Gal Martial Saint

"Junior brothers and sisters, please calm down, please calm down. Chengming is a child of introverted nature who dislikes showing off. This Old Man has been tempering his heart and nature, which is why I let him settle for a few more years. As for transferring to another peak..."

He chuckled lightly: "That will still depend on his own wishes. But I believe Chengming is a good child who respects his teachers and values the Dao, so he shouldn't easily change his allegiance."

The elders watched Ren Wencai's smug expression, each fuming with anger yet utterly helpless.

Just then, Elder Gongsun Zhi, who had been responsible for casting the Mirroring Sword Art, returned to the High Platform.

Seeing this, the elders crowded around him, hoping to glean from this firsthand witness the truth behind that Sword Intent Gu Chengming had unleashed.

"Elder Brother Gongsun, how was that kid's Sword Intent just now?"

"Yes, it looked grand and imposing, but was the foundation solid?"

Yet, faced with their inquiries, Gongsun Zhi behaved somewhat oddly.

He opened his mouth as if to speak, but the words died on his lips before they could come out.

Thus, under the puzzled gazes of the elders on the High Platform, Elder Gongsun held back for a long time, only to finally let out a long sigh. He cupped his hands toward Ren Wencai and said in a somber tone:

"Elder Ren, this disciple of yours is truly one of a kind."

All the elders exchanged bewildered glances.

What's with this line again?

Old Zhao had that same deadpan look earlier, and now Old Zhi has it too.

What exactly did Gu Chengming do during the assessment?

PS: This chapter is six thousand words, a triple-combination.

Another four thousand words update, coming a bit later.

Chapter 55: Chapter Fifty-Two—The Primordial Boundless Myriad Qi Dao Source True Sovereign Nine Heavens and Ten Earths Sole Venerable Imperial Art!

The sun's shadow slanted westward as the Golden Crow sank.

With the last rays of afterglow spilling onto the Sword Seeking Platform, this Disciple Assessment finally drew to a close.

Compared to the first two rounds, there was truly nothing much to say about this third stage—the realm assessment.

First Realm Level Five, Spiritual Power pure but not yet perfected, still a hair's breadth away from the sixth layer.

Among disciples who had entered the sect for several years, this could only be considered mediocre, even somewhat lackluster.

By the strict standards set by the sect, this realm rating was merely a Grade C-Plus.

However, Huiyuan Gate's evaluation mechanism did not look solely at current cultivation.

Elder Zhou, tasked with tallying the scores, pinched the Jade Slip recording Gu Chengming's results, his brow furrowing and then relaxing.

Dao Heart: Grade A-Plus, one in ten thousand; Sword Technique: Grade A-Plus, touching upon artistic conception.

These two Grade A-Plus ratings forcefully dragged that somewhat shabby Grade C-Plus back up.

In the end, Elder Zhou made his decision with a flourish of his brush.

Comprehensive Rating: Grade A-Mid.

The Golden List hung high, its spiritual light flickering.

The names of several thousand disciples were densely packed upon it, and Gu Chengming's name had forcibly squeezed into the top ten, ranking seventh.

On the High Platform, Elder Zhou, who was overseeing the proceedings, cleared his throat, his voice sounding as if it rang right by the ear:

"The assessment is complete, the rankings are set."

"According to sect regulations, all those listed in the top ten shall, in addition to doubling their original monthly allowance, receive three Spirit Gathering Pills each month, be granted access to the second floor of the Scripture Repository for one day, and have priority in selecting an Inner Sect Elder for personal guidance in cultivation."

The Spirit Gathering Pill was a fine medicine for aiding cultivation, extremely precious to Outer Sect Disciples; the second floor of the Scripture Repository housed many advanced Cultivation Methods, ordinarily only accessible to Inner Sect Disciples.

Gu Chengming felt a stir in his heart upon hearing this.

Yet, before Elder Zhou's words had even faded, his tone shifted:

"However, on the Great Dao, those who advance thrive, and those who retreat fall. The sect provides resources to spur you onward with courage, not to foster complacency."

"Thus, this list is not set in stone."

"Starting tomorrow, any disciple not in the top ten may challenge those on the list. The victor shall take their place, enjoying their rank and full rewards."

Having said this, Elder Zhou paused, his tone gaining a touch of leniency:

"As for the defeated, though they lose their position, they have still proven they once possessed the bearing to reach the summit. Therefore, the sect does not cut off their path. The defeated may retain half of their additional rewards until the next Monthly Minor Competition."

Hearing this latter half of the Rules, Gu Chengming raised an eyebrow slightly.

You still get half even after losing?

That was somewhat unexpected.

This Huiyuan Gate was quite humane, even leaving a way out for the defeated—one could even call it a rather generous "safety net."

But...

As the Sect Master finished announcing the rules, the gazes of those around Gu Chengming seemed to shift into something different.

Among the top ten, most were disciples at the eighth or ninth layer of the first realm, with deep foundations and numerous techniques—not easy to deal with.

Only Gu Chengming, though his Dao Heart was firm and his Sword Intent formidable, had cultivation as his glaring weakness.

Gu Chengming suddenly felt he had been somewhat tricked.

As Elder Zhou announced the assessment was fully concluded, the crowd gradually dispersed.

Though many disciples wanted to immediately come up and chat, hindered by the rumors circulating among the sects, most only offered a distant bow.

This also let Gu Chengming breathe a slight sigh of relief.

He declined Jiang Lu's proposal to celebrate and walked back alone along the Mountain Path.

Just as Gu Chengming was about to turn onto a secluded trail, a familiar figure had already been standing there, unbeknownst to him.

The man stood with his hands behind his back, the Mountain Wind stirring his robes, lending him an air of transcendent, immortal grace.

"Elder Ren."

Gu Chengming offered a bow.

Ren Wencai turned around, his usual smile hanging on his face.

He looked Gu Chengming up and down, thoroughly satisfied.

"What you did today, you did well."

"It is all due to Elder Ren's daily guidance; this disciple dares not claim credit."

"Ah, between us, no need for such formality."

Ren Wencai waved his hand, then added with a note of caution:

"But do not let this give rise to arrogance. Though you made a stunning debut today, you have also become a target for everyone."

"You heard the rules. In the days ahead, there will likely be no shortage of people coming to cause you trouble."

At this, Ren Wencai paused, his tone turning more earnest:

"Those fellow disciples bear no ill will, but with youthful spirit, the urge to compete and excel is unavoidable. Your cultivation is still shallow. If you cannot handle it, there is no shame in yielding appropriately. Victory and defeat are common in battle. If you lose that half of the benefits, so be it—do not let it harm your Dao Heart."

Gu Chengming was slightly taken aback.

He had originally thought Elder Ren would use this chance to pressure him, insisting he hold the top ten position to bring glory to the sect.

Instead, this Elder Ren was worried he might be under too much pressure, even giving him an out in advance.

"This disciple understands."

Gu Chengming's tone grew a few degrees more sincere:

"This disciple will surely remember Elder Ren's teachings and act within his means."

"Mm, it's good that you can see it that way."

As he said this, Ren Wencai turned his wrist, and a cyan jade token appeared in his palm.

"You cultivate in the Outer Sect. If you encounter any difficulties in your training or shortages of resources, feel free to come find me with this token."

These words were spoken with great tact.

He did not directly mention taking on a disciple, lest it seem too eager and cheapen the gesture.

First, plant a seed of goodwill, offer a convenience.

If this Xiao Gu achieved something in the future, that Past Connection would naturally not be lost.

Gu Chengming looked at the jade token before him, his mind as clear as a mirror.

This Elder Ren was a man of refinement.

Even in his past life, it was rare to meet a senior who would proactively extend goodwill without too many utilitarian demands.

Gu Chengming accepted the jade token with both hands, bowed deeply once more, and his tone carried genuine feeling:

"Thank you for Elder Ren's kindness. This disciple will not disappoint your expectations."

Seeing this, Ren Wencai's smile deepened.

"Go on. You've had a long day; rest early. As for the challenges in the coming days... don't dwell on them too much. Just do your best."

Ren Wencai patted Gu Chengming on the shoulder, left a word of encouragement, then turned with his hands behind his back and strolled away under the moonlight.

Gu Chengming held the still-warm token, watching Ren Wencai until his figure vanished into the night, then withdrew his gaze.

Though Elder Ren held no high expectations for him, those resources were very real.

Not fighting for them would be a waste.

The night was as dark as ink, the moonlight like silk.

Gu Chengming pushed open the door to his small courtyard, and the old Door Hinge let out a familiar Light Sound.

The moment he stepped into the yard, a line of text appeared before his eyes.

[Huiyuan Sword Art said, "Good, no injuries, didn't make it worry. Truly a good child."]

Huiyuan Mom? When did she get here?

Gu Chengming felt a subtle shift. This Huiyuan Sword Art's remarks were getting more and more doting by the day.

In contrast, that other fellow was starting to sound a bit unhinged.

[Hundred Bones said, "Gu Chengming, do you think there's a possibility that everything it experienced in the Illusion Realm was real?"]

Gu Chengming couldn't be bothered to reply.

[Hundred Bones kept rambling, "That Great Terror between life and death, that great enlightenment of Break and Then Stand—every time it barely survived a fatal blow, every breakthrough at the brink of despair, insights gushed forth like a spring."]

["If I could record those insights, why worry about failing to become an Achievement Emperor?"]

Gu Chengming took a sip of tea, thinking to himself that in his past life, he often had dreams like this too.

In the dream, he felt his literary inspiration surge, conceiving a masterpiece worthy of the Nobel Prize in Literature, with twists and turns in the plot and flawless logic.

But when he woke up and eagerly wrote it down, halfway through he'd think, what the hell is this?

He guessed Hundred Bones was in a similar state right now—commonly known as not fully awake.

But Hundred Bones was getting more and more excited the more it thought.

[Hundred Bones seemed to have a realization]

[It felt this was a heaven-sent opportunity not to be missed]

[Hundred Bones entered a state of seclusion]

Gu Chengming's hand, holding the teacup, froze mid-air.

"?"

Wait, you're serious?

No, hold on—you're actually going into seclusion?