The Assessment Concludes

The tide of cheers in the martial arena refused to subside for a long while.

Shen Yuan was covered in wounds, his coarse cloth fighting outfit soaked through with blood. His body swayed on the verge of collapse, held upright only by sheer will.

A Body Tempering Sixth Layer cultivator had defeated Zhao Kun, an Outer Sect genius at the Body Tempering Ninth Stage, head-on. This was enough to shake the entire Azure Cloud Sect Outer Sect.

Zhao Kun knelt on one knee upon the bluestone of the arena, a clear fist mark on his chest and broad stains of blood soaking his white robes. He slowly rose to his feet, his blood and qi churning in his chest, his eyes filled with frantic unwillingness.

Three years ago, he had watched helplessly as the original Shen Yuan displayed dazzling talent, a genius pressing down upon his head. Back then, he had secretly plotted to cripple the other's innate foundation, believing he had eliminated all future trouble once and for all. Who could have imagined that this person, who should have been utterly crippled, would survive a fall from a cliff, rise against the odds all the way, and defeat him openly and honorably beneath the gaze of the masses.

The halo of his title as number one in the Outer Sect had been completely torn to shreds today.

Countless gazes below the stage fell upon Zhao Kun, while discussions rose and fell in waves.

"Senior Brother Zhao lost—to someone who was once a menial servant." "Shen Yuan's battle is enough to be recorded in the history of the Outer Sect Assessment."

Those words entered Zhao Kun's ears like needles. He could not accept such a defeat.

"That's not right!"

Zhao Kun suddenly let out a thunderous shout that rang through the entire martial arena.

The clamor of the crowd abruptly quieted somewhat.

Everyone's eyes focused upon the arena.

Zhao Kun pointed at Shen Yuan, his face full of fury as he roared, "His victory was dishonorable! Shen Yuan, you must have used some demonic art from crooked paths and forbidden ways! Otherwise, how could a mere Body Tempering Sixth Layer defeat me, a Body Tempering Ninth Stage cultivator?!"

Demonic art!

The moment those two words were spoken, the entire crowd erupted in an uproar.

"Demonic art?"

Expressions of shock and suspicion appeared on many disciples' faces.

"No wonder he could rise again after his innate foundation was shattered. Could it be that he truly relied on some sinister demonic technique?"

Some of Zhao Kun's followers immediately began to echo him and stir up trouble.

"That's right! It must be demonic art! Otherwise, there's no way to explain it!" "We request that the elders thoroughly investigate Shen Yuan! We cannot let demonic arts bring disaster upon the sect!"

A commotion broke out beneath the stage.

Standing atop the arena, Shen Yuan's gaze turned cold upon hearing this slander.

Zhao Kun had lost on the arena and refused to acknowledge his defeat in strength, so he slapped the great hat of demonic arts onto Shen Yuan, seeking to ruin his reputation. Once the charge of using demonic arts was confirmed, even if Shen Yuan had won the arena battle, the sect would still punish him.

On the ceremonial platform, several elders frowned tightly.

Elder Zhang leaned slightly forward and spoke loudly, his voice overpowering the uproar of the crowd. "Zhao Kun, accusations require evidence. What do you mean by demonic art? Did you personally witness him using an evil technique?"

Zhao Kun's chest heaved. Where could he possibly have any evidence?

"If not for demonic arts, how could he recover his fighting strength after his innate foundation was shattered and defeat me across three realms of cultivation? It simply defies all reason!" Zhao Kun argued sharply, blaming everything on what he deemed unreasonable while producing no solid proof whatsoever.

Quite a few disciples below the stage began to waver. A shattered innate foundation, then victory across three realms of cultivation—it truly went against ordinary understanding.

Shen Yuan stepped forward. Covered in blood, his voice carried clearly in every direction.

"Zhao Kun, because you couldn't defeat me, you slap the label of demonic arts on me?" Shen Yuan stared directly at Zhao Kun. "My innate foundation has not fully recovered. From beginning to end on this arena, I used only the True Subduing Tiger Fist, evolved from the sect's basic fist technique. Every move was seen by the elders and tens of thousands of fellow disciples. Where is this so-called demonic art?"

After a pause, Shen Yuan turned toward the elevated platform. "Elder, this junior is willing to undergo an examination. You may inspect my meridians and blood qi to see whether I bear any traces left behind by cultivating sinister demonic arts."

He had voluntarily requested an examination, open and aboveboard.

Elder Zhang nodded slightly. "Good! Law Enforcement Hall stewards, come onto the stage and inspect Shen Yuan's aura and meridians!"

Two Law Enforcement Hall stewards immediately leaped onto the arena. They placed their palms upon Shen Yuan's shoulders and used their divine senses to examine the circulation of his internal meridians.

A moment later, the Law Enforcement Hall stewards turned and reported loudly toward the elevated platform, "Reporting to Elder Zhang, Shen Yuan's body contains only the circulation of blood qi from the Azure Cloud Sect's orthodox breathing method. There is not the slightest trace of demonic or evil aura!"

The truth was laid bare.

The commotion of the entire crowd instantly subsided.

Zhao Kun's face alternated between green and white as he stood there in utter embarrassment. He had publicly slandered Shen Yuan, yet failed to produce evidence and had instead been disproven on the spot by the Law Enforcement Hall.

The direction of the discussions among the disciples below the stage completely reversed.

"So Zhao Kun was simply a sore loser, making accusations out of thin air!" "Framing someone for demonic arts after losing a fight is beneath his dignity."

As the mocking voices entered Zhao Kun's ears, his face burned so fiercely that he wished he could find a crack in the ground and crawl into it.

With a stern expression, Elder Zhang announced loudly, "The outcome of this Outer Sect Assessment arena battle stands. Shen Yuan is the first-place winner of this Outer Sect Assessment!"

Earth-shaking cheers erupted once more.

The Outer Sect Assessment had finally settled like dust.

Next, it was time to fulfill the wager made earlier.

Everyone recalled that Shen Yuan and Liu Er had sworn an oath before incense and spirit tablets. If Shen Yuan passed the assessment, Liu Er would kneel publicly and apologize.

At that moment, Liu Er was already being held at one side of the stands, wearing a cangue and shackles.

Elder Zhang looked toward the restrained Liu Er. "Liu Er, you swore an oath with Shen Yuan before the spirit tablets. Shen Yuan has now passed the assessment and claimed first place in the Outer Sect. According to the wager, it is time for you to fulfill your promise."

Liu Er's entire body went limp, his face ashen.

The evidence of his attempt to murder a fellow disciple last night was conclusive, and he could no longer escape severe punishment. Now he still had to kneel and apologize before the public, losing every shred of face.

Under the suppression of the Law Enforcement disciples, Liu Er endured boundless humiliation and fell to his knees with a thud in the open ground of the martial arena. Facing Shen Yuan, he lowered his head and apologized softly.

"Shen Yuan... I was wrong. I apologize to you."

Before tens of thousands of watching eyes, the wager was fulfilled completely.

The watching disciples sighed and murmured.

Shen Yuan looked at Liu Er kneeling on the ground, yet felt little satisfaction. Liu Er was merely a chess piece. Zhao Kun, the true person behind the scenes, had still not been convicted. Even after their exchange on the arena, Shen Yuan had not obtained conclusive evidence that Zhao Kun had crippled the original Shen Yuan's innate foundation back then.

Zhao Kun stood on the other side of the arena, his face so gloomy it seemed water could drip from it as he glared viciously at Shen Yuan.

The wager was settled, and the assessment had concluded.

Elder Zhang spoke again, his voice carrying through the entire arena. "Shen Yuan has claimed first place in the Outer Sect. According to sect rules, the first-place winner of the Outer Sect may qualify to challenge the Inner Sect. However, entering the Inner Sect still requires passing a specialized Inner Sect Test. Are you willing to accept?"

The Inner Sect Test!

Everyone nearby focused their eyes upon Shen Yuan.

From a lowly menial servant, he had fought his way to first place in the Outer Sect. Now, before him stood the gate leading into the Inner Sect.

Shen Yuan raised his eyes toward the elevated platform and answered in a deep voice, "This junior is willing to accept the Inner Sect Test."