Inner Sect Entry Assessment

Lu Ming was led to a room behind the assessment hall. Once inside, Gongsun He could no longer contain his excitement and said:

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

He examined Lu Ming as if he were a rare treasure.

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

"Reporting to Elder, that is indeed correct."

Gongsun He, perhaps realizing he had lost his composure, cleared his throat and regained his serious demeanor. "The reason I called you here alone this time is to inform you of something."

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

Gongsun He and Elder Ming exchanged glances. The latter spoke:

"Do you know that before you, there was another person with peerless talent who became an Inner Sect Disciple?"

Hearing this, Lu Ming thought of Zhu Ningyun, but wasn't sure of the connection. He nodded:

"Senior Brother Chu Yunxiao mentioned her, her name is Zhu Ningyun."

Gongsun He interjected: "It was our carelessness. Now she has attracted attention, especially from the Nine Heavens Sect."

He continued to explain:

"Of Zhao Country's three Rank 7 sects, Nine Heavens is first, and our Wuji Sect is third.

However, our sect's overall strength has greatly improved in recent years, even surpassing the second-ranked Jade Luo Sect. So the Nine Heavens Sect has begun to suppress us, both openly and covertly. Their method, naturally, is to target talented disciples like you."

After listening, Lu Ming understood why he had been called in alone.

As expected, Gongsun He continued:

"Regarding Zhu Ningyun, it was our oversight. Initially, we never expected her talent to be so exceptional, and by the time we realized, it was impossible to keep it hidden."

"As for you, your talent is even greater, and currently, apart from some high-level elders in the Wuji Sect, no one knows when you started cultivating."

"Therefore, do not mention your cultivation time to anyone in the future, lest you attract unwanted attention."

Lu Ming nodded. In his past life, he had built a considerable fortune and naturally understood the underhanded tactics employed in power struggles.

He didn't want to be targeted by late-stage Zhen Qi Realm cultivators, or even Gang Qi Realm cultivators, when he went out.

"However, you don't need to be overly nervous."

Elder Ming comforted him: "Your age is your greatest camouflage. So, continue to perform as you normally would. By the time you can no longer hide it, you will have basically grown strong enough."

He said this because he had heard that Lu Ming's combat talent was also quite good, and he feared that Lu Ming might become hesitant and lose his edge because of this.

Edge is also very important for a genius.

"Old Ming is right. Furthermore, even if other sects want to target you, they will only dare to send out their disciples openly. If they use their influence to pressure you and dispatch elders, it would mean a complete breakdown between our two sects and a sect war. No one can afford the consequences of that."

Gongsun He added.

Lu Ming was finally completely relieved. He disliked being hesitant, and with the nascent Saber Intent he possessed, he didn't fear anyone within the Zhen Qi Realm.

Even if he couldn't win, escaping wouldn't be a problem.

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

As for Zhu Ningyun, there was no other option but to protect her carefully.

This was also the origin of the saying that she was the elders' darling.

So, Lu Ming was led away to continue his assessment.

The unusual behavior of the two elders in the assessment hall earlier was explained as: Lu Ming was the descendant of an old friend of the two elders, and seeing him break through to the Zhen Qi Realm now, they were simply moved that their old friend had a successor.

In any case, no one in the hall dared to question them further.

Thus, after a long delay, the assessment finally began.

The entrance assessment for Inner Sect Disciples was simple, focusing on a single aspect: overall strength.

This included a comprehensive test of martial skills, cultivation realm, state of mind, and other factors.

He was led to a small forested area, and Elder Ming announced:

"You have likely heard about the assessment content, especially since some of you have participated more than once."

As he said this, he glanced at the five newcomers.

These five individuals had failed the assessment before and arrived when Lu Ming was being taken away.

The Inner Sect entrance assessment could be taken multiple times, as long as one was not yet eighteen years old.

However, there was a six-month gap between each attempt.

Therefore, generally, a person only had two to three chances.

Among the five who had just arrived, three looked to be over seventeen years old. This might be their last chance to take the assessment. If they failed again, they would be expelled from the sect.

Thus, they were exceptionally serious now.

"Assessment content: Enter the Hundred Beasts Courtyard and hunt one Early Stage Level 2 Demonic Beast."

"Time limit: the duration of one incense stick."

Elder Ming finished speaking and asked, "If you have any questions, ask them quickly now."

Upon hearing this, the five people who had already passed the assessment remained silent. Instead, they adjusted their breathing, preparing themselves.

Only one of the four who were about to take the assessment asked nervously:

"May I ask, Elder, are all the Demonic Beasts inside Early Stage Level 2?"

Elder Ming, likely having been asked this question countless times, replied directly:

"All of them. But don't worry, these Demonic Beasts have been carefully selected. Their strength is roughly equivalent to yours, who have just entered the Zhen Qi Realm."

Hearing this, the other three, excluding Lu Ming, breathed a collective sigh of relief. Senior Brother Qi couldn't help but ask again:

"May I ask, Elder, with so many Demonic Beasts inside, if we make a mistake, won't our lives be in danger?"

Elder Ming snorted in displeasure at the question, causing the four to flinch. "Of course, there will be danger! Let me tell you, even after entering the Inner Sect, you won't be allowed to live in comfort forever."

"After a year of protection, you'll have to accept missions outside. Every year, there are more people who don't return from missions than can be counted on two hands. If you're scared, you should give up now."

Hearing the word "death," everyone's hearts grew heavy. However, having come this far, no one chose to give up.

Seeing this, Elder Ming's tone softened. "Of course, considering you are all new, the sect will still offer you some care."

He gestured behind him. "These Steward Disciples will follow behind you. If your lives are in danger, they will intervene."

"However, don't think of it as foolproof. In previous years, there have been instances where disciples died before the Steward Disciples could even react."

The three who were about to take the assessment looked like they were about to cry, not understanding why the Elder's words always had a twist.

And always a bad twist at that.

Lu Ming, however, understood. Elder Ming's sternness was actually born from a fear of his disciples getting hurt, which was why he was being so detailed in his warnings.

"Alright, it's time to prepare the incense burner. Get ready."

Everyone immediately began to prepare.

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

With that, he shot a stream of Gang Qi, igniting the incense.

The nine people intending to be assessed had already rushed out the moment his voice fell.

Following them were the Steward Disciples, one for each candidate, hurrying to keep up.