Chapter 41

In front of the outer gate of the Outer Sect's garrison, when Luo Xiu and his group arrived, there was already a sea of people.

Those from the Martial Halls would not be specially treated by the Outer Sect. The eighteen Hall Masters left Luo Xiu and the others here and entered the Outer Sect's garrison.

To ensure the fairness of the assessment, the chief examiner was an Outer Sect steward, and the eighteen Hall Masters would also be present as observers.

Amidst the crowd, Luo Xiu could hear many people discussing with each other.

"Xiaoyao Outer Sect only accepts three people each year. Despite knowing the chances are slim, there are still so many people who come to take the assessment every year."

"Yes, I heard that there are quite a few experts this time. Those from the Martial Halls are all at the Second Level of the Qi Sea Realm!"

"So what if they are at the Second Level of the Qi Sea Realm? A genius from the Wang family in Yushan City has already reached the Third Level of the Qi Sea Realm at just fifteen years old!"

"Are you serious? That's insane! Being at the Third Level of the Qi Sea Realm under eighteen is enough to secure a place in the Outer Sect. He's only fifteen, my goodness!"

"Look over there, it seems to be people from the Eighteen Cities Martial Hall. Several of them are at the Second Level of the Qi Sea Realm, so they have a good chance of passing the assessment."

Many people also looked towards Luo Xiu and his group.

Not everyone enters the Martial Hall after the age of ten; some secular families have their own traditions to train their descendants. Generally, those who enter the Martial Hall for cultivation are from commoner backgrounds or from ordinary small families.

At this moment, the gate of the Outer Sect's garrison opened, and an old man with white hair and beard stepped out, loudly saying, "Everyone, I am Zhang Luliang, the steward of the Outer Sect, responsible for this year's entrance assessment. Now, everyone please line up in order and begin the assessment!"

"Wow!"

Upon hearing that the assessment was starting, the crowd immediately became noisy and chaotic. Many people started jostling to get in line, hoping to be at the front and enter first.

Some of the Martial Hall disciples near Luo Xiu also moved, pushing their way forward.

"Zhang Luliang?"

Staring at the old man in front of the garrison gate, Luo Xiu's eyes narrowed. This was the old ancestor of the Zhang family who had sent three disciples to assassinate him.

"Get out of the way!"

At this moment, a loud voice came from behind Luo Xiu. A muscular young man with a robust build pushed his way forward, causing many people to stumble and fall.

This muscular young man was incredibly strong. All the participants were Qi Sea Realm martial artists, and those who dared to challenge him were slapped away. For a moment, the others nearby were intimidated and quickly made way for him.

Luo Xiu was in front of this young man. A gust of wind came from behind, and it was clear that the muscular young man was trying to grab the black-clothed boy and throw him aside.

"Hmm?"

Luo Xiu's face turned cold, and he slightly turned his head to avoid the grab.

"You dare to dodge? Get out of my way."

Seeing that the black-clothed boy had dodged his grab, the muscular young man sneered, his hand glowing with a faint green light as he condensed his true qi and formed a claw.

He was using a martial technique, and with his brute strength, even ordinary Second Level Qi Sea martial artists would find it hard to match him.

"Get out!"

Luo Xiu's eyes turned icy. Before the muscular young man's fingers could grab him, his right leg suddenly moved.

"Bang!"

The muscular young man felt a powerful force hit his chest, and his robust and tall body was sent flying, knocking down several other participants behind him.

In the world of martial arts, speed is the ultimate advantage. With Luo Xiu's speed, no matter how skilled your technique, your attack would be countered before it even reached him.

Seeing this, many people nearby looked at Luo Xiu with caution. Those who had intended to push past him were secretly relieved they hadn't provoked the black-clothed boy.

"Boy, you're asking for it!"

The muscular young man stood up, towering over Luo Xiu like an angry lion, and lunged at him.

Luo Xiu took a light step and easily dodged the attack, then punched the young man's abdomen, causing a burst of thick true qi. The muscular young man's body curled up like a shrimp, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.

Luo Xiu never showed mercy to those who were arrogant and bullied others. With a flick of his hand, he slapped the muscular young man away, sending two bloody teeth flying.

Yuan Feishan, who was nearby, felt his face burn. Two days ago, he had been beaten by Luo Xiu in the same way. Although the swelling had gone down after applying ointment, there were still some bruises.

The muscular young man got up again, his eyes almost spitting fire, but he didn't dare to attack Luo Xiu again.

"Black-clothed boy, I'll remember you. Just wait!"

Realizing he was no match, the muscular young man left a threat and ran to the back of the line.

The few people in front of Luo Xiu felt uncomfortable, but Luo Xiu had no intention of pushing forward and just stood in his place.

In fact, no one would manage the queue, as it was also a form of competition. In the path of martial cultivation, everything must be fought for. The stronger you are, the more you can gain, and the more privileges you will have.

The concept of respecting the strong was deeply ingrained.

There were hundreds of participants, all young martial artists under eighteen who had reached the Qi Sea Realm. Such geniuses were rare, with the Eighteen Cities Martial Hall producing only one or two each year. In the entire Yunlong County, there were hundreds each year.

Luo Xiu knew that a Qi Sea Realm martial artist at fourteen was not exceptional among these hundreds. In the Xiaoyao Outer Sect and Inner Sect, he would be insignificant.

However, he was extremely confident because he had reached this level in less than a year, starting from the Second Level of the Body Tempering Realm.

This achievement would be unmatched even in the Xiaoyao Inner Sect, which was why the Qingyun Hall Master valued him so much. He was even willing to offend the Outer Sect steward Zhang Luliang and kill the head of the Zhang family without hesitation.

Since Luo Xiu was from the Qingyun Martial Hall, the better he performed and the higher his achievements, the more benefits the Qingyun Hall Master would gain.

The first part of the Outer Sect assessment was to test cultivation, similar to the black stone tablet in the Qingyun Martial Hall.

The second part tested martial techniques, evaluating talent based on the level of martial arts and the realm of comprehension.

The third part tested willpower, as martial artists must have a strong will to achieve success. Although willpower is intangible, the Xiaoyao Sect had methods to test it.

The final part was a martial competition, with the top three receiving significant bonus points.

After the four parts, the chief examiner would determine the rankings based on the total scores. The first place would receive three Qi Condensation Pills and a Fifth Rank martial technique!

Luo Xiu didn't care much about the Fifth Rank martial technique, as he had obtained eighteen Fifth Rank techniques, as well as Sixth and Seventh Rank techniques from the treasure vault of the Wu King Bu Chen in the depths of the Bashi Mountains.

Recently, Luo Xiu had focused all his attention on the Fast Sword Technique and the Cycle of Life and Death, and hadn't had the time to choose a suitable martial technique.

"Qi Condensation Pills can help Qi Sea Realm martial artists break through to the next minor level, which is a good pill."

Luo Xiu valued the Qi Condensation Pills more, as he had many pills, but they were too advanced for his current cultivation level.

The stone tablet for testing cultivation would emit a more brilliant light the higher the martial artist's cultivation.

The first part of the assessment would score based on the martial artist's age and cultivation.

"Sixteen years old, Second Level of the Qi Sea Realm, 6 points!"

"Eighteen years old, Second Level of the Qi Sea Realm, 3 points!"

"..."

Each part of the assessment had a maximum score of ten points. The Qingyun Hall Master had told Luo Xiu that with his cultivation at the Second Level of the Qi Sea Realm at fourteen, he should score 8 points in the first part.

Each year, those at the First Level of the Qi Sea Realm had little hope of passing. Even if they came, it was just to gain experience. Those who could pass and enter the Outer Sect were at least at the Second Level, mostly at the Third Level.

Suddenly, there was a commotion at the front. A short young man walked up to the stone tablet, placed his palm on it, and circulated his true qi.

"It's Xu Ping, the young genius from Shuiyun City's Xu family, said to be at the Third Level of the Qi Sea Realm!"

"Buzz!"

A brilliant light shone, and the crowd gasped in surprise.

"Fifteen years old, Third Level of the Qi Sea Realm, 9 points!"

The entire venue was in an uproar. Many young martial artists at the Second Level of the Qi Sea Realm felt hopeless, as it was clear that one of the three spots in the Outer Sect would be taken by Xu Ping.

Not long after, another person caused a sensation. It was Wang Can, a genius from the Wang family in Yushan City, also fifteen years old and at the Third Level of the Qi Sea Realm, scoring 9 points.

The cultivation testing continued. Besides Xu Ping and Wang Can, two more people were at the Third Level of the Qi Sea Realm.

However, one was already eighteen years old, scoring only 6 points, while the other was fourteen years old, named Mo Chuan, scoring a perfect 10 points, the first full score!

At this moment, it was Luo Xiu's turn.

He walked up to the stone tablet, placed his palm on it, and circulated his true qi. The stone tablet emitted a light.

However, unlike the light emitted by other Second Level Qi Sea Realm martial artists, Luo Xiu's light was even more brilliant, comparable to that of a Third Level Qi Sea Realm martial artist!

"Damn! Another Third Level Qi Sea Realm. Do we Second Level Qi Sea Realm martial artists have no chance?"

"That's not right. The black-clothed boy's true qi fluctuation is clearly at the Second Level, but the light emitted is equivalent to the Third Level. Is there something wrong with the stone tablet?"

People around were discussing, skeptical of the result.

The chief examiner, Zhang Luliang, looked over, frowned, and glanced at the list.

"Qingyun City Martial Hall, fourteen years old, Luo Xiu?"

Seeing this name, Zhang Luliang's old eyes flashed with cold light.

Two months ago, he had secretly sent three disciples to Qingyun City to kill this boy, two at the Fifth Level of the Qi Sea Realm and one at the Seventh Level. However, after so long, the three disciples had not returned.

Now, this boy named Luo Xiu was here. Could it be that his three disciples had met with misfortune?

In reality, whether his disciples were alive or dead, or even the head of the Zhang family, was of no concern to Zhang Luliang, who had a lifespan of several hundred years at the Ninth Level of the Innate Realm.

What he cared about was his reputation. Everyone knew he was the old ancestor of the Zhang family in Qingyun City. A young boy daring to have the Qingyun Martial Hall execute the head of the Zhang family was a direct insult to him, so he believed Luo Xiu should die!

Glancing at the Qingyun Hall Master sitting nearby, Zhang Luliang said in a deep voice, "Clearly at the Second Level of the Qi Sea Realm, yet using some means to emit light equivalent to the Third Level. At such a young age, not following the right path, disqualify him from the assessment!"

"What?"

The chief examiner's words caused a commotion among the participants.