Supreme Master - Chapter 45: Assessment

Translator – Misty

Chapter 45: Assessment

On this sunny afternoon, the Outer Sect disciples densely gathered in the trial field.

Perched atop a high platform,the Deliberative Elder Ren De, along with Inner Sect Elder Fei Xue, Outer Sect Elder Li Ziheng, and five other main examiners, were closely observing the disciples participating in the assessment. Additionally, a group of enforcers from the Outer Sect Trial Hall, led by the notably rotund Fei Kui, the Grand Enforcer, served as deputy examiners.

Outer Sect disciples, to qualify for the assessment, must reach the fifth level of the Innate realm and attain minor achievement in an immortal art. Only after passing the scrutiny of the Trial Hall could they participate in the assessment.

There weren’t many disciples participating in this assessment, only about twenty to thirty. The assessment was nearing its end, yet no disciple had been promoted. Many failed at the very first stage of assessing their cultivation.

Although all participating disciples had reached the fifth level of the Innate realm, in today’s world, where medicinal pills were prevalent, reaching this realm was not difficult, especially for disciples from well-off families. By consuming pills, they could easily reach the fifth level of the Innate realm, even while flirting with maidens in their dreams.

However, cultivation levels attained through medicinal pills are very ‘hollow’ and also taint the painstakingly cultivated pure spiritual energy with chaos. In such cases, even if one reaches the ninth level of the Innate realm, foundation establishment would surely fail.

The purpose of the first stage of the assessment was to check the purity of the disciple’s spiritual energy. Absolute purity was not required, but at least a passable degree of purity was expected. Unfortunately, among the twenty disciples who came for the assessment, the spiritual energy of eighteen did not meet the standard.

Perhaps disappointed by such outcomes, Ren De, stroking his white beard, sighed and said, “In the ancient era, spiritual energy was sparse, and we knew the difficulty of cultivation. After the great calamities, a new era opened, and everything revived. Now, with abundant spiritual energy, you do not cherish it and rely solely on medicinal pills. Such cultivation and such impure spiritual energy… what use are they?”

With a sigh, Daoist Master Ren De said, “It’s a decline with each generation. Young people are too impetuous…”

Another disciple failed the assessment.

Ren De Daoist Master, shaking his head in disappointment and nearly out of patience, asked, “Enforcer Fei, how many disciples are left?”

“Three more.”

Fei Kui stood up, responding with a smile. As the Grand Enforcer of the Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect and in charge of the Trial Hall, any disciple who wanted to participate in the assessment had to obtain his approval.

“Let’s continue then. Bring the next disciple to the stage.”

A young man, seemingly in his twenties, dressed in white, stepped onto the platform. He had a handsome and clean appearance, with a casual and leisurely smile, as if he was somewhat amused.

When he ascended the platform, many disciples looked puzzled, seemingly unfamiliar with him. Then, someone in the crowd shouted.

“It’s him, the Young Master of Crimson Flame, Gu Qingfeng!”

“Gu Qingfeng? Is he the one who made Sister Ouyang fall in love at first sight?”

“Yes, that’s him! He injured Li Clan’s young master in the Red Leaf Valley.”

“He doesn’t seem to be a disciple of our Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect. Why is he participating in the Inner Sect assessment?”

When someone recognized Gu Qingfeng, the disciples were surprised. After all, when Ouyang Ye first brought Gu Qingfeng to the Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect, it caused quite a stir. Later, Gu Qingfeng injured Li Sen and several Inner Sect disciples in the Red Leaf Valley, making it a well-known incident.

The disciples were surprised to see Gu Qingfeng, but Li Ziheng on the high platform was even more shocked.

His grandson was still recovering from the injuries inflicted by Gu Qingfeng. This grudge was something Li Ziheng had yet to swallow. If not for Elder Huo De’s protection, he would have torn Gu Qingfeng to pieces for revenge.

Not just Li Ziheng, but the aloof Daoist Master Fei Xue was also deeply frowning upon seeing Gu Qingfeng, staring at him coldly.

“Why are you here?”

The question came not from Fei Xue, but from Li Ziheng, who stood up abruptly, angrily rebuking him.

“Why can’t I be here?”

Gu Qingfeng replied with a smile.

At this moment, Fei Kui approached with a record book: “Gu Qingfeng has passed our Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect’s assessment and became an Outer Sect disciple a few days ago. This is our audit record, for the Elders to review.”

Becoming an Outer Sect disciple was simple. Those with spiritual roots could rely on them, and those without could pass an assessment. If all else failed, as long as one could pay enough spirit stones, they could also become an Outer Sect disciple.

Both Daoist Master Fei Xue and Li Ziheng knew this, and even Daoist Master Ren De was aware, usually turning a blind eye to it. After all, the development of the sect depended on spirit stones, so the so-called audit records were meaningless.

Li Ziheng sneered and questioned, “Fei Kui, do you know he’s a Foundation Establishment failure?”

“Of course.”

Fei Kui bowed, maintaining a humble smile on his face.

“Then why allow him to participate in the Inner Sect assessment?”

Fei Kui, seemingly prepared for Li Ziheng’s challenge, responded calmly, “The conditions for participating in the Inner Sect assessment are reaching the fifth level of the Innate realm and minor achievement in an immortal art. Although Gu Qingfeng has failed in foundation establishment, it’s just a failure. No one can say his cultivation doesn’t meet the Innate realm fifth level. Moreover, our Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect has no rules against allowing disciples who failed in foundation establishment to participate in the Inner Sect assessment.”

“Although there is no explicit rule, failing in foundation establishment equates to the end of the path of cultivation, rendering one unable to cultivate ever again. Don’t you understand this?”

Fei Kui continued calmly, “Failure in foundation establishment is just that—a failure. It doesn’t necessarily mean the end of the cultivation path. Nothing is absolute; no one can assert that after failing in foundation establishment, one can never attempt it again.”

“Foundation establishment failure is failure, and one can never attempt it again.” Li Ziheng sat down, staring at Gu Qingfeng in the field, sneering, “This person is not qualified for the Inner Sect assessment.”

Gu Qingfeng asked leisurely, “How do you know it’s impossible?”

“If I say it’s impossible, then it’s impossible!” Li Ziheng glared angrily at Gu Qingfeng, wishing he could tear him apart right then and not allow him to participate in the assessment.

“Nothing is impossible.” Gu Qingfeng stood there calmly, his face adorned with a serene smile, saying, “In the ancient era, ten thousand years ago, our Cangxuan realm’s Soaring Sword Immortal, who shocked the world with a single sword, had failed in foundation establishment.”

“In the ancient era, nine thousand years ago, our Cangxuan realm’s founder of the Qing Sect, Qingyun Zi, also failed in foundation establishment.”

“In the ancient era, eight thousand years ago, our Cangxuan realm’s overlord of the era, Jun Changsheng, also failed in foundation establishment, not just once, but three times.”

“In the ancient era, five thousand years ago, our Cangxuan realm’s carefree Immortal, Wuwang Jushi, also failed in foundation establishment.”

Gu Qingfeng listed more than a dozen legendary figures from the ancient era, all of whom had failed in foundation establishment, some even more than once.

“If it’s impossible to re-attempt foundation establishment after failing, how did they step back onto the path of cultivation and become renowned?”

Gu Qingfeng’s question left Li Ziheng unable to retort, as almost everyone familiar with ancient history knew these were facts. These once-renowned figures had all failed in foundation establishment. Unable to refute such a challenge from a young man, Li Ziheng scoffed, “These are histories from thousands of years ago, whether true or false, no one can verify!”

At this point, Fei Kui also chimed in with a smile, “If the history of thousands of years cannot be verified, then let me mention someone. I wonder if Elder Li is aware?”

(End of Chapter)