Chapter Twelve: The Assessment Begins

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Su Yi’s smile grew even broader upon seeing him like this. A person still retains a spark of anger, and if the Child of Destiny could endure even this, he would be far too useless. However, someone else was truly out of luck. To pick on anyone else but the Child of Destiny—what terrible misfortune. But no one else knew he was the Child of Destiny; only he himself was aware. This so-called Zhao Zijin could only accept his ill fate.

...

When Su Yi and Xu Ze appeared once again at the gates of the Xianxia Sect, the young disciples seeking the path fell silent. Among the crowd, Zhao Zijin, who had been enjoying flattery moments before, sensed the unusual atmosphere, turned around, and froze in disbelief. Xu Ze was supposed to have been dealt with—why was he still here?

Beside Zhao Zijin, Xiao Jia’s face flushed with shame upon seeing Xu Ze’s return; she lowered her head, unable to meet his gaze. Zhao Zijin was baffled, but when his eyes fell on the unfamiliar man beside Xu Ze, realization dawned on him. His expression darkened; he roughly pushed Xiao Jia aside and strode up to the two men, demanding, “I thought you weren’t allowed to enter the sect. How dare you show your face here?”

“And more, I was worried you might encounter danger on the way, so I sent three of my men to escort you out. Where are they?”

Hearing Zhao Zijin’s shameless and twisted accusations, Xu Ze’s anger surged.

“Zhao Zijin! You have no shame! You clearly sent your men to frame me! What escort are you talking about? If I weren’t lucky to survive, you would have succeeded in harming me. You’re nothing but a heartless beast, worse than pigs and dogs!”

Zhao Zijin sneered contemptuously.

“What a joke. Why would I need to harm you? Look at who you are.”

“Besides, where’s your proof? Do you have any evidence? Without evidence, you’re slandering me! You’re ruining my reputation. If you don’t give me an explanation, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

“You!!!”

Xu Ze was furious beyond measure. He had never met such a shameless man—spitting venom, plotting against him, and now trying to frame him for attacking himself.

Proof? Of course, there was none. Even if there were, what would it matter? A shameless man like Zhao Zijin could deny everything, no matter what proof he faced.

The three men were now dead. If Xu Ze revealed this, Zhao Zijin would surely twist the facts to accuse him of cruelty.

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This man was truly disgusting!

Seeing Xu Ze at a loss, Su Yi sighed inwardly and stepped forward.

“Your three men were unfortunate and ill-fated. I happened to relieve myself in the forest and saw them being devoured by beasts. Xu Ze was lucky to meet me just in time. Those men are gone. I advise you to accept your loss gracefully.”

Zhao Zijin’s eyes narrowed as he assessed Su Yi, searching his mind for any information but finding none. A hint of caution appeared in his eyes, and his tone grew less defiant.

“Who are you? This is between Xu Ze and me. Why are you interfering?”

Though not yet a cultivator, Zhao Zijin’s exceptional talent still allowed him to vaguely sense the oppressive aura emanating from Su Yi.

It was the unique aura of a cultivator, transcending mortal flesh.

A Qi Refining stage one cultivator alone could defeat twenty soldiers at once.

Cultivators naturally suppressed ordinary people, inspiring fear in them. Even if the man before him was only at the lowest Qi Refining level, challenging him head-on would only bring suffering.

Su Yi merely scoffed, not even sparing Zhao Zijin a glance. He turned to the others and scanned the crowd.

“Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Zhang Yi. From now on, I’m looking out for Xu Ze. Anyone who bullies him will have to answer to my fists.”

The young disciples instinctively avoided his gaze, unable to bear its sharpness.

Zhao Zijin’s expression flickered darkly. With this man around, it seemed impossible to harm Xu Ze. He glared at the two before retreating with his followers to another area, not daring to utter another harsh word.

With his enemy gone, Xu Ze relaxed and looked at Su Yi with deep gratitude.

“Thank you, Brother Zhang. If you hadn’t been here today, I’m afraid—”

Before he could finish, Su Yi waved his hand.

“Don’t mention it. It was nothing. I couldn’t stand him either. Besides, I feel a strong connection with you. It was just a small favor, no need to be polite.”

Seeing Xu Ze so moved, Su Yi felt a surge of satisfaction.

You know, protecting the Child of Destiny really feels good, especially feeling like his older brother.

He had a selfish motive earlier. Now everyone would consider Xu Ze his junior brother, Xu Ze included.

After all, it was a trivial effort for him but a lifesaving and supportive favor for Xu Ze. Becoming his elder brother was like gaining a noble benefactor; he didn’t have to worry about Xu Ze’s resentment. He could count on one hundred percent willingness.

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As for Zhao Zijin, what use was having dual spiritual roots if he hadn’t even entered the Qi Refining stage? A complete waste. If it weren’t for the system’s tasks, Su Yi wouldn’t even bother to look at him. Even intimidating him felt like lowering oneself.

The system was to blame. The rewards were so good, yet the enemies were so weak that the battles were dull. At least give him a worthy opponent—after all, he was the Sacred Ground’s prodigy.

If not for the rewards, he would have quit long ago.

...

The next day, the Xianxia Sect finally announced the start of the trials. The young men and women waiting were filled with eagerness and anticipation.

From the towering, cloud-piercing steps descended several cultivators in bright red robes embroidered with cloud patterns. Some walked through the void, while others flew on swords. To the mortals below, it was as if true immortals had descended. The impact and awe silenced everyone; the entire gathering was as quiet as a pin drop.

At the forefront stood the elder Qi Yongnian of the Entry Hall. His eagle-like gaze swept over the crowd, radiating pressure. The young disciples bowed their heads, unable to meet his eyes.

Once the atmosphere was set, Qi Yongnian’s voice rang out clearly.

“Thank you all for waiting. You have come to join the Xianxia Sect, each with the heart to enter the path of cultivation. Among you, those destined for immortality shall begin their journey today!”

“I hereby announce: the Xianxia Sect’s entrance examination officially begins.”

“According to sect rules, those whose physical bone age exceeds eighteen and have not entered Qi Refining should leave. Independent cultivators at Qi Refining stage one, bone age no more than twenty, may participate. Those at Qi Refining stage two, bone age no more than twenty-two, may also join.”

“All who fail to meet the requirements or are eliminated in the trials may collect their supplies and travel expenses at the sect gate.”

Su Yi found the announcement uninspiring, his gaze drifting until it caught a striking figure.

It was her.

Su Yi’s eyes locked on the graceful silhouette among the cultivators, surprised. The woman was the Xianxia Sect cultivator who had tried to rescue Xu Ze yesterday.

He hadn’t noticed much before, but today he saw that she possessed late Foundation Establishment strength, though she appeared only eighteen or nineteen. Her aura was vast and steady, solid and unpretentious.

Such talent rivaled some true disciples of the Sacred Ground.

He had never expected such a figure to exist in the modest Xianxia Sect!