#972 - Entry Assessment

Inside the Azure Cloud Grotto Heaven Sect, there was a wide, flat area engraved with array patterns, facing a mountain cliff.

Standing on that cliff were two dignified-looking elders.

Two deacons led the group to a halt in front of the array-patterned area.

Before them was a stone platform with a crystal ball the size of a washbasin on it.

“This crystal ball is an artifact for testing your realms, and the realm test is one of today's assessments,” one of the deacons said, turning to explain to the group, while the other deacon went towards the cliff at the end of the array, landing beside the two elders and whispering something.

“The entry assessment is divided into two stages, the first being the realm test. You have already passed the preliminaries. Regardless of the outcome of today's assessment, you can all register for entry and become disciples of my Azure Cloud Grotto Heaven. However, the first stage of the assessment, the realm test, determines whether you will be outer or inner disciples after entering the sect!”

“In my Azure Cloud Grotto Heaven, the requirement for inner disciples is to enter the Saint Realm. Anyone among you who has cultivated to the Saint Realm can become an inner disciple, while those below the Saint Realm will be outer disciples.”

“Of course, this is not absolute. Those below the Saint Realm can still be promoted to inner disciples if they can pass the second stage of the assessment within the time limit.”

“The second stage of the assessment is to pass through the Sword Array Zone. You must wear the Azure Cloud Grotto Heaven's assessment-specific jade pendant around your neck and successfully pass through the sword array within half an incense stick's time. During this period, a shattered jade pendant means failure; exceeding the time limit also means failure.”

“In the second stage of the assessment, the top three fastest to reach the end will receive generous rewards. The first place will receive ten bottles of Saint Spirit Hundred Herb Elixir, the second place will receive six bottles, and the third place will receive three bottles.”

“The Saint Spirit Hundred Herb Elixir is a cultivation elixir refined by our sect using over a hundred types of Saint-level spirit herbs. It has an extremely significant effect on those below the Saint King Realm, increasing cultivation speed by a thousandfold. Generally speaking, as long as one's aptitude is not too weak, they can successfully break through their realm in a very short time with the Saint Spirit Hundred Herb Elixir!”

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes burned with passion, and their blood boiled.

Many of them had heard of the Saint Spirit Hundred Herb Elixir, a resource craved by Saint Realm cultivators.

However, the Saint Spirit Hundred Herb Elixir was too rare, and its refining conditions were extremely harsh, requiring hundreds of fixed Saint-level spiritual essences supplemented by a special formula to refine it.

Although there were some sold on the market, they were scarce and extremely expensive, selling out as soon as they appeared.

Today's entry assessment offered a reward of ten bottles of Saint Spirit Hundred Herb Elixir for first place, which was truly astonishing!

Many people in the crowd whispered to each other.

While conversing, some people occasionally glanced at Jun Wuxie.

“We must strive for this ranking, so we need to cooperate well. If we succeed, how about we split the Saint Spirit Hundred Herb Elixir equally?”

“Let me tell you, like this…”

Some people secretly discussed, not knowing what they were saying, and then gradually had confident smiles on their faces.

“Everyone, please be quiet. This deacon has not finished speaking.” The deacon in front of the crystal ball gestured, and after the scene quieted down, he pointed to the area behind him and said, “This is the main venue for the second stage of the assessment. The array set up inside is called the Cloud Sea Sword Array, personally arranged by the Cloud Sea Peak's Head Seat, True Person Yunyin.”

“However, you can rest assured that True Person Yunyin has suppressed the power of the Cloud Sea Sword Array. Although it is somewhat difficult for cultivators who have just entered the Saint Realm, I believe that many of you can successfully pass through it, so work hard.”

“I just said that this Cloud Sea Sword Array is the main venue for the second stage of the assessment, which means there is also a secondary venue. If any of you are confident, you can also choose the secondary venue to try.”

As the deacon spoke, he pointed to a place several hundred meters to the left of the Cloud Sea Sword Array venue, where there were sloping bluestone steps.

The bluestone steps were divided into many sections, with a bluestone platform every so often.

Everyone's gaze fell on the bluestone steps.

These bluestone steps sloped upwards to the top of the cliff, with a total of nine bluestone platforms.

Sparse sword-path runes were engraved on the bluestone steps, and the sword-path runes gradually became denser on the bluestone platforms, with more runes further up.

On both sides of the bluestone steps, a heavy sword was inserted every two meters, with iron chains engraved with runes connecting the hilts of the heavy swords.

Just looking at it from a distance, one felt as if those heavy swords were pressing on their hearts, giving them a sense of suffocation that made it difficult to breathe.

“Deacon, is that bluestone staircase the legendary Road of Trials of our sect?”

Among these assessors, many were direct descendants from various large families in the cities, and had long heard of the Road of Trials in the Azure Cloud Grotto Heaven.

Only now, upon seeing it, did they realize how terrifying this Road of Trials was.

Not to mention stepping onto the Road of Trials, even from such a distance, just slightly sensing the sword intent of the heavy swords gave one a sense of suffocation. What kind of pressure would one face if they really climbed the bluestone steps?

“That's right, that road is the Road of Trials of the True Martial Sword Array set up by the founding Head Seat of my Azure Cloud Sword Sect's True Martial Peak. To this day, throughout the ages, no one among all the entry assessors has been able to pass it. If you are confident, you can try it.”

“Let's forget about it. No one has been able to pass the Road of Trials throughout the ages. We still have this bit of self-awareness. The True Martial Sword Intent is too terrifying.”

“Deacon, I heard that ten years ago, our sect had a peerless genius who tried to walk this Road of Trials. Although he failed, he did manage to climb to the eighth bluestone platform. Is this true?”

“That is indeed the case, but it's a pity that he ultimately fell short of the final step…” The deacon's face showed a hint of regret, but then revealed a proud expression: “The one you speak of is named Qin Yi. When he entered the sect, he was only sixteen years old, but he was already at the early stage of the Saint Minor Celestial Realm. He is now the Head Seat of the Azure Cloud Peak, the lineage of the Azure Cloud Grotto Heaven's Sect Master, the personal disciple of Sect Master Qingxuan, and also the number one personal disciple of my Azure Cloud Grotto Heaven!”

“Your Senior Brother Qin Yi has astonishing talent, extraordinary comprehension, and his cultivation speed is divinely aided. He is the pride of our sect. You must all take him as an example in the future, cultivate diligently, and improve yourselves.”

“We will.”

Many people showed expressions of admiration and adoration.

“Deacon, if one passes the assessment of that Road of Trials, will there be a special reward?”

Someone asked with curiosity.

“That is natural. If one can pass the assessment of the Road of Trials, they will be the first place in the entry assessment. Not only will they receive the reward of ten bottles of Saint Spirit Hundred Herb Elixir, but they will also receive a True Martial Blood Pill left behind by the founding Head Seat of True Martial Peak. We do not know the specific effects of that blood pill, but it will definitely allow one to break through their realm.”

“In addition to this, they can also enter the True Martial Ancient Hall, sealed for ages on True Martial Peak, and obtain the special inheritance left behind by the founding Head Seat of True Martial Peak.”

“Ah? What special inheritance? Isn't True Martial Peak about transforming true energy into force to control heavy swords for close combat? If it's the inheritance of the True Martial cultivation method, then…”

The person speaking was obviously unenthusiastic. Upon hearing about the inheritance of True Martial Peak, he immediately lost that enthusiasm and expectation.

Many people were unwilling to join True Martial Peak, firstly because cultivating the True Martial Sword Art was too demanding on one's own conditions, and secondly because cultivating the True Martial Sword Art was very arduous, and breaking through realms was slower than cultivating the other four veins of sword arts in the Azure Cloud Grotto Heaven.

“Hehe, no one knows what special inheritance the founding Head Seat of True Martial Peak left behind in the True Martial Ancient Hall. Perhaps it is not the True Martial cultivation method, but other things.”

…

Jun Wuxie had been quietly listening in the back.

Whether it was the Saint Spirit Hundred Herb Elixir or the True Martial Blood Pill, he was very tempted.

Both of these things could quickly improve his realm, which was exactly what he needed at the moment.

Although he still had many corpses of Saint Realm Yin Spirit powerhouses on him that he could devour, he didn't mind having more resources.

Moreover, the Saint Spirit Hundred Herb Elixir was a resource that could be used by those below the Saint King Realm, while the Yin Spirit corpses on him were only at the Saint Minor Celestial Realm. With the vast amount of resources he needed, devouring all the corpses would probably only allow him to improve by one minor realm.

“Now that your curiosity has been satisfied, the first stage of the assessment officially begins!” The deacon announced loudly, saying, “Don't be chaotic, come one by one!”

The assessor standing at the front immediately walked towards the crystal ball, and the deacon reminded, “Place your palm on the crystal ball and circulate the true energy in your body.”

Suddenly, the crystal ball lit up with the light of runes, and a few words appeared on it, which were the tester's name and realm.

“Wang Qing, early stage of the Saint Minor Celestial Realm.”

The deacon announced loudly while recording the information on the jade slip in his hand, saying, “Next.”

The one named Wang Qing smiled and stepped aside.

“Qian Tang, Half-Step Saint Realm.”

…

One assessor after another stepped forward to test.

Jun Wuxie quietly waited in the back, and it would take some time before it was his turn.

After all, there were thousands of assessors selected from various cities.

Among those being tested, there were relatively few at the Saint Realm, only about one in ten.

During this period, Jun Wuxie felt several cold gazes filled with anger.

He looked up and saw the two elders on the cliff with a faint air of dignity and that deacon.

“It seems there will indeed be some trouble…”

He knew that the deacon had already told the two elders what had happened in the courtyard.

At this moment, five figures arrived through the air.

The leader was a middle-aged man who looked to be in his fifties, with a three-inch bluish beard and a refined temperament.

To his left was a beautiful woman wearing a Xia Yun Daoist robe, a Daoist hairpin in her hair, a solemn expression, and cold eyes, as well as a robust old man with a full beard and an imposing presence.

On his right was an old man wearing a Yunhai Daoist robe, with a wide body and a fat belly, a fair complexion without a beard, and a kind expression.

Another person caused Jun Wuxie to reveal a look of astonishment.

It was a familiar face; it was actually the old man outside Liuyun City who reminded him to participate in the preliminary selection assessment, and who secretly transmitted his voice with divine sense in Qingyun City, telling him not to reveal his true identity.

The old man was tall and slender, with a clear and refined face, possessing a somewhat immortal and Daoist-like charm.

At this moment, he was looking at him with a smile, his eyes particularly gentle.

The five people landed on the cliff, and the two elders and deacons immediately stepped forward and bowed in greeting.

"Greetings to the Sect Leader, the Chief of Falling霞 Peak, the Chief of Benlei Peak, the Chief of Yunhai Peak, and the Chief of Zhenwu Peak."

The four chiefs nodded, and Qingxuan Zhenren, the Sect Leader of Qingyun Peak, said indifferently, "No need for formalities. What is the proportion of disciples from this preliminary selection who have entered the Saint Realm?"

"Reporting to the Sect Leader, the testing has not yet been completed. Based on the current situation, it is only one-tenth."

An elder said this.

"Alas, it is indeed a bit low. In recent years, the fresh blood we have absorbed has lagged behind other forces. Fortunately, we recruited Qin Yi and others ten years ago, otherwise, this generation would probably be far behind others. During the Four Sects Tournament, we would inevitably be ridiculed by the people of the other three major forces again," sighed Sect Leader Qingxuan Zhenren.

Yunyin Zhenren, the Chief of Yunhai Peak, said upon hearing this, "In terms of overall strength, I am not weaker than them, but the new generation in recent years has indeed fallen behind. For hundreds of years, for nineteen consecutive tournaments, our Qingyun has never raised its head, always either third or fourth…"

"Hmph! In these past few hundred years, if Zhenwu Peak hadn't failed to produce outstanding disciples, dragging us down, how could we possibly be either the bottom or second to last? Even if we can't get first, second is always possible!"

Benlei Zhenren, the Chief of Benlei Peak, had a fiery temper and had always held a grudge in his heart. He showed no respect in front of the Chief of Zhenwu Peak, publicly reprimanding him.

"Isn't it because of the special cultivation methods of my Zhenwu Peak? You are not unaware. If we could recruit suitable talents, how could it have come to this? Are the disciples of my Zhenwu Peak not working hard? Although they have been defeated, they have never disgraced the sect!" Chengyuan Zhenren, the Chief of Zhenwu Peak, lost his usual gentleness, his facial muscles twitching, his eyes filled with anger.

Benlei Zhenren was picking at his scabs.

In so many tournaments, his Zhenwu Peak had never retreated. The disciples of Zhenwu Peak had all fought until the last moment, until they were seriously injured and unable to get up.

As a result, they were left with serious hidden injuries, making it difficult for them to make further progress for the rest of their lives.

Many of his disciples became depressed and unhappy because of this, which aggravated their hidden injuries, leading to premature death.

This was an indelible pain and gloom in his heart!

"Isn't it because of the cultivation methods of your Zhenwu Peak? I have long advised you to abandon the Zhenwu Sword Manual, but you insist on being stubborn. In my opinion, there is nothing commendable about your Zhenwu methods!"

"Whether there is anything commendable or not, we will only know after trying!"

The heavy sword on Chengyuan Zhenren's back trembled slightly, and a heavy, mountain-like, suffocating sword intent permeated the air.

"Nonsense!" Sect Leader Qingxuan Zhenren sternly stopped them, saying, "You are all thousands of years old. Are you going to make a fool of yourselves in front of the entry disciples? Junior Brother Chengyuan, don't argue with Junior Brother Benlei. He just has that explosive temper and speaks without thinking."

The people who were testing their realm and those who had already been tested were all startled by this sword intent. At that moment, they only felt as if an invisible mountain had pressed down, making it impossible to breathe.

"This Zhenwu Sword Intent is not bad, quite overbearing…"

Jun Wuxie was very shocked in his heart. It was said that sects like Qingyun Cave Heaven should not have sword Dao methods of this level.

It wasn't that the Zhenwu Sword Intent was too profound. After all, the methods he cultivated were all of the strongest level, so he naturally looked down on this Zhenwu Sword Manual.

Rather, it was that the grade of the Zhenwu Sword Manual completely exceeded the grade of cultivation methods that a force like Qingyun Cave Heaven could possess.

He was thinking that if it weren't for the special cultivation method of the Zhenwu Sword Manual, which was not suitable for most people to cultivate, I am afraid someone would have coveted this sword manual long ago.

"The Zhenwu Sword Manual should be the strongest method among the five veins of Qingyun, but it seems that the status of the Zhenwu vein in Qingyun is ranked last…"

While the Chief of Benlei Peak and the Chief of Zhenwu Peak were arguing, Jun Wuxie observed the expressions of the other chiefs. It seemed that they also had considerable prejudice against the Zhenwu vein, but they just didn't say it.

Including the Sect Leader of Qingyun, it was also the same. Otherwise, when the Chief of Benlei Peak didn't speak in the first sentence, he should have stopped him. How could he have allowed him to say the second sentence? Those words were hurtful in every sentence and pierced the heart in every word.