Inner Pavilion Assessment

Fate Defying Pavilion, Cultivation Area.

Luo Can and Qian Renxue stood side by side in front of a newly built Trial Tower. The tower was seven stories high and was made entirely of dark blue stone. Its surface was covered with complex Soul Tool Patterns and emitted faint Soul Power Wave.

This is the "Trial Tower" that Ju Zi and the disciples of the Soul Tool Hall rushed to complete some time ago. It is specifically used for disciple assessment and combat training. The tower is set up with various Illusory Realm, mechanisms, and Spirit Beast Phantoms, which can Simulation different battle scenarios and test the disciples' combat ability, adaptability, Teamwork, etc.

"Not bad." Luo Can looked up at the Trial Tower and nodded in satisfaction. "Ju Zi's expertise in Soul Tool is getting deeper and deeper. The design of this tower is ingenious and is sufficient for use up to the Spirit Saint level."

"She's been researching this day and night for almost half a month," Qian Renxue said with a smile.

The two entered the first floor of the Trial Tower.

The interior space appears larger than the exterior, clearly due to the use of Space Expansion Technology. The hall is spacious with a smooth white stone floor, and the walls are inlaid with lighting Soul Tool, illuminating the entire space as if it were daytime.

Ye Qingyu had been waiting there for some time. Upon seeing the two, she quickly stepped forward and greeted them, "Pavilion Master, Vice Pavilion Master."

"Chief Ye," Luo Can nodded, "Let's hold the Inner Pavilion assessment here. Xue'er and I have already discussed the specific rules."

He looked at Qian Renxue Qian Renxue, who understood, stepped forward, and began to speak:

"The Inner Pavilion assessment consists of three stages. The first stage Temperament Test, in which one enters Illusory Realm and faces various temptations, fears, and pressures; those who can remain steadfast in their principles will pass."

"The second stage Combat Test. Challenge the Spirit Beast Phantoms of the same level in the Trial Tower. The score will be based on the number of soul beasts defeated, the time taken, and the severity of injuries sustained."

"The third challenge Teamwork. Teams of three will complete assigned tasks, assessing their coordination, command, and adaptability."

She paused, then continued:

"Passing all three tests will grant you access to the Inner Pavilion Disciple."

Ye Qingyu carefully noted it down and said, "It's a very comprehensive system. This way, the disciples have clear goals and will work harder to cultivate and take on missions."

"And this too." Luo Can took out a jade slip from his robes and handed it to Ye Qingyu. "These are the rules for the Inner Pavilion Ranking List. The ranking is calculated based on a comprehensive assessment of Soul Power Level, Contribution Point, number of completed tasks, and combat performance. It is settled monthly, and the top ten receive extra rewards—pills, Soul Tool, and Contribution Point are all acceptable."

"Rankings..." Ye Qingyu took the jade slip, probed it with her spiritual power, and quickly browsed through it. "This is good! I'll make the arrangements right away. Once Li Qing returns, we'll begin the first Inner Pavilion assessment immediately."

"Hmm." Luo Can nodded. "Also, after the two hundred newly recruited disciples complete their basic training, they can come to the Trial Tower for a trial experience. There will be no assessment; it will just be a way for them to familiarize themselves with the environment."

"Clear."

Three days later, Li Qing returned from the Star Dou Forest.

He successfully obtained his Fifth Spirit Ring, and his spirit power broke through to level 52. His demeanor became more composed. As soon as he returned to the Fate Defying Pavilion, he heard about the Inner Pavilion assessment and signed up without hesitation.

Along with him, there were eight other disciples who signed up. Besides Yang Gang, who was still exploring the Far North, there were Yang Fan, Ye Qingyu, Huang Erhe, Ye Cheng, Kaido, two female disciples Huang Yue and Ling Xiaoqi, and a male disciple Trek.

The nine people stood before the Trial Tower, their expressions varying, some excited, others calm.

Ye Qingyu stood in front of the tower, her voice clear and melodious:

"The Inner Pavilion assessment begins now. The first stage: Temperament Test —enter the tower!"

The Trial Tower doors slowly opened, revealing a hazy white light inside. The nine people exchanged glances, took a deep breath, and stepped inside.

Outside the tower, Luo Can, Qian Renxue, and many Outer Pavilion disciples were watching. Everyone wanted to know how many of these first batch of people participating in the Inner Pavilion assessment would pass.

Time passed slowly.

Half an hour later, the first floor of the Trial Tower lit up, and seven figures were teleported out. They all looked somewhat dazed, but quickly regained their senses.

"The first hurdle: get past nine people," Ye Qingyu's voice rang out.

The disciples watching gasped in astonishment. They had all seen through it! It seemed these nine people were indeed exceptionally strong-willed.

"Second stage, Combat Test, each person takes on the challenge independently, begin."

The Trial Tower lit up again, this time in layers—from the second to the fourth floor, all flashing simultaneously. This meant that the nine people were taking on challenges on three different floors.

Seven light screens appeared outside the tower, displaying the combat status of each person.

Li Qing's opponent was a ten -Ten Thousand Years Earth Dragon. He was agile and moved nimbly in the confined space. His scythe spirit was like a venomous snake, targeting the Earth Dragon's weak joints. After thirty moves, the Earth Dragon collapsed to the ground.

Yang Fan faced three thousand-year-old Wind Wolf. He chose to hold his ground, his earth-yellow soul power condensing into armor around him to withstand the attacks, and then seizing the opportunity to deliver a fatal blow.

Ye Qingyu's opponent was a thousand-year-old Ghost Vine. He released his emerald green vine martial spirit and actually engaged the Ghost Vine in a fierce battle. In the end, he used vine to control vine and strangled it to death.

The battle lasted for a full hour.

As the last piece of light went dark, the nine people were teleported out again. Some were dressed in tattered clothes, some were injured, but their eyes were burning with fighting spirit.

"Second hurdle, pass them all," Ye Qingyu said.

However, two people barely passed this test: Ling Xiaoqi and Kaido. Their martial souls were relatively ordinary, and they suffered a great loss in the battle.

But in the end, he persevered through sheer willpower.

"The third challenge Teamwork. The nine of you will divide into three groups of three. The task is to obtain the ' Crystal Core ' within the Illusory Realm, with a time limit of one hour."

The nine people exchanged glances and quickly divided into groups: Li Qing, Yang Fan, and Ye Qingyu in one group; Huang Erhe, Ye Cheng, and Kaido in another; and Huang Yue, Ling Xiaoqi, and Trek in yet another.

The Trial Tower shone brightly, engulfing the nine people.

This time, there was no live broadcast. People outside the tower could only wait.

An hour later, the tower gate opened again.

The first group, consisting of Li Qing and two others, emerged, looking disheveled, but each holding a fist-sized blue crystal.

The second group, Huang Erhe and his two companions, took a full hour and a half to emerge. They were in a much worse state, their soul power greatly depleted, but they still managed to obtain Crystal Core.

However, Huang Yue and her two companions from the third group failed to obtain the Crystal Core after emerging, and the three looked dejected.

"The third test, two groups passed." Ye Qingyu announced, "The Inner Pavilion assessment is over. Those who passed are: Li Qing, Yang Fan, Ye Qingyu, Huang Erhe, Ye Cheng, Kaido. Congratulations to the six of you for becoming the first Inner Pavilion Disciple of the Fate Defying Pavilion. As for the three of you, you'll have to wait for the next assessment."

Applause erupted, and the Outer Pavilion disciples watching were filled with envy and longing.

The six exchanged smiles, their eyes brimming with excitement; today they had finally become Inner Pavilion Disciple.

Huang Yue and the other two were somewhat annoyed, secretly vowing that they would definitely get through next time!

"At the same time, the Inner Pavilion Ranking List will begin today," Ye Qingyu continued. "The ranking will be settled monthly, and the rewards for the top ten are as follows: First place: 5,000 Contribution Point + three Black-grade Soul Power Pill and one Ten- Ten-Thousand Year Whale Rubber; Second to Fifth place: 3,000 Contribution Point and one Black Level pill; Sixth to Tenth place: 1,000 Contribution Point."

"Whoosh--"

The scene erupted in uproar: Black Level pill! A four-figure Contribution Point!

The rewards for this leaderboard are incredibly generous!

However, Luo Can stepped forward and said with a smile, "If you can maintain your position in the top ten of the rankings for more than half a year, you will receive a ten- Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone. Moreover, if you do not claim this reward and continue to dominate the rankings for more than a year, you will be rewarded with a Spirit Bone Spirit Bone. If you can dominate the rankings for ten years, you will be rewarded with Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone."

As he spoke, he waved his hand, and a blackish-red Right Arm Spirit Bone, Soul Power Wave, slowly appeared in front of him. The intense red aura was so dazzling that everyone could not open their eyes.

"Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone!"

All the disciples' eyes turned red, their hearts burning with fierce fighting spirit. They would enter the Inner Pavilion! They would climb the rankings!

Even Ye Qingyu's eyes gleamed with fervor.

Luo Can watched this scene with a smile on his lips.

"Keep it up, everyone! I look forward to the day you can claim the ultimate reward!"

As he spoke, he withdrew his hand, and the Hundred Thousand Years Right Arm Spirit Bone was put away. Then he took Qian Renxue and Ju Zi to the Soul Tool Hall.