"It’s not true. Don’t listen to others spreading rumors. This matter isn’t concluded, and we can’t confirm it," Mahamu Tang said.
"So, there’s a possibility?" another persistent senior brother asked.
"How should I know? It doesn’t concern me. I heard only Senior Brother Chang knows the truth. Why don’t you ask him?" Mahamu Tang quickly deflected.
"Senior Brother Chang isn’t here; otherwise, we would have asked him already."
"Then there’s nothing we can do."
Seeing that they couldn’t get more information, the crowd gave up and went off to discuss amongst themselves.
"If she really is Master Lian’s disciple, this trial in the illusion realm just got more interesting. Anyone who was chosen by Master Lian must have exceptional strength and talent. Senior Brother Xiao and Senior Brother Su are both in there. If she comes out before them, wouldn’t that indicate..."
"That her talent might not be as high as the two senior brothers? What’s there to hesitate about? That’s just the truth."
"I heard she’s around the same age as the senior brothers, but she only has Foundation Building stage cultivation."
"Her talent might not be as high as our Main Peak’s senior brothers. I don’t know why Master Lian would choose her."
Mahamu Tang, hearing them becoming more and more excessive, couldn’t help but frown, "You all should watch your words. If she really is Master Lian’s disciple, she would be our junior master uncle. Disrespecting her could lead to punishment from our elders. Do you want to face that?"
"Just talking, that’s all. Besides, you said she might not even be Master Lian’s disciple," a few unruly fellow disciples said, clearly enjoying the chaos.
"Trouble comes from the mouth. Haven’t you learned that yet?" Mahamu Tang glanced at them.
These people were always causing mischief, and now they seemed eager to stir up more trouble.
The leading disciple retorted, "Senior Brother Tang, it seems like you’re the one causing trouble. Don’t forget, it was you who first suggested she might be Master Lian’s new disciple."
"I said it was just a guess."
"Well, we’re guessing too."
Mahamu Tang shut his mouth, realizing it was pointless to argue with them, "Suit yourselves."
With that, he walked away.
"Yeah, ’suit yourselves.’ Who is he to lecture us?" they scoffed.
"Mahamu Tang probably wants to curry favor, but the person isn’t even here. Who’s he trying to impress?"
"Forget him. How about we make a bet on who will be the last one kicked out?"
"Sure, I bet on Arasen Xiao. He’s Peak Master Bomen Huaguo’s true disciple and has inherited his teachings. The formations in the illusion won’t be a problem for him."
"I bet on Arasen Xiao too. He’s at the Golden Core stage, dealing with those devils should be easy."
"If you’re all betting on Arasen Xiao, I’ll bet on Yasavur Su."
"Why is no one betting on Master Lian’s disciple? Haha."
"With only Foundation Building stage cultivation? Anyone who bets on her is a fool."
"Anyone else wants to bet?"
They shouted, and most people immediately scattered, but a few were drawn in.
"They’re too arrogant, even daring to mock Master Lian’s disciple," a disciple said to Mahamu Tang, "It’s really unfair."
Mahamu Tang saw the look of indignation on his face and advised, "Don’t mention it. There’s no such thing as fairness or unfairness. If they keep this up, they’ll eventually get what’s coming to them."
"I really hope the person you mentioned is Master Lian’s disciple," the other disciple said expectantly.
Mahamu Tang smiled at his words and said no more.
Inside the illusion formation, after Mahamu Tang was killed and expelled from the formation, Junior Sister Su struggled alone and had to run toward Amalia, who was the closest to her.
Amalia was studying the formation when she heard footsteps.
She turned her head to see Junior Sister Su bringing a few devils with her.
With a swift motion, Amalia manipulated the formation to separate the devils.
Junior Sister Su hadn’t even caught her breath when she sensed a surge of violent energy behind her.
When she turned around, she saw a devil that hadn’t been blocked by the formation charging at her.
"Help!" Junior Sister Su dodged the devil’s attack and nearly stumbled as she ran toward Amalia.
Her cultivation was only at the peak of the Foundation Building stage, making it too difficult for her to deal with a leader-level devil.
Amalia who was being distracted by Junior Sister Su, reluctantly took a moment to kill the devil.
"Thank you, Senior Sister Amalia," Junior Sister Su said, her previous suspicion replaced with a grateful smile.
Even though she had already seen Amalia effortlessly slaying a leader-level devil, witnessing it again still left her astonished.
Amalia didn’t respond to her, she just turned back to study the formation.
"Senior Sister, are you studying the formation?" Junior Sister Su wasn’t discouraged and walked over to her, tiptoeing to see what she was doing.
Amalia responded with a noncommittal "Hmm," not saying anything more.
"You’re so amazing. But since you can kill these devils so easily, why bother studying the formation? Isn’t getting through the trial more important?" Junior Sister Su asked.
"Is the trial that important?" Amalia asked calmly in return.
"Of course! Those who pass the difficult level of the illusion and last till the end receive a reward," Junior Sister Su replied eagerly, delighted that Amalia was talking to her.
"What kind of reward?" Amalia asked.
"Eh? Senior Sister, you don’t know what the reward is? Then why are you participating in the trial?" Junior Sister Su tilted her head, her confused expression made her look adorable.
Amalia calmly responded, "Is it not possible to participate in the trial without knowing the reward?"
"Of course not," Junior Sister Su quickly denied, she was afraid of making her angry and being left behind.
"The reward is actually the Sect Leader’s personal insights into formations. It’s the only reward."
Amalia raised an eyebrow. "The Sect Leader’s insights into formations?"