Verification

As the only Seventh-Rank Sect in Zhao Kingdom, Wuji Sect naturally occupied a vast area.

The entire sect comprised hundreds of mountain peaks, divided among the Outer Sect, Inner Sect, and core areas like the Martial Skill Pavilion and the Sect Master's Hall.

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

Exactly one hundred core disciples had passed the strict assessments.

Those in the Gang Qi Realm could either cultivate independently 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 the explanation that he understood: breaking through to the Zhen Qi Realm wasn't that easy, and this proportion was actually quite high.

Furthermore, Wuji Sect had strict requirements for this.

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

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

Second, even if one became a Zhen 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 aided in breaking through realms, so one's true strength had to be recognized before they could be admitted.

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

Lu Ming followed Chu Yunxiao into the Wuji Sect's mountain gate and was then arranged to temporarily stay in the 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.

The next day arrived, and he was led by a deacon to a room where an old man sat. The old man's aura was like an abyss, and it was clear his cultivation was not low.

"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 continued, "I am Gongsun He, an Inner Sect Record-Keeping Elder of Wuji Sect. Inner Sect Disciple Chu Yunxiao has already told me about your situation."

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

"I hope you don't mind."

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

Therefore, it was common for them to send spies.

Lu Ming, with a clear conscience, could speak about everything except the Jade Pendant, including the [Heavenly Saber Art].

Thus, he recounted the entire process of how he accidentally obtained the cultivation method and began cultivating.

Gongsun He listened intently and quickly realized something, unable to help but stand up:

"So, from the moment you obtained the cultivation method and started cultivating until now, it's only been a few months?"

Lu Ming nodded. Joining a sect, of course, required showcasing one's talent. "The exact time is five months and three days."

Hiss!

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

He quickly asked, "Is there any proof?"

Lu Ming pondered. Old Man Zhao was gone, making proof difficult. However, the subordinates of the beggar who used to control the original host, excluding the two who had died, still had a few who knew him.

Also, Brother Li, who rented him the house, knew his situation. Back then, he was thin and weak, and Brother Li, who had some martial arts skills himself, could naturally tell.

So, he explained these circumstances.

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

"You can stay here for the time being."

Gongsun He's demeanor became noticeably more enthusiastic.

Afterward, Lu Ming was arranged to live in a better place. Lu Ming wasn't worried; he cultivated his Inner Qi while studying the newly acquired Tiger Fiend Claw.

Three days passed in a flash, and Lu Ming was once again led to the same room.

This time, besides 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 urged Lu Ming to sit. Seeing this, Lu Ming knew his situation had been verified.

As expected, Gongsun He said:

"This is Elder Wang. He was the one who went to Shuofeng City. Your account has been verified, and it's true that you've only cultivated for about five months."

"Furthermore, your combat prowess is astonishing. At the eighth level of Nei Qi, you could defeat a martial artist in the early Zhen Qi Realm, and at the ninth level, you could already kill enemies of the same level."

He looked at Lu Ming with increasing satisfaction.

Lu Ming didn't show any arrogance in response to the praise. Instead, he calmly asked, "Then, may I ask, Elder, if I can join the Wuji Sect?"

"Of course."

This time, it was Elder Wang who spoke. He turned to Gongsun He and said, "Old man, aren't you going to get down to business quickly?"

Gongsun He cleared his throat and quickly said, "With your talent, you can absolutely become our disciple. However, even though you can fight above your level, you are still in the Nei 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 step by step, so he agreed without hesitation.

Seeing this, Gongsun He and the other Elder regarded Lu Ming even more highly. He had astonishing talent and was commendably not arrogant or impatient – a promising seedling.

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

"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 dazzling in their early stages but fade into obscurity later. And some people are unremarkable in their early stages 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 understood a bit of their reasoning.

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

Elder Wang nodded and sighed, "Indeed. Geniuses are as numerous as carp crossing a river. If they cannot ultimately grow, they are merely fleeting blossoms."

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

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

Elder Wang no longer dwelled on it. Then, he suddenly remembered something and said, "Speaking of which, our Wuji Sect has been quite lucky recently. That little girl from the neighboring Zhu Zi Kingdom, who arrived just over four months ago, has already broken through to the Zhen Qi Realm and passed the assessment to become an Inner Sect Disciple."

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

Gongsun He thought for a moment:

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

"Her cultivation speed isn't much slower than Lu Ming's, when you think about it."

"As for how it will turn out, that depends on how long it takes that little fellow Lu Ming to break through to the Zhen Qi Realm," Elder Wang said with a smile.

"I'm also looking forward to it."