Eve of the Assessment

The first requirement, though mandatory, wasn't difficult to meet. Even someone with the worst talent, a Five-Element Spiritual Root, could reach Qi Condensation level one within a year with diligent cultivation.

Xu Chunniang understood. The sect setting the threshold at Qi Condensation level one was clearly aimed at weeding out those with poor talent who were unwilling to cultivate diligently.

As for sorcery, passing the assessment merely required successfully casting any single spell. If the first attempt failed, another try was allowed, which was quite humane.

The new disciple assessment was jointly managed by all the Outer Sect stewards, conducted in an open manner. Under their watchful eyes, no one could cheat.

After noting the year-end assessment, Xu Chunniang didn't give it much further thought. Her cultivation was already at Qi Condensation level two, far exceeding the standard. Moreover, she had an astonishing grasp and breakthrough in sorcery, so she wasn't worried about this minor assessment at all.

For the next four months, Xu Chunniang temporarily set aside her sorcery practice. Aside from maintaining the operation of the Hidden Spirit Art during her cultivation, she didn't practice any other sorcery, focusing solely on improving her cultivation.

Four months passed in the blink of an eye. Apart from visiting the Dining Hall every two months to collect Grain Abstinence Pills, Xu Chunniang didn't leave her cave, diligently cultivating without interruption.

She only stopped absorbing Spiritual Qi and opened her eyes on the day before the year-end assessment.

After dispelling the Hidden Spirit Art and sensing her own cultivation, a hint of satisfaction appeared on Xu Chunniang's face.

Qi Condensation level two peak, just a sliver away from breaking through to level three!

"I've been cultivating using Spiritual Dew for these four months, and my cultivation speed has truly increased significantly."

Xu Chunniang mused that if she didn't use Spirit Stones and cultivated normally, even if she depleted her spiritual power each time before absorbing more, it would take at least sixteen months to reach this level.

Cultivating with Spiritual Dew was more than four times faster than conventional cultivation!

The further one progressed in cultivation, the more Spiritual Qi was required, and the time consumed naturally increased.

"Tomorrow is the year-end assessment. In the blink of an eye, it's been a year since I entered the Carefree Sect. I joined on August 1st last year."

Xu Chunniang stood up and leaped out of the cave. August was approaching again. The immortal mountains didn't have the seasonal changes of the mortal world; they looked the same all year round.

"This past year, I've been cultivating diligently, not slacking off even on my birthday or New Year's Eve."

Xu Chunniang climbed onto a large tree, resting her head on her hands, lying leisurely on a branch. She looked up at the sky through the dense leaves.

"Initially, I cultivated diligently simply because I was afraid the sect would expel me. Later, I became immersed in the joy of cultivation, growing stronger bit by bit. This feeling is wonderful!"

Xu Chunniang shook her head and smiled. This time last year, she had just had her Spiritual Root measured and was accepted as an Outer Sect Disciple by the Carefree Sect.

At that time, although she was overjoyed, she was more filled with apprehension about the future. Now, a year later, she was on the path of cultivation.

"After I left home, I wonder if my younger brother and sister have thought of me..."

Xu Chunniang remembered that when she left Xu Family Village, her brother was five years old, and her sister was only two. After so long, surely the two little ones wouldn't have forgotten her?

"There's a difference between immortals and mortals. I don't know when we'll meet again."

On this day, Xu Chunniang didn't cultivate further. Instead, she lay on the tree and rested for the entire day.

Eventually, she even fell asleep directly on the tree.

Perhaps due to the relaxation of her mind, she didn't wake up until the third quarter of the Mao hour the next day.

When Xu Chunniang woke up and realized she was on the tree, she remembered she had spent the night there.

"Oh no, the assessment is about to start!"

Seeing that the sky was bright, Xu Chunniang's small face tensed, and she hurried towards the assessment location. Although the assessment officially began at the Si hour, new disciples were required to gather at the Chen hour.

Damn it, I probably won't make it for the assembly. I just hope I can get there before the Si hour!

Rushing all the way, Xu Chunniang finally arrived at the assessment location just before the Si hour. All the new disciples and the stewards responsible for the new disciple assessment were already present. Xu Chunniang lowered her head and quickly walked towards the new disciples.

Seeing that some disciples were only just arriving for the assembly as the assessment was about to begin, several stewards showed displeasure. Even Steward Zhao, who usually thought highly of Xu Chunniang, couldn't help but shake his head.

This girl Xu usually seemed quite clever, so why was she almost late on the day of the assessment?

Zhang Donglai, who was in charge of new disciple management, perked up and shouted at Xu Chunniang, "Stop!"

He had been looking for this Ugly Girl since he arrived but hadn't seen her. He thought she might be hiding in the crowd, but he didn't expect her to be so late!

It was as if someone had sent a pillow just when he was dozing off. He had just been thinking about what method to use to expel this Ugly Girl from the sect, and here was a ready excuse.

Xu Chunniang recognized Zhang Donglai's voice and inwardly thought it was bad, but she had to stop. She turned around, a smile on her face, "Steward Zhang, are you calling this disciple?"

Zhang Donglai snorted, "Nonsense, who else could it be? It's already the Si hour, and the assessment is officially starting. You're so late, it's clear you don't take today's assessment seriously. Since that's the case, you don't need to participate in today's assessment. Just go down the mountain yourself!"

He deliberately exaggerated the consequences to scare Xu Chunniang. As long as she showed any disrespect towards him... A calculating glint flashed in Zhang Donglai's eyes, as if he could already see Xu Chunniang being expelled from the sect.

Xu Chunniang was both shocked and angry. She didn't expect that just for being an hour late, Zhang Donglai would immediately threaten to expel her from the sect.

She took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in her chest. She absolutely couldn't argue with Zhang Donglai right now. He was a steward responsible for the assessment, and she was just a disciple who had joined the sect for less than a year. If she argued with him at this juncture, she would likely be dealt with strictly.

"Esteemed Stewards, when I arrived, it wasn't yet time for the assessment," Xu Chunniang bowed deeply to all the stewards. "My dormitory is too far away, on the mountaintop near the back mountain. It's extremely inconvenient to get here from there, which is why I was delayed and missed the new disciples' assembly. Everything this disciple says is true and I dare not deceive you in any way. After all, my dormitory was assigned by Steward Zhang."

Zhang Donglai's face darkened, and anger flashed in his eyes. He hadn't expected this Ugly Girl to be so clever. Not only did she not cause a scene, but she also brought up the dormitory issue.

He had taken a dislike to her back then and deliberately assigned her a derelict dormitory. If they were to investigate thoroughly, it would be him abusing his authority and bullying a newly joined disciple.

Although more or less, their group of stewards would accept "offerings" from disciples, such matters were not to be discussed openly.

Thanks to fellow Daoists for your votes and continued readership!