Verification

The Wuji Sect, being one of the only three Grade 7 sects in the Zhao Kingdom, naturally occupied a vast area.

The entire sect comprised hundreds of mountain peaks, divided into the Outer Sect, Inner Sect, and core areas like the Martial Arts Pavilion and the main sect hall.

According to Chu Yunxiao, there were over six thousand Outer Sect disciples in the Inner Qi Realm and more than a thousand Inner Sect disciples in the True Qi Realm.

There were exactly one hundred core disciples who passed the strict assessments.

Those who reached the Gangqi Realm could either cultivate on their own or become elders.

To be honest, when Chu Yunxiao first explained, Lu Ming felt that the number of Inner Sect disciples seemed a bit low.

After all, there were over six thousand Outer Sect disciples.

It was only after hearing his explanation that Lu Ming understood that breaking through to the True Qi Realm wasn't that easy, and this ratio was actually quite high.

Furthermore, the Wuji Sect had strict requirements for this.

First, if one couldn't break through to the True Qi Realm before the age of eighteen, they wouldn't be allowed into the Inner Sect. Without special circumstances, they would be expelled from the sect.

This meant that all these Outer Sect disciples were geniuses under eighteen years old.

Second, even if one became a True Qi Realm cultivator before eighteen, they still had to pass an assessment to become an Inner Sect disciple.

After all, there were pills in this world that helped break through realms, so one's true strength had to be recognized before they could be admitted.

From this, one could see how strict the Wuji Sect was with its disciples and imagine how intense the competition was.

Lu Ming followed Chu Yunxiao into the Wuji Sect's mountain gate and was then arranged to stay in a guest courtyard. Chu Yunxiao himself went to submit his mission and report the situation.

Lu Ming had no objections. After washing up, he began his half-month cultivation.

In the blink of an eye, the next day arrived. He was led by a deacon to a room where an old man sat. The old man's aura was as deep as an abyss, indicating a high level of cultivation.

"Greetings, Senior."

Lu Ming bowed.

The old man nodded, sizing up Lu Ming as he said, "Sit."

Lu Ming sat down as instructed.

The old man added, "I am Gongsun He, an Inner Sect Record Elder of the Wuji Sect. Inner Sect disciple Chu Yunxiao has already informed me of your situation."

"However, since you were not cultivated by the sect from a young age and joined midway, I need to understand your situation in detail."

"I hope you don't mind."

Lu Ming expressed his understanding. The major powers in the Zhao Kingdom were not harmonious; on the contrary, they often competed with each other.

Therefore, it was common for them to send a spy or two.

Lu Ming, with a clear conscience, had nothing to hide except for the Jade Pendant. He could talk about everything else, including the Heavenly Saber Art.

So, he explained the specific process of how he accidentally obtained the cultivation technique and began to cultivate, one by one.

Gongsun He listened carefully and quickly realized something. He couldn't help but stand up and say:

"So, from the time you obtained the cultivation technique to now, you've only been cultivating for a few months?"

Lu Ming nodded. Joining a sect, of course, required displaying his talent. "The exact time is five months and three days."

Hiss!

Gongsun He took a breath. If what the other party said was true, his talent was unimaginable.

He quickly asked, "Is there any proof?"

Lu Ming thought for a moment. Old Man Zhao was gone, making proof difficult. However, the beggars who controlled the original host before, apart from the two who had died, still had a few subordinates who knew him.

Also, Brother Li, who rented him the house, knew his situation. At that time, he was thin and weak, and the other party, who had some martial arts skills, could naturally tell.

So, he explained these situations.

"Good. Coincidentally, traces of the Demonic Cult have appeared in Shuofeng City, and an elder from the sect is going to investigate personally. I will have him verify your words. I believe we will have an answer within a few days."

"You can stay here for these few days."

Gongsun He's attitude became noticeably warmer.

Afterward, Lu Ming was arranged to live in a better place. Lu Ming wasn't worried. He cultivated his inner energy while studying the newly acquired Tiger Fiend Claw.

In the blink of an eye, three days passed. Lu Ming was again brought to the same room as before.

This time, in addition to Gongsun He, there was another old man. The moment this man saw Lu Ming enter, he smiled warmly at him.

"Greetings to both seniors."

Lu Ming bowed.

"Don't be so formal, sit down quickly."

Gongsun He quickly gestured for Lu Ming to sit. Seeing this, Lu Ming knew that his situation had been verified.

"This is Elder Wang. He was the one who went to Shuofeng City. Your account has been verified; you have indeed only cultivated for about five months."

"Moreover, your combat power is astonishing. At the eighth level of Inner Qi, you could defeat a Martial Artist in the Early True Qi Realm, and at the ninth level, you could already kill enemies of the same level."

He looked at Lu Ming with increasing satisfaction.

Faced with the praise, Lu Ming didn't show any arrogance. Instead, his expression was calm as he asked, "Then may I ask, Elder, if I can become a disciple of the Wuji Sect?"

"Of course, you can."

Elder Wang spoke this time, and he said to Gongsun He, "Old man, aren't you going to get down to business?"

"With your talent, you can absolutely become our disciple. However, although you can fight beyond your level, you are still in the Inner Qi Realm."

"So, according to the rules, you must start as an Outer Sect disciple."

"Are you willing to accept this arrangement?"

Lu Ming didn't mind; he preferred to take things one step at a time, so he agreed without hesitation.

Seeing this, Gongsun He and the other elder thought even more highly of Lu Ming. He had astonishing talent and, commendably, wasn't arrogant. He was a promising prospect.

Next, Gongsun He gave Lu Ming several sets of sect clothing and an identity token, then had someone escort him to familiarize himself with the environment.

"Are we really going to throw him into the Outer Sect? Isn't that a bit inappropriate?"

After Lu Ming left, Elder Wang couldn't help but say.

Gongsun He rolled his eyes at him and spread his hands, "This was the decision of the Grand Elder and the Sect Master. What could I do?"

"The Grand Elder?"

Elder Wang was a little surprised. He hadn't expected the Grand Elder to personally inquire about this matter.

Gongsun He continued, "Actually, in my opinion, we should have an Inner Sect Elder take him as a personal disciple and cultivate him well."

"But the Sect Master and the others said that some people are brilliant in their early stages but fade into obscurity later on. While others are unremarkable at first but suddenly soar to great heights later."

"Are you saying the Sect Master and the others are afraid he won't have staying power?"

Elder Wang caught a hint of their meaning.

Gongsun He nodded. "You and I are both old. If we haven't seen such examples with our own eyes, we must have heard of them plenty."

Elder Wang nodded and sighed, "Indeed, geniuses are as numerous as carp crossing a river. If they can't ultimately grow, they'll only be a flash in the pan."

"In short, let's put him in the Outer Sect first. Without special treatment, he'll feel the competition, which will be beneficial for him."

"The Grand Elder and the others have put a lot of thought into this."

Elder Wang no longer dwelled on the matter. Then, he suddenly remembered something and said, "Speaking of which, our Wuji Sect has had good luck recently. That little girl from the neighboring Zhu Zi Kingdom, she's only been here for over four months and has already broken through to the True Qi Realm and passed the assessment to become an Inner Sect disciple."

"Are you talking about that girl, Zhu Ningyun?"

"I remember she's only thirteen years and two months old. She started cultivating her family's inherited techniques at twelve, and it's only been a year and two months since then."

"Come to think of it, her cultivation speed isn't much slower than Lu Ming's."

"As for the specifics, we'll have to see how long it takes that young fellow Lu Ming to break through to the True Qi Realm," Elder Wang said with a smile.

"I'm looking forward to it too."