The Corruption Dragon God: Lust System Chapter 590 - The Cosmic Dawn Sect (03)

A short while after departing the threshold of the Hidden Moonlight Secret Realm, the Elder and his ten inner disciples arrived in a most peculiar location.

It was a domed cavern, centerd around a massive arena with a skylight at its peak, where the midday sun cast its rays upon them. Thousands of doors stood in a circle, each forming a portal to an individual spatial pocket.

In the Immortal Heaven, constructing a formation capable of containing so many elites from the Astral Body Realm would drain the coffers of entire empires; yet, here in the Celestial Heaven, it was considered trivial. The Secret Realm of the Hidden Moonlight was, in truth, categorised as little more than a low-level formation.

With a sense of ease, the Elder of the Cosmic Dawn Sect settled into a plush armchair, causing a slim volume to materialize between his fingers.

"Has anyone caught your eye?" He shifted his gaze slightly toward the inner disciple positioned at his right flank.

Of those accompanying the Elder to the selection, this individual possessed the greatest natural talent.

With dark, piercing eyes, light blue locks, and a ruggedly refined face, he carried a striking appearance. His disposition was as arrogant as his lineage was prestigious.

As the scion of a noble house that wielded absolute dominion over an entire planet, his status, wealth, and aptitude ensured he was a prime candidate to ascend as a core disciple. Furthermore, he stood as the presumptive suitor to the patriarch's daughter—the precious gem of the Cosmic Dawn Sect and one of the most stunning beauties under the heavens.

It was no stretch of the truth to call him the future of the Sect. He was the youth who had conquered that trial in a mere hour—a record-breaking time without historical precedent.

His name was Guo Tianhao.

At the eighth stage of the Celestial Ascension Realm, he was the pride of the wealthy and powerful Guo clan.

While his union with the sect patriarch’s daughter remained unofficial, he arrogantly proclaimed himself to be her man, bolstered by various backroom agreements.

"Hm..." Guo Tianhao stroked his chin at the Elder's query.

"If Elder Shen desires my honest assessment, the one called Young Master Luo seems acceptable. His kin are honorable warriors, though ultimately they are nothing more than insignificant ants," Tianhao replied, meeting Elder Shen’s startled expression.

"And what of that young black dragon?" Elder Shen shifted in his seat, arching an eyebrow.

"Dragons possess keen insight and unparalleled natural talent. Is it not possible he might shatter your record?"

"That pretty face?" A smug, mocking curl touched Tianhao’s lips.

Impossible. Not in a million years.

He could sense Qingyi’s Qi—it was so ephemeral that it barely registered to his senses.

This left only two conclusions. Either the possessor of that aura was truly that weak, or his mastery over Qi was so profound that it rendered him impossible to read.

In Tianhao’s estimation, the latter was preposterous, leaving only the former.

Elder Shen exhaled, his disappointment with Tianhao palpable. He had expected superior discernment from someone of such potential.

'I can only pray he does not collapse during the trials ahead...' Elder Shen ruminated, casting his gaze toward one of the many portals.

Transcendental geniuses often suffered from a fatal weakness: they had never tasted failure. Their pride was inflated, and they knew how to handle frustration only through bouts of temper, lacking the necessary stoicism or patience. Many shattered the moment they discovered they had been eclipsed by someone they considered inferior.

The portal that had drawn the Elder's attention cracked open and began to swing wide.

"It cannot be... the trials began less than five minutes ago!" one of the inner disciples cried out, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Tianhao was equally stunned. Only Elder Shen remained composed.

One hour was the fastest duration in the history of the Sect—spanning hundreds of thousands of years—with Guo Tianhao being the only person to achieve such a feat. Yet, the door had swung open in under five minutes. That was twelve times faster than Tianhao’s record.

The young master’s eyes narrowed, and a bitter, deep-seated resentment festered within his chest.

A figure emerged from the threshold.

A face of such sublime beauty that even Tianhao, who prided himself on his own handsome frame, shuddered. He possessed a powerful physique, cascading raven hair, and horns that gleamed like obsidian.

His movement was steady, exuding both the solemnity of an emperor and the predatory vigilance of a tiger.

Qingyi exited the portal, approached Elder Shen, and offered a bow, his fists clasped formally.

"Long Qingyi offers his greetings to the Elder!"

The Elder's mouth curved into a brilliant grin as he rose to his feet, resting his hands upon Qingyi’s shoulders.

"Magnificent, young dragon! I am thoroughly impressed, ha-ha! Such talent is rare indeed." The Elder roared with laughter. He had already secured substantial rewards by recruiting Tianhao; returning to the Sect with Qingyi, a dragon of such singular potential, ensured his personal prestige would soar far above his peers in the recruitment pavilion.

"The Elder is too kind. This humble one was merely fortunate."

"Fortune does not bestow such a perfect result, young man. It requires talent, strength, and raw insight." The Elder faced Tianhao, who appeared to be seething internally.

'Do not surrender to resentment, envy, or jealousy. Utilize this moment to temper your character and master the frustration of being surpassed!' the Elder pleaded internally, hoping Tianhao would grasp his intent.

The young master met the Elder’s stare and held his chin high.

He was Guo Tianhao—the premiere inner disciple of the Cosmic Dawn Sect and an heir to a vast fortune. That infernal dragon had simply tripped over good timing; he was certain of it. No one from that wretched backwater could ever hope to eclipse his status.