Falsifying and Live Ammunition

In the age and cultivation assessment, besides the nine-year-old boy, Du Meng was the most eye-catching at Qin Shaofeng's station. At fourteen years old and at the Houtian Tenth Layer, Du Meng's talent was evident just from that fact alone. This was even more so considering Du Meng's impressive physique. Because of this, Du Meng had truly stolen the spotlight at that assessment location, even though he himself didn't want to.

The current focus was on a young man who, before Du Meng, had caused a stir with his Xiantian Martial Master realm cultivation. Unfortunately, his moment in the spotlight didn't last long, being completely overshadowed by Du Meng's appearance. Qin Shaofeng remembered the person's name, something like Chen Yuanxin. Could it be that Chen Yuanxin, feeling that Du Meng had stolen his thunder, was now looking to reclaim it with a provocative challenge? Thinking about it, Qin Shaofeng felt it was quite possible. This made Qin Shaofeng feel a bit speechless.

Qin Shaofeng's guess was correct; the person entering the assessment area at this moment was indeed Chen Yuanxin. Looking at Du Meng, who was being watched by many eyes, Chen Yuanxin felt extremely jealous. In his opinion, the attention should have been his, but Du Meng had snatched it away. How could he accept that? Therefore, he planned to achieve a good result in this strength assessment segment. Chen Yuanxin was confident that with his abilities, passing the seventh level should be no problem. If he used his father's method, even passing the eighth level wouldn't be impossible! He touched the item in his pocket, and Chen Yuanxin stepped into the assessment area with a confident look.

A few moments later, the first ring on the assessment area's door lit up. No one was surprised by this, as Chen Yuanxin was a Xiantian Martial Master, so this speed was not unusual. After more than ten breaths, the second ring also lit up, signifying the second level was passed. Then, the third and fourth rings lit up. A quarter of an hour later, the fifth ring on the door lit up. It was the fifth level! The onlookers, who were also candidates, began to discuss amongst themselves. "He passed, it's the fifth level!" "Tsk tsk, Chen Yuanxin is indeed a master at the Xiantian realm. He passed five levels in just a quarter of an hour!" "How many levels do you think Chen Yuanxin can pass?" "I guess seven. Chen Yuanxin is only at the Innate First Layer, so the seventh level is probably his limit!" "Yeah, that's about right. But I think he might even be able to break through the eighth level. After all, Chen Yuanxin is the most talented person in our area!" "Alas, whether it's the seventh or eighth level, Chen Yuanxin is destined to go further than us!" Amidst the crowd's discussion, the sixth ring lit up. Chen Yuanxin had passed the sixth level. For a moment, the crowd erupted in exclamations. Chen Yuanxin was the first person among the candidates in this assessment area to pass the sixth level! After the sixth level, a considerable amount of time passed. They waited for a full two quarters of an hour before the seventh ring finally lit up. "He passed! He passed! Chen Yuanxin passed the seventh level!" Whoosh! The crowd burst into an uproar, and even the examiner guarding the assessment area's expression became slightly more serious. Those who could pass the seventh level were considered quite talented. Moreover, Chen Yuanxin was only sixteen years old. If he continued at this pace, he might have the potential to reach the Spirit Meridian Realm! The Spirit Meridian Realm was the realm of true experts! Talents with the potential to reach the Spirit Meridian Realm would naturally be recorded by the examiners. However, in the examiners' eyes, the seventh level was likely Chen Yuanxin's limit. After all, it took him a full two quarters of an hour to pass the seventh level, making the eighth level a bit of a stretch for him. Everyone present thought the same way. But, to everyone's surprise, dozens of breaths had passed, and Chen Yuanxin still hadn't appeared. This was unexpected. Could it be that Chen Yuanxin was attempting the eighth level? A surprised thought flashed through everyone's minds. After a while longer, Chen Yuanxin still hadn't emerged from the assessment area, and the crowd was certain that Chen Yuanxin was indeed challenging the eighth level. The crowd then waited patiently, as they assumed that since Chen Yuanxin took two quarters of an hour for the seventh level, the eighth level would likely take even longer.

What happened next surprised everyone again.

A quarter of an hour!

In just a quarter of an hour, the eighth ring on the assessment hall's door lit up.

He passed the eighth level?

The scene fell silent for a moment, everyone finding it hard to believe.

In the distance, where the Star Students from the Heavenly King Party, Lone Wolf Gang, and Nine Phoenix Garden were, Chen Yuanxin's passing the eighth level finally caught their attention.

"Someone passed the eighth level?"

Brother Lin from the Heavenly King Party's eyes lit up slightly. The man from the Lone Wolf Gang and the woman from the Nine Phoenix Garden also had a flash of brilliance in their eyes.

However, upon learning that Chen Yuanxin was male, the woman from the Nine Phoenix Garden showed a hint of disappointment and stopped paying attention to him. Instead, she looked at the two men beside her with interest.

"Brother Lin, can this person join my Lone Wolf Gang? The next one can be yours!" the man from the Lone Wolf Gang spoke first.

"Join my Lone Wolf Gang?"

Anger flashed in Brother Lin's eyes. Those who could pass the eighth level were all talented prodigies. With a little cultivation from the Heavenly King Party, breaking through to the Spirit Meridian Realm would be no problem. How could he just let the Lone Wolf Gang have him?

But the next moment, just as he was about to refuse, he suddenly saw someone walk out of the assessment hall where the eighth level had been passed.

He hadn't paid much attention at first, but when he sensed the aura emanating from the person, he suddenly laughed.

"Since Brother Wu Lang said so, I, Lin Zhihao, won't snatch someone away. We'll do as you say!"

Huh?

Wu Lang from the Lone Wolf Gang was startled and looked at Lin Zhihao with surprise.

Since when had Lin Zhihao become so agreeable?

But he soon understood why Lin Zhihao was acting this way.

At this moment, he also saw Chen Yuanxin. However, upon seeing Chen Yuanxin, Wu Lang's expression suddenly darkened.

That person actually relied on a pill to pass the eighth level?

Outside the assessment hall, Chen Yuanxin's face was pale as he thought of what had just happened, his expression one of lingering fear.

When he passed the seventh level, Chen Yuanxin had already exerted his full strength and only barely managed to pass.

As for the eighth level, Chen Yuanxin had used a treasure prepared by his father – a pill that temporarily boosted his strength.

Relying on the pill, Chen Yuanxin temporarily possessed the strength of the Innate Second Layer.

This was why he had taken two quarters of an hour to pass the seventh level, but only a quarter of an hour for the eighth.

After passing the eighth level, Chen Yuanxin was still unwilling to give up and planned to attempt the ninth level. However, after entering the ninth level, he could only endure for three breaths before being forced to retreat.

If he hadn't retreated quickly, he would have been seriously injured by now.

Chen Yuanxin finally understood why so few people passed the ninth level.

Such an assessment was simply unbearable for ordinary people!

Fortunately, he had at least passed the eighth level.

Chen Yuanxin was confident that his results would definitely be among the top ten. After all, he had only taken a quarter of an hour to pass the eighth level.

And with the three breaths he endured in the ninth level, Chen Yuanxin was extremely satisfied with his achievement.

Such a result in his father's era would have been seventh or eighth place.

For this reason, he cast a very dismissive glance at Du Meng.

However, Chen Yuanxin was unaware that after he came out, the examiner recording the scores frowned, scrutinized Chen Yuanxin for a few moments, and finally shook his head slightly. He then took the book where Chen Yuanxin's name had just been recorded and crossed it out.

In comparison, Wu Lang from the Lone Wolf Gang was not as calm as the examiner.

Although the assessment did not explicitly prohibit the use of pills, any genius who could reach the seventh or eighth level was proud. Who would resort to using pills to pass?

Such results were essentially fake, merely looking good on the surface but absolutely contemptible in reality.

That was exactly how Wu Lang felt now. Because of Chen Yuanxin, he had wasted an opportunity to compete with Lin Zhihao for a newcomer. As for Chen Yuanxin himself, he no longer intended to recruit him into the Lone Wolf Gang.

The Lone Wolf Gang was, after all, one of the top factions in Lianyang Academy. Even though Chen Yuanxin was a prodigy, they did not want someone who resorted to such deception.

However, while the Lone Wolf Gang and the Heavenly King Party were not interested, some other factions were somewhat interested in Chen Yuanxin.

Despite the deception, Chen Yuanxin was still able to pass the seventh level through his own efforts, making him a decent talent.

Qin Shaofeng also sensed something unusual about Chen Yuanxin.

Because of the latter's provocation towards Du Meng, Qin Shaofeng had paid attention. Before Chen Yuanxin entered the assessment hall, he had activated his Fiery Golden Eyes to scan his attributes.

But when Chen Yuanxin came out again, Qin Shaofeng realized that something was wrong.

He activated his Fiery Golden Eyes again and quickly understood why.

Character: Chen Yuanxin
Level: Houtian First Layer (Initial) (Houtian Second Layer (Initial))
Inner Qi (Houtian): 10/1200 (2200)

Chen Yuanxin's stats hadn't changed much, but his cultivation realm and Inner Qi stats now had an additional bracketed attribute at the end.

Qin Shaofeng was no stranger to these bracketed attributes; they represented temporary boosts.

Qin Shaofeng understood then that Chen Yuanxin must have taken some kind of pill to pass the eighth stage.

After seeing Chen Yuanxin's stats initially, he thought Chen Yuanxin was only slightly stronger than average (average Inner Qi for a Houtian First Layer is 1000 points). Now, with Chen Yuanxin's current state, Qin Shaofeng didn't even bother to look at him.

Someone like that, let alone someone at the same Houtian First Layer realm, could probably trade blows with Mengzi right now without falling behind. There was no need to pay him any mind.

Therefore, Qin Shaofeng didn't plan to warn Du Meng about anything. It was a shame Qin Shaofeng forgot one thing: some people, no matter what, always stir up trouble.

If you don't look for trouble, trouble will find you!

Completely unaware that he had been provoked, Du Meng rushed towards the assessment area full of excitement when it was his turn.

At the same time, not only the crowd on-site but also some hidden observers were casting their attention.

Du Meng was indeed Du Meng!

His personality and physique were truly something to behold!

Compared to Chen Yuanxin, Du Meng's progression through the trials was incredibly fierce!

Chen Yuanxin took about five seconds for the first stage, but Du Meng only needed three.

The second stage took him less than ten seconds...

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

As soon as Du Meng entered, the circular rings on the assessment area's gate lit up with incredible speed!

In less than fifteen minutes, Du Meng had reached the seventh stage.

In fifteen minutes, Chen Yuanxin had only reached the sixth stage.

The difference was stark when compared.

Even Wu Lang, who had been watching Du Meng, couldn't help but sigh after observing for a while, "This is the difference between faking it and true strength!"