Chapter 177: Testing Talents of the Seven

The disciples milling about stopped in their tracks as they noticed the Disciplinary Hall members escorting Wang Gou and his group. Curious eyes followed their every move.

Soon a buzz of chatter filled the air as discussions broke out among them.

“What do you think? How long before Wang Gou gets out of the Disciplinary Hall this time?”

“Based on past incidents, I’d wager not even half an hour. He’s got someone on the inside, though no one knows who…”

“Watch your tongue. We’re just ordinary disciples with no backing. Some things are better left unsaid…”

“By the way, who are those seven people with Senior Sister Bai? I’ve never seen anyone dressed like them before.”

“Tsk tsk, you’ve got to admit they stand out. The women are stunning, with an unmatched grace, and the men are strikingly handsome.”

While the disciples gossiped noisily, the Disciplinary Hall members had already ushered Wang Gou into a narrow alley.

One of the enforcers muttered a few quiet words to Wang Gou before seizing a moment when no one was looking to let him and his crew slip away.

The other Disciplinary Hall members barely batted an eye at the scene. To them, this kind of thing was routine.

After all, who could blame Wang Gou for his luck? Having an elder uncle in the Disciplinary Hall to back him up made all the difference…

……………

At the entrance of the Outer Sect.

Wang Qiang glanced at the time, figuring it was about right to make his move.

He approached Bai Shishi with a feigned look of concern, checking if Tang San had any serious injuries.

“Shishi, is he alright? Don’t worry, I’ve already sent the culprit to the Disciplinary Hall for a proper lesson.”

Wang Qiang rubbed his hands together with an eager grin. “Heh, about the White-Clad Fairy… could you keep this incident under wraps? Being an enforcement elder isn’t easy, you know…”

Bai Shishi let out a cold smirk. “Elder Wang, you’ve been living quite comfortably lately, haven’t you? The Outer Sect’s been in chaos, yet you’ve done nothing to step in.”

“So why the sudden interest today? Finally decided to show your face, or are you afraid of something?”

“This…” Wang Qiang’s eyes darted away. Bai Shishi had seen right through his little schemes.

For a moment, he was so embarrassed he wished he could bury his head in the ground.

Bai Shishi pondered for a bit before looking up at Wang Qiang with a sly curve to her lips.

“Elder Wang, take a look at this. My new junior brother’s been injured, and I’ve suffered quite the emotional shock myself. It’s not something I can just get over right away.”

“Don’t you think it’s only fair to offer some cultivation techniques or spirit stones as compensation? You know me—I’m always one to speak the plain truth…”

“What?!” Wang Qiang’s eyes widened in shock. He never dreamed Bai Shishi would use this as an excuse to extort him.

But he was cornered. If he refused, there was no telling if Bai Shishi would report this to the White-Clad Fairy. If that happened and an investigation followed,

forget keeping his position as an elder in the Disciplinary Hall—he might not even keep his life!

Right now, even if it meant bleeding dry, he had to shut Bai Shishi up first. If worse came to worst, he’d just reclaim the cost from Wang Gou later!

With that thought, Wang Qiang snapped back to his senses.

He coughed heavily, his face turning stern. “Bai Shishi, name your price. How much do you want?”

A faint smile tugged at Bai Shishi’s lips as she held up two hands.

“Elder Wang, just give me this amount, and we’re good!”

“Ten high-grade spirit stones?”

“No, no, that’s too little!”

“Ten high-grade spirit stones plus ten basic cultivation manuals. That’s fair, right? Not a small offer!”

“No, no, still too little.” Bai Shishi shook her head, casting a pitiful glance at Wang Qiang with tears nearly brimming in her eyes.

“Elder Wang, look at me. I’m just a delicate young woman, and now my heart’s been scarred by fear. And see my hand—it’s all red! I’m afraid if I get too nervous, I might just let something slip!”

“You…” Wang Qiang took a deep breath, grinding his molars as he spoke. “Fine, Bai Shishi. Tell me exactly how much you want.”

Bai Shishi sniffled, covering her eyes with one hand while gesturing with the other.

“Just give me fifty mid-grade spirit stones, some basic cultivation manuals, and a sword manual. That’ll do!”

“What?!” Wang Qiang’s eyes nearly popped out of his head.

He couldn’t believe Bai Shishi had the audacity to demand so much. But the words were out, and retracting them now would be like slapping his own face, wouldn’t it?

With a dark, menacing look on his face, he pulled a ring from his pocket.

“Bai Shishi, this ring contains ten high-grade spirit stones, ten basic cultivation manuals, and a sword manual. Are you satisfied now?”

Wang Qiang tossed the ring to Bai Shishi with a flick of his hand.

Note: [Spirit Stone Value: 1 supreme spirit stone = 5 high-grade spirit stones, 1 high-grade spirit stone = 5 mid-grade spirit stones, 1 mid-grade spirit stone = 5 low-grade spirit stones. Spirit stones are essential for cultivation and trade.]

“I’m satisfied. Thank you, Elder Wang!” Bai Shishi clutched the ring, rubbing it against her cheek with glee.

“Hmph!” Wang Qiang flung his sleeve in frustration and stormed off with heavy strides.

“Take care, Elder Wang. Bye-bye!” Bai Shishi waved cheerfully after him.

Her behavior sent a shiver through the Shrek Seven, who stood nearby, completely stunned.

Sensing the odd atmosphere, Bai Shishi turned her head with a puzzled look, only to find the seven of them staring at her, mouths agape.

“Hey, junior brothers and sisters, what’s wrong with you all?” Bai Shishi stepped closer, waving a hand in front of their faces.

“Huh?”

The gesture snapped the seven out of their daze.

“Don’t just stand there. We’ve still got to test your talents! Oh, and here, this is for you.” Bai Shishi handed the ring to Xiao Wu.

“No, no, Senior Sister Bai.”

Xiao Wu’s face flashed with surprise as she looked at the ring in her hand. She quickly tried to push it back.

“I don’t really understand what spirit stones are, but my gut tells me this is valuable. I can’t accept it!”

A flicker of displeasure crossed Bai Shishi’s face. “If you keep refusing your senior sister like this, I might actually get upset!”

Seeing the tension, Tang San stepped in to smooth things over.

“Xiao Wu, just take it. This is Senior Sister Bai’s kind gesture. We can’t turn it down.”

“Alright… fine. In that case, we’ll accept it with gratitude. Thank you, Senior Sister Bai!”

Bai Shishi nodded in satisfaction before addressing the group. “Alright then, follow my lead. It’s time to test your talents!”

With that, she spun around gracefully, her steps light and bouncy as she skipped off toward another location.

The seven glanced at each other before trailing behind Bai Shishi, heading toward an unknown destination.

……………

At the Talent Testing Stone.

Bai Shishi led the seven to a massive stone monument. A wave of surprise washed over Tang San and his companions as they took it in.

This monument bore a striking resemblance to the method used for awakening martial souls back on Douluo Continent. It felt almost identical…

Bai Shishi paused for a moment before explaining. “The monument displays five colors: black, white, blue, purple, and red. They correspond to talent levels: worthless, low-grade, mid-grade, high-grade, and supreme.”

“Also, the black color for worthless talent never lights up. As long as it doesn’t glow, you’re considered talentless. Got it? Then place your hands on it!”

The group exchanged glances.

Xiao Wu stepped forward first, her heart pounding with unease as she pressed her hand against the stone.

A blue light shimmered on the monument.

Ning Rongrong followed suit, placing her hand on the stone. Another blue light glowed.

Seeing this, Ma Hongjun stepped up and touched the stone. A purple light flared to life.

Next was Oscar. With a mix of nerves, he placed his hand on the monument.

Another purple light shone brightly.

Then came Zhu Zhuqing. Like the others before her, she touched the stone with a hint of tension.

Yet another purple light illuminated the monument.

Now it was Dai Mubai’s turn. Brimming with confidence, he pressed his hand against the stone without hesitation.

A purple light glowed once more.

Finally, it was Tang San’s moment. A faint smirk played on his lips as he firmly placed his hand on the stone.

A red light surged upward, piercing the sky.

Final test results:

Mid-grade talent: Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong.

High-grade talent: Oscar, Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing, Ma Hongjun.

Supreme talent: Tang San!