Chapter 111: The Assessment

Shortly thereafter, the young attendant returned and said to Yang Xiao, "Senior, please follow me. We are going to meet Uncle Liu now. As long as you pass his assessment, you may join our Heavenly Sword Sect."

Yang Xiao nodded and replied, "Then I shall trouble you to lead the way."

"It is no trouble at all. Please, follow me." As he spoke, the attendant produced a flying sword from his storage pouch and took to the air, heading toward the depths of the mountain range.

Yang Xiao followed behind. Naturally, with his mastery of qi-flight, he could have moved much faster than the boy, but as a newcomer to the Heavenly Sword Sect, he did not wish to appear discourteous. Moreover, being unfamiliar with the terrain, he slowed his pace to fly alongside the attendant.

"May I ask where you have come from, Senior?" the attendant inquired on the way.

"I come from the west of the Yao Kingdom," Yang Xiao replied. "I was originally a rogue cultivator. Having heard that the Heavenly Sword Sect is renowned for its extraordinary swordsmanship—and being a great admirer of the art—I have decided to seek entry into the sect."

"To have achieved such cultivation as a rogue cultivator truly makes you a prodigy," the boy remarked. "There are few in our Heavenly Sword Sect who possess such strength at your age. It seems highly likely you will be admitted with ease."

"I was just about to ask you," Yang Xiao said curiously. "What are the standards for recruiting disciples here?"

"By our standard criteria, we only recruit once a year, and candidates must be under ten years of age with exceptional natural aptitude. They need not have any prior cultivation, but their potential must be high. Of course, that is for ordinary disciples. The Heavenly Sword Sect also welcomes rogue cultivators, though the requirements are stricter: one must have reached the peak of the Spirit Perception Realm or the Condensation Realm. Given your cultivation, Senior, you should have no trouble. Every sect welcomes powerful cultivators to bolster its overall strength."

"So, it seems I should be able to pass the assessment?" Yang Xiao asked.

"Certainly, there will be no issue. Any sect would welcome a cultivator of your standing," the boy said. "However, Uncle Liu, who oversees the assessments, has a rather eccentric temperament. During the test, I suggest you do not reveal the full extent of your cultivation, or he may become displeased. Furthermore, if you have any spare spirit stones, offering him a few will greatly increase your chances of passing."

"Is that so? You mean I must not display cultivation that surpasses his own, is that right?" Yang Xiao asked.

"Exactly. My uncle is quite narrow-minded, but as the Master of the Assessment Hall, his position is significant. It would be wise to curry favor with him," the boy advised.

"I thank you for your guidance. I shall be cautious when the time comes," Yang Xiao said with a bow.

***

"Excellent. Let us move quickly; once we cross this mountain, we will reach the Assessment Hall," the boy said, pointing ahead.

True to his word, after crossing the ridge, a grand hall appeared in the distance, built directly on the main path leading into the depths of the mountains. A plaque hung above the entrance, inscribed with the words: "Assessment Hall."

The boy and Yang Xiao descended before the hall and walked inside together.

Sitting in a chair at the front of the hall was an extremely plump cultivator, clearly the Master of the Assessment Hall. Flanking him stood two other cultivators, standing perfectly still with an air of authority.

"Disciple greets Uncle Liu. I have brought this cultivator here for his assessment," the boy said, bowing to the man.

"Very well, you may withdraw," the Master said, waving the boy away before casting a glance at Yang Xiao. The attendant bowed and exited.

"May I ask, Hall Master Liu, how you intend to conduct this assessment?" Yang Xiao asked.

"The assessments of the Heavenly Sword Sect are entirely at my discretion. If I say you pass, you pass. If I say you fail, you fail," the Hall Master declared, drumming his fingers on the armrest of his chair.

It was clear the man was fishing for a bribe.

However, Yang Xiao had no intention of parting with his wealth. Feigning ignorance, he said, "I understand that my passing depends on your word, but I am curious—what is the subject of the assessment?"

*How obtuse,* the Hall Master cursed inwardly. Given Yang Xiao's Condensation Realm cultivation, he didn't actually need to test him; a simple offering of spirit stones would have sufficed. Now, however, since Yang Xiao refused to take the hint, the Hall Master was forced to put on a show.

"Very well," the Hall Master said languidly. "If you can withstand a few of my moves, I shall grant you a pass."

"Then I ask for your guidance, Hall Master," Yang Xiao said with a bow.

***

"Very well, receive this!" The Hall Master launched a blast of spiritual energy toward Yang Xiao.

Yang Xiao simply raised a hand, unleashing a stream of spiritual energy of his own that easily neutralized the attack.

"Oh? You have some skill," the Hall Master remarked. "Let us see if you can withstand my Great Origin Sword Qi!"

With a wave of his hand, the spiritual energy surrounding him transformed into dozens of sharp swords, which surged toward Yang Xiao. The sword qi was exceptionally pure and condensed; as it moved, the very air seemed to be sliced into a void. It was clear the Hall Master was using his signature technique to intimidate Yang Xiao.

Yang Xiao, however, felt no fear. He struck forward with a punch, manifesting a thunder dragon that collided head-on with the sword qi.

With a deafening boom, Yang Xiao’s thunder dragon shattered the Hall Master's attack. The shockwave caused the Hall Master to spring to his feet in alarm.

"Insolent! I see you are not here for an assessment, but to cause trouble for the Heavenly Sword Sect! Do you truly think you can act as you please here with your meager cultivation?" The Hall Master was furious. He had not expected Yang Xiao to be so skilled, nor so disrespectful, leaving him in a humiliating position. Yet, being within the Heavenly Sword Sect, he felt secure; he believed that even if Yang Xiao were stronger than him, he would be no match for the sect elders. He forced himself to remain composed.

In the eyes of the Hall Master, Yang Xiao was nothing more than a troublemaker. He resolved to deny Yang Xiao entry; without his approval, no matter how talented Yang Xiao was, he would have no choice but to leave empty-handed.

"Hall Master Liu, please do not be angry. I have a letter here that I would like you to review. It is a letter of recommendation from Brother Chen Ping," Yang Xiao said, producing the jade slip Chen Ping had given him and handing it to the Hall Master.

"A letter from Senior Brother Chen Ping?" Though still suspicious, the Hall Master's anger subsided significantly. He took the jade slip and began to examine it carefully.