After several rounds of toasting at the table, Wang Kui was filled with emotion and spoke many heartfelt words.
By the third round of drinks, he specifically announced that Wang Feng would take over his position as supervisor of the spirit field district. The moment those words were spoken, everyone present was glad they had come today.
Since Wang Kui dared to say this at the table, it meant he had already discussed the matter with Steward Lin and received his approval.
Everyone here today was a disciple from the spirit field district, but many had not come. It was easy to foresee that those absent would surely be targeted by Wang Feng, the new supervisor.
By the time they had eaten and drunk their fill, an hour had passed. Yang Chen deliberately stayed until the end, wanting to ask Wang Kui about a few things. To his surprise, Xu Qingqing had stayed behind as well.
After everyone else left, only four people remained in the private room.
The smell of alcohol clung heavily to Wang Kui, but his mind remained clear. Seeing Yang Chen and Xu Qingqing stay behind, he smiled. "It seems you two want to know the same thing."
Yang Chen found that strange. He had not even asked yet—how did Wang Kui know they wanted the same thing?
"The Outer Sect assessment actually has only one step: actual combat!"
"Once the assessment begins, you will be sent into a mysterious space to fight the living creatures within it. The entire assessment lasts three days. During those three days, the number of creatures you kill will be recorded. Reach the required standard, and you pass."
At this point, a trace of regret flashed through Wang Kui's eyes. With a sigh, he said, "In this assessment, one's mastery of sword techniques is crucial. At the very least, you must cultivate a Low-grade Sword Technique to perfection before you can hope to pass."
For several years, he had neglected his sword technique cultivation. Only after his younger sister advanced to the Outer Sect did he learn just how vital sword technique mastery was. Yet his talent in the sword was painfully ordinary, and before the five-year deadline arrived, he had failed to cultivate one to perfection, missing his chance to advance to the Outer Sect.
Realization dawned on Yang Chen. So this was the reason Wang Kui had failed the assessment. Xu Qingqing beside him also seemed deep in thought.
"Junior Brother Yang, Junior Sister Xu." Wang Kui spoke solemnly. "Advancing to the Outer Sect will not be difficult for you, but I suggest you do not rush for quick success. It would be best to master several more sword techniques before taking the assessment."
"What do you mean, Senior Brother?"
"You should know that Nineteenth Servant Peak falls under Hidden Sword Peak's jurisdiction. Disciples who advance from Nineteen Peaks will all become Outer Sect disciples of Hidden Sword Peak."
Yang Chen and Xu Qingqing nodded. They did know that.
Nineteenth Servant Peak was not the only one. Four other Labor Peaks were also under Hidden Sword Peak's jurisdiction.
Wang Kui continued, "But there is something you may not know. Hidden Sword Peak is divided into Five Meridians. The First Meridian is the head of the Five Meridians and holds the greatest authority in Hidden Sword Peak. If you can enter the First Meridian, becoming Inner Sect Uncle-Masters in the future is the bare minimum."
Yang Chen was startled and looked at Wang Kui in disbelief.
The bare minimum was becoming an Inner Sect Disciple? Didn't that mean the bare minimum was reaching the Transcendent Realm?
Xu Qingqing's eyes also filled with shock. Inner Sect Disciples were the backbone of the Sun Moon Sword Sect. When they traveled the outside world, they were like great officials guarding a region. Even the ruler of a nation had to treat them as honored guests and would not dare show the slightest neglect.
From this, one could imagine just how astonishing the foundation of the First Meridian was.
"I only heard of this from my younger sister. Within Hidden Sword Peak, the First Meridian does not have the largest number of people, but it does have the greatest number of true disciples who are Martial Uncles. Many true disciple Martial Uncles contribute a portion of their resources to nurture First Meridian disciples. This virtuous cycle has made the First Meridian increasingly prosperous and powerful."
Wang Kui gathered himself before continuing, "The reason I am telling you this is that becoming a First Meridian disciple is extremely difficult. There are only two paths."
"First, during the sect entry assessment, your talent must surpass the ninth grade and reach the Transcendent or even Saint Realm. Disciples with such talent can directly enter the First Meridian of Hidden Sword Peak."
"Second, take the Outer Sect assessment within three years of entering the sect and earn 10,000 points during the assessment."
Yang Chen immediately realized that earning 10,000 points must be extraordinarily difficult.
After all, Transcendent and Saint Realm talent was something rarely seen in a century. If this condition could stand alongside it, the difficulty was self-evident.
"Transcendent and Saint Realm talent is a gift scarcely seen in the world. The Sun Moon Sword Sect recruits over a hundred thousand Labor Disciples every year, yet only one or two such talents appear every ten years."
"Therefore, most disciples who enter the First Meridian do so through the advancement assessment. But to obtain 10,000 points, you must at least master several mutually supporting sword techniques and cultivate them all to perfection—or comprehend Sword Intent!"
Yang Chen looked completely lost. What was Sword Intent?
"Senior Brother Yang, Sword Intent refers to the artistic conception of the sword. Only those with extremely high talent in the sword can possibly comprehend it. Once you grasp Sword Intent, against martial artists who have not grasped it, it is an utterly crushing advantage."
It was Xu Qingqing who spoke. She knew a little about Sword Intent, but she also knew how difficult it was to grasp.
"Junior Sister Xu is right. Those who can grasp Sword Intent are all swordsmanship prodigies, but comprehending Sword Intent is exceedingly difficult."
Wang Kui's expression was full of wistfulness; he felt this deeply himself. But his tone soon shifted. "However, Hidden Sword Peak has a Myriad Sword Pagoda. It is said that the Myriad Sword Pagoda can help martial artists comprehend Sword Intent, and the pagoda belongs to the First Meridian. That is why I said entering the First Meridian is equivalent to obtaining a ticket to the Transcendent Realm."
"Of course, disciples from the other Meridians can use it too, but they must pay an enormous price each time. Only First Meridian disciples receive free uses."
"And the First Meridian possesses at least three sword-dao treasures like the Myriad Sword Pagoda. The other Meridians cannot compare."
"These are the advantages you can see. There are even more advantages you cannot see!"
"For instance, when true disciple Martial Uncles lecture on the Dao, the other Meridians may have one session a month, or even one every few months. But in the First Meridian, there are lectures almost every day."
Wang Kui explained everything in great detail. He was deliberately trying to build goodwill with Yang Chen and Xu Qingqing. Though he was leaving the Sun Moon Sword Sect, Wang Feng and his younger sister were still here. Perhaps one day in the future, this might play a decisive role.
"Thank you, Senior Brother, for telling us so generously!"
Yang Chen now thoroughly understood the gap between the First Meridian and the other Meridians. They were simply not on the same level. According to Wang Kui, the First Meridian might not have many Outer Sect disciples, but it likely had the most Inner Sect Disciples and true disciples.
Moreover, during the Outer Sect stage, First Meridian disciples were probably at the T0 level in combat power, because it was far easier for them to comprehend Sword Intent.
Still, ordinary people should not even dream of entering the First Meridian, that "gathering ground for prodigies."
Though Yang Chen was tempted, he did not indulge in wild fantasies.
Naturally, it would be best if he could enter the First Meridian. But if he could not, it did not matter. What he lacked least was spirit crystals. As long as he had spirit crystals, there were almost no resources he could not buy.
Having learned what they wanted to know, Yang Chen and Xu Qingqing did not linger. After exchanging a few polite words, they took their leave.
On the way back, Xu Qingqing asked, "Senior Brother Yang, are you confident?"
"I would not dare boast too much, but I should have a ninety-five percent chance."
Yang Chen's tone was calm, but his voice brimmed with confidence.
A black line appeared on Xu Qingqing's forehead. "Who are you trying to fool?"
"You, of course. Hahaha!"
Yang Chen gave a wicked grin, then vanished in a flash.
"Damn it!"
Xu Qingqing gritted her teeth and stamped her foot in anger.
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