Let Nature Take Its Course

The cultivation technique used in the Dao Assessment is part of the exam. It's extremely easy to pick up, requiring no prior practice. You just need to circulate the energy according to the technique. This particular technique has only changed three times in the past few hundred years, and hasn't been altered at all in the last century.

As the technique circulated, Wei Yuan felt the cushion beneath him and the two incense burners gradually merge with his own being. Strands of coolness continuously generated from the cushion, entering Wei Yuan's body. Stimulated by this coolness, two formless entities emerged within him.

The incense burners on either side then generated a suction force, drawing the two formless entities in his body. The two formless entities existed clearly, overlapping yet distinct. As the technique circulated, the pulling force of the incense burners grew stronger, forming two channels that drew the two masses of formless entities, strand by strand, into the burners.

The left incense burner drew in his foundation, while the right drew in his fortune. Wei Yuan's foundation was relatively normal, but as the technique circulated, the formless entity representing his fortune actually expanded like an iceberg surfacing from the sea, growing larger and larger with no sign of stopping. In the blink of an eye, this mass of fortune expanded beyond Wei Yuan's physical body and faintly connected to something deep in the unseen.

Wei Yuan didn't know what would happen during the Dao Assessment, so he simply treated it as a normal phenomenon and continued circulating his energy with a steady mind.

As the technique circulated, the fortune within Wei Yuan's body began to appear vast and heavy. At this point, the channels started to seem narrow, no longer sufficient for the fortune to pass through smoothly. Wei Yuan could only circulate the technique with all his might, as if lifting a small mountain and then pushing it bit by bit through the narrow channels. As time passed, Wei Yuan felt the burden growing heavier, even affecting his foundation to some extent.

Wei Yuan circulated the technique with his entire focus, unaware that the hall above him had already erupted into chaos.

In the eyes of the evaluators, Wei Yuan's root bone light pillar was a deep red, slowly rising. It had just passed seven feet and its speed began to slow. This was considered a superior foundation, but not yet astonishing. However, his fortune light pillar was as thick as a washbasin, rapidly surpassing nine feet and still climbing!

Wei Yuan's fortune light pillar was a grayish-white. Although extremely tall and thick, its substance was very sparse. The six evaluators could only feel a faint touch of it by exerting their full perception. If this light pillar weren't right before their eyes, evaluators who didn't excel in perception might have thought there was nothing there at all.

At this moment, a wisp of black energy would emerge from the incense burner beside Wei Yuan from time to time, then merge into the fortune light pillar, causing the pillar to grow a segment longer, but its substance showed no signs of solidifying.

The six evaluators had never seen such fortune before. As they exchanged glances, Wei Yuan's fortune light pillar finally surpassed ten feet, another super-grade.

The middle-aged scholar looked towards the Daoist priest and said, "Daoist Fu Feng, this is a family matter of your Taichu Palace. How should it be handled?"

Daoist Fu Feng's gaze flickered towards the empty seat, his expression unchanged, and he said slowly, "Fairly."

The middle-aged scholar nodded, "Naturally."

With the Daoist priest's words, the other evaluators had a clearer understanding and their gazes returned to the disciples below. Strangely, even at this moment, Wei Yuan's two light pillars were still slowly growing, while the light pillars of other candidates in this group had long since stopped moving.

Clang!

A desolate and long bell chime rang out. Wei Yuan's body trembled, severing his connection with the cushion and incense burners. The formless entities that had not yet been moved slowly disappeared. Wei Yuan assumed this was normal and stood up. Urged by the Daoist priest in the hall, he quickly walked out.

When Wei Yuan stood up, his foundation light pillar was seven feet nine inches, and his fortune light pillar was eleven feet.

The next group of candidates filed into the hall, and another round of Dao Assessment began. As soon as the chime of the ritual bell faded, two jade-colored light pillars shot up into the sky! These two light pillars were so solid they seemed to have substance. If their texture was like giant pillars carved from jade, then Wei Yuan's fortune light pillar just moments ago was like rising chimney smoke.

The evaluators looked down and saw a girl, exquisitely beautiful, like a jade carving. As she calmly circulated her energy, a faint treasure light appeared on her small face. Within the two jade-colored light pillars, two colossal Dharma Idol figures vaguely emerged.

Upon seeing the girl's face clearly, the evaluators understood: it was Miss Bao.

There was nothing else worth watching in this round. The girl was far ahead, her twin light pillars heading straight for ten feet, while the others were mediocre and not worth mentioning.

A young cultivator, who looked no older than twenty, broke the silence and said, "Miss Bao's evaluation should be without objection. However, regarding how that child from the previous round should be evaluated, I believe we need to discuss the procedures."

The young cultivator looked towards Daoist Fu Feng, but Daoist Fu Feng remained silent. The young cultivator chuckled, "It seems Daoist Fu Feng wishes to avoid suspicion. Then let us few discuss it!"

Old scholar Liu Sigu recalled Wei Yuan's two striking light pillars. If evaluated by normal standards, Wei Yuan's score would surpass Li Zhi.

For some reason, upon seeing Wei Yuan's fortune, the old scholar inexplicably felt a sense of disgust, and this feeling intensified now. Miss Bao's talent was extraordinary, and her reputation preceded her. It was expected that she would surpass Li Zhi in the Dao Assessment. This Wei Yuan, with his shallow foundation, dared to overshadow the predetermined champion of the academy?

The old scholar mentally reviewed the list, confirming that Wei Yuan was not on any special list, and made his decision. Stroking his long beard, he said with a serious expression, "This child's foundation and fortune are both quite good. Unfortunately, their substance is hollow, and there is not a shred of righteousness in his fortune. If he were to roam the wilds, he would likely become a rebel."

The young cultivator frowned slightly and said, "Since ancient times, there has been no mention of substance in the evaluation standards. Whether fortune follows the righteous path or not also does not affect the evaluation's high or low score. Old Liu's words are perhaps a bit biased."

The other evaluators nodded slightly. Since ancient times, all sects have recruited disciples based solely on whether they possessed fortune; if they did, it was considered good. Who cared if it was righteous or evil?

The old scholar did not argue, merely saying, "This is just my personal opinion. Please make your own decisions."

After speaking, the old scholar ignored the others and directly picked up his brush to write his evaluation on the roster: Earth Grade C, twenty points!

The other five evaluators were inwardly surprised. Liu Sigu giving this score clearly intended to push this child directly to a Blessed Land, not even giving him a chance at a Cave Heaven.

A sharp glint flashed in Daoist Fu Feng's eyes, and he said slowly, "Old Liu's evaluation is a bit excessive, isn't it?"

The old scholar looked back at the Daoist priest, showing no fear. "The Immortal Sect Unified Examination this time is of great significance. We bear a heavy responsibility, and who among us is not trembling? I heard that the person from your palace was missing for six years before returning, yet was immediately given an evaluator position. What kind of favor is this? But where is that person now? Do they have us in their eyes? Do they have the Immortal Sect Unified Examination in their eyes?"

The Daoist priest glanced at the empty seat and let out a snort, saying no more.

The middle-aged scholar then tried to smooth things over, saying, "Old Liu has a straightforward personality and speaks directly, so please don't take offense, Daoist Fu Feng. Speaking of which, we all bear responsibilities, unlike that person. It's fine if he doesn't want to come. Everyone should know that the top spot in this Unified Examination is particularly important for Duke of Grace's son. If Miss Bao were competing, then we would all compete based on our own abilities, and we would have no complaints if we lost. But if it were someone else, it would be best not to create any variables."

The evaluators understood clearly. The old scholar's sudden harsh judgment was because he was wary of Wei Yuan and feared he would pose an additional threat to Li Zhi. The middle-aged scholar's words also confirmed something: the Four Saints Academy intended to use the first place in the Unified Examination to boost Li Zhi. If he truly took first place, Li Zhi would soar, and his future cultivation path would be incredibly smooth.

Daoist Fu Feng's expression was impassive, revealing none of his thoughts. However, the other evaluators had anticipated his reaction and knew he would not interfere. Daoist Fu Feng also had a mission. If Wei Yuan truly took first place, Li Zhi would only suffer a minor setback on his cultivation path, but one of Taichu Palace's three spots would be definitively taken. In that case, it would be difficult for Daoist Fu Feng to explain.

The Immortal Sect spots had long been divided, even for Children of Fortune, unless one requested another spot like the monk. If this important matter of the spots was mishandled, the powerful families behind them would be enraged, and these evaluators present would not be able to bear the consequences. Although they held great power, how that power was used was not up to them.

Daoist Fu Feng pondered for a moment and finally said, "How you two choose to write your evaluations is not for me to interfere with. However, Junior Brother Zhang is not an easy person to deal with, and the dignity of my Taichu Palace cannot be offended. If you two look down on my Taichu Palace, then I will have no choice but to learn the ultimate techniques of the Four Saints Academy."

Seeing the atmosphere turn tense, the middle-aged scholar cupped his hands towards Daoist Fu Feng and chuckled, "Daoist Brother, please calm your anger! Taichu Palace is Taichu Palace, and that person is that person. We naturally respect Taichu Palace. Moreover, frankly speaking, whatever evaluation Old Liu gives Wei Yuan will not affect the overall situation of Taichu Palace. As for Junior Brother Zhang, even if he were a True Person of Dharma Idol, not to mention being at the same Dao Foundation level as us, we could not show favoritism! Otherwise, if the higher-ups were to blame us, I fear none of us could bear it."

These words made it quite clear: the two scholars from the academy only wanted to suppress Wei Yuan and had no intention of interfering with the internal competition for Taichu Palace's spots. It was a case of "the well water not interfering with the river water." As for Wei Yuan's master, they were all at the Dao Foundation level, and none were significantly inferior to the others.

Liu Sigu was emboldened and said, "I have already written my evaluation, and it cannot be changed!"

The middle-aged scholar then chuckled, "Very well, Old Liu detests evil and cherishes his reputation. I shall take on the mantle of being the smooth talker!"

He picked up his brush and wrote on the roster: Heavenly Grade C, twenty-five points.

The evaluators inwardly thought, "Cunning."

Although the middle-aged scholar spoke nicely, his written evaluation was not lenient at all. Heavenly Grade C was an old system evaluation, placed here only as a reference to show respect for the old system. What actually mattered was the score that followed. This twenty-five points, while seemingly much higher than Liu Sigu's score, was still a step away from a Cave Heaven. With two out of six evaluators giving low scores, it would be extremely difficult for Wei Yuan to climb to a Cave Heaven.

Having dug such a deep pit at the Dao Assessment, it would be as difficult as reaching heaven to turn things around later.

At this point, the new batch of candidates in the hall below had already begun their Dao Assessment. The few evaluators stopped arguing and wrote their evaluations. Thus, another line appeared on the stone tablet:

Wei Yuan, Earth Grade A, thirty points.

The old scholar's face darkened slightly. He looked at the other evaluators, wanting to see who was so blind as to deliberately oppose him. However, since they could all be evaluators, they were all cunning old foxes, and he couldn't discern their thoughts from their faces.