With a thunderous explosion, the sound of the bell and cauldron's detonation echoed through the heavens, causing Tianlan Peak to tremble and alerting everyone within the Heavenly Sword Faction.
"Watch out!!"
The Examiner Elder was momentarily stunned but quickly snapped back to his senses, his face full of anxiety. He immediately channeled his true essence, weaving a massive hand that covered the center of the explosion, isolating the surrounding disciples.
In an instant, innumerable fragments from the shattered bell and cauldron flew wildly, continuously slicing through the True Essence Net woven by the Examiner Elder.
"Pfft!!"
The Examiner Elder could barely withstand such a terrifying explosion. Soon after intercepting the fragments with the True Essence Net, his complexion changed rapidly from red to white and back again, before he finally spat out a large mouthful of clotted blood.
"Rip!"
Unable to bear it any longer, the Examiner Elder's True Essence Net shattered into pieces.
However, thanks to his swift actions, he managed to intercept the fragments in time, giving everyone a chance to react. At this moment, despite the failure, Mu Jinyu and Yun Ge immediately intervened, each displaying their divine skills to intercept all the fragments from the bell and cauldron.
"Whew!"
Thus, a disaster that could have caused numerous casualties was averted by Mu Jinyu and the others.
Those Inner Sect Disciples at the fourth and fifth layers of the Divine Transformation Realm, remembering the terrifying scene just now, were still trembling with fear, cold sweat soaking their bodies.
"Elder, are you alright?"
As soon as Mu Jinyu resolved the fragments, he immediately ran to the Examiner Elder, who was lying in a pool of blood.
In a quick motion, Mu Jinyu reached the Elder's side, helping him up and swiftly taking out an elixir to feed him, then proceeding to channel his life source energy to treat the severe internal injury caused by the backlash.
"Huff... Huff..."
After a few breaths, the Examiner Elder slowly opened his eyes. Though his gaze was not as bright as before, he wasn't weak to the point of his pupils scattering.
"Is everything alright? What about the casualties?!"
As soon as the Examiner Elder spoke, he inquired about the injuries.
Mu Jinyu quickly replied, "Everything is fine, no one is hurt except you, Elder..."
"That's good..."
Hearing Mu Jinyu's response, the Examiner Elder's face showed relief, no longer holding the previous tension.
Then, he realized that his severe internal injuries from the backlash had completely healed.
"Hmm? How did my injuries heal?"
The Elder, puzzled, sat up from Mu Jinyu's arms.
Mu Jinyu explained, "I gave you a good healing pill, so you're healed..."
The Examiner Elder knew that Mu Jinyu was Elder Cheng's student. Upon hearing Mu Jinyu's words, he thought Mu Jinyu had given him the life-saving pill that Elder Cheng had provided, and his face showed a complex expression, sighing, "You shouldn't have..."
He felt that Mu Jinyu's life was far more precious than his old bones. His internal injuries would heal in a few months without posing a life threat, but if Mu Jinyu used the life-saving pill on him and later faced danger without it, leading to his death, wouldn't he become the sinner?
"Don't worry, Elder, I have plenty of such healing medicine; it's not a rare treasure."
Seeing the guilt and complex emotions on the Examiner Elder's face, Mu Jinyu knew he had misunderstood and quickly explained.
The Examiner Elder, somewhat skeptical, was about to ask further when he heard the sound of something slicing through the air.
The numerous Elders and the Sect Leader of the Heavenly Sword Faction had all rushed over due to the explosion.
"What happened?!"
"What was that explosion just now?!"
The elders hovered in mid-air, scanning the scene with eyes full of suspicion. Noticing that no one was injured, their gazes shifted to the center of the explosion.
They vaguely recalled that there should have been nine bells and cauldrons placed there?
These were the magical tools used for the Inner Gate strength assessment, but now they were gone?
Seeing the high-level members of the Heavenly Sword Faction being alarmed, Mu Jinyu smiled bitterly and stopped conversing with the Examiner Elder, walking over to explain the origin of the explosion to the Sect Leader and the others.
After hearing Mu Jinyu's explanation, their expressions changed slightly, and one couldn't help but exclaim:
"What? You blew up all nine bells and cauldrons with one punch?!"
"You're only at the eighth layer of the Divine Transformation Realm, right? And you couldn't have used external objects, so how did..."
Some of the Elders found it hard to believe Mu Jinyu's words.
After all, Yun Ge and Wei Ziping, both at the ninth layer of the Divine Transformation Realm, couldn't make the bells and cauldrons ring without using external aids or magical techniques, let alone blow them up with a punch!
But at this moment, the nine bells and cauldrons had indeed disappeared, leaving them no choice but to believe it.
Mu Jinyu smiled bitterly and said, "I didn't know I could blow them up with one punch. If I'd known, I wouldn't have gone all out and would have tested like Brother Yun, with a casual punch."
Mu Jinyu's tone carried a hint of regret.
He had been provoked by Wei Ziping's words and believed that his first test might not yield good results, so he didn't strike as casually as Yun Ge but instead used his full strength!
As a result, he indeed made the bells and cauldrons ring together, more intensely than Wei Ziping, but the outcome was that the bells and cauldrons couldn't withstand the immense power and exploded.
It nearly caused casualties, making him feel ashamed and regretful.
"He's not lying; it really happened that way!"
At this moment, the Examiner Elder stepped forward to explain the prior situation to the other Elders.
Yun Ge and the others also affirmed the truth of Mu Jinyu's words.
Upon confirming that the explosion was indeed caused by Mu Jinyu, the expressions of the Sect Leader and elders became quite peculiar!
Good heavens, with just the eighth layer of the Divine Transformation Realm power, participating in the strength assessment for the first time, the damage caused was even more frightening than Yun Ge and the others!
To achieve what even the ninth layer of the Divine Transformation Realm couldn't with the true essence power of the eighth layer, how formidable and terrifying was his true essence power?
"Sect Leader, this was my fault. I will bear any punishment."
Mu Jinyu, not wanting to evade responsibility, raised his head and said to the Sect Leader.
The Sect Leader snapped out of his shock and shook his head, "There's no punishment; it was just an accident. Those bells and cauldrons were just regular magical tools. If they're broken, so be it..."
Seeing that Mu Jinyu still wanted to say something, the Sect Leader continued, "No more talking. If you feel uneasy, then display the same destructive power at the Four Sects Martial Meeting to uphold the Heavenly Sword Faction's reputation."
After saying this, the Sect Leader left.
The remaining Elders encouragingly nodded at Mu Jinyu before leaving as well.
Seeing the Sect Leader and the others leave, while many disciples were still shaken, the Examiner Elder said, "There was an accident during the strength assessment. Take a break, and we will proceed with the speed test shortly."
Although the Examiner Elder didn't announce Mu Jinyu's result in the strength assessment.
Everyone present knew that blowing up the assessment tool, the bell and cauldron, made Mu Jinyu's result unrivaled in this strength assessment.