Inner Sect Entry Assessment

Lu Ming was led to a room behind the assessment hall. Once inside, Gongsun He couldn't contain his excitement and said:

"If I remember correctly, it only took you seven months and five days to go from having no cultivation to reaching the True Qi Realm."

He scrutinized Lu Ming as if appraising a rare treasure.

Lu Ming felt extremely uncomfortable under his gaze and could only reply:

"Reporting to Elder, that is indeed the case."

Gongsun He, perhaps realizing his lapse in composure, cleared his throat and regained his serious demeanor. "The reason I've called you here alone this time is to inform you of something."

Lu Ming blinked in surprise and instinctively asked, "What is it?"

Gongsun He and Elder Ming exchanged a glance, and the latter spoke:

"Do you know if there was someone with peerless talent before you who became an Inner Sect disciple?"

Lu Ming thought of Zhu Ningyun upon hearing this, but unsure of the connection, he nodded:

"Senior Brother Chu Yunxiao mentioned her, her name is Zhu Ningyun."

Gongsun He interjected, "It was our oversight. Now she's being targeted, especially by the Nine Heavens Sect."

"Of Zhao Country's three Grade 7 sects, Nine Heavens is first, and our Wuji Sect is third.

However, our sect's overall strength has greatly improved in recent years, even surpassing the second-ranked Jade Luo Sect. So the Nine Heavens Sect has begun to suppress us openly and covertly, and their method is naturally to target talented disciples like you."

After listening, Lu Ming understood why he had been called in alone.

"We were careless regarding Zhu Ningyun's matter. Initially, we never expected her talent to be so exceptional, and in the end, we couldn't keep it hidden."

"As for you, your talent is even greater. Currently, apart from some high-ranking elders in the Wuji Sect, no one knows when you started cultivating."

"Therefore, do not mention your cultivation time to anyone in the future, lest you attract unwanted attention."

Lu Ming nodded. He had built a considerable fortune in his previous life and naturally understood the underhanded tactics employed in power struggles.

He didn't want to be targeted by someone in the Late True Qi Realm, or even the Gangqi Realm, when he went out.

"However, you don't need to be overly anxious."

Elder Ming comforted him, "Your age is your greatest cover. So, continue to perform as you normally would. By the time you can no longer hide it, you will have basically grown strong enough."

He said this because he had heard that Lu Ming's combat talent was also quite good, and he feared that Lu Ming might become timid and lose his edge because of it.

Sharpness was also very important for a genius.

"Old Ming is right. Furthermore, even if other sects want to target you, they would only dare to send out their disciples openly. If they were to use their influence to pressure you and mobilize elders, it would mean a complete breakdown between our two sects, and it would signify a sect war. And no one can bear the consequences of that."

Gongsun He added.

Lu Ming finally felt completely at ease. He also disliked being timid, and with his nascent Saber Intent, he didn't fear anyone within the True Qi Realm.

Even if he couldn't win, escaping wouldn't be a problem.

Next, the two elders gave him further instructions, stating that for the sake of secrecy, the sect would not give him any special treatment.

As for Zhu Ningyun, there was nothing they could do but protect her carefully.

This was also the origin of the saying that she was the elders' darling.

Thus, Lu Ming was led away to continue participating in the assessment.

The unusual behavior of the two elders in the assessment hall earlier was explained as Lu Ming being the descendant of an old friend of theirs. Seeing his breakthrough to the True Qi Realm, they were simply moved by the fact that their old friend had an heir.

In any case, no one in the hall dared to inquire further.

Thus, after a considerable delay, the assessment finally began.

The entrance assessment for Inner Sect disciples was simple, focusing on only one aspect: overall strength.

This included a comprehensive test of martial skills, cultivation realm, state of mind, and other elements.

He was led to a small mountain forest, and Elder Ming announced:

"You have likely heard about the assessment content, especially since some of you have participated more than once."

As he said this, he glanced at the five newcomers.

These five had failed the assessment before and arrived when Lu Ming was being taken away.

There isn't just one chance for the Inner Sect entrance assessment; as long as one is not yet eighteen years old, they can participate repeatedly.

However, there is a six-month interval between each attempt.

So, generally speaking, a person only gets two to three chances.

The five who arrived late, three of them looked to be over seventeen years old, which might be their last chance to take the assessment. If they failed again, they would be expelled.

Therefore, they were exceptionally serious now.

"Assessment content: Enter the Hundred Beasts Courtyard and hunt one Early Stage Level 2 Demonic Beast."

"Time limit: The duration of one incense stick."

After Elder Ming finished speaking, he added, "If you have any questions, ask them quickly now."

Upon hearing this, the five who had participated in the assessment before remained silent. Instead, they adjusted their breathing and prepared themselves.

Of the four people participating in the assessment, one nervously asked:

"May I ask, Elder, are all the Demonic Beasts inside Early Stage Level 2?"

Elder Ming, having been asked this question countless times, replied directly:

"All of them. But don't worry, these Demonic Beasts have been carefully selected. Their strength is roughly equivalent to yours, who have just entered the True Qi Realm."

Upon hearing this, the other three, excluding Lu Ming, all breathed a sigh of relief. Senior Brother Qi couldn't help but ask again:

"May I ask, Elder, with so many Demonic Beasts inside, if we make a mistake, won't there be a risk to our lives?"

Elder Ming let out an displeased snort upon hearing this, scaring the few of them into shrinking their necks. "Of course there's a risk! Let me tell you, even after entering the Inner Sect, we won't let you have an easy time forever."

"After a year of protection, you'll have to take on sect missions. Every year, the number of people who don't return from missions is too many to count. If you're scared, give up now."

Mention of death made everyone's hearts clench, but since they had come this far, no one backed down.

Seeing this, Elder Ming's tone softened. "Of course, considering you are all novices, the sect will still provide some care."

He gestured behind him as he spoke. "These Steward Disciples will follow behind you. If your lives are in danger, they will intervene."

"However, don't think of it as foolproof. In past years, there have been instances where disciples died before the Steward Disciples could even intervene."

Hearing this, the three who were participating in the assessment felt like crying, not understanding why the Elder's words always had a twist.

And always a bad twist.

Lu Ming, however, understood. The Elder Ming's sternness was actually born from his fear of disciples getting hurt, which was why he was giving such detailed warnings.

"Alright, now we'll prepare to open the garden and light the incense. Get ready."

Everyone immediately prepared themselves.

As the incense burner was placed, Elder Ming took out a yellow incense stick and lit it, saying:

"This incense will burn for half an hour, so you only have half an hour. Now, the assessment officially begins!"

With that, he shot a stream of Gangqi, and the incense was immediately lit.

The nine people intending to be assessed had already rushed out the moment his voice fell.

Following them closely were the Steward Disciples, one for each of them.