The Night Before the Assessment

The night before the Inner Sect Preliminary Assessment, the Outer Sect of Ziyang Sect fell into an unprecedented stillness. The usual sounds of fist practice and sword incantations that echoed after dark had vanished without a trace, leaving only the low chirping of insects in the night, making the surrounding quiet even more pronounced. Nearly all Outer Sect disciples had chosen to turn in early—after all, tomorrow's assessment would determine whether they could enter the Inner Sect, affecting future cultivation resources and sect status. No one wanted to waste energy on late-night training and compromise their performance.

Only on the open ground before Room C did two shifting figures remain, standing out sharply under the bright moonlight.

Shen Hao gripped the Basic Flying Sword that had accompanied him for so long, repeatedly drilling the combination of sword techniques and footwork. His stance was rock-solid, his feet as if rooted in the green stone ground, yet his movements were astonishingly fast—shifting steps, pivoting, dodging—each motion flowed without a hint of hesitation, as if it were only natural. Moonlight poured over him, outlining his upright silhouette. The cold gleam of his flying sword flashed with every chop, thrust, and sweep, perfectly synchronized with his footwork. Wherever the sword light passed, it stirred sharp gusts of wind, sending fallen leaves spinning through the air.

After days of refinement, the sword techniques and footwork were no longer two separate parts but had truly merged, becoming an extension of his body. His movements grew smoother and sharper, carrying a faint, effortless grace. Even the most basic three-move sword formula, wielded in his hands, exuded an extraordinary, fierce momentum.

Shen Hao's gaze was fixed on the empty space ahead, as if an invisible opponent stood there. His breathing was steady and deep; with every strike, he exhaled and inhaled, Spiritual Energy flowing through his body, surging along his Meridians into his limbs and converging at the sword tip, giving even that ordinary Basic Flying Sword a hint of life. Sweat slid down his temples, dripping onto the green stone ground, leaving small dark stains, but he was oblivious, still immersed in his own world, repeating the forms over and over.

Not far away, Zhang Shan was also training hard. He held a handwritten copy of the Basic Footwork Technique, pausing now and then to glance at it before continuing to shift his steps. His Basic Footwork Technique had already reached a decent level; as he moved, his figure flickered, faint afterimages appearing, though occasional stutters in his turns revealed a lack of fluidity. Sweat beaded on Zhang Shan's forehead, streaming down his cheeks and soaking his collar, but he merely wiped it away with a hand and pressed on, his eyes full of determination.

Moonlight, like water, spilled over the open ground, coating the gray stone slabs with a soft silver sheen, illuminating the almost reverent focus on both their faces.

After who knows how long, the moon in the sky gradually tilted westward, and the night deepened. Shen Hao finally stopped, planting his sword tip on the ground, breathing lightly as his chest rose and fell. He wiped the sweat from his brow, turned to look at Zhang Shan still training hard, and a faint smile tugged at his lips. "Junior Brother Zhang, take a break. Tomorrow is the assessment—conserving your energy is the real priority. Don't wear yourself out."

Hearing Shen Hao's voice, Zhang Shan halted, turned, and walked over, panting heavily. A hint of barely concealed nervousness showed on his face, and his eyes held some unease. "Senior Brother Shen, do you think... we can really pass the assessment? I still feel uncertain."

His voice carried a faint tremor. After all, only a hundred spots were available for Inner Sect Disciples, while thousands of Outer Sect Disciples would participate—the competition was fierce. His cultivation was only at Early Qi Refining Second Layer, hardly outstanding among the crowd. If not for training alongside Shen Hao these past days and making rapid progress, he might not even have the confidence to take the assessment.

Seeing his anxiety, Shen Hao reached out and patted his shoulder, his eyes full of certainty. "Don't worry. As long as we perform at our usual level, we'll definitely make it. Don't overthink it—go back, get a good night's sleep, recharge. Tomorrow, we'll head to the Training Ground together and show what we've got."

His voice was steady and firm, carrying a reassuring strength.

Zhang Shan looked at Shen Hao's confident gaze, felt the warmth on his shoulder, and the tension in his heart gradually faded, replaced by a rising fighting spirit. He nodded firmly, a light kindling in his eyes. "Mm! Tomorrow, we'll definitely pass the assessment and become Inner Sect Disciples!"

The two stood on the open ground for a while longer, exchanging insights on cultivation. Zhang Shan mentioned some difficulties he'd encountered with his footwork, and Shen Hao patiently offered pointers, explaining how to adjust his center of gravity and better coordinate Spiritual Energy with his steps. Only when the night grew deeper did they each return to their quarters.

Shen Hao closed the door, sealing off the outside stillness completely. He walked to the bed, sat cross-legged, and took out the warm Companion Jade Pendant from his bosom, holding it in his palm. Slowly closing his eyes, he infused it with a thread of Spiritual Energy.

A green light flickered, and the pendant emitted a faint glow. The Spirit Devouring Vortex in his dantian began to rotate slowly, drawing in the free-floating Spiritual Energy in the air. Shen Hao didn't use any spirit stones—he knew well that the priority now wasn't raising his cultivation level, but stabilizing his newly broken-through Perfected Qi Refining Third Layer, adjusting his state to its peak.

Spiritual Energy flowed gently along his Meridians, warmly nourishing his limbs and bones, and the fatigue from training gradually melted away.

The night deepened. Outside the window, the moonlight grew brighter, streaming through the lattice and casting a silvery frost on the floor. After some time, Shen Hao slowly opened his eyes and exhaled a breath of turbid air, which condensed into a white streak in front of him, lingering for a long while. His breathing was steady and long, his gaze clear and bright—his entire state had been tuned to perfection.

He lay down on the bed and closed his eyes, but his mind involuntarily conjured the scene at the Training Ground tomorrow. He could almost see the pure white Spirit Testing Pillar, the brilliant green light flaring up on it, the Combat Competition platform, and the eager opponents rubbing their hands in anticipation.

Tomorrow would be the moment that decided his fate.

Shen Hao clenched his fist, his knuckles turning white, his heart brimming with anticipation.