"Brother, you're finally here!"
Yang Mei trotted over to Zhou Shu's side, beaming with joy.
Zhou Shu smiled and nodded. "Yang Mei, thank you for taking the time to come see me."
Yang Mei's concern was deeply appreciated. He had barely experienced this kind of fellow discipleship since leaving Wuwang Sect. This kind of fellow discipleship was only offered by Yang Hei.
"Hehe, I've completed my mission," Yang Mei said, standing on tiptoe, holding a bright red fruit. "Brother, this is for you. It'll help you regain some spiritual power."
"Okay, then I won't hold you back." Zhou Shu took it, swallowed it in one gulp, and instantly tasted the sweetness.
Sun Hedao, somewhat displeased, approached with a sullen face. "What are you doing here? You're the slowest and laziest among these wandering cultivators. Hurry up, get ready for the judging."
Zhou Shu turned and said calmly, "I'm here. Yang Mei, wait for me over there for a moment. We'll go to the sect together later."
"Okay," Yang Mei clapped her hands happily.
Sun Hedao's face turned even darker, "You think you can definitely get in? Humph, wait and see! I want to see how you pass the third level!"
Zhou Shu glanced at him and said nothing.
Sun Hedao wanted to say something else, but at this time Yun Li's voice came clearly.
"Everyone, please come here, I will announce the results."
The cultivators hurriedly gathered and stood in a row waiting for the verdict. Most of them looked nervous and murmured in low voices. In this second level, except for Zhu Dashan and Zhou Shu, no one else reached the top, and their fate was worrying.
Yun Li glanced at them and said slowly, "Except for the five cultivators who withdrew at the beginning, the performance of everyone else was pretty good. Zhu Dashan, reached the top, and the time taken met the requirements, and he got first-class. Because he completed the test first, he will be rewarded with an extra mid-grade Qi-boosting pill."
As soon as the words fell, many cultivators exclaimed.
"Qi-boosting Pill!"
"It's actually a Qi-boosting Pill, and a mid-grade one at that! When a Qi Refining Realm cultivator breaks through from the seventh to the eighth level, if they have a Qi-boosting Pill, their chances of success increase significantly. This pill is so hard to come by in the market, yet the Heyin Sect is casually giving it away as a test reward."
"As expected of the Heyin Sect, renowned for its alchemists. I'm increasingly tempted to join."
Li Aojian, in particular, showed not only surprise but also a hint of regret.
He was facing the challenge of breaking through from the seventh to the eighth level, and if only he could come in first place.
"What a shame, what a shame,"
he sighed inwardly, but could only watch enviously as Zhu Dashan took the pill from Yun Li and walked back home.
Zhou Shu's expression was indifferent, showing no regret.
For a Qi Refining Realm cultivator, passing the three levels wasn't a huge obstacle, and this kind of pill wasn't something he needed.
Yun Li glanced at Zhou Shu and continued, "Zhou Shu, reached the summit, meeting the time requirements, A-grade."
"A-grade, another A-grade! He's got two A-grades!"
"He can't have gotten three A-grades in a row, oh my god!"
Every cultivator looked astonished, looking at Zhou Shu with envy, jealousy, and hatred.
Zhou Shu's expression was calm, and he stepped forward with a bow of gratitude.
Yun Li nodded slightly and continued reading, "Li Aojian, 83 feet, dropped seven times, B-grade."
"Zhou Mingle, 71 feet, dropped three times, C-grade."
...
Yun Li recited the results one by one, and the cultivators were filled with joy and worry, and discussed it endlessly.
After Yun Li finished his announcement, Sun Hedao stepped forward and whispered, "Senior Brother Yun, I need a moment to speak."
Yun Li nodded, stepped aside, and performed a simple soundproofing spell. "Junior Brother, please speak."
Sun Hedao whispered, "Senior Brother Yun, Zhou Shu's spiritual power is truly too low. I think we shouldn't let him participate in the third round."
Yun Li said slowly, "I'm sorry, Junior Brother Sun, I can't stop testing Zhou Shu."
"With his limited spiritual power, he'd be a fool if he went up. I'm just thinking about him," Sun Hedao said with feigned kindness.
Yun Li glanced at Sun Hedao and said calmly, "Junior Brother, why bother? You know the rules, right? You're deliberately destroying Zhou Shu's hopes."
The entry requirement for the independent cultivators was that those who achieved a comprehensive score of B were admitted to the outer sect. Those who achieved a comprehensive score of C but not B were relegated to menial positions.
Zhou Shu currently had two A scores. If he didn't take the third round, his comprehensive score would definitely not reach B, preventing him from entering the outer sect and confining him to the lowest rank of menial position.
As long as they passed the third level, even if they only received a Ding rank, they would surely enter the Outer Sect.
"He was born with broken meridians, so he has no future!"
Sun Hedao, his thoughts exposed, felt embarrassed and almost shouted.
Yun Li shook his head. "The sect won't let any talent go. He's performed well, and I'm optimistic about him. Besides, broken meridians can be repaired. We have some useful elixirs in the Heyin Sect. If he can obtain them, he can still contribute to the sect in the future. Success doesn't always come from genius. Have you forgotten Elder Zhao Yueru in the sect? Wasn't she also a casual cultivator? Since I'm in charge of this task, I must stick to my principles."
"Okay, okay, then we'll see."
Sun Hedao said nothing more, snorted coldly, and retreated.
Yun Li shook his head slightly, his eyes tinged with disdain. "He's just a casual cultivator. Even if there are some grudges, is it worth it for you to do this? You're an Inner Sect disciple, and your status is far different from his. You're really too narrow-minded."
He didn't say this out loud. His relationship with Sun Hedao was only ordinary, and he had no obligation to teach others.
Zhou Shu, standing not far away, observed the two's expressions and nodded slightly. Yun Li seemed to be a man of integrity, far superior to the narrow-minded Sun Hedao.
Indeed, if the sect had more inner disciples like Sun Hedao, the sect would be doomed.
Yun Li took a few steps closer and said seriously, "The third level tests your spiritual power."
The cultivators nodded in agreement, "Yes, as a cultivator, spiritual power is the primary focus."
"This level is the most crucial, isn't it?"
"I'm so frustrated! The first two levels of the cultivator test don't even require spiritual energy, and it's only now that it's being used."
Li Aojian had another thought. "It looks like first place is firmly mine."
With this thought, he glanced at Zhu Dashan and Zhou Shu, and nodded with a hint of relief.
"Everyone, follow me."
Yun Li slowly stepped forward, and the other cultivators hurried to follow. Sun Hedao whispered, "Senior Brother Yun, I have something to do, so I'll have to leave first."
Yun Li nodded calmly, seemingly unconcerned. "No problem, Junior Brother Sun, go ahead. You're not suited to missions like this, so don't take them in the future."
Sun Hedao glared at Zhou Shu resentfully before turning and walking away.
Zhou Shu shook his head slightly, a hint of mockery in his eyes.
After rounding the cliff, they arrived at an open area. In the center, a platform about five meters long and wide stood a jade pillar three meters tall.
The jade pillar was nearly transparent, carved with many strange patterns, giving it a rather bizarre appearance.
"This level is very simple. Everyone, step forward one by one, place your hands on the spirit-testing pillar, and use your most powerful spell to attack it. Try to output the maximum amount of spiritual power, and that's it."
Yun Li pointed at the jade pillar and said expressionlessly, "Who's going first?"
"Me!"
Li Aojian took a step forward immediately.
He glanced around and saw that no one was competing with him. A look of satisfaction appeared on his face.
He looked at the jade pillar and asked in a low voice, "Senior Brother Yun, can I use a sword?"
Yun Li shook his head, "You can't use any magic weapons, elixirs, talismans or other external forces. You can only rely on yourself."
"Oh, that doesn't matter."
Li Aojian stepped forward quickly, pressed his hands on the jade pillar, and shouted, "Look at my spirit explosion spell, explode!"
The casual cultivators below were a little surprised.
"It's the Spirit Explosion Technique! This is a technique that can only be learned at the Foundation Establishment stage."
"First place is undeniable. His cultivation is high, but his technique is just okay. Sigh."
"This guy is amazing. But to have learned this kind of technique, is he really a casual cultivator? He's probably a scion of a powerful family."
As the Spirit Explosion Technique exploded, a pale purple light suddenly emanated from the jade pillar, rising from the bottom to the top, gradually becoming dazzling.
Waves of light emanated, continuously climbing upwards, creating a magnificent spectacle.