Year-End Assessment (Part 1)

After hearing Xu Chunniang's words, the several stewards began to discuss in low voices.

"Are there dormitories in the back mountain? I don't remember any there."

"I remember there was a dormitory on the mountaintop, but it was abandoned twenty years ago."

"Could it be that new dormitory areas have been designated there?"

"I'm not sure. Dormitories are managed by Zhang Donglai. If this disciple rushed over from there, it's understandable that they almost arrived late."

In the past, disciples had been late for assessments, but they were never expelled from the sect. They were only fined Spirit Stones for half a year.

After exchanging opinions, the stewards all turned their gaze to the female steward in the center. Zhang Donglai, with a guilty conscience, didn't dare to look up at her.

This female steward was none other than the one from the Merit Pavilion!

She had been resting with her eyes closed until now. She slowly opened her eyes, scanned the entire venue, and her gaze lingered for a moment on Zhang Donglai and Xu Chunniang. She then skipped the matter entirely and announced, "The time is up. The assessment begins!"

Xu Chunniang let out a sigh of relief. It seemed she had passed this hurdle.

The first layer of assessment was very simple. All disciples only needed to release their Spiritual Qi pressure. Those whose cultivation was below the first layer of Qi Condensation would be directly sent down the mountain.

Several disciples with insufficient cultivation were immediately identified, their expressions dejected. The others who passed this stage couldn't help but inwardly warn themselves. Being sent down the mountain was the consequence of not cultivating diligently.

A few disciples at the first layer of Qi Condensation were also caught. Panic flashed across their faces. "Esteemed stewards, my cultivation has met the standard. Why are you sending me away?"

"Yes, I'm clearly at the first layer of Qi Condensation. You can't send me away!"

The one who apprehended them was Steward Cui Li from the Lecture Hall. Hearing their words, he sneered, "Your cultivation is indeed at the first layer of Qi Condensation, but you've forcibly increased it by consuming Vitality Pills!"

It turned out that as the assessment approached, these disciples, knowing they couldn't pass, had found ways to obtain pills that increased cultivation. This allowed them to reach the first layer of Qi Condensation, but Cui Li saw through it at a glance.

The Carefree Disciple Rules clearly stated that disciples in the early Qi Condensation stage were forbidden from using pills to enhance their cultivation. This was because all pills, especially those that increased cultivation, contained not only a large amount of Spiritual Qi but also many impurities harmful to the body, known as Pill Toxin.

In the Cultivation World, even the lowest-grade Vitality Pill, which could increase cultivation, had a minimum requirement of mid-Qi Condensation.

For disciples in the early Qi Condensation stage, consuming a Vitality Pill would increase their cultivation, but the Pill Toxin could not be metabolized and would spread throughout the body with the Spiritual Qi. Therefore, taking a Vitality Pill in the early Qi Condensation stage was akin to poisoning oneself and cutting off one's immortal path. Anyone with a bit of sense wouldn't do such a thing.

This was common knowledge known to everyone in the Carefree Sect. Yet, these individuals knowingly broke the rule, harboring a wishful thinking mentality, believing they wouldn't be discovered. But the Carefree Sect, having stood for so many years, was not easily fooled.

As for Grain Abstinence Pills, since they were refined from Spirit Rice, their Spiritual Qi content was negligible, and they naturally contained no Pill Toxin.

Cui Li coldly looked at the disciples. "All Outer Sect Disciples of the Carefree Sect are strictly prohibited from using pills to enhance their cultivation before reaching the third layer of Qi Condensation. If I ever discover anyone using medication without authorization in the early Qi Condensation stage again, don't blame me for disregarding our fellow disciples' camaraderie."

The assessment continued. Under the strict scrutiny of the stewards, several more disciples who had privately taken medication were thrown out.

Watching this scene, the disciples all appeared to take it as a warning.

The first round of assessment concluded quickly, with ninety percent of the disciples passing. Soon, the second round began.

The new disciples stepped forward one by one to demonstrate their Sorcery. If they failed to cast it successfully twice, no matter how high their cultivation, they would still be sent down the mountain.

After all, cultivation was the foundation, but Sorcery was also the basis for one's standing.

The first disciple took a deep breath, suppressing his nervousness. After stepping onto the assessment platform, he cupped his fist in a salute. "Disciple Qian Shuang. The Sorcery I practice is the Fireball Technique."

With that, Qian Shuang began to circulate the Fireball Technique. Immediately, a bright orange fireball, about the size of a fist, appeared before him.

"Fireball Technique, detonate!"

As he controlled it, the fireball flew forward about ten feet before exploding with a roar!

A black-faced steward nodded. "To control the Fireball Technique to this extent at the first layer of Qi Condensation is quite rare. You pass!"

Upon hearing the word "pass," excitement flickered in Qian Shuang's eyes. He saluted again and retreated.

A hint of excitement appeared on Xu Chunniang's face. This was the first time she had personally witnessed someone else cast Sorcery.

The power of the Fireball Technique was indeed impressive. Such a small, fist-sized projectile could unleash such might.

Xu Chunniang secretly compared her Spirit Blast Technique with the Fireball Technique. The explosive spiritual energy, after three splits, had roughly the same destructive power as this Fireball Technique.

However, her Spirit Blast Technique had eight parts after three splits, and the speed at which she controlled the explosive spiritual energy was much faster than this slow-moving Fireball Technique.

Seeing other people step onto the stage, Xu Chunniang refocused her thoughts and watched intently.

The second disciple chose a shield technique called the Golden Light Shield. With a soft shout, a layer of pale golden light enveloped the female disciple's body. After about ten breaths, the light shield slowly dissipated.

With this Golden Light Shield, the female disciple successfully passed.

Xu Chunniang nodded inwardly. "This is a gold-elemental defensive Sorcery. Condensing a layer of shield with Spiritual Qi can reduce damage. I wonder if it can block the previous Fireball Technique."

As the new disciples stepped onto the stage one after another to demonstrate, various kinds of Sorcery appeared. However, in general, offensive techniques were the most numerous, followed by defensive and movement techniques. Auxiliary techniques were not as common. Occasionally, some were disqualified and immediately weeded out by the stern stewards.

Xu Chunniang watched with rapt attention, and in the next second, she saw a familiar face step onto the stage.

Qi Haozhi.

Compared to a year ago, Qi Haozhi had also grown taller. He was already handsome, and after a year of cultivation, his face was even more like jade.

He appeared composed and, after stepping onto the stage, directly took out a Flying Sword from his Storage Bag!

"Good heavens, what am I seeing? It's a Flying Sword! Is he going to demonstrate sword techniques?"

"This is a Spiritual Artifact. Who is this person? How can they afford a Spiritual Artifact?"

"This person's name is Qi Haozhi. I heard he has Inner Sect disciples backing him. We need to be careful when we encounter him in the future."

Listening to the surrounding discussions, a hint of arrogance flashed in Qi Haozhi's eyes. "Disciple Qi Haozhi. What I will demonstrate next is: Spirit Sword Technique!"

As his voice fell, the Flying Sword shot out fiercely, flying several yards before turning back and returning.

The stewards nodded in satisfaction. "To have raised cultivation to the second layer of Qi Condensation and be able to control a Spiritual Artifact and stabilize the Flying Sword to this extent is an excellent result!"

Receiving the first precious monthly ticket from fellow Daoist Wa (Yuan Qi Qing Zi), as well as encouragement and requests for more updates from fellow Daoists in the comment section, the author has decided to add an extra chapter! Wishing all fellow Daoists a pleasant reading experience!!