162: Chapter 162 Sect Assessment

As soon as the Foundation Establishment Cultivator spoke, the surrounding Cultivators' faces immediately grew tense.

Nowadays, the Qingyun Sect no longer sends Disciples to Mortal city-states to test potential apprentices. Consequently, some Mortals travel thousands of miles to reach the Tiangong Market, thirsting for the path to immortality.

Mortals and Cultivators spontaneously split into two separate lines.

Mortals were there to have their Spiritual Roots tested, hoping to gamble for a miscellaneous service position; regardless of how low the rank, any position offered the possibility of Immortal Ascension.

The Cultivators, on the other hand, were primarily competing to become Inner Sect Disciples.

Entering the inner Sect meant receiving excellent resources, perhaps even a supply of foundation establishment pills, providing a chance for Foundation Establishment.

Ye Tianhao and Ye Tianyao currently possessed relatively high cultivation levels, but they both restrained their Auras. To others, their cultivation appeared to be only around Qi Refining Level 5.

After the Late Foundation Establishment Stage Elder Qin Yunhe finished explaining the simple rules, his eldest Disciple, Lu Shaoyou, stepped forward. He wore a brocaded green robe with a white jade plaque tied at his waist; his face was handsome, and his Aura was steady.

Though only in his early twenties, he already possessed a cultivation at the Peak of Qi Refining, a notch higher than any of the Cultivators present for the exam. A wave of low gasps immediately rose from the crowd below.

He raised his hand to signal for silence, and the noise subsided once more: "Everyone, I am Lu Shaoyou, the eldest Disciple of the Qingyun Sect and the head examiner for this Sect entrance test. I will now explain the assessment for entering the inner Sect to you all."

Lu Shaoyou's gaze swept over the Cultivators below, his eyes sharp. Wherever his gaze landed, those Cultivators instinctively straightened their backs, and even their breathing lightened.

"The Inner Sect Disciple test is very simple and consists of only one task. You will go to the Qingyun Sect Beast Forest, and each Cultivator will be issued a spirit pearl."

"The Cultivators present may seize each other's spirit pearls. Those whose spirit pearls are taken will be eliminated. The duration is two days. Rankings will be determined by the number of spirit pearls seized, and the Sect will only select the top ten spirit pearl holders."

As his voice fell, the Cultivators below instantly erupted into a frenzy. The exclamations and discussions were even more intense than before.

"What? Competing only by seizing spirit pearls? That's too cruel! And it's in the Beast Forest—surely there won't be Yao Beasts there!"

"How can Yao Beasts be as terrifying as people? There are over a hundred Cultivators here, and only the top ten will be chosen. One slip-up and you're eliminated."

"Cruelty is good! Let strength do the talking. If you can't even protect a spirit pearl, what right do you have to be a Qingyun Sect Inner Sect Disciple? The Opportunity for a foundation establishment pill belongs to the strong!"

Ye Tianhao and Ye Tianyao looked at each other. They understood that in this trial, everyone else was an enemy except for themselves.

The more spirit pearls they seized, the higher their chances of passing the test.

The surrounding Cultivators were all at the fifth level or higher; the difficulty could well be imagined.

Lu Shaoyou remained expressionless, letting the discussions rage below. Once the noise subsided slightly, he spoke again, his voice not loud but carrying an unquestionable authority: "There is only one rule: those whose spirit pearls are seized must immediately exit the Beast Forest and may no longer participate in the competition. You must not take lives; violators will be expelled from the Qingyun Sect!"

He emphasized the last few words heavily, releasing his Peak Qi Refining Aura without reservation, enveloping the field like an invisible pressure.

The previously rowdy crowd instantly fell silent. All the Cultivators were as quiet as cicadas in winter, none daring to say another word.

From above, Lu Shaoyou saw the Ye siblings who had come to participate. His expression softened slightly, then he waved his hand: "Very well, the rules are clear. Distribute the spirit pearls!"

As the spirit pearls flew down, the Cultivators caught them. They saw that the pearls contained faint Spiritual Qi and were crystal clear, designed as pendants.

The Cultivators carefully tucked away their spirit pearls, then scanned their surroundings with wary eyes, secretly guarding against the potential opponents around them.

Some Cultivators with higher cultivation had already begun to observe secretly, locking onto targets they intended to rob, their eyes hiding a sharp edge.

Ye Tianhao and Ye Tianyao put away their spirit pearls with calm expressions. They stood quietly like bystanders, watching the other Cultivators, each harboring their own schemes.

Before long, all the Cultivators had received their spirit pearls. Lu Shaoyou turned to glance at Qin Yunhe beside him; seeing the latter nod slightly, he announced loudly: "The spirit pearls have been distributed. In half an hour, you will board the Qingyun Sect Spirit Boat to the Beast Forest. The test officially begins!"

"Remember, once your spirit pearl is seized, stop immediately. Do not bring trouble upon yourselves!"

Upon hearing this, some Cultivators immediately found a spot to sit cross-legged, preparing to use the last bit of time to adjust their breathing, circulate their spiritual power, and prepare for battle.

Others formed groups of three or five, making secret alliances and agreeing not to attack each other upon entering the Beast Forest, intending to team up to eliminate others before fighting for rankings.

Ye Tianhao and Ye Tianyao found an inconspicuous spot to prepare for the upcoming trial.

In a distant pavilion, Ye Jing sat upright, watching the excitement below. He knew that Ye Tianhao and Ye Tianyao had already joined the test, and he felt somewhat at ease regarding his two grandchildren.

Now, he just needed to watch the show.

Half an hour passed in the blink of an eye.

Lu Shaoyou spoke again, his voice penetrating the entire square: "The time has come. All examinees, follow me to the Qingyun Sect Beast Forest."

The examinees moved one after another, their figures flickering as they boarded the Qingyun Sect Spirit Boat.

Ye Tianhao and Ye Tianyao walked side by side at a moderate pace, always staying in the middle of the crowd. Their Auras remained at Qi Refining Level 5, appearing completely unremarkable, yet they always managed to skillfully avoid those who deliberately approached to test their strength.

Before long, everyone arrived at the entrance of the Qingyun Sect Beast Forest. The forest was filled with towering ancient trees that blotted out the sun, their branches and leaves interlaced.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting mottled shadows. The forest was thick with dense Spiritual Qi, but it was also laced with the faint sound of beastly roars that sent shivers down one's spine.

Inside the Beast Forest were fierce Yao Beasts; it was usually a place for Qingyun Sect Disciples to gain experience.

Now serving as the testing ground, it felt even more dangerous.

The struggle for spirit pearls was already cruel, and with Yao Beasts prowling, this trial was undoubtedly a life-and-death struggle.

Standing before the crowd, Lu Shaoyou immediately said: "This is the Qingyun Sect Beast Forest. The test area is limited to within a hundred miles of the outer perimeter. Do not step into the inner region; otherwise, you bear the consequences yourself."

"Now, the Qingyun Sect Inner Sect Disciple test begins!"

As the final words fell, Lu Shaoyou abruptly raised his hand and struck out with spiritual power, which turned into a beam of white light shooting straight into the clouds.

The moment the white light dissipated, all the Cultivators charged into the Beast Forest like arrows released from a bow, and the previously orderly group instantly scattered.

Some Cultivators were ambushed as soon as they entered the forest. Several sounds of spiritual power colliding rang out, followed by a scream as a Cultivator's spirit pearl was instantly snatched away, and they were driven out of the Beast Forest in disgrace.

Those with high cultivation had already begun their harvest, their figures darting about as they continuously seized spirit pearls from the Cultivators around them with an unstoppable Aura.

Just as Ye Tianhao and Ye Tianyao had stood their ground, a dark shadow lunged toward them.

Ye Tianhao narrowed his eyes, his moon-breaking sword unsheathed and slashing out instantly. With a scream, the Cultivator's surrounding spiritual power was shattered in an instant.

The Cultivator trembled, knowing the youth before him was powerful. He tried to flee, but in the next second, Ye Tianyao's blade was at his throat, forcing him to surrender his spirit pearl to her.

Ye Tianyao's finger hooked slightly, and the spirit pearl landed steadily in her palm.

Having lost his spirit pearl, the Cultivator vanished and was expelled from the examination grounds.

The siblings glanced at each other and moved, slipping silently into the dense forest.

They didn't rush to strike like the other Cultivators, but instead moved stealthily, picking off isolated Cultivators on the outskirts.

In this way, they conserved their strength for when it would be needed most.