Chapter 474: First Assessment! A Fallen Genius?

Chapter 474: Chapter 241: First Assessment! A Fallen Genius?

The three of them, though reluctant, could only nod in resignation.

…

In the days that followed, the residential area for New Disciples on Chuyang Peak grew exceptionally busy.

They needed to earn crucial Sect points and pass the assessment a year later to remain.

Most disciples entered a frantic cycle: complete missions for points, buy Elixir Pills, and transition to new Cultivation Techniques.

Every morning, throngs of disciples could be seen flocking to Xuanwu Hall to accept missions.

Or heading to Duobao Peak to exchange their points for Elixir Pills that aided their Cultivation.

Or making their way to Xingdao Peak to attend lectures and cultivate.

Yet, the door to the East Wing of C Seventy-Two Courtyard always remained tightly shut.

Jiang Che barely set foot outside.

But he wasn’t slacking off. He was engaged in a much more secretive and ambitious undertaking.

Inside his room, Jiang Che sat cross-legged, cultivating one Low-Tier Weapon Qi and Blood Martial Arts after another.

Once he reached Perfection and activated its Two-Character Talent, he would immediately perform the Dissipating Skill.

Sword Sense, Sword Force, Spear Momentum…

He continuously fed these foundational Two-Character Talents to his [True Nine Li Commander].

As for the obscure and difficult Basic Chapter of the Myriad Phenomena Infinite Dao, he only practiced it in his spare time, not investing much effort into it.

After all, his top priority was to open the second Divine Soul Slot and activate the life-saving Ability of the [Illusionary Truth Ancient Mirror]!

…

「A month passed in the blink of an eye.」

「One morning, on a plaza at the foot of Chuyang Peak.」

The thirty-three Preparatory Inner Sect Disciples who had been selected through the Celestial Strategy Guard trials were gathered here.

The imposing figure of Elder Xuan Cheng instantly appeared before them.

His eyes, which seemed to crackle with lightning, swept over the crowd as he spoke coolly,

“It has been one month since you joined the Sect. You should all have some comprehension of the Myriad Phenomena Infinite Dao by now.”

“Today, I will inspect your cultivation progress. On the path of cultivation, to fall behind once is to fall behind forever. Do not be complacent!”

Hearing this, everyone’s heart went cold.

The assessment was here!

While no one would be eliminated directly, this was the perfect opportunity to display their Talent and win the Elders’ favor!

A poor performance would likely make their future in the Sect far more difficult.

“Come forward one by one, according to your courtyard number, and demonstrate the degree of your True Qi transformation!”

At Elder Xuan Cheng’s command, the disciples began to circulate their Cultivation Technique.

Long Yu’er of Penglai Island stepped out first. An aura flowed around her, emitting a faint ripple of True Qi that seemed to encompass all phenomena.

“The third layer!”

Gasps of astonishment erupted from the crowd.

To have cultivated such an obscure technique to the third layer in just one month—such Talent was simply astounding!

Elder Xuan Cheng nodded slightly, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.

Next, Liu Yunfei of the Central State Liu Family strode forward, his head held high.

He shot a provocative glance at Jiang Che in the crowd, then channeled his Cultivation Technique with all his might.

BOOM!

It was also the aura of the third layer, and in terms of sheer density, it was even a fraction stronger than Long Yu’er’s!

“Good! Not bad at all!” Elder Xuan Cheng offered a rare word of praise.

An arrogant expression immediately appeared on Liu Yunfei’s face as he basked in the envious and awestruck gazes of the crowd.

After that, the other disciples took their turns.

Most were still stuck on the first layer. A few with poorer Comprehension hadn’t even reached the Entry Level of the first layer and were overcome with shame.

When it was the turn of C Seventy-Two Courtyard.

Bao Da took a deep breath, circulated his Cultivation Technique, and unexpectedly produced the True Qi fluctuations of the second layer.

“Huh? This guy’s not bad!” someone in the crowd said in surprise.

Bao Da let out a smug chuckle, looking quite pleased with himself.

Although he looked like a slacker, he was sharp-witted and willing to spend points on resources, so his progress was not slow.

Lin Xiao and Su Xiaoxiao’s results were less impressive; they had both just barely stabilized their cultivation at the first layer. Still, they had managed to keep pace with the majority.

Finally, all eyes fell on Jiang Che.

What kind of performance would this dark horse deliver—the one who had stunned everyone during the Celestial Strategy Guard trials, taking fourteenth place and shining brilliantly in the combat assessment?

Even Elder Xuan Cheng on the high platform fixed him with a particularly sharp gaze.

Before arriving, his master, Daoist Wu Wei, had specifically instructed him to pay close attention to this Jiang Che.

His master held the boy in extremely high regard, even considering him one of the most promising new talents in this cohort.

Under the intense gaze of the crowd, Jiang Che remained calm and slowly completed one Circulation of the Myriad Phenomena Infinite Dao.

BUZZ—

A faint but pure aura emanated from him.

The first layer.

And by the looks of it, he had only just reached the Entry Level, his aura even a fraction weaker than Lin Xiao’s and Su Xiaoxiao’s.

Whispers immediately broke out in the crowd.

“That’s… it?”

“The first layer? I thought he’d be at the Peak of the second layer, at least!”

“It seems the rumors were true. Jiang Che might be a great fighter, but his Comprehension and Root Bone… tsk, tsk. In a top-tier Sect like this, that’s just not going to cut it.”

“Exactly. Switching Cultivation Techniques is the ultimate test of one’s foundation. Looks like he’s shown his true colors.”

Watching this unfold, Liu Yunfei could barely contain the smile spreading across his face, the contempt in his eyes growing even deeper.

On the high platform, Elder Xuan Cheng’s brow furrowed, a clear glint of disappointment in his eyes.

‘Just the first layer?’

‘Master had such high hopes for him, even granting him a Treasure Medicine… Even if he didn’t take it, with his ranking, he shouldn’t be this mediocre.’

‘Could it be… Master was actually mistaken? Is this boy just a common brawler, fierce in a fight but with no Talent for the path of the Dao?’

Elder Xuan Cheng gave Jiang Che one last, deep look. Without another word, he gave a curt nod and averted his gaze.

“For this assessment, Long Yu’er and Liu Yunfei have performed exceptionally. Each is awarded one hundred Sect points as encouragement!”

“As for the rest of you… diligence can make up for a lack of talent. Do your best!”

With that, Elder Xuan Cheng flicked his wide sleeve, and his figure vanished in a stream of light.

As soon as the Elder was gone, the atmosphere on the plaza turned strange.

The disciples who had once regarded Jiang Che with awe now looked at him with a hint of disdain and distance.

In the Sect, potential was everything.

A genius who couldn’t keep up with their cultivation was like a meteor about to burn out—not worth the effort of befriending.

Liu Yunfei went even further, walking up to Jiang Che and saying with feigned enthusiasm,

“Junior Brother Jiang, the Myriad Phenomena Infinite Dao is vast and profound. It can’t be mastered with Barbaric Power alone. If you don’t understand something in the future, feel free to ask me. I will be sure to enlighten you!”

“Thank you for the offer, but that won’t be necessary.”

Jiang Che’s expression was placid, as if he hadn’t noticed the mockery in the other’s tone. He simply turned and walked away.

Liu Yunfei shook his head, then departed with a laugh, surrounded by his followers.

“Brother Jiang, don’t pay him any mind! He’s just a petty man enjoying his moment of triumph!”

Bao Da sidled up, looking indignant on Jiang Che’s behalf. “I know you’re just biding your time, building a strong foundation!” he said comfortingly. “No need to rush. We’ll take it slow!”

Jiang Che smiled. “Thanks, Brother Bao. I’m fine.”

However, when he glanced at his other two neighbors, he keenly sensed a change in their attitudes.

Lin Xiao merely gave him a curt nod, made an excuse about needing to cultivate, and hurried away. The earlier enthusiasm he’d shown for getting to know him was completely gone.

Su Xiaoxiao’s gaze darted away. She tugged on Lin Xiao’s arm, saying they should go together, and barely offered a greeting.

Jiang Che sighed softly.

This was reality.

When you shine brilliantly, you’re surrounded by smiling faces.

But the moment you show a hint of decline, you immediately learn how quickly people can turn cold.

Jiang Che took it all in, yet his heart remained perfectly calm. In fact, he found it almost amusing.

‘This is nothing…’

‘A single, minor assessment was enough to reveal the true nature of so many people. I’d say that’s a bargain.’

He shook his head and turned back toward his courtyard.