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--- Chapter 276 ---
"Senior, are you alright?" Han Yuan crouched, poking the crying middle-aged Old Dragon with his finger. "Don't be so sad, I was just playing around, okay?"
Hearing Han Yuan's words, the Old Dragon cried even more because didn't that mean this guy was never serious?
It takes a few minutes for Han Yuan to console Old Dragon.
Old Dragon rubbed his chest in pain and stared at Han Yuan with a pale yet complex look, "You..."
"You passed."
"Thank you for it," Han Yuan replied humbly.
Old Dragon's mouth twitched, "Sigh, your genius is indeed the most terrifying thing I have seen."
"But this is good, at least the legacy of Misty Mountain Sage wouldn't be collecting dust in your hand."
"From now on, you're the master of Misty Mountain Range."
"Old Dragon, Huo Long, greets Master Han Yuan!" He bowed to Han Yuan ceremoniously.
Han Yuan didn't expect this Old Dragon to change his mind quickly. Then again, he had abused, cough, I mean, showcase how talented he was to him.
If you think about it, it is understandable how quickly Old Dragon submits to Han Yuan. Following such a talented and high-potential master is never a loss.
Old Dragon suddenly remembered something, 'Crap, if Old Ape and Lady Moth went too hard on Master's companions' trial, wouldn't we be in trouble?'
'Uh, I should fix this.'
"Master, would you like to visit the previous master's abode or see your companion first? I reckon my fellow testers are also giving them trials to join Misty Mountain Lineage." Old Dragon eloquently said.
Han Yuan rubbed his chin, "Let's see how others are doing first."
"Okay," Old Dragon sighed in relief. "I will teleport us to the other trial chambers."
"Please don't resist, Master." Old Dragon used his authority as one of the trial masters, teleporting Han Yuan and himself to other trial grounds.
Old Dragon first teleported them to the trial ground for the Misty Guardian Pavilion, which was a mountain arena above the clouds. Hai Bodong, Ling Ying, and Queen Medusa are facing an expert projection made from the guardian barrier in this place.
"Hmm, this projection..." Han Yuan was interested in this.
Old Dragon explained immediately, "Old Ape was in charge of Shadow Guarding Defensive Barrier, one of the barriers created by the previous master to protect the Misty Mountain Range."
"However, besides protecting the mountain range, it also has a function to record past 'enemies' that Misty Mountain Sage defeated and used their shadows to counterattack the possibility of breach."
Han Yuan was impressed, "Huh, do these shadows include the enemy's memory, strength, and technique?"
"Unfortunately, not," Old Dragon shook his head. "As far as I know, the Shadow Guarding Defensive Barrier only records the enemy's strength and technique; recording 'memory' is naturally impossible unless one could imprint another's spirit and soul."
"Imprint spirit and soul, that might not be too hard..." Han Yuan said with a smile. He observed Queen Medusa's enemy, a swordsman with powerful sword techniques and a cultivation level of 2-Star Dou Ancestor.
Unfortunately, this level of enemy isn't hard for Queen Medusa.
He glanced at Hai Bodong and Ling Ying and saw they were in the same situation, too. They are struggling, but can definitely pass.
What Han Yuan didn't know was that Old Dragon panicked and told Old Ape in secret to make the trials easier for Queen Medusa, Hai Bodong, and Ling Ying, as their initial test was to fight 6-Star Dou Ancestors.
In fact, Old Ape was already breaking into cold sweats when he heard Old Dragon's panicked voice and brief explanation about Han Yuan's heaven-defying feat.
'I owe you one, Old Dragon.' Old Ape wiped sweat off his forehead. While he planned to give these lucky humans impossible-pass trials, his Misty Guardian Pavilion will still accept them. After all, defeating the enemy is one thing, but the spirit of a guardian is most important.
"Let's go to the next trial." Han Yuan said calmly.
"Yes, master." Old Dragon followed his wish, teleporting them to the Misty Sword Pavilion's trial ground.
Yet, once arrived at the Misty Sword Pavilion's trial ground, Han Yuan couldn't help but frown.
Seeing Han Yuan like this, Old Dragon immediately paled.
The Misty Sword Pavilion's trial ground is different from the previous two trial grounds because it didn't test fighting ability or barrier-making skill, but one's comprehension!
Xiao Yixian, Gu Xun'er, Yafei, and Qing Lin seated before a stele. A tall ancient monument made entirely of gold and inscribed with a secret technique that one must sense, feel, and comprehend.
Han Yuan could also comprehend the secret technique, but he felt it was lacking in some way. Maybe because he got the Misty Mountain Sword Art from the system, which was the most original version that the Misty Sword Pavilion lacks.
His version of Misty Mountain Sword Art is not only the original, but also records the intention left behind by the Misty Mountain Sage. That's why he frowned upon arriving here.
Of course, Old Dragon didn't know that and warned Lady Moth to make the trials for the girls not so stressful.
'What the hell? These girls are so lucky to have someone like Han Yuan as their backer.' Lady Moth's mouth twitched in disbelief.
'What do you mean you get bullied by a teenage boy, Old Dragon? This kind of joke wasn't funny!'
'I am not joking! This boy has mastered barrier-making art to the highest degree, and even our previous master wasn't as abnormal as he is.' The Old Dragon roared in helplessness.
'Our previous master was a genius among geniuses, but the new master is a monster among geniuses!'
Lady Moth was stunned by Old Dragon's words. 'Is that boy really that monstrous?'
Who would have thought the first human group to reach the Misty Mountain Range would be so monstrous?
Old Dragon recalled the beating he got and shuddered, 'Even with my full power, I can't break away from the barrier he made.'
'Shit, this is more serious than I thought.' Lady Moth clicked her tongue in amazement. Unlike herself and Old Ape, Old Dragon held control over the Misty Mountain Sage's true inheritance, which means his cultivation and strength are naturally stronger than theirs.
Yet, the same Old Dragon couldn't defeat a teenage boy? From his looks, that young man wasn't even in his twenties yet.
Suddenly, a bright golden light burst from the secret art stele.
"This is..." Lady Moth's eyes widened. Four lights flew out, hitting Xiao Yixian, Gu Xun'er, Yafei, and Qing Lin in one succession.
"T-They actually triggered Misty Martial Arts Steele's blessing?"
"Genius! We recruited geniuses!"
Old Dragon snorted in Lady Moth's mind, 'If the master was monstrous, his companion shouldn't be ordinary. It's just natural.'
Yafei was the first to open her eyes, holding a martial arts book made of an unknown material. She looked down, "Misty Pearls Throwing Moon."
'This Dou Technique is very suitable for my martial soul. I can also give it to Han Yuan, maybe he can improve it for me.'
Then, Gu Xun'er opened her eyes too and sighed, "I didn't get the core secret art, but this isn't bad either."
"Misty Flame Body Sutra."
'I can also give this to Han Yuan.'
Xiao Yixian was the third person to open her eyes. She raised her palm, and a martial arts book materialized quickly, "Misty Flower Sword Technique. Swordsmanship, huh?"
'Brother said I have some talents in swordsmanship, but I like to use a hidden weapon more...'
'Whatever, it's not like my brother doesn't have a powerful sword Dou Technique. I can ask for a better one later.'
Finally, it was Qing Lin's turn to open her eyes. However, she gazed at the martial arts book in her hand and tilted her head in confusion. "This Misty Mountain Sword Art is weird..."
'Why does Qing Lin feel this book is worse than the sword technique Big Brother Yuan taught?'
'Ah, I shouldn't be rude in front of the Senior Moth, too.' Qing Lin stored the martial arts book away. 'I will keep it for now and give it to Big Brother Yuan later. He must know the answer.'
"..." Lady Moth might not know what the girls are thinking, but the looks on their faces give it away. Her eyelid twitched. 'These girls are looking down on my Misty Sword Pavilion's inheritance...'
Han Yuan chuckled at this sight, "These girls..."
"Master, this..." Old Dragon was troubled.
Han Yuan shook his head gently, "Don't worry, Old Dragon. It was my fault that I spoiled these girls too much."
"Well, except Xun'er, but her status is quite special as the princess of Ancient Gu Clan."
"Ancient Gu Clan," Old Dragon gasped. "Master actually knew such a figure."
Han Yuan merely smiled and didn't explain more, "Take me to the Misty Mountain Sage's abode first."
"It is time for me to inherit her true legacy."