Li Mu, dressed in the uniform of a Qingxuan Sect Utility Disciple, successfully passed the inner city guard's inquiry and entered Gangyang City's inner city, where a purer Spiritual Qi rushed towards him.
As far as his eyes could see, the vast majority were Outer Sect Disciples wearing the Qingxuan Sect's Outer Sect attire.
"Kid, here to participate in the Outer Sect Disciple assessment? Don't wander around, go line up over there!" Li Mu was stopped by an Outer Sect Disciple, who pointed to a group of Utility Disciples queuing at a side entrance.
"Thank you, Senior Brother, for the guidance!" Li Mu clasped his hands in gratitude and walked to the very end of the Utility Disciple queue, waiting for entry.
"Why are so many people participating in the assessment!"
"I wonder how many people will pass today, I'm so nervous!"
"No way! Wasn't it usually handled by the hunting reserve team Disciples! Why did they switch to official Disciples?"
"It seems the reserve team Disciples suffered heavy losses in their first official hunt, leading to a shortage of personnel."
"It's over! With official hunting team Disciples in charge of the martial arts assessment, we definitely won't pass this time!"
...
Standing at the back of the queue, Li Mu listened to the ceaseless discussions of the Utility Disciples, each one looking nervous, much like the scenes when he used to take his driving tests for subjects two and three, which made him feel a bit nostalgic.
"Line up, no disorder, one by one, if you're not ready, leave on your own, don't make a fool of yourself!" The examination hall's main gate opened, and an elderly Steward emanating Foundation Establishment Spiritual Pressure appeared at the entrance, bringing two Outer Sect Disciples to maintain order.
Soon, the queue of over a hundred Utility Disciples began to move forward.
Li Mu walked into the examination hall.
What met his eyes was an open space with five martial arts stages, and on each stage stood an Outer Sect Disciple at the Peak of Qi Refining Ninth Level, waiting for them.
"This year's one hundred and twenty-third batch of Outer Sect Disciple assessments officially begins. First, let me explain the assessment rules. To advance to an Outer Sect Disciple, you must pass three stages of assessment. The first stage: Martial Arts Assessment, a practical combat exchange with the defending Disciple on the martial stage. Lasting thirty breaths: Pass; Lasting one hundred breaths: Medium Rank; Lasting three hundred breaths: High Rank." The Foundation Establishment Steward surveyed the Utility Disciples present and introduced the rules.
"What if we defeat the defender!" At this moment, a voice from below the stage asked the question on everyone's mind.
"Such a situation is not unheard of. If you can defeat the defender: Excellent Rank, successfully passing all three assessments, recorded in the Disciple token, and a reward of 100 Sect Contribution points." The elderly Foundation Establishment Steward explained with a smile.
The elderly Foundation Establishment Steward paused, then continued: "The second stage, Skill Assessment: testing your mastery of cultivation arts. For Talisman Makers: assessing Talisman making skills; for Alchemists: assessing Alchemy skills; ..., the Sect does not keep useless people. Even if you follow the hunting cultivation path, you must be assessed on skills such as skinning, bone extraction, trap setting, and Yao Beast tracking."
"The third stage, Heart-Questioning Stage: In this stage, you must enter an illusion array and pass the assessment of seeking the Dao and questioning the heart."
"Outer Sect Disciples have one assessment opportunity every three years. If you feel you are not ready, I advise you to leave now and return when you are prepared. If you are determined to participate in the assessment, come forward and register now." The elderly Foundation Establishment Steward finished explaining the assessment content and gestured towards the registration desk nearby.
As soon as the elderly Foundation Establishment Steward finished speaking, the Utility Disciples who came to participate in the assessment hesitated. They looked at the Qi Refining Ninth Level defenders on the stages, and many retreated.
"I'm registering, Utility Disciple - Tang Youfu, Age: 32, Qi Refining Seventh Level,..."
"The defenders are really from the official hunting team! That's Senior Brother Pei Yong, I recognize him. I can't pass this stage!"
"Maybe we should just give up! I'm not ready either, let's come back next year!"
...
Those who registered, those who retreated and left, the Utility Disciples all made their choices. In a short while, one-third of the people had left.
Soon, it was Li Mu's turn. He stepped forward and reported his information to the examining Disciple responsible for registration: "Utility Disciple - Zhao Huairen, Age 18, Cultivation: Qi Refining Seventh Level Early Stage, Five Elements Low Grade Spiritual Root."
When Li Mu reported his age and cultivation during registration, it immediately attracted the attention of the elderly Foundation Establishment Steward. However, upon hearing that his Spiritual Root was Five Elements Low Grade, the Steward immediately shifted his gaze elsewhere.
To have a Qi Refining Seventh Level cultivation at 18 years old was quite rare and considered outstanding among Utility Disciples. However, when combined with a Five Elements Low Grade Spiritual Root, there was nothing particularly noteworthy about it!
"Guan Shiyuan, Stage One, quickly get on!"
"Qi Zhongliang, Stage Two, quickly get on!"
...
An examining Disciple impatiently called out names. The Utility Disciples whose names were called quickly went onto the stages to face their defenders.
After registering his name, Li Mu received a bronze token with '35' written on it. He waited below the stage for his name to be called, while also observing the martial arts assessment of other Utility Disciples.
The Utility Disciples participating in the Outer Sect Disciple assessment generally had cultivation levels around Qi Refining Sixth Level and Qi Refining Seventh Level, with few at Qi Refining Eighth Level. When facing defenders at the Peak of Qi Refining Ninth Level, they were almost always suppressed.
On the stages, the two sides either engaged in sword combat or unleashed spells, their figures moving and shifting, rising and falling, with sounds of "clanging...", making for a spectacular fight.
However, in Li Mu's eyes, they were just clumsy pecking, a far cry in Rank from the intensity of battling a Battle Puppet.
Li Mu frowned, pondering how to suppress his combat power and avoid performing too exceptionally.
None of the five defenders on these martial arts stages were a match for him in a single exchange. Li Mu only wanted to gain the 'skin' of an Outer Sect Disciple, to quietly cultivate in the Sect, not wanting to perform too well and attract other troubles.
"Qin Chengpeng, lasted thirty-five breaths, Pass!"
"Bao Jinggui, twenty-seven breaths, Eliminated!"
...
Below the stage, the enforcement Disciples recording the results continuously reported the scores.
"Ah! Just barely missed it, only by two breaths!"
"Haha! That was close! Almost didn't make it,..."
"Defender No. 5 is so fierce, definitely don't draw No. 5!"
...
The martial arts assessment was in full swing, with those who passed, those who failed, and those waiting for their turn... The atmosphere was tense and intense.
"Zhao Huairen, Stage 5! Zhao Huairen, quickly get on!" The examining Disciple holding the list searched for the person among the Utility Disciples.
"Coming! Coming!" It took Li Mu a while to realize he was being called. He quickly rushed to Stage 5.
"Haha! That kid must be so nervous!"
"I bet he won't last three moves before being knocked off the stage!"
"Still able to have a Divided Soul at a time like this, I'm impressed!"
...
Seeing this scene, the Utility Disciples present laughed gleefully.
"What's so funny? He's only eighteen and already at Qi Refining Seventh Level." At this moment, the only female Utility Disciple present spoke up in his defense.
As soon as she said this, the smiles immediately vanished from the faces of the Utility Disciples who had been laughing at Li Mu.
Those words stung too much!
Many Qi Refining Sixth Level Utility Disciples were already over thirty, yet their cultivation was not as high as an eighteen-year-old youth. It truly was a case of comparing people to people, which could be infuriating!
Stage 5
"Greetings, Senior Brother, please guide me!" Li Mu took out a first-Rank Mystic Iron Sword from his Storage Pouch, bowed to the opponent, and gestured.
"Alright! You attack first!" The defending Disciple held his sword and gestured.
Li Mu nodded, holding the sword in his right hand, forming a hand seal with his left, pressing two fingers together against the Mystic Iron Sword, and pointing forward.
With a "whoosh," the Mystic Iron Sword shot out, flying with sword control towards the defender, Fan Shaoyang, two zhang away.