Although this first requirement was mandatory, it was not difficult to meet. Even those with the poorest aptitude, a Five-Element Spiritual Root, could reach the first level of Qi Condensation within a year as long as they cultivated diligently.
Xu Chunniang understood that the sect had set the threshold at the first level of Qi Condensation precisely to weed out those with poor talent who were unwilling to work hard at cultivation.
As for spells, one only needed to successfully cast any spell during the assessment to pass. If the first attempt failed, there would be another chance, which could be called quite humane.
The new disciples' assessment was jointly overseen by all the Outer Sect stewards. It was conducted openly, and under the stewards' watchful eyes, no one could falsify anything.
After remembering the matter of the year-end assessment, Xu Chunniang no longer gave it much thought. Her cultivation had already reached the second level of Qi Condensation, far exceeding the assessment standard, and her understanding of spells had undergone astonishing breakthroughs. She had no fear of such a minor assessment.
Over the next four months, Xu Chunniang temporarily set aside her spell practice. Other than continuing to circulate the Hidden Spirit Art while cultivating, she practiced no other spells and focused wholeheartedly on raising her cultivation.
Four months passed in the blink of an eye. Other than going to the Dining Hall once every two months to collect Grain Abstinence Pills, Xu Chunniang did not leave her residence again, remaining in her cave dwelling and cultivating diligently without pause.
It was not until the day before the year-end assessment that she stopped absorbing spiritual energy and opened her eyes.
After withdrawing the Hidden Spirit Art and sensing her own cultivation, a trace of satisfaction appeared on Xu Chunniang's face.
She was at the peak of the second level of Qi Condensation, only a hair's breadth away from breaking through to the third level Qi Condensation!
"Over these four months, I cultivated with spirit dew, and my cultivation has truly advanced much faster."
Xu Chunniang thought it over. If she did not use spirit stones and cultivated normally, then even if she absorbed spiritual energy only after exhausting all her spiritual power each time, she would still need at least sixteen months to reach this level.
Cultivating with spirit dew was more than four times faster than ordinary cultivation!
The further one progressed in cultivation, the more spiritual energy was needed, and naturally, the more time it consumed.
"Tomorrow is the year-end assessment. Before I knew it, I've already been in the Carefree Sect for a full year. I entered the sect on the first day of August last year."
Xu Chunniang rose to her feet and leaped out of the cave dwelling in a few bounds. August was about to arrive again, yet the immortal mountain had none of the changing seasons of the mortal world. It looked the same all year round.
"Over this past year, I have worked hard at cultivation without ever slacking off, not even on my birthday or New Year's Eve."
Xu Chunniang jumped onto a large tree, pillowed her head on her hands, and lay leisurely on a branch, gazing at the sky through the dense leaves.
"At first, I cultivated hard only because I was afraid the sect would drive me away. But later, I became immersed in the joy of cultivation. Growing stronger bit by bit... this feeling is wonderful!"
Xu Chunniang shook her head with a smile. At this time last year, she had just been tested and found to possess a spiritual root, then accepted by the Carefree Sect as an Outer Sect Disciple.
Back then, though she had been filled with joy, she had felt even more unease about the future. Now that a year had passed, she was already walking the path of cultivation.
"After I left home, I wonder whether my younger brother and sister ever thought of me..."
Xu Chunniang remembered that when she left Xu Family Village, her younger brother had been five, while her younger sister had only been two. So much time had passed. Those two little ones had not forgotten her, had they?
"Immortals and mortals are worlds apart. I wonder when we will meet again."
That day, Xu Chunniang did not cultivate again. Instead, she lay in the tree and rested for the entire day.
Later, she actually fell asleep right there in the tree.
Perhaps because her mind had relaxed, she did not wake until the third quarter of the Rabbit Hour the next day.
When Xu Chunniang woke and found herself in the tree, she finally realized that she had spent the night there.
"Oh no, the assessment is about to begin!"
Seeing that the sky was already bright, Xu Chunniang's little face tightened as she hurried toward the assessment grounds. Though the assessment would not begin until the Snake Hour, new disciples were required to gather during the Dragon Hour.
Damn it, she was probably too late for the gathering. She could only hope to arrive before the Snake Hour!
After rushing all the way, Xu Chunniang finally arrived at the assessment grounds in a hurry before the Snake Hour. By then, all the new disciples and the stewards responsible for their assessment had already gathered. Xu Chunniang lowered her head and quickly headed toward the new disciples.
Seeing that, with the assessment so close at hand, a disciple was only just arriving to gather, several stewards showed displeasure. Even Steward Zhao, who had always thought highly of Xu Chunniang, could not help shaking his head.
Girl Xu usually seemed quite clever. How had she nearly been late on the day of the assessment?
However, Zhang Donglai, who was responsible for managing the new disciples, immediately perked up and shouted at Xu Chunniang, "Stop!"
He had been looking for this Ugly Girl ever since he arrived, yet he had not seen hide nor hair of her. He had thought she was hiding among the crowd, but never expected her to arrive this late!
Just when he was sleepy, someone had brought him a pillow. He had only just been wondering how to drive this Ugly Girl out of the sect, and now here was a ready-made excuse.
After recognizing Zhang Donglai's voice, Xu Chunniang inwardly cried that things were bad. Yet she had no choice but to stop and turn around, already wearing a smile. "Steward Zhang, were you calling this disciple?"
Zhang Donglai snorted. "Nonsense. Who else would I be calling if not you? It is already the Snake Hour, and the assessment has officially begun. You arrived so late, clearly showing that you do not take today's assessment seriously. Since that is the case, there is no need for you to take today's assessment. Leave the mountain of your own accord!"
He deliberately made the consequences sound more severe in order to frighten Xu Chunniang. As long as she showed him even the slightest disrespect... A calculating gleam flashed through Zhang Donglai's eyes, as though he could already see Xu Chunniang being expelled from the sect.
Xu Chunniang was both shocked and furious. She had merely arrived an hour late, yet Zhang Donglai had opened his mouth and demanded that she be expelled from the sect.
She took a deep breath and suppressed the anger in her chest. She absolutely could not quarrel with Zhang Donglai now. He was the steward in charge of the assessment, while she was merely a disciple who had entered the sect a year ago. If she clashed with him at such a juncture, she truly might be dealt with harshly.
"Esteemed stewards, please judge fairly. When I arrived, it was not yet time for the assessment," Xu Chunniang said, giving the stewards a deep bow. "My residence is too far away, on the mountaintop near the back mountain. Traveling here from there is extremely inconvenient, which is why I was delayed and failed to join the new disciples' gathering. Every word I have spoken is true, and I would not dare deceive you in any way. After all, Steward Zhang was the one who assigned my residence in the first place."
Zhang Donglai's face darkened, and anger flashed in his eyes. He had not expected this Ugly Girl to be so clever. Not only had she not started making a fuss, she had even brought up the matter of her residence.
Back then, he had disliked the sight of this girl and deliberately assigned her an abandoned residence. If the matter were investigated closely, it would instead be he who had abused his authority and bullied a newly admitted disciple.
Though this group of stewards more or less all accepted "tributes" from disciples, such matters were not fit to be brought into the open.
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