The next morning, before the sun fully rose above the misty mountains, a sharp voice echoed through the outer courtyard.
"Laborer Shen Liang! By order of the Inner Council, report to the Hall of Judgment!"
The few outer disciples who had gathered for chores froze. A laborer… summoned by the elders? That hadn't happened in decades.
Shen Liang looked up from his half-swept yard, blinking. "Hall of Judgment? Did I accidentally offend Heaven, or just someone with a fragile ego?"
The messenger disciple avoided eye contact. "Elder Yuan personally ordered it. Don't keep him waiting."
"Elder Yuan…" Shen Liang scratched his head. "The old man who always smells like medicinal wine? Wonderful."
He slung his broom over his shoulder and strolled toward the sect's main compound, earning whispers and stares from disciples along the way.
"Isn't that the laborer who beat Liu Qiming?""With a broom!""I heard he's the Founder's reincarnation.""Don't be ridiculous. If the Founder reincarnated, he wouldn't be sweeping toilets."
Shen Liang just grinned and waved. "Morning, everyone! Remember, a clean courtyard leads to a pure heart!"
The Hall of Judgment loomed ahead—an ancient structure with cracked tiles and faded sword murals. It was once the pride of the Falling Sword Sect, but now even its statues leaned as if tired of standing.
Inside, Elder Yuan Heng, the sect's stern but weary overseer, sat cross-legged at the center. His long beard trembled as he spoke.
"Shen Liang. Thirty years of age. Laborer rank. You were reported to have… defeated a sect disciple using cleaning equipment. Explain yourself."
Shen Liang bowed politely. "Ah, Elder Yuan, that's not quite accurate. I didn't defeat him—I simply helped him reconnect with the earth."
The elder's eye twitched. "You struck a disciple with a broom."
"Technically, he struck the broom first."
"Enough wordplay!" Elder Yuan's qi flared slightly before he sighed, waving his hand. "Still… the matter is not entirely negative. You showed surprising reflexes and control. Your qi circulation is stable for someone without formal training."
He studied Shen Liang carefully. "Tell me, laborer, have you been secretly cultivating?"
Shen Liang hesitated, glancing at the faint system panel only he could see.
[Warning: Concealing System identity recommended.]
"I suppose," he said lightly, "after cleaning the sect for ten years, I may have… absorbed some enlightenment through sweeping."
The hall fell silent.
Then Elder Yuan let out a long, tired sigh. "Enlightenment… through sweeping. Heavens, what has this sect become…"
Another voice cut through the silence — calm, sharp, and commanding."Elder Yuan, may I test him?"
Everyone turned. Elder Su Qinglan, the sect's youngest core elder, stepped forward. Her eyes were cold as jade, her beauty elegant but distant. Rumors said she was once a sword prodigy who could split arrows mid-flight.
"Test him?" Yuan Heng frowned. "He's just a laborer."
"Even so," Su Qinglan said, studying Shen Liang intently. "If he truly cultivated without guidance, his talent might be worth something. The Falling Sword Sect can no longer afford to waste potential."
Her gaze softened slightly. "Shen Liang, I will test your foundation. If you pass, I'll allow you to enter the sect as an outer disciple."
Shen Liang blinked. "A test? Do I get XP for this?"
"Excuse me?" she asked.
"Ah—nothing. Please, continue."
They stepped into the training arena outside the hall. A dozen disciples gathered to watch.
Su Qinglan lifted her slender hand, forming a glowing sword of pure qi. "Endure three of my strikes. If you remain standing, you pass."
Shen Liang's jaw slackened. "You call this a test? This is an execution with extra steps."
But her eyes held no mockery—only calm. "Begin."
[Combat Challenge Detected: Su Qinglan's Sword Intent (Extreme Difficulty)]
[Objective: Endure 3 strikes.][Reward: Massive XP bonus + Hidden Affinity Unlock.]
The first strike came. A line of silver light slashed toward him. Shen Liang barely had time to lift his broom—clang! Sparks flew as spiritual force collided. He slid back several meters, heart pounding.
[Damage sustained: -7 Vitality][Action: Blocked Sword Qi. +10 XP.]
He grinned. "All right, Fairy Su. Let's dance."
The second strike was faster—blinding arcs of sword qi cutting through air like thunder. Shen Liang dodged, rolled, and countered by sweeping the ground, raising dust clouds.
[Creative Maneuver: Environmental Distraction. +15 XP.]
Su Qinglan's brow lifted slightly. "Interesting."
The final strike came, a sweeping horizontal cut glowing like a crescent moon. Shen Liang planted his broom into the ground, channeling every ounce of his qi into his arms.
BOOM! The impact cracked the arena floor. He slid back, smoke and dust enveloping him.
For a heartbeat, silence.
Then, through the haze, a voice said lightly,"Three strikes, right? That was three. May I go back to sweeping now?"
Gasps echoed all around.
Elder Yuan's jaw dropped. Su Qinglan lowered her sword, a faint smile ghosting her lips. "You pass."
The System chimed:
[Quest Completed: Survive the Sword Prodigy's Test][Reward: +200 XP, +2 Strength, +1 Dexterity][Affinity Unlocked: Su Qinglan – 15 (Curiosity)][Cultivation: Qi Condensation Stage 3 Achieved!]
Shen Liang bowed, still half-covered in dust. "Elder Su, thank you. I'll treasure this… brutal hospitality."
Su Qinglan turned away, hiding a small laugh. "Report to the Outer Hall tomorrow. You're no longer a laborer."
As Shen Liang limped away, broom over his shoulder, he whispered with a grin,"Finally… I leveled up from janitor to disciple."