Exam Rules and the Merit Judge

In the blink of an eye, another half month flew by.

That day, the door to the Grade A cultivation chamber, shut tight for so long, finally opened.

Two figures walked out side by side: Chu Bai and Wang Qingli, who had spent a month in grueling seclusion.

They looked travel-worn, and their clothes bore several patches, but their auras had been honed to an extraordinary degree.

Wang Qingli in particular had gained an immovable, mountain-like weight beneath her cool demeanor. Her gaze was resolute; the month of brutal sparring had clearly done her a great deal of good.

"Phew... Finally out."

Wang Qingli looked up at the sunlight she had not seen in so long and let out a deep breath.

When she glanced back at the cultivation chamber, a hint of reluctance entered her eyes.

The month had been exhausting. Every day, Chu Bai's monstrous assaults had tormented her nearly beyond endurance, but the progress was real.

She could feel how much more seamless her defenses had become. Her experience handling rapid attacks and drawn-out fights had improved by leaps and bounds.

"This seclusion has completely emptied more than half a year of my savings, once I count the pills."

Wang Qingli shook her empty Storage Bag with a rueful smile.

Besides her share of the rental fee—150 Dao Merit—she had spent a small fortune on Qi-Replenishing Pills just to keep pace with Chu Bai.

Fortunately, as a third-year elite, she took on plenty of missions. She could afford to burn through that much.

"I can earn more money. These skills are mine to keep."

Wang Qingli turned to Chu Bai, her voice sincere. "Junior Brother, thank you. Without a terrifyingly strong sparring partner like you feeding me moves every day, I'm afraid my Thick Earth Shield would