Chapter 129 - 113: Inner Sect Disciple Assessment

Chapter 129: Chapter 113: Inner Sect Disciple Assessment

The next day, at the crack of dawn, Zhao Zuo left his small courtyard. He headed for the Moyun Sect along the mountain path, making a point to change his face to one he had never used before.

He did this mainly to prevent an ambush.

The journey was uneventful. Zhao Zuo arrived at the Moyun Sect’s Earth Fire Hall office for the Outer Sect. The area wasn’t large, and there weren’t many disciples around... just a tall figure behind the counter.

"Um..." Zhao Zuo said, gazing at the familiar figure before him. He couldn’t help but marvel at the strange ways of Destiny.

"For Pill Medicine exchange or to use Contribution Points, please proceed to the Ministry of Affairs Hall. This place..."

"Hey, isn’t that Younger Brother Zhao?" Liu Heng said with some surprise, looking up from behind the counter.

"Brother Liu, what are you doing here?" Zhao Zuo asked.

"Just doing some tasks to earn extra Contribution Points. You have no idea the hardships we older disciples face. We were born to a life of toil," Liu Heng’s voice was laced with a weariness that sounded as if life had beaten him down a thousand times.

"What brings you to the Earth Fire Hall? Most matters for Outer Sect Disciples are handled at the Ministry of Affairs Hall."

"To take the Inner Sect Disciple assessment," Zhao Zuo answered truthfully.

The assessment method for Inner Sect Disciples varied between the different halls of the Moyun Sect. The Shenxiao Hall’s missions were usually to enter the Yunlan Mountain Range and hunt Demon Beasts, the Punishment Hall’s was to hunt down rule-breaking Sect Disciples, while the Earth Fire Hall and Core Heart Hall tested one’s personal craft.

The assessment point for the Earth Fire Hall’s Outer Sect Disciples was right here.

The assessment required the presence of three Outer Sect Stewards and involved Refining a Lower Grade Magical Artifact. Afterward, the three Stewards would score the quality of the Refining. Essentially, successfully Refining a Lower Grade Magical Artifact... was a guaranteed pass.

"Are you sure? Outer Sect Disciples can only apply for the assessment once every three years."

"I’m aware." Zhao Zuo nodded. He hadn’t just read the sect manual from cover to cover; he had committed its contents to memory so thoroughly he could recite it backward.

"Are you really sure?" Liu Heng asked again, taking out a Communication Jade.

"Once I start contacting the three Stewards, you won’t get a chance to back out. If your performance is so poor that it displeases the Stewards, you’ll be limiting your future prospects. You’re still young... think carefully about the consequences before making a decision. You should always be prudent."

"Thank you for your kind intentions, Brother Liu. I’ve made up my mind."

"There’s just no persuading you. Fine, I’ll help you contact a few of the more reasonable Stewards."

Liu Heng said earnestly, then infused Mana into the Communication Jade and began making contact.

About a quarter of an hour later, the first to arrive was Steward Huang, dressed in a gray Taoist Robe. He had just stepped through the main entrance of the Earth Fire Hall when he asked curiously.

"Which disciple is here for the Inner Sect Disciple assessment?"

"Steward, that would be me," Zhao Zuo said.

"I don’t recognize your face. Your Cultivation is a bit lacking... How many years have you been with the sect?" Steward Huang’s eyes were scrutinizing as he looked Zhao Zuo up and down.

"He just joined this year. In fact, I was the one who passed him on his entrance assessment." Chen Luowen’s voice rang out from outside the door, and a moment later he strode into the Earth Fire Hall. He was still wearing the same shabby long robe, a faint scent of wine wafting from him.

"Elder Chen, are you saying he just passed his entrance assessment this year? In that case, isn’t it a bit rash of him to apply for the Inner Sect assessment already?" A hint of disdain entered Steward Huang’s eyes as he looked at Zhao Zuo.

"I believe he is capable of passing the Inner Sect Disciple assessment," Chen Luowen said calmly.

"Then I’m quite curious to see what he’s capable of," Steward Huang said.

Chen Luowen had unshakable confidence in Zhao Zuo. He still remembered the look in Zhao Zuo’s eyes while he was completely immersed in hammering the Spirit Iron—it was like a blazing fire illuminating a dark chamber.

Before long, the final Steward arrived at the Earth Fire Chamber. He had a somewhat stout figure with thick, powerful arms. His face was expressionless, as if he were devoid of all emotion. With his brows slightly furrowed, he gave off a cold and distant impression.

"Now that everyone’s here, let’s begin the assessment," Chen Luowen said.

The assessment was held in an area behind the Earth Fire Hall. There were two small Earth Fire Chambers there, which were normally idle and only used for disciple assessments.

Liu Heng led the way, opening the door to an Earth Fire Chamber. He stepped inside first and switched on the Spirit Light Lamp on the wall, quickly dispelling the darkness. The chamber’s layout was virtually identical to the one Zhao Zuo had used before.

An Earth Fire Furnace stood in the center of the room. Beside it were materials and molds for Artifact Refining, along with several pieces of Spirit Iron piled to the side.

"You’re clear on the procedure for the assessment, right?" Chen Luowen asked Zhao Zuo.

"Of course."

There was only one attempt allowed for the assessment; failure was final. Zhao Zuo had to refine a Lower Grade Magical Artifact, and the three examiners would score him based on the degree of completion of the final product.

"Then get started. I’m in a hurry," the last Steward to arrive said flatly.

"Alright." Zhao Zuo nodded and took his own Artifact Refining tools out of his Storage Bag. Although the Earth Fire Chamber provided tools and molds, they were never as comfortable to use as one’s own.

"Younger Brother Zhao, I believe in you," Liu Heng said encouragingly, clasping his hands together.

WHOOSH—

Orange flames suddenly erupted from the Earth Fire Furnace, surging and churning.

Zhao Zuo did not begin the Artifact Refining immediately. Instead, he closed his eyes to center himself.

He held his breath, Concentrating Spirit. With his spirit focused, his energy grew tranquil and settled in his Dantian.

After a dozen or so seconds, Zhao Zuo opened his eyes.

’A Magical Artifact is the crystallization of one’s very Soul and effort. You take materials filled with spirituality, smelt them in fierce fire, and forge them into a final product that possesses all kinds of wondrous powers.’