Free Web NovelChapter 57: Chapter 57: Sect Assessment
At this time, large numbers of Sect Disciples from all over the Cangwu Sect were riding their artifacts toward the Sect Hall.
For a moment, the sky filled with streaks of rainbow light, a dreamlike, illusory sight.
Meanwhile, the Mountain Gate Plaza was just as bustling.
Innumerable Immortal Seeds were taking part in the new year’s entry examinations.
To avoid any interference, even the Sect Disciple assessment had been arranged in batches.
"I can’t believe we’re already considered old disciples."
The four of them sighed in unison.
Soon, they arrived outside the Sect Hall, where another large plaza was already packed with a sea of people.
"Quiet! I will now announce the specifics of the assessment. It will be conducted in two parts. The first is a Cultivation check. Anyone below the Qi Cultivation Third Layer will be immediately eliminated and demoted to a servant disciple."
"Those who pass will proceed to the second part: heading out to exterminate Demonized Beasts."
"The first part begins now. The second is scheduled for tomorrow morning."
"Prepare well tonight. You don’t want to fail the assessment only to lose your life in the process."
"Of course, if you are afraid, you can withdraw now. You will be considered to have failed the Cultivation check and processed accordingly."
"The specific rewards and rules are written here. Take your time and read them for yourselves!"
At that moment, a high-ranking member of the Sect appeared—a man with the appearance of a middle-aged scholar, whose true Cultivation was impossible to discern.
He stood suspended in mid-air, spoke a few casual words, and then his figure blurred, transforming into a streak of rainbow light as he departed.
As he left, with a grand wave of his hand, a water curtain materialized in the sky, upon which lines of text appeared.
"Demonized Beasts?"
"Heavens, we actually have to kill those things? That’s too dangerous, isn’t it?"
"Exactly! This is basically a suicide mission. Do we really have to go?"
The disciples in attendance instantly erupted into an uproar.
No one was surprised or felt any pressure about the first part of the assessment, even though the rule allowing three failures before demotion had been eliminated.
Almost everyone who entered the Outer Sect had a Middle Grade Spirit Root and a Middle Grade Cultivation Technique. As long as they didn’t slack off, reaching the Qi Cultivation Third Layer was a breeze.
But this second part made many of their faces turn pale with fright.
Even Zhang Chi was slightly taken aback.
They were no longer rookies in Immortal Cultivation, so they knew exactly what Demonized Beasts were.
Although they were still Demon Beasts, they had been tainted by Demonic Qi. Their intelligence was lower, but they were far more ferocious and bloodthirsty.
The ones that had undergone certain mutations due to the Demonic Qi were especially difficult to handle.
Under normal circumstances, many Cultivators might go their entire lives without ever encountering a Demonized Beast.
But this time, it was clear that all the disciples would have to face them head-on.
However, none of these disciples were ordinary folk. They quickly composed themselves and turned their attention to the text on the water curtain.
"Oh, so we just have to kill Tier One Early Stage Demonized Beasts, and we’re allowed to form teams. With good results, there are such generous rewards... This change to the assessment actually seems like a good thing!"
"Yeah, exactly!"
After reading the details, the eyes of the disciples lit up. Many of them changed their tune on the spot, becoming eager to give it a try.
According to the text, most of the target Demon Beasts were Tier One Early Stage, with only a few at Tier One Middle Stage.
Their task was simple: kill as many as they could and obtain their Demonized Monster Pills.
The more they killed, the higher their rank, and the greater their rewards.
Any Demon Beast Materials they harvested would be theirs to keep.
Aside from being used to calculate rankings, the Demon Pills would also be bought back by the Sect.
The variety of rewards was extensive, including Spiritual Elixirs, Secret Techniques, and Array Magical Artifacts—almost anything one could wish for.
Of course, Low Tier Demon Beasts do not possess Demon Pills, not unless they reach Tier Three, which is equivalent to the human Golden Core Realm.
However, after killing a Low Tier Demon Beast, one could artificially use a Secret Technique or a specialized Magical Artifact to condense the creature’s Blood Spirit Pill. This Demon Beast Blood Spirit Pill is also known as a Pseudo-Demon Pill.
Most of the time, a Pseudo-Demon Pill is simply referred to as a Demon Pill.
A Pseudo-Demon Pill that has undergone Demonization, in turn, is called a Demon Pill.
Since Demon Pills are relatively rare, and fresh ones even more so, there was an inspection procedure before the assessment, so there was no worry of anyone cheating.
Of course, the Sect wouldn’t prohibit disciples from helping each other during the assessment or even purchasing Demon Pills from their fellow disciples.
For one, it was a voluntary choice on the disciples’ part.
For another, it could also encourage cooperation among them.
Disciples with powerful backgrounds would certainly have an advantage, but the other disciples wouldn’t necessarily lose out too much.
Besides, that was just reality!
Fortunately, while ranking high was difficult, simply passing wasn’t.
The Sect had also forbidden disciples from harming one another, stating that anyone who did so would be immediately marked by the Sect via a Secret Technique.
’This assessment format is great!’
By this point, Zhang Chi had long since calmed down and was even feeling a sense of eager anticipation.
He wasn’t dead set on obtaining the rewards for the top ranks.
Even with his formidable Combat Power, he knew he might not be able to compete with some of the disciples from powerful backgrounds.
If those people were willing to spend Spirit Stones, they could easily buy their way into first place.
A high rank would be too conspicuous and would inevitably draw unwanted attention.
The Xie Family wasn’t so bad, but if the Song Family also took notice of him, it would be a huge problem.
Therefore, his goal this time was simply to pass without incident, allowing him to continue his Cultivation in Seclusion.
Of course, the more Demon Pills the better. He could make a fortune quietly, whether by selling them privately or keeping them for Alchemy.
With the help of the Jade Pendant, he could even use them directly.
But that clearly wouldn’t be as effective as refining them into Elixirs, nor would it allow him to improve his Alchemy skills in the process.
"Senior Brother Zhang, why don’t we team up?" freewёbnoνel.com
"Yes, we’ve already made arrangements with Senior Sister Chen. She already has a group of companions, all of them strong and with good backing. We’ll definitely be safe with them."
Qin Susu and He Shi extended the invitation. He Yan said nothing, but nodded along eagerly.
"No thanks, I’ve already joined another team. However, if I run into trouble, I’ll contact you. Likewise, if you need help, you can send me a message."
But Zhang Chi refused without hesitation.
There was safety in numbers, but there was also more drama.
He was strong enough to be a lone wolf.
Being with a group would only hold him back and prevent him from acting freely.
As for the Xie Family, he wasn’t afraid of them.
If they came after him, he would retaliate fiercely.
And even if they didn’t, he would cause trouble for them if the opportunity arose.
Of course, with so many disciples in the assessment and such a vast area, they might not even run into each other, even if both parties were looking for a confrontation.
"Alright, then."
Qin Susu and the others knew that once Zhang Chi made up his mind, he rarely changed it, so they could only nod in acceptance.
They didn’t give it a second thought when Zhang Chi said he had found other companions.
They had often gone to lectures together over the past year, but they didn’t spend every waking moment with each other.
It was only natural that they each had their own social circles.
Meanwhile, the assessment had begun.
Following the Sect’s arrangements, the disciples formed long lines and quickly walked, one by one, into Array patterns carved on the ground.
Flashes of Spiritual Light flared up, revealing their Cultivation levels for all to see.
Disciples who didn’t meet the standard were immediately demoted to servant disciples on the spot.
Those who passed were scored based on their Cultivation level.
This score would also factor into the final assessment rankings.
"Song Yan, Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer, and looks close to a breakthrough! Very good. Pass."
"Chen Ling’er, Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer. Not bad. Next."
"Xie Jingyan, Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer..."
Whenever someone with a high Cultivation level appeared, the Cultivator on duty would announce it loudly.
Seeing this, the other disciples were filled with envy.
Since these were all disciples who had only been in the Outer Sect for a year, reaching the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer was the absolute limit, marking them as top prodigies of the Outer Sect.
Of course, such individuals were in the absolute minority, and all of them came from powerful backgrounds.
For instance, some were the younger generation of Immortal Cultivation Clans themselves.
However, even with a head start in Cultivation and an Immortal Ascension Order, there were age restrictions. The major Sects wouldn’t accept anyone too old, and Immortal Cultivation Influences generally wouldn’t over-invest in a Middle Grade Spirit Root. Thus, no matter how high their Cultivation, none of them could truly surpass Zhang Chi.
The vast majority of disciples were only at the Qi Cultivation Third or Fourth Layer.
’Don’t let them see through this!’
Zhang Chi had long since converted his Cultivation to the First Transformation of the Three-Turns Fierce Sun Technique and used the Divine Concealment Technique to suppress his Cultivation to the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer, but he still felt a bit nervous.
