Inner Sect Entrance Assessment

After Lu Ming was brought to a room behind the assessment hall, Gongsun He could no longer suppress his excitement once they entered.

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

He sized Lu Ming up as though he were examining a rare treasure beyond price.

Lu Ming felt extremely uncomfortable under his gaze and could only say,

"Reporting to Elder, that is indeed so."

Perhaps Gongsun He realized he had lost his composure. After a light cough, he regained his solemn expression. "The reason we called you here separately this time is to inform you of something."

Lu Ming froze, then instinctively asked, "What is it?"

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

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

At that, Lu Ming thought of Zhu Ningyun. Though he did not know what this had to do with him, he nodded.

"Senior Brother Chu Yunxiao told me about her. Her name is Zhu Ningyun."

Gongsun He continued, "We were careless. She has been targeted now, especially by the Nine Heavens Sect."

"Among Zhao Kingdom's three seventh-rank sects, the Nine Heavens Sect ranks first, while our Wuji Sect ranks third. However, our sect's overall strength has improved greatly in recent years, and we are even close to surpassing the Jade Luo Sect, which ranks second. Thus, the Nine Heavens Sect has begun suppressing us both openly and covertly, and naturally, their methods target talented disciples like you."

After hearing this, Lu Ming finally understood why he had been called over separately.

"What happened to Zhu Ningyun was our oversight. At first, we never imagined her talent would be so outstanding. By the end, even if we wanted to hide it, we could not."

"As for you, your talent is even better. At present, aside from a few high-ranking elders in the Wuji Sect, no one knows when you began cultivating."

"So from now on, do not mention your cultivation time to others, lest someone set their sights on you."

Lu Ming nodded. In his previous life, he had also built a considerable fortune, so he naturally knew what underhanded and despicable methods rival powers could employ in their struggles.

He had no desire to be watched the moment he stepped outside by Late True Qi Realm cultivators, or even Gangqi Realm cultivators.

"However, you need not be overly nervous."

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

He said this because he had heard that Lu Ming's talent in battle was also quite good. He feared Lu Ming would become timid and overcautious because of this, losing his edge.

That edge was also extremely important for a genius.

"Old Ming is right. Besides, even if other sects want to target you, they would only dare send their disciples openly. If they used their power to bully others and dispatched elders, then it would mean our two sects had completely torn their faces apart, and it would signal a sect war. No one could bear the consequences of that."

Gongsun He added.

Lu Ming was finally completely at ease. He did not like being timid and overcautious either, and with the embryonic form of Saber Intent, he feared no one within the True Qi Realm.

Even if he was not a match for them, escaping would not be a problem.

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

As for Zhu Ningyun, there was no helping it—they had to protect her carefully.

This was also where the saying that disciples were the elders' beloved flesh and blood came from.

Thus, Lu Ming was taken back to continue the assessment.

As for the two elders' unusual behavior in the assessment hall earlier, it was explained that Lu Ming was the descendant of an old friend of theirs. Seeing that he had now broken through to the True Qi Realm, they merely lamented that their old friend had an heir to carry on his legacy.

In any case, no one in the hall dared ask further questions.

After such a long delay, the assessment finally began.

The entrance assessment for Inner Sect disciples was very simple. It tested only one thing: overall strength, including one's martial techniques, realm, temperament, and other aspects.

They were brought to a small forest, where Elder Ming spoke.

"You have probably already heard about the assessment, especially since some of you have taken it more than once."

As he said this, he swept his gaze over the five newcomers.

These five had failed previous assessments and arrived while Lu Ming had been taken away.

There was more than one chance to take the Inner Sect entrance assessment. As long as one was not over eighteen years old, one could continue participating.

However, each attempt had to be separated by six months.

Therefore, generally speaking, a person only had two or three chances.

Of the five who had arrived later, three looked to be over seventeen. This was likely their final chance at the assessment. If they failed again, they would be swept out the door.

Thus, they were all exceptionally solemn.

"Assessment content: enter the Hundred Beasts Courtyard and hunt a single Early Stage Level 2 demon beast. Time limit: one stick of incense."

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

Upon hearing this, none of the five who had taken the assessment before spoke. Instead, they adjusted their breathing and prepared themselves.

Only one among the four first-time participants asked nervously,

"May I ask, Elder, are all the demon beasts inside Early Stage Level 2?"

Elder Ming had likely been asked this question countless times, so he answered directly.

"They are all at that level, but rest assured, these demon beasts were carefully selected. Their strength is roughly equal to yours, who have only just entered the True Qi Realm."

At that, the three others besides Lu Ming all breathed sighs of relief. Senior Brother Qi could not help asking again,

"May I ask, Elder, with so many demon beasts inside, if we make a mistake, would our lives not be in danger?"

Elder Ming snorted displeasedly, frightening them into shrinking their necks. "How could there be no danger? Let me tell you, after entering the Inner Sect, you will not be allowed to live in comfort forever."

"After your one-year protection period ends, you will have to take missions outside the sect. Every year, there are so many who never return from missions that you cannot count them on both hands. If you are afraid, give up early."

At the mention of death, everyone's hearts tightened. Yet having come this far, no one gave up.

Only then did Elder Ming soften his tone. "Of course, considering that you are still green and inexperienced, the sect will provide you with some protection." As he spoke, he pointed behind him. "These steward disciples will follow behind you. If your lives are in danger, they will intervene."

"But do not think that means you are completely safe. In previous years, there have been cases where the assessment disciples died before the steward disciples had time to act."

Upon hearing this, the three first-time participants were nearly in tears. They could not understand why this elder's words always had a turn to them.

And always a bad turn at that.

Lu Ming understood instead. Elder Ming was so strict because he feared the disciples might be harmed, which was why his reminders were so exceptionally detailed.

"Alright, prepare yourselves now. We will open the grounds and light the incense."

Everyone immediately began preparing.

As the incense burner was placed down, Elder Ming took out a yellow incense stick and inserted it. "This incense can burn for half an hour, so you only have half an hour. Now, the assessment officially begins!"

With that, he flicked out a stream of gangqi, instantly lighting the incense.

The nine people taking the assessment had already rushed out the moment his words fell.

Behind them, the steward disciples hurriedly followed, one assigned to each person.