Verification

As one of the only three seventh-rank sects in Zhao Kingdom, Wuji Sect naturally occupied an enormous area.

The entire sect had several hundred mountains, divided among the Outer Sect, Inner Sect, Martial Arts Pavilion, sect main hall, and other core areas.

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

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

Those in the Gangqi Realm could cultivate independently or become elders.

To be honest, when Lu Ming first heard Chu Yunxiao's introduction, he felt there seemed to be rather few Inner Sect disciples.

After all, there were more than six thousand Outer Sect disciples.

Only after hearing the explanation did he understand that breaking through to the True Qi Realm was far from easy. This proportion was already considered high.

Moreover, Wuji Sect had strict requirements regarding this.

First, those who could not break through to the True Qi Realm before turning eighteen could not enter the Inner Sect and, barring special circumstances, would be cast out of the sect;

In other words, all these Outer Sect disciples were genius youths under eighteen.

Second, even if one reached the True Qi Realm before eighteen, one still had to pass an assessment to become an Inner Sect disciple.

After all, this world had pills that could help one break through realms. Only those whose true strength was recognized could enter.

From this, one could see just how strict Wuji Sect's requirements for its disciples were, and imagine how fierce the competition within it must be.

Following Chu Yunxiao through Wuji Sect's mountain gate, Lu Ming was arranged to stay temporarily in the guest courtyard, while Chu Yunxiao went to submit his mission and report the situation.

Lu Ming had no objections. After washing up, he resumed the cultivation he had neglected for half a month.

In the blink of an eye, the next day arrived. A steward led him into a room where an old man sat. His aura was as deep as an abyss and as vast as the sea; one look showed his realm was no low one.

"Greetings, Senior."

Lu Ming bowed.

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

Lu Ming sat as instructed.

The old man continued, "I am Gongsun He, the Inner Sect Elder in charge of records for Wuji Sect. Inner Sect disciple Chu Yunxiao has already told me about your circumstances."

"However, since you were not raised by the sect from childhood and are considered to have joined midway, we need a detailed understanding of your situation."

"I hope you do not mind."

Lu Ming understood. The major factions of Zhao Kingdom were hardly united as one; on the contrary, they often locked horns.

Sending one or two spies into each other's ranks was commonplace.

Lu Ming stood straight and feared no crooked shadow. Other than the Jade Pendant, he could reveal everything, including the Heavenly Saber Art.

So he explained, one by one, how he had accidentally obtained the cultivation technique and then begun cultivating.

Gongsun He listened carefully. He quickly realized something and could not help rising to his feet.

"In other words, from the time you obtained the cultivation technique and began cultivating until now, only a few short months have passed?"

Lu Ming nodded. Since he was joining the sect, he naturally had to display his talent. "The exact time is five months and three days."

Hiss!

Gongsun He drew in a sharp breath. If what the other party said was true, then his talent was beyond imagining.

He hurriedly asked, "Do you have proof?"

Lu Ming thought for a moment. Old Man Zhao was gone, making proof difficult. But the beggar who had once controlled the original owner's body had several subordinates who knew of him, aside from the two who had died.

Then there was Brother Li, who had rented him the house and also knew his circumstances. At that time, Lu Ming had been thin and weak, and Brother Li possessed some martial skill, so he could naturally tell.

Thus, Lu Ming explained all this.

"Good. By coincidence, traces of the Demonic Cult have appeared in Shuofeng City. An elder from the sect will go there to investigate personally, and I will have him verify your claims. We should have an answer within a few days."

"For these next few days, you may stay here."

Gongsun He was clearly much warmer now.

Afterward, Lu Ming was arranged to live in a better place. He was not worried; while cultivating his inner qi, he also studied the newly acquired Tiger Fiend Claw.

In the blink of an eye, three days passed, and Lu Ming was once again brought to the room from before.

This time, besides Gongsun He, there was another old man inside. The moment he saw Lu Ming enter, he gave him a gentle smile.

"Greetings, Seniors."

Lu Ming bowed.

"Don't stand on ceremony. Sit quickly."

Gongsun He hurriedly had Lu Ming sit. Seeing this, Lu Ming knew his situation had been verified.

"This is Elder Wang. He was the one who went to Shuofeng City this time. Everything you mentioned has been verified. You truly have only cultivated for a little over five months."

"And your combat strength is astonishing. At the eighth layer of the Inner Qi Realm, you could defeat Martial Artists in the Early True Qi Realm, and at the ninth layer, you could already kill enemies of the same realm."

The more Gongsun He looked at Lu Ming, the more satisfied he became.

Faced with such praise, Lu Ming showed no pride. Instead, his expression remained steady as he asked:

"Then may I ask, Elders, may I join Wuji Sect?"

"Of course you may."

This time, Elder Wang spoke. He turned to Gongsun He and said, "Old fellow, why aren't you hurrying up and handling the proper business?"

"With your talent, you could certainly become one of our disciples. But although you can fight above your realm, you are still in the Inner Qi Realm."

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

"Are you willing to accept this arrangement?"

Lu Ming did not particularly mind. He also preferred to advance steadily and surely, so he agreed without hesitation.

Seeing this, Gongsun He and Elder Wang thought even more highly of Lu Ming. His talent was astonishing, yet he could remain calm and unhurried without arrogance or impatience. He was an excellent seedling.

Gongsun He then gave Lu Ming several sets of sect robes and an identity token before having someone lead him around to familiarize himself with the surroundings.

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

Only after Lu Ming left did Elder Wang finally ask.

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

"The Grand Elder?"

Elder Wang was somewhat surprised. He had not expected the Grand Elder to personally concern himself with this matter.

Gongsun He continued, "Actually, my own opinion was to have an Inner Sect Elder take him as a personal disciple and nurture him properly."

"But the Sect Master and the others said that some people are stunningly brilliant in their early years, yet fade into obscurity later on. Others fade into obscurity early on, only to soar into the heavens later in a single bound."

"You mean the Sect Master and the others fear he will lack the strength to carry on?"

Elder Wang caught a hint of the meaning.

Gongsun He nodded. "You and I are both at such an age. Even if we have not seen such examples with our own eyes, we must have heard of quite a few."

Elder Wang nodded and sighed. "Yes. Geniuses are as numerous as crucian carp crossing a river. If they cannot ultimately grow, they are only an epiphyllum blooming for a single night."

"In short, put him in the Outer Sect first. Without special treatment, he will feel the competition, and that will benefit him as well."

"The Grand Elder and the others have put much thought into this."

Elder Wang no longer dwelled on it. Then he suddenly recalled something and said:

"Speaking of which, Wuji Sect has had rather good luck lately. That little girl from the neighboring Zhu Zi Kingdom has only been here for a little over four months, yet she has already broken through to the True Qi Realm and passed the assessment to become an Inner Sect disciple."

"You mean that girl Zhu Ningyun?"

"I remember she is only thirteen years and two months old. She began cultivating her family's inherited technique at twelve, and only one year and two months have passed since then."

"Speaking of which, her cultivation speed is not much slower than Lu Ming's."

"As for how she truly compares, that depends on how long it takes that little fellow Lu Ming to break through to the True Qi Realm." Elder Wang said with a smile.

"I am looking forward to it as well."