Verification

As one of the only three Seventh-Rank Sects in Zhao, Wuji Sect naturally occupied a vast area.

The entire sect had several hundred peaks, divided among the Outer Sect, Inner Sect, and core areas such as the Martial Skill Pavilion and the main hall.

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

There were exactly one hundred Core Disciples who had passed the strict examinations.

Those in the Gang Qi Realm could cultivate on their own or become elders.

To be honest, when Lu Ming first heard Chu Yunxiao's introduction, he wondered whether there were too few Inner Sect disciples.

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

Only after hearing the explanation did he understand. Breaking through to the Zhen Qi Realm was not easy, so that ratio was already quite high.

Moreover, Wuji Sect had strict requirements in this regard.

First, anyone who failed to break through to the Zhen Qi Realm before the age of eighteen could not enter the Inner Sect. Barring special circumstances, they would even be expelled from the sect.

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

Second, even those who reached the Zhen Qi Realm before turning eighteen still had to pass an examination to become Inner Sect disciples.

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

From this, it was clear how strict Wuji Sect's requirements for its disciples were, and one could also imagine how fierce the competition was.

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

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

The next day, he was led by a steward to a room. An old man sat inside, his aura as deep as an abyss and as vast as the sea. It was obvious at a glance that his cultivation was far from low.

"Greetings, Senior."

Lu Ming bowed.

The old man nodded. As he sized Lu Ming up, he said, "Sit."

Lu Ming sat down as instructed.

The old man continued, "This old man's name is Gongsun He. I am an Inner Sect Records Elder of Wuji Sect. Inner Sect disciple Chu Yunxiao has already told me about your situation."

"However, since you were not raised by the sect from childhood and joined halfway through, we need to learn the details of your situation."

"I hope you won't take offense."

Lu Ming expressed his understanding. The various powers in Zhao were not on friendly terms; on the contrary, they often competed with one another.

Thus, it was common for them to send spies to each other.

Lu Ming stood straight and had nothing to fear from shadows. Apart from the Jade Pendant, he could reveal everything, including the [Heavenly Saber Art].

Thus, he explained in detail how he had accidentally obtained the cultivation method and then begun cultivating, recounting each step.

After listening carefully, Gongsun He quickly realized something and could not help standing up.

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

Lu Ming nodded. Since he was joining a sect, of course he had to display his talent. "Specifically, five months and three days."

"Hiss!"

Gongsun He drew in a breath. If what Lu Ming said was true, then his talent was simply unimaginable.

He hurriedly asked, "Do you have any proof?"

Lu Ming thought for a moment. Old Man Zhao had left, so it would be difficult to prove it. However, apart from the two who had died, several of the beggar's subordinates knew him—the beggar who had once controlled the original owner of his body.

The elder brother Li who had rented him his house also knew about his situation. At the time, Lu Ming had been thin and weak, while the other man had some martial skill himself, so he could naturally tell.

Thus, Lu Ming recounted all these circumstances.

"Good. As it happens, traces of the Demonic Cult have appeared in Shuofeng City, and an elder from the sect is going there to investigate personally. I will have him verify what you said. I believe we will have an answer within a few days."

"For now, you can stay here."

Gongsun He was clearly much more enthusiastic.

Afterward, Lu Ming was assigned to an even better place to stay. He was not worried, cultivating his inner qi while studying the newly acquired Tiger Fiend Claw.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye, and Lu Ming was once again brought to the same room as before.

This time, besides Gongsun He, there was another old man inside. The moment he saw Lu Ming enter, he smiled at him warmly.

"Greetings, Seniors."

Lu Ming bowed.

"Don't be so formal. Come, sit."

Gongsun He hurriedly motioned for Lu Ming to sit. Seeing this, Lu Ming knew that his circumstances had been verified.

Sure enough, Gongsun He said, "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 been cultivating for a little over five months."

"Moreover, your battle prowess is astonishing. At the eighth layer of the Nei Qi Realm, you could defeat an Early Zhen Qi Realm Martial Artist, and at the ninth layer, you could already kill one."

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

Facing the praise, Lu Ming showed no trace of arrogance. Instead, he asked calmly, "May I ask, Elder, whether I can join Wuji Sect?"

"Of course you can."

This time, it was Elder Wang who spoke. He turned to Gongsun He and said, "Old fellow, aren't you going to get on with the proper business?"

Gongsun He coughed lightly and hurriedly said, "With your talent, you are fully qualified to become our disciple. However, although you can fight above your level, you are still in the Nei 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 mind. He also preferred to build a solid foundation step by step, 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 was rarely arrogant or impatient. He was a fine young prospect.

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

"Are you really going to throw him into the Outer Sect? Isn't that somewhat inappropriate?"

Only after Lu Ming left did Elder Wang finally voice his doubts.

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

"The Grand Elder?"

Elder Wang was somewhat surprised. He had not expected the Grand Elder to personally inquire into this matter.

Gongsun He continued, "Actually, my own intention was to have an Inner Sect Elder take him as a personal disciple and cultivate him carefully."

"But the Sect Master and the others said that some people are dazzlingly brilliant in the early stages, only to become obscure later on. Others are unremarkable at first, yet suddenly soar to the heavens later."

"You mean the Sect Master and the others are afraid he won't have enough stamina for the journey ahead?"

Elder Wang mulled it over and caught the meaning.

Gongsun He nodded. "You and I are both getting on in years. Even if we haven't witnessed examples like that with our own eyes, we should have heard of plenty."

Elder Wang nodded and sighed. "Indeed. Geniuses are as plentiful as carp crossing a river, but if they cannot ultimately grow, they will end up as nothing more than a flash in the pan."

"In any case, throwing him into the Outer Sect first, without giving him special treatment, will let him experience competition. That will benefit him as well."

"The Grand Elder and the others really have gone to great lengths."

Elder Wang no longer dwelled on it. Then he suddenly remembered something and said, "Speaking of which, our Wuji Sect has had quite good luck lately. That little girl from the neighboring Zhu Zi Kingdom has been here only a little over four months, yet she has already broken through to the Zhen Qi Realm and passed the examination to become an Inner Sect disciple."

"You mean that girl Zhu Ningyun?"

Gongsun He thought for a moment before saying, "I remember she is only thirteen years and two months old. She began cultivating her family's inherited technique at the age of twelve, so only a year and two months have passed since then."

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

"As for exactly how they compare, that will depend on how long it takes that little fellow Lu Ming to break through to the Zhen Qi Realm," Elder Wang said with a laugh.

"I am looking forward to it as well."