Chapter 37: Three Years in the Inner Sect? Another One Driven Mad by Cultivation!

With a four-refinement spiritual root, who would dare claim immortality or ascension? Even passing the outer sect assessment three years from now remains uncertain. Of course, the little sister before her didn’t think so much; she just felt that the fairy-like woman’s smile was truly beautiful.

…

The entrance assessment would last until evening, so for most outer sect candidates, the excitement faded quickly, leaving only monotony. But the sect’s internal assessments were another matter, lively and fervent—after all, witnessing others advance in cultivation or seeing someone successfully promoted always stirred excitement.

Facing the disciples participating for the first time, the presiding elder explained briefly.

“This year’s sect examination will be the same as previous years: prospective outer disciples, outer disciples, and inner disciples will all be assessed simultaneously!”

“Those prospective outer disciples who have reached the fourth level of Qi Refinement, and outer disciples who have reached the seventh level, step forward!”

“You are to proceed to the Spirit Measuring Pillars for the assessment!”

“The rest of you, remain in Azure Cloud Square and release your cultivation. The Law Transmission Hall’s protectors will guide and record your results.”

“If anyone wishes to participate in the Sect’s Heavenly Ladder Tournament, you may register with the Law Enforcement Hall once your assessment is complete.”

Cao Xuan gazed at the tens of thousands of cultivators gathered in Azure Cloud Square and couldn’t help but marvel at the sheer scale of this cultivation realm, far surpassing his previous world. Even among mortals, cultivators were one in ten thousand, and yet the Azure Cloud Sect of Yunzhou alone possessed tens of thousands of disciples.

As for the sect assessment, it was, at its core, a test of cultivation progress, followed by the Heavenly Ladder Tournament—duels between pairs, with the victor receiving sect rewards.

If the disciples of the Alchemy Peak were judged on their alchemical abilities, then the Law Enforcement Hall’s disciples were almost all chosen from the ranks of the Heavenly Ladder Tournament.

As for why those aiming for promotion had to go to the Spirit Measuring Pillar area, the reason was clear. Certain talismans and artifacts could simulate fluctuations in cultivation. During routine assessments, even if one used such tricks to fool the Law Transmission Hall’s disciples, it didn’t matter much. But promotion from prospective outer disciple to outer disciple required genuine Qi Refinement at the fourth level.

And so, upon reaching the Spirit Measuring Pillar area with the main group, Cao Xuan was among the first to undergo the promotion assessment.

Given the number of candidates, the area was divided into several sections. In an ancient, austere hall stood a massive pillar of jade.

A Law Transmission Hall protector emanated the faint pressure of the Foundation Establishment stage, his tone cold and indifferent: “No use of any artifacts permitted. Gather your true essence and perform the basic ‘Greenwood Palm’ technique. Illuminate four segments of the Spirit Measuring Pillar to pass!”

A disciple stepped forward with a flamboyant air. “Let me go first. I just broke through to the fourth level of Qi Refinement—I’ll test my strength.”

Cao Xuan’s expression was odd. Thanks to his affinity with nature, he sensed something amiss about this disciple—he seemed to have taken some kind of pill.

With a muffled bang, the disciple struck, and the Spirit Measuring Pillar shuddered. One energy ring after another lit up from the base.

As the third segment glowed and the fourth flickered uncertainly, panic flashed in the disciple’s eyes.

Soon, the fourth segment failed to hold steady; it went dark.

“Impossible! This can’t be! He said that with the Mimicry Talisman and the Burst Spirit Pill, I’d pass for sure!”

The presiding elder’s face remained inscrutable, as if he’d seen such things countless times. He spoke calmly, “The Spirit Measuring Pillar only tests the most fundamental fluctuations of a cultivator’s power. Lu Renyi, three years in the sect, late third level of Qi Refinement—assessment failed. Expelled from Azure Cloud Sect.”

“With your four-refinement spiritual root and late third-level cultivation, you clearly had a chance to reach the fourth level in this half year, yet you sought shortcuts.”

“Once expelled, Azure Cloud Sect will not accept you even as a menial disciple.”

“Disciples of the Law Transmission Hall, record this: the Lu family is barred from all exemption admissions for the next ten years!”

The disciple trembled all over. “No, you can’t do this to me—our Lu family is—”

“Enough noise!” With a wave of the protector’s sleeve, the disciple was swept out of the hall.

“Continue the assessment!”

…

Witnessing this, Cao Xuan felt a chill in his heart. Half a year ago, when he’d visited Qingshan Market, he’d entertained similar thoughts. If not for the activation of his Bootlicker System, he might have resorted to such measures just to remain in Azure Cloud Sect.

After all, for most people, passing the fourth level of Qi Refinement was already a significant achievement for both themselves and their families.

The Burst Spirit Pill—though Cao Xuan had never refined such a non-cultivation-related pill himself, he knew it forcefully compressed spiritual energy, damaging the meridians to unleash power akin to one level higher. Typically, it was reserved for the Law Enforcement Hall’s most desperate fights; he hadn’t expected a disciple to try passing the assessment with it.

…

The queue moved swiftly, and soon it was Cao Xuan’s turn.

The Law Transmission Hall protector glanced at his identity token, waving his hand so the information was read instantly.

“Cao Xuan, three years in the sect, fourth level of Qi Refinement, last assessment half a year ago.”

He frowned. “Didn’t you already pass the assessment half a year ago? Since you’re now an outer disciple, you should be in Azure Cloud Square for the standard sect assessment.”

Cao Xuan hurriedly clasped his fists and replied, “Protector, I am here to take the inner disciple assessment!”

Truth be told, this was his first time participating in such a formal promotion assessment. He recalled that half a year ago, when he’d gone to the Law Transmission Hall with Lin Miaoxuan, he’d simply revealed his cultivation and passed—he’d thought it would be much the same.

With so many disciples present, he’d expected to blend in without attracting attention.

But as soon as the protector spoke, the crowd began to whisper.

“I remember this guy—he was in the same batch as me three years ago.”

“But I’m certain both Lu Renyi and this one have four-refinement roots!”

“Reaching the fourth level and becoming an outer disciple is already impressive. Inner disciple? Has he lost his mind from over-cultivating?”

Cao Xuan’s former roommate had managed to become an outer disciple last year—a real talent among their batch, making the leap in just two years. Even so, not one dared speak of entering the inner sect within three years.

Did they think he was some elder’s personal protégé, blessed with both talent and resources?

There were many disciples in their intake, and as time went by, those who hadn’t reached the fourth level in three years were directly eliminated!

This year’s assessment for promotion to outer disciple included not only those from his batch three years prior, but also a few from two years before—like Lin Miaoxuan and Chen Qianru, who, barring early assessments, would be promoted now as well, qualifying as minor prodigies.

The nearby disciples, including those preparing for inner sect promotion, watched with great interest.

“Your batch is impressive—two standouts at once, Lu Renyi and Cao Xuan, true dragons and phoenixes among men!”

“You there, Cao Xuan, I know it wasn’t easy for you to become an outer disciple, but this is the sect’s promotion assessment. If you want to join in, go sign up for the Heavenly Ladder Tournament instead of holding us up!”

Cao Xuan could only touch his nose in resignation. Three years to the inner sect really did sound exaggerated.

‘Alas, I was hoping to slip by unnoticed, but my identity token betrayed my three years of cultivation!’

‘Fine, no more pretending. I’ll lay my cards on the table—I’m a nine-refinement spiritual root. I am a genius!’