18: Assessment【Three updates please support】

The phantom disappeared, and Han Li sat back on the bed.

The improvement from Medicinal Pills assisting his Cultivation was significant; though he still had some left, he planned to buy more.

The Tiger Soul Pill's effect was stronger and provided him with a greater boost.

After a moment of thought, Han Li left his room and, exiting the residence, headed into the distance.

Qingyun City was enormous.

It was divided into four districts.

These were similarly categorized as East, West, South, and North.

His current location was in the East District.

Just the East District alone was larger than several streets of Changshan County combined.

Stepping out of the alley, Han Li turned into the nearest street.

Inns, shops, restaurants—everything was available, bustling with prosperity.

The vibrancy and prosperity of a city could often be seen in these alleys and streets.

The smaller streets were even more lively.

After wandering the street for a while, Han Li entered a shop and once again purchased some Tiger Soul Pills.

Compared to Changshan County and Baishui County, the price of Medicinal Pills here was cheaper.

One Tiger Soul Pill only cost eight taels of silver.

Han Li bought Tiger Soul Pills from several shops, totaling eighty pills.

This cost him six hundred and forty taels of silver.

This was his first major expenditure.

After buying the Medicinal Pills, Han Li also subtly inquired about places selling Cultivation Techniques.

Unlike Changshan County, Qingyun City had specialized shops for selling Cultivation Techniques.

They not only sold Cultivation Techniques but also various martial arts.

This was completely different from Changshan County.

It was very open.

"The grandeur of a big city... it really isn't comparable to a small place," Han Li sighed.

However, he didn't go to buy any; everything would have to wait until after the Qingyuan Sect assessment.

If he didn't pass the assessment, then he would settle for the next best thing.

It would naturally be better to join a major School, but it wouldn't matter if he couldn't.

The Blood Qi of Slaughter could also enhance his martial arts and was no worse than joining a School... Night fell, and the streetlights illuminated the city.

Qingyun City was even livelier at night.

The main streets and small alleys were all bustling with noise.

Han Li didn't go out that night; he stayed at home diligently Cultivating.

His second uncle also returned in the evening, bringing some delicious food. After dinner, Han Li rested.

He needed to conserve his energy!

Although he wasn't overly concerned, he still needed to make the necessary preparations... Time flowed by little by little.

Three days passed in a flash.

After resting for three days, Han Li left the city under his second uncle's guidance.

The Qingyuan Sect assessment was about to begin.

Leaving Qingyun City, his second uncle galloped on horseback, heading east.

After traveling about fifty li, Han Li followed his second uncle to the Qingyuan Sect's assessment grounds.

From a distance, he could see countless people milling about.

There were no less than a thousand people, and the scene was very lively.

Gazing into the distance, Han Li could also see towering pavilions and palaces; that was the Qingyuan Sect's mountain gate.

It resembled a heavenly palace, shrouded in mist.

Upon arriving at the assessment grounds, Han Li dismounted. His second uncle tied the horse to the side and then led Han Li into the crowd.

Han Li followed behind, observing that most people, like him, appeared to be fourteen or fifteen years old.

To participate in the assessment, one had to register first.

Soon, his second uncle led Han Li to the registration area.

There was a long line.

The people responsible for organizing the registration information were Disciples of the Qingyuan Sect.

They wore uniform green clothing.

To the side, there were also several Qingyuan Sect Disciples standing with swords.

Their temples bulged, indicating that they were accomplished masters of Cultivation.

They were responsible for maintaining order at the scene.

The Qingyuan Sect had strict standards for accepting Disciples: age and Aptitude.

Those over sixteen would not be accepted, no matter how strong their Aptitude, unless they could reach High Grade or Immortal Grade Aptitude; otherwise, there would absolutely be no exceptions.

Han Li queued behind his second uncle, his gaze fixed on the area not far away.

The assessment ground was a massive area.

Those who registered would be led by Qingyuan Sect personnel to another side to await the assessment.

"Just the number of registrants is over ten thousand... Tsk, tsk, this Qingyuan Sect is indeed very powerful!"

Han Li clicked his tongue, sighing inwardly.

With over ten thousand people registering, the scene was truly magnificent.

And this was just the beginning.

The number of registrants continued to increase.

Han Li observed the people registering; most came from well-to-do families.

Each was dressed in luxurious attire.

They were not from ordinary backgrounds.

Those like him were only a very small minority.

Disciples from influential families had more Opportunity.

This was also reality.

"Poverty in scholarship, wealth in martial arts."

Without money, even with exceptional talent, it was difficult to achieve anything significant.

Unless one had an explosion of Opportunity and could obtain the Legacy of some martial arts master.

And the probability of that was probably lower than winning the lottery.

Stories of overflowing Opportunity and encountering wonders as soon as one descended the mountain only existed in novels.

In reality, such probabilities probably only existed in legends.

They certainly existed, but such people were basically the so-called "Children of Luck"!

There were many stories, but the probability of them happening in reality was too low.

Han Li was not nervous.

He was very relaxed.

It wouldn't be a big deal if he couldn't enter the Qingyuan Sect.

With his Golden Finger, he could still forge his own path as a Martial Artist... Time passed quickly, and the queue soon reached Han Li.

His second uncle paid the registration fee, a full ten taels of silver.

Whether he succeeded or not, this money would not be refunded.

A registration fee alone amounted to an unimaginably astonishing sum.

The wealth-gathering methods of major Sects were truly exceptional.

However, with their foundation laid out, if you were unwilling to pay, there were plenty of others who were.

After paying the registration fee and filling in his name and age, Han Li received a small wooden token with a number inscribed on it.

One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven!

This wooden token was the credential for participating in the assessment.

After receiving the token, Han Li left the registration area.

His second uncle looked at him and patted his shoulder: "Xiao Li, don't feel pressured. It doesn't matter if you fail; just have confidence in yourself."

Han Li nodded: "Second uncle, I understand."

"The rest is up to you. Second uncle will wait for your good news. Go on."

His second uncle smiled, and Han Li nodded in response. He then followed the Qingyuan Sect personnel to another part of the grounds.

Here, many people were also queuing.

The first item of the assessment.

Aptitude assessment.

The first item was also an extremely important one; if one couldn't even pass the first item, there would basically be no subsequent assessments.

The Aptitude assessment involved a black stone tablet.

Assessors would place their hand on the stone tablet to undergo the Aptitude test.

This stone tablet could test Aptitude and also one's age.

Falsifying one's age would result in disqualification; even with High Grade Aptitude, one would be disqualified, unless one possessed High Grade or Immortal Grade Aptitude.

This stage was a mandatory part of the assessment for all candidates.

Han Li stood in line, observing the assessment ahead.

In front of a ten-foot-tall stone tablet, a robust young man stepped forward and placed one hand on the black stone tablet.

The next second, the stone tablet emitted light, four points of light in total, shining brightly like starlight.

For the Aptitude test, three stars of light represented Low Grade Aptitude, four stars represented Medium Grade, five stars represented High Grade, and six stars represented High Grade.

The strongest was Immortal Grade, with a maximum of nine stars.

If nine stars lit up, it meant that one's future achievements were limitless, a definite martial arts giant.

Seven and eight stars still belonged to High Grade, but were stronger, considered the best of the High Grade.

Besides the four stars of light, a number was also clearly displayed on the stone tablet.

Seventeen!

This represented the age.

Upon seeing the age displayed on the stone tablet, the Qingyuan Sect Disciple beside him instantly frowned.

"Daring to falsify your age, you are disqualified!"

As the Qingyuan Sect Disciple spoke, the robust young man's face instantly turned pale.

"I have Medium Grade Aptitude, please, give me a chance!"

The young man pleaded with the Qingyuan Sect Disciple, but the Disciple who spoke had an icy expression.

"Leave immediately, or bear the consequences!"

"I have Medium Grade Aptitude, and I'm only one year older, why are you so cruel!"

The young man said unwillingly.

"Bang—!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the Qingyuan Sect Disciple immediately struck. A flash of green light, and the robust young man's body instantly flew out like a ball, smashing onto the ground several feet away. He spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, the light in his eyes dimmed, and his head tilted, directly fainting.

"Rules are rules!"

The Qingyuan Sect Disciple said coldly, a powerful Qi current emanating from him. He looked at the group of people preparing for the Aptitude assessment, his gaze sharp.

"Falsifying your age, this is the consequence!"

The cold voice rang out, and the assessment candidates couldn't help but shiver.

Ruthless!

Truly ruthless!

However, they couldn't blame others. After all, these were the rules set by the Qingyuan Sect: those overage would only be accepted if they possessed High Grade or higher Aptitude.

Knowing the rules, yet still holding onto alucky mentality, this was well-deserved.

"Carry him away!"

The Qingyuan Sect Disciple in charge of the assessment spoke, and two Qingyuan Sect Disciples directly carried the unconscious young man away, throwing him out of the assessment grounds.