Inner Sect Entrance Examination

Lu Ming was brought to a room behind the examination hall. Once they entered, Gongsun He could no longer suppress his excitement and said:

"If I remember correctly, you went from having no cultivation at all to reaching the Zhen Qi Realm in just seven months and five days."

He sized up Lu Ming as if he were examining a rare treasure.

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

"Elder, that is indeed the case."

Gongsun He seemed to realize that he had lost his composure, so after giving a light cough, he resumed a solemn expression. "The reason we called you here alone this time is because there is something we need to tell you."

Lu Ming was startled and instinctively asked, "What is it?"

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

"Do you know that, before you, there was another person with peerless talent who became an inner disciple?"

Hearing this, Lu Ming thought of Zhu Ningyun. He simply did not know what connection this had to him, so he nodded and said:

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

Gongsun He picked up the conversation. "It was our negligence. She has been targeted now, especially by the Nine Heavens Sect."

He continued explaining:

"Among the three Seventh-Rank Sects of Zhao, the Nine Heavens Sect ranks first, and our Wuji Sect ranks third.

"However, our sect's overall strength has improved greatly over the years. We are even about to surpass the Jade Luo Sect, which ranks second. That is why the Nine Heavens Sect has begun suppressing us openly and covertly. Naturally, their method is to target talented disciples like you."

After hearing this, Lu Ming understood why he had been called here alone.

Sure enough, Gongsun He continued:

"We were careless regarding Zhu Ningyun. At first, we never expected her talent to be this exceptional, and in the end, we could not keep it hidden even if we wanted to."

"As for you, your talent is even greater. At present, aside from some of the Wuji Sect's senior elders, no one knows when you began cultivating."

"So, you must not mention how long you have been cultivating to anyone in the future, lest you become someone's target."

Lu Ming nodded. In his previous life, he had also built up a considerable fortune, so he naturally knew what underhanded methods forces would employ when fighting among themselves.

He did not want to be targeted by people in the late Zhen Qi Realm, or even by those in the Gang Qi Realm, whenever he left home.

"However, you should not be overly nervous."

Elder Ming consoled him, "Your age is your greatest protection. So, just behave as you normally would in the future. By the time you can no longer conceal your talent, you will have basically grown strong enough."

He said this because he had heard that Lu Ming's combat talent was also quite impressive. He was afraid that Lu Ming would become timid and cautious because of this, losing his edge.

A sharp edge was also important to a genius.

"Old Ming is right. Besides, even if the other sects want to target you, they will only dare to send their disciples openly. If they use their power to bully others and send elders, then it will mean that our two sects have torn all pretense away and that a sect war is about to begin. No one can bear the consequences of that."

Gongsun He added this as well.

Hearing this, Lu Ming was completely reassured. He did not like being timid and cautious, and with the Saber Intent Prototype, he feared no one within the Zhen Qi Realm.

Even if he could not defeat someone, escaping would not be a problem.

The two elders then gave him a series of further instructions. For the sake of secrecy, they said, the sect would not give him any special treatment.

As for Zhu Ningyun, they had no choice but to protect her carefully.

That was also where the saying about her being the elders' cherished treasure came from.

Thus, Lu Ming was taken back to continue participating in the examination.

The two elders' unusual behavior in the examination hall just now was explained as follows: Lu Ming was the descendant of an old friend of theirs, and after seeing that he had broken through to the Zhen Qi Realm, they had merely sighed with emotion at the fact that their old friend had someone to carry on his legacy.

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

After a long delay, the examination finally began.

The inner sect entrance examination was very simple. It tested only one thing: overall strength.

This included a comprehensive assessment of martial skills, cultivation realm, temperament, and various other aspects.

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

"You have probably already heard about the examination's contents. In particular, some of you have participated more than once."

As he spoke, he swept his gaze over the five newcomers.

These five had failed the examination before and had arrived while Lu Ming was being taken away.

The inner sect entrance examination offered more than one opportunity. As long as one was not yet eighteen, one could continue taking it.

However, six months had to pass between each attempt.

Thus, generally speaking, a person only had two or three opportunities.

Of the five who had arrived later, three appeared to be over seventeen already. This might be their final chance. If they failed again, they would be expelled from the sect.

That was why they were exceptionally solemn.

"Examination 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 now."

Hearing this, the five who had participated in the examination before said nothing. Instead, they adjusted their breathing and prepared themselves.

Of the four who were taking the examination for the first time, only one asked somewhat nervously:

"May I ask, Elder, are all the demonic beasts inside at the early stage of Level 2?"

Elder Ming had no idea how many people had asked him this question before. He replied directly:

"All of them. But rest assured, these demonic beasts have been carefully selected. Their strength is basically equivalent to that of you newcomers to the Zhen Qi Realm."

Hearing this, everyone except Lu Ming let out a sigh of relief. Senior Brother Qi could not help asking again:

"May I ask, Elder, there are many demonic beasts inside. If we make a mistake, would that not put our lives in danger?"

Elder Ming gave an displeased snort when he heard this, frightening several of them into shrinking their necks. "Where would there be no danger? Let me tell you, after entering the inner sect, you will not be allowed to live in comfort forever either."

"Once the one-year protection period ends, you will have to undertake missions outside the sect. Every year, so many people fail to return from missions that I cannot count them on both hands. If you are afraid, give up as soon as possible."

At the mention of death, everyone could not help but feel a chill in their hearts. However, since they had already come this far, no one gave up.

Only then did Elder Ming soften his tone. "Of course, considering that you are still fledglings leaving the nest for the first time, the sect will still look after you."

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 this makes you completely safe. In previous years, there have also been cases where the Steward Disciples did not have time to act before the examinees lost their lives."

Hearing this, the three taking the examination for the first time nearly burst into tears. They did not understand why this elder's words always came with twists.

And they were always bad twists.

Lu Ming, however, understood. Elder Ming was so strict because he was actually afraid that the disciples would suffer casualties. That was why he gave such detailed warnings.

"Enough. We will prepare to open the grounds and light the incense. Get ready."

Everyone immediately began preparing.

As the incense burner was set out, Elder Ming took out a yellow incense stick and inserted it before saying:

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

With that, he shot out a beam of Gang Qi with one finger, instantly igniting the incense.

The nine people taking the examination had already charged out the moment his voice fell.

The Steward Disciples each followed one of them in haste.