ruoxie, since you are so determined, I won't force you."

Chu Li's gaze looked at Wang Ruoxie and said, "However, besides wanting you as a direct disciple, there is another piece of news I want to inform you."

"Yang Honglie, since you are here, I'll tell both of you together."

"Three months later, the Hidden Dragon Assembly will be held in the Royal City, and the new ranking for the Hidden Dragon List will be determined then."

After speaking, Chu Li looked at Yang Honglie and said, "Yang Honglie, with your current cultivation power, entering the top ten should be no problem, however, your goal should be set at the top five, or even compete for the first position."

"Rest assured, Sect Leader, I will dedicate myself fully to this Hidden Dragon Assembly, and I am extremely confident that I will seize the first place."

Yang Honglie said proudly.

Currently, his cultivation had already broken through to the Eighth Layer of the Element Transformation Realm, his strength now matching that of an average practitioner of the Ninth Layer of the Element Transformation Realm, making him the undisputed choice for first place in the Hidden Dragon Assembly.

"Good, if you can win first place at the Hidden Dragon Assembly, I will reward you with an additional opportunity to enter the Dragon Transformation Pool."

Upon hearing this, Chu Li smiled lightly and said.

Then, he turned to Wang Ruoxie and said, "Wang Ruoxie, although your cultivation is relatively low, I believe your talent and strength can at least place you in the top twenty."

"I will also give you a promise: if you can enter the top ten, I will likewise reward you with an additional entry into the Dragon Transformation Pool."

Chu Li's words made Yang Honglie and Wang Ruoxie's eyes light up.

The Dragon Transformation Pool is the most significant Cultivation Secret Realm in the Celestial Sword Sect.

Although the Dragon Transformation Pool cannot truly transform a person into a dragon, entering it for cultivation can radically change one's physique.

While cultivating in the Dragon Transformation Pool, one can directly enhance their realm, temper the body, and nurture qi and blood, making future cultivation easier.

However, not all disciples of the Celestial Sword Sect have the chance to enter the Dragon Transformation Pool for cultivation.

Outer sect and inner sect disciples are not qualified to enter the Dragon Transformation Pool unless they exchange a million sect points for entry.

And core disciples also only have one opportunity per year to enter the Dragon Transformation Pool.

Even true disciples can only enter the Dragon Transformation Pool once every six months.

Yang Hongwu was able to break through to the Eighth Layer of the Element Transformation Realm at the age of twenty-three because he had trained in the Dragon Transformation Pool twice before.

Wang Ruoxie naturally learned about the Dragon Transformation Pool from the newcomer handbook but, having just been promoted to an inner sect disciple, was not qualified to enter the Dragon Transformation Pool for cultivation.

Of course, if he were willing to use the one million sect points he had just acquired, he could exchange for one entrance into the Dragon Transformation Pool.

Initially, he had planned to do so, but now, it was unnecessary.

As long as he placed in the top ten of the Hidden Dragon Assembly, Chu Li would reward him with an opportunity to cultivate in the Dragon Transformation Pool.

"Sect Leader, if my ranking could be higher, what additional rewards might there be?"

Wang Ruoxie glanced at Chu Li with a slight smile and asked.

There are still three months until the Hidden Dragon Assembly, and he is confident that he can at least raise his cultivation to the Seventh Layer of the Element Transformation Realm, reaching the late stage of the realm.

By then, he would be able to achieve an even higher rank; even winning first place was not impossible.

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