Chapter Eighteen: The Individual Assessment Begins

Chen Qi glanced at the price—it wasn’t expensive, just 130 contribution points. It was clear that skill manuals were far more costly than equipment and consumables of equal quality, a fact Chen Qi had already realized during his time in the Novice’s Exclusive World. Yet his first reaction to this Sword Seal wasn’t excitement, but caution. If any of the four contract holders who had ambushed him had possessed such a Sword Seal and managed to hit him, with his blood level at that time, he might not have survived.

“It seems I’ll have to be much more careful in future PvP. Even a cornered rabbit can bite painfully,” Chen Qi reflected, summing up his first experience with killing, and reproached himself for recklessness while at half health. “But then again, that mage girl’s skin… Tsk, tsk, tsk!” His thoughts quickly wandered, his mind flying far away.

After motivating himself to earn more contribution points, Chen Qi set off towards the Hall of Trials, determined to complete the main quest the next day.

The Hall of Trials in the Cloudsea Sect wasn’t far from the Hall of Tasks—a quaint building with a small courtyard, steeped in ancient charm. Upon entering, Chen Qi found the steward of the Hall of Trials asleep, his snores echoing throughout the modest room.

Seeing how soundly he slept, Chen Qi hesitated to wake him abruptly and instead began to observe his surroundings. “It seems few disciples visit the Hall of Trials on ordinary days; the steward has plenty of leisure and naps daily. Some spots have even gathered dust.” Chen Qi circled the room twice; seeing no sign that the steward would awaken on his own, he softly called out:

“Steward, steward.”

When the steward’s snores persisted, Chen Qi had no choice but to gently nudge him.

“Ah, who’s there?” The steward, roused from his dream, wiped the sleep from his eyes and yawned, grumbling, “What’s a menial disciple doing here?”

Chen Qi bowed respectfully and replied, “I’ve come to participate in the individual assessment for outer sect disciples.”

The steward finally scrutinized Chen Qi and slowly said, “You’d better think it through—if you fail, you’ll lose 100 contribution points.”

Chen Qi answered confidently, “I’ve thought it through. Please, Steward, permit me!”

Seeing his resolve, the steward said no more. He rose, took Chen Qi’s menial disciple token, deducted 100 contribution points, and declared solemnly, “Very well. It’s been ages since a menial disciple came here. The individual assessment officially begins!”

The steward fixed Chen Qi with a deep gaze before speaking, “The first trial: you must prove you can hunt a seventh-grade fierce beast. Either you’ve slain one before, or the sect can arrange for you to fight one.”

Chen Qi had already prepared for this. He addressed the steward, “I have hunted several seventh-grade beasts; Steward Liu from the Hall of Contributions can vouch for me.”

The steward laughed, “Good, saves me the trouble of finding a live seventh-grade beast.” His expression shifted, and he spoke sternly, “Now, come with me to see Elder Chi. The elder has decreed that every menial disciple participating in the individual assessment must be presented to him.”

With that, he strode out, and Chen Qi followed, curiosity stirring about this so-called “Elder Chi.”

The two walked to a secluded courtyard at the outer gate, its tranquil environment lush with plants, as though it lay outside the mountain gates. Entering with the steward, Chen Qi heard voices within.

“Elder Chi, please help me construct my spiritual vortex. The sect needs me to break through immediately!” The voice was as clear and melodious as a canary, invigorating Chen Qi.

He looked closer; it was a woman in a green robe edged with ink-black, embroidered with delicate cloud motifs. Her hair was tied high with a jade hairpin; her willow brows arched elegantly, framing her bright eyes and lending her face both poise and grace.

Beneath her flowing robe, her slender figure was accentuated by soft curves, radiating feminine charm. Her exposed legs were long and shapely, taut yet without a trace of excess, tempting one to imagine their gentle contours.

Chen Qi’s mind flashed with images of a cultured senior; if she wore black-rimmed glasses and held a book, she would be the epitome of a gentle, mature beauty.

Fortunately, the woman’s attention was entirely on her conversation, so she didn’t notice Chen Qi’s momentary lapse.

Then a rasping, wood-like voice sounded nearby: “Little girl, breaking through on your own will grant you greater potential. Why rush things?” Only then did Chen Qi notice the elderly man beside her.

He sat in a comfortable rocking chair, his hair a striking red, his features sharp and lean. His exposed skin seemed withered, tinged with faint color, as if just recovering from illness.

Normally, red hair would evoke wildness or danger, but somehow with his hair and countenance combined, Chen Qi sensed no sharpness.

“That must be Elder Chi the stewards spoke of,” Chen Qi thought.

He intended to gauge Elder Chi’s temperament, to tailor his approach accordingly—or rather, to curry favor.

The old man, still facing off with the stubborn young woman, finally sighed and relented, “Fine! Come to me in seven days, and I’ll help you break through.”

The woman thanked Elder Chi and took her leave. As she passed Chen Qi, she glanced at him, her beautiful eyes lingering, carrying a faint fragrance.

Chen Qi, feeling awkward, lowered his gaze and dared not meet her eyes. Truthfully, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, embodying all his ideals of mature, gracious elegance.

Once she was gone, Chen Qi lifted his head in relief—only to find the steward and Elder Chi both smiling at him.

Under the scrutiny of those wise, aged eyes, Chen Qi quickly dropped his head again, prompting both elders to burst out laughing.

After a while, the steward respectfully addressed Elder Chi, “Elder Chi, this is the menial disciple newly registered for the outer sect’s individual assessment. As instructed, I’ve brought him to you.”

Perhaps seeing Elder Chi in good spirits, the steward even joked, “Who’d have thought this menial disciple has aspirations towards an inner sect senior sister?”

Hearing this, Elder Chi laughed heartily, clearly amused.

Chen Qi, flustered, kept silent and waited quietly for Elder Chi to finish laughing.

Soon, Elder Chi’s smile faded and he was about to speak when Chen Qi quickly interjected, “Steward Li from the Hall of Tasks asked me to convey his regards. May I ask how your injury is?”

At Chen Qi’s words, the red-haired elder’s face showed a hint of reminiscence. He replied slowly, “Little Li… After failing to advance to the inner sect, he was dejected for a while, then became a steward of the outer sect. In the blink of an eye, so many years have passed.”

He glanced at the respectful Chen Qi and said, “Making connections won’t help you. I won’t go easy on you!”